Ah, 80′s glam electronica, you always know how to put a smile on my face and GnarniaVIPs and dark pop geniuses, Love Cop, oblige with a cassette of lofi dreamgaze with a heavy tote of perverted pop. With clear nods to the best moments of Television Personalities, The Clean, and Factory Records bands like Joy Division and New Order, Eat Yr Heart Out is bursting at the seams with fuzzy guitars, jangly guitars, crunchy guitars, dance beats, rock beats, witchy vibes, stoner vibes, and maybe the kitchen sink (why not?).
Signed copies were available at their performance at Gnar Tapes SXSW Showcase on March 15th, 2013 but never fear, you can still get your not-as-special unsigned copies through the friendly folks at Gnar Tapes. So pop on the album through bandcamp (or better yet, the cassette itself), open up the windows, and ignore your responsibilities. Love Cop‘s got the soundtrack to your dysfunctional narcissism.
There has been some incredible releases already with the New Year, whether it is through TTNGor Tyvek. Yet as I work through my long overdue articles, a particular one always strikes my attention. Back towards the end of November, an Austin, TX staple, My Education, released their sixth album, A Drink For All My Friends in North America on Headbump Records/Haute Magie and in Europe on Golden Antenna. Sonic explorer’s at heart, My Education’sA Drink For All My Friends is the band’s most streamlined and aggressive effort yet, while remaining an entrancing cinematic journey throughout.
Originally formed in 1999, the band’s membership has expanded and contracted between and after each release. Still, while the material buildup of the group has changed, the sonic landscapes have grown with each release. Think of it like Doug Martsch’s Built to Spilllineup, except within the vast domains of post-rock, post-prog, and post-hardocre. My Educationhas released 5 full-length albums, several singles, compilation appearances, and a 12″ vinyl collaboration with avant-hip hop duo Dalek. in the past, as well as having their singles remixed by members of bands such as Kinski, Pelican, Red Sparowes and Dalek.
So as for the release itself? At times, My Educationspulls off tracks that faithfully push forward a movement similiar to that of Turing Machines with it’s electronic pedal heavy riffs and uncompromising percussion/bass. Yet at other tracks, it is a blissful acceptance of beauty in patience as displayed by such groups as Tortoiseor Collection of Colonies of Bees. If I wanted to be simpler, I would simply say the album is all over the place except that it is not: rather, it is a very purposeful journey with moments of peace followed by the always present shadow of entropy, disorder, and chaos. A Drink For All My Friends is the album for those vinyl nerds, sitting alone with massive headphones in their room for hours. It is for the intellectually curious introverts in all of us. And, more importantly in my opinion, it’s an album for me.
So trust me on this recommendation or don’t. Frankly, it’s not my concern or job to care. Yet it is my job to cover such a beautifully crafted album, one which I nearly missed due to my own slothfulness. It is a mistake I hope to never make again, particularly with the reward that My Education provided me. Don’t make the same mistake: grab a download, catch them live, and let your inner introvert run wild. I know I did.
In case ya didn’t know, yeah: I am a massive Nativefan. We Delete; Erase was simply a masterpiece which gorgeously combined a midwestern noodle rock sound with a grundgy, emo-rock flare that often lost the listeners in bursts of post-rock glory. While We Delete; Erase is still my favorite of Native’s, Wrestling Moves, the sophomore release, did not disappoint. All of this brings me to the more exciting news: Northwest Indiana’sNativeis announcing a whole hell of North American live dates starting next month, most of which will be alongside post-rock instrumentalists Caspian. A full list of the schedule is available below.
In addition to this glorious news, however, it is also a delight to hear that Nativehas just recently finished recording their second full length album with Greg Norman (Russian Circles, Pelican) in Chicago, a release which will be provided by your friendly label folks over at Sargent Housethis summer. To start building up enthusiasm or if you are not familiar with Native, I would highly recommend checking out a video of the band playing one of their new songs,”Kissing Bridge” live in Paris(top of article). Furthermore, of course, I included a stream of Wrestling Moves for a quick preview.
As for now, well, be patient and stay tuned. Based just off the live video, I’d say we got a triumphant return in store for us. Till then.
