Soft Swells - Soft Swells (2012)

March may be a little early for summer, but it is never to early for summer jammy jams. The summer sounds come early with the Soft Swells' self-titled release. The beachy-vibed indie rock is quite popular these days, and in some respects the Soft Swells could be considered California's response to Florida's Surfer Blood, with less reverb and more appealing vocals.  Overall the album amounts to a well-crafted collection of pop songs, with shimmering vocals and rhythmic drums. Such attributes shine through on "Every Little Thing" and "Shake it Off." While every song is quality, there isn't a dominent single (in my mind) that needs listening to over and over again. More likely, one can toss this on with a couple other breezy indie pop albums, such as the latest Tennis, Drums, or Young Friends and nod along, imaging bare feet in the sand, sun on the face, and an ass in a comfortable folding chair. The combination of Brooklyn and Los Angeles roots reeks of hipster, but the tunes transcend any niche, too-cool-for pop culture genre or stylization. The Soft Swells bring great music and good times.

Popquizkid's Summer Short List

Oh, hey. It's been a while.

This week Jesse asked for "five things related to music that have rocked your socks in 2010" and since I rarely listen to albums in their entirety, I found the latest Five Things format quite liberating. Just in time for a little holiday called Independence Day. Am I right?

5. TIE: I love Florence & the Machine's Dog Days Are Over. But do I love it more than this Brazilian baby dancing samba?

4. Hot Chip and The xx show. This was my second Hot Chip show at DC's 9:30 Club, and both shows rank among the best shows I've ever seen anywhere. The xx sounded exactly like their studio recording - breathy, sultry, intimate, and the slightest bit ominous...oh, and really great - but the duo's look surprised me; there was more androgyny than I had imagined, and there were many, many more amulets.

3. Bands with the word "bells" in their name. First there was the Sleigh Bells "Treats" album. I would say that it's both an aural assault and a piece of pop candy, but somebody already did that. I love that something so difficult to listen to can simultaneously bring me so much pleasure. Then I scored a free ticket to the very solid Morning Benders & Broken Bells show at the 9:30 Club. Highlights other than the free ticket included Broken Bells' oh so random and oh so foxy covers of “Crimson and Clover” and “You’ve Really Got a Hold On Me.”

2. Greyson Chance singing Lady Gaga's "Paparazzi." This kid is in the 6th grade. His talent makes me think illegal thoughts. (Watch the blonde on the back row fall in love.)

1. The future! Including the Deer Tick & Wye Oak show that I'll see on my birthday later this month. And the She & Him concert that I'll see this weekend on the beach at Governor's Island. Maybe I'll even review it. Have a safe and happy 4th, everyone.

The Crane Wife's Overdue (Ha!) Summer Shortlist

In no particular order....
1. Beasts of Seasons- Laura Gibson
We saw her open for Colin Meloy awhile back, but only had a few of her songs until we were able to get this album. Poignant, winsome and sort of haunting. Not at all schmaltzy.


2. Further Complications-Jarvis Cocker
Okay, so I haven't actually heard this album. However, my faith in Jarv is vast and deep, and, as you can see from this video, the man clearly has taste.


3. Possible Blur reunion tour.
Whilst on the subject of the gods of Brit Pop, I can't forget to mention my deep excitement at the prospect of Blur reuniting. AncientIndianWizard and I would even get a babysitter in order to hear them live (should they travel to somewhere very close to us), thus fulfilling a dream we have both had since the mid-1990s. See those people in that video? They are living my dream.


4. Podcasts
I know, not technically music. However, All Songs Considered is about music. And sometimes so is This American Life. In fact, this episode of This American Life called "Music Lessons" made me laugh and then weep. Perhaps my tears were related to the fact that, at the time, I was in my first, tear heavy trimester of pregnancy, but I like to think that Anne Lamott does a pretty good job all by herself.

5. Okkervil River
Music? Yes. 2009? No. If it's not abundantly clear to you by now, I will go ahead and state the obvious: I haven't been real up to date about music lately. Maybe it's trying to finish graduate school, maybe it's trying to save money for the little person who uses many diapers, but so far this year, I've stayed in the realm of treating our itunes like a record store. Which brings me again and again to Okkervil River.