REVIEW: Deerhunter "Cryptograms"

Rating: 7

One of Atlanta's bright new crop of indie darlings alternates song by song between space prog ala Secret Machines and droning, circular atmospherics. Songs with words are flecked occasionally with Liars style noise-chants and hints of hysteria giving clues to a largely unseen pathos poised to scream and/or dance, while the directionless expanse of the album's star-scaped instrumental passages prop up the tension. I'm angling for more of the former and less of the latter, but enjoying the back and forth in the meantime.

REVIEW: The Black Keys "Attack and Release"

Rating: 8

Akron, Ohio's blue-eyed electric blues duo extraordinaire have found success playing in a pretty small sandbox over the course of their previous four LPs. This time around they invite producer Danger Mouse in to play, and as one might expect the Gnarls Barkley / MF Doom DJ brings his own toys. The sound remains rooted in their well established Delta Blues, drum and guitar rock tandem but goes further to acknowledge the classic rock and Detroit soul that naturally weaves its way in and out of the Keys' ongoing narratives. Not as far out as others have indicated the high profile producer might push, but easily a bigger box and deeper sand to play in.