Feb 25 – Oklahoma City, OK @ The Conservatory
Feb 26 – Albuquerque, NM @ The Gas Works
Feb 27 – Tempe, AZ @ Tempe Women’s Club
CASPIAN & NATIVE 2013
Mar 01 – Los Angeles, CA @ Echoplex also w/ Junius
Mar 02 – San Diego, CA @ Soda Bar And Lounge
Mar 03 – San Francisco, CA @ The Bottom of the Hill
Mar 05 – Seattle, WA @ Barboza
Mar 06 – Portland, OR @ Doug Fir Lounge
Mar 07 – Boise, ID @ The Red Room
Mar 08 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Kilby Court
Mar 09 – Denver, CO @ Larimer Lounge
Mar 10 – Omaha, NE @ The West Wing (no Caspian)
Mar 11 – Lawrence, KS @ Jackpot Music Hall
Mar 12 – Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue 7th Street Entry
Mar 13 – Madison, WI @ High Noon Saloon
Mar 14 – Chicago, IL @ Subterranean
Mar 15 – St Louis, MO @ The Firebird
Mar 16 – Nashville, TN @ Exit/In
Mar 18 – Toronto, ON @ The Garrison
Mar 19 – Lansing, MI @ Mac’s Bar
Mar 20 – Newport, KY @ Southgate House
Mar 21 – Cleveland Heights, OH @ Grog Shop
Mar 22 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Smiling Moose
Mar 23 – Buffalo, NY @ Big Orbit Soundlab
Mar 24 – Burlington, VT @ Signal Kitchen
NATIVE ONLY
Mar 25 – Montreal, QC @ L’escogriffe Cafe Bar
Mar 26 – Kitchener, ON @ Jesse’s Rehearsal
Mar 27 – Toledo, OH @ Mickey Finn’s
Technology and modern electronics have the eerie ability to both feel warm and connect us with the world as well as cold and distant, isolating in pure design. It’s a Catch 22 which appears to be the Holy Grail for any creative mind ingenious enough to create a synthesis between the two extremes. While, on a technological note, this process appears to still be ongoing, Charlieof Kill Rock Stars appears to have made a bold new step in this development within the ambient, electronica genre. Under the name Grapefruit, Charlie has released his instrumental synth wanderings in the form of “Freeway Romantics“
As described by Gnar Tapes, the album is, “pulsing and vibrating, like hearing lights pass through crystal. As much outside as it is in. Is the freeway out in space, or is it in your mind?” A little on the new age side but hell, I guess you have to be a little to indulgence in this album. This is not intended to be a put down however: rather, this music has a spirtual sort of feel to it by design. Perhaps I am too reliant upon these groups to help vocalize what I am unable to articulate however with a combination of soundwall aesthetics as displayed by M83‘s “Fields, Shorelines, and Hunters” and an attention to 8-bit culture the likes of Gatekeepergives Grapefruit‘s “Freeway Romantics” a, well, romantic feel. And I mean this in the purest sense: a romanticism which takes what appears to be a dark and grim world of alienating technological feats and create a warmth unknown to many in their own physical lives.
The ramblings of a tired fool, perhaps. However, while I do love his previous projects, I find this release such a personal journey without the gimmicks of traditional ambient electronica that it just feels enlightening. Take a listen and grab a download ($7? Why the hell not, plus I believe they sell tape copies as well for those so inclined). I recently read an article which believed that A Brave New Worldwas a far more believable distopia than 1984. For while the government attempts to subdue its population by withholding information in 1984, the government in A Brave New World do not care to withhold information but rather drown it out through perpetual pop culture and media distractions. Welcome to the Brave New World. Enjoy.
Bloomsbury Coalition is, well, “a badass collective of musicians and artists from the Delaware Valley.” Vintage Kicksand Scooba are, well, “surf-giants”. So what the hell is “COPYCATS“? COPYCATSis the first split by the two groups for Bloomsbury Coalition, featuring a newly written track by each. In addition, and what makes this a particularly memorable EP, is the fact that each group also performs and reinterprets an older track from the other group. Released on November 30, 2012, and recorded/mixed by Vintage Kicks‘Chris Penny, COPYCATSstands out as a release which not only highlights two amazing groups from the Delaware Valley, but also their unique perspectives when handed foreign material.
