Fiesta Brava

The Winter of Mixed Drinks by Frightened Rabbit

We were blown away by Frightened Rabbit’s 2008 album The Midnight Organ Fight, and the band quickly became a touchstone and favorite among us. When The Winter of Mixed Drinks was released in March, our expectations were high and happily this album delivers. Mixed Drinks is loosely a narrative album. Our sense is that the protagonist is at a low ebb, in severe emotional turmoil, and takes a trip to the ocean to experience a sort of rebirth and ...

The Suburbs by Arcade Fire

What can we say about this album that hasn’t already been said? It’s a Grammy-nominated international best-seller that has consistently placed on everyone’s end-of-year lists. Chances are you’ve already heard it. The NME accurately compares this album to R.E.M.’s Automatic for the People, “an album that combines mass accessibility with much greater ambition.” And that’s exactly right. There’s something here for everyone, and that’s why everyone l...

High Violet by The National

The National pull off an interesting trick, balancing slightly goofy and confessional lyrics with a lush delivery that pulls you in and makes you care. Case in point: the beautiful “Conversation 16” boasts the refrain “I was afraid I’d eat your brains ‘cause I’m evil.” On paper, not so great, but delivered in Berninger’s characteristic baritone and underscored by the band’s dramatic arrangement, it totally works. This type of balancing act hasn’...

Together by The New Pornographers

Quick quiz: What band successfully integrates influences like The Beach Boys, Ramones, The Who, and Queen? Well, you already know the answer, but seriously—who else can pull this off, dropping sophisticated, dramatic pop constructions into an energetic rock ‘n’ roll stew? One listen to “Your Hands (Together)” and you’ll see what we mean. It’s as if Keith Moon, Brian May, Joey Ramone, and Brian Wilson formed a band. Yeah….see what we’re sayin...

Champ by Tokyo Police Club

This summer, Tokyo Police Club released their second album, Champ, and critics continue to sing the band's praises. As with their previous releases, Champ mines upbeat melodic guitar pop that is in keeping with the band's youthful presence while simultaneously moving to deepen and expand their sound, presumably with an eye toward their future and designs on longevity. Good move, especially for a band that was labeled "sci-fi pop-punk" upon their debut.

This is an al...

Come Around Sundown by Kings of Leon

Kings of Leon spent the last seven years courting the limelight only to find, like many before them, that they prefer to be outside of its harsh glare. Credit the band for taking the opportunity to turn towards each other and make an insular album that only seeks to satisfy themselves. There is no “Sex on Fire” on this album, and that’s a good thing. While the band’s lyrics still have naysayers (hey people, it’s called “rock ‘n’ roll” for...

Heaven Is Whenever by The Hold Steady

“This record, I think actually was us aging gracefully. Some of the lyrics come from a place of a little more wisdom, being 38 and at this point having a lifetime in rock ‘n’ roll,” stated Craig Finn. And no doubt, from the beginning notes played by slide and joined by arpeggiated chords on guitars, you can tell Heaven Is Whenever boasts a more measured and relaxed approach for The Hold Steady. That doesn’t mean they trade in their trademark ant...

As Posted on December 15, 2010 on Facebook.com/fiestabravamusic
 
 Infinite Arms by Band of Horses

Could less fuss have been made over one of the most beautiful albums of the year? Q Magazine called it a "strangely domestic affair" and it's true. This is less a Friday night album than a Sunday afternoon one. Perhaps that is why you don't hear people raving about it in the same way they do the new Sufjan Stevens or Arcade Fire, two albums that are much more overtly ambitious. But despite its lac...