June has been a pretty awesome month for indie music, marked by a bunch of great album releases and of course Bannaroo (which I unfortunately could not attend).
Album Releases to check out:
Bon Iver- Bon Iver...An amazing album that is taking the world by surprise! Bon Iver has put out what could possibly be the album of the year. The band has been featured on almost every late night show, on the cover of Billboards and Rolling Stones, and is touring the country this summer. This a must hear album!
Death Cab for Cutie- Codes and Keys... Death Cab's 7th full length album was released this month. It shows a much more instrumentally sound band then the past records. The album debuted at the top of the Billboards and spent most of the month in the top 5 albums of the year. Although it is not the best by this mainstreamed indie band, it is still a solid album.
Chiddy Bang- Peanut Butter and Swelly (mixtape)...The duo formally known as Chiddy Bang finally released their anticipated third mixtape. For the indie hip hop fans, this is a heavy hitting mixtape, nothing short of what was expected. Peanut Butter and Swelly starts out with one of the best songs on the entire mix "Cameras", sampling from Matt and Kim's hit song Cameras. Amamege and Beresin come at listeners with sick lyrics and beats that can only be described as "swelly as shit." The mixtape screams "Chiddy Bang is here, and her to stay."
Forster the People- Torches...Although not a June release, I thought May 23rd was close enough. Torches is one of the better full albums to come around lately. Each song from beginning to end is nothing short of sick. The elctro-indie band mixes the creativity of MGMT and the catchy lyrics of Matt and Kim. Featuring songs such as, Miss You, Helena Beat, and Warrant, Torches will undoubtedly put Foster the People on the map.
Cults- Cults...The second self-titled record on the list of June releases, Cults has the sound of past decades. The minimalist sound that relies mostly on Madeline Follin's soothing voice and lyrics. The New York band has quietly placed themselves in the top up-and-comers of the indie scene with this release. Their sound can be likened to Girls, The Antlers, and The Sleigh Bells
Givers- In Light... I recently came on to this band while listening to Sirius XMU this past week or so. The indie-pop band, hailing from Louisianan, is finding a lot of interest produced by their intoxicatingly fun song Up Up Up. Recently featured in a short video on MTV, don't be surprised if this band is soon on the Top 40 billboards. A couple other songs to check out from In Light include, Noche Nada and Saw You First...as well as every other song on the album
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Chicago!
In just a couple days, Andy and I will be taking a mini-adventure to see Dispatch at Millennium Park
After the concert I think we will explore the city a little, see what the night life is in a big city like that. The next day we are planning on sight seeing, does anyone have any suggestions on places that we need to see, or places we need to go eat?
Monday, May 23, 2011
Codes and Keys
Death Cab For Cutie finally released their much anticipated album "Codes and Keys" yesterday, 8 days earlier then previously stated. Much of what I read before listening to the album, said that Death Cab was showing the maturation of a growing band. So after reading that and hearing their first single "You are a Tourist," which I was less then impressed with, I didn't really know what to expect. I was pretty excited to hear all of the new tracks last night when they were all available to the public...
Is it bad if I thought this album wasn't anything special? I don't think my previous love for Death Cab and excitement for a new album will really outweigh my disappointment. It's difficult with past albums that had singles like, "When Soul Meets Body" "Crooked Teeth" or "I Will Possess Your Heart." "You are a Tourist" just didn't cut it for me. Although it may sound like I hate this album, I still think that the music is great, it just doesn't stand up to their past work. I would relate it eating at your favorite restaurant and ordering your favorite dish. When it isn't exactly the way you like it, it isn't horrible but just doesn't live up to your expectation.
It may be that I just want the angst ridden Death Cab that produced "What Sarah Said" or "Cath." As Gibbard and band mates seek to discover new musical endeavors together, they seem to leave behind what made them Death Cab in their past albums. What seems to be a more musically focused album, the lyrics of some songs are elementary at best. Such as "Some Boys"
Some boys are filling, some boys are filling the hole
Some boys are sleeping, some boys are sleeping alone
Now, there is a good chance in the next two or three weeks after my 15th time through the album that I'll miraculously fall in love with it, just as everyone else. But until then I think this just goes on the shelf as a good album, that could have been better.
"Monday Morning" is one of the songs on the album that I do like a lot...take a listen, No matter the writing Ben Gibbard's voice is always pretty awesome.
