Sunday, October 19, 2008
I Can't Deny It Any More
As much as I have denied it to others and to myself, I have something I have to admit. I like female vocalists. I've been hiding from it for ages but I've come to realize that all the musicians I listen to again and again are female. Björk Guðmundsdóttir, 萨顶顶, Beth Orton, Sevara Nazarkhan, 王菲, Sarah McLachlan and now Camille (cam - EEE). Why have I been fighting this? I don't know, but it's out there and now I can move on.
Camille's new website has one of the most annoying interfaces I have ever encountered - flash developers need realize that an HTML version should always be offered, for bandwidth considerations and for sanity considerations as well. You basically navigate by clicking deeper and deeper into a "hole." Well, if you want to go back, flash sucks for that so you'll have to deal or figure the site out better than I could.
Anyway, I heard the song "Ta Douleur" off of one of her older albums, "Le fil," and to paraphrase Neo, "Whoa." Think a spunky Autour de Lucie/Natalie Imbruglia hybrid, add Björk circa Medúlla (one of the most underrated AND overrated Björk albums - Homogenic is still my favorite though I know she will come out with one better eventually - because critics praised it and panned it for all the wrong and right reasons, kind of like Radiohead's recent "In Rainbows" which everyone fawned on like it was the Second Coming or something) and add a pinch of Christmas advertising fashion jingle and you begin to approach Camille.
I haven't listened to her complete discography - though I have assembled as much of her stuff as I can handle monetarily at the moment - so bear that in mind. I may change my opinion as I listen to more of her work. But from what I have heard, I likes.
Here is the first Camille song that graced my ears. Maybe you will like it too.
Cheers.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Andy Warhol's Exploding Plastic Inevitable
So today I had the chance to check out a little of the Andy Warhol exhibit at the Wexner Center for the Arts. As I was walking by some of Warhol's time capsules I stepped into a small viewing alcove and heard Lou Reed.
A number of years ago my best friend introduced me to The Velvet Underground. One of the best bands to be introduced to ever. Anyway, I happened to find myself in the middle of "Exploding Plastic Inevitable" as "Heroin" started up. It one of my favorite Velvet songs and I thought seeing the "music video" just intensified my like for the song. So I'll share it with you all below.
Heroin starts about 4our minutes into this video.
Here is the start of the E.P.I.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
The Hasselhoff Experiment - Two Clever Videos
Hey guys, the following is taken straight from Amplifier (since I had never heard of The Hasselhoff Experiment before). I can't say I think I completely dig their sound - think a cross between Butthole Surfers and well, since they only have the drums and the guitar, the White Stripes (though that's a stretch since I haven't heard any blues-y tracks yet) - but I love these two videos!
It was only six months after forming in 1997 that Brendan Moran and Andrew Tolley released their self titled debut album 'The Hasselhoff Experiment' on vinyl as a limited 200 copy run, on the guitarist's label KATO MUSIC.
The album sold out within weeks, they toured both here and in Australia leaving a trail of hung-over, cigarette-stained swooning music nerds desperate to be experiencing such an impact. Then they got going.
The band won "Best New Act" at the b Net NZ music awards in 1998 and were quickly signed to Flying Nun, who have released the debut on CD and later the follow up 'Always Outnumbered, Alwaya Outgunned' a year later.
Along with their numerous b-Net awards and nominations, including 'Best Song', 'Most Outstanding Musician' (Brendan Moran) and 'Best Album', the band have also landed supports for internationals such as The Jesus Lizard, Tomahawk, The Melvins, Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, The 5678's, The Bangs and Magic Dirt.
Check 'em out:
What's The Deal With The Man In Red?
I love it when about 30 Seconds in a certain jolly fellow heeds the call o' nature on the hood of a car.
Drag Racer
Think Ronin on the cheap.
Saturday, October 4, 2008
This is the gayest song I've ever heard
Good Song
Monday, September 22, 2008
I like this song
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Another New Band to check out
This is Spinto Band. They're out of the UK. The first song is called Summer Grof. A really funny video. I like the song too. The second song is called Oh Mandy. I like both of them.
This is Oh Mandy.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Melty Melty
I've been looking for some local music in Columbus and ran across Melty Melty and think they are worth a listen. They have a new album coming out titled "Rise of the Birdmen" and you can hear some of the songs off of it at their myspace page.
