New releases

This week we have new releases from SF local boys Magic Bullets, former Berkeley-ites We are Scientists, and the return of Morcheeba.

We Are Scientists: Barbara

We Are Scientists return today with their fifth album Barbara and it sees them return to a more up tempo, pop friendly vibe.

The album opens with the new wave sounding Rules Don't Stop and eagerly followed up by I Don't Bite which takes as much from Arctic Monkeys as the opener did from 80's pop.

Nice Guys and Jack & Ginger continue to keep the mood light and peppy before things get slower through the middle of the album. Pittsburgh and the excellent Ambition offer a welcome change of pace before the album jumps back again with the closers You Should Learn and Central AC.

Barbara is not trying to be too clever or complicated as it sticks, for the most part, to it's guitar pop theme. The songs are catchy and well crafted but nothing is overtly original or inspired. It may not be everyone's cup of tea  but you can expect to hear plenty of this album getting radio play over the coming months.

Barbara is available now from iTunes and amiestreet.

Magic Bullets: Magic Bullets

Local SF band Magic Bullets have spent a number of years playing on the local Bay Area music scene honing their craft. Today sees the release of their self-titled debut album.

On first listen it's obvious what music the members of Magic Bullets listened to growing up. Between lead singer Philip Benson's Morrissey-inspired crooning to the guitar hooks, it's clear that Magic Bullets are big big fans of The Smiths.

Light and breezy pop tunes dominate the album as Magic Bullets carefully balance Philip Benson's striking vocals against a well crafted musical back drop. Favorites include the opening track A Day Not So Far Off, Lying Around, and the lazy Sigh the Day Away.

All in all the album is a fair debut effort from a band of obviously talented musicians. Although the album at times, whether intentionally or not, strays too far into Smiths territory, it shouldn't prove a distraction for listeners other than the most ardent fans of Morrissey and Marr.

Magic Bullets is available today via amiestreet, Mon Amie Records, or iTunes. You can also see Magic Bullets live on Thursday as they play a benefit for the Harvey Milk Civil Rights Academy at Trigger in San Francisco.

 

Morcheeba: Blood Like Lemonade

Since first forming in the mid 1990's Morcheeba have had an up and down career, from the early successes epitomised by Big Calm, to the more lack luster albums of recent years. This month sees the release of Blood Like Lemonade, their seventh album which also sees the return of original vocalist Skye Edwards.

Maybe it's all the result of the reintroduction of Skye Edwards or that the Godfrey brothers have finished with their years of musical experimentation, but, Blood Like Lemonade is a return to the glory days of Big Calm.

Most of the album is laid back and mellow as it hits a down-tempo sweet spot balancing Edward's vocal with  smart instrumentation. The opener Crimson is the perfect example, soft keyboards and simple drum patterns keep the song moving against the quirky but soulful lyrics.

The album gets a little more eclectic with the bluesy instrumental Mandala and the truly fantastic Cut to the Chase, but aside from those two, the focus rightly stays on Edwards.

Blood Like Lemonade is a well crafted down-tempo album that should find it's way into the collections of many of the genres fans filed alongside stalwarts Zero 7, Portishead, and of course, Morcheeba.

Blood Like Lemonade is available now from iTunes, Amazon, cdwow and other fine music retailers.