It has been a month since my last entry and for that I apologize. It's not that I haven't attempted to complete another entry. Believe me, I most certainly have. In my "Edit Posts" tabs there sits approximately 4 artists whose albums I have started to review but have yet to publish. Will this album have the same plight? Only time and a few taps on the keyboard will tell....
Lately BIG (in all capital letters, yes) sounds is what seems to catch my attention. Hello, Fang Island? Sleigh Bells' debut album Treats listeners with just that (see what I just did there?). Mr. Buck Pennington said it so well and for that reason I quote "They're sort of like a cross between the White Stripes and Animal Collective [check out "Run the Heart"], but with a female lead [Alexis Krauss]. Incredibly catchy (and loud)." I would have to interject that Krauss brings to mind the lead from the Dirty Projectors.
Treats is an album of juxtapositions. Borrowing from Funkadelic's "Can You Get That", nostalgia is paired with contemporary pop percussion in the true gem of the album, "Rill, Rill". A time line union sorts. "Tell 'Em", is a most definite "wake-me up anthem". Here Krauss' demure voice is set side by side with an onslaught of carefully created noise stemming from drum machines to guitar riffs to blown out beats. "Crown on the Ground" and "Riot Rhythm" combine rock sensibilities with that Pep Rally staple sound--the stomp your feet and clap your hands together duo.
My suggestion...play this album and play it loud.
