Heavier ~ Than ~ Air

Mouthing Off: Santigold Riles Little Monsters With New Song/Video

2012-01-21T23:47:00.000-05:00

Well, this is bizarre. Here I was about to post a simple video embed and brief song summary, then call it a night...

...but it turns out there's a little more going on with the new song from Brooklyn's Santigold, possibly involving (but not limited to) monsters, Ke$ha, surgical enhancement, fish, Lady GaGa, that fake lesbian one with the lips, and the vacuous world of pop music in general.

Most of those being items that H-T-A would never touch with a ten foot barge pole - lovely fish being the obvious British exception - let's be the anti-TMZ and focus on the music, yes? Grand.

Photo Credit: Jackie Kingsbury

So it's a skittering little affair, riding in on a very tribal beat and developing into a vaguely rave-tinged dance floor filler. Buzzed through with intermittent 90's electronica effects, it powers the main diatribe of the notoriously acerbic Santi White rather effectively; that being, seemingly, the aforementioned power trio purveyors of throwaway teen pop, and their lamentable ever present status in our lives.

Having waited a good four years now for new material, this is perhaps lacking some of the charms held by her debut songs that so prompted the anticipation for more. Holding 'Big Mouth' up to the likes of 'L.E.S. Artistes' or 'Creator' certainly finds the former on the end of a sound thrashing in the lyrical stakes, although musically there's enough going on in the new one to hold promise for the next album, entitled 'Master of My Make Believe'.

You can make your own believe with a spin the self-titled debut here on Spotify. You can also play/download 'Big Mouth' below. Does it stand significantly higher than this new song to your ears?

Santigold - Big Mouth by santigold

As always, final judgement is very much reserved until I hear this in the context of the full release. Even on its own, though, it's causing enough of a stir to add extra momentum to the inevitable hype that's beginning to gather. If you listen carefully, on a quiet day, you might just be able to hear the publicist's hands rubbing together in self-satisfied glee.

A Flash Flood of Solidarity

2012-01-19T00:24:00.000-05:00

Thanks to anyone that visited in the last 24 hours, only to find a bolshy notice from yours truly having a little pop at those behind the SOPA and PIPA legislation.

We're back and firing on all cylinders again now. The fight against unjustifiable curtailment of our Internet usage isn't complete yet, however, so if you didn't find time to take some action yesterday, here's some Google info on what you can do to prevent old media dinosaurs from trampling all over your web access.

All this armchair revolution has got my blood pumping...

So, what better artist to seek out for a revolting sound track (pun entirely intended) than Watford's feisty rabble rousers, Enter Shikari?

Ah, maybe Refused? Or Rage?

Or perhaps The Cla... well anyway, I went with Shikari.

What all this digital zealotry links neatly back into, is the fact that Rou and crew have a new album out this week. Following on from an album that rather fuelled my fire in 2009, 'Common Dreads', the new one is called 'A Flash Flood of Colour'.

A few spins in, I can't say that Flash Flood has forcibly wrestled my attention from its default lethargy in quite the way Dreads achieved. It does have that same riotous streak, however, and the tunes are vibrant with the energy that we've come to know, love, and find exhausting just to hear, let alone watch them deliver onstage, night after night. I digress...

There are some indications that the chaps are being influenced by the popular punk-folk revival of similarly rebellious voices back home in Blighty, Frank Turner and The King Blues chief amongst them. 'Stalemate' is one delightfully eccentric example of this, twisted just enough to make it a Shikari effort. Elsewhere, 'Arguing With Thermometers' is closer to the sound the band was honing on their last outing, replete with elastic synths, razor guitars, and the borderline schizophrenia of Reynolds' eclectic vocal delivery/ranting.

Obviously my hope is that this is a grower, that will blossom into the more world-wise sibling of its placard waving predecessor. There are enough positive signs initially to suggest that I'll be writing more on this one in the weeks to come. If you want to dig in yourself, the album is up on Spotify and has myriad order packages here.

Try, enjoy, try more and buy more, if you so wish. What could be more logical and customer-friendly than that, eh old record industry timers?

Keep It Simple, Stupid

2012-01-14T20:38:00.000-05:00

That particular business lingo acronym (K.I.S.S.) always struck me as unnecessarily abusive, given its intended goal of focusing attention on a core point.

One need not linger long on the derogatory, however, when The Shins are back in building and spreading their gloriously buoyant indie pop into our lives once more.

Simple Song by The Shins

Without straying too far from their plenty successful methodology of elastic guitar melodies, stretching nonchalantly across twee piano interludes and the welcoming vocal of James Mercer, the Portland crew return with this their first cut from the next album 'Port of Morrow'. Set for March, it slides neatly into my "Eagerly Anticipating"category for this new year, as well as offering up the first ear candy of 2012.

After some bemused rambling on my part over on friend-of-HTA Alejandra O'Leary's blog, as I struggled to identify my more contemporary recommendations for the latter half of 2011, it's interesting to note that my mood has shifted again. Rather than continue to seek out older gems on Spotify, I find myself bemoaning the lack of new releases to dig into for this here year. Accordingly, The Shins appearing with new material this early on has been something of an oasis in the musical desert that is/was the holiday season.

Confirmed for Coachella this Spring, we'll be seeing and hearing plenty more from Mercer & co in the coming months. Start feeding your appetite with a few spins of this tune and a little more info on the new release here.

Thoughts?

Reunion Revulsion: When Is Enough, Enough?

2012-01-11T23:34:00.000-05:00

At The Drive-In reformed this week.

At The Drive-In Website Intro from MONDIAL on Vimeo.

So did Refused.

"We never did "The shape of punk to come" justice when it came out, too tangled up in petty internal bickering. We wanna do it over, do it right. For the people who've kept the music alive through the years, but also for our own sakes." [Full statement]

Jane's Addiction will be playing lesser known venues later this year and Soundgarden sauntered back onto first festivals, then regular stages last year. I saw Faith No More do much the same the year prior. Hell, even Pink Floyd might be back this summer, celebrating my homeland's attempt to not look daft in comparison with Beijing's massive Olympic effort.

