Soundtracks for Everyday Adventures
Lullatone
9-out-of-10
I'm pretty certain we are all guilty of creating a tune in our heads as if it's a soundtrack for what we're doing. Shopping, walking, staring out a window, we like to think that our lives are a movie and thus need a soundtrack. Well, luckily Soundtracks for Everyday Adventures is exactly what it sounds like; an instrumental album of quirky minimalist recordings with titles such as "going to buy some strawberries" and "riding your bike down a hill and taking your feet off the pedals" that are meant to be enjoyed while performing somewhat menial tasks, or perhaps, exactly what the titles say. I think the idea is pretty brilliant, and Lullatone nailed the execution.
Built around a career making music for television and commercials, Lullatone's Shawn James Seymour twisted the idea into personal soundtracks for everyday people. Feeding off of simple, everyday moments, Lullatone builds cozy songs full of glockenspiel, ukulele, piano, and other instruments (there's a lot of stuff going on) that lend themselves to perfectly personify the events to which they represent. Displaying tones of mystery uncertainty, joy, contemplation, excitement, release, the 15 tracks here will ultimately match various points in your day.
For instance, as I'm sitting here thinking about what next to write, "A picture of your grandparents when they were young" seems to seamlessly fit my mood and actions pretty well. I feel that I should familiarize myself with each tune so I'm able to put it on at a moment's notice to create the perfect ambient surrounding.
If you find yourself wanting the movie-soundtrack-life fantasy to come true, regardless of task or season, grab Soundtracks for Everyday Adventures and pretend the cameras are rolling.
--SEAN CRAIB-PETKAU
EP
Swimming
7-out-of-10
When I first came across this band the first thing I thought of was shorts. Swimming--shorts. Which progressed to summer being too short, this EP being too short, the days are getting shorter, etc. So in the spirit of keeping things short, I shall hastily enlighten you as to why you should seek out Swimming before the end of summer.
If you're a person who enjoys finding new seasonal music: Swimming. If you like reverb and surf: Swimming. If you like tremelo guitar runs: Swimming. If you're "young and hip" at heart: Swimming. If you don't mind not fully understanding what the singer is singing but fully content to dance anyways: Swimming. If you like swimming: Swimming.
The reasons could possibly never come to an end. Seamless integration of pop, surf, reverb, and a touch of post-rock bless this EP. And for being from Fayetteville, Arkansas these guys emulated their California counterparts pretty well. Plus the break down in "Take it Easy/For Love" is fantastically catchy. I understand this album will not appeal to everyone, but for its laid back performance, catchy riffs and chill vibes alone, I'd suggest checking into it.
Let your hair down, man.
--SEAN CRAIB-PETKAU
