New Track from Menomena!

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.

Menomena - "Five Little Rooms"

Block Art by Johan Theeuwes

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?

A new track from Helio Sequence

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. 

The Helio Sequence - "Converter"

New Music Tuesday - Girlfriends

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!

Girlfriends - "Untitled #6"


Girlfriends - "The Apocalypse Made Me Brave"

Sunny Day

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!

The Album Leaf - "Falling from the Sun"


The Pica Beats - "Summer Cutting Kale"


Richard In Your Mind - "The New Sun"


Empire of the Sun - "Walking on a Dream"


Millionyoung - "Hammocks"

Other sunny jams already on this blog:

http://svn-scnd-spctrm.blogspot.com/2010/05/local-lowdown-orca-team.html

http://svn-scnd-spctrm.blogspot.com/2010/04/finally-new-blur.html

http://svn-scnd-spctrm.blogspot.com/2010/04/jonathan-boulet.html

http://svn-scnd-spctrm.blogspot.com/2009/12/new-and-old.html

http://svn-scnd-spctrm.blogspot.com/2009/11/fresh-track.html

And more! Check the archives.

New Release by The National

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 it is 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.

The National - "Bloodbuzz Ohio"

CocoRosie - Grey Oceans

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.

CocoRosie - "Lemonade"

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.

Mashin' It Up

From Quix-22 and Elliot Caps comes a great mashup of Biggie, Tupac and The XX. Pairing "Intro" from The XX, which provides a beautifully smooth build-up and beat, and the continually reinvented poetics of Biggie and Tupac, these two DJ's have created something that's real hard not to get hyped on. When the drums come in on this song, I challenge you to keep your blood pressure at a normal rate. Seriously.

The XX vs Biggie vs Tupac - "Runnin' With The XX" (Quix vs Eliot Blend)

New Music Tuesday - Motorcycle Maus

Certainly not Deadmau5, maybe a little more Modest Mouse, it's hard to pin down exactly what Motorcycle Maus sounds like. Especially using bands with some variation of mouse in their name to compare them, of which those are the only two I can think of. Perhaps then, we should stick to the adjectives and hyperbole typical of the music blog. So what comes to mind when you listen to Motorcycle Maus? Melancholic, wreckless, layered, lo-fi, a plethora of intrumentation, avant-garde. Like a rainy day in a coffee shop or your reflection in the bus window. Electronic and acoustic, Motorcycle Maus is that special blend of art rock that many try for, but few pull off with much success. "Fiji Mermaid" arguably the single from their Knockout EP harks on Neutral Milk Hotel or Okkervil River. Getting more electronic on "Dancing With Yr Bloodcells", Motorcycle Maus shows that they can run the gamut musically while still producing enjoyably morose gems. Hailing from Philly, Motorcycle Maus has been motoring around the country on a huge spring tour. They had trouble finding some place to play in Portland, but hopefully we can get these guys back into town soon. In the meantime, find some dysphoric delight on this New Music Tuesday from Motorcycle Maus.   

Motorcycle Maus - "Fiji Mermaid"


Motorcycle Maus - "Dancing With Yr Bloodcells"

Local Lowdown - ORCA TEAM

2010 is the year of surf revival. With the rise of bands like Best Coast and Surfer Blood, we're all falling in love again with the simple, lovely, reverb-laden sounds of the ocean. One of the bands whose doing it best is ORCA TEAM. It doesn't hurt that these guys are Portland locals, albeit maybe a little ironic with our utter lack of surfing round these parts. Orca Team is a simple three piece consisting of Leif Anders on bass and vocals, Jessica B. on guitar and Ami Taylor on drums, and it's simplicity that makes these guys great. Old school surf-pop riffs blend with arrangement that lends itself to post-punk sensibilities, so Beach Boys they are not, nor should they be. Oozing bass lines and minor tone vocals groove nicely with the jangly reverberating guitars and punctual rhythm backing. As timeless as a day at the beach, Orca Team is both contemporary and classic. Capable of brightening even the rainiest Portland evening, these guys can rock both bars and basements with ease. Be sure to check them out at the Orca Team headquarters, The Pink Room, with Nucular Animals, Karen., and Stag Bitten on May 7th. We might be lucky enough to see Ander's new project BESTIES as well.

ORCA TEAM - "Let It Go"


ORCA TEAM - "Vancouver B.C."