Monthly Archives: September 2008

09.25.08
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Human Highway “The Sound”

Human Motorcycle is slowy creeping onto everyone’s playlist, or will be very soon. The band is made up of The Islands’ Nick Thorburn and singer/songwriter (and current Islands guitarist), Jim Guthrie.  Human Motorcyle has just released ‘Moody Motorcycle’ last month. The album was recorded in one weekat Guthrie’s home in Toronto, but you would never know it.  The duo write catchy little folk songs that will have you clapping your hands, and ballads that will remind you of fall.

Check out Human Highway on their Myspace Human Highway
Download The Sound

09.24.08
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Of Montreal Go GaGa for Gabba

Of Montreal will be appearing in the Nickelodeon kid’s show “Yo Gabba Gabba” this year. You may have to read that sentence again. They will be one of the great bands stopping by on the show with others like MGMT and Hot Hot Heat (who were appearing this morning).  The Shins already performed earlier this year.

I would have killed for great musicial guests on my morning television shows when I was 4. Sorry Mr. Rogers, the puppets creeped me out a bit. Of Montreal will apparently be exploring dental hygeine with the toddlers, performing a song called ‘Brush Brush Brush’. I wonder if Kevin will wear his short shorts and fishnets. I hope so.

Download ‘Brush Brush Brush’

09.23.08
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Pavement Due to ‘Brighten The Corners’, Again.

Pavement will always be a very dear band to me. When I was about 12 years old, I remember getting glimpses of them on 120 Minutes if I was lucky. 120 Minutes was on so after my bedtime that I had to sneak downstairs to watch it. Pavement were frequently played, and I remember being in love with a certain song that still remains to be one of my favorites until this day…”Shadey Lane.”  I did my best to find ‘Brigthen the Corners’ in my little suburban mall, and to my surprise, they had it. I played that cd to no end.

To me, Pavement is the essential indie rock band. They are what got me into music. They are what made me in love with music. Stephen Malkmus was my first musician crush. They were my first party band. I’m not sure where I would be if I never discovered Pavement, or where a lot of us reading this would be.

Matador is reissuing ‘Brighten the Corners” due out November 11th, filled with b-sides, compiliations, outtakes, etc. This is beyond exciting. Its kind of sad though that after this, all that is left to reissue in deluxe edition is ‘Terror Twilight.’ Hint Pavement: Reunite because you were awesome….and so I don’t have to stalk Mark Ibold at Stephen Malkmus shows and giggle ‘haha IBOLD!’ to my friends.

Check out one of my other favorite songs off of ‘Brighten the Corners’, ‘Stereo’. Look for the squirrel….

09.22.08
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Of Montreal “Skeletal Lamping”

Nice Lipstick Kevin

Nice Lipstick Kevin

Everytime I get even the slightest hint of a new Of Montreal album being released, I start to get overly excited. Of Montreal is by far the most interesting band of our time. Kevin Barnes is a creative genius and there isn’t really another way to phrase it. Everything is fair game and there are no limitations when it comes to making their records. Just when you think you know what direction the band is going in, they manage to change it up a bit.

“Skeletal Lamping”  is due to be released on Polyvinyl Records on October 21st. The original release date was pushed back from October 7th because there was a problem with the printers they were using for the artwork. In any case, diehard Of Montreal fans have already had “Skeletal Lamping” for weeks. Who can wait so long to hear pure genius? Not me thats for sure. So I want to give you a glimpse inside of the new Of Montreal record. It is like entering another world.

Nonpareil of Flavor opens “Skeletal Lamping”  with a burst of energy. The piano at the beginning makes you wonder exactly what you are in for, and then suddenly you know whats going on. Apparently this song was supposed to be the last song of the record but got moved up to first place. Its a great opening for the record and starts to set the mood for whats to come. The harmonies are also incredibly smooth.

Wicked Wisdom starts with a surprising Kevin Barnes potty mouth situation that continues into an Of Montreal dance party…and its only the beginning. With classic Barnes lyrics like “Why is it that white girls don’t have any ideas?” you’ll be intrigued throughout. Watch for the mood change around 3:46.

For Our Elegant Caste which was originally referred to as “We Can Do It Softcore” from last year’s tour has made it onto the record. I have a friend that thinks its hillarious that I like this song as much as I do. The addition of the bongos to this song is a nice surprise, and it adds to the song’s incredible beat. Some of the vocal harmonies remind me a bit of something you would hear on “Satanic Panic in the Attic”. This song also brings the first return on the record of Kevin’s alter ego, Georgie Fruit.

Touched Something’s Hollow slows the record down a notch. A beautiful song that consists only of Kevin’s voice and a piano. Its a sad love song if you will.

An Eluardian Instance jumps right back into things starting off with a horn section. I cannot wait to see this song live and it is currently my favorite track on the record. Once again they start off with great harmonies and take a few twists and turns. “Do you remember, our last summer as independents?” Kevin sings several times in the middle as the harmones start to pile in. The ending that starts at 4:00 is truly a surprise.

Gallery Piece is a fun little dance song. The guitar riff is pretty infectious and so is the overall melody of the track.

Women’s Studies Victims is a haunting song in every way. The little vocal effect on Kevin’s voice is a nice touch. This song is also another one that changes up towards the end. It seems to get a little more upbeat in tempo. Let the party continue.

