Capsule Music Review - Clap Your Hands Say Yeah

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - Some Loud Thunder

How soon they forget. Only a year ago they were the alt-rock darling debut album band. Now . . . what were they called again, "Clap your something something something"?

That's unfair. In fact, over the first several tracks and the last few, I thought, you know this is a good record. But, like the 1984 Cubs, they're weak up the middle, with some misguided gobbledy gook that did not keep my attention. Despite its intentionally crappy production, the title track is quite good. Worth picking up for "Yankee Go Home" alone.

Capsuile Music Review - Burial

Burial - Untrue

I think they call this underground hip-hop. I'm not sure. I'm white. I'm a tax lawyer.

It's the top-rated record of the year in Metacritic, but I'm sorry, it still sounds like the soundtrack to Grand Theft Auto. The fragments of R&B with some admittedly brilliant staticky production sounded great in the 30 second iTunes snippet, but over the long term.......zzzzzzzzz.

Capsule Music Review - Avett Brothers

Avett Brothers - Emotionalism

Quite the breath of fresh air in some circles. Don't bother to resurrect the rotting corpse of country music, it's dead, fully absorbed into the soil, and the grass that grows out of it is either God-shit or (please, kill me) Faith Hill.

But we can dream can't we? A world in which the Everly Brothers are understood and appreciated? We can listen to the Avett Brothers and their completely heartfelt and sincere brand of country music. Some truly fine songs here, like "Shame" - as in, it's a shame that country music has been taken over by a bunch of bloodsucking worms. The seemingly bizarre but ultimately profund "The Ballad of Love and Hate" documenting the relationship between a man named Hate and a woman named Love. "The Weight of Lies" - Oh Lord, why can't every record be like this?

Capsule Music Review - Art Brut

Art Brut - It's a Bit Complicated

There are some jokes that you just don't get tired of. Monty Python, Animal House, Galaxy Quest . . . and Art Brut. These cheeky monkeys continue to impress with their pop smarts and funny funny lyrics. They're obviously in on the joke, as they sing in the first track "Pump Up the Volume": "I know I shouldn't . . . is it so wrong . . . to break from your kiss . . . to tart up a pop song?" To be effective, smartass bands have to back it up with some chops, and Art Brut delivers the goods - "Direct Hit", great! "People in Love" simultaneously breaks your heart and snickers in its Grape Nuts: "People in love lie around and get fat/I didn't want us to wind up like that."

God save Art Brut!