16 illinoisentertainer . com june 2024
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a percussive vocal “ See-see my-my steedsteed go-go far-far ” followed by killer drum roll into the chorus “ Look at him go / look at him go ”… There ’ s a shift at the end in the lyrics though , from what felt like an ode to a motorbike to an ode to a woman ( or Talbot ’ s daughter ?): “ My baby is beautiful / All is love and love is all / F * ck the king / He ain ' t the king , she ' s the king !” “ POP POP POP ” sounds like a musical representation of a machine , a syncopated drum snap layered with humming and whistling keyboard lines , as a backdrop to Talbot ’ s vocals ( which are more like raps ). It ' s on this track that we ’ re introduced to Talbot ’ s new favorite word : “ Freudenfreude / Joy on joy .” “ Dancer ” is just that – a more uptempo number with a swaying beat and fun backing vocals by LCD Soundsystem ’ s James Murphy and Nancy Whang . “ Hall & Oates ” throws us a throwback to the more traditional punk formula , which is welcome by this point . “ Jungle ” is an opus journey on a sonic map , much like those found on Radiohead ’ s first few LPs . “ Gratitude ” conjures hints of The Doors interspersed with a pounding chorus more reminiscent of Rage Against The Machine than The Sex Pistols . Perhaps as a way to put a fine point on the departures the band took on this record , it ends uncharacteristically for the band ( but probably not the Godrich ) - with a sparse , soundtrack-like , quasibluesy sentiment " Monolith ," trailing off into oblivion on a short saxophone line , as if we ’ re watching the protagonist wander off into the sunset . Idles has managed to keep its roots strong enough on Tangk to allow for some impressive blooming and branching out .
– Penelope Biver
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THE LIBERTINES All Quiet On The Eastern Esplanade
( Republic )
The unlikely lads in The Libertines represented a dangerous , drug-fueled dark side of British rock when their debut album , Up The Bracket , first announced itself in the early aughts . Somewhat of an anti-Coldplay and the source of constant tabloid fodder , co-leaders Carl Barat and Pete Doherty were famous even before their first record was released . That shaggy-dog gem of an album felt both messy and , at times , wildly beautiful , mimicking the highs and lows of their lifestyles . Where Carl ’ s style was more firmly rooted in the classic British songwriting style of Paul Weller , Noel Gallagher , and Johnny Marr , Pete Doherty brought a raw punk style more akin to Joe Strummer after being hit with a tranquilizer dart . That yin and yang worked perfectly , making them huge stars in the UK and throughout Europe . The ensuing afterglow was less friendly to the group , making headlines more for Pete dating supermodel Kate Moss , on-stage brawls , and excessive hard drug usage than any of their new music . At one point , Doherty was arrested for breaking into Barat ’ s flat , and he was forced to do six months of prison time . Carl greeted him at the prison gates upon his release , but Doherty had really just begun his descent into trouble . The band would split , and Pete would eventually focus on his band Babyshambles while Carl would helm the band Dirty Pretty Things . The ensuing nine years since the last Libertines album has seen the British Isles go through many changes , whether it be Brexit , the death of Queen Elizabeth II , economic strife , and the war in Eastern Europe , and that turbulence is addressed on All Quiet On The Eastern Esplanade ’ s stand out track “ Merry Old England .” Opener “ Run Run Run ” sports a classic Libertines melody while referencing Leslie Gore ’ s “ Its My Party ,” all to a thumping beat courtesy of the ultra-talented drummer Gary Powell . Unfortunately , French producer Dimitri Tikovoï ( Placebo , Ghost , Charl XCX ) takes an orbital sander to the rough edges that people come to expect from the band , making for a sometimes suffocatingly smooth sound . “ Man With The Melody ” and “ Night Of The Hunter ” drag down the energy smack-dap in the middle of the album , finally regaining its footing with the ultra-catchy dark-soul track “ Shiver .” In new band photos , the band actually looks healthy and well-rested , with a more rotund Pete Doherty being a good sign that maybe he has finally slayed his demons . All the songs are credited to the four members , making the transitions between Pete ' s songs and Carl ' s songs less stark , and when the two guys merge their voices , it can still be a magical thing .
While they aren ’ t exactly trying anything new or pushing any boundaries on All Quiet On The Eastern Esplanade , they finally sound as if they feel comfortable in their own skin for once .
– Andy Derer
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OF MONTREAL Lady On The Cusp
( Polyvinyl )
It ’ s easy to imagine Of Montreal ’ s fulcrum Kevin Barnes in a top hat , tails , and red lipstick ; their 19th studio LP opens
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