The album opens with Vintage Kicks, performing their brand new single, “Cherry“. A deceitfully innocent tab followed by a ride through late 80′s garage-pop makes the track easy to love and, well, dance to (if I were not at work, I would probably start skanking in my tiny corner). Furthermore, the vocals bear the loveable sound of the new era of emo-rock meets post-hardcore, an always welcoming sign in my mind. “I Wish I Was Owen Wilson” follows, playing out as a, “cheeky letter to Owen Wilson about his career path but ends in total appreciation of the man.” Written by Scoobaand reinterpreted by Vintage Kicks, “I Wish I Was Owen Wilson” actually does a damn good job. A recounting saga of success and failure, the hard hitting rhythm with the casually strolling percussion leads elegantly into a chorus of shouting, including a mid monologue which all but encompasses the message.
Scooba is up next with their new single, “Serious Lunch“. With a far heavier sound along with darker tinges, Scooba plays with “Serious Lunch” with a sound reminiscent to prog rock meeting post-hardcore. Odd, for sure, but certainly a frankly badass experience for any 90′s child to listen to. This message is best presented with their interpretation of Vintage Kicks‘ “Iron Fist“. With a “dark swirling atmosphere, reminiscent of Deerhunter or Joy Division” according toBloomsbury Coalition, “Iron Fist” does play well off of a sound that is both hauntingly simple with a sense of minimalism yet intensive echo/distortion to fill through the nooks.
Point being, not only is the concept of the EP a brilliant idea, but each artist is able to add a significant dose of themselves to make the release a remarkable representation of both groups. This kind of task is far easier said than done so, to get a full appreciation, I would suggest attending the fundraiser, to assist a friend with leukemia, over at Studio Luloo in Oaklyn, NJ this Friday, December 21. So do yourself a favor: take a listen, hell grab a download (it’s name your own price anyways), but for sure catch them live this Friday to learn a little more.It’s a time worth having.
There is just something inherently lovable about the 80′s. It was an era that seemed to have accepted materialism to historic heights, one with cues to the rise of morality and the religious right, one of both complacency and ambition all melded into a popular culture that still affects us today. Now may be a good time to point out that I wasn’t born until the 90′s: still, I am nearly lecherous in my imagination that is of the 80′s. And somewhere in this weird hallucination that is my mind I imagine hearing Emotional’s new album, “Feeling“.
Released about 2 months ago, I feel ashamed to say it has taken me this long to write on it because, yes, it is damn well worth your time (and $7? *wink wink, nudge nudge*). Opening with the aptly entitled “Grass To Pass The Time“, the 30 seconds give you a very appropriate introduction to the rest of the album. With heavily distorted vocals (not to mention essentially everything else) and an extremely poppy synth hook, the song takes you through a montage of casual nothingness which, essentially, may be the best of times. “Baby I’m So Strange” follows which, by far, is my favorite track. There is an overwhelming feeling in my pretentious side to note that it appears to have an extremely common verse structure but hell, it’s a dream scape pop track, what the hell are you supposed to expect? “Baby I’m So Strange” excels because of it’s seemingly casual anthem to society and mediocracy, a message which seems to fit rather well as it ends in a symphony of light chirping of the guitar.
Clearly, I am not necessarily providing too grand of an image as far as the whole album goes. Frankly, it’s on purpose. I sit here, by my computer, spewing my thoughts into a blog which I can only assume someone, somewhere is actually reading. Yet the joy comes from the idea of no preconceived notions. I like to think Dissociative Identity Productions is hear to raise awareness, not to sell a message (though if ya ask me about politics, that may become something entirely different…). Listen to the whole f’ing thing. The 80′s excelled because people were still naive enough to enjoy and not be pretentious. Emotional understands this, and it may be a good idea for us all too as well.
It’s soulful without being pretentious. Heartfelt without being saturated. It’s in depth while remaining minimal. I first experienced Little Owl (Shana Isadora) over at Jollys, participating in a Tuesday night show case. Playing the same night as The Resonators, Little Owlcaught my eye, or I guess I should say my ear, with her sincerity. May as well go ahead and address the fact that yes, the female singer/song writer feels, particularly in popular culture, played out. But this is not one of those cases. With a tone and attitude remarkable to early Des Ark and an endearing simplicity with folky tinges sound that brings Bowerbirds to mind, Little Owlcarries you through a meandering floating journey from “Valley Below” to “Angel Knight“.
