This Music Moment- Belle and Sebastian (2007)

When I mentioned Belle and Sebastian in my post on Two Door Cinema Club, I recalled this particular Music Moment very vividly and instantaneously; I believe I compared Two Door to them because of the instant perking of ears that occurred in both cases when I heard a particular song of theirs.

Belle and Sebastian was a band name I was familiar with, but at the time I could not honestly put a sound to the impression I had of then from their name. Naturally, I thought they were a duo, playing who knows what kind of music. But in summer 2007, I was living in New Hampshire and commuting 70 minutes to Boston to paint the interiors of vacant apartments with my two roommates, Jacob and Claytor. It was a grueling, tough day for us, and I was exhausted for our long drive home. I put on some college radio station to add a little variation to the usual sounds of NPR we listened to most of the time, both driving or working; I just wanted to hear some tunes. After a few songs went by, this one track popped on and I instantly woke up, befuddled and excited, wondering who the hell was making this great, harmonic, classic sounding pop music. The broadcaster didn't mention the band after the song ended, so I had to go home, check the radio stations website and their playlist timeline, and after a long while I finally found what I was looking for. Wrapped Up In Books, track 8 off their 2003 release, Dear Catastrope Waitress:



Naturally, I picked up Dear Catastrophe Waitress, and I was not disappointed. Linkage: It starts off hilariously with a Zombies-style ode to sex with Step Into My Office; they follow that up with the superbly produced title track, a love song to people working dead end jobs with high hopes; their first single from the album, I'm A Cuckoo, is neat but, to me, Wrapped Up In Books is the lynch pin of the album. Further listening comes from their follow up studio album (after a singles and eps collection and a live album), 2006's The Life Pursuit: Act of the Apostle starts it off great; Funny Little Frog is just classic, wonderful, happy go lucky pop song about the idolization of romance. Enjoy, Slingers.



dear catastrophe waitress

the life pursuit

In Oceans - Jack the Lad (2012)

 Riff's ahoy! UK group In Oceans pound their way through their new 5 track album invoking the ghost of post-hardcores past. Isn't there a lot of similar stuff going down? yes but It's just some good solid rock with above average sense of rhythms. plus its pretty fun and well produced. who's not down for a little fun?



Jack the Lad (2012)

This Music Moment- Flaming Lips (2002)

Recently, I was looking through a huge book of CDs that I bought when I had just begun listening to my own music in middle school, through high school and into my early 20s. It was full of random crap with a bunch of gems and all the while completely nostalgic. While I was flipping through it, random memories would pop up about these albums I was spending time to investigate deeply, and I spent a few hours trying to remember why the hell I had bought one album, or how much I missed and had forgotten about another. Very soon, I flipped to a page that had two Flaming Lips albums: 1999s The Soft Bulletin, and its follow-up, their 10th album Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, and I immediately remembered my first exposure to their contents.

My girlfriend, circa 2002, had bought me some concert tickets as a birthday present that summer of my senior year in high school. It sounded like a good show, though I was only somewhat familiar with the bands on the bill. There was some forgotten, neat opening band, The Flaming Lips, and Cake as the headliner. Sweet, I knew a couple of songs by Cake, but I was pretty apathetic about The Flaming Lips. I remembered that a friend in middle school had given me whatever album of theirs it was he was listening to, and it had their single at the time, She Don't Use Jelly. That track is just some silly pop in the style of grungy rock, and it was the only reference I could use to put a sound to the name. Basically, I was unprepared for the show that followed.

There was one thing in particular that blew me away about this show. I had recently seen Battle Royale with metaghost, and during the concert, the Lips had a huge movie screen behind them playing random video clips to go along with every song, and for a decent few they were playing scenes from Battle Royale to accompany their music. It was dark, violent film to go along with the mostly psychedelic electro pop music they were playing, but somehow it totally worked; the show was a complete visual and audio spectacle, with dudes in woodland creature costumes at the sides of the stage blowing up giant glitter filled balloons to pass into the audience, awesome crowd participation, and other high-profile hijinks. It was a seriously well done show, and it completely sold me on what these guys were doing.