Rage Against The Machine... Portishead ...Kyuss (Lives!) ... I could go on, on, and thrice on with the much vaunted reunions that have peppered the last few years.

Rejoice! This is truly the golden age of classic bands returning! A second chance to catch all those you slept on in their heyday.

But....

The Loss of Legacies

In all honesty, I am excited at the prospect of some of these second chances. ATD-I in particular could be the single most regrettable live oversight of my formative music years. Still though, it's impossible to ignore that nagging feeling that it could all go horribly wrong (admittedly, this pessimism may stem from all these long years supporting Everton FC).

Firstly, there's the stench of dirty filthy lucre. I begrudge no talented musicians a pay day, yet the announcements usually centre on providing another opportunity for the fans and artistic objectives. Why, then, are the ticket prices often so insanely inflated - and the channels so restricted - that many of those fans are immediately cut off from the very spectacle they were so crucial to making a reality?

Beyond that, even if we offer the benefit of the motivational doubt, there's the more fundamental question of whether or not the band can still cut it. Many of us have deep rooted associations with these acts and their seminal works - myself very much included in the cases of At The Drive-In's 'Relationship of Command' and Refused's 'The Shape of Punk to Come' - and the sense that they stand immutable in time is an essential part of that. If they're to be resurrected, polished or prodded for a new audience, then we want it to be effected by musicians who still have the passion and chops to push boundaries still further, rather than rehash their way to an inferior version and experience.

Money Where Your Mouth Is

So, by all means come back, worthy artists of my formative years. But be prepared to work even harder to prove that it was the right decision, not some easy meal ticket before the demand for physical reissue product finally dries up and fans move on to greener digital pastures.

We're ready, willing, and passionate to support you....if you are willing to support - and enhance - your own legacy with the qualities that caught our attention in the first place.

If not? Then expect a rapid descent, from iconic standard bearers of a genre to laughable imitations of former glories, as quickly as you can say The Sex Pistols.

Then:

Now:

Random Recall: Musical Bursts of 2011

2012-01-02T22:30:00.000-05:00

Around the midpoint of last year, my obsessive consumption of brand new music came to an abrupt halt.

The reason? Spotify's US launch.

And maybe a few weeks whiled away on Turntable.FM (still haven't gone back...oops).

As I dug deeper into the seemingly infinite catalogue of music now available to me at the click of a button, I spent the time that might previously have been dedicated to Pitchfork's latest darling instead diving into the full works of artists such as PJ Harvey, Jackson Browne, The Kinks, Van Morrisson and oh so many more.

The end result is overwhelmingly positive for the listener and likely to mean some interesting changes to the way I present music to you here on Heavier~Than~Air. For the moment, however, I simply want to get the posts flowing again and have some unfinished business with the year of music that was 2011.

To address that I'll be dishing out some missed recommendations over the next week or so, in lieu of any year end lists which would inevitably be only half complete.

To start with let us ponder The War On Drugs. And not merely for their en vogue governmental nomenclature.

Like an overpowering wave of nostalgia flowing from the hazy fog of summer, this Philly group blend a heady mix of Dylan-esque vocals and a guitar sound that filters the melodies of dream pop through the meandering distortion of shoegaze, often emerging with a potent cocktail with which to party late into the night. Experience 'Baby Missiles' or 'Come To The City' to snag just that feeling.

Elsewhere on hit and miss debut 'Slave Ambient' (Spotify link), they simply lean on the meandering, ending up somewhere in the hot desert, confused and in desperate need of re-hydration. Should you feel the need for comparison, the rather aimless 'It's Your Destiny' should suffice.

Despite the odd misstep, this was an album that urged repeat spins throughout the second half of 2011. Initially fueled by lazy summer days, then propelled still further by that beautiful sonic drawl that so relaxes the senses, The War On Drugs delivered on enough counts to be recalled as a highlight of the year for this frequently distracted listener.

5 New Year Songs You Probably Don't Want To Hear For New Year's

2011-12-31T23:07:00.003-05:00

Happy New Year!

Almost, if you're in the US. Past, if you're back home in Blighty or beyond the Prime Meridian.

Wherever it is, chances are you've heard everything from the sublime to the supremely cheesy, in terms of the music that's ringing in 2012.

So, in answer to the latter - as well as the Christmas and Chanukah spins on this idea that have gone before me, from Dan Perez and Marlene Lipson - here are 5 tunes that probably won't raise your New Year cheer...

GLASSJAW - 'Pretty Lush'

"I wish you a broken heart and a Happy New Year."

Chances are Mr Palumbo wasn't having a fabulous calendar change when he penned this.

THURSDAY - 'Jet Black New Year'

"Like calendars dying at New Year's Eve parties.

As we kiss hard on the lips and swear: this year will be better then the last."

Slightly more redemptive, as this day has the potential to allow, but no less heinous of a year gone by for the Thursday lads. Helluva tune, either way.

KATATONIA - 'The Longest Year'

"How cold is the flame of our uncompromising future? How cold is the sun?"

As much as I adore their music, Katatonia probably shouldn't soundtrack any of your celebrations, to be honest.

THE MOUNTAIN GOATS - 'This Year'

"I am going to make it through this year if it kills me."

Let's face it, if that's all the optimism one can muster for a New Year's resolution, the coming twelve months are looking rough.

MUSE - 'Apocalypse Please'

"Declare this an emergency. Come on and spread a sense of urgency...this is the end."

There's nothing like a reminder that the world is going to end to kill (pun intended) your New Year buzz.

...but I can't end what has been a grand old year on a bum note, so here's a good time indie rock anthem from the ever-reliable The Walkmen. Welcome, 2012!

