*Sixeyes: by Alan Williamson

The National: 'Trouble Will Find Me' Album Review

noreply@blogger.com (Alan Williamson) — Fri, 17 May 2013 05:38:18 PDT

The National, whose music many have labeled as gloomy, dark, and writhing with insecurities, stays the course with their latest, Trouble Will Find Me. But the biggest difference between this album and any previous is the band members have settled into themselves (the members ages now range from late thirties to early forties) and this comfort has eased tensions that would surface during the quintet's creative bursts of writing and recording earlier records. While tension, anger, and testosterone, definitely birthed live stalwarts such as Alligator's (2005) “Mr November”, this record sees the writing and recording process operating the way they always wished it would. The smooth sailing has unveiled some fluid and effortless tunes from the songwriting triumvirate of the Dessner brothers and singer/lyricist Matt Berninger. Upon first listen you may find yourself caught in the slowly measured swing of “Pink Rabbits”, but the song that should stick after many more listens, is the opener, “I Should Live In Salt”. Which is likely the best song Berninger has wrung out of his own life, writing the lyric after his brother, Tom, hired as a roadie for the band's High Violet tour, was fired. Here, his vocal, morose and restrained in the verses, as he asks his brother for forgiveness, gives way in the chorus as his guilt finally cracks and spills out. The musicians matching the singer's pace as the music softly throbs in the shadows until that guilt snaps into anger. All along the lyric hanging on the slow beat and then left dangling and drawn out on the soft hiccup in the song's meter. It's an unusual cadence which may first repel, but slowly becomes magnetic.

But there's much more, the chiming lilt of “Heavenfaced”, bearing an upper register vocal which lifts an already lovely melody and the bass heavy Joy Division throb of “Graceless”. But a standout is the overwhelmingly low-pitched solemnity of “Demons”, and it's self-punishing bridge with the line “When I walk in to a room I do not light it up... fuck...”. Although well-known indie names like Annie Clark (St Vincent), Sharon Van Etten, and Sufjan Stevens have lent voices and musicianship, what they've contributed is woven into the band's distinctive fabric and as a result doesn't stand out, or detract.

While the band is still conjuring brilliant echoes of musical heroes like Springsteen and Joy Division, the magic here is all The National. Trouble Will Find Me is the band somewhere between testosterone soaked reediness and Viagra popping paunch. Mature, responsible, confident and yet still keeping a closet brimming with anxiety, guilt, fear of the unknown and spectacular songs.

Trouble Will Find Me, is slated for release May 21 in the US and the 20th in Europe.

The National's Matt Berninger Sings to his Baby: Video

noreply@blogger.com (Alan Williamson) — Wed, 08 May 2013 16:56:25 PDT

Here's a six year old video of Matt from The National singing a snippet of "Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks" with his baby daughter, Isla, strapped to his chest.

THE NATIONAL: "Sea of Love" Official Video

noreply@blogger.com (Alan Williamson) — Wed, 08 May 2013 12:06:10 PDT

The first video from Trouble Will Find Me which is out May 20(UK)/21(US).

Video directed by Sophia Peer.

PRE-ORDER via itunes.

Sixeyes Christmas Mix 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Alan Williamson) — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 13:55:17 PST

mary margaret o'hara christmas evermore

marvin gaye purple snowflakes

billy beau santa's coffee

roy orbison pretty paper

If this works out, there will be more to come...

The Black Keys - "Run Right Back" Stream

noreply@blogger.com (Alan Williamson) — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 12:22:59 PST

One of the most eagerly anticipated releases of the year will be under more than a few Christmas trees next month and that record is The Black Keys El Camino.

Here's another bite to get you drooling once again after "Lonely Boy" was launched as the first single.

Stream "Run Right Back".

» Launch/PopUp NPR Player

Sixeyes is now Hipstereo

noreply@blogger.com (Alan Williamson) — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 07:17:03 PDT

I won't be posting at Sixeyes any longer. All new posts will be at my new music blog, *hipstereo.

Here are some recent posts at *hipstereo.

Hipstereo's MP3 Player Mix

Tegan and Sara: Newport Folk Festival Live 2011 Stream

Grizzly Bear's Chris Taylor: CANT "Answer" - Stream

Neon Indian: "Fallout" MP3 + Stream

Bon Iver Covers Björk - Stream + MP3

Richard Swift: "Broken Finger Blues" MP3 + Stream

Subscribe to *hipstereo here.

THANKS!

