I’m having a momentary crush on White Lies. My first thought upon hearing them was Interpol meets Echo and The Bunnymen. And I have a serious soft spot for Brit rock and Ian McCulloch, so when I received an advance copy of UK trio’s To Lose My Life recently I couldn’t help but fall in love a little bit. It’s blatantly 80s influenced, but represents everything I like about Brit rock and the 80s in one album; guitar focused arena rock with a big dose of that new wave sound.
To Lose My Life drops on Fiction Records 3/17. Their US tour kicks off in Austin at SXSW, making their way to San Francisco April 11 to play Slim’s and wrapping up at Coachella. In the meantime, check out the new video to “To Lose My Life”…
This album is so damn catchy I can’t stop listening to it. I’ve been a longtime fan of the band and don’t think they’ve made a bad album to date. This one is no exception. I love frontman Eric Elbogen’s quirky lyrics and musical arrangements. Just take a listen to “Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh” and try to not get hooked.
Elbogen has an incredible ability to mix sad and happy together into a delightful contradiction. I can’t think of many other artists who could have me bopping around to a song about vampires singing – “Oh I just want to drink your blood…”. (“Blah Blah, Blah” from the album Impeccable Blahs.) While previous albums have been on the darker side in terms on subject matter – vampires, drinking blood and rejection – this one seems to lean more toward the lovelorn than the macabre. And built more around layered harmonies too – like in the gem “November Was White, December Was Grey“. It makes for an easy album to listen to and like – and sure to get stuck in your head!
Artist: Leopold and His Fiction Album: Ain’t No Surprise File Under: Vintage Rock Recommended if You Like: The Doors, The Black Keys, White Stripes Featured Track: “Broke”
I could sit you down right now, play this entire album and tell you it was a long lost 70s re-issue from some obscure San Francisco rock band and I bet you wouldn’t bat an eye. The San Francisco trio’s sophomore release, Ain’t No Surprise, takes their love of classic rock and all things vintage and spins it into a thoroughly enjoyable album from start to finish. An amalgamation of 70s rock influences, the band concocts a stripped down, bluesy, southern-fried psych rock sound reminiscent of some of the great bands of that era – from The Doors to the Allman Brothers and Bob Dylan.
Listening to the album, it’s hard not to compare lead singer Daniel James’ gritty vocals to Jim Morrison. I swear he’s channeling Mr. Mojo Risin’ himself on “Hawk Eyes”. And with the carnival-like organ swirling through“Broke” it’s hard not to draw a comparison to The Doors. While the influences are everywhere, the band never imitates. Their sound is definitely that of a bygone era. But in this day and age of 80s synth pop revival, it’s a refreshing one.
Don’t miss Leopold and His Fiction play Bottom of the Hill March 10! To get a taste of what’s to come, check out this video of their recent performance at Sundance this year.
Artist:A.C. Newman Album: Get Guilty File Under: Baroque Pop Recommended if You Like: The New Pornographers, Elliott Smith, The Shins, Arcade Fire Featured Track: Submarines of Stockholm
The New Pornographers melody maker, A.C. (Carl) Newman has released his second solo album, Get Guilty, on Matador Records and it’s one of the many great albums released in the past few weeks that has consistently bubbled to the top of my playlist day after day. The songs are beautifully produced, orchestral and lush without being overdone. And his powerful pop lyrics are so catchy and charming you could almost liken him a modern day Elton John. This is the kind of stuff that will get stuck in your head all day long.
But don’t let the ‘pop’ reference mislead you here, there is no shortage of craft and genius on this album. Just as with The New Pornographers, the parts of this production are as impressive as the sum. With the aid of drummers Jon Wurster (Superchunk, Mountain Goats) and Charles Burst along with Nicole Atkins and Mates of State’s Kori Gardner lending some vocals, songs like “There Are Maybe Ten or Twelve” and “The Heartbreak Rides” are transformed into pure magic.
A.C. Newman plays The Independent in San Francisco February 28.
Artist: J. Tillman Album: Vacilando Territory Blues File Under: New Folk, Singer/Songwriter Recommended if You Like: Fleet Foxes, Iron & Wine, Bon Iver, Nick Drake, Ryan Adams, Great Lake Swimmers Featured Track: “First Born”
While he may be known best as a member of the Fleet Foxes, J.Tillman is an accomplished solo artist with quite an impressive body of work under his belt. He continues to release material under his own name and has often been compared to Nick Drake, Bonnie “Prince” Billy, and Elliott Smith.
Vacilando Territory Blues is his fifth album and features other Fleet Foxes members Casey Wescott and Christian Wargo. And you can hear their influence in the music – or vice versa. The album is beautiful and does sound a lot like Fleet Foxes, without the multi-layered harmonies. Firstborn is probably the most reminiscent of his side project work with the now famous Seattle band. He does pull out some full band, blues-tinged tracks like “New Imperial Grand Blues” to keep you on your toes, but most of the album is quiet and sparse which bodes well for late night listens.
There’s been a bounty of newgaze music making its way to my mailbox lately and I have no complaints with this one in particular. A Shoreline Dream is a Denver-based quartet who have been described by fans as ‘Melodipsych Rockers’. Their forthcoming release Recollections of Memory is set to drop on February 10 and features a fantastic collaboration with the talented Ulrich Schnauss, who is also a huge fan of the band.
