The Pains of Being Pure at Heart - Higher Than the Stars [Lost and Lonesome]

Phrazes for the Young determines one thing: While everyone thought Casablancas was the mastermind behind indie gods the Strokes, this album clarifies that he was just another member. Like always, there are moments of greatness in the lyrics, but that’s about all. It’s messy, there’s no cohesion and by the end of the tenth track there’s nothing but disappointment. His attempt at apolocolyptic ‘80s only extends to the cover art, and not even breakaway single 11th Dimension can save this album.

In what is probably the best DIY CD packaging I have ever come across (paper sleeve with aerosol balloon stencil and a twine balloon string attached to a snappy little card insert with track deets. Twine = genius) comes the debut EP More is More by locally illustrious merchants of madness, Fun Machine. Opener Cougar is a lively music hall-style warning against wild women with dark and menacing piano its driving undercurrent. The dazzling and disgustingly talented Bec Taylor’s strong and sexy chanteuse voice combines with those of the three Fun Machine men (and what men they are) to create a deliciously rich and constantly changing texture. Café Stalker is a sweet yet scary jaunty pop song peppered with uproarious lines (not unlike all their songs), and one of many crowd faves Nintendo in the Jungle is such a freaking ear-worm I feel I’ll be humming it for all eternity. Chris Endrey’s high-larious vocals intertwine with Taylor’s like jungle vines, and when the whole Machine sings it’s just glorious. Dave Crosby’s keys are masterful and Ramsay Nuthall’s bass big and bouncy. I implore you, see them live the first chance you get.

Either his (or more accurately, his people are) trying to be clever or he’s completely devoid of creativity on album titles. This second release sounds nothing like last year’s debut, which is a grand thing if, like me, you were hoping to hear upbeat and quirky tunes like Hi Friend! instead of the total progressive and minimal tech that 2008’s Random Album Title entailed. Hooray for different directions! This new effort begins on the electro and house side of the fence with kicking basslines and lifting melodies. This time, there’s minimal minimal. Instead, we’ve got a high-spirited tracklist featuring various styles of music; starting off with club faves before the deep, show-off techno and the vocals add just a little bit of uh, cheese?