The Crystal Axis - Midnight Juggernauts (2010)

Following their 2007 debut Dystopia, The Midnight Juggernauts have revealed their versatility through the release of The Crystal Axis. The Melbourne band rose to popularity with synth/dance pop songs such as Into the Galaxy and Road to Recovery, sounds that can be compared to Daft Punk or Pnau. However, this album is a complete back flip from Dystopia, taking listeners on a hypnotic space rock trip.

The Crystal Axis starts off with ‘Induco’, a mysterious and foreboding overture. Electronic echoes are then carried into ‘Vital Signs’. Although this is probably the most radio-friendly song, it blends electronica with percussion and woodwind instruments to create a sort of world music, similar to songs on Yeasayer’s Odd Blood. The myriad of sounds and mellow vocals is a somewhat psychedelic beginning to the album. ‘Lifeblood Flow’ is a triumphant pop song, full of catchy hooks and soaring keyboards: “Chase the light, let your lifeblood flow. Who cares where the road will land. Forge on before it’s gone forever. Hold on until we’re born again.” ‘This New Technology’ is driven by electronic hooks layered over repetitive drumming and the song can become tiresome. The Midnight Juggernauts then demonstrate their skills in progressive rock with the fifth and sixth tracks. ‘Lara Verses the Savage Pack’ is groovy and danceable, with unruly percussion and psychedelic guitar riffs. Towards the end, the song build up to a sonic freak-out, layered with choirs and intensifying electronica.

‘The Great Beyond’ begins with eerie keyboards and echoed vocalisations; “Into the great beyond, before hysteria starts. Into the great beyond, before the world around us all falls apart.” Then progressive and menacing guitar riffs lead into and instrumental jam. This is definitely a stand out track. It is clear to see that the juggernauts have attempted tone down their earlier dizzy sounding electronica by emphasizing rock instrumentation and restricting the synth. This is evident in ‘Winds of Fortune’, a flurry of harmonising and funk driven guitars with a possible Beach Boys influence. Yet the trio are able conjure faraway lands and cosmic atmospheres through spacey electronics with ease. ‘Dynasty’ incorporates theatrical organs and narrative in the lyrics to produce a science fiction epic in itself. Eventually we reach the album closer ‘Fade to Red’. The song is hypnotising and haunting. Spiraling keyboards and electronic clicks move like waves as double tracked vocals croon “This is the final goodbye”.On The Crystal Axis, Midnight Juggernauts move away from electro pop and towards a more refined sound space rock sound, expanding their musical horizons and their fan base.

Veckatimest - Grizzly Bear (2009)

Veckatimist - Grizzly Bear (2009) In three words: Reflective, Harmonious, Earthy

Grizzly Bear is a Brooklyn based alternative rock band, Veckatimest is their third full-length studio album. Their music has psychedelic and folk tendencies, combined an abundance of vocal harmonies. The record is named after a small island Massachusetts, if you're wondering. After the success of their previous LPs, Horn Of A Plenty (2004) and Yellow House (2006), Veckatimest was released on the 26 of May and also received numerous acclaims and awards. To me, the fact that Grizzly Bear has produced an album almost every two years, demonstrates serious ambition. It is also shows though the band's observable planning and intricate details that was put into this fascinating and beautiful record.

Veckatimest opens with Southern Point, a mixture of bustling acoustic guitars and folk-jazz drums. The song then adds riffs and vocal harmonies that phase in and out, making the listener feel free, exhilarated and boisterous. The song is like a journey, frequently changing in tone and pace. Its both disorientating and intricate, a great opener. With lyrics like "our haven on the southern point is calling us" and "in the end, you'll never find" I think the track is about the Island on which the album was recorded and how it is a haven for the band. Next is the single Two Weeks, which is upbeat and cheerful. It centres around a simple piano melodie and indie rock sensibility. With its soaring harmonies, the singer asks "Would you always? Maybe sometimes? Make it easy?" I would say that this is the album's most real moment, the dealings of an intimate relationship. From here, Veckatimest wanders off into quiet, folk daydreams in All We Ask and Fine For Now. Then Cheerleader begins. This track is alluring and harmonious. It combines a choir, folk beats and calming guitar chords. "I'm shooting them myself, I shouldn't let it matter"; Despite its beauty, the song's lyrics come across as bitter or hateful.

The next masterpiece of Veckatimest is Ready, Able. This track has a verse, verse, chorus, chorus structure. This emphasises the slow build up to a surreal swell of riffs, vocalisations, keyboards and drums. This is my favourite track on the record, it's just drenched with an atmosphere that a lot of good bands can't replicate. Ed sings, "they go, we go, I want you to know what I did I did" like a mantra. Overall, I think Ready, Able is a depiction of another love relationship, where the two involved make to decision to seriously be together. After Ready, Able comes About Face and Hold Still. Then the single While You wait For The Others begins with a harsh and unorthodox guitar riffs to wake listeners up from the previous dreamy songs. Veckatimest concludes with Foreground, a simple but haunting piano based song. The album fades out with "This is the foreground. It is the Foreground." backed by an eerie choir. This song has so many possible meanings to me but ultimately, I think it's about the disjunction between intentions and actions. Stunningly beautiful, Foreground is the perfect closer to an incredible album.