The trio from that tiny town of New York have done it again alright. The Yeah Yeah Yeahs latest work, “It’s Blitz!” has to be their most progressive work to date. But then again what did you expect? “It’s Blitz!” is simply a 4-4 beat synth rock dance party from start to finish, something that even the scenestery of kids will enjoy, while still pleasing those who have been faithful fans from 2002 and beyond. So break out your white V neck undershirts, tight jeans, leather jacket and get on the dance floor. But honestly “It’s Blitz!” is a fantastic album, with heavy influence from its producers David Sitek (who did work on the last two albums but is also a member of TVOTR) and the legendary Nick Launay. Also with some of the contributors of the album, saxophonist Stuart Bogie (of TVOTR), YYY’s touring mate Imaad Wasif and Greg Kurstin of the Birds and the Bees; All in all very much so an excellent contributing force in the studio. When you listen to the album a few times and then shoulder it up to the latest work from TV on the Radio, you get sense that maybe there’s a bit too much of that outside influence, but then you hear Karen O. ring out and forget all about it. All in all this newer sound is a progressive step from what we’ve heard from in the past two albums from the YYYs. It truly is one of the better produced albums I’ve heard in a long time. The band is currently on tour out across the pond in the land of Europe, only coming state side for Coachella and All Points West festivals, no word that we’ve heard of yet when they’ll land state side to blow our minds, but hold fast and steady and start putting money in the ticket fund jar. And in the mean time go out and buy the album, you won’t be disappointed.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Yeah Yeah Yeahs- It's Blitz!
The trio from that tiny town of New York have done it again alright. The Yeah Yeah Yeahs latest work, “It’s Blitz!” has to be their most progressive work to date. But then again what did you expect? “It’s Blitz!” is simply a 4-4 beat synth rock dance party from start to finish, something that even the scenestery of kids will enjoy, while still pleasing those who have been faithful fans from 2002 and beyond. So break out your white V neck undershirts, tight jeans, leather jacket and get on the dance floor. But honestly “It’s Blitz!” is a fantastic album, with heavy influence from its producers David Sitek (who did work on the last two albums but is also a member of TVOTR) and the legendary Nick Launay. Also with some of the contributors of the album, saxophonist Stuart Bogie (of TVOTR), YYY’s touring mate Imaad Wasif and Greg Kurstin of the Birds and the Bees; All in all very much so an excellent contributing force in the studio. When you listen to the album a few times and then shoulder it up to the latest work from TV on the Radio, you get sense that maybe there’s a bit too much of that outside influence, but then you hear Karen O. ring out and forget all about it. All in all this newer sound is a progressive step from what we’ve heard from in the past two albums from the YYYs. It truly is one of the better produced albums I’ve heard in a long time. The band is currently on tour out across the pond in the land of Europe, only coming state side for Coachella and All Points West festivals, no word that we’ve heard of yet when they’ll land state side to blow our minds, but hold fast and steady and start putting money in the ticket fund jar. And in the mean time go out and buy the album, you won’t be disappointed.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Franz Ferdinand- Tonight: Franz Ferdinand
So if you didn’t know Franz Ferdinand is back and, after about a four year hiatus, has finally put out a new album entitled: “Tonight: Franz Ferdinand.” Now back in the day, if any of you remember 2004/5 that is, I really liked Franz Ferdinand. They were another Brit Pop invasion band (well technically Scottish, but who keeps track of that stuff) with attitude and style with that high and tight twangy sound that the kids loved back then. This was the era of reformed garage bands like The Hives and Kaiser Chiefs and others. But it’s a new age of music and has Franz kept up?
The answer would probably be yes, another case of an older band growing up with the times. The base of their new album is, well, very Franz but they sprinkled a little of what the kids like these days. Like a lil keyboard electro-dance rock. But when you peal that away and actually listen to the band you realize that they haven’t lost a step in their time off. It’s poppy and aggressive, and swinging and shouty, and raw on some tracks. Everything you like to find in a UK band really. I was afraid at first when I popped into the ol’ CD player that it would come out over produced, or fake. Something that Simon Cowell would invent in his basement. I was worried that since they’ve been underground for so long that they would need some hot shot producer to come in and mix it all up turning them into a band that they just weren’t. But again I was presently surprised and very pleased with the results. I mean, I better be good considering they’ve been working on it since 2007.
