beach fossils - golden age: I've got a post about this band. I just like it. It's killin me this summer
ceo - illuminata: this is basically the best song this summer. Furthermore I strongly urge you to check out the full album White Magic. It's basically the best album that has come out the entire summer. You're going to fucking love it.
2010-07-30
my darlins
this isn't any type of ringing endorsement, but I came across this band while doing some early morning reading. I basically played the first song, and then switched back to reading, and at one point realized i had listened to like three of their songs.
it was enjoyable.
I separate that statement because, as silly as it is to make generalizations the fact is that I for the most part do not enjoy most bands with female lead vocals. this is not rooted in any type of sexist way. It's more that I find there are too many bands that sound exactly the same. I'll try to keep a running list of vocalists I think sound the same.
For the record there are many many female vocalists that i pretty much adore including:
Lykke Li, MIA, Nekko Case, Sharen Worden, Tracyanne Campbell, and Karen O. just to name a few. I feel like their voices cover both amazing and unique whereas artists like Ingrid Michaelson or the vocalists in bands like Best Coast just get away with being 'amazing' because they've penetrated the scene and are considered 'cool'.
I'm certainly not trying to take away from their vocal talents outright. They are far and away more talented than I am. And if I were them I'd probably find me, and punch my groin for badmouthing them. But too many times I get jazzed when I hear about a new great band, only to find out the vocals pretty much sound like a million other bands before them, and I struggle to determine what makes them unique.
anyways ... the funny thing is that this band is not all that unique ever, but they carry a country twang with their punk rock, and for whatever reason this morning it struck a good nerve:
My Darlins
it was enjoyable.
I separate that statement because, as silly as it is to make generalizations the fact is that I for the most part do not enjoy most bands with female lead vocals. this is not rooted in any type of sexist way. It's more that I find there are too many bands that sound exactly the same. I'll try to keep a running list of vocalists I think sound the same.
For the record there are many many female vocalists that i pretty much adore including:
Lykke Li, MIA, Nekko Case, Sharen Worden, Tracyanne Campbell, and Karen O. just to name a few. I feel like their voices cover both amazing and unique whereas artists like Ingrid Michaelson or the vocalists in bands like Best Coast just get away with being 'amazing' because they've penetrated the scene and are considered 'cool'.
I'm certainly not trying to take away from their vocal talents outright. They are far and away more talented than I am. And if I were them I'd probably find me, and punch my groin for badmouthing them. But too many times I get jazzed when I hear about a new great band, only to find out the vocals pretty much sound like a million other bands before them, and I struggle to determine what makes them unique.
anyways ... the funny thing is that this band is not all that unique ever, but they carry a country twang with their punk rock, and for whatever reason this morning it struck a good nerve:
My Darlins
2010-07-28
Menomena: Mines
One of my most highly anticipated releases of ohhh, the last 3 years is finally here. And when I say finally here, I mean streaming on npr.org for free. I have to disclose up front that I don't actually have a full copy of Mines yet, and so maybe somehow I am missing something. However, I have listened to that stream a number of times and feel like one of the things I want to get better at on sonicanarchy is getting reviews of new albums done while they're still new.
Menomena first rose to prominence in my vast collection of musical interests back in 2007 when they released Friend and Foe. I recall being immediately taken with their first single Muscle n' Flo. A dramatic, beat heavy awkward pitched track that incorporated an awesome saxophone backing track. Everything about that song embodied what was to be found on the rest of the album, and can easily stand as my flagship track to introduce new listeners to Menomena's sound. Friend and Foe easily stands as one of my top albums of the decade, and is the reason Menomena has become my next 'must see' band (though unfortunately they're not doing any festivals or coming near WNY on their tour).
With Mines taking over 3 years to record and release perhaps the level of excitement for this album may have become a bit exaggerated. This was the first time I had followed a recording cycle for the band, and every news update mentioned the meticulous work that goes into creating one of their songs. Many articles mentioned how they like to lay down a song, then dissect it over and over until it's almost a new song. Far be it from me to tell someone how their creative process should be handled, but I sometimes worry when I hear this type of program employed in that a band might be prone to 'overdoing' it.
I make note of that because what I think a listener will find on Mines is probably the result of this type of work ethic. Each song sounds very carefully mixed, and constructed. Utilizing the sonic build up's and epic conclusions that are common among the group's previous works. One thing Menomena is not for lack of is evoking a sense of intimacy between a song and it's listener. On Mines they have carefully crafted a 54 minute set of agreeable indie rock.