Yoshimi and Soft Bulletin are pretty darned nice; they seemed to only play hits from both albums at the show, and it made for a wonderful concert. Link time: Race to the Prize is an awesome way to kick off Soft Bulletin; The Spark That Bled is a bit more moody and varied as the albums third track. Yoshimi is full of hits; Fight Test kicks things off proper; the title track rocks electro pop socks off, and its basically moot to mention that it also features the culturally-absorbed and now discarded Do You Realize, though it sure holds up well.

Track 2 is what I want to share though. I forgot just how awesome this song is (especially its bassline- yeah buddy) until I uploaded the albums to my computer and revisited it. It has a great blend of electronica, spaced out vocals and tight production. Not to mention that bass, again:



Awesome show; a big time Music Moment. One of those great carefree summertime memories brought back from revisiting old tunes.

yoshimi battles the pink robots

the soft bulletin

Two Door Cinema Club- Tourist History (2010)

As you well know by now, I am a huge sucker for pop. Today, I was watching videos of two bands I had read good reviews of; the results were not as promising as I had hoped for, but in the related videos for a song by The Henry Clay People, I saw a link to a video that I instantly remembered hearing about six months ago, then promptly forgetting. I checked in on it, and as a fiend for well written pop music, I was very happy. Soon I snagged the album, and now that I am a few songs deep I am even more pleased by this band I randomly rediscovered.

Two Door Cinema Club are a young Irish pop group that kick out some upbeat, catchy dance music with decent skills and a huge talent for feel-good hooks. I have seen a few live videos of theirs, and it seems that their strength really lays in the studio. They are a trio of multi-instrumentalists, and their songs usually feature a full band sound that is hard for them to properly replicate live. Its not to say they don't try, or that this fact should be a deterrent; they are young and there is always time for expansion, and their abilities at writing a great studio album are still very strong.

Tourist History is their 2010 studio debut. It is reminding me of a mix of the styles of Postal Service, Bloc Party, Belle and Sebastian and the best parts of Vampire Weekend. Simple, melodic lead guitar melodies that harmonize with the upbeat vocals, guitars, bass, drums and assorted electronica. After hearing only their singles, Cigarettes in the Theatre really surprised me as an opening track; It shares so many flavors with Bloc Partys debut album opener, Like Eating Glass, and I love that stuff soo much. I was quite excited for what was to come after it, and what kind of progression would lead into the two songs I had heard, which appear in the later parts of this album with such an unexpected beginning. Something Good Can Work is on the uber-catchy side of their spectrum, and comes in at track 5; the song that brought up the memories I had of these guys, What You Know, comes in at track 8. It is just so darned accessible. Great rhythms, melodies, and quality catchiness. I am enjoying; maybe you will too. Blam:



tourist history

Overhead, the Albatross - Think Thank Thunk

Its been awhile since I've sat down with these Irish gents since their last full release in 2011. It looks like they have amped the math rock by 12 and added some choice extra instrumentation and interesting percussion. When their next release drops be careful where your standing because these guys are going to explode. Just a really awesome sense of structure and pretty memorable melodies as well. Nothing too crazy complex but just enough to wet the whistle. This one song moves at a nice clip and keeps adding the tension and volume as it progresses. Previous things are also fantastic as well maybe not as good but still some incredibly solid math rock. Certainly check those as well.

think-thank-thunk

Brightest Color - EP

Seems as though the residual trickle down economics of 80's synth revival (isn't there always an 80's synth revival no matter what year it is? ) and danceable math pop ala Foals has emerged in more than a couple bands as of late. I have my own personal love/hate battles with aspects of both but these guys Brightest Color seem to have struck some sort of balance. Is this going to melt your mind with awesome? eh i suppose it wouldn't leave you breathless but there are some genuinely excellent riffs sandwiched in here. Track 2 "Intimacy" opens with what could be a lost mega man boss level. I'm going to say Sabrage Man? Anywho check it could be your thing.