So now that I have raved on Little Owl, let me go ahead and get to the point.Dissociative Identity Productions and WKDU Philadelphia, 91.7 fm are proud to present a live instudio with the one and only Little Owl. To give ya a preview, in case you are unfamiliar, be sure to check out the bandcamp (which, by the way, is name your own price so it’s hard to go wrong… though come on, don’t be cheap) and hell, maybe at a local show near you.
Life can seem, oddly enough, boring. More often than not, there appears to be a growing white noise which overwhelms our mind and spirit. Relief from such violent turbulence is always a reward, and it is perhaps for this exact reason that I feel excited for this Wednesday. I hope you do too. Tune into WKDU Philadelphia, 91.7 fm this Wednesday, December 12th, from 6:30-7:30 pm for Little Owl. It’s an experience worth having.
With “Sins Like These“, who needs virtues? Ok, sorry, just me trying to be clever with the opening track title. Based out of Hudson Valley, NY, Lives of the Obscure are off of Glacial Records(with fellow label-mates Winterlong) and are attempting to warmly introduce themselves through their upcoming release, Deathfete 7″. It looks as though they have succeeded. Coming in at a little under 10 mins, Lives of the Obscure pack a remarkable amount of material into an EPbursting with nagging enthusiasm.
As stated, the EPopens with “Sins Like These“, which draws the listeners with it’s elegantly stumbling percussion and lyrical authenticity which begs the comparison of Medications. Taking a meandering pace, the song has a hauntingly charming feeling, bringing a sensation of deep, meaningless meditation. Although an odd statement, I would argue it is extremely important. Moving onto “Skin of the Sun“, Lives of the Obscureare able to pick up their pace into a rhythm almost demanded by “Sins Like These“. To me, it brings up a nostalgia towards Connor Obrest‘s the Desaparecidos, yet over all it is a nice, spanking new reboot of early 00′s post-hardcore.
Finally we move onto “Small Perspectives“, a perfectly fitting ending track to the EP. Complacent yet uplifting, apathetic yet emotional, “Small Perspectives” goes a long way to wrapping the album up with its over a min. instrumental, post-rock climax that will make your ears ring with a combination of blasting bass and humble yet proud hooks.
The release will be available via Glacial Records on vinyl and should be shipped out by November 24th, 2012 (God, I’m a sucker for vinyl). Do the smart thing, buy a copy and support a sick act. Who knows, maybe the purchase can ensure a North-East tour. One can only hope…
Gnar TV recently premiered their newest video, Picture Of My Dick by Unkle Funkle, the side project of Chris Uehlein of White Fang. Directed by Unkle Funkle and Brian Echon, the video features three men swaying/dancing within a blank white room, nearly nude (the three men? Mikey Peterman AKA 99¢, Justin Leon Johnson aka J Green, and the funky monkey himself Unkle Funkle). This was all done in the attempt to represent Unkle Funkle’s new album, which will be available on vinyl this week via Marriage Records, digitally via Gnar Tapes, and on cassette in the next few weeks via Burger Records.
You caught me: I couldn’t resist. With a name like that, you can only expect Dissociative Identity Productions to write at least something. Yet the video, as a preview to the whole album, does show a large amount of promise. First and foremost, yes, White Fang has a great sound so I naturally hold excitement about any side project with this kind of experience. Second, and the real reason I’m writing this article, is that its pretty f’in good. It has a distorted pop anthem with vocals seemingly reminiscent Liars, followed by a reflective melody which, dare I say it, brings up Real Estate. All in a video entitled “Picture of My Dick“. Yeah…it’s weirdly impressive.
So stay tuned for the whole album, an album which I look forward to reviewing as well. If “Picture of My Dick” is any cue, then it should be interesting to say the least…
As usual, Miller High Life’s are $1 all night with mixed drinks/shots half off from 9-11 pm (so come early to get the most for your money!) Furthermore, I will be sure to bring
out a deck of cards so if anyone’s trying to play a round or two of Texas Hold ‘em or Blackjack, I’m more than down.
Anyways, be sure to stop by and say hey to Tim and the New Angle Lounge before the Turkey season. Speaking of which, there will be a delightful key sesh this upcoming weekend so more details will be available soon. See you all soon and I look forward to more weird/grand times at the New Angle Lounge.
