Yael Naim
Yael Naim
Atlantic
If you've watched TV lately, you've surely seen the ads for Apple's newest, thinnest technological feat, the MacBook Air. The background voice singing the upbeat, catchy tune "New Soul," belongs to Israeli singer Yael Naim, a relative newcomer to the American music market.
Throughout her teenage years, inspired by the music of the Beatles and Joni Mitchell, Naim ventured into composing her own music and lyrics, according to the singer's Web site. Naim started performing in clubs around Israel, and eventually found her way to Paris, the Web site states.
In 2004, Naim met with producer David Donatien and the pair set out to create the self-titled album, which touches on Naim's roots, as many of the songs are sung in Hebrew.
The instrumentals throughout the album are minimalist, with most of the songs featuring only a piano or a guitar and Naim's soothing voice.
Almost all of the songs, with the exception of "New Soul," are slow and dreamlike, using lyrics and sounds that transport the listener out into nature, as in "Yashanti," or the streets of Paris, as in the song "Paris," which is sung in Hebrew. Though you may not be able to understand the lyrics, don't let that deter you. Naim's emotion and message is clearly expressed through the sounds of her voice and the accompanying music.
Overall Yael Naim's self-titled album is worth more than the $9.99 iTunes price.
But lucky for you, the collection of soothing, dreamlike tunes is available for less, so you can chill out on your MacBook Air or whatever you choose.
--Krysten Appelbaum
Panic at the Disco
Pretty. Odd.
Fueled by Ramen
After secluding themselves in a cabin in the mountains, Panic at the Disco scrapped their first attempt at a concept album.
Panic's cryptic online marketing scheme stirred up a lot of anticipation and the loss of the exclamation point in the band's name created a lot of controversy. It seemed a kind of forewarning to their new sound: mellower and less hyper. Panic still focuses on the melodies and making them catchy and pop but it is definitely a different sound.
However it's a different sound that has been done before. Many critics have been claiming the new album is Beatle-esque --very fitting and ironic since part of the album was recorded in the Beatles' old stomping ground, Abbey Road Studios in London. Without even listening to the whole album one can make this generalization. The first single "Nine in the Afternoon" that includes a video with marching band outfits, and animals playing instruments is completely Beatles. Even the "Pretty. Odd." album cover is reminiscent of a certain "Sgt. Pepper" album cover.
The album is more mature, mellow, and Fab Four influenced from beginning to end. Though not completely original, at least they had the good sense to steal from the best.
--Krystina Lucido
Gnarls Barkley
The Odd Couple
Atlantic
Gnarls Barkley took the music industry by storm in 2006 with their debut "St. Elsewhere," blazing the way with their universally popular single "Crazy." The peculiar paring of virtuoso producer Danger Mouse and R&B singer Cee-Lo sat the forefront of the digital age for music, as "Crazy" found it's appeal through mass downloading.
So it only makes sense that their sophomore effort is titled "The Odd Couple" and was made available on iTunes before hitting record stores.
The boys this time have fully embraced their '60s and '70s R&B/funk/soul sound, giving the retro sound a full modern welcome. The second track on the album, "Who's Gonna Save My Soul," is a meandering soulful tune that showcases brilliant instrumentation from Danger Mouse as the acoustic guitar riff sits comfortably next to the chorus of organs and xylophone highlights. "Going On" is a teaser of the fast-driven beat that is on full display with the first single "Run," featuring the upbeat crescendo/decrescendo verses.
With "Open Book," the boys detour with an electronic sound, which is conspicuously out of place among the rest of the songs. It would be acceptable if it was actually a decent tune, but its trance-esque motif is almost un-listenable.
Thankfully, the second half of the album is Gnarls Barkley in top form, with songs like the thumping "Blind Mary," the ballad "No Time Soon" and the closing cruising song "A Little Better."
So while "The Odd Couple" doesn't bring anything new like "St. Elsewhere" did, it serves as a reminder that Danger Mouse and Cee-Lo are two creative dudes who don't mind looking to the past to make the future a bit more refreshing.
--Alex Plimack
Switches
Lay Down the Law
Interscope
Switches has been lighting up the U.K. scene for more than two years. Their U.S. debut has hung in limbo until the recent release of "Lay Down The Law," a re-named version of their U.K. debut album, "Heart Tuned to D.E.A.D."
The leadoff tracks are very nice. "Drama Queen," "Snakes and Ladders," and the title track all have memorable catchy riffs.
A couple songs, like "The Need to be Needed" are a little depressing and create sort of a break in the feel of the album, although "Need" picks up and feels like a brief transition in the album's style.
"Killer Karma," later in the album, has no excuses, and is just plain boring to listen to. It's slow, and the lyrics are painfully pointless. In the chorus, vocalist Matty Bishop proclaims, "Well we'd all like to know what our lives have yet to show, but there's one place we can go, and that's our minds." Huh?
Bonus points: The liner notes don't only have lyrics, but also guitar chords for each song. That's not something I've seen often, and it is a nice touch for fans that actually know how to play the guitar.
The sound is mostly clean, well-produced, and energetic. While the style is the MTV-friendly kind of power pop we generally need less of, Switches' debut isn't quite as obnoxious as the work of its contemporaries. While the full album may not be worth the cash, definitely check out some of their tracks on iTunes.
--Tyler Waldman
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