The above video is pretty crappy but your should check out their song "Same Situation" which reminds me of Scott Weiland's solo stuff. You should also check out "Walls" as it has a nice melodic thing going on. It's on their myspace and on their upcoming album.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
New Band Alert II -- The Crash That Took Me
New Band Alert -- Anthem In
Friday, September 12, 2008
Sacrilegious to some
This song is cool
An Insane Concept Band -- Neon Neon
Capitol K is the Real Deal!!
This is called Pillow.
This is Go Go Go which is from their new album which came out this week. I recommend buying both albums! The new is one called Notes from: Life on the Wire With a Wrecking Ball, and the first album is called Island Row. Both records are fucking awesome.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Genius Song
New Streets song
Here is the new single. Its OK. I'm not blown away, but I'll buy the album because he's earned me seriously considering anything he puts out.
Bonus Song--The Streets, We Never Went to Church off of The Hardest Way to Make an Honest Living
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
This song is pretty cool
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Walkmen -- You and Me
Confession -- I love singing this next song at the top of my lungs. I can't wait to annoy people at their concert here in October when I belt this out at the top of my lungs. This is their lead single, In the New Year.
SINGLE--IN THE NEW YEAR
LIVE VERSION
BONUS SONG--On the Water
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Deerhunter Microcastles album
New National Song -- A Thousand Black Cities
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
An Old Song, Relatively
This is the "big" song The La's had. I was thinking of it the other day and thought I'd share. Enjoy.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Low vs Diamond
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Check This Out: 48 May - The End
OK. The video starts out with a "Huh?" But close your eyes and give it a chance. I promise you won't want your four minutes back.
This kind of sound usually isn't my cup of tea but for some reason when 48 May bring on the the power pop about a minute into this track I got hooked. This album isn't available in the US yet so I'll have to wait on posting a full album review but these guys sound like they would really take off over here.
What do they put in the water in New Zealand. That country has some serious musical talent. What is it about islands?
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Buy These Albums
The second album is by Low vs Diamond. This and the Frightened Rabbit record are my two favorite of the year. Good stuff. Really want to see them live. They remind me of a cross between U2 and a lighter version of the strokes. Their self-titled album is awesome.
Another New Band-- Mono In VCF
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Cool new song
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Footloose reimagined
Anyway, Doveman, has entirely re-recorded the footloose soundtrack. He hasn't re-recorded it as much as re-imagined it. You can stream the tracks here. I've seen Doveman a number of times as he opened up for the national a bunch of times when I saw them with the ex-girlfriend in various cities. I didn't really like him very much when he opened up for the national, but his album With My Left Hand I Raise the Dead has grown on me some.
Here's the link.
http://www.dovemanmusic.com/footloose.htm
LA Music scene
This is Autolux. They came out with a great album 4 years ago. Dark, propulsive, like a more poppy version of My Bloody Valentines Loveless. Then I never heard from them again. No tour, no news, no nothing. They have a new single called Audience No. 2. Here it is. I cannot wait for their new album. I love the off beat drumming syncopation on this.
This is Viva K. They do dark dancey-rock. I'm not a huge fan of dancey rock, but at least its more creative than most of the stuff being hyped right now. The song is called Does it Matter?
Saturday, August 2, 2008
New band alert......Ra Ra Riot
I lost my phone last night. Anybody have any leads?
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Smoke City - Underwater Love
"One of the catchiest tunes ever used in a jeans commercial, by an English group with an Anglo-Brazilian singer who sings this particular song in English with a slight French accent, and Portuguese."
Check it out.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
One of the best tv shows ever
"Buckle the fuckup," this is the Nostradamus skit. Don't mind the gnashing of teeth.
Dr. Retarded in this skit is awesome. I think I may have found my halloween costume.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Another great band--The Notwist
Another new band--Miracle Fortress
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Cool Song - Ampop "Youth"
Last.fm recommended this song to me and I have to say, I really like it. I found this live version of Youth from a show at NASA. Cool thing is that I've been to NASA. It's a nice venue. I am definitely going to check out Ampop's other stuff.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Radiohead's Interactive "House of Cards" Video
You can check out the interactive video here. Its pretty cool eye candy.
Source: Geekologie
Sunday, July 13, 2008
New Band Alert III - The Age of Rockets
New Band Alert II -- The Library is on Fire
New Band Alert -- Victorian Halls
Beck
Monday, July 7, 2008
My favorite song of all time
Here's elephant stone off the same album. Freaking unbelievable. Doesn't top Don't Stop, but its still an unbelievable song.
