When a new band emerges, there’s always a tendency to define their music with those that have come before. The intense harmonies and vibrant, summery beats of Local Natives’ debut have drawn comparisons with Fleet Foxes, Vampire Weekend and other buzz bands of the past two years. All are valid, but what differentiates this Californian five-piece from the others is the feeling of collectiveness that exudes from Gorilla Manor.
The album is named after the house they shared together in Orange County and the result is a group of gifted young musicians who are clearly comfortable with each other’s musicianship. There’s a natural camaraderie to these songs, but the simple percussive extras and harmonious wails add personal moments throughout, giving Local Natives a vibrancy and uniqueness that so many of their peers lack. Yes, it’s poppy. Yes, it’s a summertime album. But from time to time it helps to feel rejuvenated.
What to listen out for.
Wide Eyes, Sun Hands, Cubism
When to listen to it.
Lying in hammock with a beer and some sunshine
Will we hear them again?
Local Natives’ stated intention is to avoid being a buzz band. Their acclaim from appearances at Austin’s South by South West festival earlier this year lifted them dangerously close to that status, however. They would do well to remain low-key for a while and build up a critical following before backing up Gorilla Manor with another of its ilk.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QuljnrCfBNw
Tuesday 29 December 2009
Sunday 20 December 2009
Top ten 2009 - The Mummers, Tale to Tell
Once you hear this album, it comes as little surprise to find out that it was recorded in a tree house studio near Brighton, where 20 or so musicians spent two years climbing a ladder to access the equipment that would immortalise their expanse of orchestral contraptions. The subsequent abundance of sounds conjures up images of a travelling troupe holding court in front of whoever would listen. It’s not a coincidence, then, that they were christened The Mummers by their two lynchpins – vocalist Raissa Khan-Panni and musician Mark Horwood.
Tale to Tell’s orchestral nonsense creates a carnival atmosphere, with Khan-Panni’s sumptuous vocals and lyrical daydreams keeping this album melodic and approachable. It’s a bold, eclectic and vibrant romp that avoids alienating its audience. Expect to be transported to a world of make believe, but in a way that keeps you grounded. It’s good, eccentric fun.
What to listen out for.
March of the Dawn, Tale to Tell, Teardropsfall
When to listen to it.
Without wanting to mocks its brilliance, this should be the arrival music for any fancy dress party.
Will we hear them again?
Sadly, the treehouse studio that was home to this album also saw Horwood hang himself in September this year. I hope Khan-Panni manages to return to a studio, but her history as a musician seems to be an ill-fated one, and Horwood's untimely death will no doubt make it hard for her to come back.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UMMu_KBRy8
Tale to Tell’s orchestral nonsense creates a carnival atmosphere, with Khan-Panni’s sumptuous vocals and lyrical daydreams keeping this album melodic and approachable. It’s a bold, eclectic and vibrant romp that avoids alienating its audience. Expect to be transported to a world of make believe, but in a way that keeps you grounded. It’s good, eccentric fun.
What to listen out for.
March of the Dawn, Tale to Tell, Teardropsfall
When to listen to it.
Without wanting to mocks its brilliance, this should be the arrival music for any fancy dress party.
Will we hear them again?
Sadly, the treehouse studio that was home to this album also saw Horwood hang himself in September this year. I hope Khan-Panni manages to return to a studio, but her history as a musician seems to be an ill-fated one, and Horwood's untimely death will no doubt make it hard for her to come back.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UMMu_KBRy8
Sunday 13 December 2009
Top ten 2009 - Bill Callahan, Sometimes I Wish We Were an Eagle
Bill Callahan has one of the most distinctive voices in folk. Even if you don’t know the name, the chances are his bare, almost banal, vocals will sound familiar. Nearly 20 years after he released his first album as Smog, Callahan maintains the individuality that has brought him so much success, even having done away with his former moniker for his two latest releases.
It’s as though Callahan’s found honesty in his song writing. When you listen to this album, you feel like he’s taking you by the hand and walking you through his past as he pauses to reflect. His rhymes remain impossible, his music is still eccentric, but somehow it’s more accessible than ever. These imperfections continue to define Callahan and make everything he does exquisite.
What to listen out for.
Jim Cain, Eid Ma Clack Shaw, Rococo Zephyr
When to listen to it.
Maybe over an intimate dinner.
Will we hear them again?
Callahan has song writing in his blood. I imagine he can’t go a day without putting a lyric to a melody. We’ve had 20 years of his work, and I expect we’ll have 20 more.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTmzYfzuidw
It’s as though Callahan’s found honesty in his song writing. When you listen to this album, you feel like he’s taking you by the hand and walking you through his past as he pauses to reflect. His rhymes remain impossible, his music is still eccentric, but somehow it’s more accessible than ever. These imperfections continue to define Callahan and make everything he does exquisite.
What to listen out for.
Jim Cain, Eid Ma Clack Shaw, Rococo Zephyr
When to listen to it.
Maybe over an intimate dinner.
