Captain Obvious

We Were Promised Jetpacks: These Four Walls (2009)

2009-07-10T15:33:00.018-05:00

New Wax

Without discerning ears, it'd be pretty easy to lump Edinburgh's We Were Promised Jetpacks in with fellow Scottish indie outfits Frightened Rabbit and The Twilight Sad. They are all FatCat labelmates. They are all, well, Scottish. Of course the bands are, in actuality, all very different, and We Were Promised Jetpacks infuses a post-punk sensibility that harkens back to early 90's emo with its angular guitar work and loose-yet-unbridled drums. Lyrically, lead singer Adam Thompson doesn't exhibit the same complexity as some of his fellow Scots, but there is a vulnerability in his thick-accented delivery that come offs as honest and sincere even when the words may look hokey on paper. There is something about a thick Scottish accent that makes lyrics about metaphorical "bullet holes" and "stab wounds," territory better left to screamo bands in skinny jeans, forgiveable. Musically, the band is undoubtedly at its best at its most dense but they mix it up enough on These Four Walls to allow the listener to breathe. Still, moments like the instrumental onslaught at the end of album opener "It's Thunder And It's Lightning" are the most exciting. I haven't had this much fun screaming along to songs in a long time. -- Capt. Obvious

Listen:
MP3: We Were Promised Jetpacks - Quiet Little Voices
MP3: We Were Promised Jetpacks - Conductor

Tags: We Were Promised Jetpacks, These Four Walls

June Mixtape

2009-07-10T15:06:00.006-05:00

Hey friends, I'm sorry for the lack of posts lately. I was in the process of changing hosting and it took much longer than expected. Everything is good to go now so I'll be getting back into the swing of things. So here's the June mixtape that should have been posted weeks ago. Hope you enjoy it. -- Cap
SIDE A
1. The Avett Brothers - I And Love And You
2. A.A. Bondy - When The Devil's Loose
3. J. Tillman - Earthly Bodies
4. Fleet Foxes - Blue Spotted Tail
5. Bowerbirds - Beneath Your Tree
6. New Ruins - Lake
7. The Duke & The King - If You Ever Get Famous

SIDE B
1. Modest Mouse - Autumn Beds
2. Snowglobe - Get It On
3. Bombay Bicycle Club - Always Like This
4. Why? - Eskimo Snow (Link Removed Per Request)5. Noah & The Whale - The First Days Of Spring
6. Son Volt - Cocaine And Ashes
7. Owen - A Fever

J. Tillman: Master's House

2009-06-25T12:26:00.005-05:00

COTV

Tags: J. Tillman, Master's House, Captain Obvious

Joe Pug Offers Free EP

2009-06-24T21:31:00.015-05:00

You Should Know

While Joe Pug is hard at work finalizing a new full-length recorded in Chicago, you can mosey on over to Pug's website and download a free EP entitled In The Meantime. The EP features 5 songs from the original Nation Of Heat sessions. These are not merely throwaway songs as Pug exhibits the same lyrical command that made Nation Of Heat so special. Just enter in your email address and you can download this exclusive collection of songs at www.joepugmusic.com. -- Capt. Obvious

Listen:
MP3: Joe Pug - A Thousand Men

Tags: Joe Pug, In The Meantime

Dark Mean

2009-06-15T13:18:00.022-05:00

You Should Know

Fellow music bloggers will attest that opening your daily inbox can be overwhelming. When you're perusing hundreds of bands, sometimes the music starts to sound a little samey and unfortunately you find yourself moving the bulk of your mail to the trash. Hamilton Ontario's Dark Mean represent the rare exception of a band that I took one listen to and knew I was on board. The trio's debut 4-song EP Frankencottage is an eclectic hodgepodge of folk rock, electonic elements, and pop. The title track is built on a thudding bass riff, stuttered drums, and 80's-tinged keyboard, while the aptly titled "Happy Banjo" melds melancholic lyrics with upbeat instrumentation that includes banjo (naturally) and horns. Vocally, the different ranges of voices weave together seamlessly to create an intoxicating blend that will have you nodding your head uncontrollably. Frankencottage is the first of three EP's that will form the band's first full-length, and it is available for FREE on the band's website. Highly recommended. -- Capt. Obvious

