Thursday's Track Reviews

by Pop Tarts Suck Toasted on Thu, 2009/03/05 - 4:00pm Post to Twitter

Goes Cube - "Grinding the Knife Blade"; Well it seems Goes Cube are finally over naming their songs after numbers, which is a definitely a good thing, and this rocking ass track certainly sets the bar fairly high for all the actually titled songs to come.
Grade: B

Art Brut - "Just Desserts"; This may just be the B-side to their lead single, but Art Brut and Eddie Argos certainly show their wit has maintained through all the time off. Taking on his own chubby self, Argos sings about his snacking habits. It’s a humorous song and not too bad musically.
Grade: B

Dog Day - "Rome"; Fans of straight forward indie pop should take note of this new act. With simple dueling vocals and a gentle rhythm the song is cute and catchy enough to catch your ear, though it never does wow us.
Grade: B-

Harlem - "Come Back Jonee"; It wasn’t enough that Harlem had to force their way into our lives with their addictive song "South of France", no now the band has gone and covered Devo to woo us even further. This is yet another example of a band that’s just finding its way and having a lot of fun experimenting.
Grade: A-

Bodies of Water - "Dear Boy"; Justin, the dude behind Aquarium Drunkard, is putting together a track for track cover album of Paul McCartney’s RAM. It almost reminds me of Nellie McKay with the big piano sound and lovely female voice carrying the track, but there are also the backing harmonies which are such a trademark of Bodies of Water’s own work to make you realize who you’re actually listening to.
Grade: B+

Ear Pwr - "Future Eyes"; The latest addition to the Carpark stable definitely fits right in. Ear Pwr makes the same sort of instantly catchy synth pop that the label has been pushing for a couple years now. It’s catchy, addictive, and extremely dance worthy so get ready to hear it everywhere!
Grade: B

We Are the Arm - "Fancy Free"; If you like funky, 80’s synth jam type songs this might be right up your alley, even if it occasionally sounds a little too quirky. If that’s not you thing please feel free to skip ahead.
Grade: C+

Money Addict - "Born, Bred, Built"; Straight up Southern rap the way we were taught to hear it. Money Addict doesn’t stray far from the formula that built up some of the better rappers from the South, but he certainly lays down rhymes that stick with you well after the song is done.
Grade: B-

Bell - "Magic Tape"; I’ve been a big fan of Bell’s as she has made the rounds through the New York indie circuit, but for whatever reason I cannot get into this song at all. It’s fractured from her electro past and pieced back together into a series of crazy loops, and for whatever reason it is just not clicking in my ears right now. There’s moments where I think it will and then it’s gone. Maybe I need to listen some more.
Grade: C+

Green Day - "21st Century Breakdown"; In all the time that I’ve been running this site I have never hid my affections for Green Day. I am an unabashed fan that will not stop listening to their music no matter what. So I listened to the first track of their upcoming album with a lot of expectations and I have to say most of them were met. I want them to focus on an album long story, I want them to do a rock opera, American Idiot was great because of that. And this song seems to set the tempo for all of that. But as much as I like it I can admit to a lot of problems. There are riffs and sounds that have definitely been recycled from previous Green Day songs, and the whole Stereogum three part break down is pretty apropos. But like I said, I am a fan and I remain one right now.
Grade: B

Keri Hilson (feat. Kanye West & Ne-Yo) - "Knock Back Down"; Kanye posted this track on his own blog yesterday, and though it’s not anywhere near as good as when he paired with Estelle it’s definitely a hooky, addictive little tune. Keri sings well and Kanye and Ne-Yo don’t overpower her or push her out of the spotlight. Nice introduction to a new artist. At least new to me.
Grade: B

Track of the Week:
Air France - "Never Content (Friend’s Tropic Thunder Edit)"; If you thought you had fallen for Air France with the release of their EP last year just wait till you here this breezy, summery remix. If Air France’s music wasn’t already bright enough for you, throw this in but make sure you grab for some sunscreen before doing so.
Grade: A

Video of the Week:

Art Brut - "Alcoholics Unanimous"; The lead single from the new Art Brut record is right here. It’s pretty much straight forward Art Brut, he’s got a drinking problem and he’s gonna tell you all about it. Cool, most of us do too and we aren’t ready to admit it. Video wise, pretty straight forward but still fun.