THE WALKMEN- 'In The New Year'

Plugged In, Switched On: Alejandra O'Leary Band Drops Raw Rock & Roll

2011-11-26T22:30:00.000-05:00

They say it's always better live.

Perhaps I have no idea who 'they' are and when exactly they were quoted on this, but I'm willing to bet that, even if you don't worship at the altar of live music, you have plenty of mates that swear by it. Especially if it's pure, rollicking rock and roll.

And especially, one more time, if it's from the home of raucous garage rock that is Detroit, Michigan.

Following on from the rather splendid 'Broken Mirror Baby', released earlier this year (to the shameful neglect of these pages in not yet providing a full review), Ann Arbor rocker Alejandra O'Leary has gathered her band and marched up to Motor City to record a new live EP.

&lt;p&gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://alejandraoleary.bandcamp.com/album/live-raw-from-detroit"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Live &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp; Raw from Detroit by Alejandra O'Leary Rock n' Roll Band&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&lt;/p&gt;

Fan-funded and in collaboration with a slick new recording model from GBS Studios, this 5 tracker boasts a couple of new cuts from the aforementioned new album, one from debut 'Nothing Out Loud' (which I dug into back here), and a couple of previously unreleased slices to boot. Of those, my favourite is very much the punchy 'Mine That Groove', which kicks off the EP in fine style and translates the atmosphere of the one room-one take recording to your own abode particularly well.

'When Will They Learn' - video above - shows a lighter side that slides back some of the raw energy but still maintains a rich depth that elevates the song.

You can listen to the whole shebang on Bandcamp right now and pick it up as a high quality download for the wallet-friendly price of five Yankee dollars. Well recommended, if you dig a melodic mix of rock, roll, and raw emotion for your listening pleasure.

Lost Gems: Takota - The Ivory Tower

2011-11-17T23:40:00.000-05:00

Here's a bizarre one; a fairly recent album that I've simply been unable to locate, even as a legal download (or, hello 2011, a Spotify stream).

Following a series of roundly positive reviews, quite a feat considering some of them referenced 80's soft rock balladeers Toto, Takota seemed to disappear from the face of the planet, along with any last copies of debut LP 'The Ivory Tower'.

Irregardless (I know that's not a word. If you didn't, do take note), I've still had the joyful crescendos of 'City Drugs' pop up every time I spin my 'Anthems of 2006' playlist on my battered but beloved 4th gen iPod.

TAKOTA - 'CITY DRUGS' [Cheers, random YouTube bloke]

This song (and, I assume, the full album) has one of those vocals that forces your pulmonary system to push that little bit harder. As it soars to the heights of the song's chorus, it barely matters of what the singer speaks, as the delivery is just that powerful.

Aside from that worrying thought that he must have his nackers in a clamp to hit those high notes, it's a perfectly joyous listening experience.

TAKOTA - 'SATELLITE'

And, somewhere, there's most likely a full album of such belters that I'll potentially never hear...

...ah well, back to those 2006 anthems, I suppose. Thank goodness for obsessive music nerd list-itis.

Familiar WATERS: Ex-Port O'Brien Front Man Flows Through NYC

2011-10-24T23:47:00.000-04:00

Yes yes, I still have days 2 to 5 to report on from the recently completed music marathon that was, is, and will be again, CMJ.

Alas, unable to face the mammoth task of writing up another 20 odd bands worth of live music - and this was a light year - I thought I'd delve a little deeper into just one of those artists: WATERS.

OFFICIAL SITE

Before focusing on the act, mention must be made of the venue and promoter. I caught the set as part of a series put on by indie radio station KEXP, at the Ace Hotel in midtown Manhattan. Unlike other makeshift, aspiring (opportunistic?) venues, the focus here was on the experience, rather than crass cross-promotion.

When KEXP state "where the music matters", it seems to be something they take seriously, as the set-up was professional and the streaming audio of performances a neat addition for the musicians to make the most of their appearance. In the same breath, Ace Hotel provides a grand-yet-cosy environment to watch live music. With plenty of seating and connectivity for reporting journos (and filthy plebeian wannabes such as yours truly), not to mention outstanding coffee from the connecting Stumptown Roasters, it's a pleasant spot to take in some tunes.

All of which is secondary to the music, which was a particular treat at 10:30am.

At this point, despite a naggingly familiar vocal tone, I was unaware that WATERS front man Van Pierszalowski had previously given voice to the delicate melodies of Port O'Brien. With a semi-frenzied stage presence and tendency to rip at the guitar quite distant from his former band, however, this isn't a connection one would naturally make.

MP3: WATERS - O Holy Break Of Day

MP3: WATERS - For The One

Taken from the debut album 'Out In The Light', out now on City Slang

WATERS' sound lies much more in the frayed emoting of indie rockers like Manchester Orchestra. Switching between the raucous attack of 'For The One' and the somber reflection of outstanding closer 'Mickey Mantle', this set is as often energising as it is effecting. In particular, I fell for this timely lyrical couplet: "I was in New York, living / Waiting in the cold of Thanksgiving / Hoping I could have a day to reason".

Something about the playing and delivery communicates a complete integrity, one that helps the crowd connect ever deeper with the endearingly awkward singer. At one point, he offers an over-the-airwaves apology to his Mum for not calling and being away so often. If this early form is a sign of things to come, he'll be making such laments on a regular basis as WATERS spread to the welcoming ears of new fans around the globe.

Check out a set of far superior pics from the morning set here on KEXP.

CMJ 2011: Day 1 Report

2011-10-19T23:51:00.000-04:00

The 'road' to Williamsburg - CMJ 2011

It being a marathon and all, the well-prepared listener on first night CMJ duty will pace themself accordingly. Thus prepared, I venture out from central to north Brooklyn for 'taster Tuesday'; a brief early dip into the CMJ 2011 pool.

Destined for Brooklyn Bowl and the Live4Ever opening night showcase, I am greeted by a band with chunky, pulsating riffs and a Union Jack draped over the lead mic stand.

