Beast Beats

An Apology

2008-04-29T17:05:00.000-07:00

Dear Faithful Readers,
I want to apologize for letting you down. I should have been posting for the last couple of weeks, yet I could not find time to. Sorry. That said, I would like to make it up to you. I have some surprises planned for you this week.
Stay Tuned,
Beast Beats

NHB #1: Ruined Machines

2008-04-08T18:16:00.000-07:00

Band: Ruined Machines
Genre: Postrock // Alternative // Progressive
Sounds Like: Liquid Tension Experiment, Explosions In The Sky, and/or Sigur Ros.

Under the bridge between Led Zeppelin and the modern day music lies the god-forsaken Mordor that is Postrock music. Although dismissed by some to be the illegitimate child of static and a wayward, yet extremely attractive Les Paul guitar, bands such as Ruined Machines combine the rhythmic powerfulness of metal with the baby soft touch of baby wipes. This five member ensemble is now working on their newest album, which I am greatly looking forward to.

Eerily tranquilizing and titillating
Tracks: (Right Click and Save As to download.)
Hardly A Place of Honor
The Grasping Hands of Possibility

New Column: Never Heard Before (NHB)

2008-04-08T18:09:00.000-07:00

I am trying on a new hat today. I know that many of you have different instrumental tastes, and consequently I have been thinking about this dilemma. To combat this problem, I have decided upon an additional approach to the avenue of regular review posting that I have been meandering along.

Behold, the column entitled, Never Heard Before, or the handy acronym, NHB.

What is this, you might ask, dumbfounded? Well, it is this my musical comrades: a post everyday or so dedicated to amazing music that none of you have ever heard before.

In the coming months, I plan to do this often, so prepare to have your musical tastes challenged.

Warmest Regards,
Beast Beats

A Guide to Upcoming Releases

2008-04-07T23:11:00.000-07:00

Although some of these dates are still tentative, there is a cornocopeia of musicianship that will be published this month. Check it:

04-07:

Future of the Left: "Manchasm" single [Too Pure] [UK release]
M83/Maps split single [Sonic Cathedral] [UK release]
The Triffids: Various reissues [Domino] [UK release]
Various Artists: Moshi Moshi Singles Club [Moshi Moshi] [UK release]

04-08:

