Eight Gigs: Islands

Something has come together for Islands with their two newly released albums, Taste and Should I Remain Here at Sea? Although the band insists it doesn’t make for a double album, all of the songs seem to flow together and intermingle quite nicely. This new batch of tracks could be loosely described as a grown-up version of Nick Thorburn’s former band the Unicorns, perhaps because his high-pitched, slightly nasal and ever-brooding vocals are so distinct. Despondent lyrics abound across both albums, sometimes hidden behind biting humor, other times just laid out bare for all to see. 2708 J Street, http://islandsareforever.com.