Abe Vigoda - no, not the American film and television actor. Abe Vigoda - yes, the LA-based tropical punk band. Now that we've clarified that, the band has released a new track called "Throwing Shade". While you could certainly thrash out to their previous stuff, this new track moves towards something with a more metered dance groove. This is certainly due to the addition of a new member, Dane Chadwick, on the drum kit. It seems there is more emphasis on electronic instrumentation and sampling, but even so, the off kilter vibe of AV is still there. Perhaps we will see this fleshed out more when the guys put out their forthcoming album Crush on September 20th via Bella Union.
You may remember the name Blu from a post way back. Well he's at it again, and this time he's upped his game to a whole new level. Everything is bigger and better. Entitled "Big Bag Big Boom", Blu aptly and deftly uses his constantly morphing style of art to chronicle the evolution of life here on Earth. The use of space and seemingly normal objects to convey this story is incredible and the sheer effort and time this would require are something to marvel at alone, much less the sheer awesomeness of the art itself. What we're trying to say is check this shit out asap!
When real life gets busy, sometimes you've gotta put your digital life on the back burner. So amidst moving, looking for paying work and traveling - on top of a regularly schedule jam packed with ropin' cattle, underwater frisbee, inventing new board games, treasure hunting and inciting third world countries to rebel - there's been a lack of regular content. So to make up for it, we'll be hittin' your ear drums with a sonic cornucopia of jams. We hope you'll forgive us.
To start a new single, from of Montreal - "Coquet Coquette". The single reminds us that the much anticipated release of False Priest, the next album since Skeletal Lamping (2008) is finally drawing near. Slated to drop September 14th, we can expect to see a few more singles over the course of the summer. "Coquet Coquette" shows that of Montreal's next release is likely to continue infectious eccentricity we've come to love from the group.
Speaking of infectious, there has been no end to the level of attention Swedish group Miike Snow has been getting lately since the release of their self-titled debut last year. Containing a barrage of singles with "Animal", "Silvia" and "Black & Blue" the stellar track "Song for No One" went largely unnoticed. With the catchiest little guitar riff in recent memory, old school bass and drums, and silky contemporary vocals this needs to be in your summer rotation asap.
You might have noticed we have a certain taste for things with a nostalgic vibe. Which is why we find this track from 1960's Indonesian girl group (sooo sweet!) Dara Puspita is particularly tasty. Meaning Flower Girls, the band has a lo-fi garage aesthetic in the ilk of contemporaries like Best Coast. For instance hear how Dara Puspita puts a fresh spin on the already timeless cut "To Love Somebody" from The Bee Gees. So good! Where can I get this on vinyl?! Oh wait, right here!
Back in the states, yet another band from a place I'm really starting get tired of for being so cool - Brooklyn - is Keepaway. Approaching 6 digits of views on the myspace, the band has recently started drawing attention from larger blogs, but is still on the verge of larger success. With only an EP to their name so far, expect to see these guys at some festivals next year if they can keep the hype going when their first full length drops. While avoiding the obvious Animal Collective comparisons with some indie rock stylings, the band can't entirely escape the clear Merriweather Post Pavillion-era influence. "Yellow Wings" is a great example of that synergy which is found on their Baby Style EP.
What do you know?! Another band from Brooklyn... Translations. Diverting from the electronic influences of late, Translations maintains a sound that is ostensibly rock'n'roll, albeit somewhat ecelectic. On their standout track "The Wanderer", the cooler sounds of post-punk transition nicely to the warmer classic rock inspired chorus. With only 4 digits worth of views on the myspace with this group, they are certainly on still on the rise, but like so many Brooklyn bands, the future looks bright for Translations.
While it's a place I'd surely love to visit, with the exception of boomerangs and didgeridoos, I can't think of a lot of exciting exports out of Australia. However, they have been known to make some pretty good music, especially lately ( Jonathan Boulet and Richard In Your Mind). Home to The Seekers, AC/DC, The Vines, Jet, Wolf Mother and many others, the Australians are no stranger to rock music. Carrying on the classic rock flag is Tame Impala, who is probably about as classic rock as you can get while still being contemporary. With guitars that would please Hendrix and vocals that bear an uncanny resemblance to John Lennon, it's no wonder that the members of Tame Impala are making a name for themselves. It also doesn't hurt to be touring with MGMT and have past dates with Yeasayer and The Black Keys under your belt. Releasing their debut album, Innerspeaker, on Modular (arguably Australia's biggest label), the band has certainly skipped to the relative front of the line in terms of international success.