Elephant Stone is such a great song, here is what it sounds like backwards. The track is called Full Fathom Five and is off the Complete Stone Roses CD--no collection is complete without it.
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Steadily becoming one of my favorite Radiohead track
This song kicks major ass
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
An artist that slipped by me
Here's another song. Its called A Wash A Sea Goodbye Its Me. Really fucking good too.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Sa Dingding 琴伤 (Qin Shang) EP
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Calico Brothers - God Left Town EP
Last month I purchased the God Left Town EP and fully intended to post a review of it within a short time frame. Well, you know how things go. Time marches on, things get in the way, and here we are on June 25th and still, I don't have a proper review to give you.
And here's why:
Calico Brothers debut release, the six song 'god left town' EP, provides a blueprint for all that they hold dear in musical form.
Blueprints aren't buildings and, as much as I like the songs on this EP, an EP isn't an album. There's just not enough meat for a full on review. Three of the songs I've heard before, so really for me this is more of a three song EP.
What I can say from what I can hear is that these guys enjoy playing and are having a good time. They have a feel good sound that truly evokes that "Idyllic California" of the some imagined past.
What I am looking for is something more. I know these guys have it.
Quite possibly, I'd see it live if I were in New Zealand. I don't know about that happening any time soon, unless anyone over there wants to hire a lawyer/glassblower/wannabe blogger in New Zealand. Then I would be able to watch Outrageous Fortune AND see the Calico Brothers live. That would be pretty sweet.
Anyway, I promise to get out a right proper review as soon as those Calico Brothers get around to releasing a right proper album.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
The other half of the Libertines
Monday, June 16, 2008
arctic monkeys side project
What Made Milwaukee Famous
The Delays New Album
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Record Review - South "You Are Here"
Album closer Zither Song is the highlight of the album and is one of the best songs South has ever written. Over a gentle strum featuring some beautiful zither instrumentation, lead singer, Joel Cadbury laments the process of time. The track finds South operating in space with the drums and crescendo not kicking in until the 2:56 mark. The buildup is worth the wait as it features a kick-ass drumbeat and swirling guitars. At its most, You Are Here is what you expect from South, an experimental consistent affair that features great choruses and epic like instrumentation.
FINAL SCORE - 8.5
POST SCRIPT. I picked South's Adventures in the Undergound, Journey to the Stars as the best album in 2006. In making that selection I commented about 2006 not being a great year in music and for me, and picked the South album as the best almost apologetically. Listening to that album again in its entirety, I realize my mistake. That album is a murderer's row of tunes and rightfully deserves its place as the best album of 2006. I should probably re-write that list at my old blog.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Dengue Fever - Seeing Hands
I've been listening to Dengue Fever quite a bit recently. Their sound is something that will either grow on you or it won't. Initially I was sort of turned off by the psychedelic retro stylings but during a long road trip I really started to get into their vibe and found that I was really really growing to like it. It's not too often you find a group that can transport you to another place like they can.
Dengue Fever's not for everybody but you should give them a shot if you're up to it.
I'm gonna try to see them July, 5 2008 at Summer Stage in Central Park, New York. Should be pretty cool.
Dengue Fever at MySpace
Monday, June 9, 2008
Midnight Boom Is Worth a Listen
This is a new album by The Kills but when I first listened to it I was immediately transported to the 90's. It evokes memories of the Deal sisters and Trent Reznor.
The song that really leaps out for me is Black Balloon. I like the slow, melancholic feeling and the simple instrumentation. Around a minute forty in, Black Balloon starts to bloom in complexity but it doesn't loose anything in the transition. A simple song that works for me.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Awesome band--Plants and Animals
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Brings a smile to my face
Ignore the idiot on the video, I'm posting it for the song playing in the background. You can find the song on Fatboy Slim's live album On The Floor At The Boutique. The song is called Because I Got It Like That by the Jungle Brothers.
Florida band makes good
Update, they're actually playing Backbooth on June 27. I definitely have to go to that.
Friday, May 23, 2008
Music Retrospective
Anyway, here are four track that I remember distinctly enjoying at around the same time the Libertine mentioned he was enjoying Portishead, Public Image Limited, Michelle Shocked, the Pogues and the Sex Pistols.
