Top of the Blogs 2/17/09
Each week (or whenever we have time) we take a listen to some of the top songs from elbows, review them and then give our selection of alternative tracks that we believe should be getting more recognition.
Bishop Allen – The Ancient Commonsense Of Things
Two songs by Bishop allen this week. When was the last song you’ve heard that uses the lyric “Olly Olly Oxen Free”? I can’t remember one. Not that it matters, just found it interesting. There is a purity to these Bishop Allen songs that have an innocent clarity to them. The straightforward nature of the music is disguised by captivating melodies and slight details in the music, soft musical breakdowns, and spaces in between the choruses. And how can you not like an album with the title “Grrr”.
The build up in the first few moments of this song sounds warped, like a bent viny record. And you will wait for the song to break as you listen, hoping for a crisp beat to jump in, but it never does. And I don’t think that’s a bad thing by songs end. ALthough it feels a bit like filler, it is some interesting filler, it makes me want to hear more, for the music to just breakout in some noisy epic finale. It builds a little bit more by the end, but best recommend to listen to this song really loud in your headphone, it’ll make you a bit dizzy.
I never know where to place this band, and after seeing them live at coachella last year I became even more confused. There is a lot going on their music and at the same time not much at all. It doesnt seem like anything is planned, but it’s not like they are a jam band either. It’s like they sit down and write these songs in 5 minutes and put them to tape, not even realizing themselves what they have created, never really stopping to think about their music. This song is great.
Camera Obscura – My Maudlin Career
Maudlin: bathetic: effusively or insincerely emotional; “a bathetic novel”; “maudlin expressions of sympathy”; “mushy effusiveness”; “a schmaltzy song”. Sounds about right. A dreamy, twinkly and fuzzy song that continues the camera obscura style of simple noise-infused indie pop songs. It doesn’t have the catchiness of “Lloyd, I’m Ready”, nothing mind-blowing but it is some good background music for a ride/walk home.
Heartless Bastards – The Mountain
I love a song that involves a simple grungy guitar rift. But what really sets this song apart are the vocals. It’s unique, rough, but vigilant. A little of the rawness of eddie vedder and the draw out phrases of the Wilderness. Not that they share the same vocal qualities, just a similar prescence. Overall, the guy the girl knows how to put his voice to the music the band is playing. Wow, this is a girl singer, what a rocking voice for a female. Sounds like it would be a good show.
Some smokey music that a has evenly paced guitar line that drives it along. With slightly muffled vocals that drift frequently into the wordless chorus, this is a good song for a foggy morning or night drive.
There are a lot of these female lead bands with soft fuzzy music on top of the blogs this week (camrea obscura, TPOBPAH, this song, and the follwing Manchester Orchestra Song). They are all good songs, with beautiful vocals, but the sheer quantity of songs like this kind of drown them all out. Good sunday morning music.
The Pains of Being Pure At Heart – Everything WIth You
Sadly I missed the band at the black cat last monday. This is music right up my alley, fitting in with that poppy shoegaze sound, like a shoegaze Belle & Sebastian, with maybe a bit of the smiths mixed in.
I was a big fan of the thermals last album. The raw formula they have comes accross as compeltely natural, is a little abrasive at first, but becomes somewhat charming on repeated listens. This new song holds up with previous material, the vocals still forceffull and agrressive and the music a mix of pop and punk.
Some songs that we think deserve some more attention:
Ever since I saw the Papercuts open for Beach House at the G-Spot last year, I have been a huge fan, anxiously awaiting the new album. This fits right along with the seemingly dreamy trend we have going on for this weeks top of the blogs.
Dan Auerbach – When The Night Comes
When i heard the first couple songs off the the black keys frontman’s solo project I thought “Why is this not just another Black Keys album”. But after getting the album and giving it a few listens I now see why this is solo material. It has a classic sound to it, incredibly soulful songs that are somewhat timeless in their quality. Sure, there are a couple songs on here that might as well be on the next Black Keys album, but Auerbach really shows a softer side, and this is where the album shines. It sometimes reminds me a bit of Ray Lamontagne.
Bad Liquor Pond – Autopilot (live at the 13th floor)
This is from a live show from Spetember 17th of last year at the 13th floor. They recently had a really good write-up in the city paper and have locally been gaining a lot of steam. Good psychedelic rock music that sounds incredibly genuine, like it could be from over 40 years ago. Reminds me a bit of the High Tide. It’s a formula you’ve heard before that doesn’t come across as formulaic. It’s black mountain infused with Neil Young grunge and a hometown baltimore feel.
A spacious rocky riff drives this song as the deep dirgey vocals compliment the sound. The breakdown makes the song unique with an electro-bass line coming through for a few seconds before drifting back into the sharp drum beat followed by an out-of-nowhere piano bridge. Really great song. The train will come.
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Tags: Uncategorized , top of the blogs
Heartless Bastards is fronted by a woman
on February 17th, 2009 at 10:11 am
Wow, that’s a great female voice. Thanks for letting me know, i corrected it above.
on February 17th, 2009 at 10:52 am