For good reason though, Innerspeaker is a piece of psych rock gold. While it may not stand up to the pop sensibilities of late, and it's probably not the first choice record to throw on at a party, that doesn't take away from the fact this would be great soundtrack to a summer roadtrip, drinking beer out in the sun or passing the joint around. There is a nice diversity to the album, from circular jam tracks like "Solitude is Bliss" to straight forward arena rock like "Desire Be Desire Go" or the dizzying eclecticism of "The Bold Arrow of Time", there is a little something for everyone in the rock department, and these standout cuts show it off. Fundamentally, Tame Impala are all about layers. Nothing is ever left to float on its own and songs that start off with simplicity are soon methodically built into a wall of sound. These layers provide a great pillow for the Lennon-reverbed vocals and John Bonham percussion to operate. If anything the level of complexity and technical skill displayed on this debut release proves that we can probably expect interesting things from this group in the future. Somewhere between now and then, we hope that Innerspeaker makes it on to a record player near you. If not, check out "Desire Be Desire Go" in digital form below. Old and new, just like Tame Impala.
Coming out the interminable epicenter of creativity that is Brooklyn, is yet another hot new band - Minks. Opting for the popular minimal info approach, there isn't a lot known about the project. However, here are some of the facts:
Judging by live footage the band seems to have 6 members.
The music video is made by Wooden Lense, a Portland-based film collective.
I fucking LOVE macaroni and cheese. Wait....
With only a 7" to date, Minks emanate a pretty cohesive sound, one in the ilk of Gothic New Wave. You can certainly hear elements of The Cure or The Smiths - a clear, driving bass line, nickel guitar that darts in and leaves lazily, whining synth layered over simplistic drums. "Funeral Song", which is the standout single, even has some vocals reminiscent of Morrisey's baritone croon, but to just compare them to The Smiths though, would be unfair. Their other tracks show there is more capacity to this group than just regurgitating John Hughes soundtracks. Even "Funeral Song" is a departure from simple emulation, an eerie inversion of effervescence and depression. It's a bright song for sad kids. Good news for people who love bad news, to reference the melancholic Modest Mouse. And while "So long summertime/I'm not coming back" constitutes the chorus of a single making it's way to us right at the first signs of sunshine and warmth, we can't help but disagree a little in our minds, but our ears certainly couldn't care less. The lovely video work of Wooden Lense below shows that our eyes can be pretty happy, too. If you like it, then I know you'll dig this as well. How can you be a sad kid now? Enjoy!
After seeing Crocodiles open for The Faint and Ladytron last spring, I have to say I was pretty smitten with their dark demeanor and manic energy. Their April '09 debut, Summer of Hate, quickly became one of my go-to zone-out albums. Which isn't to say that the duo is devoid of stimulating riffs or raucous percussion, you could certainly thrash out to the titular single (video below), but there is something rather mollifying about their hazy brand of noise-pop. While Summer of Hate exuded a more sinister vibe, their new single "Sleep Forever" still employs that wall-of-sound style, but Producer John Ford (one half of Simian Mobile Disco), cleans up some of the fuzz and moves the band towards a slightly more light-hearted tone.Frontman Brandon Welchez' vocals come off as less haughty and caustic, and the instrumentation moves away from the crunchier guitar riffs of old. The future looks exciting for Crocodiles, currently on tour with Dum Dum Girls. The pair will roll through Portland on June 25th, via the Hawthorne Theater. I just might see you there!
Anyone whose been a regular fan of [adult swim] knows that the crew over there is pretty hip to the groove. Airing shows like Tim and Eric, Aqua Teen Hunger Force and a slew of other cult favorites, their slightly bent, minimalist programming has pervaded a generation. Known for using a wide variety of contemporary music in their commercials and filler material, [adult swim] has recently partnered with Kia for the Adult Swim Singles Program. "8 Free Tracks 8 Straight Weeks" the page boasts. Well, they are currently on Week 4 and the past three weeks have been pretty satisfying. Displaying expansive taste, past singles include an acoustic ballad from Matt Sweeney and Bonnie "Prince" Billy, a fresh hip-hop cut from Killer Mike produced by Flying Lotus of all people, and a funky flow from Madvillain - the collaborative of Madlib and [as] favorite MF DOOM. This week continues to shake things up with a great new track from chillwave superstar Ernest Greene aka washed out. Interestingly enough the track features vocals from Chairlift frontlady Caroline Polachek. The result is "You and I", a hypangogic underwater dreamscape that could easily accompany any steamy romance montage from a 90's movie. Romeo + Juliet comes to mind. Regardless, it's a track that you could comfortably sink into on repeat for a good long while. I know, I just did it. Try it for yourself and check out those past singles too. Stay tuned, they've still got four more weeks of titillating tracks to come.
