I've mentioned this before to many friends and a few fellow musicians: The first half of 2009 has been the slowest and most sparse year for album releases that I can remember. I know the economy has played a big role with labels singing, and taking chances, on new bands, but isn't the best art created when your back is against the wall? You can't pay rent, life sucks, you're miserable and emotionally drained...what else is left? Art.
Here are my favorite releases of the year so far:
1. Bibio - Ambivalence Avenue
2. Doves - Kingdom of Rust
3. Sonic Youth - The Eternal
4. The Sight Below - Glider
5. Grizzly Bear - Veckatimest
6. National Skyline - Bliss & Death
7. Clark - Growls Garden EP
8. Dinosaur Jr. - Farm
9. Lotus Plaza - The Floodlight Collective 10. VOICEsVOICEs - Sounds Outside EP 11. Super Furry Animals - Dark Days/Light Years 12. The Pains of Being Pure at Heart - The Pains of Being Pure at Heart 13. Thee Oh Sees - Help 14. The Drones - Havilah
15. Frankel - Anonymity is the New Fame 16. Kate Simko - Music From the Atom Smashers 17. Nadja - When I See the Sun Always Shines on TV 18. Camera Obscura - My Maudlin Career 19. Seeland - Tomorrow Today 20. Mux Mool - Just Sayin is All EP
A list of albums I'm looking forward to in the second half of 2009:
A Sunny Day in Glasgow - Ashes Grammar (9/15) AIR - Love 2(10/6) Brad Laner - Natural Selctions (8/18) Cass McCombs - Catacombs (7/7) Circulatory System - Signal Morning (9/8) Clark - Totems Flare (7/21) The Clientele - Bonfires on the Heath (10/6) Farmer Dave Scher - Flash Forward to the Good Times (8/18) Girls - Album (9/22) Maps - Turning the Mind (10/20) Mew - No More Stories... (8/25) Polvo - In Prism (9/8) The Twilight Sad - Forget the Night Ahead (9/22) Yo La Lengo - Popular Songs (9/8)
Gorilla vs. Bear recently posted this live clip of Dum Dum Girls playing "Hey Sis" at the Woodsist/Captured Tracks Festival in Brooklyn, New York. It's also the very first gig the band has ever played and features some guest musicians. Maybe now they'll book a show here in L.A. and actually play it, but then again I still have no idea if Dum Dum Girls exist as anything more than a recording project.
Fuck Yes. Not only am I super excited about Chris Clark delivering another solid album in a year's time, but there's a couple of album samplers over at WARP. Clark's forthcoming album Totems Flare drops July 14 in the U.S. -- should be an extravaganza of modern electronica and futurism.
Best blog on the internet for electronic-house-ambient-techno: Keytars & Violins. Exclaim.ca is featuring an extensive and massive timeline of Dinosaur Jr.
Remember these kids? Drop Nineteens were one of a handful of young American bands flaunting big guitars, male/female vocals and loads of effects pedals. They had chops and some pretty solid guitar melodies at times, but their songs were always somewhat impenetrable, and very hard to get lost in. It's one thing to be influenced by such noise-dazzlers as MBV, Ride and Moose, but there just isn't any room to breathe in most of the band's short-lived material.
"Angel" is, obviously, a Madonna cover, and it's pretty bad-ass. Not because a noise-pop band like Drop Nineteens are covering it, the Boston quintet just happened to create a style that sounds original yet still salutes Madge's classic pop jam. Other tracks on their debut album Delaware come close ("Delaware", "Winona" and the ultra dreamy "Lick the Tragedy"), but "Angel" rocks.
Apparently,Cherry Red Records decided to reissue Delaware in April, a pretty random decision in this economy.Oh yeah, happy fourth of July!
This week saw the release of Bibio's Ambivalence Avenue, one of the best records you'll probably hear all year. I can't stop listening to it. Everything about it is inspiring and gets me excited about the future of independent music again.
The title track is included in our 20th mix below. Thought I'd post this early in case some of you have Friday off.
Leave it to A Sunny Day in Glasgow to take a classic straight shooter like Guided By Voices' "Game of Pricks" and turn it into a mini circus of psychedelic pop. There's this odd mandolin that clucks like a chicken -- almost like they're playing at a barnyard hoedown with RIDE's Nowhere in the background -- but it totally works. And then we have the group's trademark layers of vocals backed by waves of echoed guitars. Of course, once that unmistakable chorus comes in, you can't help but place Robert Pollard's trademark vocal melody on top of it.ASDIGprovides us with a quirky take on an indie-rock classic while managing to embody the spirit and simplicity of GBV.