The band hits the states this year on April 13th up in Seattle and the closest they’ll get to San Diego is this year’s Coachella Valley music and Arts Festival on the 17th of April. I do believe that Franz Ferdinand will return to the lime light with great success. I mean come one, they’re featured on an iPod commercial, and we all know what that can do for your musical career.
The answer would probably be yes, another case of an older band growing up with the times. The base of their new album is, well, very Franz but they sprinkled a little of what the kids like these days. Like a lil keyboard electro-dance rock. But when you peal that away and actually listen to the band you realize that they haven’t lost a step in their time off. It’s poppy and aggressive, and swinging and shouty, and raw on some tracks. Everything you like to find in a UK band really. I was afraid at first when I popped into the ol’ CD player that it would come out over produced, or fake. Something that Simon Cowell would invent in his basement. I was worried that since they’ve been underground for so long that they would need some hot shot producer to come in and mix it all up turning them into a band that they just weren’t. But again I was presently surprised and very pleased with the results. I mean, I better be good considering they’ve been working on it since 2007.
The band hits the states this year on April 13th up in Seattle and the closest they’ll get to San Diego is this year’s Coachella Valley music and Arts Festival on the 17th of April. I do believe that Franz Ferdinand will return to the lime light with great success. I mean come one, they’re featured on an iPod commercial, and we all know what that can do for your musical career.
Local Band- The Old In Out.
Ok. The Old In Out. They are…..a band. A band of the rock punkish variety. They have a singer, a couple guitarists, drummer and bassist. The songs are….ok, they’ve got some click………ok The Old In Out sound like every other San Diego dive bar punk band around. Yes they can get the kids hopping around after they’ve had a few but is there really anything special about them? If there is I just can’t find it. I guess if you had to put it some way they’re a bunch of really nice guys who play in a band and gig around the city. They’ve got a fan base of lil indie punk rock kids with they’re tattoos showing and nerd glasses on with they’re thick beards or "Vintage" garb on.
After getting a hold of their music I gave it a good listen for a few weeks. At first I liked them, they seemed to have a pretty good vibe around the, but then I was poking around myspace and switching out some other local band CDs and realized it’s the same. And that kind of made me a bit depressed. When I look for a good local band to get my feet off the ground I’m looking for their signature, the little thing in the music that makes you say, “F**k Yeah Man!” But I couldn’t find it in this particular instance. If you stack them to some of the really good local punkers and rockers that are blowing up or have already made local rock gods status you can probably see what I’m talking about. Bands like The Creepy Creeps, Wild Weekend, Scarlet Symphony and so forth. They’ve all got an act, they’ve all got a sound, and they’ve got something memorable about them. Something that keep you from saying “yeah there was a band playing that night, who were they again?” Vice “Yeah man, *insert band name* were freaking crazy.”
But I digress and to sum it up The Old In Out are decent. They may even have potential if they pull together and find something to help them stand apart. Again they aren’t bad, they have a pretty decent live performance they just have some room to grow and soul searching to do in my opinion. And as we like to say around the office, we know someone out there’s gotta like em.
After getting a hold of their music I gave it a good listen for a few weeks. At first I liked them, they seemed to have a pretty good vibe around the, but then I was poking around myspace and switching out some other local band CDs and realized it’s the same. And that kind of made me a bit depressed. When I look for a good local band to get my feet off the ground I’m looking for their signature, the little thing in the music that makes you say, “F**k Yeah Man!” But I couldn’t find it in this particular instance. If you stack them to some of the really good local punkers and rockers that are blowing up or have already made local rock gods status you can probably see what I’m talking about. Bands like The Creepy Creeps, Wild Weekend, Scarlet Symphony and so forth. They’ve all got an act, they’ve all got a sound, and they’ve got something memorable about them. Something that keep you from saying “yeah there was a band playing that night, who were they again?” Vice “Yeah man, *insert band name* were freaking crazy.”
But I digress and to sum it up The Old In Out are decent. They may even have potential if they pull together and find something to help them stand apart. Again they aren’t bad, they have a pretty decent live performance they just have some room to grow and soul searching to do in my opinion. And as we like to say around the office, we know someone out there’s gotta like em.