Masterfully produced, the album itself is a sonic journey from start to finish. And one that demands to be listened to in its entirety. There will be no fast forwarding of tracks, mind you. You will sit down, put on your headphones and let the ambient, hypnotic soundscape wash over you.
Considering frontman Ryan Policky put his life up for ransom to produce this album independently and ensure everything about the band – it’s sound, vision and integrity – was kept in tack, it deserves nothing less than your full attention.
Artist: Animal Collective Album: Merriweather Post Pavillion File Under: Experimental Recommended if You Like: Grizzly Bear, Beach Boys, Yeasayer Featured Track: ‘My Girls’
Listen up boys and girls, this is important. Animal Collective is releasing their much anticipated, acclaimed and uber-hyped Merriweather Post Pavillion next week on January 20th. (Well, technically it’s already out – make that sold out – on vinyl. But if you’re like me, you’re not hip enough to own a turntable.) So mark your calendars and get ready. Because if you want to be anyone in the music world, with any sort of indie music cred, you need to own this album and worship it like the second coming of Christ. Animal Collective, deliver us from indie rock evil!
Okay, all kidding aside, this is a damn good album. And you should own it. It’s just a little hard to swallow all of this hype. Pitchfork gave the album a 9.6 for christ sakes! I didn’t know that was even possible. Are they really reinventing rock? Is their sound truly that innovative and unlike anything out there in the rock landscape? I don’t think so. My best summary of their sound is classic prog rock syncopation mixed with a little techno and sprinkled with a heap of Beach Boys Pet Sounds all over it.
Perhaps what’s most innovative and unique about them is that they don’t conform to one particular genre, which is refreshing and inspiring. And their music has a joyful, playful and ecstatic quality that makes you want to grab your friends, drop some E, tune in and trip out. (Is that album art moving or is it just my imagination? Whoa.)
Artist: Alina Simone Album: Everyone Is Crying Out to Me, Beware File Under: Folk-Punk Recommended if You Like: Cat Power Featured Track: Half My Kingdom, Beware
Listen to ‘Half My Kingdom’:
Listen to ‘Beware’:
I had never heard of Alina Simone, or Yanka Dayagileva for that matter, until I saw this album show up on a couple Best of 2008 lists. Intrigued I loaded it up in my Rhapsody account and now I’m hooked.
Alina Simone’s, Everyone Is Crying Out to Me, Beware is a collection of cover songs paying homage to the late Yanka Dyagileva, a young Soviet poet reminiscent of Patti Smith who found cult fame only after her death in 1991. The Brooklyn-based, Ukraine-born Simone sings the songs in Russian and brings an aching passion to Dayagileva’s lo-fi folk punk material. It’s very Cat Power. Beautiful, haunting and powerful.
Here it is. My last Album of the Week recommendation for 2008! And what better way to close out the year than with a little Starf**ker. Come on, say it. You know you want to. Starf**ker!!
The debut album of this Portland-based group has grown into one of my favorite listens these last few weeks. The band’s dreamy, tranquil grooves are just the right anecdote for these foggy, wet San Francisco days of late. It’s just downright refreshing and fun from start to finish. Their lyrics are whimsical and kooky – but never kitschy – bringing a smile to my face with every listen. From the hilarious ‘German Love‘ (I’m gonna give it to you) and the completely nonsensical ‘Iaadeedaa’ to the obsessively catchy ‘Rawnald Gregory Erickson the Second’, this album has me hooked. Now go get your groove on.
Artist: Glasvegas Album: A Snowflake Fell (And It Felt Like a Kiss) File Under: Brit Rock Recommended if You Like: The Jesus and Mary Chain, Phil Spector, Oasis, U2 Featured Track: ‘Fuck You, It’s Over’
If you haven’t already heard of Glasvegas, you probably soon will. They are one of the most buzzed about bands in the UK right now, receiving accolades from “best Scottish band in 20 years” to “The Greatest New Rock and Roll Band in the World” (NME). Wow, no pressure or anything.
Their hugely anticipated self-titled EP went straight to number 2 on the UK charts this fall. Their sound has hit such a nerve with fans that they’ve caused a sensation. Taking musical influences from Phil Spector and The Jesus and Mary Chain, their droning reverb-drenched music is tempered by the poetic, pop-like melodies of lead singer James Allen.
In fact, Phil Spector’s 1963 Christmas album made such a big impression on the band that they have recorded their own Christmas mini-album, A Snowflake Fell (And It Felt Like a Kiss). The 6–song holiday offering was recorded in Transylvania and features 5 new songs and a cover of the Christmas classic, “Silent Night“. You can buy a bundle of their debut album, Glasvegas, and the Christmas EP, A Snowflake Fell (And It Felt Like a Kiss), on iTunes for $10.99.
EP Track List: Please Come Back Home
Cruel Moon
Careful What You Wish For
Fuck You, It’s Over
A Snowflake Fell (And It Felt Like A Kiss)
Silent Night / Noapte de vis
In the meantime, enjoy this new track off their holiday EP, ‘Fuck You, It’s Over‘. Just in time for Christmas and soon to be a holiday classic, I’m sure. And if you’re in San Francisco, Glasvegas is playing Popscene January 8, 2009 at 330 Ritch. Tickets are sold out, however.
the OCMD 