Acid Mothers Temple and the Melting Paraiso U.F.O.: Recurring Dream and Apocalypse of Darkness [Important]
Auburn Lull: Begin Civil Twilight [Darla]
Boredoms: Super Roots 9 [Thrill Jockey]
The Breeders: Mountain Battles [4AD]
Cavity: Laid Insignificant [Hydra Head]
Client: Untitled Remix [Metropolis]
Clinic: Do It [Domino]
Cloud Cult: Feel Good Ghosts (Tea-Partying Through Tornadoes) [Rebel Group]
Colin Meloy: Colin Meloy Sings Live [Kill Rock Stars]
Cut Copy: In Ghost Colours [Modular]
Dark Meat: Universal Indians (Expanded Edition) [Vice]
Dead Child: Attack [Quarterstick]
The Drift: Memory Drawings [Temporary Residence Ltd.]
The Duke Spirit: Neptune [Artist First]
Ecstatic Sunshine: Way [Cardboard]
Eliot Lipp: The Outside [Mush]
Envy: Transfovista DVD [Temporary Residence Ltd.]
Eric Avery: Help Wanted [Dangerbird]
The Explorers Club: "Do You Love Me" b/w "Carry Me" 7" [Dead Oceans]
Fleet Foxes: Sun Giant EP [Sub Pop]
Foals: Antidotes [Sub Pop] [North American release]
Glorytellers: Glorytellers [Southern]
Hallelujah the Hills: Prepare to Qualify EP [self-released]
The Heavy: Great Vengeance and Furious Fire [+1/Counter] [North American Release]
Hornet Leg: "Blood Trilogy" 7" [K]
Jay Reatard: "See/Saw" 7" [Matador]
Jim Noir: Jim Noir [Barsuk]
Jonathan Richman: Because Her Beauty Is Raw and Wild [Vapor]
Man Man: Rabbit Habits [Anti-]
Meat Beat Manifesto: Autoimmune [Metropolis]
Microphones: The Glow Pt. 2 (Reissue) [K]
MSTRKRFT: Remixes Vol. 1 [Last Gang]
Nadja: Desire in Uneasiness [Crucial Blast]
Neva Dinova: You May Already Be Dreaming [Saddle Creek]
New Bloods: The Secret Life [Kill Rock Stars]
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds: Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!! [Anti-]
Nina Simone: Protest Anthology [The Orchard]
No Age: "Eraser" 7" [Sub Pop]
No Kids: Come Into My House [Tomlab]
The Old Haunts: Poisonous Times [Kill Rock Stars]
The Pagans: The Blue Album [Smog Veil]
Peter Moren: The Last Tycoon [Quarterstick]
Richard Swift: Richard Swift As Onasis [Secretly Canadian]
Robert A.A. Low and Rose Lazar: Gyromancy [Thrill Jockey]
Rollins Band: Life Time [2.13.61]
School of Seven Bells: "Silent Grips" 7" [Suicide Squeeze]
Shout Out Louds: Impossible EP [Merge]
Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin: Pershing [Polyvinyl]
Spoon: Don't You Evah (single) [Merge]
Tapes 'n Tapes: Walk It Off [XL]
Thee Oh Sees: The Master's Bedroom Is Worth Spending a Night In [Tomlab]
Torche: Meanderthal [Hydra Head]
Various Artists: The Green Owl Comp: A Benefit for the Energy Action Coalition [Green Owl]
Various Artists: Imaginational Anthem Volume 3 [Tompkins Square]
Wye Oak: If Children [Merge]

04-15:

A.A. Bondy: American Hearts reissue [Fat Possum]
Air: Moon Safari: 10th Anniversary Edition [Astralwerks]
Christopher Bissonnette: In Between Words [Kranky]
Black Francis (Frank Black): Sv N F Ng Rs [Cooking Vinyl]
The Brian Jonestown Massacre: My Bloody Underground [A]
Buckshot & 9th Wonder: The Formula [Duck Down]
Dennis Wilson: Pacific Ocean Blue: Legacy Edition [Legacy]
Frightened Rabbit: The Midnight Organ Fight [FatCat]
The Gossip: Live in Liverpool [Columbia/Music With a Twist]
Heartsrevolution: "C.Y.O.A." single [IHEARTCOMIX]
The Jealous Girlfriends: The Jealous Girlfriends [Last Gang]
The Kooks: Konk [Astralwerks] [North American release]
The Little Ones: Morning Tide [Astralwerks]
M83: Saturdays = Youth [Mute]
O'luge: Movements [Last Gang]
The Plastic Constellations: We Appreciate You [Frenchkiss]
Portishead: Third [Island]
Robert Hood: Fabric 39 [Fabric]
Roommate: We Were Enchanted [Plug Research/Shrug]
Sally Shapiro: Remix Romance Vol. 1 [Paper Bag]

04-19 (Record Store Day):

Magnetic Morning: Magnetic Morning EP [DH]
Stephen Malkmus: "Cold Son" 10" [Matador]
Vampire Weekend: "A-Punk" / "Oxford Comma" (rehearsal version) 7" (XL)

04-22:

Anna Ternheim: Halfway to Fivepoints [Decca]
Atmosphere: When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold [Rhymesayers Entertainment]
The Autumns: Fake Noise From a Box of Toys [Bella Union]
Barry Adamson: Back to the Cat [Central Control]
Billy Bragg: Mr. Love & Justice [Anti-]
The Child Readers: Music Heard Far Off [Soft Abuse]
The Cinematic Orchestra: Live at the Royal Albert Hall [Domino]
TheDeathSet: Worldwide [Counter Records]
The Doors: The Doors Vinyl Box (7xLP) [Rhino]
Earles & Jensen: Just Farr a Laugh [Matador]
El Perro Del Mar: From the Valley to the Stars [The Control Group] [North American release]
Elbow: The Seldom Seen Kid [Fiction/Geffen] [North American release]
Elvis Costello: Momofuku [Lost Highway]
Etran Finatawa: Desert Crossroads [Riverboat]
Fenin: Been Through [Shitkatapult]
Flight of the Conchords: Flight of the Conchords [Sub Pop]
Grey Daturas: Return to Disruption [Neurot]
J. Spaceman/Sun City Girls: Mister Lonely: Music From a Film by Harmony Korine
Love: Forever Changes: Collectors Edition [Rhino]
Manu Chao: Politik Kills EP [Nacional] [digital release; physical release June 3]
Monotonix: Body Language [Drag City]
The Night Marchers: See You in Magic [Swami/Vagrant]
Otis Redding: Otis Blue reissue [Rhino]
Pepi Ginsberg: Red [Park The Van]
Pyramids: Pyramids [Hydra Head]
The Replacements: Various reissues [Rhino]
Sonic Youth: SYR7 [SYR]
Thalia Zedek Band: Liars and Prayers [Thrill Jockey]
Thank You: Terrible Two [Thrill Jockey]
Tokyo Police Club: Elephant Shell [Saddle Creek] [physical release]

04-28:

Cajun Dance Party: The Colourful Life [XL] [UK release]
Nôze: On the Rocks [Get Physical]
Tindersticks: The Hungry Saw [Beggar's Banquet] [UK release]

04-29:

Awesome Color: Electric Aborigines [Ecstatic Peace]
Boris: Smile [Southern Lord] [North American release]
Bun B: II Trill [Asylum]
Cloudland Canyon: Lie In Light [Kranky]
Constantines: Kensington Heights [Arts & Crafts]
David Karsten Daniels: Fear of Flying [FatCat]
Dimitri From Paris: Return to the Playboy Mansion [Playboy]
Dizzee Rascal: Maths+English [Def Jux] [North American release]
Hayden: In Field & Town [Fat Possum] [U.S. release]
Jamie Lidell: Jim [Warp]
Joy Division: Best Of [Rhino] [North American release]
Langhorne Slim: Langhorne Slim [Kemado]
Les Savy Fav: After the Balls Drop (live album) [French Kiss]
Madonna: Hard Candy [Warner Bros.]
Make Believe: Going to the Bone Church [Flameshovel]
New York Dolls: Live at the Fillmore East [Sony BMG]
Nat Baldwin: Most Valuable Player [Broken Sparrow]
Robert Forster: The Evangelist [Yep Roc]
Robyn: Robyn [Konichiwa/Cherrytree/Interscope] [North American release]
The Roots: Rising Down [Def Jam]
Santogold: Santogold [Downtown/Atlantic]
South: You Are Here [Bluhammock]
Strategy: Music for Lamping [Audio Dregs]
Tickley Feather: Tickley Feather [Paw Tracks]

If any of this albums interest you personally, tell me. I might be able to hook you up.

Review: Pershing by Somebody Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin

2008-04-05T18:44:00.000-07:00

Artist: Somebody Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin
Album: Pershing
Record: Polyvinyl Record Company
Release: 2008-04-08

Some people wouldn't expect much from a band who once played to utterly crushingly small attendance numbers. The album was recored in the band member's home town of Springfield, Missouri, an area where they toiled in the dungeons of clubs for longer than any one with talent should. That is not to say that they don't have talent. They do. In fact, this time has likely added a modicum of maturity to their bubble party that is this CD. In the words of Daytrotter, one of my music blogosphere contemporaries, "They’re anything but a new fad." SSLYBY's follow up to their critically acclaimed Broom is an interesting contrast with their earlier releases. After receiving relatively rave reviews from SPIN, they began work on this new musical compilation.