This could go one of two ways...

Pint Shot Riot

Pint Shot Riot | Brooklyn Bowl - 10/18/11

Happily, these lads from Coventry, England, err on the side of spunky, fast-paced rockers, rather than any second rate Oasis or Arctic-isms. Despite only catching the last few songs, it's clear they're having a great time and they pass that enthusiastic energy on to a not too shabby early crowd.

Not breaking any moulds, on this (admittedly short) showing, but not braking the momentum of the night either. Worthy of taking in a full set at the next opportunity.

The Minutes

The Minutes | Brooklyn Bowl - 10/18/11

Moving on to a band I know considerably better, having caught them at this festival's 2009 incarnation and anticipated their return earlier this week, I settle in with a lager for Dublin's The Minutes.

Raw rock blood courses through the arteries of this Irish trio, with nods to their bluesier influences not thin on the ground either. Fat low end grooves root many of the songs, whilst singer Mark Austin delivers acerbic lyrical asides and stalks the stage with fierce intensity. Equally capable of lighter jams (the satisfying float of 'Believer') as they are balls out rockers ('Black Keys' or the guttural swirl of 'I.M.T.O.D.'), it's the latter that fire their live show the most. Should they harness a full set in an order that makes the most of their dynamic range, it's easy to see them being an unmissable live act.

At one point, Austin asks the ever-swelling crowd "Where did all the great American rock n' roll bands go?" Though it's a point that could be debated long into the night, it hardly seems to matter when his own band is tearing up the boards with such genre-affirming force.

Figo

Decked out in shades, against a backdrop of pulsating visuals and strobing lights, New York's Figo boast a frontman who certainly looks the rock star part. And with their chest-thumping electro alt-rock attack, the odds should be stacked in their favour to make a bold first impression.

Unfortunately, for all the electronically-fuelled pulse and the attempted energy, their sound is unnervingly derivative of acts that littered the 90's and didn't make it much further. After the initial pomp and ceremony wears off - all of two minutes into the set - all that remains is recycled riffs and indistinct material, aside from one particularly grating stab at the glory days of punk.

I'd hoped for the band to hit a new vein of inspiration as they struck into each successive song but, alas, the spirited performance being given in vain is the only development here.

The Duke Spirit

Back to England and a band from home shores that I've been looking forward to seeing for a couple of years. From the very beginning with debut album 'Cuts Across The Land', The Duke Spirit have given me the impression that they could put on one helluva live show. As they take the stage to rip into that very track, front lass Liela Moss looking the quintessential rock diva and strutting with an attitude to match, it seems my hopes will be met.

The Duke Spirit | Brooklyn Bowl - 10/18/11

Suitably pumped and with increasing anticipation, I enthusiastically tweeted: "The captivating allure of pure rock & roll lies within this band."

I don't retract that now. At least, not entirely.

Clearly, Moss and crew have the chops to mix it on the main stages of major venues and festivals. The uncertainty lies in the depth of their material. Pure gold numbers like 'You Really Wake Up The Love In Me' and 'Everybody's Under Your Spell' easily enrapture, yet a minority of the set is filler that throws the shapes yet makes no memories.

The band has the ability and experience to deliver a near-flawless rock set. Nothing less will suffice on the next release and tour schedule, if they're to ascend to that deserved next level.

And thus concluded the opening night of CMJ 2011, with a veritable feast of rock action already under the belt from just one showcase. There's much more to come and I look forward to bringing to you the best of it that my ears can muster...

Calm Before the Storm: CMJ 2011 Preview | 5 Bands to Watch For

2011-10-17T23:39:00.000-04:00

It's not unlike Christmas Eve, the Monday before CMJ Music Marathon kicks off...

High anticipation of the veritable feast of stimuli to tickle one's senses in the days to come.

Uncertainty as to the highlights of what we'll unwrap this year.

Anxiety at the distinct possibility of falling into a drunken stupor on the Friday night and sleeping through 'last chance' Saturday.

All in all, despite the questionable hype/discard/hype again cycle that such occasions undeniably breed, there's a chaotic hunger to them that feeds our inner music obsessive to the point of bursting. There's another Christmas similarity.

As it's impossible to really lay out a schedule for other folks - as I've become all too aware in recent years - I thought this time around I'd simply highlight 5 bands that I believe you'll be well advised to catch, should you find yourself in the musical neighbourhoods of NYC this week.

The Minutes

Who? Blues-tinged Irish rock n' roll trio, heavily touted in these here pages.

Why? Big riffs and bigger quiffs. Possibly not the latter, but the pure rock grooves will be in full flow as these lads hit the stage.

Where/When? 10/18 - Brooklyn Bowl (Williamsburg, Bk) - FREE
10/20 - Fat Baby (Lower East Side)

More info: http://theminutesmusic.com/

The Duke Spirit

Who? Wide ranging rock band from England, fronted by the silver-tongued, not-so-secret weapon Liela Moss.

Why? Aside from being on the same bill as The Minutes, meaning you need not destroy your feet too early in the marathon, these guys fuse all the raw power of garage rock to the huge melodies of stadium rock, meeting with one colossal bang in the middle.

Where? 10/18 - Brooklyn Bowl (Williamsburg, Bk) - FREE. Also playing a guest list only show at Bowery Hotel earlier in the day.

The Duke Spirit - Everybody's Under Your Spell from Shangri-La Music on Vimeo.

More info: http://www.thedukespirit.com/

Active Child

Who? Highly lauded, wide ranging indie solo outfit of New Jersey native Pat Gross.

Why? It's always tough to cut through the hype, but it does seem justified after a few glorious spins of lush, dense new album 'You Are All I See'. It might be tough to get in to the evening shows, but if the impact is anything like that of the album, it will be worth those long, snaking lines down a stanky street (here's looking at you, Delancey).