Traditionally, when we enter a new decade, we find that the genres we've become accustomed to change with the era. 2010 is no exception. With bands like Neon Indian, Washed Out and Memory Tapes creating one of the most popular genres of this new decade, we are all becoming quite familiar with chillwave. Riding into our hearts on this chillwave is Toro Y Moi. If you've never heard of bedroom artist Toro Y Moi yet, you need to check him out asap. Coming out of South Carolina, the project is spearheaded by Chazwick Bundick. In addition to having one of the coolest names ever, he also has one of the chillest projects out right now. (Pun intended!) Chillwave, also known as glo-fi, is a genre that eats up eclectic influences and produces an interesting spread of dreamy electronic pop that somehow evokes an undefinable nostalgia. Toro Y Moi is no exception. Blending 70's pastoral folk, 80's new romanticism and 90's indie into one cohesive album, Chaz released his full length debut, Causers of This, in January of this year. I recently saw Toro Y Moi as a 4-piece, opening for Caribou at the Hawthorne Theater. Let me say there is no doubt that this kid is definitely only on the up and up. As an opener, they were rallied into an encore and played an interesting new single "Leave Everywhere". Recently released, the track departs from TYM's chillwave roots and moves towards more guitar driven, purely lo-fi rock. This is par for the course, as Chaz had stated that he intends to release two different albums this year. While he doesn't mind the chillwave label, he wants to show that he's into all kinds of music, and by the sound of this single we're all for that notion. Yay for diversity! Keep it coming Mr. Bundick.
New York based artist Bjorn Copeland is a pretty talented dude. Despite comprising one third of the trio behind Black Dice, he is also quite an accomplished visual artist. Regularly doing work for the band's albums, posters and t-shirts, he has also displayed his collage style art in a multitude of galleries on the east coast. Employing a vivid color palette, from neons to primaries, and focusing on the blend between geometric shapes, patterns and organic imagery - Copeland seems to address, moreover mock, the high glitz, over-produced graphic design that dominates major media sources. He also regularly adapts found objects into sculpture and installation pieces that strike the same chords as his 2 dimensional work. If you haven't ever checked out Black Dice either, then get on it. Existing for over a decade now, releasing an album on DFA (founded by James Murphy of LCD Soundsystem), the group is currently on the roster for Paw Tracks (founded by the members of Animal Collective.) Here's the video for 2007's "Kokomo", which definitely incorporates the artistic style evident with Copeland into moving form. Epileptics be warned!
Back in March a group called Cults made a big splash in the music blogosphere with "Go Outside". At the time is was the only known track from the deliberately clandestine group. While deciding to wait for a little something more to write about, this song has quickly racked up a substantial play count here at the Spectrum. We were quite excited to find out a good deal more about Cults in recent months. We now know the project is helmed by Brian Oblivion and Madeline Follin who are film students in NYC. The song was released as part of a set of 3 on a 7" over on their Bandcamp. The group has plans to release a full length sometime this year and possibly start touring. In the meantime, the aforementioned 7" is so buttery delicious that we can continue to satiate ourselves just a little longer.
"Go Outside" plays comfortably in the mix of any summer playlist. The call to action from the title is evoked perfectly in the sonic qualities of this track. Despite an ironically morbid sampling from ultimate cult leader Jim Jones - jangling glockenspiel and a Jackson 5 inspired bassline mingle with reverberating choral vocals that resemble the kind of lo-fi indie pop coming out of some countries like Sweden lately. Grab your bicycle, get their one and only release over on the Bandcamp, get it on your iPod and set to repeat, then start riding for perfect summertime fun. With only that 7" to their name, the details of this project may still be a little hazy and your summer might be even hazier, but it's clear that we can't wait to hear more from Cults.
With as much cultural diversity as a Spike Lee film, Foals latest video release for "Miami" is surely a weird one. Gang fight between body builders and drag queens? Hell yeah! Baby powder and a hydraulic hoopty? You bet! While it's not really clear if the video is supposed to be suggesting something about Miami itself, or merely humorous juxtapostion, the song itself is certainly worth a listen or two. Off their newest release, Foals just dropped their new album Total Life Foreveron May 11th via Sub Pop. Laugh, cry, maybe gag a little? You decide.
