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On the Record: Alanis Morisette, Divine Fits, Cat Power and More

By Bill Chenevert

Add Comment | Comments: 0 | Posted Sep. 5, 2012

Alanis Morissette

Havoc and Bright Lights

(Collective Sounds)

Sounds Like: The 38-year-old’s eighth studio album is a happy one. She’s a new mom and wife, and her pop-produced songs aren’t as vengeful as we like her to be.

Free Association: How often is your U.S. debut at 21 your best record 17 years later?

For Fans Of: Tori/Liz/Fiona/Sheryl/Natalie(s)/Sarah/Paula, Canadian canyon ladies.

Animal Collective

Centipede Hz

(Domino)

Sounds Like: The weirdos from Brooklyn strike again with excessively bizarre sound concoctions, and it’s a long listen. The moments of harmony and groove are striking.

Free Association: No trend-capitalizing here, just back to making sure they’re a little avant.

For Fans Of: Syd Barret x The Beach Boys + Bjork, Xiu Xiu/Fuck Buttons, beauty in chaos.

Minus The Bear

Infinity Overhead

(Dangerbird)

Sounds Like: The Seattle-based quintet’s back to basics after an electronic-flavored LP. Here, they bring a little punk with their alt-indie rock brand of rousing thrash.

Free Association: Results of when bands that were born alongside Fugazi fuzz age artistically.

For Fans Of: Cursive x Polvo, The Sea and Cake, Sharks Keep Moving, post-grunge.

Divine Fits