In 2008, Brooklyn based Crystal Stilts burst onto the scene with the release of their debut album, Alight of Night. On April 12th, they will continue their foray into spooky 60s psych and 80s dream pop, when they drop their sophomore album In Love with Oblivion. Check out the album’s freshly released first single, “Shake the Shackles,” down below.
Category Archives: Rock
Empress Hotel to Release Debut EP
Right now is a really exciting time for pop and rock music in New Orleans and Empress Hotel is a prime example. The group comprised of six young yet seasoned musicians is an offshoot from other bands that came before it, fellow forgers of an indie movement in the Jazz capital of the world.
Brothers Ryan and Eric Rogers on guitar and drums as well as Leo DeJesus on precussion/synth/vocals come from popular bands on the younger generation’s radar in New Orleans, like Antenna Inn and The City Life among others, and lead singer/guitarist Micah McKee founded local favorite Silent Cinema in 2002 which can be held responsible for other spinoff bands from its members, like Big History – a sexy new electronic emphasized band. The main point being, anything coming from this group of guys (and girls: Julie Williams plays keys and sings for Empress Hotel) which also includes Portland transplant Patrick Hodgkins on bass is going to be good.
“Bells Ring” is their recently released single to be included on the self-titled debut EP slated to drop in March on Park the Van Records. Whether it’s the shrill Cassio keys, the doo-woppy back up vocals or the lyrical imagery of not letting it (life?) pass by, the track instills a sense of nostalgia and envy all for an older era, childhood and even pastimes never experienced.
The drawn out, robust lead vocals that harkens The Walkmen’s Hamilton Leithauser, the steady, momentous drums and the bells that ring through the chorus also give the song a triumphant slant.
And don’t overlook “Here Comes the New Challenger” which can be found on the band’s Myspace page. The song is utterly cool with a Who-esque synth intro, inebriating lyrics and McKee and Williams’ vocal harmonies that are beyond charming.
Empress Hotel On Tour:
Dec 18 – Park the Van Holiday Soirée at HiHo Lounge – New Orleans, LA
Dec 31 – OpenHouse Music Presents: NYE, The Throwdown (Studio 3 Warehouse) – New Orleans, LA
Jan 21 – The BottleTree – Birmingham, AL
Jan 27 – Lola’s Saloon – Fort Worth, TX
Jan 28 – Ghost Room – Austin, TX
Jan 29 – Artmosphere – Lafayette, LA
Feb 19 – Blue Nile (Krewe du Vieux) w/ Big History and Booty Trove – New Orleans, LA
Feb 22 – 5 Spot – Nashville, TN
Feb 23 – Tea Bazaar – Charlottesville, VA
Feb 25 – Rock Shop – Brooklyn, NY
Mar 2 – Iota Club and Cafe – Arlington, VA (DC Area)
Mar 5 – Alabama Music Box – Mobile, AL
Mar – SXSW 2011 – Austin, TX
Track Review: “It Goes Down” by Tape Deck Mountain
Tape Deck Mountain has released a single called “It Goes Down” from their forthcoming EP entitled Secret Serf. The EP will be released this Tuesday, Jan. 11th. Upon first listen, one immediately thinks of 90s shoegaze acts such as My Bloody Valentine. There is a lengthy instrumental “noise” start and then the dreamy, nearly indecipherable lyrics begin. All in all, a beautiful song: http://lefserecords.com/tracks/TDM-ItGoesDown.mp3
Album Review: Libby Koch “The Shadow of This Town”
It’s only right that true Alt-Country music hails from the South. Carrying the torch is Libby Koch, a Houston, TX singer/songwriter that will draw you in with her country, bluegrass, and folk brand of music. Koch has just released the enchanting album The Shadow of This Town and the Texas staple is finally starting to branch out to the rest of the world.
