The Blow - The Concussive Caress, or, Casey Caught Her Mom Singing Along With the Vacuum

Listening to The Concussive Caress feels much like listening to the soundtrack of an amiable, slightly goofy independent short film that focuses more on reflective states of mind than a plot. Khaela Maricich, who recorded and produced this album herself (with guest appearances by half a dozen friends), gets a lot from a little, using moody, pulsating lo-fi electronic tones and rhythms to back her ruminations, which strike a balance between the wistful and the matter of fact. In some respects it's like listening to one-half of a disjointed telephone conversation, with top-of-the-head-sounding lyrics that often yearn for or comment on intimacy, romantic or otherwise. Read More