Brightest Color

A.M. Overcast - Shepherd Moon (2011)

It should be noted right off the bat that if someone told me Rob Crow was involved with this that I wouldn't be at all surprised. Thats high praise in my book by the way. Alexander Litinsky takes that style of Math Pop as a framework for his own frenetic solo work and amps up the time changes and catchy vox. Boy Girl harmonies? yes please! Handclaps in multiple songs? MORE SIR MORE! For the style it doesn't get any better for goodness sake. There is just not enough of this kind of jazzed up complex pop going on today (as of writting this I've made it through 4 runs. not counting the album before this one ;) If you need a change up of the same old same old then this will spearmint your music bad breath into next year... or something.

Shepherd Moon (2011)

Elzhi and Will Session- Elmatic (2011)

My friend Greg recommend this album to me months ago, but it was completely lost in a long list of "notes" on my phone full of music recommendations from many different people and kept in a very unorganized manner. Once again, I do not know much about this album: I know that is a solo album by eLZhi, a slick former member of Slum Village; I know that it is a re-imagining of Nas' debut album, Illmatic (much as Rise Above is a remake of Black Flags Damaged); and I know that it is produced by someone named Will Sessions. Hopefully I do not come off as a jackass for not knowing who he, or they, are; it seems as though a lot of the time, things end up that way with me.

Its no matter. This is some truly outstanding hiphop. Excellent production, awesome instrumentation, great flows... what more can you ask for? Check it: track 3 off Elmatic, Halftime:



elmatic

Your Protected - EP

Why aren't you listening to this right this instant?  Well I'd like to give the always mighty and powerful Siren Sound large ups on this one. Completely blind sided by this one. At its core this is some hammers to the floor big post-rock.  What will hit you first is everything is loud and trying to kill you. math rock, progressive rock and metal  abound as well as some nice ambient textures thrown in. Technical without having noses high in the air. Rock Solid

Your Protected

Ittō - Ittō

This is massive.  This is punk. This is Ittō from Chicago. They play screamo

Screamo? yea like when you mix emo music and screaming. Hmm that doesnt sound much better. Rest assured however that this is not what you may be thinking. This is some technical hardcore punk with screamed/shouted vocals intermixed with some spoken word.  The starts and stops are very welcome to hear but you'd be a little hard pressed to claim this fully under the math rock banner. These songs are just completely unhinged rock music with a dynamic punk spirit. If anything that I just quickly typed out sounded even marginally interesting then I suggest you make a visit. Very Very Good.  


http://ittochicago.bandcamp.com/

Volcano Kings - "11 Ways to Avoid Death in Trash Can City" (2012)

Picture yourself as a character in a grainy, black and white '50s crime thriller. Are you the private eye? The seductive woman who is mysteriously intertwined in the proceedings? The befuddled chief of police reaching for straws? The innocent man wrongly accused? Or the true perpetrator?

The Volcano Kings create music from the darkest, smokiest secret room behind the cigar lounge where only the richest, most powerful members of society are welcome. Organ, piano, twangy guitar, bass, and inventive percussion scream, weave, and bounce their way through bombastically catchy songs, with sparse vocals and samples sprinkled throughout. There aren't huge variations in feel or style throughout this album, but the album manages to remain fascinating through catchy melodies, interesting timbres, and good songwriting.

This album rules. Go forth and listen.

Volcano Kings - "11 Ways to Avoid Death in Trash Can City"

Young Holt Unlimited- Soulful Strut (1968)

I have been listening to a lot of Kool and the Gang lately, and while driving as I listened to their Greatest Hits album, a random song popped into my head, nostalgic and specifically from my childhood, when my family would go on long drives listening to Oldies 103. They played all the hits from the 50's and 60's, and a lot of my pop music background began on these long car rides. I heard a lot of great classics, but the memory of Soulful Strut by Young Holt Unlimited came back as I was listening to an instrumental section of one of Kool and the Gangs tracks.

