Think of a soundtrack to a whimsical party in the 60’s. Think of a soundtrack of a wild circus. Think of a soundtrack full of songs with the perfect blending of unique, quirky and catchy sounds. Congratulations, you have been thinking of Grrr… by Bishop Allen.
Grrr… is the third full-length album from the indie pop duo, Justin Rice and Christian Rudder, from Brooklyn, NY. The two guys wrote every song and played almost every instrument on the record. Their desire to put out a new set of songs that are so musically and lyrically fresh and clever is greatly evident by the amount of the time and effort they put into making this album.
Rice and Rudder seem to know the perfect formula for reinventing their music without losing their signature jaunty, witty and melodic sounds. Although at times, Grrr… does remind of Bishop Allen’s Charm School days, this record still sounds so different from any of their previous materials, which includes more than seventy different songs.
I applaud Rice and Rudder, as well as Darbie Nowatka, Michael Tapper and Keith Poulson (the duo’s current band mates), for this album that is definitely one of my top records of 2009.
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five tracks:
1. Dimmer
4. Dirt on Your New Shoes
6. The Ancient Common Sense of Things
9. Shanghaied
11. Cue the Elephants
Monday, June 29, 2009
Monday, June 22, 2009
Dirty Projectors - Bitte Orca
To name a unique, experimental, and distinct release this year, is to name Bitte Orca. Even the title of the album is an indication to what is recorded under the name. Something divergent and strange yet wonderful.
A simple and unassuming male voice, string instruments, synths, and two girlish harmonies make up the musical creativity that is the creation of Dave Longstreth through Dirty Projectors. The harmonies can get quite complex, and unfortunately, we don't all have the voice to join along.
This is different, and essentially incomparable to any other music out there. Whatever it is (indie, alternative, folk, experimental, rock, acoustic, electronic, a combination of those and more?), it's good. The songs can vary from acoustic and harmonious, to experimental and harmonious. However it's done, it works and it sounds very well melded-together.
The songs do not carry one tune, but instead weave into separate melodies that are recorded as one unit. Sometimes, when other bands do this, recording what is clearly two or three songs on one track, it's annoying. But Dirty Projectors makes the entire album seem together in it's disconnecting distinctions.
Sometimes we're in that strange mood where we like to watch the rain and listen to music that we've never related to until now.
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five tracks:
1. Cannibal Resource
3. The Bride
4. Stillness Is The Move
5. Two Doves
6. Useful Chamber
A simple and unassuming male voice, string instruments, synths, and two girlish harmonies make up the musical creativity that is the creation of Dave Longstreth through Dirty Projectors. The harmonies can get quite complex, and unfortunately, we don't all have the voice to join along.
This is different, and essentially incomparable to any other music out there. Whatever it is (indie, alternative, folk, experimental, rock, acoustic, electronic, a combination of those and more?), it's good. The songs can vary from acoustic and harmonious, to experimental and harmonious. However it's done, it works and it sounds very well melded-together.
The songs do not carry one tune, but instead weave into separate melodies that are recorded as one unit. Sometimes, when other bands do this, recording what is clearly two or three songs on one track, it's annoying. But Dirty Projectors makes the entire album seem together in it's disconnecting distinctions.
Sometimes we're in that strange mood where we like to watch the rain and listen to music that we've never related to until now.
-
five tracks:
1. Cannibal Resource
3. The Bride
4. Stillness Is The Move
5. Two Doves
6. Useful Chamber
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band - Outer South
This is not Bright Eyes. This is not crooning lyrics sung in a wavering voice. Whether or not Conor Oberst's previous endeavors strike your taste, this is not the same. Ten months before the release of Outer South, was the release of Oberst's first solo effort (self-titled) 1996. It was met with hesitance because the album seemed more light-hearted... something perhaps more sanguine. This is more of that, and this is more period.
(The Mystic Valley Band is Jason Boesel, Nik Freitas, Taylor Hollingsworth, Macey Taylor, and Nathaniel Walcott.)
The album has a "dirty south" feeling and you can feel the Texas it was recorded in last winter. Oberst's new lyrics may no longer be dark and deep, but they are what he wants them to be. This sixteen-track album, though, is NOT a solo record (neither was Conor Oberst, for that matter). The same five men that Oberst toured and recorded with a year ago have added their own tastes (and voices).
The album features songs written and led vocally by most of the band members (Jason Boesel, Nik Freitas, and Taylor Hollingsworth have all written songs recorded on the album along with Conor Oberst). The album therefore has significant changes in sound from song to song, yet they work together ideally.
Personally, it is an album that took a little time for me to appreciate fully. While there were songs I fell in love with immediately, the others simply needed a second listen, and maybe a venture into lyric booklet.
And if you're in the New York area, Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band are playing a free show with Jenny Lewis on the 4th of July in Battery Park. Seeing them live is wonderful.
-
five tracks:
3. Big Black Nothing
6. Ten Women
9. White Shoes
11. Spoiled
13. Roosevelt Room
(The Mystic Valley Band is Jason Boesel, Nik Freitas, Taylor Hollingsworth, Macey Taylor, and Nathaniel Walcott.)
The album has a "dirty south" feeling and you can feel the Texas it was recorded in last winter. Oberst's new lyrics may no longer be dark and deep, but they are what he wants them to be. This sixteen-track album, though, is NOT a solo record (neither was Conor Oberst, for that matter). The same five men that Oberst toured and recorded with a year ago have added their own tastes (and voices).
The album features songs written and led vocally by most of the band members (Jason Boesel, Nik Freitas, and Taylor Hollingsworth have all written songs recorded on the album along with Conor Oberst). The album therefore has significant changes in sound from song to song, yet they work together ideally.
Personally, it is an album that took a little time for me to appreciate fully. While there were songs I fell in love with immediately, the others simply needed a second listen, and maybe a venture into lyric booklet.
And if you're in the New York area, Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band are playing a free show with Jenny Lewis on the 4th of July in Battery Park. Seeing them live is wonderful.
-
five tracks:
3. Big Black Nothing
6. Ten Women
9. White Shoes
11. Spoiled
13. Roosevelt Room
FIVE STARS in the window.
To start things off, I'll just say that this new blog is going to be reviewing the latest albums in good music. What we're going to do, though, for the next couple weeks, is post reviews of our favorite albums of 2009 so far, and keep the ball rolling from there.
This is our 1st Year Anniversary gift to everyone who takes a gander at the wonderful-ness that is noisecafe. Enjoy your heart out.
This is our 1st Year Anniversary gift to everyone who takes a gander at the wonderful-ness that is noisecafe. Enjoy your heart out.
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