Often when listening to music I try and account for all the sounds I hear. That is, consciously be aware of every instrument to visualize the music if you will. Once I can visualize the music, it's easier to understand how it's made, why certain instruments are used and when there should be a chord change, etc. I have no musical training so my understanding is less technical and more gut feeling. When I listen to Arcade Fire, I'm blown away, I can't understand how they make their music. How they know to us a church organ or a hurdy gurdy (what the fuck is a hurdy gurdy? I don't know, but Regine plays one!) How they can have 10 people on stage, playing the shit out of something and have the sound be so exact. For this reason their music feels like something beyond me, something bigger. I've often said if I had one wish, I would want a teleporter (I mean seriously right, how cool would that be), but if I had two, I would want to be in Arcade Fire, playing something, anything. I seriously think they are the most brilliant modern band there is.
All this leads to Miroir Noir. Miroir Noir is a film, shot by Vincent Moon of the blogotheque crew. It was shot in '06 and '07. It captures the band as they made and toured Neon Bible. After the huge success of Funeral, their debut album. Arcade Fire retreated to Quebec, bought an old church and renovated to create their recording studio. The saying goes: you have your whole life to make the first album and a year or so to make the next one, hence the term "sophomore slump". None of that applies here. The band decided to self-produce Neon Bible, adding to the idea that they are other-wordily geniuses. Miroir Noir went on sale in December, with a couple different packaging options. Once you purchased the film, you could download a digital version, the actual DVD was not shipped until the very end of March. Even though I had the digital version, I tried not to watch it very much, wanting to wait to experience it in all it's glory on surround sound on as big a TV i could find. The Film consists of artsy film maker shots in an almost sepia effect. The footage bounces back and forth between footage of shows, the recording studio, backstage, on tour, as well as audio recordings from the 1-866-neon-bible phone message machine the band used to promote the album leading up to it's release. It is certainly a film makers film, there's nothing straight forward about it, not for everyone, but so cool for a fan. I watch it a lot and find something else to love about it every time. Some highlights:
-Win and Regine in an elevator playing "Windowsill". Very simple, Win playing guitar, Regine keeping time on the wall.
-Footage of Win on the balcony of the church recording the vocals for "Keep the car running"
-A message left on the neon bible phone line by some douche bag hater, which leads right into "Haiti", a song that initially I felt apathetic to. But to see them play this live really gives it a different feel. This is Regine in her finest moment, the song is like the nice guy you can't say a bad thing about. I can't help smile when I see her doing her dance on this song.
-"no cars go", the song starts in towards the end with footage on stage from behind the drummer. The band is playing a big outdoor stadium. Every time the song gets into "let's go!" the house lights light up the whole crowd for a second before fading to black, just in time for "let's go!" and the whole process begins again.
-"power out/Rebellion" I am so glad they left these two songs untouched. This is the only time in the film where a whole song is shown in it's entirety. I have probably a dozen recordings of their shows and I think every one has these two songs played back to back. They go from "Power out" to "rebellion" brilliantly.
-During "Cold Wind" they use studio audio and juxtapose it over assorted live footage. A lot of it is of Richard and Will playing percussion. If you haven't seen footage of "Laika" you tube it, these two guys kill it!! throwing drums in the air, hammering on a single cymbal, it's just freaking awesome!
Here's footage from the film, initially filmed for blogotheque, Neon Bible in an elevator, check out Richard playing a magazine. I can't say enough about them.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
let's take time for a Hip Hop break.
For the most part, my faith in the state of hip hop these days is lacking to say the least. The hip hop that is being mass marketed by the mtv generation is just not my thing, I can't get into it. As Common said "if I don't like/ I don't like it/ that don't mean that I'm hating". Not to say that there isn't quality hip hop being made, it's just harder and harder to find and the time and effort it takes to wade through all the shit is just more than I'm willing to deal with. Having said that I wanted to bring to light a few of the jems that I've run across; some new, some not. For the record, I don't count myself a hip hop aficionado, I just know what I like, and these songs are the poop. Let's begin shall we?
