Category Archives: Uncategorized

11.24.10
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Aesop Rock “Butchers” Grimace Federation

Not meant to confuse, “Butchers” is the humble credit Aesop Rock has taken in his remixing of Grimace Federation’s first single, “Bosico.”  The video was shot with the contribution of Cage, Jeremy Fish, and Fish’s van, and was produced by 900bats contributors Alexander Tarrant and Justin Metros.  Cruising around San Francisco — with the most recognizable shot in the video being a passing Polk St sign — Aesop lashes out on haters of a specific breed: elitists.  “I’m gonna guess you thought this all before me, but better and with a more elite view; that’s what you do,” he raps out in his oddly articulate, laid-back flow.  Then again, that juxtaposition is what allows him to stand safely on the ivory tower he builds throughout the song.  Well, perhaps less of a tower and more of a Formica countertop to give a better perspective.  How else could you possibly remix a song, call it butchering, cry fowl to hubris in that song, and all the while look like your enjoying a trip to an overcast beach with a crew including a guy with a bigger beard than Zach Galafinakis?  

Check out the video below:

11.22.10
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Album Review: Weekend – “Sports”

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It’s not too often that the word “subtle” can be used when describing a noise rock band, but “subtle” is exactly what went through my head while listening to Weekend’s Slumberland debut-LP, Sports. The San Francisco trio is quickly gaining popularity, after a year of touring with such bands as Japandroids and A Place To Bury Strangers. The ten song collection of Sports excels in finding nuance within their wall of sound. Although all of the typical elements of noise rock are present—reverb guitars, droning vocals, hammering percussion, and washes of ambient and static sound—Weekend chooses not to use all of these elements continuously.

“Coma Summer” and “Youth Haunts” open the album with the kind of frenetic energy Weekend is gaining notoriety for in their live act, throwing rhythm and guitars at the listener in a frenetic, although not completely aggressive way. Creating this maelstrom of sound over two tracks gives Weekend the room to back off on the volume later on, and become more introspective and lyrical in the middle of the disc. “Monday Morning” is emblematic of exactly what the title states; a slower guitar beat combines with layers of vocals, making a dark snapshot of a grey start to the work week—full of longing (or even regret) for the lost reverie of the weekend. And although snippets of lyrics can be heard in tracks like “Age Class,” where lead singer Shaun Darkin repeatedly sobs “There’s something in our blood,” Sports is not an album that propels its personal message through words. Atmosphere is the main language of the music at hand, and Weekend takes you through incredibly fluid changes in texture throughout the album, making the music feel like a mix of both a summer trip to the beach and the soundtrack of your worst nightmare. The music is both insular and exposed, and all kinds of beautiful.

Many critics are making the obvious comparisons between Weekend and other post-punk outfits: My Bloody Valentine, Joy Division, Sonic Youth, and The Jesus & Mary Chain. Despite having very credible similarities, I couldn’t help thinking of more recent influences, like Liars’ self-titled album, and the earliest work of Sigur Rós, Von, while listening to Sports. These groups, like Weekend, craft music of sweeping crescendo and silences that coax the ear, rather than beating it into submission. Their diversity of sound ultimately makes for a more haunting and satisfying work. At best, Weekend are helping to pave the way to producing craftier and more nuanced versions of the popular post-punk sound, and at worst, they have just made a really, really good album.

11.19.10
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Wildlife Release Full Length Version of Their EP, “Strike Hard, Young Diamond”

Canada is a big and confusing place, unless of course, you’re from there. But even then, it’s still a lot to grasp, eh? Seems like the vastness and all the maple sugar highs can often cause people to freak out like a Moose Gone Wild. Or at least, they write songs about the confounded feelings from living in such a large, cold and too-cussing-polite-about-it-all place. Toronto’s Wildlife clearly is no exception, as demonstrated on their latest release, Strike Hard, Young Diamond.

Channeling fellow Canadians Tokyo Police Club and wilderness influenced uber-rockers, Wolf Parade; Wildlife delivers a melodic, heady, transfixing offering with Strike Hard, Young Diamond. Extended from their EP of the same name, Wildlife thought it fitting to finish the project by adding gutsier tracks to round out the effort.

Emoting youth gone angstier, Strike Hard, Young Diamond plays almost too candid at times, offering desperation right from the opening tracks, “Stand in the Water” and “Sea Dreamer” all the way through to “American Eyes” and “Out,” but it works in their favor, like a sordid reality show, it’s hard to turn away. “Drunken Heart” is sure to be a classic. It waxes and wanes with a precision so hypnotic that you’ll mourn it’s ending with maudlin pause. Even “Move to the City,” which sounds familiar and somewhat unimportant at first, unravels into anthem status.

Though there are at least more than twelve moments eerily indistinguishable from Wolf Parade (or any of their myriad worthy side/side/side projects), there’s solace in the sounds on Strike Hard Young Diamond. Imagine that you’re standing in the middle of Canada’s magnificent Boreal Forest. Certainly no one would feel nearly as comforted if there was only one frail tree standing alone. Wildlife embraces the Canadian sound with hubris, laying deep roots alongside fellow greats, hopefully for decades to come.

Vive le forests.

But don’t take my word for it. Listen for yourself. Three songs for FREE:
http://wildlifeband.bandcamp.com/

11.11.10
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The Phenomenal Handclap Band Releases Remixes LP featuring Fujiya and Miyagi, Munk, Clock Opera and more!