As previously mentioned, the four Missourians, and assorted others, have popped up their sound and added increasingly more dramatically respective cresendoes as well. Each track is somewhat well produced, in that it features excellent vocal tracks, however still retains some of the welcome roughness and low fidelity quality from Broom. None of that is a bad thing. The brass happy intro on Boring Fountain dovetails nicely with the catchy piano/guitar/vocal inflections, while on other the band has decided to take a more molasses approach to their emotional, acoustic portrayal of having nothing to say yet following their dreams (paraphrased from their Jose Gonzalez-like lyrics). The album's upbeat attitude is excused for moments, and as a byproduct SSLYBY created the beautiful monstrosity of funkiness that is Some Constellation.

SSLYBY has created a sincerity of lyrics that is refreshing in a time when double meanings and slurred lyrics are overvalued by some bands. Every songs means what it says, in a nice kind of way. Their catchy wails accompanied by bubble-gum reminiscence pull the listener in, in a way that the one of my favorites, the late Elliot Smith, did (however, with out the overuse of wallowing and self-pity). Their musician ship is amazing, and they are just down home guys. After listening to their album, couldn't you imagine eating some corn on the cob, or some Springfield-style cashew chicken?

In fact, the album is relatively non-descript. Yes, it challenges their persona in some ways: their shortlived and momentary lapses in musical confromity could remind some listeners of "The Sword" (see: the middle-end of Oceanographer) or their acoustic regression into a not too shabby Shins impression, could signal this. However, their superpopdom contrasting with, although it has a negative connotation, sometimes bland ballads turn into an amazing respite from over exaggeration. There are many bright spots to this album. SSLYBY's unabashed happiness is catchy, yet dares to not have itself resigned to the pop section. Keep on an eye on this young bunch, I dare say.

Score: 7.5/10

As usual, feel free to check out the album:
1. Glue Girls
2. Boring Fountain
3. Dead Right
4. The Beach Song
5. Modern Mystery
6. Some Constellation
7. Think I Wanna Die
8. You Could Write a Book
9. Oceanographer
10. Heers
11. Doris Tailspin (Boring Mountain)

And remember, if you adore it, buy it. I am not opposed to trying before buying, yet I leave your conscience up to you.

Support them when they come to you.
Here are their tour dates:

04/12 Sat	Columbia, MO @ The Blue Note w/ Via Audio. AA / 8:30PM.
04/14 Mon	St. Louis, MO @ The Bluebird w/ Via Audio. 18+ / 8:00PM.
04/15 Tue	Indianapolis, IN @ Locals Only w/ Via Audio. 21+ / 7:30PM.
04/16 Wed	Chicago, IL @ Empty Bottle w/ Via Audio. 21+.
04/18 Fri	Toronto, Ontario, CAN @ El Mocambo w/ Via Audio. 19+ / 9:00PM.
04/20 Sun	Allston, MA @ Great Scott w/ Via Audio. 18+ / 9:00PM.
04/21 Mon	Brooklyn, NY @ Union Hall w/ Via Audio. 21+ / 7:30PM.
04/22 Tue	New York, NY @ Mercury Lounge w/ Via Audio. 21+ / 7:00PM.
04/23 Wed	Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda's w/ Via Audio. 21+ / 8:00PM.
04/24 Thu	Washington, DC @ Black Cat Backstage w/ Via Audio. AA / 9:00PM.
04/26 Sat	Charleston, SC @ The Map Room w/ Via Audio. 18+ / 9:00PM.
04/27 Sun	Atlanta, GA @ The EARL w/ Via Audio. 21+.
04/29 Tue	Memphis, TN @ The Hi Tone Cafe w/ Via Audio. 18+ / 9:00PM.
05/05 Mon	Norman, OK @ The Opolis w/ Port O'Brien. AA / 9:00PM.
05/06 Tue	Denton, TX @ Hailey's w/ Port O'Brien. AA / 9:00PM.
05/07 Wed	Austin, TX @ The Mohawk w/ Port O'Brien.
05/09 Fri	Phoenix, AZ @ Modified w/ Port O'Brien. AA / 8:00PM.
05/10 Sat	Tucson, AZ @ Club Congress w/ Port O'Brien. AA / 8:30PM.
05/11 Sun	San Diego, CA @ Beauty Bar w/ Port O'Brien. 21+ / 9:00PM.
05/13 Tue	Los Angeles, CA @ The Echo w/ Port O'Brien. AA / 8:00PM.
05/14 Wed	San Francisco, CA @ Rickshaw Stop w/ Port O'Brien. AA / 8:00PM.
05/16 Fri	Portland, OR @ Towne Lounge w/ Port O'Brien. 21+ / 9:00PM.
05/17 Sat	Seattle, WA @ The Vera Project w/ Port O'Brien. AA / 7:30PM.
05/18 Sun	Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN @ Media Club w/ Port O'Brien. 19+ / 8:00PM.
05/20 Tue	Salt Lake City, UT @ Kilby Court w/ TBA.
05/21 Wed	Denver, CO @ Hi-Dive w/ TBA. 16+ / 7:00PM.
05/22 Thu	Omaha, NE @ The Slowdown w/ TBA. AA / 8:00PM.
05/23 Fri	Iowa City, IA @ The Picador w/ TBA. 19+ / 9:00PM.
05/24 Sat	Minneapolis, MN @ 7th Street Entry w/ TBA. 21+ / 8:00PM.

