Benjamin Gibbard - Former Lives
Mmoss - Only Children
Jack White - Blunderbuss
David Byrne / St. Vincent - Love This Giant
Father John Misty - Fear Fun
Dr. John - Locked Down
The Walkmen - Heaven
OFF! - OFF!
Grimes - Visions
Unknown Mortal Orchestra - Unknown Mortal Orchestra
Benjamin Gibbard - Former Lives Review (indie rock)
For a first foray into work fully by himself Ben really tossed out some
good stuff. A lot of it are songs that fans of Death Cab have gotten to
listen to for awhile now at live shows and such, but for the most part
no one has heard these songs and they aren't the subject of much
attention. They should be though. Ben (Benjamin? Really man, we all know
its you) has gotten an opportunity that is long overdue. Between Death
Cab for Cutie's discography, the album with Jay Ferrar as a soundtrack
to the novel Big Sur and the ever iconic Give Up
from the Postal Service (seriously, fans clamor for a second album from
that duo like salivating animals) Ben has established himself as a
simplistic yet personal lyricist and singer that reminds us all of the
simpler aspects of life while the world flies by around you.