Dinosaur Jr.- "Blowing It and I Live for That Look." I always loved how the two songs just melted into each other. (This version does not do have that cool guitar bridge.) Also, I always hated J Mascis's vocals and still do.
XTC - "Ballad of Peter Pumpkinhead." Just liked this song back then.
Butthole Surfers - "Who Was In My Room Last Night." This video is better than I remember and now I actually understand parts of it. (i.e. - when the "girl" puts her panties on his head. I didn't get that at all. How naive I was! I think kids today would get that instantly. I don't know what kind of commentary that is on American society now but there it is.)
Note: Around 2:23 into the video the ambulance driving skeletons clearly look at each other and mouth "fuck!" when they see they are about to run a lollipop licking girl over. MTV censors didn't catch that one back in the day.
Eric Burdon and War - "Spill the Wine." I really liked Eric Burdon and the Animals/War. I found an old tape in my basement that was my Dad's and thought it sounded really cool in a retro psychedelic way and was the only kid I knew who like or knew of the group. I used this song in a skateboard video I made. The song is cool, the skateboard video was not.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
These song brings me back
Another great band
Monday, May 19, 2008
Jets Overhead - All The People
Here's a link to their song All The People. If you like it you should check out the rest of their album.
Go to Jets Overhead dot com.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
They were such a phenomenal band
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Friday, May 2, 2008
Calico Brothers - Got A CD Out!
Support your local indie music scene and go Buy It!
Until then, here is a new YouTube video of The Calico Brothers playing two songs live on Kiwi FM.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Impressions of 萨顶顶 and Her Album 万物生
You could hardly call 萨顶顶 (Sa Dingding) "indierock." She is neither indie - having recently signed with major label Universal - nor is she rock - being a fusion of electronic beats, traditional Chinese instruments and haunting vocals.
You could also point out that she is an extremely well packaged commodity. She has slick videos, her performances (those that can be seen on the web) are highly choreographed, and her photos are flawless (as she appears to be). The fact that she is described as being "telegenic" lends more credence to the notion of her packaged-ness.
That being said, I don't care. Since Saturday I have been listening to nothing but her album 万物生 (Alive). I think it is fantastic. I see no need to reinvent the wheel and invite you to read Glenn Watson's excellent and fair review of 万物生 over at Dimsum. I think he goes over the major positives and negatives of the album in what it sets out to achieve.
My own thoughts on some tracks:
I like both versions of the song 万物生 (Alive) but prefer the more sensual tones of the Mandarin Chinese version of the song. At the same time the Tibetan version is charming in its own right. I enjoy listening to each equally, I just like the Mandarin version slightly more for its tone in that I think it conveys the message and sentiment of the song more than the Tibetan does. I think for foreign ears the video helps explain the song more for the Tibetan version. In my mind 萨顶顶's voice is the only thing needed to explain the meaning of the song in the Mandarin version.
In 锡林河边的老人(自语) (Oldster by Xilin River [Self-Created Language]) 萨顶顶 delves into a space previously only inhabited by Sigur Rós and their imaginary tongue Hoplandic. 萨顶顶 claims her own language was "created based on buried memories of her grandmother talking to her as a baby and which, she claims, prompted hardened studio engineers to burst into tears when they heard it." [source] I don't know about all that but the visual of a baby and old woman is unmistakable in the song, and quite honestly, it is beautiful and one of the best tracks on the album.
One thing that annoys throughout are some of the electronic samples and such. They may not stand up and in fact remind me of some dated electronica from the early 90's (think Orbital - especially the theme to "The Saint") but I am completely enamored with 萨顶顶's voice. Even after after the umpteenth listen I find new things to like. I only wish that she had toned down on the beat box and put the focus on her voice.
This album is infinitely remixable. It would be great if William Orbit or Michael McCann (Behavior) were to work with 萨顶顶 on such a project or a future album (or maybe even Juno Reactor or Infected Mushroom). I suspect however that Universal will want her to work with some shitty American hip-hop producer so they can boost sales using name recognition by putting "featuring [insert hip-hop/rap/R&B artists' name here]" after the song name. Either way, a remix album would be great.
The Asian Björk (!/?)