Download “The Journey To Serra Da Estrella (Fujiya & Miyagi remix)” via URB or click image below

2010 has been an incredible and active year for NYC’s The Phenomenal Handclap Band. After a successful U.S. tour supporting their 2009 debut the members are back in the studio recording a second record. While TPHB are locked away in the studio Friendly Fire Recordings will be releasing a Remixes LP on November 16th utilizing some of the best remix artists in music today. “Listening to the remixes, I’m struck with the feeling that many of our originals have been completely re-incarnated in the most literal sense of the term.” says Daniel from TPHB.

Introducing the remixers…

1. Tears (Stallions Remix)

Stallions, a most excellent collaboration between nouveau disco pioneer Lovefingers and Brooklyn’s Lee Douglas.

2. 15 to 20 (80 Kidz remix)

Tokyo’s 80 Kidz, the explosive two person electro unit currently on tour with Major Lazer.

3. Baby (Clock Opera remix)

London born Clock Opera make “frenetic, bleep ridden synth rock.” However they also happen to be quite excellent, hype machine  remixers for Marina & the Diamonds and Everything Everything.

4. All Of The Above (T.H. White Remix)

T.H. White is more than a musician. Outside of making music, dropping killer remixes like this one and producing others, he’s written music for The Sopranos, and commercials for BMW and Reebok.

5. You’ll Disappear (Munk remix)

Gomma head honcho Munk needs little introduction. His 2005 LP “Aperitivo” was a cult classic and judging by the dancefloor reaction to his remix of  “You’ll Disappear” it may just well be too.

6. Dim The Lights (Coco Electrik remix)

Brighton’s Coco Electrik continue to make some of the most perfect electro pop out there and here turn “Dim The Lights” into a robotic sleaze fest that would perfectly soundtrack a dive bar in Blade Runner.

7. Give It A Rest (Snack & C’mish remix)

NYC’s Snack & C’mish have been killing it of late on Supra Records and here rework “Give It A Rest” to maximum effect.

8. 15 to 20 (Den Haan remix)

Glasgow residents and Optimo favorites Den Haan go all Hl NRG funk on the album’s lead single “15 to 20”  and turn it into a dancefloor smash.

9. Testimony (Cosmodelica remix)

London club impresario and David Mancuso cohort Cosmodelica rolls out the groove on “Testimony” and gives it a bit of the Loft club magic.

10. Baby (Virgil Howe remix)

Virgil Howe‘s take on the album favorite “Baby” takes the soul elements of the original and mixes in  a little Lover’s Rock, dub and early 90’s downtempo. Perfect.

11. The Martyr (Live KEXP Session)

The Phenomenal Handclap Band doing what they do best. No messing.

12. The Journey to Serra Da Estrella (Fujiya & Miyagi remix)

And lastly kraut-funk geniuses Fujiyagi & Miyagi have crafted “The Journey to Serra Da Estrella” into a full on instrumental expedition.

For more info please visit

http://friendlyfirerecordings.com

http://www.myspace.com/phenomenalhandclap



11.10.10
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Check Out Kisses During Their West Coast Tour

View All Photos | photo by Olivia Hemaratanatorn | KISSES

Kisses, the dream pop duo from Los Angeles, announced last week that they will embark on a seven city west coast tour that began Friday night in San Diego, CA. Tonight they play Crepe Place in Santa Cruz, CA. The tour is in support of their debut release The Heart of the Nightlife which will be released in the U.S. on November, 16th. The album has already come out in the UK to glowing reviews.

Kisses is made up of lead singer and songwriter Jesse Kivel and Zinzi Edmundson, keyboards and backing vocals. Together they have created a sound reminiscent of early days of new wave music with a hint of ‘70s disco thrown into the mix while at the same time keeping their sound very current and fresh. Front man Kivel says that he likes to write songs that take people out of their every day lives.

“Great pop music is about escape. Kisses is about entering into another world,” Kivel explained.

Kisses by Kisses

Kisses wraps up their west coast jaunt on Thursday, November 11th in San Francisco at Popscene. You can get the latest information and pre-order The Heart of the Nightlife here at the band’s Web site.

Tour Dates:

11/10 Blue Lamp, Sacramento, CA
11/11 Popscene, San Francisco, CA
12/04 Mondrian, Los Angeles, CA * (DJ Set)
* = w/ Jens Lekman

11.09.10
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Woodsman Announce New Album And Tour With Gauntlet Hair


Shortly after the release of their EP Mystery tape earlier this year, the Colorado based group announces that they will release a new full length this January. The first single off the album (which is appropriately named Rare Forms) is entitled “Insects”, and is as hypnotic and gloomy as one would expect from this quartet.

Along with the release of “Insects” the band has also announced that they will begin a west coast tour with the experimental duo Gauntlet Hair. The tour is already underway and the rest of the dates are listed below along with the single Insects.

Woodsman – “Insects” by OctopusWindmill

November 9 Villanova, CA
November 10 Mama Buzz Café, CA
November 11 Milk Bar, CA
November 12 TBA Santa Cruz, CA
November 13 The Bacchus, CA
November 14 Origami Vinyl, CA
November 15 Acrobatics Everyday, CA
November 16 Soda Bar, CA
November 18 The Kosmos, NM