NEW AND IN REVIEW
The Shins
Wincing the Night Away
(Sub Pop)
Much to the dismay of its loyal indie following, The Shins are rapidly on their way to becoming mainstream — especially on the wings of its sparkling new Sub Pop effort. Following Death Cab for Cutie's model, its once underground sound has been polished up to be radio-ready.
Saliva
Blood Stained Love Story
(Island)
There is a magic to the way Saliva intertwines tunefulness into its pop metal sound, a broad style that touches on all forms of hard rock. Love Story is no exception to this reputation, and contains some should-be hits ("Broken Sunday").
Arcade Fire
Neon Bible
(Merge)
The Canadian wonder that exploded with 2005's Funeral — including a cover spot on Time magazine — continues to show its American audience how the boundaries of pop can be pushed with Neon Bible.
Breaking Benjamin
Phobia
(Hollywood)
A little bit Staind - and a few parts Nickelback - gives you the accessible hard rock style of Breaking Benjamin. The intense "You" and the haunting "Evil Angel" is a great back-to-back nucleus of their third LP.
Brandtson
Hello Control
(The Militia Group)
This finely packaged, easy-to- enjoy set from one of today's best new labels is the fourth record from danceable pop/rocker Brandtson. It's loaded with electronic bloops and hooky choruses ("Here We Go").
Ono
Yes, I'm a Witch
(Astralwerks)
An intriguing concept sees some of today's best artists (including Porcupine Tree) strip Yoko Ono songs of everything but vocals and, for the most part, completely reinterpret them; it's interesting, indeed.
Under Byen
Samme Stof Som Stof
(Paper Bag)
If Bjork was more focused — and valued writing something somewhat close to a pop song, it would sound like Under Byen, one of Denmark's hidden secrets. Its fifth album is receiving heaps of well-deserved praise.
Carly Simon
Into White
(Columbia)
An unmistakable voice singing a collection of timeless songs, Into White is a very different "standards" album — in a good way. Simon finds her delicate side, covering pop's softer side highlighted by the title track.
The Trucks
The Trucks
(Click Pop)
Chicks with synthesizers ... you can't go wrong, right? Well, the self-titled debut from Washington quartet The Trucks is indeed fun. Musically genius? Nah. But entertaining? Most certainly.
NICK'S PICK
Various Artists
Policia!
A Tribute to The Police
(2005/TheMilitia Group)
A collection of groups salute the now-reformed Police, including a powerful "Synchronicity II" by No Motiv.
Contact freelance music writer Nick Brandon at NickBrandonMusicBeat@hotmail.com
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