Remix potential is about the only thing 萨顶顶 has in common with Björk and thus I don't think a fair comparison can be made between the two artists. For one thing before Björk was Björk she had KUKL, The Sugarcubes, and stuff in between. 萨顶顶 has exactly one album to her name (though I did find what looked like a collection of b-sides in a disc called 笑破了 (Broken Laughter) at amazon.cn that I would die to hear), is 25, and just beginning to make a name for herself. For the mainstream media to simply throw it out that she is the Asian (Read: Chinese) Björk simply because they have unique vocal abilities and come from countries that aren't the US or UK, and don't have English as their first language does a disservice to both artists.
Concerns
I hope that 萨顶顶 isn't pushed too hard. She is too good and I hope the industry doesn't abuse her to burn out. Everything seems to be moving at break neck speed in China - the biggest buildings and cities, the biggest Olympics, the biggest economy - and I hope that 萨顶顶 isn't pushed harder than she needs to be pushed for her to be healthy AND the biggest Chinese music star. I hope she finds her own footing. It's taken Björk 31 years to get to where she is today. I have no idea what the stresses of being a signed artist are like but they must be tremendous. I would like to hear what 萨顶顶 will come out with next, see her mature as an artist, and watch grow into her voice. The media is right in that she could be one of Asia's pre-eminent talents - I just hope it doesn't come at the expense of the person herself.
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Sa Dingding - "Alive" and Amazing
It's been a while since I posted (Thank you to The Libertine for picking up the slack) and this post is about an amazing artist named Sa Dingding. She's 25 and her sound is nothing short of epic - in the sense of it sounding epic. Think "Lord of the Rings" visuals but with sound.
I am downloading her debut album - for the West - as I write this and will have a proper review in the next day or so. Maybe I am buying into the hype. I mean how many Chinese artists have I listened to? Answer: Besides Sa Dingding, Two. So we'll see. I don't want to get into the whole Tibet politics thing either. So don't bring it up unless you can somehow make it relevant to a discussion about her music.
Anyway, check out her myspace and webpage.
MySpace: Sa Dingding
Web Page
iTunes
UPDATE: I found a good article at Shanghaiist about Sa Ding Ding.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Band to watch out of Brooklyn--Camphor
Buy this band--Frightened Rabbit
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
First Great Album of 2008-- A Weather "Cove"
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Friday, February 22, 2008
My First Favorite Band
This is the song that did it for me. I listened to the first song on Daydream Nation and I was magically hooked.
The video isn't bad either.
Your Opinion
Cool Article
Despite all that you should check out Summing It Up (In Six Words).
Think: Your ultimate précis.
I invite all readers to contribute to this interesting summation of personal lives.
Whom even can discover my real name (who doesn't already know it) will get an amazing prize. (I don't know what it is.)
Another Blog Recommendation
I like "reading" foreign information sources. Sometimes I can understand what they are talking about and sometimes I can't. But it is always good to go out and look.
In case web search engines are crawling this site here is teh exact address of The Italian Indie Blog (http://indiemusic.blogosfere.it/)
- Ben
Sunday, February 17, 2008
The best unsigned band in America
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Mining MySpace - We Were Promised Jetpacks
I swear I'm not fixated on Glasgow (Updated - Feb. 18, 2008: though that swear was a lie at the time I initially wrote this I am not ashamed to make my readers aware of that fact. I am officially over my addiction to the current happenings over in Glasgow - I am also over my coverage for the time being of Australia, New Zealand and Amsterdam - though I always tend to drift back there on occasion. A bon voyage to those readers whom I have really never met.) Though I wouldn't be embarrassed to say so if I were. My next entry will be about a different music scene. Before then I just have to bring We Were Promised Jetpacks to your attention. They're really (Update: Id. removed "effing.") good!
I think Bloodshed In The Woodshed nailed it with this entry:
Every now and again you accidentally stumble upon something quite brilliant. The open-mouthed moment of wonder when you realise you've been an idiot for not hearing something so amazingly good before has to be one of my favourite feelings on earth. Today this happened to me.
And to me today. I can't stop (Update: Id. I did.) listening to Quiet Little Voices and Moving Clocks Run Slow. You shouldn't be able to either. I would love to hear some more music by WWPJ. (Update: Id. I won't.) If anyone out there in music blog land can point me in the right direction please let me know! (Update: Id. they didn't.)
Monday, February 11, 2008
CALL IN SICK TO WORK TOMORROW
Preliminarily, I've identified the following shows, I want to go to: (i) WPB; (ii) Tampa; (iii) Miami; (iv) Atlanta; (v) Boston; (vi) NYC; and (vii) Chicago. Because I work, all the dates are contingent on being weekends, so we'll see.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Soko is awesome
Her best song, I think, is I Will Never Love You More. The only good version can be found on her myspace page.
