Review: Ghost Box present the CD edition of their latest record by freakish scene-dazzlers Beautify Junkyards, Nova. Despite the record's immediate imagism bringing together news clipping collage, and connotations of scrapheaps and salvaging indicated by the band's name, the sound of the record is anything but adjacent to these themes. The six-piece psychedelia/acid folk band command a wide foundry of instruments, smoothening any rough edge into a shared, sonically doughy dream, beautifying a well-sifted haul of believably, formerly scrapped instruments into a pristine assemblage. Though it builds on motifs heard in 60s and 70s film soundtracks, echoing spaghetti Westerns and early sci-fi, the record's best moments are its seemingly impossible electronica syntheses, such as the unassailed critical mass of trickling drum machine, spring reverb, tonal murmur and near-atonal noise reached on 'Raridade De Contrastes'.
Review: Bright Eyes' new album, Five Dice, All Threes, set for release via Dead Oceans, showcs their signature intensity and tenderness on full display. The first track, 'Bells and Whistles,' is a rollicking, anthemic bop that gallavants from NY to LA, with lacerating lyrics referencing Banksy, Princess Diana, and more. Conor Oberst's voice conveys a sense of life-or-death gravity, drawing listeners into the visceral thrill of the music. Self-produced and recorded at ARC in Omaha, the album features guest performances from Cat Power, Matt Berninger, and Alex Orange Drink. Bright Eyes continue to honour the album as an exalted art form, delivering songs that are confessional, unguarded, and imbued with emotional stakes. Five Dice, All Threes embodies the band's enduring influence and fearless evolution. The art does not stop with the music either. This beautiful package comes complete with red and orange splattered vinyl 2xLP (side 4 etched) in spot-varnished sleeve.
Review: Bright Eyes' Five Dice, All Threes is a remarkable addition to their storied discography, showcasing a blend of raw intensity and delicate introspection. The self-produced album, featuring guest appearances from Cat Power, Matt Berninger, and Alex Orange Drink, shows off the band's evolving sound. Conor Oberst's hauntingly urgent vocals drive the album's visceral impact, while the band's tight-knit synergy with Mike Mogis and Nate Walcott shines through. Embracing spontaneity and the chaotic energy of their influences, the album marries raucous rock with contemplative, psychedelic moments. Tracks like 'El Capitan' fuse Johnny Cash-esque rhythms with melancholic brass, while 'Tiny Suicides' and 'All Threes' offer novel, introspective turns. The album's dynamic rangeifrom garage-fueled anthems to intricate, jazzy compositionsireflects Bright Eyes' capacity for deep, emotional storytelling. Five Dice, All Threes is both a nod to their legacy and a thrilling leap into their future, celebrating imperfections as a source of strength and meaning.
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