Weekly Digs #2 (10/9/10)
Welcome to installment #2 of the Weekly Digs, where our writers make recommendations based upon their recent listening. Since it’s our own Michelle DeVries’s first time submitting picks, we’re going to start with her. Here is what the 402 crew had on repeat this week.
Michelle’s Picks:
Newton Faulkner – Hand Built by Robots
One of my all time favorite albums. This album is relatively simple; guitar, vocals, some percussion, with few surprises, but it still manages to be beyond amazing. You don’t need much else when you can harness the power of raw talent.
Favorite track: Ageing Superhero
Muse – The Resistance
It wouldn’t matter if this was an album of toddlers banging on trash cans, if Matthew Belamy is on vocals, I’ll love it.
Favorite track: I Belong to You
Anya Marina – Slow and Steady Seduction: Phase II
She can get a little weird sometimes, but she makes it work for her. The small bits of Portuguese she incorporates into her music are like a sweet little hidden treat.
Favorite track: Waters of March
Nick’s Picks:
Valient Thorr – Stranger
Maybe the softest spot in my heart belongs to one thing: shredders. You have five fingers on that left hand and you play guitar like you have twenty. Of course, there are a ton of shredders in bad bands… Valient Thorr is a special case. Weird storytelling music and all it’s shredding glory.
Gatsby’s American Dream – Volcano
A long time favorite. When I heard these guys are getting back together, I decided to brush up on my sing-a-long skills.
Maximum Balloon - S/T
TV On The Radio side project? I guess I have to check it out. I should save my review for the actual album review I’ll be writing up though.
Adam’s Picks:
Punch Brothers – Antifogmatic
The only Folk/Roots/Americana album I’ve listened to lately with real-life swagger, this collaboration between Nickel Creek mandolinist Chris Thile and four other talented-as-balls musicians deserves a listen whether or not this style of music is your thing.
El-P – I’ll Sleep When You’re Dead
It’s been 3 and a half years since this came out and I’m not sure I’ve heard a more bleak, dystopian record since. The claustrophobia and paranoia are real, and the percussion is masterfully executed.
M.I.A. – Maya
I know, I know, it’s not as good as her early work, but I’ve played Maya three times this week, in three different contexts, and found myself nodding my head all three times. That’s more than you can say of most albums.
