Track Of The Week

Animal Collective - Fall Be Kind

Animal Collective

Fall Be Kind

MP3

As if they needed to prove further that 2009 was indeed their year, Animal Collective squeeze in this mini-offering last minute: another dreamlike collage of clattering rhythms, tight harmonies, electronic bleeps, ethereal synths - and a visit from the angel Jerry Garcia via a Grateful Dead sample. They remain one of the most exciting bands in the world; experimental, forward thinking, with a pop sensibility. When music is this good you wish every year could be an Animal Collective year.


Album Of The Week

Rihanna - Rated R

Rihanna

Rated R

MP3

Rihanna treads a darker path on her fourth album (deluxe edition cash-ins excluded). Ditching Timbaland for a wider range of producers, including Chase & Status and Stargate, the Bajan singer covers new territory as the ominous atmosphere of tracks like lead single ‘Russian Roulette’ sit beside the strident swagger of ‘Wait Your Turn’ and ‘Hard’. Rated R is the sound of a superstar maturing.


indiestore recommends

Future Equation Of Soul

Future Equation Of Soul
Vintage

After vibrating organs and guitar foreplay arrives an explosion of soul. I am talking dark basement lounge music where cigarette air fills the room and musicians sing from old-styled microphones. The drummer taps away in the background like ?uestlove and I imagine the bass player chewing liquorice as he leads the melody. Check out Future Soul of Equation and their seductive song, “Vintage.” (DR)


El Toco

El Toco
Smiling

For anyone into Interpol (the first album) or Sebadoh (the discordant rock bits, not the soppy ballads) try this band, from Switzerland. Although mostly instrumental, this track has a great vocal and sounds not totally unlike The Pixies. They’ve recently been collaborating with a girl group from Italy - which is maybe where the horses heads come in…(NM)