Slapped in the face
30.07.09
Music appreciation and fandom sure isn't easy, there are no rules, no black and white universal guidelines on what is good or bad. It's a subjective state that of music fan, what shapes us shapes our perception of and appreciation for music. We tend to respond to music emotionally and it doesn't take a guidance councillor to tell us that emotions aren't always the most logical of things...
Yesterday we considered the virtues of those albums that creep up on one. Albums that demand repeat listens and on each subsequent listen your hear more and more of what's going on. They are subtle albums, slow growers if you will.
At the opposite end of the spectrum from the slow grower is another kind of album, that which hits you head on with its sound and floors you from the first listen and continues to do so on each subsequent play. That isn't to say these albums don't have subtle qualities or aspects that you will pick up on repeat listens, just that they are a little more in your face. We have two such albums for you to check out today. Just add beer or some other refreshment and friends for maximum effect!
First up is 
State of Mind's Faster Than Light.
Two years after the release of their debut album Take Control, the NZ duo who are State of Mind released Faster Than Light.
The CD release of Faster Than Light features the full length album on the one disc and a limited selection of bonus material on the other!
The album disc is made up of all new studio material, alternate versions of a few select State Of Mind vinyl releases and a handful of the tracks found on the recent Faster Than Light EP's Parts 1 & 2.
The bonus disc includes remixes of some of the album tracks by some of State of Mind's favourite fellow producers such as Sigma (UK), Mindscape (Hungary), Dose (NZ) & more, plus other bonus State of Mind tracks. The material on this disc is not be available digitally!
Faster Than Light features vocalists Tiki, Trei, PNC, Elitia Clark, Axiom, Chris.Su and more!
Chart Action
A quiet(ish) chart week for local acts... which in today's music market still means there are five acts holding court in both the album and singles chart, not too shabby a showing from the locals at all.
Fat Freddy's and J Williams albums are sitting at number 6 and 7 with new entry Minuit with their latest long players Find Me Before I Die A Lonely Death Dot Com entering the charts at number 8. Tiki's Flux at number 19 manages to stay in the top 20 for its third week in the charts. Midnight Youth sit at number 35 a two place drop from last week.
In the singles chart Kids of 88 and J Williams hold steady in the top 20 whilst Tiki, Dane Rumble and Midnight Youth also have singles in the top 40.
The Great NZ Songbook stays in the compilation charts holding its place at number four.
You can check the official NZ Music Chart here.
The Mint Chicks - Screens
"We made this record for creepy teenaged girls with one glass eye..." Ruban Nielson
"The appeal of The Mint Chicks is that they're like a modern take on an 80s new-wave band with melody and pop hooks coloured by the abrasion of punk. All of those elements are present on Screens, the band's third album.
Insistent, catchy songs abound but they're roughed up and angular wit the unexpected turns and textures the Mint chicks are so good at. Listen carefully and you'll hear moment reminiscent of The Vapors and The Cars." Chris Walker's amplifier review
Ecstatic hooks and melodies are interwoven with the band's signature sonic adventurousness, while The Mint Chicks' rather unique world view characterises the tone of Screens.
With a refined musical approach and creative escalation of songwriting ideas, Screens is a new phase Mint Chicks album and another milestone in a consistently-surprising journey.
Feel free to contribute your essential or overlooked release picks of the year to date via the discuss option.
As ever, have a great day.
