Atomic Books Blog

The Baltozine Roundup is a regular feature wherein we take a look at what national periodicals are saying about Baltimore-area arts, events, people, and places. Be sure to pick up the magazines and read the full articles. In the current issue of Under The Radar [#43] , the Top Albums of 2014 feature both Future Islands' Singles and Wye Oak's Shriek in the top 10. About Future Islands' Singles : "This Baltimore trio has been working hard touring, recording and generally kicking ass for eight years. However, it was a performance on Letterman and sick dance moves that finally put these synth-poppers in the national spotlight they've long deserved. ..." -Austin Trunick About Wye Oak's Shriek : "...Wye Oak jettison the guitar and drums-dominated pop which has defined their prior three albums, instead favoring silvery synths, sawing cello, and a bedrock foundation of bass. The results dazzle ..." -John Everhart There's also a Q...

In the current issue of Under The Radar (#40) , the feature "In The Studio 2012" takes a look at a handful of hotly anticipated albums in 2012. One of the profiles is of Baltimore's own Dan Deacon, and his as-yet untitled next album due in June. Progressing out from Bromst , this record features not only a lot of acoustic instrumentation, but a lot of musicians as well (more than 30 players). Deacon explains this is going to be about protest music. "The music is very much influenced by the landscape of the United States, and the beauty of the country," he explains. "The lyrics are very much about the frustration of what it is to be American in this time. And how you feel this constant impending doom and fear, but also a weird, non-tangible freedom." ... As the Occupy movement and the Arab Spring unfolded around Deacon, the the aforementioned socioeconomic issues took on greater urgency. Ken Burns' The Civil War was also influential, ...