THE SHINS
PORT OF MORROW
A longside Death Cab For Cutie, The Shins are synonymous with the indie scene, with their Seattle origins and their place on the roster of the legendary Sub Pop Records giving this band all the credentials it needs. The last two years have seen a lot of changes, though: Band members have been given the heave-ho, while lead singer James Mercer has started his own label titled Aural Apothecary, which is an imprint of Columbia Records.Nevertheless, a lot of people have been holding out for this release, and when the first taste arrived with the single “Simple Song,” no one was disappointed. The album kicks off with the fun, up-tempo “The Rifle’s Spiral,” and it’s clear as day that the new album is not a dramatic departure from the band’s earlier sound. If anything, that sound is more developed. Even the slow-tempo songs such as “It’s Only Life” still have a very full sound with barely any instrumentation throughout most.
For the people who love The Shins, it’s easy to see why. The band has a different sound but it is very easy to listen to it. This album flows from track to track so effortlessly that listening to it is a journey, and a fun one at that. Port of Morrow flows from slow smooth tracks to upbeat, almost danceable pop-rock, making this album easy to recommend. Shins fans won’t be disappointed, and new ones might just have to join the already massive fan base.
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MADONNA
MDNA
For those who somehow missed the Superbowl Halftime show and just about every blog this side of the universe, I have a news flash: Madonna’s back. In theory, that’s a good thing. A general rule of thumb for Madonna albums of late is that it's usually one good album followed by one bad album. Starting with Music in 2000, we then had the god-awful American Life (2003), followed by 2005’s amazing Confessions on a Dance Floor and ending with the unlistenable Hard Candy in 2008. The stage was set for a triumphant comeback, one that falls just short of expectations.
MDNA kicks off with a ridiculous prayer, and given her career it’s hard to tell if it’s sincere or another joke on religion. The music is generic euro-house with Madonna just singing lyrics that contain very little thought. Can we collectively agree the lyric “DJ play my favorite song” has been used far too much in pop music?
Nonetheless, this album is fun, it’s danceable and it’s mind numbing. The real problem is that Madonna is 53 years old. It’s a bit laughable how she still tries to play on her sexuality and whatnot. Fans of Madonna will love this album because fans of Madonna love Madonna. The album has flashes of brilliance and moments that really show this album could have been better.
Now this album is easily better than Hard Candy, but it isn’t exactly the greatest thing she has done. MDNA will however have you dancing and is a great addition to any house party this year. Whether you want to admit or not, Madonna really is the Queen of Pop, and as the Queen of Pop she retains her throne even if she hasn’t really added anything new to her discography.
IF THESE TREES COULD TALK
RED FOREST
This is probably one of the best band names around. Akron, Ohio seems to be pumping out some really good rock music, and ITTCT is a welcome member of the Akron music scene. The band is an instrumental post-rock group a la Explosions in the Sky. The music is perfect for driving through Cairo, as the songs go from a chaotic mess into an almost hollow feel, making you feel as if your life has been given its very own score. Red Forest is a treat for the ears and an experience for the mind. Sure, this isn’t the kind of album you throw on while hanging out with buddies; this is the album for that long night drive, when you are looking for that little something to make the trip all the more legendary.
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