Will we hear them again?
Callahan has song writing in his blood. I imagine he can’t go a day without putting a lyric to a melody. We’ve had 20 years of his work, and I expect we’ll have 20 more.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTmzYfzuidw
Tuesday 8 December 2009
Music industry supports global emissions deal
Excuse this brief interlude to the Top Ten 2009 campaign, but I think it's important. I hope you do too.
It appears I spoke too soon in a previous post. The music industry has formed a united front in calling for a deal on emissions out of the Copenhagen Summit. I wish I could share their optimism that a meaningful deal can be struck in the next fortnight, but I guess I'm an old-fashioned cynic when it comes to international cooperation.
What the release does show, however, is a distinct commitment on the part of the music industry to reduce its impact. The 100 signatures on this release feature some influential names - a sure sign that there are people willing to bring us great music at a lower carbon price.
As fans, our commuting to and from gigs has the biggest climate impact of all (as proven by Best Foot Forward's analysis of Radiohead's 2007 tour). I think it's important to bear that in mind.
It appears I spoke too soon in a previous post. The music industry has formed a united front in calling for a deal on emissions out of the Copenhagen Summit. I wish I could share their optimism that a meaningful deal can be struck in the next fortnight, but I guess I'm an old-fashioned cynic when it comes to international cooperation.
What the release does show, however, is a distinct commitment on the part of the music industry to reduce its impact. The 100 signatures on this release feature some influential names - a sure sign that there are people willing to bring us great music at a lower carbon price.
As fans, our commuting to and from gigs has the biggest climate impact of all (as proven by Best Foot Forward's analysis of Radiohead's 2007 tour). I think it's important to bear that in mind.
Monday 7 December 2009
Top ten 2009 - Soulsavers, Broken
The more I listen to this album, the more I’m touched by the intricacies that make it a classic: the relentless lead guitars played by someone who just doesn’t know when to say enough is enough; the understated vocal support from Red Ghost that tempers the emotion of lead vocalist Mark Lanegan; or the subtle clinking of ice cubes as two of rock's finest share a microphone over a whiskey.
I’ve already given this album its dues (see Where Have I Been?), so let’s move on. The end of the year is nigh.
What to listen out for.
Unbalanced Pieces, Some Misunderstanding, Praying Ground
When to listen to it.
After a break-up. This will guide you through all the necessary highs and lows and eventually leave you rejoicing.
Will we hear them again?
Undoubtedly. Soulsavers have a strong cult following and their third album will have done enough moments to pique the interests of the mainstream.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRomQF_eBuk
I’ve already given this album its dues (see Where Have I Been?), so let’s move on. The end of the year is nigh.
What to listen out for.
Unbalanced Pieces, Some Misunderstanding, Praying Ground
When to listen to it.
After a break-up. This will guide you through all the necessary highs and lows and eventually leave you rejoicing.
Will we hear them again?
Undoubtedly. Soulsavers have a strong cult following and their third album will have done enough moments to pique the interests of the mainstream.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRomQF_eBuk
Wednesday 2 December 2009
Top ten 2009 - Wild Beasts, Two Dancers
There’s a danger with a band like Wild Beasts that they could be overwhelmed by the novelty factor; that vocals like Hayden Thorpe’s could tip them the wrong side of burlesque. With their previous album, Limbo, Panto, there was a risk the Leeds four-piece was entering an inescapable world of farce, doomed to forever accompany The Tiger Lillies on their indefinite world tours (not that that would be a bad thing for anyone).
But with Two Dancers Wild Beasts have successfully fused melodic pop and indie flair. The vocals feel more restrained this time around, but still give the band an edge – something original to differentiate them from the swarming NME brigade. This is a serious rock album, but deliciously laced with a touch of the absurd.
What to listen out for.
The Fun Powder Plot, All the King’s Men, This is our Lot
When to listen to it.
During morning ablutions – it wakes you, lifts you and gives you a great chance to wail in the shower
Will we hear them again?
Wild Beasts have had time to develop. They’ve been nursed through the difficult first years of their career by the country’s finest music pundits and have come out as a mature, accomplished band. They’ve got a sound that is instantly recognisable and easily lovable. There’ll be many more like Two Dancers.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sxh5zMbNAo
But with Two Dancers Wild Beasts have successfully fused melodic pop and indie flair. The vocals feel more restrained this time around, but still give the band an edge – something original to differentiate them from the swarming NME brigade. This is a serious rock album, but deliciously laced with a touch of the absurd.
What to listen out for.
The Fun Powder Plot, All the King’s Men, This is our Lot
When to listen to it.
During morning ablutions – it wakes you, lifts you and gives you a great chance to wail in the shower
Will we hear them again?
Wild Beasts have had time to develop. They’ve been nursed through the difficult first years of their career by the country’s finest music pundits and have come out as a mature, accomplished band. They’ve got a sound that is instantly recognisable and easily lovable. There’ll be many more like Two Dancers.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sxh5zMbNAo
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