Listen:
MP3: Dark Mean - Happy Banjo
MP3: Dark Mean - Frankencottage

Tags: Dark Mean, Frankencottage

Fanfarlo

2009-06-09T14:13:00.010-05:00

You Should Know

You can't get a whole lot for a dollar these days, but from now until July 4th, you can pick up Fanfarlo's new album Reservoir for a measly buck and you'll even get 4 bonus tracks. The band hails from London and creates highly orchestrated indie-pop that sounds a bit like Arcade Fire meets Belle and Sebastian. Lead singer Simon Balthazar's vocals are also vaguely reminiscent of Clap Your Hands Say Yeah! singer Alec Ounsworth, but the similarity isn't blatant enough to be a distraction. Lazy comparisons aside, Fanfarlo carves its own niche with a highly-ornamented yet never overly-adorned approach. Balthazar's words are effortless yet weighty. The band's arrangements are immense. Still, Fanfarlo manages to hypnotize despite complexities that could have easily caused the album to crumble. Take, for instance, album opener "I'm A Pilot," with its stomping percussion and hazy piano. The song builds slowly to a bell and string-laden crescendo indicative of things to come. As far as debut albums go, Reservoir is a rarity. It's steeped in grandiosity but displays a focus seldom seen on debut albums. Please visit the band's website and take advantage of this opportunity to buy their album for next to nothing. I'd venture to say this will be one of the best dollars you ever spend. -- Capt. Obvious

Listen:
MP3: Fanfarlo - I'm A Pilot
MP3: Fanfarlo - Luna

Tags: Fanfarlo, Reservoir

Delta Spirit: People Turn Around

2009-06-08T13:27:00.006-05:00

COTV

Tags: People Turn Around, Delta Spirit, Captain Obvious

Leonard Cohen: Live In London (2009)

2009-06-08T12:56:00.012-05:00

New Wax

Humility is a virtue lost on many a younger musician these days. One album into a career, and you are likely to hear posturing the likes of which might shame an NBA player. What humility you do see is usually calculated and superficial; designed to fit the expectations of a certain genre and not reflective of anything substantial. Leonard Cohen has had a long career, in literature and music, and more than anything else it is his humility that shines through in this recording, from London in July 2008. The 73 year old Cohen, touring again after a long hiatus, is truly thankful and appreciative to be performing his songs for so many people. In his warm delivery, his wry humor on display in between songs, and the respect he gives his material and its place in the audiences' heart, Cohen gives a blueprint for artistic maturity that Kanye West would do well to study. Cohen is a consummate performer. He knows exactly how to deliver every line, what songs people need to hear, how to best seduce the audience. In the 26 songs on this recording, Cohen doesn't miss anything glaring save for "Famous Blue Raincoat;" but with the wealth of material presented, perhaps that omission can be forgiven. Opening with "Dance Me To The End Of Love," Cohen jumps between albums and periods in a manner that would do Dylan proud. There are songs from his first album all the way through 2001's Ten New Songs, and everywhere in between. His rendition of "Hallelujah" is a highlight in a show of highlights, as he takes his oft-covered song and reclaims it for himself once again. The slow, stately romp of "Bird On A Wire," the snarl of "Everybody Knows," the wistfulness of "So Long, Marianne" - this show has too many beautiful moments to write about. Listen to this album, and see if you can be charmed by Cohen as much as he so clearly appears to be charmed by his audience. -- Mountain John

Listen:
MP3: Leonard Cohen - Hallelujah (Live From London)

Tags: Leonard Cohen, Live In London

Vieux Farka Touré: Fondo (2009)

