Archive for August, 2010
Of Montreal Releases “False Priest.” The Review.
I’ll admit it. I was getting pretty bored with Of Montreal’s glitter dance party that lasted for about a year too long. A fan of the band since the beginning, I will admit that I have enjoyed every second of their career, but things were starting to get a little repetitive. This is where False Priest (Polyvinyl) comes in. Out with the old and in with the new. They’ve traded in most of their glitz and glam for some 1970s flare. And it’s working. Even though the album isn’t released until September 14th, it has been one of the most anticipated records of the year. One really good decision the band made when making this record was bringing in an outside producer. Not that frontman Kevin Barnes hasn’t been doing a fantastic job at making their records, but sometimes a cook from another kitchen is needed, you know? That is where musican extraordinare, Jon Brion, comes in. The band worked with him to produce some of the most amazing tracks in their career so far. There has also been a few lineup changes in the band like the addition of a few more members to carry their studio sound to the stage, and long time drummer, James Husband, has left the band to pursue his solo career.
Starting with the track “I Feel Ya Stutter,” which could scare a lot of fans away at first, is a witty song. I’m not sure if there is any other way to explain it. The harmonies of Kevin’s voice for the most part are spot on. For the next track, “Our Riotous Effect,” he even does a little ‘rap talk,’ in there which oddly fits well.
Lets get one thing straight before we go any further. Barnes somehow can do no wrong. It’s pretty impossible. He is like the Madonna of indie rock. He’s always changing and somehow it always comes out perfectly.
The first single “Coquet Coquette,” which has been floating around on the Of Montreal live set circut for quite a while, is one of those songs you will want to put on repeat. It’s highly dancable and kind of sums up the whole entire record. Fun, witty, and makes you want to shake your ass. The guitar riffs in particular are extremely memorable, as they should be.
“Godly Intersex,” is a bit of an oddball at part, but it still works. Even when he sings the lyrics “We danced for miscarriages,” you can tell it’s a Barnes trademark lyric. They don’t always make sense at first glance but you know there is some underlying meaning behind it that will eat you alive until you find it out. “Enemy Gene,” features the artsy Janelle Monae who has been opening for the band and joining them onstage for the past year or so. It is a spacey and haunting song that still makes you want to dance. The bassline is very prominant in this track and emphasises the tone of the song.
“Hydra Fancies,” is a song that reeks 1970s. And that is a good thing, because that is the sound that Barnes and company were going for and it’s exactly what they were able to create. This album ends up being no less than flawless in many senses of the way.”Like a Tourist,” makes me feel like Dottie Alexander should start whipping out a keytar on stage more often (please?).The band really starts to come alive on this track, and I mean the whole band, guitar solos and all.
Up next is “Sex Karma,” that features Beyonce’s little sister, Solange. I’ll admit that the first time I saw them perform this onstage with her I was not extremely impressed. Though maybe I would have been in better spirits if I I wasn’t being beaten up by 1,000 16 year olds that happened to attend the show that night. Together on this track, Knowles’ and Barnes’ voices blend perfectly, like they were born to duet with each other. It actually made me wish she was on more than one song on the record.
“Girl Named Hello,” Barnes takes his voice down a few pitches and tries to turn into the nitty gritty rock and roll of the past though the music itself tends to be classic Of Montreal which of course, is superb. “Famine Affair,” fits in the same vein as the prior track, and though these songs differ slightly from the first few songs, it all fits together without missing a beat.
“Casualty of You,” starts out with a piano sound that will make you feel like you are going to be murdered in your apartment but then turns out to be one of the sweetest sounding songs that the band has ever created…or perhaps in indie music in general. To me this sounds like the records my parents listened to when I was a kid in the 80’s from when they were teenagers in the 70’s. Many of you know what I’m talking about, it’s very much a feeling, an echo in the piano, an emotion in the voice. It’s a familar sound in the best way possible.
“Around the Way,” brings the record back up to full dance status and the harmonies kick in again that make the song fill the room. This whole track fills the room actually so blare it loud. “You Do Mutilate?” the 7-minute track ends the record in Of Montreal style, blending most of the elements from the record into one song. That is one of the greatest thing about this band. They can touch on so many subjects and musical styles but can make it all sound as one big collaboration.