First Interview at Hipstereo: Eleanor Friedberger

noreply@blogger.com (Alan Williamson) — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 16:20:37 PDT

Just posted the first interview to appear at Hipstereo with Fiery Furnaces Eleanor Friedberger.

Please Subscribe to *HIP/STER/EO

noreply@blogger.com (Alan Williamson) — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 01:32:06 PDT

There may be a few thousand subscribers to Sixeyes, but my new blog has got a little less than one hundred. So, I'm hoping the great folk who subscribed to this blog will join me at *HIP/STER/EO (which is now my main blog).

Please subscribe to Hipstereo's feed.

Thanks

Arcade Fire: New Short Film

noreply@blogger.com (Alan Williamson) — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 11:21:44 PDT

Head over to my new blog to see the new Spike Jonze directed short.

Wilco's New Single "I Might"

noreply@blogger.com (Alan Williamson) — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 07:05:44 PDT

The new song can be heard at my new blog, Hipstereo.

New Post: James Vincent McMorrow

noreply@blogger.com (Alan Williamson) — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 15:00:16 PDT

There's a new post at *HIP/STER/EO.

Hipstereo

noreply@blogger.com (Alan Williamson) — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 06:11:23 PDT

I am now posting once again, but this time I'm starting fresh with a new blog called *HIP/STER/EO. I hope you'll check it out, follow me, etc.
Thanks.

Eleanor Friedberger: Solo Debut, New Video, MP3!

noreply@blogger.com (Alan Williamson) — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 06:00:01 PDT

The more vocal half of sibling duo The Fiery Furnaces, Eleanor Friedberger, has her debut solo record set for release July 12th on Merge Records. Simply titled Last Summer the ten track album begins with mistakes ("My Mistakes") and ends with an earthquake ("Early Earthquake"), but it's whats in between these calamities, personal and natural, that intrigues me. Take the second track, "Inn of The Seventh Ray"... how did an L.A. restaurant end up on a record with NYC titles like "Roosevelt Island", "Scenes from Bensonhurst", and "Owl's Head Park"? But what really grabs me is the three song cluster, "Glitter Gold Year", "One-Month Marathon", and "I Won't Fall Apart On You Tonight". Maybe I'm just starved for some interesting music (and song title alliteration) it's just that I know deep down that Ms. Friedberger can give me what I need... and I can't guess what these songs are about until I've heard them. Yep, this is turning into a review of song titles.

I'll end with something I noticed in the PR on Last Summer, it states that Eleanor 'improves on silence', although so far it's only improving on anticipation, which can be a very good thing.

Don't miss the new video for "My Mistakes" below.

Eleanor Friedberger - Last Summer (Merge Records July 12th)
1 . My Mistakes [mp3] courtesy of Merge Records
2 . Inn of the Seventh Ray
3 . Heaven
4 . Scenes from Bensonhurst
5 . Roosevelt Island
6 . Glitter Gold Year
7 . One-Month Marathon
8 . I Won't Fall Apart on You Tonight
9 . Owl's Head Park
10 . Early Earthquake

Arcade Fire Perform Live @ Sound Opinions

noreply@blogger.com (Alan Williamson) — Sat, 18 Jun 2011 06:11:25 PDT

Grammy winners, Arcade Fire, visited Sound Opinions last April and recorded two songs live in the Chicago radio programs studios and talked to Greg and Jim, the hosts. All eight band members were present and they don't disappoint, check out the link to their site above or itunes for podcasts of their program.

Here's how good they sound:

Sixeyes 2010 Christmas Mix

noreply@blogger.com (Alan Williamson) — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 14:36:34 PST

magnetic fields everything is one big christmas tree

maps stay another day

frightened rabbit it's christmas so we'll stop

the wave pictures we dress up like snowmen

sonny boy williamson christmas morning blues

hugo winterhaller the christmas cha cha song

patti smith white christmas

the temptations rudolph the red nosed reindeer

billy beau santa's coffee

the sportsmen reindeer rock

Here's a link to download an rar of the entire mix.

And here is a zip file link of the mix.

The Veils to Release new EP

noreply@blogger.com (Alan Williamson) — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 13:00:03 PST

The Veils will release new music next month (January 24th) on their own label, Pitch Beast. The EP, titled The Troubles of The Brain, gives waiting fans six new songs with a seventh as a bonus for pre-ordering the disc (do so through the band link above). Three tracks have been streaming online for a couple of weeks now and here's how they stack up.

