30 Second Reviews from 1/19

Vampire Weekend
Contra
(XL Recordings)
SOUNDS LIKE: The Upper West Side preps have done it again; a beautiful mess of pop, Africa, loops, strings and percussion
FREE ASSOCIATION: If you hated them for their success before, it's only gonna get worse
FOR FANS OF: The Very Best, Ra Ra Riot, The Police

Spoon
Transference
(Merge)
SOUNDS LIKE: Spoon's seventh is a little weirder, longer, dirtier and funkier than Ga Ga Ga and that's a good thing
FREE ASSOCIATION: Yeah, we've heard a bunch of these songs already, but they're awesome
FOR FANS OF: Phoenix meets Interpol, The Kinks, Wire

Drink Up Buttercup
Born And Thrown On A Hook
(Yep Roc Records)
SOUNDS LIKE: These PA boys might as well be from Liverpool, their brand of kitchen sink rock is circus-like and hippified
FREE ASSOCIATION: Just when you think they're soft you get a rock punch in the nose
FOR FANS OF: Sgt. Pepper's, Man Man/Dr. Dog, Beirut

Jack Rose
Luck In The Valley
(Thrill Jockey Records)
SOUNDS LIKE: The late great PA 6 and 12-string/lap guitar talent's last is a soulful, bluesy romp that shows his VA roots
FREE ASSOCIATION: Dr. Ragtime is right; it's like he's playin' next to Robert Johnson
FOR FANS OF: Pelt, John Fahey, James Blackshaw

Galactic
ya-ka-may
(Anti)
SOUNDS LIKE: New Orleans-spiced blend of jazz, funk, jam and R&b fueled by horns, organs, and, here apparently, guests
FREE ASSOCIATION: Hip hop records have this many feature spots; this ain't no Ruckus
FOR FANS OF: Meters, Maceo Parker, jammier Daptones

The Elevator Parade
A Headphone Revolution
(Audio 67)
SOUNDS LIKE: Jangly and psychedelic poppy noise from Philly who throw in a pinch of rollicking, foot-stomping country
FREE ASSOCIATION: '60s England and San Francisco go to the P.O.P.E. and get pissed/free
FOR FANS OF: Hoots & Hellmouth, tambourines and long hair

Bells Bells Bells
A Ghost Could Live Here
(Self-released)
SOUNDS LIKE: A creepy horror movie soundtracked by organs, drone, churny guitars and Amandah Romick's chirpy, haunting falsetto
FREE ASSOCIATION: Wednesday Addams grows up and sings in a psych-folk band
FOR FANS OF: Jefferson Airplane, King Crimson, Blonde Redhead

Arms
Kids Aflame
(Gigantic Music)
SOUNDS LIKE: The Harlem Shakes' Todd Goldstein's solo is a complex indie rock record highlighting his voice and finger work
FREE ASSOCIATION: Sometimes silly and slow, sometimes fun and fast, this one's a keeper
FOR FANS OF: Walkmen, Pomegranates, The Shins

REAL CHARTICLE.