Check These Guys Out
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Another new band to check out the redux
Another new band to check out
Does anyone know the answer?
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Music Software: Peel
A friend of mine recently recommended Peel to me. It's one of those pieces of software that have a singular task and performs that task smashingly. What does it do though?
Basically Peel is an MP3 blog reader and player. You subscribe to MP3 blogs and the blogs and the music pop up like you are in iTunes. What's cool is that you can stream the music from the site and if you like it downloads it and Peel will put it in iTunes for you.
What's so great about that? Well, if you have to ask you don't subscribe to many MP3 blogs. Peel takes all the hassle out of finding and listening to music from all the blogs that post it. You really won't believe how awesome this is until you try.
The developer, Hjalti Jakobsson, has made it pretty easy to try too. He gives you a 25 day trial period and if you like the software (and you will) it only costs $15 bucks.
There's only one downside to Peel. It's Mac only. If anyone is aware of a similar piece of software for the Windows world let me know and I'll give it a try too.
Here are some MP3 Blogs I like:
http://indielaundry.blogspot.com/
http://letmelikeit.blogspot.com/
http://iguessimfloating.blogspot.com/
http://fuelfriends.blogspot.com/
http://facesinthesand.blogspot.com/
http://docopenhagen.blogspot.com/
http://www.canyouseethesunset.com/
http://tralalaclub.blogspot.com/
http://powerpopaholic.blogspot.com/
http://www.saidthegramophone.com/
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Couple of new bands
Here's Throw me the Statue. Really good. Can't wait for their record to come out, February 19.
This is Sambassadeur. They're album, Migration, is fucking awesome. They're self-titled 2005 album is fantastic also. Just hearing about this band, but, apparently they've been around for awhile. Definitely check them out.
By the way, anyone going to any of the following shows in Orlando--Dead Meadow, Band of Horses, Jose Gonzalez, The Walkmen (with Vampire Weekend), or Tokyo Police Club? If so, let me know. I'm definitely going to all of them except Dead Meadow...Not sold on them yet.
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Preview of New South Album--You Are Here
http://bluhammock.com/pages/bluPlayer.asp?recordingID=184&artistID=19
I really love the tracks, especially Wasted.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
What ever happened to Long-View?
Friday, January 25, 2008
Mining MySpace - El Padre
I guess I'm in a Glasgow kick lately thanks to Sons and Daughters. Anyway, I ran across El Padre, a trio of "nu raved-up teenagers playing clever indie from two guitars and a laptop."
They could use a little studio time to refine their sound - some of the laptop blips seem out of joint with the guitar and vocals - but I think they are worth a listen.
Think Tokyo Police Club with a electronic brough.
MySpace Songs
1. Thinking of Your Health
2. Lucky Streak
3. Monsters In Blue
[Shout out to Kirsty whose Last.fm and MySpace pointed me to El Padre.]
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
The Libertine's Top 18 Albums of 2007
A couple of groundrules. Firstly, these are my favorite 18 albums of 2007, not the best 18 albums of 2007. Although there is some overlap, the lists are not the same. For instance, Battles "Mirrored" album is one of the best 18 albums of 2007, but it is not one of my favorite 18 albums. Converesely, Travis' album "The Boy With No Name" is not one of the best 18 albums of 2007, but it is one of my favorite 18 albums of 2007. Secondly, there may or may not be albums on this last that actually came out in 2006. They will be included in my 2007 list if I did not hear about them until 2007. This is my +1 year rule. Consequently, albums released prior to 2006 will not qualify for the +1 year rule.
18. Kings of Leon: Because of the Times
An incredible live band. I was worried that the singer wouldn't sound like the album, but he was able to hit all the straining notes. Because of the Times is a vast improvement over their previous albums, pulling together all of their Jack Daniels southern rock tinged music into an indie rock gem. Fans is an anthem that I wish I had in my high school years. Other standout tracks include Ragoo, Charmer, and the dark heart of Because of the Times, Knocked Up.