Doom- "That's that"
From Doom's most recent album Born Like This. More recently known as MF Doom, he has dropped the MF I think in order to complicate google searches. I have some of his older albums, my favorite being under the name Danger Doom, the album he did with DJ Danger Mouse. Danger Mouse most famous as being the guy who has produced projects with Rick Rubin-like frequency and diversity. Gnarls Barkley- check, Beck- check, Gorillaz-check, The Black Keys-check, anyway you get the idea. Back to Doom..... Born Like This is full of obscure movie samples and kung fu references, add to the equation guest spots by Raekwon and Ghostface Killa under his Tony Starks alias, and it's sure to get 36 Chambers comparisons. Although the tracks with previously mentioned Wu Tang brethren are damn good, it was the 2:15 of "that's that" that (that's 4 that's in a row for those keeping score at home) had me hooked. The song starts out with Doom getting into it instantly, he's got 4 words in by the time the song is 2 seconds old. The song is like one big freestyle, no chorus, no hook, just sick line after sick line. The melody is built on the strings that are reminiscent of something out of The Shining. No mention of his bling or how many chicks he bangs, it's thinking man's Hip Hop. Listen below:
Wale- "w.a.l.e.j.u.s.t.i.c.e"
Wale started out as a rapper/producer in the Washington D.C. scene and quickly gained notoriety locally. He released a couple mixtapes; 100 miles and running and The mixtape about nothing, which was loosely based on Seinfeld, not sure how that works. On "w.a.l.e.d.a.n.c.e.", Wale raps over Justice's track "d.a.n.c.e", which is brilliant. Seriously, when it kicks in, you will be making your dance face.
The Hood internet- "Save me concubine"
The Hood Internet: honestly, I don't know much about who they are, how many there are, etc. Essentially they take tracks by two people and remix it, not unsimilar to what Wale did with the Justice track. They release a song every couple of days. Sadly, most of them fall short, some fall really short. But every once in a while they nail it, which is the case with "save me concubine". It's Ghostface's lyrics over the music of Beirut. Damn good, also check out the Matt and Kim/ Beastie Boys track, it's kicking like van damn. Go to their site to listen:
www.thehoodinternet.com
living legends, the grouch- "artsy"
This one was a suggestion from my friend Matt. I know nothing other than these guys work closely with Slug from Atmosphere on occasion. I'm to lazy to do any research. The track it GREAT!!!
Sample lyric: "you aint artsier than me/ cause you talk real soft and drink chai tea". Seriously.
blue scholars- "southside revival"
Coming out of Seattle, the dopest hip hop since Sir Mix a lot...... well way doper (is doper a word?). I heard this several years ago on KEXP, loved it, still love it. The lyrics are relevant, no ignorance. A classic!!!!!!!!
IF you want mp3's of any of these tracks, e-mail me and I'll send it to you.
Doom- "That's that"
From Doom's most recent album Born Like This. More recently known as MF Doom, he has dropped the MF I think in order to complicate google searches. I have some of his older albums, my favorite being under the name Danger Doom, the album he did with DJ Danger Mouse. Danger Mouse most famous as being the guy who has produced projects with Rick Rubin-like frequency and diversity. Gnarls Barkley- check, Beck- check, Gorillaz-check, The Black Keys-check, anyway you get the idea. Back to Doom..... Born Like This is full of obscure movie samples and kung fu references, add to the equation guest spots by Raekwon and Ghostface Killa under his Tony Starks alias, and it's sure to get 36 Chambers comparisons. Although the tracks with previously mentioned Wu Tang brethren are damn good, it was the 2:15 of "that's that" that (that's 4 that's in a row for those keeping score at home) had me hooked. The song starts out with Doom getting into it instantly, he's got 4 words in by the time the song is 2 seconds old. The song is like one big freestyle, no chorus, no hook, just sick line after sick line. The melody is built on the strings that are reminiscent of something out of The Shining. No mention of his bling or how many chicks he bangs, it's thinking man's Hip Hop. Listen below:
Wale- "w.a.l.e.j.u.s.t.i.c.e"
Wale started out as a rapper/producer in the Washington D.C. scene and quickly gained notoriety locally. He released a couple mixtapes; 100 miles and running and The mixtape about nothing, which was loosely based on Seinfeld, not sure how that works. On "w.a.l.e.d.a.n.c.e.", Wale raps over Justice's track "d.a.n.c.e", which is brilliant. Seriously, when it kicks in, you will be making your dance face.
The Hood internet- "Save me concubine"
The Hood Internet: honestly, I don't know much about who they are, how many there are, etc. Essentially they take tracks by two people and remix it, not unsimilar to what Wale did with the Justice track. They release a song every couple of days. Sadly, most of them fall short, some fall really short. But every once in a while they nail it, which is the case with "save me concubine". It's Ghostface's lyrics over the music of Beirut. Damn good, also check out the Matt and Kim/ Beastie Boys track, it's kicking like van damn. Go to their site to listen:
www.thehoodinternet.com
living legends, the grouch- "artsy"
This one was a suggestion from my friend Matt. I know nothing other than these guys work closely with Slug from Atmosphere on occasion. I'm to lazy to do any research. The track it GREAT!!!