False Priest is perfect. Of Montreal hit the nail on the head again, but that’s no surprise at all, is it?
False Priest is out September 14th via Polyvinyl Records.
Of Montreal – “Sex Karma” (Featuring Solange) by ModernMysteryBlog
Modern Mystery’s 2 Year Anniversary / SSLYBY Contest!
DO YOU LOVE SOMEONE STILL LOVES YOU BORIS YELTSIN AS MUCH AS WE (OBVIOUSLY) DO?
Then check out our new contest!
Modern Mystery is giving away a VINYL TEST PRESSING copy of Let It Sway courtesy of the nice people at Polyvinyl Records. The contest starts NOW!
To enter the contest, please send your name and e-mail address to us with a paragraph (that’s like 4 sentences kids) stating why you love SSLYBY so much. This shouldn’t be that hard, right?
The contest ends Tuesday, September 7th at Midnight. The winner will be notified by e-mail.
Send all entries to us at ModernMysteryBlog@Yahoo.com
Please put in the header “SSLYBY CONTEST”
You MUST live in the United States to enter.
Good luck and let it sway!
Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin Breaks Down “Let It Sway”
Some indie bands have really strong, almost obsessive fan bases, and the boys of Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin are on the top of the list. Recently, Meghan Baier who runs the band’s most notable website called I Am Warm and Powerful, conducted an interview with Phil Dickey and Will Knauer from the band, in which they answered fan submitted questions about Let It Sway (Polyvinyl). Touching on all topics imaginable in regards to the new record, the guys open up in their charming SSLYBY way as always. The band has just released their new, critically acclaimed album a couple of weeks ago, and it’s been a hit with the fans as well.
Head over to the site to read The Let It Sway Breakdown Interview, and be sure to check out the tour dates a few posts below.
Remix Fridays! The Drums – “Forever And Ever Amen (Thieves Like Us Remix)”
We’re just spreading a little Friday joy to your workspace. Yea, we like the idea of Remix Fridays. Do you? Here’s our first installment that we cannot stop listening to. The Drums “Forever and Ever Amen” remixed by Thieves Like Us. Let this song help you through the rest of your workday and into the weekend.
The Drums – “Forever And Ever Amen (Thieves Like Us Remix)” by ModernMysteryBlog
Weezer Plan Blue Album & “Pinkerton” Tour
When I was 11 in 1994, the first cassette tape (yea tape, stop laughing) I brought on my own was Weezer’s Weezer (The Blue Album). I was extremely excited. I got it in Record Town. That doesn’t even exist anymore. I had seen the band’s video for “Buddy Holly” on MTV (when they still played videos mind you), in my cousin’s basement one spring day. Possibly after that awful Jenny McCarthy dating show.
Anyway, from that moment on, I was obsessed with the band. They were one of the groups that helped form my love for music, especially indie music. I recall sitting in my backyard listening to it over and over again on my cassette walkman on my swingset. In 1996 Pinkerton came out, and I got it on CD no less (big step) and listened to it on repeat for hours. The strange thing about all of this is that these two records can be seen as the best work that Weezer ever created. Frontman Rivers Cuomo has fallen off the track in his knack for songwriting time and time again, to the point I don’t give their music a second glance now-a-days. This, is sad. But a lot of people have felt the same way.
To rekindle the flame, Weezer have announced the plan for a pending tour in which they will only play tracks from the first two records. Weezer fans rejoice! Cuomo has already talked to MTV News about it so it sounds like a go from the start. When and where these shows will take place are up in the air as of right now, but the best bet is that they’ll be sometime early next year.
Here is what Rivers had to say to MTV:
“We have this really exciting idea to do a tour where we spend two nights in each city, and the first night, we play the entire Blue Album, and the second night, we play the entirety of Pinkerton. We’re just running it by promoters right now to see if there’s sufficient interest in the markets to do something like that, and if they’re on board, it’s gonna happen.”
Check back to Modern Mystery as soon as more information and tour dates drop from the band.
The Morning Benders Plan Extensive Tour
The Morning Benders have recently added a slew of more tour dates to their ever growing schedule. The band already announced a few months ago their plans to play a number of dates, but now the tour has expanded all the way to next year. The Morning Benders’ newest release, Big Echo (+1/Roughtrade), which came out earlier this year, has been a turning point in the band’s career. The shows will feature the group as headliners as they travel through the United States, Europe and Australia. Take a look at the tour dates below. If you miss out on these shows you should reconsider your love of music.
