This week we review the latest albums from the Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra, Those Darlins, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Yo La Tengo and Amanda Blank.
3 stars (out of 5)
The capital city collective return with their third release, a five-track EP that showcases the burgeoning skills of the dozen-strong outfit.
Though they have the ability to throw out stacked harmonies and fling rapid-fire solos, it is their deconstructions which take centre-stage: Toto's prop-pop anthem, Africa, is turned into a hand-clapping love-in; while Kiwi classic Blue Smoke is imbued with an ethereal quality courtesy of a four-part female harmony that is given further weight when the boys of the band chime in.
Single download: I Could Never Take The Place of Your Man.
Sounds like: The highly strung coming undone.
- Shane Gilchrist
> Those Darlins. Self-titled. Oh Wow Dang Records
5 stars (out of 5)
Bursting out of the stalls like The Kings of Leon's misbehaving sisters, Those Darlins sure ain't an advertisement for abstinence.
Getting drunk, dancing, falling, fighting . . . the three sassy Darlin girls are a train wreck waiting to happen. It would be easy to pick holes in their punk-cowgirl marketability, if it weren't for the songs.
But pair their irreverence with stomping rockabilly rhythms, chicken-picking licks and their Southern drawl and Those Darlins sure unleash one righteous kick into the crotch of their Southern brothers.
Single download: Snaggle Tooth Mama
For Those Who Like: Boss Hog, Patsy Cline, The Stray Cats, The Cramps.
- Mark Orton
> Rodrigo y Gabriela. 11:11. Rubyworks.
4 stars (out of 5)
Schooled in the techniques of thrash metal and inspired by everyone from Carlos Santana to Dimebag Darrell, Rodrigo Sanchez and Gabriela Quintero have for the past 15 years been playing guitar together, if you can call it that.
It's more akin to a symphony of sounds that revolves around Rodrigo's sizzling single-note runs and Gabriela's syncopated rhythmic assault.
Two acoustic guitars have rarely sounded this astonishing, though the occasional flourishes of piano, oud and sitar verge on overkill. Fortunately, 11:11 ships with a DVD, as seeing is disbelieving.
Single download: Santo Domingo
For those who like: Paco De Lucia, Al Di Meola, John McLaughlin, Jimi Hendrix.
- Mark Orton
> Yo La Tengo. Popular Songs. Matador Records.
4 stars (out of 5)
Hoboken hipsters Yo La Tengo are in fine form on their 12th studio album, delivering yet another winning collection of lo-fi alt-pop curiosities.
From sub-3min grunge ditty Nothing To Hide to sprawling atmospheric meditation The Fireside and 16-minute noise-fest And The Glitter Is Gone, the band proves as adept at delivering honey-sweet hooks as trippy sonic meltdowns.
The grab bag of styles, which even includes a touch of Stax-style soul on charming duet If It's True, ensures the album seldom flags during its generous 72-minute running time.
Single download: Nothing To Hide
For those who like: The Pixies, The Bats, Beck
- Jeff Harford
> Amanda Blank. I Love You. Downtown Records.
2 stars (out of 5)
The most scintillating aspect of this Philly MC's debut solo album is the sexy sneer which emanates from the cover - the 11 tracks housed within are merely vapid retreads of M. I. A.'s frenetic genre-blurring and Santigold's stirring New Wave pop sensibilities (tellingly, I Love You features production from Diplo and Switch, whose minimalist knob-twiddling enhances the work of both touchstones).
Though largely uninspired (and potty-mouthed), there are glimmers of hope: the staccato funk of Make-Up pays Prince the ultimate compliment, while DJ's pulsing electronica lends Blank a much needed and ice-cool edge.
Single download: Make-Up
- John Hayden