"The Stars Came Out Once The Lights Went Out" - For a verse or two, sounds like it's about writer's block and maybe it is, but through some musical magic Finn Andrews twists it into what most pop songs are about the longing for the opposite sex. This doesn't diminish the quality of the song, but another track , "The Wishbone", very nearly does, as it overshadows the other two streaming songs. The production's clean and open with what sounds like a twelve string guitar hooking me like a hungry fish trapped beneath winter's ice and snow. I'm loving this one right off the bat.

Number three is "The Bloom", the lead off track on the EP, and it carries a rhythm reminiscent of Springsteen or more recently Arcade Fire.... a warning - DO NOT play this track while in the proximity of any 'air' drummers.

Those familiar with the sweeping drama and roar of earlier Veils work will definitely hear something different here. I will hazard a guess and say it's just Finn and the others maturing, they've attempted to take control of their musical path with the start of their own label and this aggressive focus can also be heard in the succinct and tight writing from Finn Andrews. I love The Veils and this EP sampling hasn't changed that one bit... it's only reignited the passion. Bring on the New Year (or a promo copy).

+ the wishbone [mp3]

The Troubles of The Brain - Tracklist
Bloom
Don’t Let the Same Bee Sting You Twice
The Stars Came Out Once the Lights Went Out
The Wishbone
Grey Lynn Park
Us Godless Teenagers

Sixeyes Mix: Oct. 22nd

noreply@blogger.com (Alan Williamson) — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 13:06:14 PDT

the modern superstitions visions of you

rebekah higgs little voice

nicole atkins vultures

john vanderslice i'll never live up to you

icarus himself digging holes

Video: the national terrible love (alternate take)

Sixeyes Mix: Oct. 20th

noreply@blogger.com (Alan Williamson) — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 14:54:36 PDT

justin townes earle harlem river blues

the drums down by the water

sufjan stevens i walked

liz phair my my

forest city lovers light you up

the migrant the organ grinder

Sixeyes Interview: The National's Matt Berninger 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Alan Williamson) — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 06:44:35 PDT

This interview is now found at my new blog, Hipstereo, right here.

The National: "Bloodbuzz Ohio" Video

noreply@blogger.com (Alan Williamson) — Mon, 17 May 2010 14:16:15 PDT

Here's the official video for "Bloodbuzz Ohio". It's freakin' hilarious and I heard that Ricky Gervais is calling. Matt Berninger is the new Greg Kinnear... only funnier (and lonelier).

The National - "Bloodbuzz Ohio" (official video) from The National on Vimeo.

The New Pornographers: 'Together' Full Album Stream

noreply@blogger.com (Alan Williamson) — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 13:03:38 PDT

Canadian super (indie) group, The New Pornographers, will put a new record in circulation on May 4th. Titled Together (Matador), it once again boasts the triumvirate of Dan (Destroyer) Bejar, vocalist Neko Case, and bandleader/songwriter Carl Newman. Classic pop song structures once again carried by distinctive vocals and harmonies, there's not a lot different from previous records, but these are new songs by a superb band... and that's enough. It's all about the songs.

Here's a stream of Dan Bejar's "Daughters of Sorrow".

Listen to a full album stream at NPR.

Sixeyes Mix: Feb. 13th

noreply@blogger.com (Alan Williamson) — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 04:16:02 PST

danny michel sweet things
broken bells the high road
tindersticks black smoke
seabear fire dies down
josh rouse don't act tough
brooklyn rider ascending bird (live)
the hot rats pump it up
timber timbre we'll find out
bill callahan diamond dancer
bjork wanderlust (live SNL 4-21-07)
cat power i don't blame you

The Seventh Sixeyes Christmas Mix: 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Alan Williamson) — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 05:00:45 PST

jimmy reed christmas present blues
kate & anna mcgarrigle god rest ye merry gentlemen
burl ives holly jolly christmas
jody daniels peppermint stick
pete rugulo orchestra jingle bell mambo
magnus t. cook snow bunny
susan lynn christmas angel
sonny bloch's corlairs louie the elf
poppa hop & his orchestra merry christmas darling
chet baker the first noel
queen thank god it's christmas
dick freitus christmas fever
the surfers deck the halls
tiny tim rudolph the red nosed reindeer
the jaynettes snowman snowman sweet potato nose
art mooney orchestra w/barry gordon zoomah, the santa claus from mars
mary margaret o'hara w/frank loesser what are you doing new years eve?
diana ross & the supremes joy to the world
the harmonicals winter wonderland
dick kent is santa the man in the moon?

