I'm posting a lot of my top 10 of 2009 already.
Oops.
St. Vincent, a.k.a. Annie Clark is the latest indie wondergirl this side of Marnie Stern. Not a second too soon either, because her record, "Actor" is fantasmical. Her compositions are quaint and melodic, but there's a heavy dose of noisy instrumentation from fuzzy guitars and blaring saxophones. The drums lock seamlessly with the percussive demeanor of her arrangements. Songs like "Marrow" and "Black Rainbow" are art-pop masterpieces that need to be heard. The leading single, "Actor Out of Work" is a marvelous pop tune with a gorgeous hook and a playful horn section.
This is the second St. Vincent record, and I can't wait to hear more. She has joined the sad list of bands I discovered AFTER they played at Bonnaroo. Oh well. This album is very nice.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Sunday, August 9, 2009
The Antlers - Hospice
The Antlers are the Bon Iver story of 2009. Song-writer Peter Silberman comes out of a so-called 'social isolation' and writes and records a beautiful record about the relationship between a man and a child who is terminal in a hospital. Darby added two full-time band members to become The Antlers and the band self-released Hospice earlier this year. Now it is being re-released on Frenchkiss Records.
Peter Silberman is a very passionate song-writer. It's hard to tell if the lyrics he has penned are somewhat personal and based on true events. It's hard to tell yet what the details of the story are, but the music is very dynamic within the character of the lyrical content. The sounds themselves are very effervescent and intriguing. "Prologue" is the first song and sets up the record perfectly. The noisy number flows seamlessly into the heart-string tugging, "Kettering." This track holds some of the softest, but aggressive vocal sound I've ever heard. The record continues on with very loud qualities. The shoegaze influence is evident as songs routinely gain momentum and build as an almost post-rock like build and release idea. The pop sensibility of Darby's lyrics and vocal melodies bring the structure to the seemingly large compositions. Hospice doesn't really get a chance to drag through too much somberness because of the abrupt length of the record. It's a sad record, but it's somewhat short and bright sounding. It's hard to explain, I recommend this album and it'll definitely make my best of '09 list I've been slaving over so hard already.
Peter Silberman is a very passionate song-writer. It's hard to tell if the lyrics he has penned are somewhat personal and based on true events. It's hard to tell yet what the details of the story are, but the music is very dynamic within the character of the lyrical content. The sounds themselves are very effervescent and intriguing. "Prologue" is the first song and sets up the record perfectly. The noisy number flows seamlessly into the heart-string tugging, "Kettering." This track holds some of the softest, but aggressive vocal sound I've ever heard. The record continues on with very loud qualities. The shoegaze influence is evident as songs routinely gain momentum and build as an almost post-rock like build and release idea. The pop sensibility of Darby's lyrics and vocal melodies bring the structure to the seemingly large compositions. Hospice doesn't really get a chance to drag through too much somberness because of the abrupt length of the record. It's a sad record, but it's somewhat short and bright sounding. It's hard to explain, I recommend this album and it'll definitely make my best of '09 list I've been slaving over so hard already.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Friday, June 26, 2009
Ganglians - Monster Head Room
Woodsist is probably my new favorite label. Bands like Woods and Ganglians are two up and comers that are blowing my musical mind right now. The former is a lo-fi psych-folk outfit, while the ladder is a 60s influenced, poppy psychedelic band. Ganglians just released a new LP called Monster Head Room, and I really dig it. Good catchy songs with nice grooves and interesting melodies.
"This album is pure naive headphone acid pop to drive to, at least that's what was going through our heads."- Ganglians
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Portugal. The Man - The Satanic Satanist
I will not post the music on this website. But I will say this, I listened to the music and let me tell you this is is the best Portugal. The Man album you will hear. Nothing they have made so far can compare to this masterpiece. I say that with the utmost sincerity. This album is everything you ever loved about the band and sprinkles it all over this delicious pile of musical goodness. It's tangy and sweet, but it's energetic and playful. But it knows when to subdue itself and retract into a subtle music piece. This band has hit its prime. I have this album on pre-order and I advise you to as well.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Discovery - LP
Indie wunderkinds Rostam Batmanglij (Vampire Weekend) and Wes Miles (Ra Ra Riot) formed a duo/side-project called Discovery. They released a few tracks a while ago for the EP and announced the LP a few weeks later.
Well, it leaked and I've decided to post it up here. Probably not the moral thing to do, but I'll probably buy this album when it comes out.
This record is straight up R&B, which is kind of humorous and silly, but it works for them and the songs come out catchy and well-crafted. There are cheesy drum synths and auto-tune, but it's all done in good taste.
I forsee this being a fun summer release. Stand out tracks; "Osaka Loop Line" and "So Insane"
Well, it leaked and I've decided to post it up here. Probably not the moral thing to do, but I'll probably buy this album when it comes out.
This record is straight up R&B, which is kind of humorous and silly, but it works for them and the songs come out catchy and well-crafted. There are cheesy drum synths and auto-tune, but it's all done in good taste.
I forsee this being a fun summer release. Stand out tracks; "Osaka Loop Line" and "So Insane"
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Foxy Shazan - Introducing...
I remember the day I saw these dudes live. It was in an ill-lit room with no more than 200 people there. These dudes came out; one with the craziest facial hair I've ever seen and one with the worst bleach job I've ever seen.
Regardless, their set was nothing short of perfect. They played with a bombast and purpose that is hard to find in a lot of modern acts out there today. To mention a few things that happened during the show; the lead singer lit three cigarettes at once and after a few drags he proceeded to eat the cigarettes - lit side first! Also, the singer did a fantastic rendition of the Fresh Prince theme song. To put it bluntly, these boys kicked ass.
Their music is chaotic but soulful. It's innovative and catchy. I really have no means of describing their music, but I know that most music fans would find something they like in this band. This is their first album and I'm super duper stoked for their upcoming releases.
*Note: I didn't upload this album myself so let me know if there's anything with the link.
Regardless, their set was nothing short of perfect. They played with a bombast and purpose that is hard to find in a lot of modern acts out there today. To mention a few things that happened during the show; the lead singer lit three cigarettes at once and after a few drags he proceeded to eat the cigarettes - lit side first! Also, the singer did a fantastic rendition of the Fresh Prince theme song. To put it bluntly, these boys kicked ass.
Their music is chaotic but soulful. It's innovative and catchy. I really have no means of describing their music, but I know that most music fans would find something they like in this band. This is their first album and I'm super duper stoked for their upcoming releases.
*Note: I didn't upload this album myself so let me know if there's anything with the link.
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