| FEBRUARY 2010 NEWS |
|
Tuesday, February 9, 2010 FEATURE ALBUM: BEACH HOUSE RELEASES ONE FOR THE AGES
When Baltimore duo Beach House lit up the musical landscape late last year and delivered a definitive knockout track in the form of the fully formed 'Norway' off their then yet to be released third effort Teen Dream, I couldn't help but get excited about the prospective ear candy that the Chris Coady produced release proper promised to deliver. I also felt a little trepidation that the album may not live up to those lofty expectations and at the risk of sounding sacriligious given all the critic and blog love the album has recieved, initially the first couple of listens failed to deliver. I needn't of worried because no matter, in the end, as with the first two Beach House albums, Victoria Legrand and Alex Scally have again produced a collection of exquisite slow burners, with more accessibility yet lasting qualities where nothing misses the mark. The fact that I've listened to this album more than any other this year thus far is early testimony to how great it is and will turn out to be in posterity. The lesson for reviewers is, don't be premature in judgement. Does Tom Hughes of Guardian fame want another go? The amazing thing about the Beach House sound is how remarkable it is by being well, unremarkable. Let me explain. The consistent pulse and timing behind the lush, ethereal soundscapes whether it be by using Legrand's synth or a thin or deep sounding drum machine is repetitive across the album but it lays a base for the creation of those soundscapes which are accompanied by lasting hooks and alternation between light and dark, cold and warmth. Scally's guitar is immediately prominent on the metaphoric opener 'Zebra' and combined with Legrand's sun-drenched keys and soaring vocals, its a knockout combination that is immediately on show and extends throughout the albums' 53 minutes. The fact that each song sits between four and six minutes and none outstays its welcome often finishing before you're ready is evidence of the lasting qualities of Teen Dream. 'Silver Soul' is a classic example of the feel on the first two albums but sounds more rounded in an aural sense and delves organically deeper musically. That the pristine 'Norway' is still a standout after three solid months on repeat is unsurprising and the excellent 'Walk In The Park' is further evidence that Beach House is one of the tightest, most innately tuned into eachother duos around. 'Used To Be' sits pretty as the middle track and its change in tempo is a welcome distraction and perfectly paves the way for the familiar melody that dominates 'Lover Of Mine', a track that sports a shoegaze shuffle. 'Real Love' is the best example of Legrand's vocal growth as she displays an almost chanteuse quality. 'Take Care' rounds the album off perfectly and is sublime in its simplicity with only Legrand's vocals changing noticeably backed by Scally's always more than complementary pipes as the musically driven beat continues on relentlessly until the fade out leaves you longing for more. Just start again. I have many times.
Zebra (Live)Beach House (USA)From the album 'Teen Dream', Sub Pop
Monday, February 8, 2010
Those boys from the Basque country are following up on their infectious EP from last year 'Ayrton Senna' with the long awaited full length album Subiza. Due to drop in Europe in March, they recorded in Spain with the help of John Talabot and mixed in New York with Chris Cody (TV On The Radio, Telepathe, !!!, Lemonade). 'Big Dipper' from the EP was a track that put a smile on the face and had you moving from the first beat, with its pounding piano house groove, and Delorean fans will be lining up in droves for another fix. Starting out as a punk-based guitar band, they have put their own stamp on club music while still using the standard bass-guitar-drums setup, accompanied with keyboards and sampler. Delorean became known for remixing a plethora of artists (Lemonade, Franz Ferdinand (see below), Mystery Jets, Big Pink) and are now hitting the Barcelona music scene. The four piece, headed by Ekhi Lopetegi are touring North America in March and April and have already sold out three gigs in iconic indie music establishments; The Bowery Ballroom and Webster Hall of NYC and Brooklyn's Music Hall of Williamsburg, with tickets still available at this stage at the esteemed Mercury Lounge (also in NYC). The upbeat, relentless energy of Delorean live would be a night to remember...dancing the night away to their blissed out beats would be suitably appropriate in Gaudi's Guell Park. Until then, catch them wherever you can if you have half a chance. Subiza tracklisting and tour dates below 1 Stay Close 03-18 Austin, TX - SXSW
