Suzanne Baran’s Top Ten — May 13

by Suzanne Baran
13 May 2007

Not just indie all the time…

1. Nine Inch Nails- Year Zero (Interscope)

   Reznor continues his slow crawl toward global awareness with lyrics about addiction, religion, and authority—but the album’s sound and lyrical bent are quite new. Reznor’s personal self-destructive tendencies aren’t the focus; instead he encapsulates the world’s slow and painful demise. This is a concept album chronicling a religious dictatorship in the U.S. with ubiquitous, apocalyptic signs abounding from every facet of society. It might sound immediately trite, but the way Reznor crafts this album is anything but. Typically he draws from his inner womb and releases it out into the world, but on this LP he brings the outside world in. It’s more reminiscent of NIN of yore—with hints of “The Downward Spiral.”

2. Blonde Redhead – 23 (4AD)

   With 12 albums in seven years, this band outdoes itself. What’s more this new LP is chock full of ethereal beauty and in some respects excels their last LP, Misery is a Butterfly.

3. Waitress – (PG-13)

   Clever and witty dialogue with a wacky twist.

4. The Clientele – God Save The Clientele (Merge)

   Another full LP from the Brit-pop/psychedelic band. Check out “Hope I Know You” and “Bookshop Casanova” which are quite possibly the strongest tracks.

5. Russian Circles – Enter (Flameshovel)

   Heavy-hitting hard rockers with an edge. Quality stuff.

6. Laura Veirs – Saltbreakers (Nonesuch Records)

   “Don’t Lose Yourself” is an achingly beautiful song performed with such attention to detail and delicacy.

7. Interpol – Our Love to Admire (Capitol)

   Newly released, “The Heinrich Maneuver” is about an ex-lover living on the West Coast and the singer grapples with his newfound single status. The LP is slated for a July 10th release.

8. The Veils – Nux Vomica (Rough Trade Recordings)

   Pop noir spliced with JEFF BUCKLEY and NICK CAVE-esque vocals, doused with a piercing sensibility of love lost, confusion, and emotional turmoil done with class and sophistication. Pure genius. It’s no wonder this is a hidden gem: Frontman FINN ANDREWS’ father was the founding member of XTC! “Calliope!” and “House Where We All Live” are Buckley-sounding pop. “Jesus for the Jugular” is reminiscent of GUN CLUB, and “Night Thoughts of a Tired Surgeon” sounds like vintage MORRISSEY. The title track, “Nux Vomica,” is a powerful tour-de-force with MURDER BY DEATH stylings.

9. Aa – Gaame (Gigantic)

   Art-rockers!

10. All Smiles – Ten Readings of a Warning (Dangerbird)

    Former GRANDADDY member JIM FAIRCHILD’s debut solo with contributors JANET WEISSof SLEATER KINNEY, JOE PLUMMER of MODEST MOUSE, DANNY SEIM of MENOMENA, and SOLON BIXLER of GREAT NORTHERN.