Cuddle Up With: Twin Shadow

Cuddle Up With: Twin Shadow

Its not like I meant to get into the 80's. It just sort of snuck up on me, like everything else these days. Lightening fast fads suddenly appearing on me ipod - its not even ironic anymore, I just like it because I like it.

Twin Shadow writes great music. Thats all that really matters in the end. He writes catchy songs. Its sort of a wonder that his debut album is called Forget, when all he seems to be doing is remembering. I mean, the guy's name is George Lewis Jr. Give me a break.

The name comes out of a lot of different things, I am in fact a twin, but it had less to do with that and more to do with motorcycles and stuff. You know, twin engines, first bike I ever wanted was a Honda Shadow, which is a pretty awful bike in my opinion these days, but it was the first bike I ever wanted. It just has a lot to do with always feeling like there's two sides or one side with another part of me offset from that side. It's about what the relationship is with that other part of myself. So kind of like a combination of motorcycle imagery, and coming into this new type of music. 

[via baeble music]

Honestly, what the hell is he talking about?

[mp3] Twin Shadow :: I Can't Wait
[mp3] Twin Shadow :: Castles In The Snow

Forget is produced by Chris Taylor of Grizzly Bear and is being released September 28th on his rookie record label, Terrible Records. Highly Recommended.

[myspace]

New (Old) Department Of Eagles

New (Old) Department Of Eagles

Department Of Eagles assumes we care about their practice sessions and throwaway b-sides, and they are right. On July 20th the Grizzly Bear side project will be releasing Archive 2003-2006, a recording session that was originally intended to produce their sophomore full-length album, but was scrapped for whatever reason. So in truth these aren't really b-sides, they are more A-/B+ sides.

The album plays like an old jewelry box in the attic; there are treasures to be had and each listener can grab a different ring from the box, so to speak. The songs range from short incomplete ideas to fully realized pop tunes, and the tension between the two is at play throughout (a la White Album).

Recordings of practice sessions are significant because its one of the few instances an artist is not performing but thinking, and I'm convinced you can actually hear the difference. The most haunting and beautiful songs on the album are the five "Practice Room Sketches"; old pianos creak, acoustic guitars crawl up and down franksinatra scales, and Rossen's voice occasionally emerges to softly croon-- it's equal parts chilling and comforting. I highly recommend this album, especially for fans of In Ear Park, but it's not one of those b-sides that only die-hards can enjoy; there's plenty here for everyone.

[mp3] Department of Eagles :: While We're Young
[mp3] Department of Eagles :: Practice Room Sketch 5

Pre-order the album
DoE Myspace
Buy In Ear Park

CANT you dig it?

CANT you dig it?

The Weird Looking Bass Player Can Sing Too, You Know.
Chris Taylor, the bassist for some band called The Grizzly Bears (I think they are from New York?), has started a label called Terrible Records and it's going to take a lot more than this song to live up to the name.
What song?
Well Chris Taylor also is venturing off on a "Grizzly Bear side project that sounds just like Grizzly Bear" called CANT. This guy has some self-esteem issues.

Cheer up Chris!

Well I have given the song a listen and it is good. Mr. Taylor has produced both Grizzly Bear albums, and it certainly shows here as he strikes out on his own. For those of you keeping score, I would mark it in the "Yellow House" category... which of course is a great thing.

Have a Listen,

CANT :: Ghosts

New Grizzly Bear Song

New Grizzly Bear Song

I definitely think Victoria Legrand should just join Grizzly Bear. Or maybe all of Beach House could join forces in some Grizzly House Beach Bear collaboration. Anyway this song is lovely and slow and sounds like Yellow House. Also, here is a great article on Grizzly Bear's artistic trajectory.

Grizzly Bear Video: "While You Wait for the Others"

Grizzly Bear Video: "While You Wait for the Others"

Los Osos Grizzly from Brooklyn continue their trend of releasing awesome videos for their awesome singles. This one is a little more complex and surreal, featuring a boy in a fencing mask and a ton of other imagisitic (is that a word?) scenes. Mira:

Buy Veckatimest [2009; Warp]

Grizzly Bear - "While You Wait for the Others" [Warp; 2009]

Hype Machine: Animal Collective and Grizzly Bear

Hype Machine: Animal Collective and Grizzly Bear

Here are a couple more offerings a couple of this years favorites. First off a Grizzly Bear cover of Paul Simon

Grizzly Bear - "Mother and Child Reunion (Paul Simon Cover)"

The expansive Ed Droste led cover is somewhat lacksidasical and sounds a little like a filled out Horn of Plenty Grizzly Bear. Not bad at all, but not a keeper for me. Next, Animal Collective have their second video in support of Merriweather Post Pavilion for the track "Summertime Clothes." Again, the video is pretty interesting, but its definitely not in my top few or so for the year. So yeah, basically I think this stuff is just hype. But, here we go.

