Rill Rill
Sleigh Bells

Song - Rill Rill by Sleigh Bells

2010 is a little more than half way over and already some of the best music in the past few years has been released. Even the music that is ‘sub-par’ is better than some of the ‘best’ of 2009. One gem in particular is the debut from Brooklyn duo Sleigh Bells. What kind of music do you like? Doesn’t matter, ‘Treats’ has something on it for everyone.
Sleigh Bells fall under the genre of noise pop, but don’t let that seem daunting. Their album is by far the most versatile album of the year thus far and each song has such a distinct sound that it rarely gets redundant, even on repeat.
The album explodes with the opening track ‘Tell Em’ with gritty guitar riffs and distortion galore. When listening to this album (and it is best listened to at a high volume) do not worry that your speakers are blowing out, that sound is intentional and while that may sound unappealing, it adds a new dimension that a lot of other music out right now is really lacking.
Sleigh Bells is made up of Derek Miller (songwriter, guitarist, producer) and Alexis Krauss (vocalist.) When playing live the only instrument they use is a guitar with a variety of distortion pedals, and the rest of the sound comes from backing tracks on a laptop. When listening to the album you may wonder how it is possible to transfer every element of their sound to the stage, but they bring it, and their live show is intense.
Alexis has so much energy it becomes overwhelming. For some songs Derek even leaves the stage and it is just Alexis with her voice and a laptop, but you would never be able to guess, She fills the stage. No, she fills the entire venue.
Feel like dancing? Really, mindlessly dancing to a beat so contagious you should need a vaccination? Check out the track A/B Machines. It is so simple, and repetitive but it never gets boring or annoying.
Want to go for a drive, roll down the window, stick one arm out and just cruise? Check out my personal favourite ‘Rill Rill.’ This song cuts down on the grit and has all the makings for a summer anthem. Other notable tracks on the album are ‘Crown On The Ground’, ‘Infinity Guitars’, and ‘Kids.’
We are barely in the 7th month of 2010 and this is already on my list of best albums of the year and I can safely say that its spot on that list is secure.
Sleigh Bells also head out on their first headlining this summer so check out their MYSPACE for dates. This is not a show you want to miss out on.

-Erin Browne