The Morning Benders – “I Wanna Be Like You (Jungle Book cover)” by ModernMysteryBlog
The Morning Benders Tour Dates:
09-11 Berlin, Germany – Berlin Festival
09-12 Heidelberg, Germany – Karlstorbanhof
09-13 Cologne, Germany – Luxor
09-14 Utrecht, Belgium – Tivoli de Helling
09-16 Aarhus, Denmark – Vox Hall
09-17 Stockholm, Sweden – Debaser
09-18 Gothenburg, Sweden – Pustervik
09-19 Oslo, Norway – John Dee
09-21 Haldern, Germany – Haldern Bar
09-22 Dresden, Germany – Beatpol
09-26 Winterthur, Switzerland – Sazhaus
09-27 Eindhoven, Netherlands – Effenaar
09-28 Brussels, Belgium – AB
09-29 Paris, France – Nouveau Casino
09-30 London, England – Borderline
10-09 Dallas, TX – Kessler Theater
10-10 Austin, TX – Austin City Limits
10-12 Tempe, AZ – Clubhouse Music Venue
10-13 Solana Beach, CA – Belly Up Tavern
10-14 Los Angeles, CA – Music Box
10-15 Santa Cruz, CA – Rio Theatre
10-16 San Francisco, CA – Fillmore
10-18 Seattle, WA – Neumo’s
10-19 Portland, OR – Doug Fir Lounge
10-20 Vancouver, British Columbia – Venue
10-22 Boise, ID – Neurolux
10-23 Salt Lake City, UT – Urban Lounge
10-25 Denver, CO – Bluebird Theater
10-28 Minneapolis, MN – Varsity Theater
10-29 Milwaukee, WI – Turner Hall Ballroom
10-31 Chicago, IL – Lincoln Hall
11-02 Newport, KY – Historic Southgate House
11-03 Columbus, OH – Basement
11-05 Toronto, Ontario – Mod Club Theatre
11-06 Montreal, Quebec – Cabaret du Mile End
11-07 South Burlington, VT – Higher Ground Showcase Lounge
11-09 Boston, MA – Paradise Rock Club
11-10 Northampton, MA – Iron Horse Music Hall
11-11 Philadelphia, PA – First Unitarian Church
11-12 Washington, DC – Black Cat
11-18 New York, NY – Webster Hall
12-30 Hobart, Australia – Falls Festival
12-31 Lorne, Australia – Falls Festival
01-02 Busselton, Australia – Southbound Festival
01-06 Brisbane, Australia – Sunset Sounds Festival
Jenny and Johnny to Tour with Band of Horses, Release New Songs
Face it. Anything that has the good Jenny Lewis name on it is pretty much a given that it is going to be awesome. Her newest project with musical collaborator and boyfriend, Johnathan Rice, is no different. The duo has just announced that they will be headed on the tour with indie sensations Band of Horses on select dates. They’ll also be playing with the likes of Pavement, Belle and Sebastian and more on their extensive stint.
Gaining attention from every music publication out there, the two seem to be an unstoppable force when they are together blending vocals and incredible soundtrack to go along with it.
Take a peek below at the tour dates and the tracklisting for their yet to be released record We’re Having Fun Now (Warner) due out August 31st.
Jenny and Johnny – “Big-Wave” by ModernMysteryBlog
Jenny and Johnny Tour Dates:
09-01 Santa Cruz, CA – Rio Theater $
09-02-03 San Francisco, CA – Great American Music Hall $
09-05 Portland, OR – Doug Fir Lounge !
09-06 Seattle, WA – Bumbershoot
09-08 Salt Lake City, NV – State Room !
09-09 Broomfield, CO – 1st Bank Center
09-11 Omaha, NE – Waiting Room !
09-12 Minneapolis, MN – Cedar Cultural Center !
09-13 Chicago, IL – Lincoln Hall !
09-14 Cleveland, OH – Beachland Ballroom !
09-16 Washington, DC – Black Cat !
09-17 Pawtucket, RI – Met Cafe !
