Julien-K
Album: Death to Analog
Tracks: 14
Released: 2009
Genre: Electronic Rock
Created as an electronically charged outlet by Amir Derakh, Ryan Shuck, Brandon Belsky, Elias Andra and Anthony "Fu" Valic, Julien-K was meant to achieve the impossible: convincingly combining rock and techno.
"Kick the Bass", one of their more popular tracks has done so brilliantly, each element balancing the other out, and "Maestro" creates something akin to a hip-hop beat, but still pulls off the rock portion nicely. "Dystopian Girl" hits the right mark once more, while their title track disappoints: a club beat overlayed by a raspy chant. "Futura" and "Nvr Say Nvr" also carry too much rough whispering with the techno and hip-hop tracks droning on in the background.
All in all, their original goal was almost accomplished. But sounding good while they're at it? Well, only so much.
Neon Trees
Album: Habits
Tracks: 8
Released: 2010
Genre: Pop Rock
A newly emerged band from semi-big-city Utah, Neon Trees consists of Tyler Glenn, Chris Allen, Branden Campbell, and Elaine Bradley. For such a short album, most of their songs gladly live up to their catchy pop rock label. Their lead single "Animal" is the most noteworthy, and
"1983" surprises with a fresh, new wave flavor. "Love and Affection” will have you tapping your foot by the time the intro is over.
However, "Our War" would sound much better recorded acoustically, and "Girls and Boys in School" seems oddly gloomy compared to the rest of the album. "In the Next Room" stands neutral to complete a, generally, quite interesting album.
