Weird Wives is composed of Surfer Blood guitarist Thomas Fekete, bassist Brian Black, and drummer/percussionist Marcos Marchesani and non Surfer Blood member vocalist Nick Klein. Check out a YouTube video of the group entitled "New Song" and song "Fudge" below. Both tracks are barbarian heavy trash-punk that strays from Surfer Blood's lo-fi/melodic balancing Astro Coast. Head here and here to pick up two Weird Wives EPs. A third will emerge soon on a 7 inch.
While, I haven't been able to pick up the new Beach House album, Teen Dream, I have been able to listen to a few new tracks via live performances for Daytrotter and Pitchfork TV. The current release, via Sub Pop for the "Zebra" UK Radio Edit, just gives me an excuse to discuss one of my favorite songs of twenty-ten.
Beach House is primarily a two piece made of Victoria Legrand (vocals and keys) and Alex Scally (guitar); and as in any two piece it is important for each member to play to their strengths. "Zebra" showcases Beach House's understanding of this notion with the song's beautifully executed vocals and resonating guitar.
Where some songs are outright upbeat or others are straight-up-downers, "Zebra" resides in the gray area. Legrand sings an ode to the zebra with rhythmic elongation at the end of each line as if her words become a mist. You would have to talk to her to really know if the zebra stands for something more or represents a real person. However, I opt out of such analysis and merely decide to make one assumption: her song is not about the physical animal, but, the majestic spirit of the animal's deception.
Deception is usually represented as maniacal and immoral. However, Legrand chooses to marvel at its beauty. The the Zebra's deception is ornate within the meshed black and white stripes, further incorporate in the desert environment. "Zebra" poses a moral graying that makes you wonder if most things we consider bad can actually be valued. Her voice and words are musically complimented with Scally's guitar that lingers with downtrodden optimism and elevates to a triumphant tone. "Zebra" exemplifies Beach House's power of deception through their ability to mesh tone .
"Zebra" (UK Radio Edit) was taken from Beach Houses' limited Record Store Zebra EP.
"Tin Man" is aptly named for it's center piece, the Steel Drum, and the metallic sound it creates. This sound is then layered with lead singer Samuel T. Hering's words or reconciliation and self discovery that he is the Tin Man (a man with no heart). "Tin Man" is clever in lyric and execution, however, it is not what is said that stands out, but, how these words are sung. Hering explodes out of your headphone speakers with guttural emotion and possessed character. While, Future Islands can find many companions within the verging artists found on most music blogs, it is Hering that distinguishes the band as something to be taken seriously.
"Tin Man" can be found on Future Island's Thrill Jockey debut, In Evening Air, out May 4th.
The mysterious group/artist WU LYF is something to get excited about. I have never heard anything like it and wouldn't know what genre to compare it to. "Heavy Pop" is a piece of work that shows the potential of music as a way to paint an environment. Listen to it and decide where you think the singer is. Is he on an island, at the beach, in a studio, in a club... Where you are coming from is equally, if not more, important than what you have to say.
I saw him singing in a prison-like 4x4 cement room. Crying out madly for attention and despite his isolation. While, there is a bed of instrumentation, the singer feels utterly alone and a times you often loose sound of the guitar and drums. What has been called "Heavy Pop" is cathartic, love-deprived, tortured, and a well executed musical emotion.
Alex Bleeker and the Freaks along with Molly Sarle of Mountain Man covered an unreleased Girls' song "Oh Boy." As posted by Chocolate Bobka, Bleeker and Sarle give a truly emotional and heartfelt rendition of the song. The song is mournful while trying to be hopeful. You could hear a pin drop at this live show hinting that this is undeniably a gripping piece of music.
Florida's Million Young sounds like everything you associate with the south eastern state. Upbeat, sunny, but always sort of tacky like when you spill soda on the ground and its not properly wiped up. Million Young's "Hammock" is just that, with bright acoustic guitar and a club baseline. Its both Miami and the Keys, but, never Orlando (the Anaheim of the east).