Last month we posted a link to the eye-dazzling and comprehensive 20th anniversary edition box set from WARP. Today, I just saw the finalized track listing and boy does it absolutely rule. It's not surprising that the first "chosen" CD is all about the pioneering electronic artists that put WARP on the map, sort of a best-of for die hard/ purist fans. Co-label founder Steve Beckett also does an excellent job picking the cream from the crop on the second disc (Aphex Twin, Boards of Canada, Broadcast, Autechre...).My only gripe is that !!! (Chk Chk Chk) is not represented, yet Gravenhurst is.
Browse through the CD and 10" vinyl offerings and tell me this box set isn't worththe pre-order price of $130. Think of it as a piece of musical history that you'll be able to pass down to generations, yo.
Warp20:
CD1 (chosen by online voting):
1. Aphex Twin: "Windowlicker" 2. Boards of Canada: "Roygbiv" 3. Squarepusher: "My Red Hot Car" 4. Battles: "Atlas" 5. LFO: "LFO (Leeds Warehouse Mix)" 6. Plaid: "Eyen" 7. Luke Vibert: "I Love Acid" 8. Autechre: "Gantz Graf" 9. Jimmy Edgar: "I Wanna Be Your STD" 10. Clark: "Herzog"
CD2 (chosen by Steve Beckett):
1 Broadcast: "Tender Buttons" 2. Squarepusher: "My Sound" 3. Boards of Canada: "Amo Bishop Roden" 4. Battles: "Race: Out" 5. Flying Lotus: "GNG BNG" 6. Black Dog Productions - Xeper: "Carceres Ex Novum" 7. Nightmares on Wax: "I'm for Real" 8. Mike Ink: "Paroles (Original)" 9. Aphex Twin: "Bucephalus Bouncing Ball" 10. Jamie Lidell: "Daddy's Car" 11. Squarepusher/AFX: "Freeman Hardy & Willis Acid" 12. Seefeel: "Spangle" 13. Autechre: "Drane"
Warp20 (Recreated):
CD1:
1. Born Ruffians: "Milkman/To Cure a Weakling Child" (Aphex Twin cover) 2. Jimi Tenor: "Japanese Electronics" (Elecktroids cover) 3. Tim Exile: "A Little Bit More" (Jamie Lidell cover) 4. Rustie: "Midnight Drive" (Elecktroids cover) 5. Luke Vibert: "LFO" (LFO cover) 6. Autechre: "What Is House? (LFO Remix)" (LFO cover) 7. Russell Haswell: "Cabasa Cabasa" (Wild Planet cover) 8. Clark: "So Malleable" (Milanese cover) 9. Diamond Watch Wrists: "Fool in Rain" (Pivot cover) 10 Hudson Mohawke ft. Wensday Night: "Paint the Stars " (Jimi Tenor cover)
CD2:
1. Mark Pritchard: "3/4 Heart" (Balil – Black Dog Productions cover) 2. Mira Calix With Oliver Coates: "In a Beautiful Place Out in the Country" (Boards of Canada cover) 3. Pivot: "Colorado" (Grizzly Bear cover) 4. Bibio: "Kaini Industries" (Boards of Canada cover) 5. Jamie Lidell: "Little Brother" (Grizzly Bear cover) 6. Leila: "Vordhosbn" (Aphex Twin cover) 7. John Callaghan: "Phylactery" (based on Autechre's "Tilapia") 8. Gravenhurst: "I Found the F" (Broadcast cover) 9. Plaid: "On My Bus" (Plone cover) 10. Seefeel: "Acrobat' (Maximo Park cover)
Where the hell was I when Moscow Olympics dropped their debut album Cut the World(Lavender Recordings) last year because as of now the album is completely sold-out. The Phillippines-based dream-pop group, who are the best thing to come out of that country sinceManny Pacquiao -- created a gorgeous, lush and vibrant batch of songs that rivals any band carrying the torch of New Order, Pale Saints or The Ocean Blue. "Second Trace" is a near perfect pop masterpiece, and I almost feel bad focusing on just one song. Trust me when I say you need to scour the internet and find this album asap.
Resident Advisor has a truckload of amazing electronica-based Podcasts.
VIBE went bust today. Guess who's probably following the same route?
I'm starting to get attached to L.A. twee-poppers The Tartans. And after a couple of listens to Frankel's sophomore album Anonymity is the New Fame I'm completely sold.
Slayer is returning with World Pained Blood in late summer (Billboard).
L.A.s' Club Violaine has returned to Roberto's in China Town. Now goths, shoegazers and indie hipsters can all finally hang out together and discuss the merits of JAMC (eyeliner and creepers optional).
Kate Simko's amazing Take You There EP came out yesterday on Ghostly Intl. Pick it up in time for your 4th of July backyard BBQ this weekend. It's so good.