Starting off the record is the captivating song “Lonesome Bound,” which sets the perfect tone with a harmonica. Already the listener will be drawn in. Koch’s voice isn’t soft as it has a rather raspy tone to it, even while she is hitting high notes. “Walk Away” has a driving beat behind it that you will not be able to resist tapping your foot to. One thing the listener will notice about Koch is her Southern accent. It comes out clear in her vocals and it is charming to say the least. It allows her to put a unique twist into her music that doesn’t tire.
“Texas Saturday” brings a dose of kitsch to the album, and it’s not a bad thing, though it tends not to fit into the album lyrically. The words are playful but come off as a bit childish. Telling the story of a Saturday night in Texas, the song takes the seriousness away from the music on the record in general. Picking it back up is the title track, “Shadow of This Town,” which shows Koch’s ability to write a great song. The slow picking of the guitar and brushes used on the drums set the mood for the track and it must sound even more effective in a live setting.
“Still in Love” is a touching piece that comes right from the heart. Lyrics such as “I got a thousand songs to sing you if you stay” come off as romantic and sincere. This is the standout track on this record as it showcases Koch beautifully both vocally and musically. And yes, there is a hint of banjo in there. “Too Damn Hard,” which is a low tempo song, continues to carry on the audacity of what Koch is trying to do. She doesn’t play by any rules but her own, and that is what makes a successful musician. Though the album rarely deviates from the path it was set on, it not only works, but it works well. “Settle Down” brings the energy back up and carries in with that classic harmonica that the listener will hear throughout the record. The down-down-up-up strokes of the guitar add life into a song that could come off as dull otherwise.
“Starting to See” begins with a slide guitar in a haunting tone. A new twist on the album begins when harmonies enter and the sorrowful song about heartbreak invokes the emotion in Koch’s voice. On the other side of the spectrum is “Here By My Side,” which is the complete opposite of having sadness. The track picks up not only vocally but musically with its fast paced tempo in which Libby doesn’t have a second to catch her breath. “Tonight,” continues on this route and will have the listener out of their chair and dancing in no time. Infused with a great deal of country, it will appeal to everyone no matter what type of music they enjoy. It shows another side that we haven’t seen of Koch before but seemingly it fits.
Closing out the album is “Feelin’ Good Again,” which seems like an homage to her entire piece of work. Ending with the same harmonica that carried the album in, Libby Koch managed to make a record that knows almost no boundaries with The Shadow of This Town. She plays by her own rules, and that is what will set her apart from the others and get her through to the top, where she rightfully belongs.
Song Review: Bright Eyes’ “Shell Games”
“Shell Games” is the new single off Bright Eyes’ new upcoming album titled The People’s Keys. The song starts with Conor Oberst singing the metaphor-filled lyrics with the company of a piano. What seems to be a slow paced melancholic song is broken down by an explosion of synth, piano and drums that play in unison to create a great steady beat. With an almost electro-rock feel to it, “Shell Games” is a mesh of great lyrics and an interesting composition. Check out the song over at Pitchfork, and the new album cover above!
Vampire Weekend Release iTunes Session
The boys of Vampire Weekend have announced the release of an iTunes Session EP, now available exclusively on the iTunes store. The indie darlings recorded six tracks this past September at New York’s Avatar Studios. The stripped-down session includes a completely reworked version of their hit “Holiday,” plus “A-Punk,” “Cousins,” and “Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa.” The release also includes two covers: Bruce Springsteen’s “I’m Going Down,” as well as their take on The Honeycombs’ “Have I The Right.” Three horn players joined the band for the sessions, which add a new element to the band’s standard brand of music, which usually relies on the backing of a string quartet.
Vampire Weekend’s sophomore album Contra was recently nominated for a Grammy award, and is receiving some major recognition on year-end lists, including the #1 spot from New York Magazine, #4 from Jon Pareles at The New York Times, and #6 from Rolling Stone.
Contra is also sale priced on iTunes through January 4, 2011, at $7.99.
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