Iceland in the house! Both Björk and the duo Pascal Pinon feature this week, as well as a rising new trio from Brooklyn. But the top spot goes to a career retrospective from glam veterans that were glitzy, crazy and—above all else—classic.
Roxy Music – The Complete Studio Recordings. Though their influence can’t be understated, there hasn’t been a band that’s even come close to the glam grandeur of Roxy Music. From an art-damaged debut to their years of Euro-decadence to their romantic fade out, Bryan Ferry and company have left us with a lasting legacy that includes “Do the Strand,” the disco homage/piss-take “Love Is the Drug," and the aching “More Than This” all now collected in one convenient package with two discs of collect-o-rama.
Bjork – Bastards. Remixed/punched-up tracks from the Icelandic icon’s last release Biophilia. The Middle Eastern tonalities of Omar Souleyman’s remix of “Tesla” is a kick, as are the other reimaginings of her scientific excursion.
Guards – In Guards We Trust. Richie Follin, brother of Cults’ singer Madeline Follin, heads this Brooklyn trio on a debut chock-full of pop hooks and indie swagger, most apparent on “Silver Lining."
Pascal Pinon – Twosomeness. Twins from Iceland make a lovely, low-key, dreamy sound on their sophomore CD. If Sigur Ros were girls and liked bedroom indie, they might write a song as simple and forthright as “Somewhere."
Also Released:
Eels – Wonderful, Glorious
Coheed and Cambria – The Afterman: Descension
Jim James – Regions of Light and Sound of God
Frightened Rabbit – Pedestrian Verse
Unknown Mortal Orchestra – II