The low-key, acoustic stylings of Sweden's Jose Gonzalez are what made him famous. So you wouldn't necessarily know what to expect when he formed a trio called Junip back in 2005 and put out an EP called Black Refugee. Now 5 years since that debut release, you still can't really be sure what to expect, but you might have a better idea. Announcing the release of a new full length, set to drop for September of this year, the band has made the 4 track Rope and Summit EP available for free over on their website. The title track "Rope and Summit" is hopefully a lovely harbinger. Tickling our expectations, the song displays Gonzalez innate aptitude for restraint, featuring his trademark nylon abilities, building slowly into a tightly bubbling soundscape of riffs and repeating vocals. Somehow he makes the transition more naturally than you would think. Combining elements of kraut-rock and jazz, this cut certainly has refreshingly uptempo and off-kilter vibe that seems to come with ease from the typically soporific Gonzalez. The second track, "Far Away", picks up where the first left off, displaying a new level of energy, but Junip doesn't disappoint the original fan base. The second half gently puts you back to sleep with the jammy "At the Doors" and lulling "Loops", proving that elements of Jose will always remain as they certainly should. Check out the title track and grab that EP now.
The White Panda, Procrast aka Tom Evans and DJ Griffi aka Dan Griffith, are one of the most reliable DJ crews mashin' it up on the internet these days. In the ilk of The Hood Internet and RAC, these guys regularly have new tracks in the "Top 25" on Hype Machine. Soon to unveil their newest batch of tracks with Rematch, they're latest track, "The Next Starf*cker", comes as teaser for that release. This is a summer party jam at it's finest, combining some real fan favorites with Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg and Nate Dogg's hood flows on "Smoke Weed Everyday" and Starfucker's poppy accompaniment on "Rawnald Gregory Erickson The Second". Check it, grab the track and throw that shiz on your iPod party playlist ASAP!
One half of the Swedish duo The Tough Alliance, Eric Berglund is making waves with his new side project - CEO. The project, like many these days, was a mystery to many at first; with no myspace or word who was behind it. Pitchfork only recently discovered that it is indeed Berglund. Check out the official band page for an equally cryptic description. CEO seems to maintain TTA's funky electronic presence, while cultivating a sound that is perhaps slightly poppier in a more a traditional sense. Either way, if the single "Come With Me" is any indicator, then we're looking forward to CEO's June 29th debut White Magic on Modular.
Hot off the heels of our post about Helio Sequence's new track "Converter" comes "Five Little Rooms" from Menomena. This is relative because despite being just label-mates, the two Portland bands are good friends and the b-side "Converter" was released as a split 7" with a Menomena's b-side "Pilgrim's Progress". This new single, "Five Little Rooms", comes as well-timed hype for the July 27th release of Menomena's new record Mines on Barsuk Records. Details of the release came from drummer Danny Seim himself over on the band's website. Danny gives us the facts about the song:
Here are five little facts about "Five Little Rooms"
1.It's the ninth track on our new album
2.It started out as one song a few years ago and ended up an entirely different song a few months ago
3. It prominently features the words "prostitute", "children", "hung", "bridegroom", "suburban" and "mcdonalds" (we're edgy now, haven't you heard?)
4. It was the last song to be chosen for the new record, which, in our perverted world, somehow makes it the most appropriate choice for the first single
5. It's either the best or the worst song we've ever written; you decide!
Well I wouldn't say it's either the best or the worst, Danny. Certainly not as addicting as their biggest hit "Wet and Rusting", the track does highlight the breadth of Menomena's sonic capability. Employing a number of instrumental voices, from saxophones to kazoos, you have to give props to the band for crafting something that still works despite being so eclectic. Give the song a listen below and download it for free if you like.
Illustrations by Johan Theeuwes on 40cm x 40cm blocks. The idea is that each block can be played with to make up your own story. These would be fun to have in your house for people to get clever with. Kind of like magnetic poetry, but more visually appealing. Either way each panel itself is a great image in its own right. Anybody come up with a story of their own?
Like Blur, The Helio Sequence released a new track back on Record Store Day. Somehow I missed it, but that doesn't mean it's any less awesome. Reportedly a b-side off their forthcoming unnamed album, the song is called "Converter". No definite release date, but with the band's last release, the wonderful Keep Your Eyes Ahead in 2008, this track is quite a teaser to salivating fans and one that indicates we will probably be hearing the single sometime this fall, if not summer. Featuring the floating vocals and oscillating melodies of Brandon Summers and machine-like rhythm backing from Benjamin Weikel, "Converter" is what we've come to expect from The Helio sequence. Perhaps a sign that the band won't completely buck their sound like some bands this year. Take that how you will, but in this case, I'd be more than pleased to hear the band continue moving in a lateral direction. Keep Your Eyes Ahead was so good, they could probably release it in reverse and call it their new album and I would still love it. In this new song Summers says "We won't wait for justice" - no we won't, but we will certainly be waiting for their next release.
