get the joke?
2009-06-17
2009-06-09
The Dirty Projectors - Bitte Orca
Look Ma, I did it. Two album reviews in two weeks. An even more impressive perspective is that this one actually coincides with the release of the album I'm reviewing! This is of course was unbeknowst to me until last week when while perusing a publication it listed Bitte Orca's release date. Well shit, thanks to the power of internewbs I've actually been listening to the album for well over a month now. So I guess fate had it that this day would come and so without further delay...
The chronology of my experience with Dirty Projectors goes something like this:
1+ years ago: I was mistaking them for DFA, the Brookyln based production team whose hands are all over a bunch of great albums. Where this miscommunication stems from, lord know. It's t typical me though. The same guy who thought Broken Social Scene was punk metal, and that Deerhunter and Animal Collective consisted of the same band members.
6 months ago: I got my hands on the Dark Was the Night soundtrack. The first track on the album is the collaboration between David Byrne and the DP's. Immediately drawn to this interesting and charismatic ditty I began my journey into learning exactly what the dirty projector's were all about. Yes, brooklyn based as well, but much much different. I ended up checking out Rise Above. I found it ... weird. I would say almost so weird it was bad. But one thing I understood was that there was some serious creativity behind it. My desire to embrace the creativity led me to persist. During this time dirty projector's released their first single off Bitte Orca.
2 Months: Upon my first encounter with lead single Stillness is the Move I nearly fell out of my chair. The song carried everything I personally need in a personal theme song. Ridiculous rhthym structure: check, Lyrics that not only are fun in content, but also delivered in quirky and off tempo precision: check, Loud and Beautiful: check.
Immediately this track was dubbed "my summer song" . Throughout this blog you could find at least 2 other entire posts devoted to how awesome that song is. So basically, this album was going to get a good review if it were just that song.
However, come to find out there was a lot more work to do. Having only my tedious experience with Rise Above, and the two fleeting examples of dirty projector's pop embrace I initially had some strong doubts about the rest of Bitte Orca. The songs again seeems long, and misguided attempts at proving creativity, rather than great song writing. But something entirely different exists here. Sticking with the album was important, because the epiphany occured. Yes, some of the songs sound like 4 songs in one (useful chamber i'm looking at you). However the difference being the pieces are more carefully executed with an eye on embracing the pop psyche.
It is true that at points I felt that bitte orca drags a bit, delves deep back into the randomness. This however is at the benefit of the consumer. For without the creative process how would we ever evolve? If we do the same thing over and over, how do you learn? And so on Bitte Orca the listener is handed some material that allows their mind to expand in comfort. To grow, almost seemingly alongside Mr. Longstreth and company.
Share and Enjoy a sense of freedom...
The chronology of my experience with Dirty Projectors goes something like this:
1+ years ago: I was mistaking them for DFA, the Brookyln based production team whose hands are all over a bunch of great albums. Where this miscommunication stems from, lord know. It's t typical me though. The same guy who thought Broken Social Scene was punk metal, and that Deerhunter and Animal Collective consisted of the same band members.
6 months ago: I got my hands on the Dark Was the Night soundtrack. The first track on the album is the collaboration between David Byrne and the DP's. Immediately drawn to this interesting and charismatic ditty I began my journey into learning exactly what the dirty projector's were all about. Yes, brooklyn based as well, but much much different. I ended up checking out Rise Above. I found it ... weird. I would say almost so weird it was bad. But one thing I understood was that there was some serious creativity behind it. My desire to embrace the creativity led me to persist. During this time dirty projector's released their first single off Bitte Orca.
2 Months: Upon my first encounter with lead single Stillness is the Move I nearly fell out of my chair. The song carried everything I personally need in a personal theme song. Ridiculous rhthym structure: check, Lyrics that not only are fun in content, but also delivered in quirky and off tempo precision: check, Loud and Beautiful: check.
Immediately this track was dubbed "my summer song" . Throughout this blog you could find at least 2 other entire posts devoted to how awesome that song is. So basically, this album was going to get a good review if it were just that song.
However, come to find out there was a lot more work to do. Having only my tedious experience with Rise Above, and the two fleeting examples of dirty projector's pop embrace I initially had some strong doubts about the rest of Bitte Orca. The songs again seeems long, and misguided attempts at proving creativity, rather than great song writing. But something entirely different exists here. Sticking with the album was important, because the epiphany occured. Yes, some of the songs sound like 4 songs in one (useful chamber i'm looking at you). However the difference being the pieces are more carefully executed with an eye on embracing the pop psyche.
It is true that at points I felt that bitte orca drags a bit, delves deep back into the randomness. This however is at the benefit of the consumer. For without the creative process how would we ever evolve? If we do the same thing over and over, how do you learn? And so on Bitte Orca the listener is handed some material that allows their mind to expand in comfort. To grow, almost seemingly alongside Mr. Longstreth and company.
Share and Enjoy a sense of freedom...
2009-06-06
If I am lost ... it's only for a little while
I am alone. I am happy. I am lucky. I am.
