Hjaltalín - Terminal (Borgin, 24/05/2010) www.myspace.com/hjaltalinband
Prog-pop? Forget all the negative connotations the term prog has come to bare and open your ears to the truly wonderful world of Icelandic wonder Hjaltalín. This guys have taken everything good from the more accessible side of the magical period of 1967-1973: prog, Canterbury, psych, folk, rich and lush orchestrations and the oh so vital 60's spirit. This is equal parts Caravan, The free design and King crimson with a dash of soul. Since 1973, few were able to reconstruct the recipe for bringing back the 60's, and by bringing back I do not mean dull regurgitations, covers and replicas; rather an hommage, original material taking a bow before the masters of old without compromising one bit their own take on things. Although Uza likes things rugged and rough, this tasty cotton candy is granular enough to swallow.
Mike Patton - Mondo cane (Ipecac, 07/05/2010)
Patton is the ferocious ringleader, the master of cermoy far out of reach of any mortal musician. Patton has carved for himself a status second to none which allows him to do just whatever the fuck he wants to. Devilishly uber-talented, Patton can take on any subject matter, any genre and bend it seven sheets to the wind. He's done experimental, free-jazz, hip hop, lounge, pop, metal, you name it. Pattons' Italian connection has produced several musical outputs (the collaborations with Zu and with Corrleone) but here Patton does the impossible and turns the cheesy trash of San Remo to sheer gold. First off the bat, Patton shines through the clever song selection. San Remo is not new to him and he has performed some such songs already in FNM shows (the mondo cane project first performed in 2008 and some songs did not make it to the album). While seemingly not much different from the originals, Patton's nuances make a world of a difference, and backed by a razor sharp band, he transforms these Italian lard soaked tunes into shiny and sweeping musical triumphs.
Evelyn Evelyn - Evelyn Evelyn (8 ft., 30/03/2010) www.myspace.com/evelynevelyn
Amanda Palmer has never been a friend to Uza, but Jason Webley sure has, since his sophomore effort Against the night. Webley's schizophrenic musical persona helps Palmer produce her best work to date. This collaboration dates back to 2007, and has since garnered a devoted fan base, much like the Rocky horror show. Evelyn Evelyn is an innovative cabaret/sketch whose narrative takes a back seat to the charming, playful and humorous nursery folk/Americana. All the Webley hallmarks are there to be found and the chemistry with Palmer works perfectly. This is a feel-good album (though some will find it hard to see the what is so delightful in the protagonists' story). Evelyn Evelyn is a refreshing concept album, offering not only great tunes, but also a direly needed sense of humor (albeit macabre) in the ever so somber and heavy-headed "indie" scene.
Grosstadtgeflüster - Alles Muss Man Selber Machen (Chicken soup, 30/04/2010) www.myspace.com/grossstadtgefluester
Catchy as hell poptronica that has zero pretensions: it is here to make fun, make you dance but never to insult your musical intelligence. This is an aggressive version of 90's electro with a dash of techno all fused into pop mastery. This German band manages to tread the extremely thin line between cheesy and mainstream to intelligent and "indie". This borders the category of a guilty pleasure only I have not a milligram of guilt here: pure fun that hits the spot right on exactly when you need it. Definitely an album to get wasted to.
Kyrie Kristmanson - Origin of stars (No format, 22/10/2010) www.myspace.com/kyriekristmanson
With her imaginative and creative exploration of the boundaries between jazz and pop, Canuck Kristmanson is highly reminiscent of early Emiliana Torrini (second time!). A perfect collection of little gems of minimal production that accompanies best the jazzy interpretations of the poppy melodies Kristmanson had crafted. Nothing here is ground breaking, but since nobody wants to be tied to his seismic monitor at all times, this is a highly pleasant and rewarding listen. This is simply put a clever album, late night lounge for those who are conscious enough at the wee small hours to still pay attention to the music playing rather than snorting.
Eivor - Larva (Copenhagen, 04/10/2010) www.myspace.com/eivorpalsdottir
Hailing from the tiny Faroe islands, Eivør Pálsdóttir is the chilled mixture of Kate Bush, Emilian Torrini Magga Stina. Heavy on the melodrama and theatrical presence, Larva has its feet firmly in 80's country while drawing great inspiration from the Scandinavian (mainly Icelandic) electronica. It is basically a pop album hiding behind barrages of sophisticated atmospheric arrangements. It is a captivating experience that might prove to be demanding at first, but once the ambience sinks in, it draws the listener powerfully in.
Boy & bear - With emperor Antarctica EP (Universal, 07/05/2010) www.myspace.com/boyandbearmusic
The only Aussie ambassador in this list, Boy & bear are a refreshing addition to the armada of pseudo baroque pop revival movement that is most known by the boring Fleet foxes. Boy & bear do not take themselves so damn seriously as the foxes do and that is crucial when doing this kind of music: it's an extensively arranged pop music that still leaves the front stage to what makes it pop: catchy melodies. Boy & bear do not compromise an inch of their unique take on this genre but still manage to pull through with a sweeping and uplifting short EP that ends prematurely.
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