Today is Tuesday. And that means, yes, it's almost Wednesday...oh, and that means it is Review Tuesdays!
But first, I'd like to let everyone know that tomorrow, January 18th, this website and a bunch of others will be obvserving a "black-out" for the SOPA/PIPA bills that are snaking their way through Congress as we speak. These bills seriously threaten the Internet as we know it. Here is a video, which explains this way better than I can. Please join this, especially if you enjoy music blogs like this.
Now, to the tunes!
This record (out on Kitsune), is the debut from England's Is Tropical, is like a wild and meandering sailboat ride through a harbor of synths and pounding cymbals.
Is Tropical - Native To
This boat brings you along calm, windswept coastlines, and then violently throws you back out to a "deep-sea-dance-floor-freak-out", if you will. Basically, its a rad album.
While it did take me a while to really get into the album... the more I spin it, the more I like it.
The album kicks into gear with the smooth yet powerful "South Pacific", a melodious jaunt through tropical locales and shifting winds. "Lies" is a the most "dance floor" ready song I think, with a thick round of synth drops that really bounce along a strong kick drum. "The Greeks" is a classic "Is Tropical" song, if you will. Hints of electro-rock, Mediterranean strings and hi-hat chips really put your feet into "full on shuffle mode" and your head in "perma-nod".
Other standout tracks from the album include the fast-pace lyrics of "What???" to the group vocal harmonies of "Oranges" and the bounce-synth feelings of "Berlin", really show that Is Tropical is a influenced by a diverse range of styles, and they show it off with reckless abandon.
My favorite track, is the building, high-reaching "Think We're Alone". This is a an electro-rocker in the truest sense. From the squealing guitars and synths, to the reverb-soaked vocals, this song is not only catchy as all get out, it's a perfect synthesis of the record.
Is Tropical - Live
It brings you to a place where you realize this album is almost over, and you haven't even skipped a song.
Overall, I think this was one of the most over-looked releases of 2011. Really great tracks, and a sound that's different enough to make you want more, but hints of familiarity bring you back home...where you want to be.
Top Tracks: The Greeks, Lies, Think We're Alone.
Verdict: If you want something new and awesome, get this. They will probably get huge and play something like Coachella next year (I wish they would play SF OutsideLands instead...), and you tell your friends you knew about them first. You're welcome.
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