I Said Some Things That Can’t Be Said

The Cansecos “Juiced – Side B (excerpt)” – The Cansecos have the melodic style, energy, and fresh-faced charm of the United State of Electronica, but they dial down the day-glo in favor of a relatively chilled-out, classy piano-and-strings disco sound. The piano in this excerpt from a version of their forthcoming album is absolutely gorgeous — the tone sparkles like a diamond whether the chords are being pounded out rhythmically, or trickling out in quick, zippy solos. The bass bubbles underneath, and the percussion settles into a crisp, understated disco beat that leaves plenty of negative space in the composition for the chords to resonate. (Click here for the official Cansecos website.)

John Vanderslice “Tablespoon Of Codeine” – The centerpiece of John Vanderslice’s new album also includes a lovely, reverbed piano part, but its role in the song is very different. The song is mainly carried by a subtly shifting electronic drum pattern and Vanderslice’s plaintive lead vocal, and the piano cuts through the piece like a sharp diagonal line that crisscrosses with icy synthesizer drones. It’s an excellent composition, evoking a paranoia that slowly mutates into bitterness and impotent anger. (Click here to buy it from Barsuk.)

Elsewhere: My new Hit Refresh column is up on the ASAP site with mp3s from Scharpling & Wurster, Patton Oswalt, and Paul F. Tompkins.