2014-03-16
Angel Guts: Red Classroom, the ninth release from Xiu Xiu, opens and closes with quiet electronics and the haunting sound of the wind. In between, Jamie Stewart, Xiu Xiu's main man, breaths his muddy vocals over sludgy synths. With lyrics featuring vulgar language and disturbing themes (suicide, sexual experimentation, sadomasochism, violence), one might think this is all too serious. Then, one listens to "Black Dick" or "El Naco" and one can't help but to laugh. Is this a put on? Is Xiu Xiu, after twelve years as a band, just trying to be shocking for the sake of being shocking? That kind of defeats the purpose doesn't it? Angel Guts is a little "much" for me to want to listen to over and over. Even so, I find this album to be bizarre and bleak and darkly compelling. Rebecca Ruth
LCD SOUNDSYSTEM
Sound of Silver
BAND OF HEATHENS
THE DOUBLE DOWN- LIVE IN DENVER VOL 1 & 2
SPITTING IMAGE
Ratta-Tatta-Boom!!
THE BIRD & THE BEE
Interpreting the Masters, Volume 1: A Tribute to Daryl Hall and John Oates
Kerosene Stars
Burn The Evidence
Grave Hounds
According to Coyote
The opinions expressed in these reviews are those of the individual volunteers that submitted the article and do not necessarily reflect the views of WYCE or GRCMC; nor its staff, donors, or affiliates.