17. Youth Group: Casino Twilight Dogs
Alot of critics slept on this band's latest album and preferred 2005's Skeleton Jar. I'm not really sure why, Casino Twilight Dogs shows the bands matured sound and wider platitudes of arrangements. The album is a kaleidoscope of brit pop and 90s era alternative. See Start Today Tomorrow which sounds like a cross between Radiohead's between High and Dry and David Gray's Babylon. The best track off the album was their lead single, Sorry, which carries the sarcastic refrain "I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry, I'm so terribly, terribly sorry" to an ex-girlfriend who still hasn't found happiness with her new lover.
16. Travis: The Boy With No Name
A return to form after their previous disappointing 12 Memories where Travis tried to do be something they're not--a rock band with a bluesy overtone. Can we all just pretend that album never happened? This is pure brit-pop heaven reminiscent of the heights they reached with their debut album with songs like Turn and Why Does it Always Rain on Me? If there's one problem with this band is that the songs tend to carry on too long. The album would be much benefited if each song ended 30 seconds earlier. Can we make a rule that Travis can't make a song longer than 3 minutes? What would be the downside to this?
15. Menomena: Friend and Foe
Not quite as good as their first album, I AM THE FUN BLAME MONSTER (an anagram for the "The First Menomena Album), Friend and Foe is alternatingly epic and frustrating. Frustrating in that some of the songs never seem to get off the ground (see Running) and epic in the sense that some songs are so fucking original that you can't even compare them to any other band (see Wet and Rusting and Weird). An unbelievable live band. I couldn't believe the band only had 3 members, each rotating instruments and vocals. People characterize the Shins as alternative music or true indie music. These people are idiots. Menomena are probably the most original band operating in the indie rock spectrum right now.
14. Forget Cassettes: Salt
An album full of contrast. On the one hand you have a female lead singer with a delicate voice reminiscent of Portishead, and on the other hand you have a thrashing, violent instrumentation in the vein of In Utero Nirvana. This is a surprising inclusion into my top 18 list because I'm not really a big fan of heavy stuff, but the album is just too beautiful in juxtaposing its beauty with its brawn. I couldn't deny this album its rightful place in my top 18.
13. Stars: In Our Bedroom After the War
Every indie rock kid I knew hyped up 2005's Set Yourself on Fire as if it were 2001's Is This It. I hate to break it to these scenesters, but Set Yourself on Fire wasn't very good. The only redeeming song was Ageless Beauty. In Our Bedroom After the War finds the band in much better regard as they experiment with trip hop-lite sounds on some songs (Personal) and 80s era loud/soft dynamic (Take Me to the Riot). Its a great album that takes you all over the place on its 13 tracks. This is what Set Yourself on Fire was supposed to be.
12. Burial: Untrue
I don't listen to many electronica artists anymore. There are very few that I follow with regularity. Burial is one of them. Part of the UK dub-step movement, Burial presents the soundtrack to coming home from a grimy club at 5 AM alone and wondering about your future. Its the ultimate comedown album as songs do little but repeat their simple loops over and over with slight twists. This is an album that brings me back to my college days when I actually would go clubbing. (FYI the other electronica artists I follow are Telefon TelAviv--FUCKING AWESOME, Four Tet, Amon Tobin, and DJ Shadow).
11. Once Soundtrack
A great love story of a movie featuring the lead singer of the Frames (their song Fake, got me through one of my worst breakups ever, so, big ups to them for that). Most of these songs are simple acoustic melodies with a bit of piano. Only a handful actually feature any sort of full instrumentation with a bass or drums. This makes the album a more intimate experience and it pays off in a big way. The highlights include, When Your Mind's Made Up, Falling Slowly, and Once. People need to see this movie and buy this soundtrack. Its unbelievable. This should probably be in my top 10, but I just can't find room in there for some reason.
10. Arcade Fire: Neon Bible
An early contender for album of the year when it first came out. On repeated listens, the album grows deficient on its own production values--its too fucking bloated. Every song aims for some sort of emotional apex that becomes so draining over 11 consecutive tracks. Funeral was such a beautiful understated album that ranks somewhere in my top 10 of all time. Consequently, I had such high hopes for Neon Bible. No Cars Go is the perfect example of its bloatedness. No Cars Go was an early demo of Arcade Fire with a brooding instrumentation that brought out the haunting vocals. On Neon Bible its an overbloated pile of shit. The album notwithstanding, there are some kick ass tracks--Antichrist Television Blues, Keep the Car Running, and Intervention. Half of the album is phenomenal. The other half is draining.
COMING SOON 1-9....