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The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 12, 2009

Updated:

ABE VIGODA:

REVIVER

(PPM) **

Abe Vigoda's music comes at you peripherally, the way unrelated noises almost mesh as you're falling asleep. The melodies, chord changes and rhythms sometimes seem to be coming from separate rooms, while the vocals sometimes seem to be coming from next door.

When it works (and when the singer's in the same house), it's oddly beautiful, as on "House" and a remake of Stevie Nicks' "Wild Heart." When it doesn't, it still can be compelling ("Don't Lie") unless the track runs too long ("The Reaper"), frustrating your brain's attempt to make it all cohere.

Fans of woozy noise-pop tired of waiting for Kevin Shields to finally issue another My Bloody Valentine album should get acquainted with Abe Vigoda in the interim.

Download this: "House"

Curtis Ross

BELL ORCHESTRE:

AS SEEN THROUGH WINDOWS

(ARTS & CRAFTS) **½

They're on Canada's ultra-hip Arts & Crafts label and share two members with indie darlings The Arcade Fire, so forgive us if we were expecting something totally different.

The group may share the same intrepid sense of musical adventure as Broken Social Scene, but without any of the pop-melody goodness. "As Seen Through Windows" is experimental, post-modern chamber music, if that's even a thing. Eerie cinematic soundscapes ("Icicles/Bicycles") rub elbows with cacophonous bursts of noise (the percussion in "Elephants" sounds like a shopping cart tumbling down a flight of stairs), which then morph into moody, minimalist ruminations.

Judged on its own terms, it's a heady, hypnotic - if sadly guitar-free - delight.

Download this: "Dark Lights"

Rommie Johnson

P.O.S.:

NEVER BETTER

(RHYMESAYERS) ***

Forget the Facebook memes and get yourself some brain food with "Never Better."

Word is the Minneapolis rapper wrote a good portion of the disc in the car. What that means for you is original ideas plus regional in-jokes. Translation: good stuff.

On "Get Smokes," P.O.S. chides, "We ain't got bodegas, we got gas stations," atop a turbulent beat, guitar scratches and kick drums. The organized chaos is beautifully complex. Plus, he makes himself laugh, which is priceless.

P.O.S., who has punk roots, also pays tribute to his rock fans with hard-hitting tracks "Terrorish" and "Never Better." Throughout, he's poetic, introspective and silly.

Don't fool yourself into thinking good hip-hop only comes from the coasts.

Download this: "Out of Category"

Sarah Hoye

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