Peter Bjorn & John – Living Thing
This’ll be extra-quick, but I just wanted to alert anyone who didn’t know: two tracks from the upcoming album “Living Thing” from Peter Bjorn & John (due out in the spring) are available! Kanye West posted one on his blog, and the other will be e-mailed to you if you sign up with the band’s website. Links!
Filed under Music | Tags: Living Thing, Peter Bjorn & John, Peter Bjorn and John | Comment (0)Discovery of the weekend: The Dodos
I have wanted to give The Dodos a chance for a full year now, but only got around to buying “Visiter” this weekend. I’m trying not to kick myself for waiting so long.
Comparisons have already been made of The Dodos and Vampire Weekend, but I’d really align them more with this year’s indie darlings, the Fleet Foxes. The songs on “Visiter” are beautifully layered, but aren’t overdone. You can pick them apart or consume them whole. I’ve listened through the album three times now, and have picked a few favorite tracks (but the whole disc is completely worth investing in!)
The transition from under-a-minute “Eyelids” to “Fools” is glorious; the former is a happy thought that explodes into the rhythm-driven latter. “Fools” is definitely one of the best tracks on the album (as Said The Gramophone has already pointed out.) It’s a heartfelt singalong that is like running along a creek in the cold Black Forest in Germany; it whips at your ears and makes your heart beat faster and faster. There is anticipation in this song, and eagerness. It’s wonderful.
“Park Song” reminds me of The Spinto Band or Death Cab for Cutie – it’s one of the most stripped-down tunes on the album, and the lyrics are funny and simple observations. It’s also short, and is followed up by “Jodi.” The guitar sound here is full, and the drums seem to slip underneath, heavy and pulsing.
Meric Long, credited for “vocals, guitars, other stuff” in the liner notes, has a smooth, melodic, sweet-sounding voice, with vibrato that complements the guitar picking throughout the record. Logan Kroeber, who does “drums, percussion, other stuff,” is clearly very skilled, as can be heard on the quick and varied rhythms and types of instruments he plays. If you agreed at all with the critics’ choices this year of the best albums, “Visiter” should be in your CD collection.
Also purchased this weekend: Martha Wainwright’s self-titled 2005 release (yes, I’m way behind the times, thanks); The Laughing’s “Jungle EP” (Austin band); Loxsly’s “Maps and Organs” (again, from Austin, and again, 2005 – I’m catching up!) Reviews of all of these to come.
Filed under Music, Reviews | Tags: The Dodos, Visiter | Comment (0)Favorite Albums of ‘08
OK, ok, so I know it’s already well into the new year with really exciting new music already on the horizon. I also know that every music publication ever did a write-up of the best albums of 2008. And, finally, I know I’m a brand-new music blogger. . .so why should you read on? I’ll tell you why. I’m not making a list of the best albums of 2008, because I really didn’t listen to tons of new albums this year. I tend to always play catch-up, so I was getting into bands, not so much new CDs. BUT, the albums I did hear I think are absolutely wonderful, and some of them have been pretty much absent from many “best of” lists. SO! Here is a list of albums that I really enjoyed from 2008, in no particular order. Feel free to comment with your fave albums that you haven’t really seen written up anywhere!
Conor Oberst – Conor Oberst
After seeing Oberst perform live at both the ACL fest this year, and later at Stubb’s, I was sold (“souled”? Harhar.) His self-titled release this year with the Mystic Valley Band doesn’t have a bad track on it, and it embraces the alt-country feel of Bright Eyes’ 2005 release, “I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning.” Some of the standout tracks on the album are “Lenders In The Temple,” a slower-paced tune proclaiming, “If I miss you, that’s my fault.” “I Don’t Want To Die (In The Hospital)” takes a sort of light-hearted stab at death in modern society, and is crazy-catchy. “NYC – Gone, Gone” is a quick stomp-driven romp begging to be sung along to, and “Moab” might just be Oberst’s personal anthem, all about the healing power of the traveling lifestyle. Oberst continues to pen prolific lyrics matched with beautiful, powerful, fun and interesting music – can’t wait to see what his future holds!
Elephants. . .Teeth Sinking Into Heart – Rachael Yamagata
Yamagata went through a lot since her 2004 debut album, “Happenstance.” She switched labels which forced her to sit on new songs for two years, and went through a terrible breakup. You can feel the pain in the double-CD release. “Elephants” is the quieter side, but I would argue that it has the most bite. The title track is devastating, and you can really hear the pain in Yamagata’s voice. “Little Life” has one of my favorite moments on the album – it goes from quiet contemplation, to an explosive, “And people, wake up!” The duet (aptly titled “Duet”) with Ray LaMontagne is genius; two artists with such distinctive voices, and yet they complement each other beautifully. On “Teeth Sinking Into Heart,” Yamagata tries out the guitar, and keeps it raw. “Sidedish Friend” is an open invitation to use and be used, with a kickass electric slide to open the tune. “Faster” is a tough clap-along that will make you want to slap on some super-dark eye makeup and high-heeled boots, and stomp on down the road (regardless of your gender!!) If you’re looking for something with punch, this is it.
Oracular Spectacular – MGMT
This one really has ended up on many “best of” lists, but it absolutely deserves it’s spot. Personally, it took me a few listen-throughs before I was sold on it, but now I can’t think of a weak track. Naturally, all of the singles (the extra-dancey “Electric Feel,” schoolyard sing-along “Kids,” and anthem-of-our-times “Time to Pretend”) are incredible, and are definitely some of the strongest tracks on the record. Still, I wouldn’t recommend an iTunes per song purchase of just the singles; the rest of the album is AWESOME. “The Handshake” laments the deals that we make in life to suceed, even when we aren’t proud of them. “4th Dimensional Transition” feels like hippies who have hijacked a spaceship and headed out into the great unknown universe. And the last track, “Future Reflections” roars to an end with fanfare and fast drums. “Oracular Spectacular” suggests great things reflecting for this young band.
We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things. – Jason Mraz
I haven’t seen this sucker on anybody’s list, which is SHAMEFUL. Yes, “I’m Yours” has been destroyed by over-exposure, but it’s still a beautiful little song. (Honestly, my favorite version came out way back in 2005 on the “Extra Credit” bonus downloadable disc with “Mr. A-Z”.) Still, the rest of the album is fantastic – and Mraz released 3 EP’s with acoustic versions of most of the songs on the disc! (Acoustic Mraz is the best, so if you’re unfamiliar with the guy, check these EP’s out, please!) “Make It Mine” is a sort of part 2 for “Life is Beautiful” off of “Mr. A-Z”. It’s all about embracing the day and, well, making it yours. “Love For A Child” is an incredibly gripping story of a young boy growing up far too fast. “Details In The Fabric,” which features James Morrison, is the best song on the album. It’s a beautiful, slow tune all about keeping your chin up, even when things look grim. The only downside to the song is the ridiculous voicemail that starts it off and ends it – it takes away from the beauty of it. If you can ignore it, though, it will become a favorite, I guarantee. “The Dynamo of Volition” is a great dance song, and the EP version showcases Mraz’s guitar skills. “If It Kills Me” is a song about wanting a friend to be MORE than just a friend – we’ve all been there. Finally, “A Beautiful Mess” closes out in the same way the album opens – seize the day, love what you’ve got, and live well. We could all take a page from Mraz’s optimism – January 20th is right around the corner, after all!
Filed under Music, Reviews | Tags: Albums of 2008, Conor Oberst, Elephants...Teeth Sinking Into Heart, Jason Mraz, MGMT, Oracular Spectacular, Rachael Yamagata, We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things | Comment (0)