Young Holt Unlimited began as a trio with bass, drums and piano writing all the tunes. They then began pumping out hits as a backing band for few studios, adding a horn section as they backed singers and all the while writing their own instrumental albums. Soulful Strut, the track and album, were their high water mark, and oh what a great mark. Soulful Strut is just one of those feel good summertime tracks that never gets old. The rest of the album is proving to be just as wonderful. Blam; heres that big hit if you forgot about it (with some random Charlie Chaplin to accommodate):



soulful strut

Joseph Mancinelli - The North Star

This biz is awesome. No clue why this isn't more popular. Stop reading and go check it out. NOW!



Wait you mean you want me to tell you about it? Just go to the bandcamp brodangs.

The North Star

Closure in Moscow - First Temple (2009)

      Feel as though this is something I should have been contacted about from someone. Very very well executed amalgam of post hardcore lite with dramatic vocals. Not a stone out of place.  The stand out elements to me which set these Aussie's apart from other similar ilk is pretty inspired instrumentation and above average guitar riffs. Certainly some non standard scale's being thrown in the mix coupled with nice rhythms.

      If i had to throw out some bands that these guys sound like I'd say a alternate universe where Fall out Boy and Fall of Troy give birth.....Fall out of Troy?

First Temple (2012)

Case of the Missing Links

Hello Everyone. Below is a list of links (no shirt) that have only appeared on the facebook group page....its kind of a lot. I dont want to penalize people for not having/checking/knowing facebook so I will grace you with some goodness. Happy clicking guys there are some serious choice groups going on here (many)


Wot Gorilla?
math-pop, excellent vocals. british

NGOD
post hardcore math rock, awesome vox. british

Mother Night
gritty math rock and stomp.

Corelia
prog tech metal, djent with varied vocals.

Isaac Bear
jam-funk math rock

Hannibal Montana
post math

Alarmist
battles -esque jazz math

Pan
party math

Lower Definition
alt math core with vocals

Solar Powered Sun Destroyer
alt post hardcore

Roma
screamo post hardcore math

Lord
instrumental post king crimson metal

Concentric
Acoustic Tech Metal. Instrumental

Milo Takes Baths
Hip Hop. get this now

Post Madonna
MATH ROCK. amazing

Stations in the Valley
Acoustic indie math rock. vox

Shield Your Eyes
Straight up old school flavored math rock with some nice screamy vox

Something Like Banter
wha what?

Kusudama
jazz core :)

Grass is Green
math rock with vox.

Delicious Death
post hardcore lite math rock
super chill. super nice

Papier Tigre
math rock, elctro

Princess Music
Math Folk

SleepMakesWaves
post metal math

Zola
math pop rock

California Smile
prog rock

4/26 Hi Donna Here, Cattle Drums, Racebannon (live Ithaca NY, The Haunt)

     To say that I don't get out much to shows like I used to is a vast understatement so when I do it has to be something worthy of the scheduling shifting and lack of sleep it involves. Hi Donna Here was the only group I was unfamiliar with playing a rather short set of hard rock inspired instrumentals that were pretty easy going. Headliners Racebannon very much brought their A-game and showed us the many sides of their wierdo metal alt noise jams with Mike Anderson screaming like a crazed demon (thats a good thing)
     Now onto Cattle Drums (commence gushing) Last time I saw these guys they were a 5 piece and playing songs from their deput ep "the boykisser sessions" and while i was impressed they seemed to still be trying to find a foothold in something concrete. They currently play with one less member these days and gained a new drummer. The results of which has seemingly allowed guitarist Gulab Singh to unleash his inner guitar god and lay down some seriously inspired riffs. math-rock meets alt punk with some delightful finger picking as well. Lets of course not forget about Sam Judd (vocals) as the rock is being layed down behind him he easily careens through poetic ramblings that have just the right amount of emotion and word play with the screams.
     It should be noted as well that after their set  Sam and Gulab completely at random layed down a nasty instrument cover of Converges "Cutter" As shown in the picture above. If that sounds completely out of place it honest to god wasn't at all.  It's this kind of evolution and unpredictability that have me chomping at the bit for a full length...like yesterday.