The title of the song signals what's in-store; tremolos, ethereal waves and dreamy vocals. That's pretty close, but there's something unexpectedly fresh and clean about the sound of Spanish Prisoners. "Los Angeles Guitar Dream" is an awesome title too -- I can't believe no one has used it -- and to be honest I'm a little jealous. But these Brooklynites own each syllable as they nod to legends like Roxy Music and Siouxsie & the Banshees, a different kind of "dreamy". Those two acts have pretty distinct, and very contrasting, sounds and styles that have stood the test of time, but hopefully it will make sense to you.
You can download the band's new 3-song EP Los Angeles Guitar Dream for free by clicking here. Other tracks included vary in approach like the humorous "Ask Isaac Asimov" (wish I could) and "Kiss the Lawn Goodbye", which may or may not be a cutting remark about the impact of several recent Home Depot closures/layoffs in California.
Nothing bad can come from this marriage of experimental musicians. Two L.A. space cadets who specialize in feel-based atmospherics, liquid guitars and loops venture into the studio with one of the Warp's most influential and dynamic artists to create something out of this world. I was sold after my first VOICEsVOICEs live experience last year -- a transporting and cerebral experience of sound -- and this forthcoming EP that the trio are working on should blow my mind once again. Here's an excerpt from the duo's producer, Prefuse 73 maestro Guillermo Scott Herren via L.A. Record:
"Why I chose to produce: "VoicesVoices" ????? 1. I have a hard time understanding how a band that sound so sick on just a raw live recording can still be selling e.p.s out of their trunk.
2. I want them to not have to sell e.p.s out of the back of their car, so I said I’m down to help them produce their music and take it wherever they want to take it as far as my studio is capable.
3. I like the way they do business. There is no business. No money involved allows me not to be on the phone with a label dude.
4. They sang “Happy Birthday” to me the other day. That pretty much ruled in itself.
5. They kill it live. I can’t even categorize their music based on how they make it. It can be listened to in so many different ways. ————————————– O.K. - I don’t what else to say besides the fact that I’d never produce someone’s record when I’m in the middle of my own shit storm if I didn’t think it was already amazing as it is. Draw your own conclusion here and listen"
Enough said. VOICEsVOICEs have already played more live shows than most bands will attempt in their entire career. Still, you can catch them all over town this summer and fall, and you'd be foolish not to.
In the past five years Australia has predominately been known for it's electro-pop darlings and early metal-psych worshipers. So I was happy to discover an outfit that fans of The Pastels and Heavenly would swoon for, Melbourne's Summer Cats. The quintet ooze boy-girl pop harmonies and catchy, sugary, keyboard and guitar melodies that would fit seamlessly into the Sarah records catalog.
"Hey You" is taken from the band's forthcoming full-length Songs For Tuesdays coming July 14 on Slumberland. You can also catch Summer Cats during their inaugural American tour next month.
7/11: Mai's Cafe – Ventura, CA 7/12: The Echo (Part Time Punks) – Los Angeles, CA 7/13: the Knockout – San Francisco, CA 7/15: The Blue Lamp – Sacramento, CA 7/16: The Backspace - Portland, OR
I finally got a hold of this amazing disc honoring the brilliant and inspiring music of Scott Walker. 30th Century Man isn't a soundtrack to the documentary (2007), it's a homage where selected artists pay tribute to the legend by covering his songs. And so many of these artists really poured their souls into it.
This Ulrich Schnauss version of "It's Raining Today" is amazing. He creates luscious synths and samples that mirror an oceanic world -- highlighting the original melody.
Check out the details and track listing of this release, which you can buy here:
1. “Duchess” by Peter Broderick 2. “Big Louise” by Sally Norvell 3. “World’s Strongest Man” by Damon & Naomi 4. “Manhattan” by Saint Etienne 5. “The Electrician” by Laurie Anderson 6. “The Seventh Seal” by Nicole Atkins 7. “Montague Terrace (in Blue)” by Dot Allison 8. “The Bridge” by Bee & Flower 9. “Rhymes of Goodbye” by Stephanie Dosen 10. “It’s Raining Today” by Ulrich Schnauss 11. “A Lover Loves” by Jarboe 12. “Such a Small Love” by Little Annie & Paul Walfisch
Extra: Scott Walker: 30th Century Man is playing at the New Beverly Cinema this week on July 1st and 2nd.
It's probably not news to you that Spoon will release a new EP tomorrow, the band's first new music since Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga. If you were unaware then Surprise! Spoon is releasing a new EP tomorrow called Got Nuffin via Merge.