Jason Collett 'Rat a Tat Tat': "Love Is A Dirty Word" MP3

noreply@blogger.com (Alan Williamson) — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 14:10:48 PST

A new album from Toronto's Jason Collett is on the way, called Rat a Tat Tat, it will be released on March 9th 2010, but his label has seen fit to offer an mp3 off the record three months before it's release. Not sure why, but now that I ponder that question it may be to get a song out 6 weeks before the album leaks, which often is about 6 weeks before the official release date. I'm just thinking out loud, or talking out of my @$$.

"Love is A Dirty Word" is the song and I like it, no surprise there, I like much of what Collett has written and recorded as a solo artist. Listen to the song and think of the album's title, Rat a Tat Tat, I hear that in the muted bass line and even in the drums here and there. Is it the power of suggestion, or did Collett find the album title in this song? Just another of life's mysteries, I suppose.

love is a dirty word [mp3] from Rat a Tat Tat 2010

Collet recorded a session at CBC last year and included at least two songs from this upcoming record. Here he is with his band live in studio:

love is a chain [mp3] CBC Session
vanderpool vanderpool [mp3] CBC Session

Rat a Tat Tat Track List
01. Rave On Sad Songs
02. Lake Superior
03. Love Is A Dirty Word
04. Bitch City
05. High Summer
06. Cold Blue Halo
07. Love Is A Chain
08. Long May You Love
09. The Slowest Dance
10. Winnipeg Winds
11. Vanderpool Vanderpool

The Sixth Sixeyes Christmas Mix: 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Alan Williamson) — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 01:17:25 PST

nina simone i am blessed (wax tailor remix)
los lobos this time of the year
ryan adams hey parker, it's christmas
bright eyes blue christmas
paul vickers and the leg i want a hippopotamus for christmas
of montreal my favorite christmas
jackson 5 santa claus is coming to town
califone welcome christmas
sam phillips it came upon a midnight clear
apples in stereo holiday mood

New Band: Novels feat. Born Ruffians, Tokyo Police Club: MP3

noreply@blogger.com (Alan Williamson) — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 14:33:06 PST

Born Ruffians recently announced that their new album will see light of day in 2010 and will be called Say It. Now, they haven't set a date in stone, although the word "spring" was mentioned, so it could be a cold winter for Born Ruffians fans looking for something fresh. Then again, maybe not... it just so happens that Born Ruffian, Luke Lalonde, has been steppin' out with Tokyo Police Club's Graham Wright, Will Currie of Will Currie & The Country French, Ex-Po's Dean Marino, and Jason Sadlowski of Jay Sad. Well, not for long, it was sort of a one night stand... they all gathered at Toronto's Chemical Sound Studios with the intention of recording an EP in one session. This goal was accomplished according to the band's website and I have 100% proof, okay, 20% proof (it's supposedly a five song EP and I've got one song for you to download). And they settled on the band name, Novels (pictured above).

They don't intend to sell the 5 song EP in any form, as stated on their website:

"NOVELS won't be sold in CD stores, on the internet, or anywhere else. Instead, we'll give them away, or put them places. Maybe you'll find a copy sitting on a park bench. Maybe a masked man will hand you one as he passes you on the street. Maybe none of these things will happen. But we'll make sure that everyone gets a chance to listen if they want to."

"This Would Be The First Time" is short, catchy as hell, and all yours... so, spread the word and the song. What? You can't get enough of Novels? You're in luck, the session was photographed and videoed ( is that a word?). Go here for vids (I know, that isn't a word).

this would be the first time [mp3]

The White Stripes: "Let's Shake Hands" Live Video

noreply@blogger.com (Alan Williamson) — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 11:46:37 PST

The White Stripes: "Let's Shake Hands"

THE WHITE STRIPES | MySpace Music Videos

The Fifth Sixeyes Christmas Mix: 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Alan Williamson) — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 00:30:00 PST

stevie wonder what christmas means to me
james brown please come home for christmas
staples singers who took the merry out of christmas
louis armstrong zat you santa claus
dwight twilley christmas love
the rhodes kids santa loves rock n roll music
young and sexy santa claus likes rich kids better
the decemberists please daddy don't get drunk (this christmas)
feist please be patient
marshall crenshaw felice navidad
josh rouse christmas with jesus
minus 5 your christmas whiskey
victoria williams have yourself a merry little christmas
a band called quinn it's christmas time
mogwai w/ summer at shatter creek christmas song
monty, dale and the 2 by 2's the lil' endless summer boy

Record Club: "Weighted Down (The Prison Song)" Video ft. Feist

noreply@blogger.com (Alan Williamson) — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 09:27:36 PST

Record Club: Skip Spence "Weighted Down" from Beck Hansen on Vimeo.