The constant intermixing-world of remixes can produce some pretty strong material. Salvador Santana, Carlos Santana's son, first remixed "Keyboard City" where GZA does a verse on the track. Dan Deacon then took the remix of "Keyboard City" and remixed the remix. Deacon ups the keyboards and adds his signature distorted synth.
California-grown psyche band, Citay, will release their third LP via Dead Oceans on January 26. The album is called Dream Get Together, and "Careful With That Hat" is the public's first taste. The track is a swinging with bonfire vocals, a hi-freq guitar solo, and psyche jam that shows us the door. It actually feels exactly like the above artwork looks (vintage hot air balloon and all!).
Matador will release a Fucked Up singles collection called Couple Tracks on January 26th. Reminiscent of Mix CD's you would makes as kids, Couple Tracks: Singles 2002-2008 will be split into two discs, Hard Stuff and Fun Stuff. "Neat Parts" is on Hard Stuff, but, is still too much fun. Tasty Hardcore that only Fucked Up can bang out.
King Midas Sound released a tone-perfect mix by way of Fact Magazine. The mix starts poetically and is supported by Reggae/R&B/Soul sounds. It features tracks from Burial, Lovejoys, Little Dragon, Gregory Isaacs, and includes some cuts from KMS's full length Waiting For You (due out next week on Hyperdub).
Ironically, Mountain Man is a group of three girls (Molly Erin Sarle, Alexandra Sauser-Monnig, and Amelia Randall Meath) that bring a "wise as oak" folklore to the audible landscape this morning. Perfect for the Fall, "Animal Tracks," is an adventurous and spiritual hike through the wilderness. Pitchfork best categorized Mountain Man as "set up camp between the old-timey lilt of Aela Diane or Fleet Foxes and the laid-back lo-fi vibes of Underwater Peoples pals like Real Estate and Julian Lynch." As a great admirer of both Fleet Foxes and Underwater Peoples (especially Real Estate), it is no wonder that this feels right.
Alex Bleeker and the Freaks (the same Alex Bleeker of Real Estate), covered Mountain Man's "Animal Tracks." Bleeker and the Freaks elaborate on Mountain Man's hand sketched original cut with scuzzy guitar and a wider production. The cover is the first song off of the band's self-titled LP by way of Underwater Peoples.
beck/charlotte gainsbourg "heaven can wait" Recently, Beck made a record with French Actress/Singer Charlotte Gainsbourg. The first track, "IRM" perferated the blogosphere in late summer. The song's production implicates Beck's involvement but there are no actual vocals that place him in studio (although he absolutely was). Proof is in the pudding, but, no writing on the wall...Until the second helping off of IRM, "Heaven Can Wait," scribbles all over the proverbial wall with lipstick and spray paint "BECK WAS HERE." Beck and Gainsbourg elegantly merge their vocal mojo in a track that likens to most material off Sea Change.
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real estate "fake blues" & "basement" Real Estate performed new track "Basement" (as captures by Ray Concepcion) at Piano's in NYC for CMJ and "Fake Blues" at Pitchfork Showpaper Benefit. "Basement" carries the common thread of aquatic, ever expanding guitar that makes Real Estate so pleasant. While "Basement" lingers before shooting for the moon, "Fake Blues" seems to start mid flight. The Pitchfork Showpaper Benefit set includes a performance of Ducktails' "Mall" and is available for free download at Pitchfork.
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dum dum girls "play with fire"
Buzzsaw band Dum Dum Grils create a teasing and distant sounding cover of Rolling Stone's dingy "Play With Fire." With tasteful and purposeful decisions the band create a sonic current or stretch of road with the elongated "fire" that leaves lead singer's, Dee Dee, mouth. While I wish more of the lyrics were audible, that's not in the Dum Dum Girl's vain; playing it the way they hear it.
So I came back with a few posts and then went away again...but it was all for a good cause. Here is The (k)Now with some more music/writing projects on the way.
real estate "black lake"
Another video from Jersey's Real Estate. The band played at CMJ last week and all the classy basement fun was captured by Chocolate Bobka. Real Estate's live footage adds to the charm of the band and is more essential than most of their LP's.