It's got a really catchy bass line, driving skins, and Brit's juicy-vibratoed guitar solos featuring different styles and personalities in each chorus. Reminds me of something recorded in the Kill the Moonlight sessions, and you can't beat that.Get the download over at I Guess I'm Floating. Here's the EP details:
Got Nuffin:
1. Got Nuffin 2. Tweakers 3. Stroke Their Brains
Get Got Nuffin tomorrow on CD, 7", 12" or Download HERE.
I still have absolutely no idea about the album release date of Transit Transit, and I don't know anyone who does. However, the L.A. trio who knocked the pants off of fans and critics with 2004's Future Perfect can start feeling a little more optimistic about the release of the band's sophomore effort.Autolux is adding shows to its current touring schedule. That's got to mean something right?
Schedule: 8/28: Outside Lands Festival - San Francisco, CA 9/8: Black Cat - Washington, DC 9/9: Johnny Brenda's - Philadelphia, PA 9/10: Paradise - Boston, MA 9/12: All Tomorrow's Parties (New York) - Monticello, NY 9/14: Bowery Ballroom - New York, NY 9/15: Music Hall of Williamsburg - Brooklyn, NY
Autolux's MySpace page has also confirmed that the group will be posting tour dates for fans in these select cities very soon:Portland, Seattle, Minneapolis, Madison (WI), Chicago, Pittsburgh, Omahaand Denver.
This is a benefit show for Spaceland's Jennifer Tefft. Jen was recently hospitalized due to a blood clotting disorder, and the bills associated with this are beyond shitty. She’s put together a crazy-good lineup to help pay the outrageous medical costs. You can't beat a $25 cover for the cause and powerhouse lineup.
The show is this Thursday, July 2nd at 7PM and is an 18+ event. I didn't know this, but apparently the Moving Units are still a band, yet they're only doing a DJ set?
Bands: She Wants Revenge NO LONGER PLAYING: Black Rebel Motorcycle Club (acoustic) Ladies Choir (Eleni Mandell, Becky Stark & more) Great Northern Dead Meadow Moving Units (DJ Set) Living Things Rocco DeLuca Nico Stai Useless Keys
"BRMC PULLS OFF BENEFIT SHOW: Due to unexpected events, BRMC will no longer be able to perform at The Kick out the Clots benefit at The Echoplex this coming Thursday. The band is so sorry to do this to Jennifer and to everyone who bought tickets, but the decision was unavoidable."
Scottish space-rock wizards The Twilight Sad have unveiled another devastating, and totally straightforward, track from its upcoming albumForget the Night Ahead. The quartet up the tempo and lay down some heavy guitar warping on this, the first single coming August 3rd on Fat Cat. Sounds like a lost jam from Interpol's Turn on The Bright Lights...or should I say Kitchens of Distinction? Either way this song is really good -- lots of emotion and tension in the vocals.
DesingerHuw Gwilliam took loads of classic albums and transformed them into signature Penguin style books. Check out the entire collection here and some great samples below. Just to make it clear, these are not really books.
Update: When this was originally posted last night the Pitchfork review of Bibio's 'Ambivalence Avenue'was not in the "Best New Music" category.Weird right?
Aquarium Drunkard has an interview with Will Cullen Hart (Circulatory System/Olivia Tremor Control).
Anyone catch the uncontainable Art Brut during their week-long L.A. binge? L.A. Record has live photos.
I'm pretty excited to see Sonic Youth when they return to L.A. this fall at the Wiltern. I had no idea that tickets went on sale earlier today until I visited You Set the Scene.
Girls have a new albumand tour in store for fans. There's also a newly mastered version of "Morning Light" at their MySpace.
Jax over at Rock Insider is featuring this dope video of St. Vincent performing "Marrow" on Late Night with David Letterman. Annie Clark should be the official role model for every young girl in America. What a talented chica she is.
7/12: Oneida @ The Echo
7/17: The Meeting Places @ Silver Factory Studios
7/20: The Pains of Being Pure at Heart & Girls @ The Echo
7/21: Micachu & The Shapes @ The Echo
7/25: Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks @ Echoplex
7/31: Deerhoof @ Echoplex
8/17: The Meeting Places, Xu Xu Fang & Lower Heaven @ Silverlake Lounge
8/29: The National @ The Wiltern
9/3: The Meeting Places & The Boxing Lesson @ The Prospector
9/12: The Meeting Places & Space Waves @ Silver Factory Studios
10/2-4: Austin City Limits @ Zilker Park
I've mentioned this before to many friends and a few fellow musicians: The first half of 2009 has been the slowest and most sparse year for album releases that I can remember. I know the economy has played a big role with labels singing, and taking chances, on new bands, but isn't the best art created when your back is against the wall? You can't pay rent, life sucks, you're miserable and emotionally drained...what else is left? Art.
Posts
