As for Cursive, they are a distinct new incarnation of the band, one that is both more mature and progressively ardent. While I am Gemini may be an obtuse tale of split personality delusions, they still put on a show that's as comprehensible as it is blaring. Cursive's live show translates: “We're brilliant, we're sophisticated, we're surly and we still know how to rock.”
While Tim Kasher’s ambition to create a fully realized concept album is admirable, the decision seems ill-advised. After all, we live in the modern age of iPod Shuffles, when music fans are increasingly shunning full-length albums in favor of individual tracks. As a result, the failure of I Am Gemini is partly due to the success of the album’s cohesiveness.
Last year Bjork put out easily her most ambitious and dynamic project to date, with the release of the Biophilia. The album, who’s title refers to a love of all
Cursive has completed work on the followup to 2009’s Mama, I’m Swollen. The 13 track set, I Am Gemini, will be released on CD, LP, and digital formats on February
It seems hard to believe that the gospel-infused, jam-blues-rock band The Word released their eponymous debut album some nine years ago – which has held up quite well over time.
A big, hearty salad of sound is the way to describe Hysterical Stars by Head of Femur. Musicians Matt Focht (vocals, guitar, also of Bright Eyes), Ben Armstrong (vocals, keyboards, drums, ex-Commander Venus) and Mike Elsener (vocals/guitar, also of Solar Wind) form the backbone of this Nebraska based indie rock “supergroup.” But Head of Femur has brought in a large number other players on their second full length album. Where else can you hear a trumpet, gong, glockenspiel and violin all wrapped up in a pop album?
