Benji by Sun Kil Moon
Grade: A-
Sun Kil Moon has released heartbreaking records since 2003, and the newest effort, “Benji,” does not disappoint. In 11 tracks, Mark Kozelek has crafted a tragedy that reduces “Les Miserables” to a mildly amusing romantic comedy. Eight of the songs are long, slow ballads during which Kozelek laments all the terrible things he did to the people he loved, who are now all dead. His haunting moans pervade the entire album, and even on lighthearted tracks like “Micheline,” Kozelek still doesn’t seem satisfied with anything in his life. In a strange twist, the album concludes with “Ben’s My Friend,” a relatively upbeat song dedicated to Ben Gibbard of Death Cab for Cutie and Postal Service fame. The track is pleasant enough, but ultimately the album shines when Kozelek revels in the musical beauty he constructs from his infinite heartache.
Broken Bells – “After the Disco”
Grade: C +
Tuesday, Broken Bells released its second album, “After the Disco.” Entertainment outlets deemed the single “Holding On For Life” as “modern disco” with references to The Bee Gees. The title alone could confirm critics’ speculations of influence. However, not everything on this album is as it seems. There are elements from different retro pop artists like A-ha and The Police. The riff to opening track “Perfect World” could be a direct lift from Sting’s “Fields of Gold.”
“After the Disco” listens like any other spacey rock album. Despite this fault, Danger Mouse’s production remains concise and Mercer’s signature falsetto continues to be a staple of Broken Bells’ sound. “After the Disco” may not be the best follow-up to the self-titled debut, but Broken Bells is capable of better music and still deserve listeners’ attention.
That Awkward Moment
Grade: F
“That Awkward Moment” is a movie that should be kept in the Smithsonian. It can be used in the future as a litmus test to determine how humans should not act. The characters are supposed to be flawed and realistic but end up being bizarrely inauthentic. The way this movie seems to mistake awkwardness for insane physical beauty and unnatural charm is particularly frustrating. The characters speak like stand up comedians reading off of a script. The movie is a series of clichés so ham-fisted into the audience’s mind that it seems as if the creators were attempting not to make a movie, but to create the ultimate cliché.  This movie is the epitome of mindless entertainment. There are rocks that are more intelligent than this movie. I will admit the movie made me feel awkward, but mostly only because I felt embarrassed for having seen it.
Maximo Park – “Too Much Information”
Grade: D
Maximo Park’s latest album can be described as over-emotional lyrics drowned by crash symbols and ringing guitar chords. The alternative rock band’s new record, “Too Much Information,” should have been changed to “Too Many Problems.” Each song on this album has an emotional depth that listeners can connect with, but that emotion is either sadness or confusion. Maximo Park appears to have arranged its songs to suit lead singer Paul Smith’s voice, taking away from the strength of the actual music. The one high point on “Too Much Information” comes from the song “Lydia, The Ink Will Never Dry.” In this song, the band finds the perfect medium of lyrics and music. Through most of the project, guitar riffs compete with the drums instead of working together, making finding a rhythm in the album a difficult task. “Too Much Information” is the band’s fifth album, but maybe MaxÏmo Park should have informed listeners that this new record contains too many errors to enjoy.
Editor’s Pick: Bombay Bicycle Club – “So Long, See You Tomorrow”
Grade: B+
Written during vocalist Jack Steadman’s travels throughout India, Japan and Turkey, “So Long, See You Tomorrow” displays musical attributes from all of these locals, making the record a perfect soundtrack for a long and winding journey.
Blending a smattering of bouncy pop with out of control percussion and guitar riffs, England’s Bombay Bicycle Club delivers a record that’s delicate yet gravelly, a task attempted but not achieved on the band’s previous releases.
Featuring vocals reminiscent of a church’s youth choir mixed with a high school garage band, BBC has clearly undertaken an identity crisis with this release, but it’s to the group’s advantage. BBC was previously considered by many to be just a cheap Bloc Party knock off, but the band has now transitioned to the point effectively structuring its own style of synth pop.
Overall, this record shows that Bombay Bicycle Club is improving as a young group. That being said, the band’s best work is yet to come, maybe two or three albums down the road.