I don’t get round to buying many CD albums these days but I made a special exception for the new Young Knives album ‘Ornaments From The Silver Arcade’ and Wild Beasts ‘Smother’. A bit late in the game I know, seeing as they came out in April and May respectively.
Both albums are truly two masterpieces. Ornaments From the Silver Arcade sees a small departure from Young Knives’ usual awkward punk into something much more grown up, clever and dare I say it, sexy (!!), thanks to new subject matter in the songs, female backing vocals and a few synths and guitar effects. Stand out tracks for me are I Love My Name, Human Again and Silver Tongue.
Wild Beasts’ Smother is a beautifully arranged album – clearly the work of a perfectionist. The themes of sex, desire and brutality that run through the songs contrast really well the gentle instrumentalism. Stand out tracks are Invisible, Albatross, Reach A Bit Further and Bed of Nails.
Track list 25/05/2011
Alexander – Truth (White Arrows remix)
Echo Lake – Young Silence
EMA – Milkman
Black Lips – Moder Art
Young Knives – I Love My Name
Handsome Furs – What About Us
Kids On A Crime Spree – I Don’t Want To Call You Baby, Baby
Wild Beasts – Albatross
Naked Hearts – Pillow Song
No Joy – Indigo Child (Stereolab Remix)
Rye Rye (ft MIA) – Sunshine (2 Bit Thugs ReRub)
Star Slinger – Mornin’
Thee Oh Sees – Corrupted Coffin
Washed Out – Eyes Be Closed
Woodsman – Insects