Thanks to Bubba from Ithaca Underground for putting this on BTW :)

http://cattledrums.bandcamp.com/

http://hidonnahere.bandcamp.com/album/hi-donna-here-ep


http://www.myspace.com/racebannonrocks

Dr. John- Locked Down (2012)

I do not know much about Dr. John; I have been listening to his latest album, Locked Down, for the last few days, and I am just now skimming his wikipedia, checking out his long career and quickly discovering that he was the man responsible for the song In The Right Place from 1973. Before listening to that track again now, I really only remembered it by his deep, gnarly vocals. It is a great track; its got a decent sized band on it to play some nice James Brown style r&b/ pop, with horns and a tight rhythm section, and some surprisingly interesting arrangements.

I have missed the majority of this mans catalog, and with Locked Down forming my impression of what kind of music he plays, I am quite interested to look deeper into his work. Locked Down is a very solid release from this funky man; a keyboardist/ singer/ songwriter in trade, he recently got together with singer/ guitarist Dan Auerbach from the Black Keys to play on and produce the album, and Dan brought in some of the Dubtown records crew to flesh out the arrangements. I am especially digging the middle of the album, where the r&b/ pop style starts including some sick afrobeat action. Check track 5, Getaway:



locked down

Pulseve - Magnet EP

Had ran into these guys awhile back and perhaps did not give them a fair chance. Thankfully an email from them allowed me to dive back in.  Hailing from Italy, Pulseve weave a pretty unique blend of Post-rock, progressive tones, math rock attack and a surprising amount of atmosphere. I've said this before and I will say it again, there is a serious lack of darker tinged math rock in today's musical landscape. Hearing those dark ambient progressions is simply music to my ears not to mention that bass guitar tone is flipping sensational. Another item of note is the fact that this is a two piece which is even more impressive considering the mood they can strike with limited personnel.

From their site:

"Torino based duo (drum+bass) blends silence and rage, nightmares and daydreaming, feet digging the ground / hands air floating. 2011 debut EP “Magnet” belches out cannibal affairs, earthly desires and blackmailed toreros. Gravity is dancing on tightropes.

pulseve is:
Diego Franchino, drums
Maurizio Veglio, bass"

Magnet EP 
 

Community of Living Things - Various (2011 - 2012)

Community of Living Things is one Jonathan Markson. Having stumbled on his bandcamp through a series of back roads I was very pleasantly surprised and intrigued.  It seems that Markson has been putting out a couple songs every month since June of 2011. The range of material runs the gamut of indie pop, electro indie, mathy pop and instrumental rock. Some pretty excellent music going on here and as I have yet to go through everything so far what I have heard has certainly left an impression. Its just nice to see a level of heart and passion being put forth by one person.

Community of Living Things

You Slut! - Medium Bastard (2012)

La dernière fois sur beaucoup d'épées


Our over sea's riff barons are back with their brand new math rock release Medium Bastard. It has everything you've come to expect larger than life riffs, face bending time changes, excellent production and what has always made them a favorite the "fun" factor.  This time out there seems seems to be a larger division between the meaty metal influenced chaos and the more intricate fair which sometimes works in their favor. I still love the juxtaposition of the two going back and forth and on some they do just that. It feels like it has been forever since "critical meat" and its clear they have crafted a more involved song writing style. Thankfully as well you wont find any recycled riffs here.  What I felt like with the last release was that only time would tell if these riffs would truly stick and I'm getting a good feeling that they will.