Live Alone (Delorean Remix)Franz Ferdinand (SCO)From the 'The Ultimate Franz Ferdinand Compilation', Zerocast SpecialDownload here
Saturday, February 6, 2010 CARIBOU TO RELEASE NEW ALBUM IN APRIL
Dan Snaith is set to follow up the brilliant 2007 Polaris Prize winning release Andorra with a new album called Swim. The record is set for release on April 20 through Merge in the US and City Slang in Europe and the UK. By the sounds of the stunner of a first single, the opening track 'Odessa', the album is going to be a killer. Recorded in both Canada and Wales, the album contains contributions from Luke Lalonde of Born Ruffians and a quartet of jazz musicians. Snaith himself has declared that the new album will sound very different from Andorra in that he has veered away from the nostalgic 60's sound so on the basis of 'Odessa', we can expect to be mesmerised by Caribou's aquatic take on the dance genre. Download 'Odessa' at the link below. 1. Odessa OdessaCaribou (CAN) From the forthcoming album 'Swim', Merge/City Slang. Out on April 20. Download here
Friday, February 5, 2010 VAN HALEN vs LAURA BRANIGAN? THE SOUNDS OF NEW GOLDFRAPP
English duo Will Gregory and Alison Goldfrapp are set to release a new album in March, Head First. The Pop Justice blog have labelled the first track to be taken from it, 'Rocket' as sounding 'a bit like Van Halen vs Laura Branigan', very clever and actually pretty close to the mark. Head First promises a departure from the psych electro-folk of Seventh Tree and a more danceable sound closer to 2005's Supernature. I for one still pine for the sounds of Felt Mountain but no matter, every Goldfrapp release contains elements worth close consideration. Although the track isn't as good as this quote again from Pop Justice, 'an all-round win/win crowdpleasing thumbs-aloft 100% take-no-prisoners officially-certified copper-bottomed happy-days-are-here-again belter, and no mistaking.' We nevertheless look forward to release for the album on March 22. Download 'Rocket' and the equally impressive 'Believer' below.
RocketGoldfrapp (ENG)From the forthcoming album 'Head First', EMI/Mute.Download here
BelieverGoldfrapp (ENG)From the forthcoming album 'Head First', EMI/Mute.Download here
Thursday, February 4, 2010 JOANNA NEWSOM RETURNS WITH NEW TRIPLE ALBUM
The exquisitely talented and strangely alluring singer songwriter and harpist Joanna Newsom will release her long awaited third album and follow up to Ys on February 19 in Australia and February 23 everywhere else.Titled Have One On Me, it sprawls over three discs, any one of which is the length of an album itself. The first taste of the record comes in the form of the track '81, a beautifully sparse harp and vocal arrangement that sees Newsom toning down somewhat, the vocal acrobatics that characterised her first two releases. Whether that is indicative of the rest of the album remains to be seen, but one things for sure, on the whole it will have quality written all over it. Download '81 below. Trackilisting with track lengths Disc One: Disc Two: Disc Three:
'81Joanna Newsom (USA)From the forthcoming album 'Have One On Me', Drag City/Spunk. Out on Feb 23 globally and Feb 19 in Australia.Download here
Wednesday, February 3, 2010 THIS WEEKS ALBUM RELEASES: NEW MIDLAKE LEADS THE PACK
The long awaited follow up to Texan 'AM' rockers Midlake's debut album The Trials Of Van Occupanther is released this week.The Courage Of Others is an attempt at a more expansive contemplative approach than that first release but nevertheless the signature Midlake sound that harks back to simpler times is still very evident. The Courage Of Others is joined, in a week that marks the calm before the new release February storm by the first effort by veteran punk rocker Fred Cole's new outfit Pierced Arrows and new albums from Montreal's We Are Wolves, San Diego natives The Soft Pack and The Album Leaf and New Zealand duo The Brunettes. Check out the list below MIDLAKE (USA) - The Courage Of Others, Bella Union Here's a selection of tracks from these albums with download links. Enjoy.
