Word: lo-fi
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Titus Andronicus named themselves after Shakespeare’s goriest play. Just as this would imply, their lo-fi punk rock sound abounds with vocal violence and instrumental incursions. The band’s 2008 debut album, “The Airing of Grievances,” was a blast of anger and furious rock infused with a surprising amount of humor. Lyrics and song titles, as well as the album’s title referencing the “Seinfeld” holiday of “Festivus,” were a foundation for the album?...
...Rogue Wave in transition. The Bay Area indie band’s first two albums, 2003’s “Out of the Shadows” and 2005’s “Descend Like Vultures,” were both critically praised as mixtures of lo-fi acoustic numbers, rockers, and soulful, sometimes morose pop songs, drawing endless comparisons to classic indie bands like Built to Spill and The Shins. Before their 2007 follow-up, “Asleep at Heaven’s Gate,” they were dropped by their Sub Pop label...
...band continues in a similar direction on “Permalight,” not only by incorporating studio sounds, but making them a fundamental part of the album. If a return to the lo-fi sounds of their early recordings seemed unlikely after “Asleep at Heaven’s Gate,” “Permalight” makes it seem almost impossible. Rogue Wave haven’t lost their penchant for crafting incredibly appealing hook-laden melodies, which ensure the memorable impression “Permalight” leaves...
Some of the depth of “Eyelid Movies” comes from Phantogram’s rather transparent attempt to roughen up their songs through the use of lo-fi production elements. On “When I’m Small,” background crackling makes it sound as though the song is being played on a cheap vinyl record player. This attempt to avoid the crystal clarity of electro pop and set Phantogram apart from similar groups like Postal Service makes the album less accessible than it might have been. It does, however, succeed...
What is most striking about “Romance is Boring” is how much Los Campesinos! have matured. Instead of shying away from the essential disaffectedness which has always defined their albums, they have embraced it musically as well as lyrically, with a noisy, lo-fi aesthetic which is a natural fit for the band. As they become more comfortable with their new skin, it isn’t hard to imagine Los Campesinos! releasing a truly great noise-pop album. But even this slightly tentative effort doesn’t leave much room for complaint...