On their fourth studio album Halcyon Digest, Atlanta based Deerhunter tightened up their reins and released one of the best albums of the year.
Deerhunter is often described as “ambient punk.” With the help of Ben Allen (Animal Collective, Gnarls Barkley), Halcyon Digset is quieter than previous albums; less punk and more pop, without any sacrifice of innovation.
In an era of singles Deerhunter has done something truly impressive with Halycon Digest – they’ve created an album. Each track manages to sound unique while holding a collective sound. This album is meant to be played from start to finish.
Minimal beats ascent into a hazy synth cloud in the opener track “Earthquake.” The sound of a mandolin provides a framework for “Revival,” the album’s first single, a blissful groove with lyrics that sing of darkness and melodies that sounds like light.
“Freedom, silence, always
All this darkness … always”
Guitarist Lockett Pundt does vocals on “Desire Lines,” an 80’s-esque number with an eloquently beautiful rising and falling guitar solo.
The album spins around themes of dreams and the chase for internal youth.
On “Basement Scene” vocalist Bradford Cox sings,
“I don’t want to wake up, I don’t want to wake up
I don’t want to get old, I don’t want to get old”
The album fades to a close with “He Would Have Laughed,” where Cox mourns the passage of time “Only bored as I get older…” the perfect ending to an iridescently innovative album.
Ahh Mayer Hawthorne, how I love thee. How can a nerdy white boy with glasses have one of the sexiest, most soulful voices I’ve ever heard?
Through Mazda2Music you can download one of Mayer’s newest tracks “No Strings Attached” by simply providing your email address. Get it here.
I have to be honest – this song is not a favorite of mine… Mayer you disappointed me, it left me a little bored. If you are going to try and convince a chick to have a one night stand you’re going to have to crank up the pimp juice. “Just Ain’t Gonna Work Out” turned me on more. But it’s free and still fun, so I’ll let one slide.
I could be wrong… but whenever Ezra Koening’s vocals are featured on a track, the fun meter sky rockets. His voice is just so damn playful, like he’s in on some secret joke.
To celebrate today’s release of their 3rd EP Business Casual, Chromeo has allowed Pitchfork to stream their collaboration with Koening through Pitchfork – listen here. In “I Could Be Wrong,” Koening suspects he may be getting played by a lady friend. Great saxaphone solo.
The day I dyed my hair from sorority blonde to kick-ass brunette, my fabulous tattooed hairdresser Jessi told me that I must “fan” her DJ friend Erol Alkan on Facebook. I checked him out and dug it, yet it was his performance at this weekend’s Electric Zoo that solidified my appreciation for Erol Alkan.
“That’s the thing about Erol Alkan – hearing is believing. Until you’ve borne witness to one of his legendary live sets, poured headily over one of his meticulously crafted productions, or been catapulted to a sudden sonic nirvana by the dropping of one of his remixes, you might be justified for dismissing his existence as an extremely elaborate myth of the musical underground,” reads the cocky bio on Erol’s website.
Erol began playing indie clubs in London, before he opened up his own club, Trash, which allowed him to play whatever the fuck he wanted, since he owned the place. His concentration shifted from indie to dance, although both are still used in his sets. His performances flow seamlessly from genre to genre, sewn together brilliantly.
Erol’s older creations include mixing George Michael and Missy Elliot, and remixing the Chemical Brothers and Bloc Party. His fame magnified with his remix of Franz Ferdinand’s “Do You Want To,” which Franz Ferdinand enjoyed so much they began using it in their live performances.
For your listening pleasure, below is one of my favorites. Also turn on his remix of the Yeah Yeah Yeah’s “Zero.” Warning: If you were at Electric Zoo this weekend, this song may make you once again start dancing like a raving lunatic.
There’s more to the name than a great slant rhyme. The name of the Oakland based trio (two musicians and a belly dancing producer) perfectly describes the sounds Beats Antique create. If their name/rhyme was to be elaborated on, it would be Beats/Antique/Unique. They create antique worldly sounds with instruments, then tear them up with heavy electronic beats, flaunted by some dubstep. It’s really quite unique.
David Satori and Sidecar Tommy make the music on stage, while belly dancer/producer Zoe Jakes makes the magic and enchants the crowd with her body. The muse of Beats Antique, Jakes is credited with inspiring the “thematic Middle East tempo of the band.”
Beats Antique differs from other livetronica groups for their fusion of world music, gypsy music, hip-hop, dubset, and brass band. Accordions, horns, glockenspiel, and string quartets join the band on stage.
Beats Antique performed this past weekend at Liberate Music & Yoga Festival in Vermont. Their performance lasted until 4 am on a chilly Vermont summer night, but their set was impressive enough to pull even the most tired of hippies out of their tents to come up and dance for a few more hours. Jakes had injured her knee and was unable to perform with the group at Liberate, but despite lacking their belly dancer Beats Antique put on the most memorable performance of the festival. Toward the end of their performance they donned animal masks while they worked their instruments, simultaneously collaborating with the computer to create that mixed-mashed Beats Antique sound. The masks may have been overkill, but whatever, everyone likes a good animal mask at a music festival.
While Beats Antique may still be a new star on the horizon, they’ve gained recognition from some big names. Their collaborations include Les Claypool and Bassnectar, who remixed their track “Roustabout.”
Beats Antique is funky. It’s sexy. It’s original, and it’s damn good music. Turn on some Beats Antique, or better yet, leave your humble abode and catch them live. The belly dancer just isn’t the same through your computer. Check our their tour dates here.
“If Brooklyn and New Orleans had a love child it would be conceived while listening to Rubblebucket.”
