MGMT (Finally, A New Post)

Sorry dear readers;

I have been absent for some time now. This is for two reasons: 1) there hasn’t been anything that has wowed me recently, so I haven’t had a strong desire to write about anything and 2) I have a new writing job with one of my favourite websites, The Impersonals (you should check it out). But, I didn’t want to ignore you any longer so I thought now would be a good time to write a post.

Like I said, with the exception of Santigold and Jack White, there hasn’t been a lot of anything new I have really wanted to share. So I went back into my listening history and noticed I have been listening to MGMT quite a lot. Their debut album, Ocular Spectacular (released in 2007) is a perfect album to pair with sunshine, sandals, and shorts. More simply, it is great summertime music; specifically the song Time to Pretend.

MGMT are, for the most part, super upbeat, complex and very interesting with hooks that’ll stay in your head for weeks. Driven mostly by the keyboard, MGMT’s music comes off as light and vibrant. Kind of what it feels like to be a carefree teen on summer break: life full of friends, parties, and late nights.

So. Spend your summer with an excellent soundtrack and listen to Ocular Spectacular on repeat.

Enjoy.

The Shins – Port of Morrow

As I sit here listening to Port of Morrow, The Shins‘ newest album, I am elated with the result of the much anticipated return of the indie giant.

When people think of the Shins’ greatest accomplishments it probably goes like this, in order of greatest to least: Being mentioned in Garden State; New Slang; Oh, Inverted World; Chutes Too Narrow and; Wincing the Night Away (an album that I believe was overly criticized due to impeccable producing; people were used to a rawer sound from the Shins). However, after the release of Port of Morrow I think that list may change. James Mercer, the Shins’ frontman, has done an impressive job of mixing the brilliance of Oh, Inverted World and Chutes Too Narrow with the great production value of Wincing the Night Away.

Mercer has always been great at creating a new sound from influences from multi-genre music. Port of Morrow is no exception to his talent. Its full of poppy hooks, country stylings, with hints of oldies rock and the softness of a singer-songwriter.

Take a listen to the enchanted ‘September‘ and tell me it doesn’t remind you of the classic Shins’ sound. I dare you; you can’t.

Although, my favourite track is still the boisterous ‘Simple Song’. It also has a pretty cool music video. Check it out below.

Enjoy.

Guest Post (Davey Shook) – Vitamin Wig C

‘Vitamin Wig C’ has been creating esoteric music since 1997, along with a few key interchangeable members. Having spent the last several years recording and performing all over the California coast, compiling thousands of hours of material with his Edirol stereo recorder of whatever sound was available. From living in a car and tent making feild recordings, and picking up free craigslist organs, to buying and returning keyboards from guitar center, and borrowing every manner of instruments and studio Robbie intrepidly continues to produce. Robbie then meticulously crafts each track into a singular musical vision, a collage of musical moments working through the existential problems of his siddarathian existence in a sonic notebook of over 3,000 songs. The album Dawn Adults plays like very few records I’ve ever heard. Tapping into the collective musical unconciousness to reveal the babbling toddler of the musical id through synaesthetic musical landscapes. Wild stream of consciousness driven vocals and use of the voice as an instrument with out lyrics or even singing with reverb soaked organs and minimal pulsing beats that swirl around in stereo. The sense of spaciousness to the recording opens up like a sunset party at an island retirement home where the one man lounge band is on heavy psychedelics and ravers distribute the medication to the eldery residents and the recording was picked up off their hearing aids. Or any number of other overly vivid metaphors. Spanning influences that range from Suicide and Martin Rev, Can, Brian Eno, Joe Meek, and Cluster, as well as his own visual art practices, mainly consisting of drawing, graphic design, and video. Robbie designs all of his own artwork and music videos, as well as indivdual video and sound projects. His artwork can be seen at http://vitaminwigc.tumblr.com or http://www.youtube.com/vitaminwigc. He is also fundraising to release Dawn Adults and other albums that are fully and partially completed, all of the download proceeds on bandcamp go directly to releasing the albums. Here is the link to Dawn Adults
http://vitaminwigc.bandcamp.com/album/dawn-adults, make sure to check out the other albums too especially Dawn Adults 2 and Ouroboros Nevada!

