CD of The Week

Week of 2/20/12

Sleigh Bells - Reign of Terror (mom + pop)

For those already familiar with Sleigh Bells, their signature sound means, well, a lot of noise. A lot of noise that can sometimes feel gratuitous. Reign of Terror, the duo’s second release, packs an expected sonic punch from the start. The guitars are grungier this time and the album has more of a metal influence than the hip-hop feel of their first album Treats.

Tracks like “Road to Hell,” “You Lost Me,” and “Never Say Die” are perfect examples of the electric guitar driven side of Sleigh Bells with vibes of 80s hair band ballads (“You Lost Me”), classic rock anthems (“Road to Hell”), and undercurrents of metal riffs (“Never Say Die”). Their signature high school rally beats and cheerleader chants are still present on tracks like “Crush,” “Demons,” and “True Shred Guitar” but with more grit this time around (and in the case of “Demons,” more bad-ass revenge).

Alexis Krauss’ airy vocals have a chance to shine on “End of the Line,” breathy and heartbreaking with lyrics that seem to speak to the deepest private human fears of being forgotten and overlooked: “Can you hear me? / Can you see me? ...No one hears you / No one sees you...” Krauss lends ethereal retrospection to “You Lost Me” and “D.O.A.,” the album’s closer, is positively transportive.

In the end, the sophomore release from Sleigh Bells is anything but a slump. They still pack their signature whollop with more realization and maturity.

Review by Bek Henson

Band of Skulls - Sweet Sour (Vagrant)

We were introduced to the British trio Band Of Skulls three years ago with their debut, Baby Darling Doll Face Honey. At the time, singer/guitarist Russell Marsden, singer/bassist Emma Richardson and drummer Matt Hayward almost out-did The Dead Weather when it came to male/female vocals over catchy garage-blues rock. After extensive touring, a major car ad placement and a Twilight soundtrack single, Band Of Skulls is back with their sophomore effort, Sweet Sour.

Sweet Sour is infused with more of a ‘70s Classic Rock jamming vibe than the group’s debut. The opening title track and “Bruises” have a familiar, push-and-push, rocking structure. “The Devil Takes Care Of His Own” fits nicely into the post-Jack White, Bluesy, crunchy guitar rock. And the voices of Marsden and Richardson intertwine perfectly throughout, with neither singer seemingly taking the lead much of the time, though Richardson gets the spotlight on the lovely “Lay My Head Down.”

While not as hooky as their debut, Sweet Sour finds Band Of Skulls as a tighter band with a stronger vision of their own sound and identity, instead of being not-The Dead Weather. Band Of Skulls return to Philadelphia at Union Transfer on Friday, March 23rd.

Review by Joey O.

CD of The Week

Sleigh Bells - Reign of Terror (mom + pop)

Band of Skulls - Sweet Sour (Vagrant)

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