Minors – Ways/Times
There’s a little life in Ways/Times; spanning the joy of youth, the frenzied angst of the years till adulthood; love and the slow twist of death. This French six piece cram horns, strings and synth along with the gentlest of nylon-strings into a ten track epic that sways from frantic peaks to gentle lulls. To grant this release a genre would undermine its vicissitudes; particularly where orchestral folk and mild psychedelia flow effortlessly beside sweet pop songs and post-sea shanties (if this is not a genre, Minors may have made it). All-encompassing and oddly beautiful, Ways/Times is an experiential epic.
Bonesetters – Savages
After Mossback Records folded, Bonesetters were left with the costs of this wonderfully produced album and it came close to being shelved. Thankfully, fundraising prevailed and Savages was belatedly released. It immediately captures with a wall of harmonies giving way to jocular guitars in the joyous surf rock title track, but the loveliest moments in Savages are the quiet ones that allow lead singer Dan Snodgrass’ smoky voice and adept lyricism gleam through. Oh, and the tracks where a barber’s quartet supplies backing vocals- fingers crossed this becomes a trend because it’s bloody gorgeous. Bonesetters have a sound that encases whisky and grit with sweetness and storytelling and this nearly-not album shouts for multiple listens.
Grandparents –Fumes
Portland’s Grandparents have a tight grip on all the elements of top shelf indie rock and roll – power pop riffs combined with shout along choruses and booming reverb. Opener “Arrows” has a classic rock riff though doesn’t sound dated; it’s spaghetti western swagger and brilliant simplicity make for a gorgeous pop number. “SloWave” is a laconic little charmer too, with a gleam of early Yo La Tengo in it’s eye and streaked in 60’s psychedelica. The title track is the standout here however : at just under seven minutes it commences as an innocent enough pop number and proceeds to build a glorious wall of sonorous noise, constructed atop a killer bass line. While similarities to The Shins, Wolf Parade and Sleater Kinney can be found by digging a little deeper, Grandparents have a timeless sound that-like all of the best rock and roll-offers a place to lose yourself within.
