Children Gone Bad!

I hear something I like in Shapes and Sizes. Or, rather, many things I like - there is a lot going on. Electric things, fuzzy things, noisy things. There are two parts to "Island's Gone Bad," a sleepy start and a raucous end, with a wonderfully abrupt transition that makes more sense the more it's considered. Rory Seydel wakes the band up with a voice strong and clear, a story about nine long years. By the end of the first act, everybody's up and playing their instruments, strumming and pounding as if they're trying to make something happen. Sure enough, the magic works and they step back to let the instruments play themselves - now they can dance and sing and yell about sweet fruit and clean air! It's all quite interesting, and fun, and give it a try.

Shapes and Sizes - Island's Gone Bad [mp3]

Visit Shapes and Sizes online! Their self-titled debut is out July 11 on Asthmatic Kitty, info on it here.

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I discovered yesterday that the Secret Machines new album, Ten Silver Drops, can be streamed in full from their website! Go dismiss any reservations you may have, it's a gooood one. Also, they have a new blog (that has yet to be written in).

The great M3 Online (Good Weather for Air Strikes) has some Franz Ferdinand b-sides, including "L. Wells," which has reaffirmed my faith in the Scottish superstars after their so-so last album. Go listen, and check out the three (!) new videos too.

Enjoy!