in Review

∆ – An Awesome Wave

The band is called Alt-J, because that’s how you type the symbol that is their name, not because they make alternative Japanese music, as you might have thought. The symbol is for that triangle that you use in math for “change” – so, you know, it’s really a deep, clever name and totally not something so indescribably stupid that all the critics in the world turned on the band, never giving their music a chance. Although, I’d believe that is the case, since I really liked An Awesome Wave from my very first listen, despite it not getting anything close to the best reviews.

Or maybe it’s just one of those things that I really like and people with real musical credibility don’t. There seems to be plenty of that this year. I will say this, the lead singer has a weird, somewhat indecipherable voice, and I could easily imagine that turning a lot of people off.

Favorite Tracks: “Breezeblocks,” “Dissolve Me,” “Matilda”