===== them crooked vulture "new fang"
Them Crooked Vultures composed of Homme, Grohl, an Jones is a no brainier on paper (at least to me). The band can't fail in the rock world. Whether it is critically acclaimed is another issue and the band's first song "New Fang" is the critics most tangible piece of material. The track is riff frantic, carries a nice swing pace, and Homme always makes rock and roll sound ghastly. "New Fang" doesn't break down any walls and I hope this is one of the more instrumentally mild tracks. As safe as this song sounds, I am sure it is safer to spend $14 for the whole S/T LP out November 17th...so head to your nearest Best Buy.
previously:
them crooked vultures
For all things mainstream and Best Buy-like, I am curious to wonder what Josh Homme (lead singer/guitarist of Queens of the Stoneage) and John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin bassist) would want to do with Dave Grohl of the "Foo Foo Fighters." It is understood that Grohl and Homme have worked together (Grohl playing drums on the QOTS's Songs for the Deaf), but, after Grohl's most recent Foo releases, what could they possibly still have in common. All bitching aside, I am excited to hear about this undeniable supergroup called Them Crooked Vultures in which Grohl will once again sit behind a kit, Homme on guitar, and Jones on bass. Let's hope Grohl wipes off the Foo stank from his boots before entering the studio and can get back to basics with some originals.
There are some rumors about a fall album release and tour, however, no official word. Until then stay connected at the bands official website, Myspace, and Facebook. Something smells...
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Distortion in music is mostly associated with what was considered as grunge, or, punk; and gets overused by most alternative styles in an effort to add an edge or aggressive quality to what would normally be listened to as soft. This year specially, I have heard far more lo-fi infused songs/groups. Now add distortion to one's populist palette. "A/B" Machines by Brooklyn's Sleigh Bells, is a hook heavy, indie car guitar driven explosion that takes drum distortion to new lovely brutal level. "A/B Machines" can be found on Sleigh Bells' CD-R called Magic Metal.
Mixtape scary weirdness from the scene, Gorilla vs Bear. They claim this is no party mix (they are right), not even, a mix to get ready to; but, its definitely a music equivalent to a ghost story. So when the night is winding down, bust out the flashlights and scare the shit out of all your friends with this mix.
I can't get sick of rushed sounding music. While I would never assume no effort went into The Mantles new track "Bad Design," their sound is lazy, ambivalent, and unimpressed with everything (even themselves). It is an amazingly spontaneous attitude that I can most accurately be describe as how you feel waking up after a day of making mistakes. "Bad Design" the A-side on the Bad Design "7 is limited to 300 copies and available here.
The first track from the loaded Where the Wild Things Soundtrack is on the film's myspace. The always spastic Karen O serves as chief architect of the soundtrack enlisting an assortment of her musical buddies (including an untrained children's choir) to partake; hence, the title of the single, "All is Love" by Karen O and the Kids. As trite as the title is, the song is playful and tone appropriate for what Spike Jonze's film looks like. It start with a saddened piano and progresses into a sing along lovefest highlighted by the the voices of children. (where's the sunshine and rainbows) While this song could have easily slipped into a purple dinosaur suit carrying life lessons like how sharing is caring, Karen O's quirky and spontaneous sensibility keeps it a tad more dystopian.
"Rain Dance" (feat. M.I.A.) is the newest single from Warm Heart of Africa to hit the internet. From what I've read, this track isn't the best on the album, but, is the most accessible song, playing it safe with the always stylish M.I.A.
Dan Deacon is one of my favorite discoveries of '09. His album, Bromst, is a battle of man vs. machine; and within moments shows a world where the two can coexist. Regardless the strife or the synergy, Bromst is a sonic pleasure. "Paddling Ghost" is featured on Bromst and is an adequate "slipping into" or starter.
