THE ABSENT

THE ABSENT
THE ABSENT - out now!

CRIPPLED HEARTS

CRIPPLED HEARTS
Out Now - For sale on Amazon and other onlne book sellers

SOLIDARITY WITH THE FLESH EATING MOSAIC AND OTHER POEMS by Raj Dronamraju

SOLIDARITY WITH THE FLESH EATING MOSAIC AND OTHER POEMS by Raj Dronamraju
Out Now

THE RETURN OF THE MAGNIFICENT NINNY AND OTHER POEMS by Raj Dronamraju

THE RETURN OF THE MAGNIFICENT NINNY AND OTHER POEMS by Raj Dronamraju
My first book of poetry available through Amazon and other online booksellers www.rajbooks.com

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

DUNES BY GARDENS & VILLA


Gardens and Villa’s  new release, their second, DUNES occupies the same space sonically as Bear in Heaven’s excellent I LOVE YOU IT’S COOL my favorite record of 2012.

The vocals are a bit more faceless than Bear’s which is the only bad thing I can say about this record as it is deeply hooky and crisply produced evenly divided between slow steady rhythmic burners such as Domino and Chrysanthemums and 80’s sturm and drang nostalgia fare sashaying along on mechanical drums such as Colony Glen and Echosassy.

Bullet Train is an example of the Gardens and Villa template at work.  A steady chorus gives way to a slight raise of temperature in the vocals and arrangements on the chorus.  The addition of a guitar on this song helps as well.  A piano and a flute are also featured on other tracks.  The bass on Echosassy mimics New Order. 

The Bear in Heaven comparison stops at the amount of edginess in I LOVE YOU IT’S COOL that is missing in this record’s pleasant synth-pop retro updates.  Still, it flows seamlessly, no bumpy spots, a satisfying listen.  Has 2014’s best record come out so early?



No comments: