New Release Tuesday: Caribou, No Age & Architecture In Helsinki

Stay tuned this week for full-length review of the latest New Pornographers and Rilo Kiley albums.

Caribou Andorra (Merge)

Dan Snaith's project formerly known as Manitoba is the realization of a degree in mathematics, numerous electronic gadgets and a nothing if not agile companionship between the past and the present. Though Andorra is the product of Snaith's deft handling of quite modern equipment, the feeling of listening is more nostalgic than expectant. "Melody Day," the first single, opens with sleigh bells, a dated snare sound and Ventures-esque guitar hooks reminiscent of '60s pop, Californian surf instrumentals and LSD-laced daydreams. Swirling flutes, squiggly guitars and heavily echoed vocals (lots of vocals) pervade the entire album, and at times the trite references are totally unavoidable. "Eli"'s guitar could have easily been ripped from an early '70s George Harrison tune, and the soaring falsettos are unmistakably Wilson-inspired. "She's The One" stands out as a swoon-worthy favorite, an almost heart-breaking sob story laced with snappy snare and high hats, claps and a chorus that reveals itself like the slow realization of longing. Snaith's own background vocals crooning the song's title against chugging synths, persistent percussion and softly uttered manifestations of unmistakable yet hopeless devotion are perhaps the album's highlight.

Caribou Official
Caribou MySpace
Caribou "Melody Day" (YouTube)

Architecture In Helsinki Places Like This (Polyvinyl)

Architecture In Helsinki's spastic indie-pop does not stray from the formula on this, their third full-length album. AIH aim to get catchy (often looped) beats against unforgiving melodies and avant approaches to composition successfully. Fans of older AIH work might find this album tame, but given the fact that one of the sextet's members relocated to Brooklyn (look to your left, now look to your right, one of you three will end up in Brooklyn before the year is out) during the writing process, the cohesion is remarkable. To their credit, eclectic arrangements and instrumentation cozy nicely with their somewhat simmered aesthetic, all while staying true to the idyllic notion of grown-up freedom, charming snottishness and genuine enthusiasm.

Architecture In Helsinki "Heart It Races" (mp3)
Architecture In Helsinki "Heart It Races (YouTube)
Architecture In Helsinki Official
Architecture In Helsinki MySpace

No Age Weirdo Rippers (Fat Cat)

Weirdo Rippers is a sort of bizarro best of album featuring tracks previously found only on vinyl-only short form releases by No Age, one of the most intriguing bizarro bands around. The duo, comprised of former Wives men guitarist Dean Spunt with drummer and vocalist Randy Randall, might rightly be described as one of the world's last great jam bands, riding on the unorthodox joy of noise, togetherness and spasm to great ends. Built on the simplicity of the most necessary instruments needed to produce the loudest and most abrasive shock to the system (their live shows are legendary), the songs on Weirdo Rippers are a throwback to the early days of show-going, the days when Guy didn't have to know how to sing to move you, sheer intensity was capable of being great, and purity of heart shone like a light to like hearts. The drums of "Boy Void" standing alone might make you call the cops if overheard from a neighbor's garage, but we dare you to stand still should you happen to walk in on a practice.

No Age MySpace
No Age Official
No Age Weirdo Rippers Promo (YouTube)