Lambchop – Mr. M (Gone Tomorrow)

Lambchop

In my opinion there are two inspirations for music. The first is to make a popular record; essentially to sell a song. Please do not take this the wrong way. I do not think this is necessarily a bad thing. Society needs broad music to interest people in an art form. There are genuinely great musicians that fall into this category too: the Beatles, Elvis Presley, even the coveted Beach Boys. They knew how to write wonderful music so that mass amounts of people could derive pleasure for it. I admire this. There is something good to be said about musicians that aim to make people’s’ lives better.

The second inspiration is to express personal honesty. You are probably saying, “hey! why can’t the above inspiration also be about honesty”. It can be, I don’t think that these two are mutually exclusive. There is overlap I’m sure. Once in awhile there exists an artist that is exclusively inspired by their honest experiences; musicians like, Bob Dylan, Cat Stevens and from a different angle, Radiohead. Recently I have been listening to Lambchop’s latest album Mr. M, specifically the song ‘Gone Tomorrow’ and it has evoked the same feeling. Their music is melancholy in a very truthful way. Even though I have no clue what they are actually singing about I can relate to their songs in a very real way. ‘Gone Tomorrow’ is not only a fantastic song, but an amazing music video full of the same emotion the song holds.

Listen. Watch. Enjoy.

Sleigh Bells – Reign of Terror

Sadly I didn’t have this blog when Sleigh Bells released their first album, Treats. If I did have this blog then it may have been called “I like Sleigh Bells, a lot!” – so I guess it isn’t very sad after all. That would have been a terrible name.

Luckily, I am able to tell everyone how much I like Sleigh Bells now because they have recently released a new album, Reign of Terror. If Sleigh Bells do anything right it is creating heavy, driven guitar hooks. Don’t believe me? Take a listen to ‘Born to Lose‘. See, I told you so.

This is what first caught my ear when I had the privilege of listening to Treats, especially ‘Riot Rhythm‘. Sleigh Bells have an uncanny way of exuding cool. Everything from their lyrics to their “I don’t give a what”, all-the-way-to-eleven, loud drums and guitars. It is what I imagine today’s pop music would be like in a postapocalyptic world where the only way to survive is gladiator style battles in coliseums. Sleigh Bells would be the soundtrack to introduce every new fighter and everyone would love it.

There is nothing relaxing or chilled about Reign of Terror. It is enjoyable and carefree. Definitely worth getting.

Enjoy.

Sleigh Bells – Comeback Kid from Mom+Pop on Vimeo.

Cloud Nothings – Attack on Memory

The 60s, 70s and 80s have all seen their days in the limelight and have all made a triumphant return into popular music. This is all well and good for those decades and the children for those decades, but I am turning blue as I hold my breath in anticipation of a 90s comeback. It seems I can metaphorically exhale because Cloud Nothings have released an album, ‘Attack on Memory’, which is a beacon signalling the advent of 90s rock’s return.

The opening song, No Future/No Past, sounds like a lesser known Nirvana B-Side. A great song full of angst, raw energy and an emotion of the teenage unknown; not knowing who you are or where you are going.

The rest of the album is an irreverent display of seeming disdain for anything pop. Although the album is rife with big guitar hooks and catchy choruses it is paired with gruff vocals, off beat rhythms, and anti-melodies. Cloud Nothings have also veered toward less radio friendly instrumental interludes.