Where? 10/20 - The Delancey (Lower East Side).
10/21 Puma Store w/ SPIN (Union Square/17th St).
Also Music Hall of Williamsburg (Brooklyn)
10/23 - Spike Hill (Williamsburg, Brooklyn)

More information: http://activechildmusic.com/

Kvelertak

Who? Norwegian death n' roll act making waves around Europe.

Why? Because you're going to need to lose your shit at some point during the marathon, so why not save it until the final day and some of the most serrated riffs with a heavy groove that you'll hear all week? The perfect antidote to almost falling catatonic after hearing your 100th chillwave band of the week.

Where? 10/21 at Europa (Greenpoint, Brooklyn)

More info: http://kvelertak.indierec.net/

Exitmusic

Who? Floaty light duo of Aleksa Palladino & Devon Church, based right here in NYC.

Why? Because they channel all those enigmatic, ethereal artists that you know and love, force them into a pulsing, unnerving body of sound, and give the end product meaning with Aleksa's smooth, evocative vocal delivery.

Where? 10/18 - The Delancey (Lower East Side)
10/19 - Piano's (Lower East Side). Also Union Pool (Williamsburg, Brooklyn).

More info: http://exitmusic.bandcamp.com/

Who are you busting to see?

Wish you were here, or glad you're nowhere near the whole bloody hype parade?

As always, hearing your thoughts is a very welcome thing indeed. The comments and our Facebook page await...

Walking The Margins With Brooklyn's Red Measure

2011-10-16T23:43:00.000-04:00

Untraceable,

Untranslatable,

I can't explain all I ever wanted to do.

Fugazi - Margin Walker

Photo Credit: SMS Chauhan

Slinking up from somewhere around Brooklyn's fair borough, my initial thoughts on Red Measure's new EP - their first, in fact - were that too few bands are willing to twist their music into new, interesting forms. If I'm wrong, you need to send me your favourite samples of evidence to prove it so. Start your abuse on Twitter, by all means.

Red Measure don't fall into that category. Indeed, from the first three songs they've put out into the world, they don't drop into any category all that neatly.

Red Measure - Seven Inch by Red Measure

The spirit of (very) early Queens of the Stone Age haunts the hallways of opener Parlor Pageant, though the pace and prickly guitar attacks have a much more post-punk air than that comparison allows. The combination blends together for a vaguely unsettling yet rather satisfying ambiance.

Walking On the Hill conjures up a similar feeling, with languid vocals drifting through, contrasting starkly with a tense rhythm section and wailing guitars that seem to bleed from the speakers. Here I started to pull elements of Fugazi from the mix, as the only reference point I can touch upon for simultaneously creating relaxation and anxiety in a three minute song.

Closing out with Wall Patch Compound, the sound acquires a greater density. You also detect a slightly more aggressive lyrical delivery, hinting that there may well be heavier material to come on future releases. Delving into the lyrics provides no clue as to the source of increased vocal tension, with lines like "Wild hands are coming out of sour mud / You've got scissors / But you don't know what to cut" suitably obtuse to pique interest but draw no firm conclusions. Meanwhile, the snake-like guitars continue to slither underneath, occasionally striking out to inject extra venom, as and when the song requires it.

Though there are still plenty of rough edges here, natural to a band exploring their early sound, the EP points to a path that we'll want to follow. Channeling high quality influences of which they possibly aren't even fully aware, Red Measure show the potential to dig into deeper and darker shafts of long forgotten musical mines. Should they emerge with a twisted trove of post-something alternative gold, whatever now constitutes the Brooklyn music scene will be all the richer for it.

REVIEW: Wild Flag - Wild Flag

2011-10-04T23:50:00.000-04:00

SPOTIFY LINK

'Super groups' come and go.

Often, they come and go without fans or press having decided whether or not they did indeed qualify for such elevated status in the first place. What remains - and the only element that is of much importance anyhow - is the music by which we judge their impact.

Wild Flag formed amid plenty of excitement, even before the first notes of this first album filtered through the wireless and into our lives. But then, counting amongst your number some of the most influential female players in US 90's alt-rock will have that effect.

WEBSITE / MERGE RECORDS

Across the length of their self-titled debut, Wild Flag walk that precarious tightrope between channelling the music of the past and challenging that of the present day. In doing so, their balance is exquisite and they should reach the other side to rapturous applause. Influences pop up and bubble around on this album exactly as they should: in short doses that remind you of an era and style, without being immediately recognizable as a specific artist. Eventually you peg the relevant act and further appreciate how they've blended in the sound.

Having listened through several times, I'm reminded of everyone from Elastica to Echobelly, the early punk of Blondie to the slinking post-punk of Fugazi. But never are the songs a facsimile of their roots. Every track has been stir brewed through the talent and experience of the magnificent musicians that make up this band. Start your journey with the jaunty 60's bounce of 'Endless Talk', or perhaps the more angular presentation of 'Glass Tambourine', and you'll hear exactly how wide the span of styles here is. Then, of course, there's album opener 'Romance', which helpfully provides an early digest of much that is to come, in one memorable burst of rolling guitars and an addictive refrain.

So, a 'super group'? The answer remains of little use. Wild Flag is exactly what fans of Sleater Kinney and their other forebears desired to hear. Better still, it has myriad contemporary qualities that will appeal to listeners unaware of all that's gone before.

Super or not, Wild Flag is undoubtedly an album that will garner plenty of superlatives.

In Retrospect... The Ghost Of A Thousand

2011-09-29T23:16:00.000-04:00

All too often, I have cause to remember an album I really enjoyed by a fledgling British band at the start of their career, only to find upon updating myself with their current whereabouts that they've split. Usually only a month or two prior to my resurgent interest.

Step forward The Ghost Of A Thousand, whom I add to the list of Dub War, Pulkas, Aereogramme, earthtone9 (at least they returned), and so many others before them.