Spoon: "Written In Reverse" Lyrics + MP3

noreply@blogger.com (Alan Williamson) — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 05:08:52 PST

This is the first single from Spoon's upcoming album, Transference, (due January 19th). And when I heard it, and "Mystery Zone" (another new track), I wasn't blown away, as I always expect to be when I first hear new Spoon songs. But, after a few listens everything slips into place and I realize that Britt Daniel is a magician, or the devil, or... god forbid... a songwriter, because how else can I explain why the new songs I've heard somehow recall all my old favourite Spoon songs and yet still carve out a nice comfy place in the sweet spot of my brain. Damn you, Spoon (and thank you)!!

written in reverse [mp3]

"Written in Reverse" Lyrics
I'm writing this to you in reverse
Someone better call a hearse
I can see it all from here
From just a few glimpses
Now that light bulb's gone off
And it's pulling my wincin'
And now the light bulb's gone off

I've seen it in your eyes
I've seen you blankly stare
And I wanna show you how I love you
But there's nothing there

I'm not standing here
Oh I'm not standing here
And I'm writing in reverse
You know it could be worse
I'm not standing here
I'm not standing here

I'm not standing here
I'm not standing here
and I'm writing in reverse
I know it could be worse
And I hear that famous song
And I hear that can't be wrong

No nothing was planned
You just can't help yourself
Some people are so easily shuffled and dealt
If there's only one of us you truly felt
We're gettin' you raw
And it feels real good
Although only briefly
Like high school poppers would
Will you lose a bit of yourself?
Will you lose a bit of yourself?

I'm not standing here
Oh I'm not standing here
And I'm writing in reverse
You know it could be worse
I hear that famous song
And I hear that can't be wrong

Look out
All I know, is all I know,
Yes, all I know, is all I know
Is all I know

I'm writing this to you in reverse
Someone better call a hearse
I can see it all from here
From just a few glimpses
Now that light bulb's gone off
And it's pulling my wincin'
And now the light bulb's gone off
I've seen it in your eyes
And there's nothing there
There's nothing there
I wanna show you how I love you
I can see you blankly stare

The Fourth Sixeyes Christmas Mix: 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Alan Williamson) — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 17:52:56 PST

findley brown last christmas
julian casablancas i wish it was christmas today
the ethiopians ding dong bell
the turtles santa and the sidewalk surfer
jill barber the christmas song
the merry macs christmas cha cha
of montreal my favorite christmas in a hundred words or less
vince guaraldi trio christmas is coming
banu gibson & the new orleans jazz band i'll be home for christmas
the awkward stage christmas time is here
okkervil river listening to otis redding at home during christmas
zumpano the mods of christmastown

Why?: "This Blackest Purse" MP3

noreply@blogger.com (Alan Williamson) — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 15:51:14 PST

Why? is the band and Yoni Wolf is the singer who moves between the friendly vibe of REM's Michael Stipe and the earnest and idiosyncratic indie nerd calling card of They Might Be Giants. The band's latest record is Eskimo Snow and boasts, "This Blackest Purse" a terrific song, with a simple melody and dense detailed lyrics.

this blackest purse [mp3]
eskimo snow (Sock Hop Version) [mp3]

Broad Way Sleep: "Too Late" MP3

noreply@blogger.com (Alan Williamson) — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 17:07:55 PST

A yearning vocal line soars over the throbbing bottom end of Toronto band Broad Way Sleep's song, "Too Late". Nothing earth shattering here in terms of originality, but what they do, they do well enough to turn heads and this song surely will. The band is centered around songwriter/multi-instrumentalist/executive producer Ralph Joseph and includes Alexander The (of Styrofoam Ones), Sarah Shafey and Robert Bolton a.k.a. Arowbe (of Times Neue Roman).

This mp3 is a webrip, and may be missing several seconds at the start and finish, but it gives you the idea and impetus to seek them out... doesn't it?

too late [mp3] (album due February 2010)

Phoenix: "Lisztomania / One Time Too Many" Video: A Take Away Show

noreply@blogger.com (Alan Williamson) — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 13:54:10 PST

Phoenix - Lizstomania / One time too many - A Take Away Show from La Blogotheque on Vimeo.

Phoenix: "1901" Video: A Take Away Show

noreply@blogger.com (Alan Williamson) — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 03:38:10 PDT

You can now find this post here at my new blog.