DAILY RECORDS : Tender Forever, Norfolk & Western, & Sparta Philharmonic

Posted by: Tony – Jul 08, 2010

Tender Forever - No Snare (K)
This album's title is not just a clever phrase. It also describes its contents--instead of a snare drum, a collection of percussion instruments create syncopated beats that back melodic indie-pop music reminiscent of Fiona Apple, or Mirah. The result is a funky yet melancholy sound that's enjoyably original.

Norfolk & Western - Dinero Severo (Hush)
N&W's slow, quiet indie-folk has always been good, and the eclectic songwriting on their new album is even better, mixing post-Velvet Underground slowcore with Lennonesque ballads and even interludes of distorted guitar noise. The result is an album that should win over huge portions of the indie community.

Sparta Philharmonic - (Trans)Migratory Birds (Atlas)
Sparta Philharmonic's use of primitive recording equipment and unconventional studio spaces results in an album ill-suited for the "lo-fi" genre tag, as it shifts from loud indie rock to experimental folk and everything inbetween. It's all over the place, but in a good way. Well worth a listen.

by Andrew Necci