As soon as I heard that Cam Findlay (former Crystal Castles drummer) was half the synthie-delicious Parallels, I had an inkling I’d like it. And if the video for Ultralight is any inclination, then WOW. Holly Dodson (half #2) really does sound like Madonna and Kylie. With that voice, neck-breaking beats and enough Moog action to fill a trust-fund Williamsburg studio apartment, these two are killing it. Check the video below, filmed at Wrongbar in Toronto:
Dudes… Hot off of Mates of State’s Crushes album is the first single, a cover of Girls’ Laura. And it’s so Mates of State… So perfect. I can’t wait for this album to drop this summer. The tracklist includes covers of Deathcab, Tom Waits, and Fleetwood Mac. Oh yes.
On heavy rotation this week:
1. Happy Birthday – Happy Birthday. I’m in love, love, love with this album. Review to come.
2. Harlem – Hippies. In the same line with Happy Birthday, it’s all catchy hooks and punk attitude. Review to come.
3. Bear In Heaven – Beast Rest Forth Mouth. See show review.
4. Best Coast – Something In the Way EP – Beach dreaming all the way. A fuzzier Dum Dum Girls.
5. Free Energy – Bang Pop. How this song is not a mainstream blow-up hit, I’ll never know.
Since I’ve been slacking on the posts a bit lately, I figured I’d do a mass post on the shows I’ve seen lately with a few brief thoughts. Uh and yeah, I need a camera upgrade so I can start adding photos to these posts.
Band of Horses @ the Ogden 3/16
After some jostling around, we found the perfect spot to soak in BOH at this sold out show at the Ogden. Great dreamy, natural visuals behind the band and I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many different guitars on stage at a show. They were swapping out new equipment about every song. Paraphrased quote of the night, “Ben Bridwell’s beard is about a day away from being a Matisyahu.”
Cymbals Eat Guitars/Bear in Heaven/Freelance Whales @ the hi-dive 4/1
Rarely do you go to a show excited to see each band in the line up. Freelance Whales have sort of a Sufjan Stevens quality. They closed out their set with my favorite song of theirs, Second Floor Generator. Bear in Heaven made a new fan that night, I was kind of on the fence about this band, but this show sold me. Things got really heavy and metaltastic towards the middle and I was transfixed. Wish I could have seen the drummer better because the dude was on point. Cymbals Eat Guitars is a bit challenging on the ears for me, the combination of screaming and then soft lyrics, odd song structures and abrupt starts and stops always keeps me interested in what will happen next. Best paraphrased quote of the night, “The guitarist [from BIH] looks like a cross between the French logger in the Rudolf stop-animation show and a samurai.” I think he really meant Yukon Cornelius…but you get the visual.
Washed Out/Pictureplane @ the Rhinoceropolis 4/2
I’ve always showed up waaaaaaaayyyyyy too early to shows at the Rhino so this time I was going to change it up and I got screwed. I missed Pictureplane entirely and only saw about 1/2 hr of Washed Out’s set. Actually I couldn’t see a damn thing, it was so packed and being that I’m not very tall, I could only see a few bright lights emanating from the corner. Wish I would have gotten there early so I had more to report.
Spoon/Deerhunter/Micachu & the Shapes @ the Ogden 4/5
Again, showed up late to this one and missed Micachu and I was totally disappointed. In my book, she is still one of the most original artists out there. The Deerhunter set was a bit long for me, I kind of zoned out for the last 3 or so songs. Best paraphrased quote of the night, “some music is meant for listening on your headphones in your bedroom and is not so engaging to see live.” That about sums up the Deerhunter set. The Spoon set was heavy on Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga songs and the new Transference album. The boys all came out dressed head to toe in black, looking how rockstars should look. They (and the Maker’s Mark) had me dancing throughout the whole show, I loved it. I should have wandered down to the Lost Lake, my sources tell me they were hanging out there after the show.
Philly’s Free Energy finally dropped their debut album, Stuck On Nothing last Tuesday, and the only reason I haven’t written it up yet is that I been on an epic quest to find a Barracuda, a couple dozen flannel shirts, and a map of Hwy. 1 down to Big Sur. Seriously, we’ve been throwing Free Energy singles on mixtapes for the better part of a year now, but this album was definitely worth waiting for. Big, bright, summer pop with a definite 70s edge; this album is addictive. Trust me, before you know it, you’ll be in your car driving, 3 states away. To be honest, I have no idea where I am right now…
And you can check out Free Energy in Studio over at Insound.
Spring is definitely upon us out here at LOUDSPEAKR West. And back east it seems that Gordon Voidwell (aka Bronx-born Will Johnson) is ready for a barbeque or two himself, with his new single Disco Afternoon. All quiet storm X 80s R&B groove, this track is prime for your next patio mixtape. And word has it that on May 18th he’ll be dropping a new single, “Ivy League Circus”, with a B-side remix from LOUDSPEAKR fav Boy Crisis. Dude.
Oh, and if you’re in NYC (we all should be) Gordon and Friends, including Boy Crisis, will be at 92Y in Tribeca on April 24.
Gordon Voidwell – Disco Afternoon
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Penguin Prison, of course. Born in Manhattan as Chris Glover, and spending time in choir class with Alicia Keys, the Pris has clearly had the fire in his belly for a long time. And after a steady diet of school lunches and Michael Jackson it’s no wonder that the final product is ridiculously danceable and oh-so-smooth. Penguin Prison stands for something important….laying down the groove, pretention-free. Next time you’re at the club, watch the electro-indie kids try to dance to a so-so Phoenix remix, but get out of the way when the Hall and Oates drops back on. And that’s the point. Penguin Prison’s putting out solid, accessible tracks…….with soul.
So Near (Penguin Prison Remix)
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Starry Eyed f. Theophilus London (Penguin Prison Remix)
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Florence Welch, you make me wanna do bad things… She’s got the look, She’s got the love, and the tracks that have come out this year are all ripe for remix. And so we present you with a little remix action for your Sunday afternoon. Enjoy, kids.
Drumming Song (Boy 8-Bit Remix)
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DJ Bling, mashup, electro and all around bad-ass DJ and Urban Expedition Project heavy, is a for sure fav over here at the LOUSPEARKRz.. And he’s been at it again in 2010 in a big big way. Today marks the third installment of his weekly (?!) minimix series. And they’re hot. The last one, from 2/4 is particularly ridiculous. I think I listen to it at least once a day. Today, the Go Ladies! edition is out. Go grab it and get down.
What’s got two thumbs and loves Savoir Adore? This guy! Paul Hammer and Deidre Muro are clearly extremely talented instrumentalists and have produced a gem of a pop album. I mean, seriously, how can you not want to roll around in something that sounds like a Stars X Mates of State X Viva Voce X Au Revoir Simone. Go out and get In The Wooded Forest. And fall in love!
Savoir Adore // “We Talk Like Machines” SXSW Powerplant Live from Cantora Records on Vimeo.