In The Tubes: April 1st Through April 8th

2008-04-02T17:00:00.000-07:00

This coming week I will be featuring some new artists and reviews.

Upcoming Reviews for This Week: (Artist - Album, Release Date)
The Sword - Gods Of The Earth, 2008-04-01
Somebody Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin - Perishing, 2008-04-08
Four Tet - Ringer, 2008-04-21
Titus Andronicus - The Airing Of Grievances, Unknown?
Richard Swift - Richard Swift as Onasis, 2008-04-08
Tapes n' Tapes - Walk It Off, 2008-04-08
The Terrordactyls - The Terrordactyls, Unknown?

I hope I have satiated your musical taste for today. Keep on checking the tubes.

Review: Electronic Projects for Musicians by The Apples in Stereo

2008-04-02T00:08:00.000-07:00

I am amazed. Seeing how this is my first review, I am starting off on a good foot.

This new musical effort entitled, Electronic Projects of Musicians by The Apples in Stereo, is indelibly imprinted with the stamp of the lead singer/guitarist Rob Schneider. The catchy beats and surf rock style is evident throughout their new work in the almost too happy lyrical overtures. Robert Schneider infusal of the record's sound with his at times whispery lyrics borders on the edge of amazing, yet the musicians seem to be held back by the clicheness and repetition of their musical patterns. Their participation in the Elephant Six Collective, a musical effort involving the aforementioned group in addition to other musical wonders Neutral Milk Hotel and Of Montreal, is significant in that each influence is evident in the music of The Apples in Stereo.

The Apples in Stereo sound consists of a large portion of psychedelic and spacey noise that reminds me of a bad Alice in Wonderland trip. The 80's ballad, "The Apples Theme Song", would be torn apart by said reviewer if not for the lens of lacking seriousness/realism that the bands perceives themselves through. There are certainly some musical gems on the new album, including but not limited to the swinging, yet somewhat controlled dissonance of Onto Something. In addition, the rest of the album contrasts with a personal favorite: Hold On To This Day. The melancholy is a sharp contrast with the entirety of the album, and although arguably misplaced, it is a welcome refreshment from the bouncy riffs of following and preceding tracks

The band's lack of maturity could possibly be attributed to publishing on a label founded by a hobbit, Elijah Wood, and although this work contains certain gems, it is generally seems akin to a belated collection of musicianship that would make 2Pac turn over in his original gangster grave. On the topic of lyrics, the cutesy musical texts do grate on the nerves upon the completion of the novel. The Apples in Stereo border on the edge of greatness with their new album. Their sound has been revamped repeatedly with the departure of original drummer Hilarie Sidney, among other changes, and Schneider seems to have arguably grown even more comfortable with his role as head guitarist.

