Album of the Week (Year?) 5/13/2014

Swans
To Be Kind
Young God Records

Normally, I'm not one for experimental rock, but Swans know what they're doing. The 80's psychedelic troupe have put out two albums in as many years, but judging by the quality of the work--some 4 hours of music--their comeback is not a fluke. To Be Kind is as vast as 2012's The Seer (fortunately with less ambient bagpipes this time) and constantly emphasizes the band's power and proclivity for loudness. Of course, the experimentalism is still there; it wouldn't be a Swans album without longs stretches of abstract noise, but here they up their game by providing catchy backing hooks. Darkly majestic, inspiringly uncompromising, To Be Kind is an album to pour over, and one that is near perfection.

Listen, go mad:
A Little God in My Hands
Oxygen

Album of the Week (5/06/2014)

Fennesz
Becs
Editions Mego

There is beauty in dissonance, and never before has someone been so adept at showing us. Between ethereal guitar static and otherworldly field recordings, Christian Fennesz makes music that acts as both soundtrack to- and active participant in your meditation on alien worlds. Whether he meant to leave a message or not doesn't matter, as long as you transcend time and space. There is a signal in the noise, all you have to do is listen.

Listen:
Static Kings
Liminality
Becs

Album of the Week (4/29/2014)

Fear of Men
Loom
Kanine

I don't know if there was ever a need to replicate the Cranberries with such exactness, but it must have existed, and it was most certainly met. Fear of Men provide a lush sound to the best pop has to offer, and despite the dark lyrics, almost all of which reference water, you can't help but feel a little lighter. The hooks on Loom are positively addictive, even transformational. Effortlessly the band creates songs that are both smart and enjoyable, merging depression and elation into a single sound. If there's one thing we can take from Fear of Men's Loom, it's that meticulous composition and flawless execution combine to make an affirmation of life so uncertain it's invigorating.

Listen:
Waterfall
America
Descent
Luna