Washington DC-based band US Royalty are finally ready to release their debut record after spending a year recording and writing the music as a band. The folk pop band has been compared to the likes of Local Natives and the Black Keys, but in reality, their inspiration is drawn from Kubrick and Ennio Morricone soundtracks.
The result is an electrifying single called “Equestrian”, which can be listened to here.
Make sure to pick up the promising “Mirrors” on January 25th, 2011.
Fans of Jonathan Boulet‘s self-titled début may be somewhat thrown upon first listen to “You’re A Animal.” The newest track from the Australian folk-pop artist offers a sneak peek at his forthcoming sophomore album (set to be released next year), and it indicates a significantly new direction in his sound. From the very first note, “You’re A Animal” announces itself as a martial anthem powered by a relentlessly pounding drum rhythm. With lyrics like “I will soldier on…and on, and on, and on!” being chanted over a soundfield of guitar and myriad indeterminate instruments, the song leaves no space for the sort of reflective rumination that pervades (most of) the first album. Gone is anything acoustic, and likewise any lines as meditative or somber as, for instance “March to the Poles and meet me there/ Leave all your wars and all your cares/ Find me and you, my name, but I can’t remember you/ Would you go?” (from “North to South East to You”).
But it would be flat out wrong to suggest that these almost defiant gestures of ceaseless energy – which are at once carnal and furious – have no precedent in Boulet’s prior work. Disappointed – or shocked – fans should note that they didn’t just appear from nowhere. Just give “Ones Who Fly Twos Who Die” another listen; though less of a full-fledged manic attack than “YAA,” the tune features the same “tribal” tympani sound and choral vocals. Both tunes seem to reveal a range of influences, from Animal Collective’s Water Curses EP to fellow-Aussie Xavier Rudd to, of all things, Chumbawumba (yeah, I went there… bet you didn’t see that one coming).
In short, there are continuities that shouldn’t be overlooked. And frankly, what Boulet is doing is technically more interesting than before. “YAA” contains atmosphere and confusion, and it brings to the listener an almost cinematic feeling of being chased through the forest. Some may lament the loss of the more personal voice that showed on the self-titled album, but I, for one, look forward to the next full-length release to see what the dizzying swirl of energy unveiled here yields.
The Morning Benders are a band I first encountered at The Market Place Hotel (R.I.P.) in Brooklyn supporting Surfer Blood (also that evening playing alongside bands such as Grooms, Turbo Fruits, and Beach Fossils) and I’ll admit at first I wasn’t impressed, but there was a certain charm their stage presence put out that has stuck with me. The band not only seemed incredibly young but ripe for the journey most aspiring musicians cannot even comprehend, fast forward to where we are today, the bands sophomore record Big Echo is destined to make many top 10 list, they have already supported Ra Ra Riot, White Rabbits, MGMT, Yeasayer, and The Black Keys, and after all of that the band have set out on their first headlining tour. Not bad for the four little guys who played Market Hotel earlier this year.
The bands performance really surprised me. Its unbelievable how much a band can change in the span of a year but The Morning Benders make it a feat to show that they’ve been doing nothing but learning. Chris Chu fronts the band with a relaxed talent but isn’t afraid to get into his tunes, while his brother Jon Chu backs him up with a rhythm guitar which could be named precision. After the third track Chris Chu proclaimed “Earlier this year we released an album called Big Echo! We’re going to play a lot of tracks from it to thank all of you for the year we had!” I was lucky enough to capture their show at Webster Hall (along with photos of opening act Twin Sister).
Photos from the show can be viewed here.
Agitated whirpool of mind-numbness. That is only one of the few ways we are able describe Brooklyn during its first night of CMJ. Williamsburg underwent a hurricane of Kevin Devine fans infiltrating the sidewalks and alleys outside the infamous Music Hall. Opening up,one of Modern Mystery’s favorite Brooklyn-based heart-throbs, Miniature Tigers set off the evening. The band injected the crowd with a dosage of synth-rock ripples,vibrating drum pulsations and nothing but tummy-fluttering guitar splashes. The boys’ performance impressed the locals as well as visitors,and eliminated themselves out of the prepackaged New York indie scene. Definitely one of the bands that is worth seeing during the CMJ madness.
Miniature Tigers have been keeping busy, and are preparing for their national tour in November.
Setlist:
Tropical Birds
Rock n Roll, Mountain Troll
Bullfighter Jacket
Egyptian Robe
Coyote Enchantment
Dark Tower
Lolita
Mansion of Misery
-Viktorsha Uliyanova
Jukebox the Ghost releases their second record, Everything Under the Sun, (Yep Roc) next week and believe us, this is going to be one of your favorite albums of the year. The indie boys of Freelance Whales decided to take their hand at remixing one of the tracks titled “Empire,” putting a whole new twist on the song. If you’re a fan of either groups this is a must listen. Hell if you’ve never heard of them before, then give a listen to what you’ve been missing out on!
Jukebox the Ghost – “Empire” (Freelance Whale Remix) by ModernMysteryBlog
Over time I have met and helped many amazing bands. I want to share with you one of my favorites. Hailing from the outskirts of New York City is a young band of early 20’s lads called Wyldlife. They’ve been making a name for themselves around New York and last year did a super successful Northeast Tour. Imagine if The Strokes and The Ramones had a bastard child. This would turn out to be Wyldlife in the most flattering way possible. Also, what cool parents that would be right? Every tune is addictive, and every note is flawless from one track to the next. The vocals are dead on brilliant. Oh and does the lead singer look familar to you? Well that’s Dave Feldman, the brother of The Pains of Being Pure at Heart and The Depreciation Guild’s Kurt Feldman. I hate to play favorites but I’m loving Wyldlife more.
You can catch Wyldlife this coming Thursday, March 25th in New York City. They’re playing Webster Hall. The show starts at 8pm and it’s Ages 19+. 10 bucks will get you into one of the most energetic concerts you’ll ever see. Consider this peer pressure. Go do it!
Here’s some Wyldlife for your downloading pleasure and check out more songs on their Myspace HERE.
Click on the Down Pointing Arrow on the Right Side of the Soundcloud Box to Download!
Wyldlife- Lit Lounge by modernmysteryblog
Wyldlife- Girls In Fedoras by modernmysteryblog
Wyldlife- I Just Can’t Stand Just Standing Around by modernmysteryblog
Modern Mystery 
You must be logged in to post a comment.