From the opening chords of Celebration's "War," it's apparent we're in for a crazy ride. The danceable beat builds into a frenzy while singer Katrina Ford howls, "Got more guns than anybody!" Backed up only by drums and an organ, Ford has more balls than most boys in today's indie scene. "Diamonds" is a '50s- era slow jam sock in the gut, with guest vocals by TV on the Radio's Tunde Adebimpe. (TVOTR lent a hand in nearly aspect of the album's production.) Celebration walk a damn weird line and do it well. Their self-titled CD may get a bit monotonous at times -- Ford's hypnotic vocals rarely differ from song to song, and frankly, there's only so much you can do with an organ and drums -- but with their guests' ample help, it all works out. -- Kara Luger
click to enlarge
Colonial Excess
mute Self-released
Well, it's certainly not something you're going to hum along to in the car, or slow dance to at prom, but mute certainly is interesting. Hailing from our fair city, CE isn't as concerned about making anyone dance as they are about providing a sort of sonic landscape. At times, they're like Man or Astroman (using samples), and at times, like Liars (electro bleeps). But most of the time, they're completely unlike any other. The harsh distorted guitar on "horro djinn" serves as mere backdrop to random pluckings, snippets of violin strings, and a tapping that together actually prove quite infectious. The CD's a little hard to get, but that makes it all the more special. Contact Bert at colonialexcess@gmail.com< /a> for yours. -- Kara Luger
click to enlarge
Why?
Elephant Eyelash Anticon
This profoundly weird but equally satisfying record pushes the listener off the deep end of both alternative hip-hop and indie rock. How else to explain lyrics about hoodies and White Castle laid over shimmering Modest Mouse-esque pop? Elephant Eyelash also contains a few bursts of pure pop melody that might make Brian Wilson nod his noggin. The mix of low-key music, nasally sing-song raps and strange samples may never work in concert. But it makes for excellent headphone/road listening and just goes to show that the mainstreaming of hip-hop has fomented a new generation of creativity in the underground. -- Dan Wilcock
