PeerValidated Byte Size Reviews are short and sweet introductions to albums. A new one almost everyday gives you some basic info, opinions and an mp3 to let you decide what you think. These reviews are compiled into a list for two weeks, then we throw them into the Byte Size Archive and start a new one. Check back often!

Blue Belt – Blue Belt

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Brooklyn hip-hop five-piece, Blue Belt, has released a second track from its self-titled LP. It’s an attack on music blogs called “E.Y.B (Eff Yr Blog).” “Fuck your blog and the public, curse it all,” raps one of the group’s vocalists. Luckily for us, the song isn’t very good, and a look at Blue Belt’s Facebook wall shows that they’re hypocritically posting links to the few blogs who write about them. At any rate, a different song, “Anymore,” is actually a great mix of a backing track reminiscent of The Avalanches and some fairly slow raps. That mp3 is above. - Andy (July 14, 2011)

 

Big Troubles – Romantic Comedy

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NJ’s Big Troubles is set to release a full length on Slumberland Records on September 27. The shoegazey, pop foursome has a few EPs and singles in its current discography, but each was hindered more than helped by the bedroom recording aesthetic. This time around, Mitch Easter(Pavement, REM) is producing Romatic Comedy, and the first single, “Misery,” is by far the best sounding recording from the band thus far. It’s full of the cookie-cutter pop formula and fuzzed out sounds, highly reminiscent of The Pains of Being Pure at Heart. - Andy (July 13, 2011)

 

WU LYF – Go Tell Fire to the Mountain

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Musically, WU LYF is an indie-rock band with the aggressiveness and melodic prowess of The National’s Alligator, and the big-scale pageantry and power of Explosions in the Sky. The screamed, Tourettes-esque lead vocals of Ellery Roberts are passionate and imaginative, keeping always a tireless energy. WU LYF has more to offer, however, in its lyrics and messages. There’s really a lot to tackle, but the band’s .org site is a great place to start. As always, listen to the above mp3, but be sure to check out their page for an interactive video of “Dirt.” - Andy (July 11, 2011)

 

Poland – Sea Woof

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Sea Woof is reportedly loosely based on Jack Jondon’s 1904 psychological adventure novel “The Sea-Wolf.” Surely the reference is deeply hidden, however, as Poland’s new full-length is a cut-and-paste collage of sounds that don’t seem to suggest anything in particular, rather they build upon one another, adding to the beauty of the entire album as a whole. At times it’s nearly incoherent, yet at others, like the midway point of “Feelers,” we catch our breath in the midst of something shockingly clear and satisfying. Download the LP free! - Andy (July 9, 2011)

 

Preteen Zenith – Sampler

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This wonderful thing comes from former members of Polyphonic Spree and Tripping Daisy. It’s been deemed a sampler of sorts, mixing parts of newly formed Preteen Zenith’s songs from rough recordings to create one introductory track. Its beginning is dark and mysterious, unfolding from small section of rhythm and noise into a glorious Polyphonic-esque chorus, then shrinking back to darkness again. The Dallas band threw the combination together to give fans a small taste of what to expect before its first live set at Gorilla vs. Bear Festival. - Andy (July 5, 2011)

 

White Denim – D

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You’re either in or you’re out. White Denim doesn’t leave much room for indifference. Its somewhat lofty blend of post rock, jam, garage rock and psychedelia makes it difficult to pin down the Austin band’s sound, and without a real clear grasp on its intended direction, its easy to get lost. All that said, White Denim has been hard at work over the past four years, releasing four studio albums and a disc of b-sides, creating for themselves a vast and unique discography. It’s newest album, D, is one to hear for yourself. - Andy (July 3, 2011)