In contrast to the negative knee-jerk reaction that The Apples in Stereo could warrant, they are redeemed in part because of their musical talents, their entrancing keyboard riffs and lyrics, and whimsy that is not often seen (and if it is, not often appreciated). Although this record is superb in many respects, its inanity and repetitiveness is best reserved for the kinds of die-hard fans are intent on possessing every single melody by the artist.

Score: 6.5/10

Feel free to check out the album:
1. "Shine (In Your Mind)" 3:36 1995 Fun Trick Noisemaker (Japanese release)
2. "Thank You Very Much" 1:03 1995 Fun Trick Noisemaker (Japanese release)
3. "Onto Something" 2:14 1996 Split single with Sportsguitar
4. "Man You Gotta Get Up" 3:01 1998 "Man You Gotta Get Up" single
5. "The Golden Flower" 3:05 1998 "Man You Gotta Get Up" single
6. "Avril En Mai" 2:10 1999 Pop Romantique compilation
7. "Hold On To This Day" 3:21 2000 The Discovery of a World Inside the Moone (bonus 7")
8. "The Oasis" 2:09 2000 Kindercore Fifty: We Thank You compilation
9. "On Your Own" 1:55 2002 Promo CD
10. "Other" 2:19 2002 Velocity of Sound (Japanese release)
11. "So Far Away" 4:25 2002 Promo CD
12. "The Apples Theme Song" 1:18 2006 Official website release
13. "Stephen Stephen" 1:50 2006 The Colbert Report, MySpace download
14. "Dreams" 3:43 2008 (Previously unreleased)

And remember, if you adore it, buy it. I am not opposed to trying before buying, yet I leave your conscience up to you.

Beast Beats

2008-04-01T18:20:00.001-07:00

My pseudonym is Beast Beats. I have a pseudonym not because I am scared of anyone, but it adds a little bit of shrouded mystery to my persona. I am a mysterious kind of guy. So, now you do one thing about me. I really want to tell you more:

I am obsessed with music. I admire Pitchfork and other big body sites, yet I feel as if I can do somethings better than they can. Have you seen the commercial with Michael Jordan and that other female soccer player. I am her in a metaphorical sense. I am the underdog, with little media contact. Maybe it is just me, but I believe that in their quest for ultimate provision of music coverage they have sold out. Just a little bit. Selling out in and of itself isn't bad. But putting ads on your website ticks me off. This leads me to my next point.

I don't expect anything from you. You get my opinion for free. My two sense (And yes, that is a horrible play on words). A couple comments here and there would be nice. Something along the lines of, "You just tore up this record, but I completely disagree with you. Here's why (Insert thoughtful destruction or vivisection of my opinion here)."

I like exaggeration and flowery language. So don't take me literally when I remark on the quality of orgasm that the cacophony of awesomeness produced in my ear.

I might follow your cease and desist letter. From time to time I will post CD's and tracks from these respective CD's if I feel that it enhance the experience of my users. I don't support piracy in that I feel that if you really like the album you should go buy it to support your artist. Besides you get the added tangibility of satisfaction from the end notes and hopefully inspiring or beautiful CD case. Sure, I might download your album to try it out, and if I feel that it is acceptable for the record companies to get upset about me doing so, as it is their product. However, bullying me into taking down your artistic productions is not the way to get me, or anybody in general to fall into compliance. If I don't buy your CD, in the long run it is your fault. Not mine. Lesson of the story: make good music, and people will flock to support you as quickly as Lemmings on hard mode.

That is a little bit about me. I hope you have learnt something. I look forward to writing an orgasm for your eyes.

Sincerely,
Beast Beats