09-18 Boston, MA – Agganis Arena *
09-19 Brooklyn, NY – Williamsburg Waterfront *
09-21 Hoboken, NJ – Maxwell’s !
09-22 Philadelphia, PA – Trocadero ^
09-23 Carrboro, NC – Cat’s Cradle
09-24 Athens, GA – 40 Watt Club
09-25 Nashville, TN – Mercy Lounge
09-28 Dallas, TX – Granada
09-29 Austin, TX – Emo’s
10-03 Hollywood, CA – Hollywood Palladium #
10-21 Toronto, Ontario – Kool Haus **$
10-22 Detroit, MI – Fillmore **$
10-28 Asheville, NC – Thomas Wolfe Auditorium **
10-29 North Charleston, SC – Performing Arts Center **
10-30 Atlanta, GA – Fox Theater **
12-12 Minehead, England – ATP Bowlie 2 Festival #
$ with Ganglians
! with Love as Laughter
* with Pavement
^ with Superchunk
# with Belle and Sebastian
** with Band of Horses
$ with Besnard Lakes
Tracklisting:
01 Scissor Runner
02 My Pet Snakes
03 Switchblade
04 Big Wave
05 While Men Are Dreaming
06 Animal
07 Just Like Zeus
08 New York Cartoon
09 Straight Edge of the Blade
10 Slavedriver
11 Committed
Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin – “Let It Sway”
Where should I begin with this record? The third release by indie darlings, Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin titled Let it Sway (Polyvinyl), is more than an album. It’s a piece of art.
For years the band has been known for their sugary pop tunes and songs that you “just can’t get out of your head,” but this time they have taken it to a whole new level. Working with Death Cab for Cutie guitarist Chris Walla, and Sparklehorse’s Beau Sorenson, this is the first release that they did not record and produce themselves.
Notably a big step for the band, some wondered what if Walla changed too many qualities that we love about SSLYBY? Luckily, it worked in everyone’s favor as their music was enhanced not changed which is something very important when you have a formula that already works.
The opener “Back in the Saddle,” already proves the new found maturity of the band in the record. Starting off with a soft piano accompanied by Phil Dickey’s voice, the song starts to switch it up around the 2:40 mark with a pouncing beat, John Robert Cardwell’s vocals, and perfect, and I mean perfect harmonies. From the second the album starts there is not a dull moment which is very important. “Sink/Let it Sway,” the first single, draws you in even more with it’s pop hooks. A fun song that will have you up and dancing around the room in no time. “Banned (By the Man),” is where even more vocal magic comes in. The harmonies throughout every song is outstanding. The songs are well crafted from start to finish with no details being left out. Every instrument shines for itself, being emphasized at every point possible creating an epic barrier of sound.
“In Pairs,” makes me want to dance. There is something about it. The Dickey/Cardwell penned tune was also written by Grace Bentley, Phil’s wife (Congrats Newlyweds!). Though the vocal lines in the song are short, it works and it works well. “My Terrible Personality,” is another track that will have your ass out of the seat dancing. I can’t even properly review it because it just makes me want to have fun. This is something the Yeltsins are good at, very, very good at.
One of my personal favorite tracks from the record, “Everlyn,” sounds a bit heartbreaking, and oozes pure beauty. Clearly a song about lost love, it seems like it comes from a personal place that Cardwell knows all too well. I cannot get enough of this song and with first listen you will know exactly why. It’s beautiful in every way. “Oh Everyln, won’t you let me in?” croons Cardwell, invoking a great deal of emotion. Kudos to Will Knauer and Jonathan James for always being spot on with their playing.
“Stuart Gets Lost Dans Le Metro,” is the only song on the album that takes the band back in time a bit, proving they are still the Yeltsins that we fell in love with at the beginning. “All Hail Dracula!” which has been a fan favorite since the boys started playing it live at their shows in 2009, brings the record back up with a burst of energy once again. A witty song about vampires, this one will have you putting it on repeat.
Cardwell takes over the mic again after two Dickey songs for “Critical Drain,” and the harmonies are back in full force that will stop you in your tracks. The album gets a little darker with “Animalkind,” and borders on making you want to shake your ass and just sit and take it all in. It’s your choice. Make it a good one.