Sample lyric: "you aint artsier than me/ cause you talk real soft and drink chai tea". Seriously.
blue scholars- "southside revival"
Coming out of Seattle, the dopest hip hop since Sir Mix a lot...... well way doper (is doper a word?). I heard this several years ago on KEXP, loved it, still love it. The lyrics are relevant, no ignorance. A classic!!!!!!!!
IF you want mp3's of any of these tracks, e-mail me and I'll send it to you.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Cymbals eat guitars----- do it!
Normally, I try not to read subjective material on a new band I get into, especially one that might end up on this page. I try and gather information about the band by reading objectively; (where they're from, who they are, back catalog, etc). I try to avoid reading pieces based solely on someone else's opinion's of said band. Of course the irony is I write subjective pieces on bands I like. Having said that, it was impossible to read anything about Cymbals eat guitars debut Why There are Mountains without seeing Modest Mouse's early masterpiece The Lonesome Crowded West as a comparison. Modest Mouse holds such a special place in my heart that I initially scoffed at this, it's just not possible for this album to be better or even close to The Lonesome Crowded West. Well.....it's not, but it's damn good!!
The story (the abbreviated version): Dude, (Joseph D’Agostino) starts band as a young lad with high school buddy. Dude and buddy go to college in different states, band dismantles. Dude puts out an ad on craigslist, looking for other dudes for band. Ad answered, and poof...Cymbals eat Guitars is born. At this point Dude is 19years old. As with all young, eager lads his plan is to make an album and have Charles Bissell produce it, because..well, why not. Now Charles Bissell happens to be one of the better songwriters making music today. You know him as the genius behind the Wrens. For this reason alone I already like Dude. Charles produces album, because..well, why not. Charles says, and I quote; "this band will be indie famous within the year". Whatever Charles wants, he's gonna get it.
The sound: The first track I heard was "wild phoenix". I instantly got it, the Modest Mouse comparisons. Dude (Joseph D'Agostino) posses that Isaac Brock ability to fit too many syllables into a part and then stretch a few out into a big space. His voice, better than Isaac's by the way, easily transfers from loud (think jugular vein distension with associated spitting) to the kind of singing people do when they are pushing the notes to the point that they convey vulnerability. The guitars are heavy with feedback. The songs are all over the place, not verse-chorus-verse-chorus(chord change)-bridge-chorus, like so many songs out today. For that, I'm on board. Definitely a break from the mold, you're going to like it. Remember what Charles Bissell said. I'd love to post the mp3, but after the post deleting scandal (see below) here's this:
The story (the abbreviated version): Dude, (Joseph D’Agostino) starts band as a young lad with high school buddy. Dude and buddy go to college in different states, band dismantles. Dude puts out an ad on craigslist, looking for other dudes for band. Ad answered, and poof...Cymbals eat Guitars is born. At this point Dude is 19years old. As with all young, eager lads his plan is to make an album and have Charles Bissell produce it, because..well, why not. Now Charles Bissell happens to be one of the better songwriters making music today. You know him as the genius behind the Wrens. For this reason alone I already like Dude. Charles produces album, because..well, why not. Charles says, and I quote; "this band will be indie famous within the year". Whatever Charles wants, he's gonna get it.
The sound: The first track I heard was "wild phoenix". I instantly got it, the Modest Mouse comparisons. Dude (Joseph D'Agostino) posses that Isaac Brock ability to fit too many syllables into a part and then stretch a few out into a big space. His voice, better than Isaac's by the way, easily transfers from loud (think jugular vein distension with associated spitting) to the kind of singing people do when they are pushing the notes to the point that they convey vulnerability. The guitars are heavy with feedback. The songs are all over the place, not verse-chorus-verse-chorus(chord change)-bridge-chorus, like so many songs out today. For that, I'm on board. Definitely a break from the mold, you're going to like it. Remember what Charles Bissell said. I'd love to post the mp3, but after the post deleting scandal (see below) here's this:
Phoenix post got deleted ..........
by the fucks at blogger. Recently I figured out a way to post mp3's here so the four people that read this thing could download a few songs, maybe go out and purchase an album or two. I was pretty stoked, felt like I had a good thing going. If you read the Phoenix post a couple days ago, you may have in fact got your download on, and I'm sure you were blown away by the jams that are on the album. Well, a few days later, I got an e-mail informing me that I had broken a few laws in regards to copyrighted material. Woops, sorry. Instead of taking down the mp3's they deleted the post all together. Freedom of speech........fail. anyway it pissed me off, end of rant. Go get the Phoenix album.
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