The Syndicate

I didn't buy them, but I got two new albums at Christmas:

Weezer's latest self-titled album (nicknamed the White album). I think I actually like it better than their previous album, which was hailed as a triumphant return to form. It's light and breezy for the most part and has a very consistent sound the whole way through. In other words, it sounds like an intentional album instead of a bunch of tracks slapped together to satisfy a contract.

I also got Explosions in the Sky's latest release, The Wilderness. I love the band and have all but one or two of their albums. This one branches out into new territory in production, arrangements, and textures. It features shorter tracks than previous releases too, which I think may work in their favor. They used to be what I describe as a band to listen to in the passenger seat of a car as beautiful country side rolls past. Either that or an ideal soundtrack to lay over old home movies. This new one steps up their game a little and I'm not sure how to best describe the music.