02/14/12: Sleigh Bells - Reign of Terror (2012)

02/14/12: Sleigh Bells - Reign of Terror (2012)

1. True Shred Guitar
2. Born To Lose
3. Crush
4. End of the Line
5. Leader of the Pack
6. Comeback Kid
7. Demons
8. Road to Hell
9. You Lost Me
10. Never Say Die
11. D.O.A.

     I only recently listened to Sleigh Bells debut LP "Treats" but I was late to this party. Fortunately for me that meant I already have another album by Sleigh Bells to listen to. This follow-up is called "Reign of Terror"and it is a strong but evolved second album. After a first listen I wasn't really sure what to think. I gave it a few more listens and it definitely grew on me.
     This album gos for more of a live concert feel as it opens with the roar of a crowd and builds into one of the most rocking tracks on the album. The production had a different feel than "Treats". The guitars were more focused and in the forefront of many of the songs as the electronic parts were brought back a bit. I liked this approach a lot as it lead to some of the more heavy metal guitar licks of their 2 albums. The other obvious change on this album was the fact that singer Alexis Krauss was involved through the entire production of the album. Her pop music roots become much more apparent on "Reign of Terror". The second half of the album brings it down a bit and they have a long section of more pop influenced songs in terms of production, tempo and level of shredding and to my surprise I still dug it. "Treats" was produced entirely by Derek Miller and lyrics and vocals were done after Miller met Krauss. Her effect is clearly heard here yet it still left a solid and satisfying Sophomore album. (045)

01/24/12: Sleigh Bells - Sleigh Bells E.P. (2009)

01/24/12: Sleigh Bells - Sleigh Bells E.P. (2009)

1. Ring Ring
2. Crown on the Ground
3. Beach Girls
4. Infinity Guitars
5. A/B Machines
6. Holly
7. 2HELLWU

     Sleigh Bells recorded this EP soon after they formed. It was their first release and lead-in to their first full-length release "Treats". The first 5 songs on this EP ended up on the full-length. Some were with different title, but the 5 songs that I had already heard were for the most part unchanged. The last 2 tracks were good enough to justify this listen. I enjoyed Treats so much I wanted to hear as much of their stuff as possible. This was a good glimpse at their early stages, but i still can't wait for their 2nd full-length "Reign of Terror" to come out in February which will surely be gone over on this blog.

01/18/12: Sleigh Bells - Treats (2010)

01/18/12: Sleigh Bells - Treats (2010)

1. Tell "Em
2. Kids
3. Riot Rhythm
4. Infinity Guitars
5. Run the Heart
6. Rachel
7. Rill Rill
8. Crown on the Ground
9. Straight A's
10. A/B Machines
11. Treats

     Sleigh Bells is made up of former Poison the Well Guitarist Derek E. Miller and apparently a former teen pop group member in singer Alexis Krauss. They are a noise pop duo.... That happens to be surprisingly accurate. Most songs on the album include heavy, distorted and fast guitars with a drum machine pumping out hard hitting bass and fighting with all of that are the clean, incredibly poppy vocals. There are a lot of really entertaining, quality songs on this album.
     I realize just how poppy this album is when i really focus on the singer, but fuck it shes got a great voice and the production is spectacular while being as far away from all of the pop music norms as possible. Add some guitars and distortion and I'm down. I don't normally listen to music that I could see other people dancing to, but it makes me wanna mosh sometimes... They cancel out... I bopped my head im not gonna lie. The change of pace that pops up with "Rill Rill" is a welcome break while still being a great song.
     I'm late to the party but I am really enjoying Sleigh Bells. Best part about being this late... Their next album is out at the end of February, so I'll be reviewing them again real soon.
     "What do the numbers on athlete's blouses mean?" (018)