2009-06-07T16:14:00.012-05:00

New Wax

With Fondo, Vieux Farka Touré’s sophomore release, the young West African gunslinger makes great strides toward establishing a musical identity that continues his late father’s legacy while at the same time moving in an original direction. Of course, when your father is African blues legend Ali Farka Touré, continuing the legacy is not such a bad thing. Longtime Farka Touré, pére collaborators Toumani Diabaté and Afel Bocoum make appearances, with Bocoum singing on three of the tracks and Diabaté and the younger Touré having a lovely kora/guitar duet on one track. Many of the same touches remain. The long, stalking blues rhythms haven’t gone away, and Vieux is nearly as convincing a guitarist as his father. Melodic lines ripple back and forth like waves on album opener “Fafa,” which is perhaps the best song on the album. Vieux adds a drum kit, as well as rock and roll (“Sarama”) and dub reggae (Diaraby Magni”) to his repertoire, and still manages to sound like a traditional Malian bluesman. If anything, this album should open Farka Touré to a wider world than his father had ever known. The guitar parts on smoldering blues number “Souba Souba” wouldn’t be out of place on, say, an Iron & Wine album, suggesting that when Farka Touré takes the stage at Bonnaroo next week he may leave with a number of new fans. The duet with Diabaté (“Paradise”) is as beautiful as the duets his father played with the kora virtuoso, and the album ends with a gentle acoustic reprise of “Fafa.”There is not a sour note on this album, and although the year is young, this may well end up as the best African release of 2009- if only because it signals that there is indeed a new Farka Touré in town, and like his father he demands to be heard. -- Mountain John

Listen:
MP3: Vieux Farka Touré - Fafa

Tags: Vieux Farka Touré, Fondo

Bowerbirds: Upper Air (2009)

2009-06-05T18:12:00.023-05:00

New Wax

Having toured with the likes of Bon Iver, Phosphorescent, and John Vanderslice, North Carolina duo Bowerbirds will follow up their impressive 2008 album Hymns For A Dark Horse with a new album entitled Upper Air on July 7 via Dead Oceans. Album opener "House Of Diamonds" is an outright gem. Opening with a lightly strummed acoustic guitar riff and sparse piano, the track finds lead vocalist Phil Moore and backup vocalist Beth Tacular harmonizing on a beautiful hook: "You are free, you are already free." On the track, Moore muses on an existence free of materialism: "You are free from the greed of your culture/ You are free from the lust for the luster/ Of the diamond houses in the city's cluster." Where Hymns For A Dark Horse seemed to focus on human coexistence with nature, Upper Air seems penned from a more personal point of view. On "Northern Lights," Moore sings "All I want is your eyes/ In the morning as we wake/ For a short while." Musically, there are no missteps on Upper Air. The tracks are never needlessly adorned and every string placement or backup vocal serves the greater purpose. If melodic folk music with intelligent songwriting is up your alley, I'd strongly recommend Upper Air. -- Capt. Obvious

Listen:
MP3: Bowerbirds - House Of Diamonds
MP3: Bowerbirds - Northern Lights

Tags: Bowerbirds, Upper Air

David Lynch's Interview Project

2009-06-03T14:17:00.006-05:00

You Should Know

Filmmaker David Lynch’s new web series consists of interviews conducted during a 70-day, 20,000-mile road trip across the United States. So far there’s only one clip, the above conversation with a veteran named Jess who’s trying to repair his trailer so he can live alone in the southwest desert. You should go bookmark the project website. -- Capt. Obvious

Tags: David Lynch, Interview Project

The National: Start A War

2009-06-02T20:40:00.008-05:00

COTV

Tags: The National, Start A War, Captain Obvious

John Vanderslice: Romanian Names (2009)