Brand new to the city of Portland comes Jerry Joiner and his act Girlfriends. Combining influences of math rock and post-hardcore, there is something more than just teenage angst to this guy. Beautiful jazz inspired lines layer with thunderous percussion in the ilk of Tera Melos. Like the silverware drawer crashing to the floor, Girlfriends is both clean and sleek while still capable of blasting your ear drums. With gang vocals, looping guitars and head bobbing drums, Jerry Joiner has created one of the most interesting and complex one-man bands to come along in awhile. Be sure to keep an eye on his MySpace or Facebook for upcoming shows. With plans to record new material in July, there is plenty to keep an eye on. Girlfriends first full length is available on Bandcamp, so there's no reason not to pick it up for however much you want! He's new to town, so throw him a couple bones though guys. Either way, Portland welcomes you Mr. Joiner!
In lieu of doing actual writing on this most perfect of spring days. I'll leave you with some great solar jams for this wonderful occurrence. Hopefully these tunes can find their way to your iPod and into your ears with a riverside bike ride or sidewalk jaunt with a warm breeze. Perhaps, no certainly, more content on some of these artists later, but for now enjoy!
There have almost been too many solid releases in 2010 thus far. From Thee Oh Sees to local act Hosannas, this week has been no exception. One release I'm especially excited about is the new album High Violet from The National. Unlike the last two posts, The National are most certainly not helmed by a female lead. Singer Matt Berninger's distinct, baritone delivery makes for one of the most recognizable male voices in contemporary music. Achieving major notoriety with the immense critical acclaim of their last two albums - Alligator (2005) and Boxer (2007) - this is an eagerly awaited release from both fans and critics alike. Since 2007 the band worked with director Vincent Moon (of Blogotheque fame) on a A Skin, A Night (2008) and the Virginia EP of B-sides and rarities. High Violet is the band's fifth album and the next rung in their ladder of success.
High Violet is nothing short of what we've come to expect from The National, and while progressive is sometimes what we like to see from bands, I say if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Mostly employing the traditional array of instruments - piano, drums, guitars - the accompaniment is as tight as ever. Berninger's voice is the perfect brush for painting scenes of dark walks alone and gruesome depictions of love. In "Terrible Love" Berninger laments, "It's a terrible love and I'm walking with spiders." If anything is different with High Violet, it's because that itis somehow more organic, more unbridled than the savvy, sleeker imagery conjured up in previous efforts. In "Conversation 16" we hear "I was afraid I'd eat your brains/ 'cause I'm evil."These introspective and drifting vocals build with harmonic choral backing that comfortably transcend the innately pensive and evocative tones we've come to love. This comfortable scope means that whether you're giving this album a serious listen or simply have it on in the background, it's hard not to lose yourself in it. So while we've yet to quite reach the halfway mark for 2010, you can be sure that like the last two albums, High Violet will definitely be on a lot of people's year-end lists.
Released yesterday, you can pick the album in major stores nationwide or online. Surely High Violet will be on full display when these guys play Sasquatch in a few weeks. In the meantime sample their new single "Bloodbuzz Ohio" in visual form below or preview their whole album over on Spinner and check out some of those other great releases too.
There is so much you could say about CocoRosie, from their distinctly unpredictable style to their equally eclectic blend of pop, blues, folk, electronica, hip-hop and more. Riding the wave to international success with 2007's The Adventures of Ghosthorse and Stillborn, today marks the release of their 4th album - Grey Oceans. Recently making the switch to the Sub Pop label, arguably the most prominent label in the indie game and for good reason, you know that this is gonna be a big release. I have always withheld judgement of CocoRosie and listening to the new single "Lemonade", I am still unsure. A lonely piano sonata, layered with soulful, fuzzy synth and classic CocoRosie wilted and scratchy vocals give way to a jazzy chorus in the ilk of Feist's "My Moon My Man". There is part of me that wants to cast off CocoRosie as trying too hard to be out there, too eccentric for their own good, but ultimately I think I appreciate their uniqueness. In a world full of "the same," there is undoubtedly no group quite like CocoRosie. Grey Oceans is a testament to that singularity and despite what may be some of the worst graphic design I have ever seen on an album cover, it's definitely worth a listen. You can check out the entirety of Grey Oceans on Sub Pop's SoundCloud or listen to "Lemonade" below to get a pretty good idea.
PS. What do you think of this new SoundCloud player? I'm really digging the potential of the rest of their services. I may have to invest in an account.
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