Is it bad if I thought this album wasn't anything special? I don't think my previous love for Death Cab and excitement for a new album will really outweigh my disappointment. It's difficult with past albums that had singles like, "When Soul Meets Body" "Crooked Teeth" or "I Will Possess Your Heart." "You are a Tourist" just didn't cut it for me. Although it may sound like I hate this album, I still think that the music is great, it just doesn't stand up to their past work. I would relate it eating at your favorite restaurant and ordering your favorite dish. When it isn't exactly the way you like it, it isn't horrible but just doesn't live up to your expectation.
It may be that I just want the angst ridden Death Cab that produced "What Sarah Said" or "Cath." As Gibbard and band mates seek to discover new musical endeavors together, they seem to leave behind what made them Death Cab in their past albums. What seems to be a more musically focused album, the lyrics of some songs are elementary at best. Such as "Some Boys"
Some boys are filling, some boys are filling the hole
Some boys are sleeping, some boys are sleeping alone
Now, there is a good chance in the next two or three weeks after my 15th time through the album that I'll miraculously fall in love with it, just as everyone else. But until then I think this just goes on the shelf as a good album, that could have been better.
"Monday Morning" is one of the songs on the album that I do like a lot...take a listen, No matter the writing Ben Gibbard's voice is always pretty awesome.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Bon Iver, Bon Iver: Review
It is easy for any fan of Bon Iver's music to know that Justin Vernon is not only a musical genius, but a stellar writer/lyricist. While listening to the sophomore album, Bon Iver, one can't help but notice the transformation from just a delicate weeping voice heard in Emma and Blood Bank EP to a mature artistic form.
Bon Iver ditches the T-Pain Autotune (used in woods), made famous by the sampling in Kanye West's - Monster, for deeper lyrics and hypnotizing beats. In, addition songs like Himmon, TX Vernon gives listeners a taste of a more natural form of his voice instead of the ethereal voice and sound that we all fell in love with. Although, Bon Iver, doesn't come with any heavier hitters like "For Emma" or "Skinny Love" that can easily carry an entire album, the album's full moving effect is felt when listened to from beginning to end.
Vernon's talents are hitting their stride with Bon Iver. His lyrical talents tell stories of past experience in Eua Claire and beyond, while his voice lures listeners in much like a seaman to a siren. Leaving the confines of his Wisconsin cabin for Hawaii proved to be a smart move as it created an environment that will push Bon Iver's second album past the sophomore album superstitions--as well as getting the attention of other artists, like Rick Ross. Quoted in Billboard's article "Bon Iver: The Billboard Cover Story" Ross says "He's a fucking genius . . . I'd never seen nor heard of him in my life, and I looked up, and I was in a fucking 5-by-5 room with a white guy, smoking weed . . . and his voice is like something I've never heard, and he's using words that are far from common. Within 20 minutes, I realized why Kanye had him there."'
Check out "Calgary" the first released single from "Bon Iver." An entrancing melody throughout the song allows the listener to get lost in the cryptic lyrics. I could write an entire blog post just on what I think this song is really about, but I'll let you be the the judge.
Oh and I am sorry Justin for partaking in the leaked version of the album, I promise once it is available on Itunes I will buy the real version. I can't wait to see these guys in DC August 1st!
Bon Iver ditches the T-Pain Autotune (used in woods), made famous by the sampling in Kanye West's - Monster, for deeper lyrics and hypnotizing beats. In, addition songs like Himmon, TX Vernon gives listeners a taste of a more natural form of his voice instead of the ethereal voice and sound that we all fell in love with. Although, Bon Iver, doesn't come with any heavier hitters like "For Emma" or "Skinny Love" that can easily carry an entire album, the album's full moving effect is felt when listened to from beginning to end.
Vernon's talents are hitting their stride with Bon Iver. His lyrical talents tell stories of past experience in Eua Claire and beyond, while his voice lures listeners in much like a seaman to a siren. Leaving the confines of his Wisconsin cabin for Hawaii proved to be a smart move as it created an environment that will push Bon Iver's second album past the sophomore album superstitions--as well as getting the attention of other artists, like Rick Ross. Quoted in Billboard's article "Bon Iver: The Billboard Cover Story" Ross says "He's a fucking genius . . . I'd never seen nor heard of him in my life, and I looked up, and I was in a fucking 5-by-5 room with a white guy, smoking weed . . . and his voice is like something I've never heard, and he's using words that are far from common. Within 20 minutes, I realized why Kanye had him there."'
Check out "Calgary" the first released single from "Bon Iver." An entrancing melody throughout the song allows the listener to get lost in the cryptic lyrics. I could write an entire blog post just on what I think this song is really about, but I'll let you be the the judge.
Oh and I am sorry Justin for partaking in the leaked version of the album, I promise once it is available on Itunes I will buy the real version. I can't wait to see these guys in DC August 1st!
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