To this listener though the album feels like a let down. After introducing myself to their work on the aforementioned 'Foe' I delved back into the band's earlier work. To me, a lot of similarities can be found between Mines and the group's freshman LP 'I am the Fun Blame Monster'. Much like on 'Monster', Mines' songs are filled with twists and turns, vocals that seethe and yearn, and a complementary mix of pianos, horns, and drum tracks. But what separated 'Foe' from these two was the jagged edges, the unexpected twists, and the brash calamity of noises that often dissipated into sickly sweet conclusions. To me, this is what makes Menomena feel like a 'must see' band. One that is truly pushing the envelope, and embarking on sound collages too daring for those who wish to only sell records.
I can't in good conscience tell readers not to check the album out. It could be completely possible that my follow up expectations have led to my not so favorable conclusions. And by golly, this album IS GOOD. Those unfamiliar with the band might crap their pants in delight to finally discover their sound. Far be it from me to discourage you to listen, because it all actuality the album is the clever, concise work that the band has been promising all along. It never really drags, and parts seem to continue to dare listeners to think outside the verse chorus verse chorus bridge chorus box. But it just hasn't pushed me like I really expected it would.
Menomena first rose to prominence in my vast collection of musical interests back in 2007 when they released Friend and Foe. I recall being immediately taken with their first single Muscle n' Flo. A dramatic, beat heavy awkward pitched track that incorporated an awesome saxophone backing track. Everything about that song embodied what was to be found on the rest of the album, and can easily stand as my flagship track to introduce new listeners to Menomena's sound. Friend and Foe easily stands as one of my top albums of the decade, and is the reason Menomena has become my next 'must see' band (though unfortunately they're not doing any festivals or coming near WNY on their tour).
With Mines taking over 3 years to record and release perhaps the level of excitement for this album may have become a bit exaggerated. This was the first time I had followed a recording cycle for the band, and every news update mentioned the meticulous work that goes into creating one of their songs. Many articles mentioned how they like to lay down a song, then dissect it over and over until it's almost a new song. Far be it from me to tell someone how their creative process should be handled, but I sometimes worry when I hear this type of program employed in that a band might be prone to 'overdoing' it.
I make note of that because what I think a listener will find on Mines is probably the result of this type of work ethic. Each song sounds very carefully mixed, and constructed. Utilizing the sonic build up's and epic conclusions that are common among the group's previous works. One thing Menomena is not for lack of is evoking a sense of intimacy between a song and it's listener. On Mines they have carefully crafted a 54 minute set of agreeable indie rock.
To this listener though the album feels like a let down. After introducing myself to their work on the aforementioned 'Foe' I delved back into the band's earlier work. To me, a lot of similarities can be found between Mines and the group's freshman LP 'I am the Fun Blame Monster'. Much like on 'Monster', Mines' songs are filled with twists and turns, vocals that seethe and yearn, and a complementary mix of pianos, horns, and drum tracks. But what separated 'Foe' from these two was the jagged edges, the unexpected twists, and the brash calamity of noises that often dissipated into sickly sweet conclusions. To me, this is what makes Menomena feel like a 'must see' band. One that is truly pushing the envelope, and embarking on sound collages too daring for those who wish to only sell records.
I can't in good conscience tell readers not to check the album out. It could be completely possible that my follow up expectations have led to my not so favorable conclusions. And by golly, this album IS GOOD. Those unfamiliar with the band might crap their pants in delight to finally discover their sound. Far be it from me to discourage you to listen, because it all actuality the album is the clever, concise work that the band has been promising all along. It never really drags, and parts seem to continue to dare listeners to think outside the verse chorus verse chorus bridge chorus box. But it just hasn't pushed me like I really expected it would.
2010-07-09
Sum Ten Awe Sum
instead of trying to compile a playlist that is easily distributable I'm going to take to the blog and bring
sonic anarchy's Songs of Summer aka SumTen Awesum
here's the first ... Male Bonding track: Nothing Use To Hurt ...
edit: in case it doesn't load you can check the video here ...
sonic anarchy's Songs of Summer aka SumTen Awesum
here's the first ... Male Bonding track: Nothing Use To Hurt ...
edit: in case it doesn't load you can check the video here ...
2010-07-08
beach fossils update
bah, i'm going to miss the beach fossils when they play rochester on july 13th, but that doesn't mean that you should ... why?
well basically i really like their album here's why so far
con(s)
- they are from brooklyn
- they sound like they are from brooklyn
- they are hyped like they are from brooklyn
- i am kind of getting sick of brooklyn
pro(s)
- their shit isn't catchy cause a hipster told you it was. it actually is.
- they triumph where others in their group have failed ... to win me over that is.
- what i mean is that they sound a SHIT TON like real estate. which i suppose is technically NJ, but whatever. however where real estate's last album as pointless and meandering Beach Fossils kick up the pace, keep the music to their point, and don't try to overdo it. Overdo it? Isn't that what bands are all trying to achieve, something new and unique ... perhaps ... but at the same time when you're just experimenting with sound only validation for hipster douches are going to tell you if it's good. People with ears and without pretentious posture just want to hear shit that is invigorating on some level, not confusing or sorta ok, unless you're stoned, then it's totally ok ...