The Deadly Syndrome- The Ortolan
Innocent. Really innocent sounding. At least that’s what comes to mind when I listen to The Deadly Syndrome’s debut album, “The Ortolan.” Starting out with the ping of a small piano sound the likes of a children’s song and breaking in with some whiny yet soothing vocals is all something just so pleasant. It’s weird because you can compare them to other sounds from other bands but at the same time you can’t because they’ve got such a “put together-ness” about them that you’d swear they were the original. Not quite that California country happy sound like The Elected, but not quite the acoustic mellow yet happily depressing sounds of Death Cab and all mixed with other accent sounds and melodies. It really is fantastic. All this coming off Dim Mak Records, the guys who brought you Foreign Born, Sean Na Na, Whitey and others.
Consisting of Christopher Richard with vocals, William Etling on guitar, Jesse Hoy on drums and Michael Hughes on keys the four of these guys apparently put on quite the rock show for their style of music. Granted it’s not all melodic soothing music, a few of the tracks are very much the head banger sway back and forth genre. The album all in all is well rounded and progressively phenomenal, starting out like stated, something out of a children’s book read with piano in the background and ending with an all out keys and noise big sound boom at the temple of some 1980s video game. It really is outstanding and definitely something you and your children and your children’s children should check out. Keep a look out for these guys. Oh and keep an eye out for Mustachio.
Consisting of Christopher Richard with vocals, William Etling on guitar, Jesse Hoy on drums and Michael Hughes on keys the four of these guys apparently put on quite the rock show for their style of music. Granted it’s not all melodic soothing music, a few of the tracks are very much the head banger sway back and forth genre. The album all in all is well rounded and progressively phenomenal, starting out like stated, something out of a children’s book read with piano in the background and ending with an all out keys and noise big sound boom at the temple of some 1980s video game. It really is outstanding and definitely something you and your children and your children’s children should check out. Keep a look out for these guys. Oh and keep an eye out for Mustachio.
Friday, February 27, 2009
The Ting Tings- We Started Nothing
Once again kids, if you wanna get far in the music industry get your single out on an apple iPod commercial. It’s the fast track to stardom. Just like for the UK band…The Ting Tings.
This girl/boy duo has had an interesting past before they formed. Front girl Katie White used to be a part of the short lived girl pop group, TKO, remember them? I didn’t think so either. Back up dude, Jules De Martino, started out playing in Christian bands in London, then mobbing to Manchester and starting a little known band called Dear Eskiimo, a Portishead inspired band who signed with Mercury, but then broke up, figure that one out. After that the two met in Manchester and the rest is, well you know.
So the music, yes the music. It’s definitely part of the new obsession among the youngsters and their indie-pop dance music. Their single, “Shut Up and Let Me Go,” off their debut album, “We Started Nothing,” was featured in an Apple iPod commercial and is part of an album that I hate to say is becoming part of a generic sound. Something for the barely 21 scenesters that hob nob at the Beauty Bar or Live Wire would love to jump and down to. And what sets them apart from their counterparts such as CSS or The Faint, or any other electro pop dance routine? Well I guess you’d have to admire the way they play live. You have to realize that they are just a duo. Katie on the microphone, guitar and bass drum (yeah interesting), where as Jules is primarily drums, but also backs up guitar and vocals.
So overall it’s a Brit band, with the sound of the new age coming over to America and selling products for Apple. I mean it is a catchy album, it does make you want to move some and I’m sure after a few pink martinis you’ll be doing just that. It’s pure fun, and annoyingly it’ll grow on you. Cheers to The Ting Tings.
This girl/boy duo has had an interesting past before they formed. Front girl Katie White used to be a part of the short lived girl pop group, TKO, remember them? I didn’t think so either. Back up dude, Jules De Martino, started out playing in Christian bands in London, then mobbing to Manchester and starting a little known band called Dear Eskiimo, a Portishead inspired band who signed with Mercury, but then broke up, figure that one out. After that the two met in Manchester and the rest is, well you know.
