"BANDZ A MAKE HER DANCE!": The Albums, 2012

21/Grizzly Bear/Shields

AND 

20/The Walkmen/Heaven

So, R&B appears to be creeping on the come up on the Renaissance tip, and everybody wants to be a part of it. Meanwhile with Dance, everybody is poppin' molly and chanting E.D.M. to the beat. And Hip-Hop? It never really stopped stuntin'. But what becometh of rock though? Is it alright? Who's still coming on strong for that old time rock and roll in 2012?...

Grizzly Bear and The Walkmen. That's who.

Shields and Heaven are two steady and alert modern rock records from two groups of skilled craftsman accomplished in this here thing we call life and going through the motions, together. Both albums are also deep rooted in the always reliable motions and fundamentals of the rock and roll canon.

Shields. Or the suits of armor we adorn ourselves in to keep true reality (and romance) at bay. (A subject few in the game approach as openly and matter of factly as Ed and them) Shields is a masterfully executed addition to Grizzly Bear's already sterling collection of work. "No wrong, no right. Just do whatever you like", Ed sings in a Simple Answer, and as you listen to Shields, you get the feeling this same approach was applied to the creation of this LP as songs stretch and relax, open and expand as Ed and co. analyze this space where "I am you, and you are me..."

Meanwhile fellow rock enthusiasts The Walkmen are in Heaven, and on the same page as Grizzly Bear, seeking and finding grounded moments of clarity through a life well lived, and (constantly) in flux. You see it in the album art, all nuclear, familial, and joyous. And you hear it all over the LP. In the crisp lead vocals. In the sharp, clear focus present throughout. Heaven is standing tall. Heaven is knowing where you've been, and being more keen of where you're headed. Heaven is confidence, on point, well sung, well played, and heavily indebted to that old time rock and roll sound.

And like Shields it plays like rock never left, cause it didn't. It was right here all along, and is (fortunately) doing alright.

KEY TRACKS (SHIELDS): Sleeping Ute/What's Wrong/Gun Shy
KEY TRACKS (HEAVEN): We Can't Be Beat/Heartbreaker/No One Ever Sleeps

22/Beach House/Bloom

23/Lower Dens/Nootropics

24/Cat Power/Sun

25/Prinzhorn Dance School/Clay Class