A group of eight members hailing from Brooklyn, Burlington, Vt., and Boston, Rubblebucket credits influence from the Talking Heads, James Brown, and Bjork. Rubblebucket’s standout feature is its horn section, played by front man Alex Troth, (formerly of John Brown’s Body) and Kalmia Traver, the dynamic duo who also share lead vocals. Craig Myers (Mike Gordon Band) is in charge of Rubblebucket’s percussion, adding worldly beats to their eclectic rhythms. While tapping into funk and African influences, Rubblebucket sounds unconcerned with fitting into a genre, rather they play whatever the hell they want. Whatever it is, it’s groovy.
Prepare your eardrums and stock up on glow sticks- Bassnectar is throwing a festival. Rumors have been circulating and it is now confirmed – on October 23 in Broomfield, CO, the first ever Bass Center will be held at the 1st Bank Center.
Self-described by the Basser himself as “the first incarnation of the Bassnectar Festival,” performers include Brother Ali, Emancipator, Ott, Nosaj Thing, Dan Deacon, and Bassnectar, obviously.
To all my friends in Denver – I trust you’ll drive the 18 miles to Broomsfield and make it to this. One can only hope that more Bass Centers are to come, perhaps a bit closer to New York City, pretty please?
Tickets go on sale Saturday, August 21 at 10 am and cost between $35-$39.75
There are simply not enough chicks in rock n’ roll. Correction, there are not enough talented chicks in rock n’ roll. More specifically, there are not enough talented chicks in rock n’ roll that despite their pretty little faces look like they could kick some serious ass, and have the musical goods to prove it.
Grace Potter & The Nocturnals
The self-titled album Grace Potter & The Nocturnals was released in June of 2010, launching the group past festival scene recognition into the eyes of the world. Along with Potter come the talents of bassist Catherine Popper (Ryan Adams & the Cardinals, Hem) lead guitarist Scott Tournet, and drummer Matt Burr.
Mark Batson, known for his work with Dr. Dre, Eminem, Jay-Z, and Dave Matthews Band, produced the record. “Bluesy pop” has been the most consistent label for the album, although that profile is limiting. Classic rock, folk, and reggae influences are found, such as “Goodbye Kiss,” a melancholy, reggae-laced sweet goodbye tune, an honest ode to a breakup.
“Paris” and “Medicine” pack the most heat, the two tracks Potter says are the most fun to perform.
“When I wrote ‘Paris,’ I was listening to the Kinks nonstop, and I was going for something with a big, primal riff, like ‘You Really Got Me,’ says Potter. “It was the first time I ever really just said, ‘I’m not going to try to tell a story, and I’m not going to try to communicate an emotion. I’m just going to say, basically, “I want to have sex right now.”’
Onstage, Potter is ignited with sexual energy. She flirts with the audience, moans in pleasure, and
Grace Potter
knows how to shake what her mama gave her, all while tearing apart the keyboard. The gift of natural good looks enhances her sex appeal, but there’s more to it than that. It’s her raw talent that makes Potter so powerfully attractive. That talent and energy has elevated Potter to the ranks of respected musicians (comparisons have been made to Bonnie Raitt and Tina Turner), not just another pretty singer-songwriter surfacing long enough to get a single played on “Gossip Girl.”
The group has been criticized for going too mainstream with Grace Potter & The Nocturnals, abandoning their signature soulful country grooves for “glam pop rock.” Some of the tracks, such as “Only Love,” may cause music snobs to turn up their noses at the stereotypical lyrics, however Potter’s powerful voice adds enough soul that the track seems touching, rather than cliché.
While earlier performances and recordings by Grace Potter & the Nocturnals may hail more character, Grace Potter & The Nocturnals is the groups’ first cohesive album, a beautiful melding of musical styles and emotions, talent lasting from start to finish. With the production of Mark Batson, it’s bound to sound cleaner and more “mainstream” than previous recordings. Potter’s artistic abilities and powerful charisma weren’t lost in the process, proving that the group is worthy to take the next step into stardom, packing enough soul to deflect a sell-out.
Any homage to insomnia stirs up a little of my compassion; and Edwyn Collins’ “Losing Sleep” is no exception.
Rather than mourn the loss of zzz’s, this title track is quirky and honest, turning a delightful spin on the art of “losing sleep and dignity,” a sacrifice any artist must endure.
According to Pitchfork, Losing Sleep, due out September 13 in the UK, is the Scottish rocker’s first album since suffering two brain hemorrhages in 2005. You may remember Collins from his best known single “A Girl Like You.”
Losing Sleep is painted with collaborations from Franz Ferdinand’s Alex Kapranos and Nick McCarthy, among others.
The title track is available for free download (just provide an email address) here.
And your life doesn’t change by the man that’s elected
If you’re loved by someone, you’re never rejected
Decide what to be and go be it”
The buildings of our society are as temporary as our mental state, says Scott Avett, according to NPR.org. Channeling classic Buddhist wisdom, “Head Full of Doubt/Road Full of Promise” is an ode to “accepting the temporary state we may be in.”
The newly released video, an emotional and captivating concept takes a painting of artist Jason Ryan Mitchum and edits it 26,000 times, or ten alterations per second, to create a short film depicting the rise and fall of a corner of human society. Nature prevails, and all returns to true form. Watch the video through NPR.org.
“Head Full of Doubt/Road Full of Promise” is off the Avett Brother’s album I and Love and You. For tour dates, click here.
On their fourth studio album Halcyon Digest, Atlanta based Deerhunter tightened up their reins and released one of the best albums of the year. 
