Smothered in Kisses

Wild Beasts' New Record Makes a Lusty Treasure

Where the out-of-the-gate-randiness of 2009's Two Dancers left off, Smother, the latest offering by Wild Beats, picks up with a subdued tone. At first listen it's tempting to immediately classify the album as 'down tempo,' even 'sad' compared to the band's previous effort. Curb your expectations of Two Dancers Two for a moment and you'll find tempos to quicken the pulse buried under lush instrumentation and enchanting vocals.

The overt sexuality of the lyrics ("Plaything", "Lion's Share") is more Marvin Gaye than Rolling Stones and vocalists Hayden Thorpe and Tom Flemming jockey between sultry and impish throughout the album. Where Thorpe commands your attention from the get-go, Flemming's baritone lays low until the third track ("Deeper"). The vocalist focus continues in a two to one pattern (Thorpe, Thorpe, Flemming) until they share the microphone on "Reach A Bit Further." The result is a well paced, cooperative record.

If you're looking to conjure an intimate atmosphere or simply bask in low light Smother is pure romance.

Wild Beasts | "Albatross" | from Smother | Domino Records

Singled Out

Yuck has rocketed to notoriety for its brand of heart throb guitar reminiscent of Sparklehorse and Dinosaur Jr. while firmly making its own footprint.  Fans of the aforementioned bands plus Pavement, and Silverchair sit up and take note of "Milkshake:"

VIDEO: ALAK - "I'll Fight You" 

From ALAK's Off Air/In Studio back in March.

Sloan Turns 20

Canadian band Sloan has put out a record every two years from the last twenty. A handful of celebs weigh in on where they were the first time they laid ears on the group.

Sloan's latest album is The Double Cross, out now on YepRoc Records.