“Phantomwise,” is the epitome of how SSLYBY has grown on this record. It’s where everything fully pulls together. All of the elements of the album brought into one song. You can tell that the band has consciously made a decision to grow, but it doesn’t seem forced at all. It is the most natural progression you could ever expect. Closing for good with “Made to Last,” Let It Sway goes out with a BANG. A little on the haunting side, it makes for the perfect ending song, and if I had it my way, the album would just go on forever. It makes me hungry for more SSLYBY.
If you order the record from the band’s label, Polyvinyl Records, you get three bonus songs, “Bended,” “Cardinal Rules,” (The song about their hometown minor league baseball team), and “Tanks Jam.” Well worth ordering the disc or vinyl online.
Congratulations Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin. You’ve made your best record yet. And we love it to pieces.
The band heads out on an extensive tour that starts this Thursday in Columbia, MO. Take a look at where they’ll be below.
Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin – “Everlyn” by ModernMysteryBlog
SSLYBY Tour Dates
08/26/10 – Thu
Columbia, MO
Forrest Rose Park
08/28/10 – Sat
Springfield, MO
The Outland Ballroom
08/31/10 – Tue
St. Louis, MO
The Firebird
09/01/10 – Wed
Urbana, IL
Canopy Club
09/02/10 – Thu
Chicago, IL
Lincoln Hall
09/03/10 – Fri
Detroit, MI
Magic Stick
09/04/10 – Sat
Toronto, Canada
El Mocambo Club
09/06/10 – Mon
Montreal, QC, Canada
Casa del Popolo
09/07/10 – Tue
Cambridge, MA
TT the Bear’s Place
09/08/10 – Wed
New York, NY
Bowery Ballroom
09/10/10 – Fri
Washington, DC
Black Cat
09/11/10 – Sat
Philadelphia, PA
The Barbary
9/12/10 – Sun
Cleveland, OH
Grog Shop
09/13/10 – Mon
Columbus, OH
The Basement
09/30/10 – Thu
Graz, Austria
PPC
10/01/10 – Fri
Zagreb, Croatia
SC Teatar & TD
10/02/10 – Sat
Aflenz, Austria
Sublime
10/03/10 – Sun
Vienna, Austria
Chelsea
10/04/10 – Mon
Munich, Germany
Kranhalle
10/05/10 – Tue
Milano, Italy
Rocket
10/06/10 – Wed
Lausanne , Switzerland
Bleu Lezard
10/07/10 – Thu
Basel, Switzerland
Kaserne
10/10/10 – Sun
Tunbridge Wells, United Kingdom
The Forum
Purchase
10/11/10 – Mon
London, United Kingdom
Hoxton Square Bar & Kitchen
10/12/10 – Tue
Ghent, Belgium
Democrazy @ Charlatan
10/13/10 – Wed
Düsseldorf, Germany
Pretty Vacant
10/14/10 – Thu
Leuven, Belgium
Stuk
10/16/10 – Sat
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Paradiso
10/17/10 – Sun
Hamburg, Germany
Molotow
10/18/10 – Mon
Aarhus, Denmark
Musikcafeen
10/20/10 – Wed
Stockholm, Sweden
Debaser
10/21/10 – Thu
Copenhagen, Denmark
Lades
10/22/10 – Fri
Berlin, Germany
Bang Bang Club
10/23/10 – Sat
Offenbach, Germany
Hafen 2
10/28/10 – Thu
Suttgart, Denmark
Jugendhaus West
11/01/10 – Mon
Omaha, NE
Slowdown Jr.
11/03/10 – Wed
Minneapolis, MN
7th Street Entry
11/04/10 – Thu
Ames, IA
Maintenance Shop
11/05/10 – Fri
Lawrence, KS
Jackpot Saloon and Music Hall
11/06/10 – Sat
Denver, CO
Hi-Dive
11/07/10 – Sun
Salt Lake City, UT
Kilby Court
11/10/10 – Wed
Nampa, ID
Flying M Coffee
11/11/10 – Thu
Seattle, WA
Neumos
11/12/10 – Fri
Vancouver, Canada
Biltmore Cabaret
11/13/10 – Sat
Portland, OR
Doug Fir Lounge
11/15/10 – Mon
San Francisco, CA
Bottom of the Hill
11/16/10 – Tue
Los Angeles, CA
Spaceland
11/18/10 – Thu
Santa Barbara, CA
Jensen’s
11/19/10 – Fri
La Jolla, CA
The Loft (UC San Diego)
11/20/10 – Sat
Phoenix, AZ
Trunk Space
11/22/10 – Mon
Austin, TX
The Mohawk
11/23/10 – Tue
Dallas, TX
House of Blues – Pontiac Garage
11/24/10 – Wed
Norman, OK
The Opolis
Sufjan Stevens Releases New EP
Out of left field, Sufjan Stevens has just released a new 8 song-60 minute EP titled All Delighted People (Asthmatic Kitty) via Bandcamp. For only a sweet $5 you can download the whole thing for free, which includes two 11 minute songs. Good God Sufjan!!!
