SNAIL MAIL Schallplatten & CDs

Review: In the world of slow burners, "Habit" ranks among the slowest. For some, it's the fabled iconic first EP from Lindsay Jordan, Shawn Durham, and Ryan Vieira, who shot to cult attention through a gig with the legendary Priests. For others, it'll be a slightly avant-leaning, DIY-garage rock effort packed with pained cries and instrumental cacophonies. Whichever side of the fence you fall on, it's fantastic. "Dirt" might display the band's scope the most, toying with rhythms, lyrics compelling even the most unemotional ears. "Stick" shows off Snail Mail's talent for balladry that belongs on the score to an indie movie about coming of age on the fringes of society. Throw in the forthright, uptempo "The 2nd Most Beautiful Girl In The World", which combines Jordan's innocent vocals with crashing cymbals and runaway guitars, and it's no surprise this has achieved cult status.

Review: It's Lindsey Jordan's second album under the Snail Mail guise. And, just like the namesake service, it's not rushed, at times feels a little unpredictable, and has an air of familiarity that's bound to put listeners at ease. Not that the immediately inviting, often-sweet soft rock instrumentation should be taken at face value. Valentine is an ode to love in a multitude of definitions, but the vast majority of them are in dire need of a little TLC. Not broken, just unkept and taken for granted.

Well, OK, in some instances things are beyond repair - at least one song here is concerned with the horrific feeling of finding out your former-love is now with a current love, which isn't you. On the whole, though, there's a theme of redemption running through the music on this record. That, and the realities of coming of age in the lens of the music and lifestyle press after debut LP Hush exploded before you turned 20.

Review: Two years on from her much-loved album Valentine in 2012, Snail Mai makes a welcome return with this lovely new EP, Valentine Demons. All four of these tracks are intimate affairs with closely mixed, often whispered vocals. Every single finger movement on the strings can be heard which brings each one to life. Aside from one never before heard tick 'Easy Thing' these are demo recordings made in the lead-up to that last album using just a minilogue synth, interface, mic, and guitar in her parents' house in Maryland. Their rawness and immediacy makes them at least as good as the final products on the album, if not better.