Rogue Wave – Permalight (6/10)

The thing is, Permalight isn’t terrible; in fact, there’s potential, yet, ultimately, it’s still completely forgettable.

Rogue Wave – Permalight (6 out of 10)

Apparently this album is a refreshing change of pace for the usually melancholy Oakland-based band, but I wouldn’t know because I’ve never listened to them before.  So here’s my first impression: it sounds like music ripped straight off of the O.C. or One Tree Hill soundtracks.  And while they border on electro-pop goodness, they never fully commit.  The thing is, Permalight isn’t terrible; in fact, there’s potential, yet, ultimately, it’s still completely forgettable.

- B

Related articles:

• Interviews at Stubb’s: Rogue Wave (spin.com)

Goldfrapp – Head First (7.5/10)

There is an epic battle raging throughout Head First between its 80’s-montage-electro-pop-awesomeness half and its ambient-Yanni-crappola half.  Ultimately, the awesomeness prevails, but not without a price.

Goldfrapp – Head First (7.5 out of 10)

There is an epic battle raging throughout Head First between its 80’s-montage-electro-pop-awesomeness half and its ambient-Yanni-crappola half.  Ultimately, the awesomeness prevails, but not without a price.  Admittedly, at one point during my listening, I brought the laptop into the bathroom and played it while I showered/manscaped and I ended up dancing my buck-naked ass off.  So…

- B

Second Opinion:

No comment about the album (haven’t given it a good listen yet), but WOW to B’s questionable behavior!  hahahah…

- Moe

Hot Chip – One Life Stand (3.5/6)

Personally, the appeal of Hot Chip has always been their seamless ability to follow catchy and insistent

Hot Chip – One Life Stand (3.5 out of 6)

Personally, the appeal of Hot Chip has always been their seamless ability to follow catchy and insistent electro-pop dance tracks with equally enjoyable, atmospheric slow-jams.  Unfortunately, the London five-some has forgone the former for almost exclusively the latter.  As a result, One Life Stand turns out to be, for lack of a better word, boring.

A disappointment for me, sorry guys, but you need that contrast.

- B

Related articles:

• New Hot Chip Video: Crazy Sexy Creepy (trueslant.com)
• Hot Chip – “I Feel Better” Video (stereogum.com)