Staff Picks

Andrew J Seitz - Black Sharpie Review Guy

Album Artist	Review
Alligator The National	I have to mention that I've been waiting for this record for at least 6 months. The question is did The National have more to live up to for me, or will it be harder to make a first impression on those that haven't been waiting? In th e first third of this album the song that really struck me was also one of two tracks with profanity on the album, easy edit though, and I was thinking my expectations were too high. However everything fell into place and I was able to appreciate the slo w build even more. The National are fronted by a conversational, storytelling, Nick Cave style baritone vocal and textured instrumentation similar to brit acts like Tindersticks or Cousteau, but with the perfectly placed burst of intensity like Interpol. Not to mention I can't get some of the choruses out of my head.
Seperation Sunday The Hold Steady	Craig Finn is part of my musical pantheon, he is a god among musicians. I mourned the demise of Lifter Puller, and then "Almost Killed Me" came out and I cherished his return. The second record with his divebar rock n'Fing' roll outfi t The Hold Steady still sees him singing songs about Sex, Drugs, Booze, The Midwest, Women and making pop culture references throughout. Craig Finn's vocals may take some getting used to for the uninitiated, kind of like Jello Biafra, but the way he wrap s words around is spectacular. Hopefully he makes his way back to the Vaudeville Mews on the tour for this album, as I would gladly brave another snowstorm to see it.
The Vulture Jet By Day	Jet By Day's last album "Cascadia" seemed to be lost in the shuffle when it came out. Not to mention the demise of their label at the time, Kindercore, shortly after its release. That hasn't stopped this Athens Georgia indie rock act however. There are a few different sounds throughout this album, but all in all it is a very solid Indie Rock record. Fans of Conor Obersts side project Desperacidos may find Jet By Day's sound familiar at times, but so might someone who can't get enoug h Foo Fighters. Track 7 sadly swears but presents Jet By Day displaying their southern rock influences on their sleeve.
Volume One: Unindian Songs Up in the Hip Hop Pedestrian	Anticon's co-founder takes Hip Hop and the label to a new level. Shall we call this Progressive Hip Hop? Often more concerned with the theory than the rhyme, experimentation is a must. Don't think however that this album lacks any dep th, far from it. Pedestrian follows the same current of acts like CloudDead, Passage or 13 & God (who also have a great new album in the collection). Not to mention an appearance of Flava Flav on track two, if that is what it will take to get you to t ry this CD.
The Milk of Human Kindness Caribou	Legal issues made Dan Snaith change the name of Manitoba to Caribou, thankfully no lwyer can threaten the music itself. Finding some pastoral place between psychepop and post-electronica, Caribou sounds like Lemon Jelly remixing Super Furry Animals or Mogwai mindmelding with Neutral Milk Hotel. It is probably easiest for most people to get into the tracks with vocals, but there are some wonderfully intense instrumentals on here as well. The "Yeti" single has been doubled up with the full length and has some enjoyable B-Sides. Hopefully everyone gives this album the attention it deserves.

Also check out:

• The Books - Lost and Safe
• Emiliana Torrini - Fisherman's Woman
• Architecture in Helsinki - In Case We Die
• Andrew J. Seitz College Radio Ruined My Life Saturday 6-9pm 88.5 KURE Ames, Iowa

Neil B-meyer - Music Director

Album Artist	Review
In Case We Die Architecture in Helsinki	Some really good warm weather pop. Sometimes, these large over-orchestrated groups get together and produce powerful music by virtue of the fact that they are such a large and cohesive collection of musicians (The Polyphonic Spree). I n this case, Architecture in Helsinki brings together a large amount of musicians, but in more of a collaborative way, to create chaotic and subtley powerful pop music.
Palomar 3.5 demo EP Palomar	This EP is pretty solid.. A sneak peak at the upcoming album '3'.. Its just straight catchy girl rock songs.
The Milk of Human Kindness Caribou	Seitz has lots of good things to say about this album, and all of them are dead on. I think this can satisfy those looking for some superficially good 'tunes' as well as those loooking for something that has something new to offer upon each new listen.
lost and safe the books	The books have been making progressively better albums... I feel like they have really unleashed the sound they found on their previous albums. They have really made somethign happen on this album.. Catch them on their first tour ever. . Coming soon to Iowa!!!

Shea Prueger - Asst. Music Director

• bloc party
• mia
• mahjongg
• iron and wine ep
• deceptikon

Greg "Rice" Protocol

Album Artist	Review
Jesu Jesu	Justin Broadrick of Godflesh fame returns with his new album producing heavy sedated sludge in the vein of My Bloody Valentine with dense instrumentation.
Into the Moat The Design	In a genre plagued by formulaic hardcore breakdowns and singing-screaming repetition, this five-piece Florida band has successfully defined their own sound in tech metal. Expect pit-clearing instrumentals intermixed with dissonant guitar textures, brutal bass riffs, and intricate complexity.
Head for the Shallow Big Business	The bastard child of drug-induced sex between Black Sabbath and Lightning Bolt. Defiant drum and bass without the castrato vocals and hand clapping.
With the Sureness of Sleepwalking The Esoteric	With the Sureness of Sleepwalking - When genre-defining members of Coalesce decided to end a legacy in hardcore in 2001, a small side project that preciously only received mild attention gained new steam. With an impressive resume featuring ex-members of the pioneering Coalesce, super-pop all-stars Reggie and the Full Effect, indie-rockers Theta, and even noisecore stalwarts Today is the Day, The Esoteric are now laying down their own style in the hardcore scene. Expect abrasive but intricate guitar work with pummeling rhythm sections.

Previous Weeks

• April 20th, 2005