REVIEWS
STAFF PICK
Molly Matalon
12.05
GIRLPOOL Powerplant Anti- (2017)
8/10
FILE UNDER: Chastity Belt, Elliot Smith, Bright Eyes
There’s an instant appeal and gratification to Girlpool’s compositions, which seem to come out
effortlessly. The entire experience becomes quite rapidly overwhelming, and it’s much because of the sense of unity, between Harmony Tividad and Cleo Tucker, that exists and transpires throughout the entire album. Making good music, as much as it is an undeniable accomplishment, doesn’t compare with the connection these two have – just imagine the connection that Elliott Smith and Nick Drake had with their guitars, but in Girlpool’s case that otherworldly connection happens between two people who while in sync deliver some of the most poignant, sensitive and fresh-sounding music. With the addition of drummer Miles Wintner, Girlpool found a whole new sense of dynamism and a way to amplify the weight and height of their vulnerabilities, but also enhance their strengths. Powerplant is a grappling master and it doesn’t take long until you willingly accept the submission. TIAGO MOREIRA
STAFF PICK
GOLDFRAPP Silver Eye
Mute Records (2017)
GRAILS Chalice Hymnal
Temporary Residence (2017)
6/10
Alison Goldfrapp and Will Gregory return with their first album in four years. Silver Eye was created with the help of an eclectic team of collaborators inlcuding producer John Congleton, electronic composer Bobby Krlic (aka The Haxan Cloak), Brian Eno, just to name a few. Once again, the uncompromising duo brings us another mesmerising outfit change, full of delicate and multi-layered harmonies, emotionally rich with Alison’s voice sounding hypnotic and classy. However, it’s fair to say that’s not easy listening and you might struggle to connect with it at first. They’re not somehow repeating themselves, because they’re not, but at times it sounds safe and is full of flashes of improvisation which can put off some listeners. FAUSTO CASAIS
9/10
If it were ever time to retire the ‘post-rock’ tag for Grails (actually, just kill it for music as a whole), it’s now. Chalice Hymnal manages to delve into every avenue of outsider music with equal depth and integrity, from the lackadaisical hypno-jazz of “Deeper Politics” and the title track’s seeming channelling of The Orb right on up to “Pelham”, a song so brimming with action that it really deserves a chase scene to go with it, but there’s little of quiet-loud clichés or sweeping tremolo. There’s drama and gravitas in there for sure but the stories these songs tell are focused on a rich sense of spirituality and warmth, lighter in tone than 2011’s Deep Politics yet retaining its forebear’s instrumental and tonal complexity. It’s one of the most beautiful, diverse and unpredictable albums ever put out by a band who has made such traits their trademark. DAVE BOWES
GREG GRAFFIN Millport Anti- (2017)
6/10
Paleontologist, punk legend and country artist Greg Graffin is the epitome of a Renaissance man. Millport is a classic, singer-songwriter record that, from any other Ph.D wielding naturalist, would seem far-stretched; from Graffin, however, the stories feel as authentic and raw as the cracks of the slide guitar. Together with Social Distortion members Jonny ‘Two Bags’ Wickersham, Brent Harding and David Hidalgo Jr., with Bad Religion’s Brett Gurewitz producing, Millport is a genuine vision of country music as told by punks who grew up with and hold the heyday of Laurel Canyon dear. While not entirely inventive as a whole, Graffin’s decision to avoid any semblance of country twang elevates the effort to a true piece of country infused folk-pop. TEDDIE TAYLOR
musicandriots.com
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