2009-06-02T19:53:00.027-05:00

New Wax

I can only hope to be as cool as John Vanderslice when I'm 42. The indie-rock elder-statesman continues to pump out his own brand of polished-yet-innovative pop songs, and his new album Romanian Names sounds decidedly... well, John Vanderslice. That's not to say there's not a subtle shift in tone. Where his two previous albums, 2005's Pixel Revolt and 2007's Emerald City, were wading knee-deep in post-9/11 paranoia, Romanian Names trades in the politics for a more personal feel. Vanderslice has set aside the apocalyptic and abstract imagery of songs like "Kookuburra" and "White Dove" for more narrative songs like album-closer "Hard Times": "To find an answer I searched every sentence/ And ended deeper still/ In hard times." While the production on Romanian Names is as meticulous as anything Vanderslice has released, it somehow also feels effortless. A mid-tempo pop song built on rich layers of electronica, "Too Much Time" is an example of Vanderslice at his catchiest. While Romanian Names may not be as thematically intriguing as some of his past material, it's as listenable as anything he's released. -- Capt. Obvious

Listen:
MP3: John Vanderslice - Oblivion
MP3: John Vanderslice - D.I.A.L.O.

Tags: John Vanderslice, Romanian Names

Luxury Pond

2009-06-02T18:59:00.013-05:00

You Should Know

I'm pretty much on board with anything involving Owen Pallett (Final Fantasy), and Luxury Pond is no exception. Luxury Pond may be the new songwriting vehicle for Toronto-based musician Dan Goldman, but Pallett and Goldman previously collaborated on Goldman's 2004 album Through A Revolution. Luxury Pond's debut album is due out June 16th on Sonic Unyon and it's filled with lush instrumentation and infectious melodies. With string arrangements by Owen Pallett and backing by the St. Kitts String Quartet, Goldman's lyrics, which cover a wide variety of topics from prehistoric sharks to frozen lakes, are beautifully accentuated by a similarly mystifying tapestry of sound. California-based Daniela Gesundheit (aka Snowblink) provides gorgeous backup vocals to Goldman's own subdued-yet-enchanting voice. Take, for example, the intoxicating "Boulders," which thrives on equal doses of pop-sensibility and melancholic texture. When Goldman sings "This has been a heavy year so far," it's hard not to add the plucking of your own heartstrings to an already-rich arrangement. -- Capt. Obvious

Listen:
MP3: Luxury Pond - Boulders

Tags: Luxury Pond, Captain Obvious

May Mixtape

2009-05-31T22:05:00.004-05:00

SIDE A
1. Magnolia Electric Co. - Josephine
2. Dark Mean - Happy Banjo
3. Bowerbirds - Northern Lights
4. The Twilight Sad - Reflection Of The Television
5. Iron & Wine - Belated Promise Ring
6. Lightning Dust - I Knew
7. Handsome Furs - Radio Kaliningrad

SIDE B
1. Wilco feat. Feist - You And I
2. Jason Lytle - Ghost Of My Old Dog
3. Akron/Family - River
4. Jeremy Enigk - Life's Too Short
5. Jeniferever - Green Meadow Island
6. Jeff Zentner - Your Siren Song
7. Eels - My Timing Is Off

Grizzly Bear: Two Weeks

2009-05-22T17:07:00.005-05:00

COTV

Tags: Grizzly Bear, Two Weeks, Captain Obvious

Blog Roundup 5.22.09

2009-05-22T16:00:00.016-05:00

Props

Photo by Royce Wagner

Aquarium Drunkard has a cover of Neil Young's "Unknown Legend" performed by Tunde Adebimpe from TV On The Radio. The scene in Rachel Getting Married where Tunde sings the song makes me all warm and fuzzy.

Rollo & Grady has a nice interview with John McCauley of Deer Tick, who we've also had the pleasure of interviewing here on CO.

This Mornin' I Am Born posted a video interview with the entire Deer Tick band conducted by NBC newscaster Brian Williams. I'm not even kidding. Infinitely entertaining.

Stereopathic has new on Dark Night Of The Soul, a collaboration between producer/musician Danger Mouse, Mark Linkous of Sparklehorse, and film director David Lynch. Color me intrigued.