St. Exquisite’s Confession is Of Montreal’s attempt at Soul music. It works, it does, but it takes a bit of getting used to. I wonder what this song will be like live. The piano and guitar in the song mixed with Kevin’s vocals are such a good combination. When the harmonies come in, it gets even better.

Triphallus, to Punctuate! is my second favorite song off of the album. The first line “She says we wear the party all over our bodies and faces” is only the start to this great track. When the chorus kicks in, so does the jaunty piano. Thats right, I said jaunty. There is no other way to describe it. “I supported you kid, when no one else did. You know I waved your flag, when no one else did” Kevin cries out. Is that Georgie talking to Kevin? Maybe.

And I’ve Seen a Blood Shadow isn’t as dance oriented as most of the other tracks. The piano is featured more and one again their classic harmonies kick in midway through the song. The song ends with a high pitched scream going into…..

Plastis Wafers, which starts as an undeniable dance song. Warning though, it is kind of long clocking in at over 7 minutes long. It does manage to be an extremely interesting tune, that has many changes within it. One more intriguing than the next, oddly, all fitting together just perfectly.

Death is Not a Parallel Move I couldn’t quite figure out the first time that I heard it. I’m still not 100% sure I get it at all still. The song basically starts with a beat with Kevin’s voice in a chamber sounding room. It goes into a song that was trying to be ‘dancable’, and then 50 seconds into it, it becomes a folk song. Acoustic guitars and everything. Its just another surprise on the record. A lovely surprise.

Beware our Nubile Miscreants is another one of my favorite songs on the record. Blending infectious harmonies and dance beats that will have you dancing in your seat. This is also one of my favorite lyrical stories on the record. You have to listen to it to find out. No spoilers!

Mingusings reminds me a bit of something sort of ’80s inspired’ at first. This is not a bad thing. I find this song to be very distracting actually. I just have to dance to it when I hear it. I’m actually doing that right now. I’m not kidding. I love the breakdown by 1:50 that slows everything down a little only to speed it up again.

Id Engager the first single off the record starts with a Kevin shriek if you will. Another one of my favorite songs on the record. I actually wish the song was further up on the album tracklisting. “When asking why our kisses are sorrowful, remember the howl of our first verse” sings Barnes right as the harmonies start to chime in again. The song makes the album go out making us dance….just like it came in.

If I gave ‘Album Ratings’, which I don’t like to do, “Skeletal Lamping” would get a 12 out of 10. Yes, I know thats not possible, but they get bonus points for being extraordinary. If you really liked “Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer?” and “Sunlandic Twins,” you will adore “Skeletal Lamping”. Actually I think it is Of Montreal’s best record to date. You can quote me on that.

Of Montreal is going on an extensive tour starting the beginning of October with an October 10th show in NYC (Yay!). Check out the following links below to get your Of Montreal fix.

Of Montreal on Myspace www.myspace.com/ofmontreal
Official Website www.ofmontreal.net
Preorder “Skeletal Lamping” at Polyvinyl Records

Download the first single Id Engager

09.21.08
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The Stills * Bowery Ballroom * New York City * 9-20-2008

I’ve been a fan of The Stills since thier first record, “Logic Will Break Your Heart” and I have always wondered why I haven’t been to one of their shows. Last night I caught the band at the Bowery Ballroom in NYC and I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. I think I may be one of the very few who enjoy The Stills’ apparent ‘evolution’. There is so much negative feedback about the last two albums.  “Oceans Will Rise” I find just as dark as the first record, and to be honest, just as good. 

When The Stills took the stage last night I wasn’t sure what I was in for. Now, I’ve seen some pretty tight playing bands in my time, but The Stills were really flawless. Beautifully flawless. The show was strictly about the music. Stage banter was kept to a bare minimum. The Stills played their hearts out, and it was one of the most amazing things I have ever seen. The setlist varied from new to old songs. Actually I think more old songs were played last night. One of my favorites “Destroyer,” was the absolute highlight of the show. The tracks from the new record actually made me like them even more, especially “Being Here.” One thing I never really noticed about The Stills, but oddly always assumed, was the little vocalist switchups they have. Tim Fletcher and Dave Hamelin compliment each other perfectly.  The Stills are one of the best live bands around and I urge you to check out a show if they come to your town.

The Stills are currently doing an extensive tour in support of “Oceans Will Rise”.
Check out the tourdates on their Myspace at www.myspace.com/thestills

Watch a clip of The Stills at the Bowery Ballroom from last night’s show:

09.20.08
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Chairlift “Bruises”

When I worked at a certain record label in New York City, I had met a boy named Aaron, who was in a band called Chairlift. I’m not going to lie, I had no idea who the hell Chairlift was at the time, but the name always stuck with me.  I’d hear it every now and then the past year with phrases like ‘…is playing with Mixel Pixel.”

Fast forward to a couple of weeks ago when a friend of mine asked me ‘Who is that band in the new Ipod nano chromatic commercial?!’.  We both agreed that we needed to find out who was the maker of this catchy song. I kind of needed it in my life. 

Doing a quick search, I discovered it was actually Chairlift! The song ‘Bruises’ is quickly becoming one of my favorite songs of the year. Caroline Polachek’s voice has to be one of the most, just gorgeous voices, i’ve heard in a while. I’m very excited to hear the whole record. I already am claiming it as a year end Top 10 canidate.

Chairlift releases their debut record “Does You Inspire You,” on September 30th.  The band is also going on tour with Yeasayer this fall so be sure to check out the tourdates.

Check out the band at their myspace: www.myspace.com/chairlift