Russian Circles
Station
With the release of their previous EP, Enter, Russian
Circles generated about a metric ton of
buzz. The short offering showcased their blend
of post hardcore song structure, intricate guitar,
driving bass, and their signature epic flair, and
left many, including myself, wanting more. Sadly,
Station, the band’s debut full length, just falls
short. Sure, the musicianship is stellar, and yes,
the songs seem more developed. However, the
intensity that made their first EP so enjoyable
is lost. The biggest failure of this album is not
in any of the individual parts, but in their sum.
The songs take great care to establish long buildups,
only to give way to an anti-climactic shift
in the song. That signature epic flair seems to
have been lost on Station. Station is an interesting
listen, but don’t expect it to blow you away
like its predecessor. Hopefully, Russian Circles
finds the epic that fell out of their pocket somewhere
between “Enter” and “Station.”
Moby
Last Night
Everyone knows who Moby is. Yep, he’s still
bald. And I bet you wouldn’t be surprised that
he is still making electronic dance music. The
problem with Moby is what made him so appealing
when he first gained his notoriety: his
creative use of samples. Who could forget the
soulful sample that rooted “In This World,” or
the inverted strings that propelled “Porcelain?”
The problem with Moby’s new album is that
he’s just stopped being creative and settled for
anything that will make you dance. Sure, this
album will make you hit the linoleum like you
have fire ants in your jock-strap, but it is completely
formulaic and forgettable. You see, we’ve
come to expect more from Moby than just a bald
head, or the occasional appearance on VH1’s I
Love the ‘90s. We kind of expect music that isn’t,
well, bad. Maybe next time?
M83
Saturdays = Youth
Saturdays = Youth is a departure from typical M83
sound, but in a good way. Previous M83 releases
were trademarked by their less-than-straightforward
song structures, while the instrumentation
was completely electronic with sporadic
vocals. Saturdays = Youth turns a corner, with the
band leaning towards a more poppy sound, with
hints of introspective ambience. There still exist
some straight-ahead tunes, like “Kim & Jessie,”
but for the most part, the album is a very
relaxing, intriguing listen. Little atmospheric
nuances are perfectly placed, and at times, the
album sounds like an electronically-realized
version of an Eluvium album. Moods range from
haunting to uplifting, airy, and bright. If you listen
closely, especially in “Graveyard Girl,” you
might just hear M83’s first ever use of acoustic
instruments! This album still sounds very much
like the M83 of old, it is just a different flavor,
and trust me, the flavor is delicious.
