Toured the Light

Bon Iver Live

2008-08-25T23:15:00.000-07:00

If you haven't already heard Bon Iver, it's time to do so. This live set has some great arrangements of his mostly acoustic recorded work.

Kneel before Bon Iver.

Okkervil River - Live For Pitchfork TV

2008-05-14T13:46:00.000-07:00

A great performance from a great band:

Click here for Okkervil River's band page.

My Morning Jacket - Evil Urges

2008-04-21T14:40:00.000-07:00

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This is hotly anticipated, and I can say after a few listens that it doesn't disappoint. It rocks like not a lot of music out there today.

Sunset Rubdown - Random Spirit Lover

2008-04-13T21:27:00.000-07:00

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From the first few notes of "The Mending of the Gown," it is clear that Spencer Krug is no longer satisfied with creating hushed acoustic guitar anthems. In his first album as Sunset Rubdown, Krug created an album that seemed to be culmination of his lo-fi leanings. Shut Up I Am Dreaming was like a piece of old furniture: rickety and worn, but special in some difficult to define way.

Random Spirit Lover bears very little resemblance to that particular album (or, for that matter, any other album). In my attempt to describe it after a few listens, I likened it to a cross between two other Krug projects, Frog Eyes and Wolf Parade. Eventually, though, I gave up on comparisons and let myself enjoy it as an album without adequate comparisons or adequate competition: I consider this album to be the culmination of the school of Canadian "Indie" that has flooded the ears of tight-jeans wearing teenagers over the past decade or so.

In a word, this album is diverse. There are maniacal romps through bizarre carnival-like worlds stuffed with animal imagery and tumbling keyboards, sparse numbers featuring little more than Krug's trembling tones and a simple melody, and even a hushed campfire song in "Child-Heart Losers." Beyond trying to describe each song for its characteristics, this album seems to be divided into far more numerous, fragmented parts, most of which have little to do with one another. If forced to choose a number, I'd have to say that there are at least thirty or forty of these miniature "movements" present.

Some of the movements grab the ear more than others, such as the aforementioned guitar solo in "The Mending of the Gown," or the charging apex of "Magic vs. Midas." Without match, however, is the the culmination of the epic "Winged/Wicked Things," which builds from a single puffing organ and oddly watery arpeggios into a glorious mess of noise that jumps up and down entire octaves, leaving the listener drained by the time the outro arrives, less than five minutes after the ride began. If one may expect a letdown after such a superlative piece of music, there's a surprise in store: "Colt Stands up, Grows Horns," draws the listener right back in with creepy minor chords and a cold wind blowing in the background, which give way to 80s-style synths. Unexpected, and absolutely wonderful.

Many have criticized Random Spirit Lover as being "just noise" or for being too weird. True, Krug piles on layer after layer of sound until it can sound at times as though he has little control over his own band. After enough listens, however, it has become clear that each and every note of this album has been carefully placed to create an effect that no other act in music today can match. This album truly is the act of a mad genius. But even the mad genius can get slightly self-conscious: during "The Taming Of The Hands That Came Back To Life," Krug croons, "Do you think the second movement has too many violins?" The answer, unequivocally, is no. Keep on piling on the sounds, Spencer, and I'll keep on listening.

Click here for Sunset Rubdown's official site.
Click here for Pitchfork's review of Random Spirit Lover.

Benoit Pioulard - Precis

2008-04-13T21:02:00.000-07:00

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First of all, Benoit Pioulard isn't French; as a matter of fact, he doesn't even sing in French. He's also not indie, or electronic, or folk. His music isn't slow or fast. Precis is none of these things all at once, but it flits between these and countless other genres and stylistic leanings. An adequate comparison is to the Notwist, as Pioulard deftly mixes electronic and acoustic elements, but it is also important to note that his label, Kranky, is also home to Deerhunter, whose soundscapes bear more than a passing resemblance to those present on Precis. The opener, "La Guerre De Sept Ans," mixes swirling atmospherics with an insistent and mind-numbingly quick guitar line. Highlights like "Palimend" and "Dust In The Sky" perfectly combine this sort of drone with melodic guitar folk/rock. As you can tell, it's extremely difficult to describe this album, but I can say with certainty that it you will be missing out if you don't give it at least a chance.

Click here for Benoit Pioulard's Myspace page.

Islands - Arm's Way

2008-04-12T13:37:00.000-07:00

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If you're a fan of the Unicorns or you enjoyed Islands' debut, this album will provide more than enough of the quirk, charm, and melodic sophistication that you love. Arm's Way plays up the epic leanings that started to manifest themselves in Return to the Sea, and the results are excellent: I consider this album to be better than anything Nick Thorburn has ever released. Highly recommended.

Click here for Islands' Myspace page.
Click here for Islands' band site.

