hey 80s fags! how about that new M83 album???

That I should like in theory, but nothing of theirs has grabbed me. I kind of liked the album prior to the new one (I've only heard bits of the new one on their MySpace page), but then after multiple listens, I decided I didn't like it so much. However, any criticism I have for this band could probably be applied to a lot of the synthy/electronic shit bands I like. Something here just doesn't work for me.

I'll say that it has something to do with everything having the same pitch, and they really need to start thinking "less is more." All their songs become the equivalents of summer blockbusters where, sure you may be captivated in parts, but you just feel unaffected afterwards. Needless to say I could be done with giving this band a try. I don't know, I have 40 eMusic downloads to use up in the next couple days...I mean is it worth it?

For a couple weeks I've been content with listening to Polyrock and Atlas Sound. My brain has been too dull to give much new music a go as of late.

I'll get to this sometime.

Wait with bated breath.

Here's the big payoff...

I basically agree with you. I definitely prefer the previous couple of albums.

I posted the J&MC because I was comparing the new M83 to the new Magnetic Fields, both of which turn to a deliberate 80s aesthetic. Both were a bit disappointing. The Magnetic Fields will probably hold up better, but while it does invoke the J&MC sound, it is lacking in significant ways. It ends up being a fine Magnetic Fields album but it doesn't come close to something like Psychocandy.

I listened to the album and did not dislike it but neither can I love it. It would be great background music for long night drives -- a very soundtrack-esque quality, sort of sub-Tangerine Dream. But it lacks the balls-out great/stupid overproduction of the best '80s pop cheeze -- almost as if the studio mixers wanted to hedge their bets and pretend they were shooting for a Sigur Ros or whatever the trendy Iceland band is now sound should accusations of unhipness ultimately arise. It's all kind of a frigid exercise, much as I imagine married sex to be. I'm not a good music critic.

Suggestions!? I have Psychocandy, but I did download The Magnetic Fields' Get Lost. I think one of my friends stopped talking about them for a long enough period of time where I can give them a chance.

More, plz.

giving the Magnetic Fields a second and third chance. The album i is really good, as is 69 Love Songs. They took awhile to grow on me, but I've seen them twice live at the Old Town School and it's always low key and hilarious at the same time. They're funny people. I don't have the new album though. After seeing them play new songs live, I'm not sure I'll like quite as much.

As for J&MC, Psychocandy is my favorite. A Place to Bury Strangers is the modern day equivalent of that I think.

That damn album has like 23 songs and I only have 17 left after Get Lost and Charm of the Highway Strip.

More recommendations plz. Also, Greg, you could recommend too, you know. And I know if I bitch enough and make you feel bad you may feel it necessary to offer them up. You admittedly have like a conscious, where as Aaron pretends that he does not.

Is synth back TOMORROW then?

Have you considered The The?

I assume you've already looked into OMD. That's some essential shit.

There are an awful lot of inessential OMD albums. Sugar Tax has like two great songs on it and the rest is dismal filler. I wish Beth still posted. HITLERZ UNDERPANTZ!

If you have a particular album I should check out, I'd give them a decent chance -- I've always found the vocals too prominent and grating and the music is just sort of forgettable, but I'd be willing to give them another shot.

Yeah, from what I've heard I like OMD. The only reason I haven't gotten anything by them is because eMusic doesn't have anything and I haven't found any vinyl. Next time I get an iTunes gift card, OMD will be downloaded. Is there as specific album I should check out?

Jen, I tried your two suggestions and, well, I'm not a fan based on the samples. I heard drum n' bass and drum n' bass is dead to me. As far as recommendations, the only new band I've been listening to lately has been Atlas Sound. Otherwise it's been old standbys like Pet Sounds, Unknown Pleasures, and The Man-Machine.

For those bit torrent sites don't you have to upload content in order to download content? It sounds like too much work, but I've only given the concept 5 minutes of thought total to be honest.

...

Russian Circles coming up... 5/10 I think.

Except Justice and Jesus and the Mary Chain Both of which I would recommend to anybody. Synth-pop is out. House is in but should be out by the end of this year. Check out the albums people rave about and rave to. They are generlly good. I am way late on the LCD Soundsystem, not being a fan of that Daft Punk song they did. But I like the new(ish) album and the Fabriclive.36 album. That's close to the happy machine feel of the 80s, if that is your aural goal.

My library has a fair amount of decent indie rock -- Built to Spill, Weakerthans, Pavement, Bloc Party, Magnetic Fields, etc. -- and some decent punk rock like Propagandhi and Articles of Faith. It also gets some cool shit like Billy Bragg box sets.

and I really like track 5, "Couleurs," even though I think my initial analysis was largely correct and it is not much more than a Moroder/Tangerine Dream mash-up. But I like Moroder and Tangerine Dream so I guess I am the target audience.