What if the Band of Horses set list looked like this:
1. The first song
2. The General Specific
3. Monsters
4. Funeral
5. Cigarettes, Wedding Bands
6. Is There a Ghost
7. I go to the Barn Because I Like
8. Ode to the LRC
I need to see Neko Case do The Pharaohs.
I need to see Andrew Bird sing Cataracts
I need to see Animal Collective do Banshee Beat
I have a working playlist called "the lovely tones" which is currently causing uncontrolable emotional sensations. So far it is an opus. But it's very much in it's infancy. I could see myself tearing every time I listen. I just thought of a new song. "The baby maker" ... oh man, gotta have the baby maker. Maybe I'll re-title the playlist "the baby maker"
I just channeled Jeremy Hanson a la the "I think I'm making my move" epic crash moment. < this is proper twitter fodder.
What if the Band of Horses set list looked like this:
1. The first song
2. The General Specific
3. Monsters
4. Funeral
5. Cigarettes, Wedding Bands
6. Is There a Ghost
7. I go to the Barn Because I Like
8. Ode to the LRC
I need to see Neko Case do The Pharaohs.
I need to see Andrew Bird sing Cataracts
I need to see Animal Collective do Banshee Beat
I have a working playlist called "the lovely tones" which is currently causing uncontrolable emotional sensations. So far it is an opus. But it's very much in it's infancy. I could see myself tearing every time I listen. I just thought of a new song. "The baby maker" ... oh man, gotta have the baby maker. Maybe I'll re-title the playlist "the baby maker"
I just channeled Jeremy Hanson a la the "I think I'm making my move" epic crash moment. < this is proper twitter fodder.
2009-06-03
off topic
It has been observation thus far in my short time in the business world that:
Men who have success rely on a personality that is generally personable, sincere, and well liked.
Women who are successful are generally ruthless, pushy, and feared, and probably not all that well liked.
It goes without saying that both groups are motivated individuals.
I'm interested in why that difference exists. I would discount the claim that "women have to be this way because men run everything". That excuse no longer holds water.
Men who have success rely on a personality that is generally personable, sincere, and well liked.
Women who are successful are generally ruthless, pushy, and feared, and probably not all that well liked.
It goes without saying that both groups are motivated individuals.
I'm interested in why that difference exists. I would discount the claim that "women have to be this way because men run everything". That excuse no longer holds water.
Neko Case - Middle Cyclone
Having only experienced Neko Case's work via her efforts in the New Pornographers my expectations going in to her latest solo effort was that of poppy electronic tracks filled with tongue in cheek references and off beat lyrical deliveries.
If you too have the same notions regarding this, then I would suggest leaving those at the door. What one finds on Middle Cyclone is instead a collection of love lorn and moody tales. The title bares the theme as the listener is guided through Ms. Case's emotionally charged storm pop. Opening track This Tornado Loves You does what every great album opener should do by setting the tone. Airy (read: not eery), yet fervent, soft, but direct is the manner in which this off beat love song is cascaded.
But Tornado does not end the wreckage. Case carries on with a number of cavernous tracks that could be misconstrued for sadness but upon closer inspection present confidence and hope. Highlights also include the title track, Never Turn your Back on Mother Earth , Case's homage to the power of a sure handed woman. Pharaohs, much like the opening track gives the listener a beautiful ride through the heart's storm of emotions. While Vengence Is Sleeping is a simple yet beautiful message.
Let there be no doubt Case most certainly has the pipes to carry her own solo work. Allowed here to test her entire vocal range leaves one no less than impressed. A unique vocal style which marries sultry soul with indie twang. Something new and beautiful to be found on every song.
This album ranks as one of the best of the year by far. Top to bottom each track present a new and beautiful perspective on the whirlwinds of love and it's messages are powerful enough to lift the listener and give them an hour long ride around in this harmonious Cyclone.
If you too have the same notions regarding this, then I would suggest leaving those at the door. What one finds on Middle Cyclone is instead a collection of love lorn and moody tales. The title bares the theme as the listener is guided through Ms. Case's emotionally charged storm pop. Opening track This Tornado Loves You does what every great album opener should do by setting the tone. Airy (read: not eery), yet fervent, soft, but direct is the manner in which this off beat love song is cascaded.
But Tornado does not end the wreckage. Case carries on with a number of cavernous tracks that could be misconstrued for sadness but upon closer inspection present confidence and hope. Highlights also include the title track, Never Turn your Back on Mother Earth , Case's homage to the power of a sure handed woman. Pharaohs, much like the opening track gives the listener a beautiful ride through the heart's storm of emotions. While Vengence Is Sleeping is a simple yet beautiful message.
Let there be no doubt Case most certainly has the pipes to carry her own solo work. Allowed here to test her entire vocal range leaves one no less than impressed. A unique vocal style which marries sultry soul with indie twang. Something new and beautiful to be found on every song.
This album ranks as one of the best of the year by far. Top to bottom each track present a new and beautiful perspective on the whirlwinds of love and it's messages are powerful enough to lift the listener and give them an hour long ride around in this harmonious Cyclone.
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