Act Of ManMidlake (USA)From the album 'The Courage Of Others', Bella Union.Download here
BlueWe Are Wolves (CAN)From the album 'Invisible Violence', Dare To CareDownload here
Red RollerskatesThe Brunettes (NZL)From the album, 'Paper Dolls', Lil' Chief.Download here
Let It RainPierced Arrows (USA)From the album 'Descending Shadows', Vice.Download here
Answer To YourselfThe Soft Pack (USA)From the album 'The Soft Pack', Kernado.Download here
Tuesday, February 2, 2010 FIRST VIDEO FROM NEW BEACH HOUSE ALBUM
The interminable wait finally ended last week as the promise elicited by the track 'Norway' came to fruition with the release of Teen Dream by dream popsters Beach House. That track was so good, it managed to achieve the Number 4 spot on the Indie30 Top 100 Songs of 2009, and Teen Dream promises to be among the highlights album wise in 2010. While Owen Pallett's incredibly strong album Heartland usurped the Baltimore duo for the first feature of the year, it must be said that the decision was line ball. The track chosen for the first video 'Silver Soul' includes that trademark Beach House sound and as with the whole album, a familiar sound that possesses new stength and depth. Watch the Victoria Legrand directed clip below. There will be no surprises this Sunday then. Silver SoulBeach House (USA)From the album 'Teen Dream', Sub Pop.Download here
LAST CALL AT THE TOTE: ICONIC COLLINGWOOD VENUE CLOSES
In another worrying sign for the future of live music in arguably Australia's most vital city for indie and alternative music, Melbourne, iconic inner northern suburbs venue, The Tote Hotel closed its doors for the last time on January 18. Deemed a high risk venue by tough new government liquor licensing laws due to its 3am closure time, the Collingwood establishment's owner said he had no choice due to the unprofitabilty of having to employ security guards when having live acts, the cost of which is way above what the actual bands are paid, often nearly quadrupling that outlay. John Perring, who is behind the FairGo4Live Music group, which so far has garnered together 20,000 Facebook members and 10,000 signatures on a petition circulating around protesting the link between high risk venues and live music, is investigating the possibility of resurrecting the venue although will be reluctant to do so in the current situation.The Tote joins The Duke Of Windsor, The Greyhound and The Punters Club as live music venues that have closed in recent times and The Arthouse is said to be going the same way. Sad days indeed. Go here to sign the petition.
Monday, February 1, 2010 LAST MONTHS ALBUM RELEASES: THE BEST OF JANUARY
2010 certainly started off with a bang with brand new albums from Owen Pallett (this weeks feature album - see review below), Spoon, Beach House, Four Tet, Vampire Weekend, Surfer Blood, Magnetic Fields, Laura Veirs, Toro Y Moi, Dinowalrus, Basia Bulat and Clipd Beaks among the highlights. To make up for the fact you've been without us for two months and we've been without you, we've chosen a track from each of these releases for you to download courtesy of the wonderful blog sites you will encounter as you click 'here'. Check them out while you're at it.
Midnight DirectivesOwen Pallett (CAN)From the album 'Heartland', Domino.Download here
Written In ReverseSpoon (USA)From the album 'Transference', Merge.Download here
ZebraBeach House (USA)From the album 'Teen Dream', Sub Pop.Download here
Angel EchoesFour Tet (USA)From the album 'There Is Love In You', Domino.Download here
White SkyVampire Weekend (USA)From the album 'Contra', XL Recordings.Download here
SwimSurfer Blood (USA)From the album 'Astrocoast', Kanine.Download here
You Have To Be Out Of Your MindMagnetic Fields (USA)From the album 'Realism', Nonesuch.Download here
July FlameLaura Veirs (USA)From the album 'July Flame', Raven Marching Band.Download here
Blessa |
| ||||