Year of the (Grizzly) Bear

Year of the (Grizzly) Bear

So unless you don't read anything online about music at all, you've realized that Grizzly Bear's heavily anticipated 3rd LP, Veckatimest came out last Tuesday. Consequently, the whole blogoverse went absolutely apeshit. I recently met the four of them at Sasquatch! and while I did not get the chance to interview them (I have no credentials!), I did find out that they were very gracious and down to earth people. So in the spirit of awesomeness, here are a few of the most interesting manifestations of people's obsessions with the glory that is Grizzly Bear (what a horrible sentence).

1. One of my favorite websites (that I recently discovered) is Black Cab Sessions. They basically feature really awesome artists doing creatively stripped down versions of really awesome songs. They recently did one for Grizzly Bear who played "All We Ask" which sounds absolutely gorgeous and intimate in the acoustic format. Oh the harmonies! That moment where Rossen takes over is orgasmic.

2.Here Grizzly Bear performs "Ready Able" on AOL Spinner's The Interface. The video doesn't quite capture their live (as in, with an audience) performance, but I thought it was still interesting to here them play something other than "Two Weeks" "Cheerleader" and "While You Wait for the Others" (all of which they also played).

3. Drowned in Sound had "Grizzly Bear Week" (we bloggers are sooo obsessed). Besides the standard album review, you can:
-look at a track by track analysis of Veckatimest,
-listen to GB's three favorite covers of their music,
-read indie-blogs by Wendy Rossen, Daniel's mom (Highly Recommended. She comes off as well informed, interested and unpretentious. Also, she mentions photos of "Ear Park" as well. Apparently the Department of Eagles album title is an actual place. "Tres amusant").
-Listen to Ed Droste talk to Laurent Brancowitz of Phoenix (also Highly Recommended)
-Read Christopher Bear's gumbo recipe, which I think is vegetarian (let me know how it tastes).

4. Stripped down, acoustic Grizzly Bear on WNYC with an interview to boot.

Why Sasquatch is Going to be Amazing

Why Sasquatch is Going to be Amazing

Sasquatch! Has Been Found!

(I totally took this photo...Word.)

Well, Sara, Robbie and I are heading off to Sasquatch. We are planning to take a lot of photos and not all of us are going to the exact same shows so hopefully we can put together a few posts that are relatively representative of the whole festival for those unfortunate souls unable to attend. I haven't been to Sasquatch for four years and the last time I went, it hailed and my tent flooded and I missed the Shins. Lets hope nothing like that happens this time. Here is a taste (via past P4k festivals) of what a few of this years Sasquatch acts sound (and look) like performing at festivals.

Trippy Bear: Grizzly Bear's "Two Weeks" Video

Trippy Bear: Grizzly Bear's "Two Weeks" Video

Amazing new/freakishly trippy Grizzly Bear music video for the incredible single "Two Weeks". This one is quite an experience to behold.

Two Weeks

Grizzly.

Grizzly.

oh boy oh boy oh boy
As an objective music blogger, I know I am not supposed to gush over specific bands. But Grizzly Bear Day is coming! May 26 is now just 10 days away and we here at the cuddle box eagerly anticipate the release of the band's new album, Veckatimest.
Of course, we have already heard the damn thing a thousand times, but the only version we've been able to get our hands on is pretty low quality. I have contemplated whether a higher quality version will change much of the album (its already my favorite of the year). But with yesterday's release of the [high quality] single "Two Weeks", I realize that sound quality makes a huge difference with bands who have a subtle, more nuanced style.
I just pre-ordered the album, and I encourage everyone to do the same (its only 8 bucks at amazon right now!) if only for the anticipated incredible album art. Also I guess to support the Brooklyn quartet (looks like they can't even afford furniture and shoes).
The band also has a brand new website which matches the look of the album. There you can find some sweet photos, and read a fabulous article about GB from The New Yorker.
And I leave you with the band's first official single,

Two Weeks :: Grizzly Bear (from Veckatimest [2009])

Department of Eagles "No One Does it Like You" Video

Department of Eagles "No One Does it Like You" Video

The Grizzly Department of Bear Eagles Does Many Things of Note

The Brooklyn based Bear and Eagles associates have been busy lately. If you are one of those who have already partaken of the low-quality leak of Grizzly Bear's forthcoming album, Veckatimist, you may be pleased to know that "Cheerleader" is now available in a (slightly) higher quality version.

