Out of all the possible sounds, the sirens and wailing from the beginning of 'It Takes a Nation of Millions' was NOT how I expected the new Mystery Jets album, 'Twenty One', to begin. Now helmed by superproducer Erol Alkan, the Jets have gone for a less weird second album, and while I certainly enjoyed their debut, this new one is more polished, concise and fun, without sacrificing too much of the creativity they showed before. The first half of 'Twenty One', particularly, is unimpeachably fantastic. Air raid sirens and mad synths herald in 'Hideaway', whilst 'Half in Love with Elizabeth' and 'Veiled in Grey' and short, sweet and ace. Then there's 'Two Doors Down', which sounds like ABC but more great, and with a sax burst toward the end. And don't forget the singles - 'Flakes' (still pretty) and 'Young Love,' (with Laura Marling, whose own debut album just came out and I'll probably write about soon), both of which sound good in their long-playing home. The second half of the album sees the songs getting slightly longer, and sounds a little more like the Mystery Jets we used to know and love. I feel like it veers a little off course toward the end, but for the knockout first six tracks alone, 'Twenty One' is well worth your time.
[download Mystery Jets - Veiled In Grey]
[Mystery Jets myspace / official site]
[Buy 'Twenty One' UK]
The kind of thing we don't talk about anymore
Spring Break list
- Stop shaving, everyone! My Morning Jacket are back, and here's their SXSW set, complete with new songs, and without 'It Beats For You'. [NPR]
- The union between Archie and Jarvis Cocker has finally taken place. [Chris's Invincible Super Blog]
- Nice article about how there are too many words in pop music these days. Words like, oh I don't know, 'Shawty' or 'Yahhh!'. [Slate]
- Dunno if you saw them on Letterman this week, but here's a full live show from British Sea Power. The good news? They still play 'Carrion' [Waves and Wires]
- Someone watched 'Hitman' so you don't have to. [AV Club]
- DiS meets Godlike Genius Efrim Menuck [Drownedinsound]
- So the new Tim Bisley is... Robin Williams meets Matthew Perry. This can only continue to go well. [Hollywood Reporter]
- 'Apatow's Cohorts Making Muppet Movie' is the headline. If they desecrate my beloved Sam the Eagle, there will be punches a-flyin'. [I Watch Stuff]
- Carrie Brownstein really nails how I feel about the perfectly okay Vampire Weekend. [Monitor Mix]
- Finally, the new Mystery Jets video will cheer you up. Even if you're already happy.
