The Colby Echo

Issue date: 9/7/07 Section: Arts & Entertainment

Media Credit: Courtesy

10. Saturday Night Fever
Genre: Soundtrack, Disco
Label: Rhino

This reissue released in honor of its 30th anniversary is simply a reminder of how amazing the disco era truly was, complete with Bee Gee's mega-hit "Stayin' Alive," "Disco Inferno" performed by the Trammps, and a phenomenal disco remix of Beethoven's Fifth. What more could you want?

9. Bonde Do Role - With Lasers
Genre: Brazilian Electro-Dance Pop
Label: Domino

The album's single, "Solta O Frango," literally means "release the chickens" and that is exactly what Bonde Do Role does for the entire album. Guitar based riff DJ mix-ups with electronic multilayered Brazilian techno beats sampling anything from AC/DC to songs from "Grease" make this band's recent popularity well deserved. Every song just makes you want to dance.

8. Nick Drake - Family Tree
Genre: Early 1970's Folk, Singer/Songwriter
Label: Tsunami Label Group

Nick Drake's long awaited compilation of unreleased material arrived this summer. Family Tree stays true to Drake's lo-fi recordings featuring acoustic instrumentals and his voice that is gentle yet filled with sorrow. Early recordings of his well known songs like "Way To Blue" as well as covers of great folk traditionals such as "Blues Runs The Game" and "Black Mountain Blues" make this either a great addition or start of a Nick Drake collection.

7. Black Moth Super Rainbow - Dandelion Gum
Genre: Electronica, Trance
Label: Graveface

Despite being from Pennsylvania, Black Moth Super Rainbow creates trance music infused with folk and Japanese influences. While this seems a bit confusing, think Air's Talkie Walkie with a twist. It's like you're running through a field and you can't stop laughing, nor can you fight the urge to dance.


6. Blitzen Trapper - Wild Mountain Nation
Genre: Indie Rock, Psychedelic Prog Rock
Label: LidKerCow

Blitzen Trapper has carved itself a spot somewhere between The Shins and Deerhoof on the one hand, and Pavement and Pink Floyd on the other. This eclectic album spreads itself in several directions. Bouncy melodies backed up by highly energized guitar solos create an electro-glitch hard-rock sound balanced with enough playfulness to hook you on one song for days.

5. Justice - Cross
Genre: Electronica, Techno, Dance
Label: Vice

Justice is a French duo, much like Daft Punk. Rarely do you find an album fit for a rave that also has integrity. All I can say is that Cross makes you want to dance the night away.

4. Spoon - Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
Genre: Indie Rock
Label: Merge

Not only is Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga just as accessible as the previous five Spoon albums, it is exceedingly more interesting. Adding elements influenced by the rising electronic scene, Spoon is able to advance its sound while keeping it distinctly unique to itself. Steady, guitar-heavy songs are motivated by horn sections, production help from "Eternal Sunshine Of A Spotless Mind" composer Jon Brion, and the sexy voice of Spoon's lead singer. Coming in at around 36 minutes, each listen leaves you wanting more and more.

3. Wooden Wand - James & The Quiet
Genre: Bummer Folk, Folk Rock
Label: Ecstatic Peace

This is James Toth's (Wooden Wand) second solo album. While James & The Quiet is lacking the complexity and experimentation of Toth's previous work, narrative lyrics filled with surrealism and mysteries told about made up lands highlight each track. The lyrics are as intriguing as they are haunting. "We were dizzy honey bees in a bucket of tar," Toth sings as you glide through this beautiful album.

2. The White Stripes - Icky Thump
Genre: Indie Rock, Blues Rock
Label: Warner Bros.

Alas, Jack and Meg have reunited for their fifth album, and it delivers solid angsty bombastic loud dirty grungy bluesy high-quality music that builds upon the sound the siblings have already have established with new twists like bagpipes and organs, as well as compositional variation. Highly anticipated albums such as this one can be difficult to live up to, but The White Stripes did not fail to perform.

1. Band of Bees - Octopus
Genre: Alternative Rock
Label: Astralwerks

I don't have a clue where to begin talking about this band. No two songs on this album sound alike, yet they are all incredibly accomplished. The consistently solid performance on every song allows the band to weave in and out of 1960s psychedelia, funk, folk rock, and modern soul. This album is hot-there's just no other word to describe it.

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