My favourite song, Wasted Days, splits about halfway through with a jam session that will make your heart beat right out of your chest with excitement. As the tension builds and builds you are left awaiting sweet relief. Momentarily you are given respite as the music slows, but this only adds to the effect of discomfort as the tension rises again this time with the help of the lead singer, Dylan Baldi. Baldi draws you in with his repeated mantra of disappointment, “I thought/I would/Be more/Than this”, until everything explodes into a fury of drums, guitars, and angry yowls.

‘Attack on Memory’ is an exciting album that shows us what youth of today can do with the lives they face. Cloud Nothings’ music seeps into your head so even when your iPod is off you can still hear them play. I highly recommend this album. Listen to it over and over, and as always…

Enjoy.

The Shins – Simple Song

I was sent back to grade 11 when I heard The Shins latest release, ‘Simple Song‘; figuratively speaking of course, my Delorean is in the shop. This is The Shins first release in nearly five years, enough time to actually build some nostalgia for them.

I can’t tell you how glad I am that they didn’t disappoint. It is beautifully written and fully of positive emotion; just the song to help us through the misery of winter. What more is that we have something to look forward to. Port of Morrow, which is the upcoming album that ‘Simple Song’ belongs to, is set to be released the beginning of March.

‘Simple Song’ is uplifting, full of harmonious guitar riffs, crashing drums, and a chorus that will stick in your head like ju jubes to your teeth. It is poppy and fun, with a complex simplicity indicative of The Shins. I am also forever impressed with the vocal stylings of James Mercer. He makes it seem effortless in a way that will make you sing along (don’t try though, you will be sadly disappointed how your voice compares).

Listen. Listen again, and repeat.

Enjoy.

Vows

I came across these guys whilst on the Internet and wanted to give them a try, and a minute turned to ten and ten turned a lot more than that. I find something eerily pleasant about Vows. There is quite often a desire to compare music to more recognizable musicians like, “oh they sound like Radiohead”. I want to refrain from that with Vows. Mostly because I have not given them enough time to really understand where they are coming from.

Vows’ songs are full of echo giving them that ethereal, eery sound, but the music is bittersweet; blissfully melancholy. A perfect background to a thoughtful, relaxed evening when you are accompanied merely by your thoughts. Take a listen and please,

Enjoy.

District Somnium

The lead singer for District Somnium got in touch with me in hopes I would listen to their latest release, an EP. As any of my readers would know I only write about music I like and am currently enjoying, which is exactly why I am writing about District Somnium, the basement band from Chicago.

My first reaction was one of nostalgia, which is strange considering the life span of the group, but they remind me of the indie/post punk I was listening to throughout high school. Their EP is driven and full of great harmonies and the lead singer, Adam, sings with what is obvious as his entire being. It is clear that the band has put everything they have (emotionally) into their music. The album is far from lazy and is full of foot thumping hooks a la The Fratellis, The Arctic Monkeys, Band of Horses, and one of my all-time favourites, My Morning Jacket. It is raucous, fun, party music not to be taken overly seriously, but enjoyed at the basest level. Let your inhibitions go, stomp to the beat and as always…

Enjoy.

The Black Keys – El Camino

The Black Keys establish themselves as a sloppy garage band full of energy and grit with their latest album, El Camino. The album opens hard and fast-paced setting the stage for what the rest of the playlist will contain. To truly understand El Camino you have to understand its garage-rock roots; T-Rex, The Monks (whom everyone should listen to, they are one of the most underexposed bands of all time), and of course The Kinks. More contemporarily, some clear lines could be drawn between The Black Keys and The White Stripes – I mean that in only the most complementary way. The White Stripes are easily in my top five favourite modern bands, and The Black Keys are making their way there too.

El Camino draws on what Rock established in the late sixties, early seventies. It is raw, powerful, and full of energy; touching on your basest of emotions. You don’t listen to The Black Keys cerebrally, you listen to them in your gut, where Rock resides. Every time I listen to El Camino I feel cooler and want to listen to it again. I highly recommend leaving your inhibition at the door and letting yourself go into what The Black Keys are giving you.

Enjoy.