Daily News Channel
EVIL FRIENDS Portugal. The Man (Warner) The punctuated psych-indie also-rans from Portland via Alaska have been prolific if not groundbreaking since their 2006 emergence – but the simple addition of producer Brian “Danger Mouse” Burton (so important to warrant a front-of-album sticker) elevates their ho-hum melodies to catchy toe-tappers.
TRUE HALLUCINATIONS Ex Cops (Shock) Shoe-gazing often patched over the stains of half-arsed ability with swirling reverb and torrents of forced harmonising. The success – both critical and downloaded – of Ex Cops’ Brian Harding and Amalie Bruun is that their dreamy pop is anchored with rock-solid vocals and shining blue-sky melodies.