Again in the Grizzly camp, if you are planning on attending Record Store Day, then you may be able to get your hands on the limited edition Live on KCRW 7" LP that looks awesome. A full list of participating stores here.

The band is also readying a music video for "Two Weeks," directed by Patrick Daughters who did the video for Feist's "1234." Pictures of the set via Stereogum.

If you are in the video watching mood, you can check out this live video of "Two Weeks" at SXSW with Beach House's Victoria Legrand singing the chorus backup just like on the album.

Onto the Department of Eagles camp. One of In Ear Park's best tracks "No One Does It Like You" got the artsy mcfartsy video treatment directed by Patrick Daughters (this guy keeps coming up) and Marcel Dzama. I say artsy mcfartsy (which is a technical term) because it debuted at MOMA (which I think is awesome). I would describe the video to you but I think you should just watch it.

Veckatimest is out 5/26 via Warp.

Grizzly Bear "Cheerleader" - Veckatimest [Warp; 2009]

Department of Eagles "No One Does it Like You" - In Ear Park [4AD;2008]

Sad Bears

Sad Bears

Veckatimest Leaked

Grizzly Bear's much anticipated follow up to the wonderful Yellow House leaked yesterday. The album is not set to release until May so I hadn't even thought to look for it. And yet here it is. Apparently, it is a really low quality version which makes me a little conflicted about listening to it. Not from a monetary sense because I have already pre-ordered the vinyl LP. I guess Im Floating put it best: 

"On one hand, I think you should all wait before downloading and devouring Veckatimest in its current state of awful sound quality. On the other hand, having had the opportunity to hear a few of the songs in a better format (and being a crazed Grizzly Bear fan with no will power), I know this thing slays.

Grizzly Bear Ed Droste wrote this on his Twitter:

"I'm trying to be zen about the album leaking because I'm "ok" with it, but I'm bummed. And apparently it's [a] low quality rip. :( So now everyone will be judging it off of a crappy rip. Sigh.... Was hoping to make it to at least april! I'm cool with it just....so early!"

That being said, if you do download it, please try not to let your opinion be tainted by the low quality of the recording. I have full faith that it will be better for everyone that way. 

Pre-order Veckatimest here.

Grizzly Bear - Two Weeks - Live on Lettermen

I am Excited for Sasquatch

I am Excited for Sasquatch

Sasquatch! '09

With all the buzz about the Coachella, Bonnaroo, and SXSW, I recently carried out my yearly lament about not living in any of these places. And seeing as how I don't live in Cali, TN, or TX I thought I would see what I could dig up about Washington's own big festival:Sasquatch!

As of yesterday's announcement, the dates of the festival are Saturday May 23 through Monday May 25. As usual, this is memorial day weekend. Though the lineup won't be released for some time now, there are a few strong rumors via the unofficial Sasquatch! blog. The two I am most excited for include the good time grammy winner Kings of Leon, and the unworried Peter Bjorn and John. I caught part of a Kings of Leon set at Bumbershoot a couple years ago and it was great fun.

Moving toward the weaker-but-oh-my-gawd-I-hope-they-are-true level rumors, Passion Pit, Grizzly Bear and Animal Collective are all purported to be taking time out of their schedules to grace the Gorge with their glory. I just recently snagged the Chunk of Change Ep from Passion Pit and I am not sure there is anything I would rather do than dance to it with thousands of other people. Grizzly Bear's forthcoming album is do to drop in May and given its supposedly sunny afternoon vibe, I can't think of a better way to celebrate than to play outside in a gorgeous sunny Washington scenescape. Animal Collective seem to like playing festivals and I couldn't help but notice that they have four days off in between Minneapolis and Vancouver, BC. Is it a coincidence that the last of these days off is also the first day of Sasquatch? I hope soo hard that it is not.

In other news the festival will pull a Bumbershoot and include a comedy tent. Except, this one is better because it will also be a dance tent. Yes!

Grizzly Bear Album Has Title

Grizzly Bear Album Has Title

From Stereogum comes the news that our second most anticipated album of 2009 is called...

Veckatimest

...

yeah. apparently its an island? (wiki)

Anyways, We here at bohcudbx can't wait for the new Grizzly Bear.

Grizzly Bear :: While You Wait For The Others
Grizzly Bear :: Granny Diner from Friend EP (2007)
Grizzly Bear :: Graceland (Paul Simon Cover)