THE GHOST OF A THOUSAND - BORED OF MATH

Let's keep it short and sweet: The Ghost Of A Thousand were, briefly, one of the most promising punk/rock/hardcore groups in Britain.

Their 2007 debut, 'This Is Where The Fight Begins', was appropriately titled in hindsight, prompting a rapid charge to the forefront of British hardcore. With its razor sharp guitars and feral vocal delivery, it leaps out at you right away. What separated it from its peers - and indeed still does - is how very memorable the songs are and the fact that it sustains the quality throughout a full LP. There are standout tracks as with many of these acts...'Left For Dead' and 'Bored of Math' spring to mind...but TGOAT extended the full force of their songwriting to the entire release.

THE GHOST OF A THOUSAND - KNEES, TOES, TEETH

It's only this year that I've caught up with 2009's 'New Hopes, New Demonstrations', which signals a more rock n roll-tinged direction but yields none of the riotous energy that made them stand out in the first place. It might not be quite the furious hardcore that makes the debut a must-repeat listen for me, but it certainly feels like they were developing into quite the confident and dynamic act.

Unfortunately, The Ghost Of A Thousand called it quits in March of this year and played their final set at the Hevy Festival last month. The best hope is, as ever when bands we love split, that the members move on to create equally (or more) inspiring music in their next projects. No word on that yet, as far as I can see, but be bloody well sure that I'll be playing closer attention next time around.

No Middle Ground: Chuck Ragan Goes Again

2011-09-22T23:33:00.000-04:00

Chuck Ragan sounds less burdened these days.

The erstwhile singer of influential latter day punks Hot Water Music, Ragan has a history of dark, tempestuous music. Carrying this troubled spirit through to his early solo outings evidently proved a natural continuation, with songs like 'The Boat' and 'Hearts of Stones' simply bleeding catharsis. Indeed, this is exactly the quality, fuelled by that distinctive, gravel-throated vocal, that made 2007's 'Feast Or Famine' such a must listen, for me.

On newest album 'Covering Ground', it feels as though the iconic singer is now finding in his music more solace than struggle. From opener 'Nothing Left To Prove' to 'Right As Rain', there are nods throughout to a simple satisfaction and a more accepting world view.

Chuck Ragan - Nothing Left To Prove

Even with a greater harmony to his songs, Ragan carries a power that few can match with only a voice and acoustic guitar to call upon. In many ways it's actually refreshing to hear him reflecting on life more positively, contrasting vibrantly with the greyer days that apparently came before. Whichever end of the spectrum your tastes tend towards, Chuck's is a vocal that delivers the emotion with intensity and a weight of experience that makes his sentiments all the more vivid.

Chuck Ragan by SideOneDummy

If forced to choose personally, the bleak reflection of his earlier songs probably still carry the day for me. But his canon grows ever larger and, with time, these newer gems may well wrest the darker elements of his sound from my preference. Should you wish to make such a decision based on a live performance, check out the man's tour page to see if the exciting line-up of the Revival Tour (Europe and North America) is rolling through your area any time soon.

TuneThursday: To Bury A Ghost

2011-09-15T23:40:00.000-04:00

Oh, how the days do fly by....

Here's a track that prompted me to post, however - and, more impressively, wrenched me temporarily from an obsessive exploration of PJ Harvey's back catalog - from spirited, soaring Brit post-rockers To Bury A Ghost.

To Bury A Ghost - Dancing With Epileptic (Demo) by TOBURYAGHOST

Positively bursting with dynamic energy, 'Dancing With Epileptic' opens with a celestial reflection that would have made Aereogramme proud, had they lived longer. It moves on through various passages, some swelling with grandiose vocals a la Muse, others focusing on the shimmering guitars, which carry an Explosions In The Sky quality. Crucially, the transitions between the contrasts are applied masterfully, conjuring a majestic and orchestral end product that rages as effectively as it reflects.

All of which comparisons merely serve to underline that this band from the East Midlands are capable of punching well above their early career weight and may well have something special up their sleeves, whenever a full album should see the light of day.

Not only is this particular gem available as a limited time free download, you can also pick up their debut EP, 'The Hurt Kingdom', here on Bandcamp. Whatever musical research bent you're currently undertaking, take 10 minutes out and have a listen to these chaps. Your time will be rewarded.

The Time Has Come To Be Gone

2011-09-02T20:36:00.000-04:00

It's odd how songs come to be lodged in one's cranium.

One minute you're happily recalling a tune that resonated with you not a few listens back, the next it's two weeks later and somehow it has become the sound track to your life. Step forth, Led Zeppelin...

"Got no time to for spreadin' roots, the time has come to be gone.
And though our health we drank a thousand times,
it's time to ramble on."

Granted, having a Zep tune on perennial mental repeat is infinitely preferable to Katy Perry, the Black Eyed Peas, or any number of other saccharine throwaway dross that makes one long for the melodic tones of an NYC fire truck interruption. Still, the element of confusion as to how it became lodged remains, as I'd barely listened to the band for months before. But what a tune, capturing the essence of a wandering mind and perseverance through fatigue. It's also heavily referential to the work of Tolkien, throwing us back to the days when sprawling fantasy was a perfectly reasonable subject to influence music and still expect a multi-platinum record.

And here's a semi-passable rendition of the song by alt-indie turned pure-poppers Train. The posting of which is most likely a crime befitting of the death penalty, should the classic rock Dad's brigade get wind of it. Lucky, then, that 98.6% of them frequent not the humble indie music blogs.

MP3: Train - Ramble On (Led Zeppelin cover)

Enjoy your Labor Day ramblings, folks.

Tune For Tuesday: #shels

2011-08-30T20:40:00.000-04:00

Many moons ago....

...wait! Come back. This isn't a long, rambling old duffer's tale....

...a band by the name of Mahumodo stalked the rolling hillsides of England's green and pleasant land.

