Grizzly Bear - Veckatimest

Occasionally I hear the genre doo-wop to be a very interesting genre to listen to and that there are many great bands to choose from. The way the genre has influenced music of the 21st century and the past is subtle. But the way vocal melodies are catchy and interesting are because of doo-wop vocal stylings. Whether or not you agree with that, the idea of doo-wop harmonization and vocal ethics have been stapled securely on to the backs of Brookyln-based band, Grizzly Bear.

The group has been together since around 2004 and have made three records, counting their latest release Veckatimest. Each record has had new members and new influences on them. Their latest effort is the collected ideas from those influences and creates something uniquely fresh and irrestible. The voice of Ed Droste is soothing, yet attractive. It's mysterious, while being approachable. And as noted before, his vocal melodies are lined with the debris of doo-wop ideals.

The actual compositions are reserved, but still very intricate and meticulously crafted. Multi-instrumentalist band member, Chris Taylor produced the album beautifully. The reverbs and space created inside the songs are masterfully sculpted. The sounds are warm and inviting and the music is sophisticated and adventourous.

Songs like "Two Weeks" and "While You Wait for the Others" are perfect examples of what makes Grizzly Bear so interesting to me. I highly recommend you download or BUY Veckatimest. Its contents are clearly in the top echelon of LP's released this year.

And by that I mean, this record is probably on par with Merriweather Post Pavilion.

Grizzly Bear - Veckatimest

1. Southern Point
2. Two Weeks
3. All We Ask
4. Fine for Now
5. Cheerleader
6. Dory
7. Ready, Able
8. About Face
9. Hold Still
10. While You Wait for the Others
11. I Live with You
12. Foreground

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Wilco - Yankee Hotel Foxtrot

A friend of mine named Gabriel particularly fancies the musical endeavors of a band named Wilco. They come from some town in America and play what I would call frantic American music. Their compositions always have that backwood feel while still feeling modern and experimental. The band is led by inevitably cool man, Jeff Tweedy. His ideas and the way he expresses his thoughts are both equally impressive.

This is widely known as their best album. The album starts with a mysterious song called, "I Am Trying to Break Your Heart." Easily the most 'progressive' song on the record, it stands as one of the most intriguing album openers I have heard in my music listening career. Yankee Hotle Foxtrot is an interesting record. It courageously tries to balance the fine line between alternative rock and psychedelic rock. But ultimately it does not stay balanced as it consistently falls on to the psychedilia side. They also just put out a record called Wilco (The Album), so go check that out as well.

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Black Moth Super Rainbow - Eating Us

Black Moth Super Rainbow are just another band that makes me consistently think, "Wow I wish I had thought of that." Their music is simple, yet passionate. It keeps you interested while not being flashy. The infectious drum beats mesh perfectly with the sharp synth patches and vocoder melodies. Eating Us is the best BMSR album so far. It does a fantastic job of taking what made the band so good and adding new flavors to create a refreshing and creative album.


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