The Babies is a band made up of Cassie from Vivian Girls and Kevin from the Woods. "Meet Me in the City" is exactly what that combination of the two musicians would sound like: Kevin's vocals complimented by Cassie's, while staying afloat a garage rock rhythm. Upbeat, clunky, always with forward motion, "Meet Me in the City" is playful but introspective. It almost feels carefree about taking life seriously. I guess that's what happens when you realize life's absolutes. When you're "too young to think like [you] do" or you just "feel shitty," "keep trying, keep trying" and "meet me in the city."
"Belong" is an aquatic 80's melody that shows off Ernest Green aka Washed Out's vocal allure. It likens to a watered down (in a good way) "Electric Feel." The vocals then strays from the party-vibe inspired by "Electric Feel" and ventures into more reflective territory. "Belong" is from Green's High Times Cassette on Columbia, South Carolina's Mirror Universe.
The past six months have been a tastemaking period for me. Through reading blogs and exposing myself to new music, film, art, I have been overhauling and rejuvenating my creative in's and out's. Recently, I got my hands on a few garage rock compilations and promptly added the genre to my sleeve of appreciation. The music exudes outside the lines rambunctiousness, while maintaining clear direction and artistry. It is careless as much as it is orchestrated. This contradiction is never a coincidence. Sic Alps is my newest find to channel the garage rock style. "L Mansion" can be found on the band's newest 7" on Slumberland Records. The single is less lo-fi than most current garage rock, however, it highlights key elements of a good 60's garage rock song: swanky hatch-marked guitar and "whoo" vocals."
Despot's new track "Look Alive" is an arena jam that is felt from barracade GA to the "touch the wall" back row. Track was produced by RATATAT and will be featured on Def Jux Presents 4 comp. All songs that channel "look alive" carry dynamic sentiment. Does the artist mean "look alive" as a call to action, or, "look alive" in the sense that we need to be aware, "heads up!" Despot blends the two with the hook, "look alive, nobody move, nobody gets anywhere" (former) and opening words, "some sound advice coming soon, look alive or they'll make an honest mistake and bury you" (later).
"Something In The Way" is a new track from Best Coast. I discussed their previous "The Sun Was High (And So Was I)" back in June and it has been part of my summer soundtrack ever since. "Something In The Way" doesn't divert from the tone harnessed in "The Sun Was High," but, it does feel more reflective.
Family Portrait was another band featured on the Underwater People's Showcase earlier this year. While the tracks "Snow" and "Mega Secrets" were spaced day dreams, "On The Floor" is a rampant surge towards the girl "On The Floor." Summer Love has never sounded so unobtainable nor so prevalent.
So Pterodactyl (never heard of you) chose to tackle the myth of what happens (if anything) when you lick a toad in the forrest. According to them, you actually do hallucinate, and your visions are quite extraordinary or (to me) hilarious. I hope their wizard of imagination land is wearing pants. There is no visual evidence that he is...so I can only hope.
The title might be clever, but, Abacus' interpretation of sea life is more than just a catch phrase. Clap happy with aqua guitar and "whale" oohing vocals, "Beach Wail" bobs about much like a buoy. Abacus presents a music double entendre fit for the last two months of summer.
(feat. Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, and Method Man)
Raekwon's Only Built for Cuban Linx still sits on my Amazon Wish List, but, this track gets me cocked and ready for Raekwon's upcoming Part II. I am a rap novice extraordinare, so I won't pretend to know what I am talking about, but, I can say that this Jay Dilla produced track creates a mob-like-mood for some vengeful flows from Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, and of course Method Man. This album is starting to sound like a true second part because as I listen to "House of Flying Daggers" I want to hear the "more" from where it came from.
truman peyote: "new wife new life"
Truman Peyote is more than a clever psyche band name. As pointed out on the Forkast, their new jam "New Wife New Life" sounds like a derivative of Animal Collective's more rootsy Stawberry Jam. While I agree, I also think this track shows more direction than most tracks on Strawberry Jam and as a result is more palatable. The stomp beat mixed with twinkling, not frilly, guitar is a great build up to a too common realization: "she's not the one for me." Or in other words, just because you have a new wife, doesn't necessarily make it a new life. Running themes in multiple story lines currently unfolding in my world.
