Album Review: The Drums ‘Portamento’
Poppy 80’s bleeps followed up by a vocal resurgence of Morrissey’s dramatic tones, welcome to Portamento! The Brooklyn-based New Wave rejuvenators released their sophomore LP, and the result is gnarly. The listening has been done and the hint of a second year slump is slam danced by The Drums.
Jonathan Pierce and Jacob Graham found each other after a brief hiatus in 2006 to form The Drums. The electrophonic group Goat Explosion had ran its course. Pierce and Graham manned up other projects before reuniting the Post-punk vibe with The Drums. Tubular reach and bright identity move by the group to continue to pull from influences such as The Smiths and Joy Division. A lot of people my age were too young for groups like this so we are all trying to absorb their catalogues as quickly as possible. The Drums provide themselves as a seamless fit during this musical understanding.
Portamento is an awesome album in 2011 because the formula has not changed. We all saw the polarizing rediscovery with MGMT’s Congratulations. Casual fans hated it, dedicated fans were split, and hardcores…well remained hardcore to their vision. If you were a fan of The Drums self-titled album, then there is no reason to battle this conflict. The single, “Money” picks up where “Let’s Go Surfing” and “Me and the Moon” left off. Whether it is visiting the moon, riding a wave, or demanding to buy you something The Drums always have a very kind way of demanding your attention and expressing their fun.
The track “Please Don’t Leave” brings me closest to the Smiths comparison.
Please Don’t Leave
Please Don’t Leave
Please Don’t Leave
Where Will I Go?
Where Will I Go?
Irking, bleak pleas for reconnection show doom as Pierce’s vocal chords pop, yearning for that lost one. This formula helped build Smiths nation 30 years ago and assists with creating The Drums’ buzz. I hope that by avoiding the slump and staying true to their roots will allow The Drums to elevate to the next level in the indie hemisphere. Their close attention to their ancestors earns them this progression.
Written by Brett McGrath
Album Review: Little Tybee ‘Humorous to Bees’ & LaundroMatinee Session
Little Tybee’s Humorous to Bees dropped back in April via Brooklyn’s Paper Garden Records. I recently became acquainted with this label after they gave some love to our friends The Coasts who we featured in an August interview.
The soaring vocals from bookish lead singer Brock Scott serve as the centerpiece to a talented cast of musicians. He sounds like a silkier Trevor Garrod from Tea Leaf Green. The band, however sounds nothing like TLG.
Little Tybee varies in size from as few as five to as many as 10 members. Scott’s vocals and guitar playing are effortless but would likely prove too clean without the rich backdrop that the strings lay beneath them. The band recently stopped by Big Car Gallery to record a LaundroMatinee Session for MOKB.
Humorous to Bees is a heart warmer. I plan to spin this one during the long Indiana winter, when I am searching for some semblance of summer. The album has the feel of a long cruise with the windows down. The percussion, though subtle, mimics the rhythm of a train engine at times, driving the listener down the tracks. Scott’s lyrics dance along optimistically above it all.
I hope Little Tybee makes a return visit to Indy. Next time, it had better be for a full audience and not just a film crew. For now, this will have to do. See the entirety their LaundroMatinee session, HERE. Stream “Passion Seekers” and “Nero” below.
Written by Rob Peoni
Thought on Tracks 
Upcoming Event: Dirty Beaches at White Rabbit Cabaret
Alex Zhang Huntai is the mind behind Dirty Beaches. His project has captivated me upon arrival. If I had to describe Huntai I would give him the title of Enigmatic Nomad. He has built his vision by evacuating his homeland Taiwan and migrating to Montreal. Badlands, is a story of travel and experience. Dirty Beaches is a project that performs smooth, but breeds uncertainty as we continue to search for an answer to Huntai’s message. Is he lost? Is he in love? Did he fall out of love?
Huntai embraces Elvis Presley as an influence. I am pulled to an obscure story coming from a roaming thinker. Paul Simon’s Graceland hooked with a mystery. Listen to Bandlands. Also check out Dirty Beaches / Ela Orleans 12’’ double feature:
MOKB Presents: Dirty Beaches (support: Frankie Rose), September 26, White Rabbit Cabaret. 1116 Prospect Street. $8 ADV / $10 Door. Buy your tickets HERE.
Written by Brett McGrath.