Girls In Hawaii - Plan Your Escape

2008-04-11T01:33:00.000-07:00

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This might be catchiest album of 2008 so far. Less than a minute into the opener, "Birthday Call," it is clear that Girls in Hawaii have that rare knack for creating sounds that are insanely pleasing to the ear. "Bored" and "Colors," the two following tracks, are also quite strong. Unfortunately, Plan Your Escape loses some steam over its last three quarters, knocking it from the pedestal of greatness to just being very good. Still highly recommended.

Click here for Girls In Hawaii's Myspace page.

Sun Kil Moon - April

2008-04-11T01:21:00.000-07:00

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I haven't listened to April enough to fully appreciate it as an album. To begin with, it is extremely dense and at times quite difficult: songs routinely stretch past seven minutes and progressions repeat with drone-like frequencies. What is certain, however, is that Mark Kozelek has created a complete, gorgeous statement: the more one listens to April, the more each song becomes part of a greater whole.

Click here for Sun Kil Moon's Myspace page.
Click here for Sun Kil Moon's band site.

Misophone - Where Has It Gone, All The Beautiful Music Of Our Grandparents? It Died With Them, That’s Where It Went...

2008-04-10T22:22:00.000-07:00

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Forgive the awful title: this album is worth it. A British band that has recorded some one dozen albums already, Misophone has now slightly raised their profile. And it's a good thing they have: Where Did It Go... is full of orchestral twee pop and creative (and precious) instrumental flourishes that are sure to please fans of Sufjan Stevens and similar artists. There isn't a great deal of passion or energy in these recordings, but the sounds are pleasing while maintaining a degree of complexity.

Click here for Misophone's Myspace page.

Crystal Castles - Crystal Castles

2008-04-10T22:06:00.000-07:00

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Crystal Castles has apparently been described by a review outfit as "most exciting and original band in the world right now." I'm not quite convinced as to that, but I can assure any fans of electronic or dance music that this debut full-length has songs that they will listen to over and over. While the album does feature the fractured, glitchy 8-bit electronics that Ethan Kath is known for, it also features half a dozen genuine pop anthems. Best of all is "Vanished," a loose remix of the song "Sex Me," by Van She. which features a driving baseline and haunting synths that loop in and out, giving immense gravity to each successive repetition. My one criticism of the album is that many songs begin to sound quite similar with time. For now I can say that I'm happy where Crystal Castles are, but I would not be happy to see a second album without some further creative development.

Click here for Crystal Castles' Myspace page.

Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes

2008-04-10T08:28:00.000-07:00

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This album is top 3 of the year for me so far. It has echoes of the Shins in it, with vocal arrangements that bear some resemblance to what Grizzly Bear has been doing. Contrary to what you've been reading if you follow leaks, this album is actually going to be released as Fleet Foxes, instead of the original name of Ragged Wood. Also highly recommended is the already released EP, Sun Giant.

Click here for Pitchfork Media's review of Sun Giant.
Click here for Fleet Foxes' MySpace page.

Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago

2008-04-09T02:39:00.001-07:00

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I could rave about this album for pages, but I'll keep it brief. This album has moments that transcend folk, or indie, or any genre that people try to tag it with. When Justin Vernon yelps, "Who will love you/Who will fight?/Who will far behind?" you would have to be without a soft spot in your body to not feel a little tingle somewhere. Every experimentation, like the effected background vocals in "The Wolves (Act I & II), and the haunting single-note distortions in "Flume," works as perfectly as the unadorned and simple guitar chords of "Re: Stacks," which takes the honors as the best song on the album. Ultimately, For Emma, Forever Ago is a showcase of Justin Vernon's complex and soulful voice and his sometimes abstract but always careful songwriting. It is one of the best albums of 2008, one that will be in circulation in my record collection for years to come. Check it out.

Click here for Pitchfork's review of For Emma, Forever Ago.
Click here for Bon Iver's Virb page.

Peter Moren - The Last Tycoon

2008-04-09T02:34:00.000-07:00

Mediafire

I haven't yet had a chance to listen to this, but as a Peter, Bjorn & John fan, I figured I'd pass it on to everyone out there who hasn't found it yet but wants a listen.

Click here for Peter Moren's Myspace page.
Click here for Peter, Bjorn and John's band site.

First Post

2008-04-09T00:30:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I've stalled for a long time on this one, but it's time that I start a blog so that I can share music with fellow fans and hopefully find some new music at the same time.

Why don't we start with some classics?

THE HOLD STEADY - SEPARATION SUNDAY

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SUFJAN STEVENS - ILLINOIS

ClanLogic

NEUTRAL MILK HOTEL - IN THE AEROPLANE OVER THE SEA

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Happy Downloading!