So Tender
Michael A Grammar by Broadcast
Wow, I have to come right out and say it: WARP is back. Many (myself included) would say they were never gone, but some would argue that WARP had lost its grip on relevance a few years ago. However, the label has been undergoing somethig like a reinvention this year with some outstanding releases that fall outside the IDM-realm, with full-length albums by Jamie Lidell and Maximo Park, (not to mention the outrageous new Jackson and His Computer Band album, and the newest Prefuse album and EP) 2005 has been a truly great year for WARP.
Add to this list the new Broadcast album, Tender Buttons, fourteen tracks of gorgeous experimental pop music that sees the band maturing and (according to frontwoman Trish Keenan) finding ways of "letting go," with the band paring down to just Keenan and James Cargill. Broadcast has always stood out as a truly unique beast, especially on WARP, and their new album is a beautiful amalgam of 60s twee pop and buzzing synths, with the use of drum-machines and other electronic elements more prominent in the mix than they've ever had.
Keenan's voice, often multi-tracked to harmony upon harmony of herself, echoes with the ghosts of Britian's pop history. The music pulses with a lively energy, even when the songs themselves are sad, which they often are. There are so many outstanding tracks on this CD, I really had a hard time deciding what to post here, but I think Michael is a great example of the palate of sounds Keenan and Cargill are working in. I feel like I can't reccomend this album strongly enough.
Tender Buttons comes out September 20th (same day as that Jackson record I told you about a while back), and you can buy it direct from WARP - it is available now to pre-order, which will get you a free Broadcast button (isn't that cute?) - do get ahold of this one, you will not be disappointed.