So the music, yes the music. It’s definitely part of the new obsession among the youngsters and their indie-pop dance music. Their single, “Shut Up and Let Me Go,” off their debut album, “We Started Nothing,” was featured in an Apple iPod commercial and is part of an album that I hate to say is becoming part of a generic sound. Something for the barely 21 scenesters that hob nob at the Beauty Bar or Live Wire would love to jump and down to. And what sets them apart from their counterparts such as CSS or The Faint, or any other electro pop dance routine? Well I guess you’d have to admire the way they play live. You have to realize that they are just a duo. Katie on the microphone, guitar and bass drum (yeah interesting), where as Jules is primarily drums, but also backs up guitar and vocals.
So overall it’s a Brit band, with the sound of the new age coming over to America and selling products for Apple. I mean it is a catchy album, it does make you want to move some and I’m sure after a few pink martinis you’ll be doing just that. It’s pure fun, and annoyingly it’ll grow on you. Cheers to The Ting Tings.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Death Cab for Cutie- Narrow Stairs
Their back!
Oh those Sub Pop darlings from the rainy town of Seattle are so back. That’s right Death Cab for Cutie have released their latest gem “Narrow Stairs.” And as expected it’s nothing short of progressive and amazing. As where Plans was a bit more depressing then anything Narrow Stairs has a little more angst to it. A little stronger and slightly more dark. Kind of after the break up and your past missing them but now for some reason irrationally hating them and their new boy/girlfriend but your still civil about it. They’ve also included the longest song ever recorded by them, the 8 minute and 35 second long single “I will posses your heart,” with about five minutes of intro and three minutes of lyrics and song. But it’s simply fantastic.
To put things into perspective on the album you’d have to reference a quote by Mr. Walla back in ’07 while they were in the studio. Simply stating: "thus far it's pretty weird and pretty spectacular; lots of blood. It's creepy and heavy... we've got a ten minute long Can jam, and had you suggested that possibility to me in 1998, I'd have eaten your puppy's brain with a spoon." And that’s exactly what it is and most likely what you’d think as well when Death Cab when they entered the scene back around ’98.
This is by all means the best work that Death Cabs ever done thus far and I can only wait to see them live. Honesty the album is so amazing that as I type I find it really hard to describe what I really feel about it. In fact I can’t. So get off your bottoms and go out and buy the bloody thing already. And do I really have to tell you the links. Seriously though, an outstanding piece of work by these guys.
Flobots- Fight With Tools
Viva La Revolution!......Out of Colorado?
Yeah that’s right you may or may not of heard of them yet but we’ve a new addition to the political revolution. Flowbots, a six piece rap/rock band out of Denver Flowbots have been round since about 2005 with their first EP of sorts, “Platypus” and now with their full album “Fight With Tools.” Now when you think rap/rock your probably say, “oh joy, another Linkin Park or; what was that 90’s band that started that craze?” Well, your wrong. Flowbots is an amazing blend of, well, rap/hip-hop, rock skaish, funky and…..classical? Yes on top of the usual 3 or 4 piece band they’ve added horns and a violinist to the mix producing a very unique and tight sound. So with that being said who are they again?
Jonny 5- Emcee, Vocals (as stated on their “Space”
Brer Rabbit- Emcee, Vocals
ANDY “ROK” Guerrero- Guitar, Vocals
Mackenzie Roberts- Viola, Vocals
Jesse Walker- Bass
Kenney Ortiz- Drums
So when the album starts out you hear the typical-ish political stance rap, war, media control, etc. But it’s got a shine to it. It’s….well polished, well rehearsed, Jonny 5 backed by classical and strings, horns like it’s the saddest song in the world. And then it explodes. And it’s not like Rage Against the Machine or Linkin Park, it’s well produced, the lyrics are powerful and back with meaning and substance. And it glides along the musical spectrum, from something indie sounding, something jazzy and upbeat, something hard and forward, and something beautiful and full of four piece soulful harmonies. This is for the everyday man’s revolution. Something that all people can enjoy and appreciate rather than an “in your face” impeach happy, *uck Bush, attitude.
“Handlebars,” the band’s single to come off of “Fight with Tools,” is an amazingly powerful song that can get you off your seat chanting against the establishment. The album’s message isn’t monotone either, it touches on world events, US political happenings as well as 9/11 and other hot topics per say. In short this hodge poge of politically influenced rappers, violinists, trumpets makes for an amazing album. You can check out more on their “Space” at myspace.com/flobots or their website at www.flobots.com. Word.
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