8.28.2009

RIYL: genre-defiance and beats for days

Bibio - Ambivalence Avenue

absolutely killing it on Warp records (2009)

Maybe this is a feeling limited to those of us who fall into the I-was-once-a-middle-school-boy set, but do you remember the sense of eager excitement caused by new ownership of a fresh pair of high-tops? Well, that's sort of how I feel about this new Bibio (aka Stephen Wilkonson) record that's currently running laps around my domepiece—I just can't wait to show it off. Perhaps you've caught wind of this self-taught UK producer's new record by way of its recent 'Best New Music' stamp from PFork. If not, suffice it to say that the hype is accurate. Existing somewhere between the left-field hip hop of Flying Lotus, the instrumental sample-collage of The Avalanches, and the genre-blurring production of DJ Shadow, the ambient beats on Ambivalence Avenue simply bump like no other.

There's some stock to be taken in the album's alliterative title, insofar as the direction and mood of Wilkinson's music refuses to sit still. The record is constantly venturing into new territory—whether it's pulsing hip hop, melodic pop, or bleeping electronica—never settling on one style and all the while incoporating a nostaligc haze of ambient found sounds. This restlessness may have proved distracting if each foray wasn't so damn enjoyable, as there's not a single unispired track on here. My favorites are "S'vive" "Jealous of Roses" "Haikuesque" "Fire Ant" and the title track.

Once again I'm breaking from my own mold a bit by featuring an album not available for embedding through Lala, but have no fear: Warp's website has an interactive "virtual forest" under Bibio's artist page where you can basically stream the entire album for free, and plant some digital conifers while you're at it. Dig?

Buy it at Insound!

8.27.2009

RIYL: bare-bones folk, moonlight spirituals, and Walden Pond

The Cave Singers - Welcome Joy

soothing souls on Matador records (2009)


Today I want to give a little blog love to local folk-hymnal trio, The Cave Singers, whose sophomore record just dropped last week. Welcome Joy is another stirring album of folk reveries that only slightly fleshes out the stripped-down acoustics, jugband rhythms, and gospel-fed melodies of their previous record, Invitation Songs. This is the soundtrack to a midnight campfire, or a long walk in a secluded woods; solitary music that is best when shared with others.

I'd vote for "VV" or "Hen Of The Woods" as the best place to start. Matador's blog is offering "Beach House" for free download as well.


Buy it at Insound!

8.26.2009

RIYL: zombie-rockabilly in the key of thrash

Thee Oh Sees - The Master's Bedroom Is Worth Spending A Night In

melting faces via
Tomlab records (2008)

A lot of bands mine the 1960's garage/psychedelia/pop sound these days, but few own that confluence as convincingly as San Francisco outfit Thee Oh Sees. For some disappointing reason, LaLa doesn't yet have their outstanding 2009 record, Help, which I'd argue is even stronger, so I've embedded (the already-excellent) TMBIWSANI. Not a bad place to start.

The band's quirky blend of spastic pop hooks and trippy guitar feedback may take some initial getting used to, but try "Enemy Destruct" (from Help), "Ghost In The Trees," or "Adult Acid" on for size and tell me you aren't feeling the love.


Buy it at Insound!

8.25.2009

RIYL: the sun overhead, a little twang, and endless listenability

Fruit Bats - The Ruminant Band

out for glory on Sub Pop records (2009)

For his latest Fruit Bats release, Eric Johnson has assembled another solid group of merry men (including Califone's Tim Rutili and Jim Becker) to serve as studio band and help with production duties. It's fair to say that The Ruminant Band's lilting and country-tinged folk-rock doesn't ever stray from the sunny-days Americana sound found on previous Fruit Bats albums, but Johnson's comfort zone is a hugely pleasant one. I can't stop listening to this record. Start with the title track, "Primitive Man" or "The Hobo Girl."



Buy it at Insound!


8.24.2009

RIYL: the symphony on LSD, handclaps, and glam minus the eroticism

Electric Light Orchestra - All Over The World: The Very Best Of ELO

available on epic records (2005)

Rising like the proverbial phoenix after the demise of English art-pop group The Move in 1970, Electric Light Orchestra announced its intentions to "pick up were I am the Walrus left off" and never looked back. The band's adventurous blend of pop and classical music with pomp theatrics and galactic concept-art perfectly embodied the 1970's spirit of psychedelic experimentalism and excess. ELO's melodramatics are kind of hard to take seriously today; but the music is as good a time as ever.

Most listeners will instantly recognize "Mr. Blue Sky" and "Evil Woman." Be sure to get down to the disco-symphonies of "Shine A Little Love" and "Turn To Stone" as well.



Buy it at Insound!

8.12.2009

RIYL: athletic beats, sing-song flows, and the golden boy of Rawkus Records

Mos Def - The Ecstatic

yours to own on Downtown Music (2009)

Ten years, a rock band, several acting roles, and one uninspired release later—the boogie man Mos Def is back with a bonafide follow-up to his 1999 classic Black On Both Sides. On the gumbo-like Ecstatic, mighty Mos rhymes, scats, and sings his way atop a globetrotting collection of beats, his agile flow leapfrogging from style to style with swagger and ease, whether it's Madlib-laced Bollywood, Trap-hop, Afro-beat, or more conventional jazz and soul-samples.

BOBS was and continues to be a hip hop landmark; but 1999 was a long time ago. This latest record should appease Mos fans from the Rawkus glory days, as well as secure him a score of new ones looking for hip hop's direction one decade later. Lend "History" and "Casa Bey" your eardrums.



Buy it at Insound!

8.11.2009

RIYL: fireside harmony, drifters, and percussive minimalism

Nurses - Apple Acre

on the heavy hittin' Dead Oceans label (2009)

Three best friends from Portland-via-Chicago-via-Idaho just released this focused, playful record--their second--of stripped down freak-folk. Each track is based on one or two core hooks, out from which like concentric circles build layers of jug band drums and flurries of piano keys and oddball electronic noise. It's experimental, yet steadfastly pop. Start with "Lita" or "Caterpillar Playground" and go on to repeat album listens from there.




Buy it at Insound!

8.10.2009

RIYL: Simon, Garfunkel, and sepia-toned daydreams

Here We Go Magic - Here We Go Magic

available on Western Vinyl (2009)

This Brooklyn-based band makes folky, ambient pop tunes for the 21st century: gently-plucked guitars, syncopated rhythms, and a haze of electronic flourishes coalesce with hushed male vocals in songs that move and swirl about as if underwater.

Their self-titled record was released this past February, and is full-blown awesome. Give your first listen to
"Only Pieces" or "Fangela", and check out the abstract music video for "Tunnelvision."


Buy it at Insound!

8.09.2009

RIYL: loud/quiet tension, Stephen Malkmus' legacy, and shifting time signatures

Cymbals Eat Guitars - Why There Are Mountains

self-released (2009)

New York four-piece makes ambitious, schizophrenic indie-rock that throbs with feeling and ideas. Not for the faint of ears. Check "And The Hazy Sea" or "Wind Phoenix", and see them playing live on KEXP here.


Buy it at Insound!

8.08.2009

RIYL: Fleet Foxes, a more hairy Brian Wilson, and peyote

Ganglians - Monster Head Room

out now on Woodsist records (2009)

Sorta like the bastard child of Yeasayer and an imaginary group of Devendra Banhart backup singers, raised on a steady diet of cowboy blues. Start with "Valient Brave" and "Voodoo"


Buy it at Insound!