Emily Agustin 05.30.10
- Glenn Branca The Ascension: The Sequel (Systems Neutralizers)
The long-awaited sequel to 1981’s Ascension from legendary avant-garde composer and artsy fartsy noise rock guitar god Glenn Branca. Dissonant and minimalistic, yet totally rockin’.
- Mulatu Astatke Mulatu Steps Ahead (Strut)
Chill and jazzy, this record makes me want to wear pencil skirts and sip martinis. A beautiful and timeless record from vibraphonist and father of Ethio-jazz, Mulatu Astatke.
- The Fall Your Future Our Clutter (Domino)
The Fall’s TWENTY-EIGHTH record finds Mr. Mark E. Smith in fine form. Fuzzed out bass lines and distortion galore, plus a cover of the Wanda Jackson hit, “Funnel of Love.” You can’t go wrong.
- Radar Eyes Radar Eyes (Plustapes)
Local band Radar Eyes is rock done right: lo-fi, high energy. This EP, released on Chicago’s own cassette-only Plustapes label, is on near-constant rotation in my car (the only place I still have a tape deck). Reverb-drenched post-punk with a hard-hitting female drummer? I heart it.
- My Teenage Stride Lesser Demons (self-released)
Equal parts Jesus and Mary Chain, Belle and Sebastian, and Love, My Teenage Stride is pure garage pop bliss. With a jangly, angular, proto-punk sound, I was surprised to find that this Brooklyn quartet is contemporary. Lucky for us, because that increases the likelihood of touring and new albums and such.