More accurately, they toured the toilet venues of said land, yet were worthy of renown nonetheless, given their penchant for beautiful, winding instrumentation set atop heavy, serrated metal riffs and the evocative shriek of one Mehdi Safa.

This, however, was all turn of the century stuff and the band petered out before they'd really begun, releasing only a handful of lovingly crafted EP's and fracturing off into various other post-metal (for want of a better term) acts. Most notably Devil Sold His Soul, who have always interested, yet rarely moved, me musically.

*shels - Journey to the Plains by shelsmusic

*shels, however, have picked up the baton of potential from their Shakespearean former selves and run clear out of the stadium with it. Fronted once more by the mercurial Safa, the band hinted at the possibilities on 2007's 'Sea of the Dying Dhow' but have really come into their own on recent release, 'Plains of the Purple Buffalo'.

The track that I present to you here opens said new album in grandiose fashion, announced by soaring trumpets before quickly lulling into a quiet brood, pondering where to burst forth next. It finds that moment a little over three minutes later, when Isis-like guitar lines weave up and around distant growls, as tentacles from a giant mythical sea creature, rising from beneath the waves to envelop and slowly crush unsuspecting seafarers above.

The full glory of the reverberating tremolo to the guitar work, circling the fiery thunder of the rhythm section, really needs to be taken in on strong headphones to be properly appreciated. And it's worth the price of admission (which is, well, free, but you understand...) all on its own.

From this track the album steps forth into the sonic journey it so ably chronicles, voyaging into territory that warrants a full review to appreciate. This is the perfect track to get you acquainted, though.

Mahumodo is long dead; long live *shels.

Learn more through their artist collective site, shelsmusic.

Rock You Like A Hurricane

2011-08-28T00:21:00.000-04:00

It's an odd situation, planning for a catastrophic storm for days on end.
Especially so when the prevailing weather is gorgeous and the only previous example of similar meteorological carnage in this region occurred back when old Adolf was up to no good.

Nonetheless, we find ourselves cramming our fridges with bottled water, watching endless weather reports on television, and trying to figure out just how to keep the cat away from her favourite window perch....one of those might not be a universal problem, admittedly.

But there's also a lot of waiting - and watching - once all the preparation is complete, waiting that needs to be sound tracked by a suitably oxymoronic mix of the optimistic and apocalyptic.

At least it does in my head, so here we go with some of the better tunes to help you ride out the waves / contemplate total oblivion, subject to your own particular preference...

Ride - In A Different Place

"Even if the rain falls down, and all the sky turns cold,

I will feel fine.

Thunder roared and lightning flashed,

But you and I are in a different time."

R.E.M.- End of the World As We Know It

"That's great, it starts with an earthquake...

Eye of a hurricane, listen to yourself churn,

World serves its own needs, regardless of your own needs."

Frank Turner - The Fastest Way Back Home

"I should have seen you coming,

I should have been prepared.

After all, getting half of what you wish for isn't so rare."

Muse- Time Is Running Out

"Now that you know I'm trapped,

Sense of elation.

You'd never dream of breaking this fixation."

Aereogramme - Exits

"It's not my choice to be here

There's been a little mood.

I've never found an exit,

and I doubt I'll find one soon."

And here are a few bonus MP3's that should also fit a stormy mood...

MP3: Prints - Too Much Water

[more info]

MP3: Tapes n Tapes - Freak Out

[more info]

MP3: My Brightest Diamond - Something of an End

[more info]

MP3: Nickel Creek - The Lighthouse's Tale

[more info]

The Poison, The Remedy: The Joys of The Vaccines

2011-08-24T20:38:00.000-04:00

Should you have the deep misfortune to spend any time at all in the vicinity of my social network ramblings - Facebook / Twitter / Google+ / LastFM ... social media slag that I am - you'll have noticed that I've recently been unable to contain my gushings about London mob The Vaccines.

"What's so special?", you chorus? Good question....not sure how to answer it, either.

In all truthfulness, The Vaccines don't blow you away with huge chops, monolithic production, or some deeply ingrained conceptual malarkey. What they do - and to strikingly sharp, immediate effect - is pen succinct, addictive nuggets of vaguely punk-inflected indie rock, in a manner not entirely removed from the halcyon days of The Replacements and their kin.

And most importantly? After a single spin, many of these tunes from their debut album, 'What Did You Expect From the Vaccines?', have set up camp in your brain space and will hang on to this new land with the tenacity of a squatter in an abandoned mansion.

Only now really hitting US shores, these chaps have enough proximity to the likes of Interpol and Editors to cross into the more moping indie circles ('Wetsuit'), as well as balls-to-the-wall rockers ('Wreckin' Bar', 'Norgaard') to attract more traditional alternative rock minds such as my own. The ticks in the 'plus' column are many but I need to write a full review at some point, so I'll save the superlatives and allow the music to speak for itself, as the best stuff always should.

The band hit the stage back home at the massive old Reading &amp; Leeds festivals this weekend, followed by another jaunt our way in late September/early October, when they'll play both Brooklyn and Manhattan. Visit the website for full details and more tunes.

Ramble On: Fairweather Academy Travel Further

2011-08-23T22:17:00.000-04:00

Travels have been very much the order of the month here recently, so it seems only fitting to return to normal programming with the further exploits of Fairweather Academy and their "Well Traveled Man".

A musical (and artistic) journey that I first previewed earlier this summer, the story is now furthered significantly with journal entries and a brand new music video, premiered last week on the rather dandy Crack In The Road blog.

Produced by Mark Doubleday, there are plenty of nifty little passages here, such as the vocals from Nate of Solomon's Hollow - a longstanding H-T-A favourite - on the final verse, and Dave Wood of the band TEENS playing assorted percussion.

MP3: Fairweather Academy - A Well Traveled Man Pt. II

What's so very compelling - aside from the music, which now sweeps along where before it was cautiously pensive - is piecing together the various elements of content that Matt Dalley and Jay Saenz are using to accompany their aural journey.

