Synthetica - Metric

Thrashing guitar riffs, staccato drum beats, and solid basslines. The Canadian rock band Metric strikes their audience with their latest record "synthetica". The opening track "Youth Without Youth" channels the intricate, yet driving guitar style of guitar great Thurston Moore (Sonic Youth) in a new and refined package. Emily Haines' vocals capture the audience with blatant lyrics and dynamic stage presence. While the album thrashes and shines in many aspects it fails to muster the former glory of their last album "fantasies". Unlike their previous record, Synthetica lacks any sort of tug and pull between songs. Everything blends together. While "Synthetica" features many amazing tracks and catchy riffs, it lacks the coherency of their previous works.

B-

Sigur Ros - Valtari

Ethereal, melodic, harmonious, exotic. Sigur Ros's latest album Valtari continues to envelop the listener in a clouded atmosphere of drawn out songs (ten minutes) with their own inventive language loosely based off Icelandic. As always the pulsing melodies gently coax the listener into the never ending mystical environment. Valtari (icelandic for steamroller) follows the same patterns of the band's later work like "Takk" and "Inni". While Sigur Ros masters the melodic and ethereal aspect of their music, their previous meanings are lost. The made up language clouds any meaning the band wishes to convey. Every utterance is swept away by the melodies.
B

Beach House - Bloom

Since 2004, the dreamy Baltimore indie pop band Beach House has been capturing listeners with their dreamy atmosphere. "Bloom" is no exception. The album begins with the entrancing "myth", encompassing the listener with repetitive guitar rhythms, ethereal vocals, and light drum fills. The album continually casts a light aromatic and incense filled haze over the listener. "Wild" crafts a similar dreamy sound that quietly lists into infinity as it progresses. "Lazuli" begins with a simple music box style rhythm, but like a traditional Beach House song, evolves into much more. Simple beats and riffs magically fuse and craft the perfect surreal yet melancholy atmosphere that Beach House fans have come to love.

A

Silversun Pickups - Neck of the Woods

Silversun's third album "Neck of the Woods" crafts a sublime and mysterious environment, while retaining the classic Silverun sound. The listing and occasionally exploding contrasts shake the listener, and song constructions and executions are reminiscent of classic "shoegazing" bands like The Velvet Underground and Sonic Youth. Even with the influence from these highly regarded bands, the Silversun Pickups craft their own unique atmosphere with every track. Skin Graph opens with a haunting atmosphere,punctuated with refined guitar rhythms, and the unique vocals of Brian Aubert. Jacknife Lee's precise string and organ drones further evolve the albums mysterious and driving atmosphere, something that was missing on their previous work. Unlike previous Silversun albums, Neck of the Woods crafts a delicate environment. Tracks ebb and flow,only exploding at just the right moments.The perfect melodic executions invite the listener for a stay before the classic Silversun thrashing returns.It is easily one of the best independent rock albums this year.

A-