- they have that weird black lips hollowed out vocals thing which is awesome. i'm pretty sure my parents have a cheesey plastic toy that can make the same effect if you speak into it. shit, if only i had known, i would have saved my plastic neon sunglasses and echo microphone toys from my youth. I would be sooooo effing hipster.
- but enough ... the beach fossils album is genuinely enjoyable. thanks guys, sorry i'm gonna miss ya.
well basically i really like their album here's why so far
con(s)
- they are from brooklyn
- they sound like they are from brooklyn
- they are hyped like they are from brooklyn
- i am kind of getting sick of brooklyn
pro(s)
- their shit isn't catchy cause a hipster told you it was. it actually is.
- they triumph where others in their group have failed ... to win me over that is.
- what i mean is that they sound a SHIT TON like real estate. which i suppose is technically NJ, but whatever. however where real estate's last album as pointless and meandering Beach Fossils kick up the pace, keep the music to their point, and don't try to overdo it. Overdo it? Isn't that what bands are all trying to achieve, something new and unique ... perhaps ... but at the same time when you're just experimenting with sound only validation for hipster douches are going to tell you if it's good. People with ears and without pretentious posture just want to hear shit that is invigorating on some level, not confusing or sorta ok, unless you're stoned, then it's totally ok ...
- they have that weird black lips hollowed out vocals thing which is awesome. i'm pretty sure my parents have a cheesey plastic toy that can make the same effect if you speak into it. shit, if only i had known, i would have saved my plastic neon sunglasses and echo microphone toys from my youth. I would be sooooo effing hipster.
- but enough ... the beach fossils album is genuinely enjoyable. thanks guys, sorry i'm gonna miss ya.
atlas sound at rockin the knox
it's not important how i got this.
also if you look hard when the song is winding down and they're showing the crowd you'll see me, ha, sweeeet.
also if you look hard when the song is winding down and they're showing the crowd you'll see me, ha, sweeeet.
2010-07-07
more more more
ok ... in an attempt to pick this damn summer up I've been hittin the new music circuit hard and fast ... a couple of first impressions:
Big Boi - Sir Lucious Left Foot, Son of Chico Dusty - ehhh, it's pretty fuckin awesome if you, like me, are an old school Outkast fan. I guess record label drama keeps Dre off of it which kind of sucks, but Sir Lucious pretty much kills it regardless ... great summer album. Bouncin dungen fam style, shake it like a tamborine.
ceo - White Magic - ehh it got propped up good by p4k but it's actually kind of awesome. It's only like a half hour long though which is kind of disappointing ... need more!!!
fang island, future islands, julian lynch, male bonding ... pretty meh on all of these. male bonding is kind of cool in a 'i miss old school nirvana fuzz' sort of way.
ariel pink's haunted graffiti - another album to hold p4k skepticism up to. but i actually kind of dig this album, it's kind of deep though and i haven't gotten too much into it yet. but it stays out of the dust pile and in regular rotation for now.
beach fossils - have only listened to like 4 songs off the album ... they're like a less punk sounding black kids. it could go either way. i'm having some issues with the brooklyn music scene presently. so much coming from the same place is kind of stagnating the entire movement.
Big Boi - Sir Lucious Left Foot, Son of Chico Dusty - ehhh, it's pretty fuckin awesome if you, like me, are an old school Outkast fan. I guess record label drama keeps Dre off of it which kind of sucks, but Sir Lucious pretty much kills it regardless ... great summer album. Bouncin dungen fam style, shake it like a tamborine.
ceo - White Magic - ehh it got propped up good by p4k but it's actually kind of awesome. It's only like a half hour long though which is kind of disappointing ... need more!!!
fang island, future islands, julian lynch, male bonding ... pretty meh on all of these. male bonding is kind of cool in a 'i miss old school nirvana fuzz' sort of way.
ariel pink's haunted graffiti - another album to hold p4k skepticism up to. but i actually kind of dig this album, it's kind of deep though and i haven't gotten too much into it yet. but it stays out of the dust pile and in regular rotation for now.
beach fossils - have only listened to like 4 songs off the album ... they're like a less punk sounding black kids. it could go either way. i'm having some issues with the brooklyn music scene presently. so much coming from the same place is kind of stagnating the entire movement.
finally inspired
psst ... guess what. people not living in brooklyn also make awesome music.
found this post earlier today. it's well ... kind of amazing. cannot wait for that ep ... just a few more days.
for now you'll have to just deal with this
and the vid:
found this post earlier today. it's well ... kind of amazing. cannot wait for that ep ... just a few more days.
for now you'll have to just deal with this
and the vid:
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