Flick through the journal entries, updated every couple of weeks, and you'll find thoughts, reflections, images, literature...all elements that add to the allure of the songs themselves. It's an artistic jigsaw puzzle that shows what can be achieved by creators embracing the digital era. Your throwaway hit pop, this is not.

Join yer man on his travels...what's your take on this journey?

Road Trip Reflections Pt II: Frost, Fatigue & FM Radio

2011-08-14T23:13:00.012-04:00

Continuing some thoughts from the road, the second installment of last week's road tripping took in more of Vermont, then onto New Hampshire and eventually Maine. Things took an unexpected turn, as I tired of Spotify play lists for periods and resorted to *shock* - - *horror* - - FM radio....

Robert Frost Trail: Ripton, Vermont

Already tuned into aligning the mountainous scenery with appropriate music, journeying further south into Vermont led to the perfect alignment of poetry and panorama in the form of the Robert Frost Trail. Channeling the spirit of the beloved American poet and his penchant for the flora of the area, experiencing the landscape that so enchanted him, through his own words, furthered my exploration of the musical backing to this road trip.

As with the previous post, here are some reflections from the journey:

FM radio still has a role to play in shaping musical tastes and discovery. It's ever present and, despite often lacking variety, wading into less familiar genres yields inevitable bonuses, such as this excellent driving tune from The Boss...

If you spin your own play lists ad infinitum in the first 48 hours of your road trip, it's entirely possible to become fatigued by your own tastes. A curious feeling.

Burlington Records in Vermont is one of the very finest places to buy vinyl. Bargains from $1 through to pristine classics at higher prices. Stop in and buy one.

Genres I hadn't much considered for hard driving shifts, such as calmer classic rock and indie-folk, very much have their place...assuming one can reign in the rallying tendencies around the winding roads and simply enjoy a calming drive towards bright sunshine and pastel blue skies.

Sometimes words alone are enough to evoke the same strong passions that music offers us so regularly. Frost's 'Nothing Gold Can Stay', printed in full below and on the trail photo above, being my case in point.

New Hampshire doesn't welcome you...at least by way of jaunty road signs.

Trying a pint of Harpoon 10 Year UPA is an experience you will not regret.

"Nothing Gold Can Stay"

~ Robert Frost

Nature's first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf's a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay.

Road Trip Reflections Pt I: Music For Mountains

2011-08-07T23:48:00.001-04:00

Rather than extend the break in posts here ever longer during my road tripping in New England, I thought I'd pump out some music-related reflections and rambling inspired by the journey...

Trapp Lodge: Stowe, Vermont

Knowing, before we set off from upstate New York, that mountains would be forthcoming, I set about cobbling together a Spotify playlist suitable for the undulating Green Mountain state roads. Here's what I conclude after a day's driving:

Spotify kicks arse, even in the remote mountains, due to the smart and smooth 'Offline' mode available via the mobile phone app.

Sludge heavy rock with elephantine riffs - see: Karma To Burn, Kylesa - propels a vehicle ever faster, more confidently through the climbs and 'notches'.

Light weight, bouncy tunes, though ripe for most summer driving, offer less when such epic scenery surrounds you.

Perhaps it's just coming away from such a relentless, unforgiving environment as New York City, but there's a purity of thought and refreshing inspiration that arises from being in lush green surroundings such as these. The same has washed over me in Europe on recent trips home, though, so maybe there's more to it than a simple vacation from the 'big smoke'?

If in doubt or at a loose end, always seek out a micro-brewery or relaxing, music-friendly local coffee house.

Never will a 4 mile road be worthy of a $26 toll.

Anyone ever been to Burlington, VT or the surrounding area? If you read this in the next day or so, fire out your music recommendations in the comments or over on Facebook, why don't ya?

And driving through sun-drenched, narrow and winding mountain roads, what would you have blaring from the car stereo?

Tune For Tuesday: tUnE yArDs

2011-08-02T23:42:00.001-04:00

Having blown up the indie spaces last year, Merrill Garbus - or her more resoundingly celebrated musical vehicle, tUnE yArDs - will be familiar to many of you already. Nonetheless, a quality free tune that nestles into those summer playlists rather well should be welcomed with open arms...

... and here we have just such a gem...

MP3: tUnE yArDs - Bizness (via Insound)

Taken from the new 'w h o k i l l' album, out now

Whether the charm is to be found in the eccentric, soul diva-meets-Björk nuances to the vocal, the shimmering undertow of the arrangement, or the addictive repetition of the chorus, Bizness shows off the glorious melange of styles that Garbus weaves and loops to great effect throughout 'w h o k i l l'.

To take things a step further, you could investigate the curious meander 'Es-so' or the raucous stomp of 'Gangsta', either of which would add a special flavour to your summer listening that few others could achieve.

For more info, check out: http://tune-yards.com/

Tune For Tuesday: BOBBY

2011-07-26T23:52:00.002-04:00

Almost trance inducing, the search engine awkward BOBBY weave multi-layered sonic tapestries on their self titled debut.

To introduce new listeners to their woozy world many tracks would suffice, so I've gone with this one....

MP3: BOBBY - Ginger (Water Birth) (via Insound)

Taken from the new s/t album, out now

It's difficult to really pin down the sonic comparisons of this largely Massachusetts-founded septet, though their contemporaries would certainly include the various solo offshoots of Animal Collective members. Better to explain the glorious build of this particular song, originating in a calm pool of serenity, flowing into a meandering stream that swirls with textures and colour, before finally bursting its banks to flood the senses with tempestuous percussion and dizzying, looped effects.

Odd, giddy, and entirely of their own sky high realm, BOBBY craft songs that envelop the senses and leave one disorientated in the best possible way. Miles away from the catchy sunshine fare that many crave around this time of year, this is, nonetheless, music perfectly suited to losing the day in a dense wall of sound and humidity.

For more info, check out: www.bobbytheband.com/