The Tangled Cord has a nice post on The Tallest Man On Earth with some great live videos, including a live cover of Jackson Browne's "These Days."

Tags: Blog Roundup, Captain Obvious

The Covers Mixtape XVIII

2009-05-21T20:29:00.025-05:00

SIDE A
1. Fort King - Loretta (Townes Van Zandt Cover)
2. Spoon - Set Me Free (Kinks Cover)
3. Damien Jurado - Pink Moon (Nick Drake Cover)
4. Oldham Brothers - Wouldn't It Be Nice (Beach Boys Cover)
5. Scout Niblett feat. Will Oldham - Comfort You (Van Morrison Cover)
6. Bat For Lashes - Use Somebody (Kings Of Leon Cover)
7. Robin Pecknold (Fleet Foxes) - It Ain't Me Babe (Bob Dylan Cover)

SIDE B
1. Ellie Goulding - Wolves (Bon Iver Cover)
2. Rogue Wave - On A Plain (Nirvana Cover)
3. Marissa Nadler - Trouble (Cat Stevens Cover)
4. Coltrane Motion - I'm On Fire (Bruce Springsteen Cover)
5. The National feat. St. Vincent - Sleep All Summer (Crooked Fingers Cover)
6. Laura Marling - The Needle And The Damage Done (Neil Young Cover)
7. My Latest Novel - Two Headed Boy (Neutral Milk Hotel Cover)

MewithoutYou: It's All Crazy! It's All False! It's All A Dream! It's Alright (2009)

2009-05-20T14:30:00.010-05:00

New Wax

If you pop in mewithoutYou's new album It's All Crazy, It's All False, It's All A Dream, It's Alright and expect the same old mewithoutYou, prepare to be initially disappointed. I say intially because you're not going to find what you more than likely know to be the same band that wrote Catch For Us The Foxesor Brother, Sister. Sporadic ranting, dual electric guitar, lyrics not about animals or fruit... these are all things of the past and the future is full of classical compositions, Aesop's Fables, beetles, lettuce, and plenty of spirituality (something mewithoutYou have never lacked). However, once you get past the fact that the band has moved past where they had previously been, you will discover that this new musical direction is a very strong one and that the band thrives in it's new skin. I wasn't terribly surprised to see that the album was co-produced and guided by Daniel Smith, the voice of Danielson and The Danielson Familie. Some of the songs scream his influence ("Fig With A Bellyache," "A Stick A Carrot And String"), while other songs clearly show Aaron Weiss trying to find his own way as a songwriter ("The Angel Of Death Came To David's Room"). Personally, I really loved the inclusion of Aaron's take on one of Aesop's Fables, The Fox And The Crow. Only keeping the basic outline of the story and the two main characters, he really brings a whole new story to life involving sweet baked goods and an awful man who sells them. If you haven't already, go pick up this album, it's the strongest contender so far for my album of the year. -- The Magician

Listen:
MP3: MewithoutYou - The Fox, The Crow And The Cookie

Tags: mewithoutYou, It's All Crazy!

A.A. Bondy: Killed Myself When I Was Young

2009-05-18T10:16:00.012-05:00

COTV

Tags: A.A. Bondy, Killed Myself When I Was Young, Captain Obvious

Jonni Greth

2009-05-16T04:14:00.044-05:00

You Should Know

Jonni Greth's music is important. You just don't know it yet. Having played various festivals and coffee shops in Alabama, Florida, and Chicago, Greth's cited influences run the gamut of songwriting titans from Leonard Cohen to Lou Reed to Bill Mallonee. I've been fortunate enough to be a fly on the wall at a few of Greth's local coffee-shop shows, and his words and music carry a spiritual weight that always leaves me transfixed (and my good friend Jason on the verge of tears). I know Jonni through a mutual friend and last night he somehow ended up in my bedroom (insert obligatory homoerotic joke here) armed merely with his guitar and a previously unrecorded song entitled "I Found Jihad." With a handful of friends serving as his small makeshift audience and a lone Shure SM58 microphone aimed in his direction, Jonni belted out a one-take gem wrought with both imperfection and undeniable beauty. It's the kind of song that makes the hair on your arm stand up. The kind of song that operates on a seldom accessed wavelength of unspoken truths. The kind of song I can't do justice with words and will cease in any attempts to do so. I just implore you to listen with an open heart. -- Capt. Obvious

