Neon Musical Insight

Review by Caitlin Wittlif

Though a band’s sophomore release still occasionally gets talked about in rock-critic cliché terms, there is no denying that a second album is a good indication of the group’s growth and direction. On Yeasayer’s highly-anticipated release, Odd Blood, they expand and enhance the sounds from 2007’s All Hour Cymbals.  There is a stronger sense of direction to their songs as they create a richer experience for the listener, all the while turning up the groove, which results in both a fun and satisfying album.

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Chazwick Bundick isn’t the coolest name in the world, but with a moniker like Toro Y Moi and a debut album as free-spirited as Causers of This, it becomes pretty easy to bypass the goofy birth name of this Southern vibe inducer and enjoy the music for what it is.

First gaining recognition with a heavily passed around single named “Blessa”, Toro Y Moi caused quite the stir in the world of stream & type blogs and it remains pretty self-explanatory just as to why upon hearing. The slithering crackle of vinyl-like static at the beginning holds the nostalgia element explored by other similar chillwave artists as Neon Indian and Washed Out — the latter being a personal friend of Bundick’s — automatically bringing into question just when and where the song was recorded. Bundick opens the track with his lilting vocals and Panda Bear like harmonies before a funky, stuttering guitar riff guides the song even deeper into it’s atmospheric realms.

“Minors” is another cut that focuses heavily on it’s past through it’s soaring synths, while Bundick’s vocals can easily draw similarities to peer Michael Angelakos of Passion Pit. It’s hazy, midsummer aesthetic allows it to wallow in it’s very own self-contained existence, never really transcending beyond it’s recording period (late spring).“Lissoms” sounds like a continuation of “Blessa,” and maybe would find a more comfortable fit as the following track.

The further that you delve into Causers of This, the more apparent it becomes that late 70’s, early 80’s R&B artists like Michael Jackson and Prince played a pretty damn significant role in the lives of people like Toro Y Moi. (Disregard the homage idea also, because most of this material — including a cover of MJ’s “Human Nature — was recorded prior to his death.)

Causers of This, from time to time, unfortunately comes up a bit bland, especially on a track like “Fax Shadow”, where Bundick’s cut-up the beat technique — not to be confused by Jersey Shores “Beat the beat up” approach — becomes overdrawn and unrecoverable, never really conveying any sort of articulated idea.

Yet, as things begin to look down, Bundick effortlessly recovers from any sort of missteps, especially on tracks like the ethereal “Talamak” and playful “Low Shoulder” that could have easily, once again, found a fitting home on P Pit’s Manners.

Causers of This may not be very substantial, revolutionary, or really all that refreshing for that matter, but it’s full of built-up grandiose, and Bundick’s positive, feel good mentality shines through, making it a hella fun album in the end.

*** / ***** 3 out of 5

I’ve decided to run a top 10 list of 80’s albums based on my opinion (which can be argued as being factual) solely. The 80’s unfortunately catches a bad general rap from mainstream society that typically only remembers the fond times for it’s blonde feathered bangs, and drunken metal/acoustic ballads (I’m pointing my finger at you Bret Michaels.) But I know you, the reader can recall a more innovative, and intellectual time, where bands held pretentious outlooks because they damn right deserved to. I may be talking like I lived through this colorful decade, but truth has it that I was actually only born in the middle of it. Still, these albums have changed my life, and the natural views that I have to surviving in this crazy world.

I could only imagine what it must’ve been like living and experiencing some of these bands live, and first getting your hands on a 7″ like “Unsatisfied” or ” Ceremony.” The reason why I chose to run only the top 10 (as opposed to 25 and so forth) of the decade is because I like the notion of the ten greatest albums over a ten year span. Keeps things interesting…

So without further ado, I present my Top 10 Finest Albums of the 1980’s.

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