The album shows a little maturity in Stevens, as the beauty in his songs are brought out even more into the spotlight. Especially his voice. Asthamtic Kitty says they plan to release it as a physical CD and double vinyl sometime in December. Just in time for the holidays.
If you don’t want to shell out the 5 bucks, you can stream it for free on Bandcamp. Our suggestion to you though is to find 5 bucks, because you will want to own this piece of amazing work.
Tracklisting:
01 All Delighted People (Original Version)
02 Enchanting Ghost
03 Heirloom
04 From the Mouth of Gabriel
05 The Owl and the Tanager
06 All Delighted People (Classic Rock Version)
07 Arnika
08 Djohariah
Sufjan Stevens – “From The Mouth Of Gabriel” by ModernMysteryBlog
The Cat’s Pajamas: We Are Trees
We’re starting a new segment here on Modern Mystery called “The Cat’s Pajamas.” Let’s give you a little overview of what that entails:
The Cat’s Pajamas
Urban Dictionary states it means “Super hip. Amazingly sweet. Fantastically cool.”
We also know it means….well it’s also the name of a Spinto Band song off Moonwink and that’s how the name really came about. It fits!
Anyway, every Sunday we are bringing are introducing to you our new favorite band of the week. It’s a good way to discover the little groups out there that you may overlook at first glance but in a few months from now when they get huge, you’ll wonder where they have been all of your life.
Let’s meet our first set of The Cat’s Pajamas; We Are Trees.
To be quite honest with you, we know NOTHING about this guy/band, though we discovered a haunting song by them yesterday morning called “Dear Chan Marshall.” Hailing from Virginia Beach, singer/songwriter James Nee really has a knack for songwriting. Just releasing their first EP titled Boyfriend, which you can download for free at their Bandcamp. We suggest that you do because it is SUPER awesome. The band is still unsigned but we have a feeling that is all about to change. They fit in nicely with the new wave of bands coming in. Dreamy and brilliant, this is a must listen.
The Spinto Band with The Miniature Tigers @ Mercury Lounge, NYC -8/13/2010
A little late, I know, but one hell of a show. Spintos + Mini T’s + One Show = AMAZING!
Of Montreal Releases New Video for “Coquet Coquette”
Only a few weeks remain until the release date of Of Montreal’s newest adventure, False Priest (Polyvinyl). That’s September 14th for those of you who live in a cave. Today the band premiered the newest video for the album and first single, “Coquet Coquette.” Things get a little bloody, well A LOT bloody for the band who are fighting with others on the beach. Ah, but who is the last one standing after all of the fighting and death takes place? Well we’ll let you watch to figure that one out. This is the first time we have seen the band in their own video in quite some time. It’s always good to see. Watch the band in action below!
Melissa Nastasi
Eric Phipps
Jen Verzosa
tatyahna
theloudfeelings
danielleque
liv hauck
jdtorres
Joe Madonna
Sedera Ranaivoarinosy
cwaleko
navalmin
John Grimley
micheleyamamoto
wesleyambrecht
fearofdrowning
viktorsha
aitorzabalegui
tonyachin
laurenschwartzberg
merbster
N.Sanchez
leduffy
kenami
ivynoellew
iamrickylewis
travestyofthecondition
mcirigliano2
Gustave
kellykettering
firstrays1
justgentile
pbozic
nmcollins
summer826
Jordannahe
tunmer
sifreelanceguy
cristobalsaez
libbyh9190
benjammin
Zach Yanowitz
ijorissen
gabe563
cst2
bls3390
cjdubs