Listen:
MP3: Jonni Greth - I Found Jihad (Demo)
MP3: Jonni Greth - Chariots Of Birmingham

Tags: Jonni Greth, Captain Obvious

Great Bloomers

2009-05-13T13:55:00.029-05:00

You Should Know

Combining rootsy instrumentation with Beach Boys-esque harmonies, Toronto quintet Great Bloomers follows up the success of their EP with their debut full-length Speak Of Trouble. With production help from fellow Canadian Gavin Gardiner, who also serves as frontman for The Wooden Sky, Great Bloomers cover the gamut from country-tinged to the doo-wop aesthetic of the album's title track. The young band manages to keep the listener guessing stylistically without ever sounding too indulgent. The Wooden Sky connection serves as a good touchstone in describing the band's sound. They manage to not only create music of substance but they succeed in actually making it sound fun. -- Capt. Obvious

Listen:
MP3: Great Bloomers - The Young Ones Slept
MP3: Great Bloomers - Speak Of Trouble

Tags: Great Bloomers, Captain Obvious

Blog Roundup 5.8.09

2009-05-08T12:33:00.020-05:00

Props

Photo by Royce Wagner

Songs:Illinois has news on a new project involving Felice Brother Simon Felice entitled The Duke & The King. Check out the mp3 for the track "If You Ever Get Famous."

The 405 got a spiffy makeover yet retains all the same great content.

MFR got a makeover too and they've posted a great track from The National called "Vanderlylle Cry Baby" that features Bon Iver.

When You Awake has a great video of Akron/Family performing "River," my favorite track off their new album Set 'Em Wild, Set 'Em Free.

Aquarium Drunkard has posted some quality videos of a live performance from Bonnie 'Prince' Billy in L.A. Speaking of Will Oldham, he had a bit part in a nice little film I watched last night entitled Wendy And Lucy. You should check it out.

Tags: Blog Roundup, Captain Obvious

The Tallest Man On Earth: These Days

2009-05-04T11:54:00.005-05:00

COTV

Tags: The Tallest Man On Earth, These Days, Captain Obvious

Joe Pug: Live At Schubas (2009)

2009-05-04T11:32:00.027-05:00

Rarities

Joe Pug's debut EP Nation Of Heat was a CO favorite, so I'm waiting in anticipation for his upcoming full-length. Recently, someone was nice enough to record and post a live set from Joe here. The show was recorded May 1st at Schuba's tavern in Joe's hometown of Chicago. I couldn't find a track listing on the download page, so I've done my homework and figured it out as best I could for you. I'm not entirely certain about the track titles for the new songs, so don't take this as the gospel:

1. How Good You Are / 2. Hymn 35 / 3. I Do My Father's Drugs / 4. Interlude / 5. Call It What You Will / 6. Lonely Heart / 7. First Time I Saw You / 8. Messenger / 9. The Door Was Always Open / 10. Nobody's Man / 11. Speak Plainly, Diana / 12. Interlude / 13. Not So Sure / 14. Hymn 101 / 15. Bury Me Far & Nation Of Heat / 16. Ol' 55 (Tom Waits Cover)

Below is a sampling of some of the new tracks. Very promising. Can't wait to hear the studio versions. -- Capt. Obvious

Listen:
MP3: Joe Pug - How Good You Are (Live)
MP3: Joe Pug - Lonely Heart (Live)
MP3: Joe Pug - Not So Sure (Live)