Arms - Kids Aflame (2008)

After hearing and loving Technicolor Health, I decided I need to go back and listen to the Arms' album Kids Aflame. I could no longer hold it against Todd Goldstein, the guitarist from Harlem Shakes, that his side project band released an album first. It no longer had to sound like the Harlem Shakes, and it doesn't. It sounds more like M. Ward. It's still indie rock, just more laid back and diverse. Songs mix in the occasional country guitar, island ukulele, and old-timey vocal. His warm croon, like on the title track, reminds me a bit of Leon Redbone. The album may not immediately knock you out, but "Whirring", with its cool guitar riff, and "Shitty Little Disco", with its New Order beat and lazy vocals, are definitely worth a spin or two.

Harlem Shakes - Technicolor Health (2009)

I loved the Harlem Shakes' 2007 Burning Birthdays EP. After over a year passed and instead of a debut, we got a decent side project album by the Arms, I was worried that might be all. But it appears the wait has been worth it. On Technicolor Health the Harlem Shakes bring the sunshine and good times to New York City indie rock. The album infuses some of the Little Ones' pop sensibilities into the cool and angular sounds of the Walkmen, French Kicks, and the Joggers. It's a mix of bright and swirling keyboards, stuttering drum beats, and propulsive strumming all fused together with a handful of hooks and catchy choruses. This may be my favorite type of indie rock. The song "Strickly Game" captures the album's tempered optimism in the repeated refrain "This will be a better year." On the eve of a historic presidential inauguration, the mixture of hope and wariness seems particularly relevant. "TFO", "Sunlight" and "Natural Man" are my favorites.