As I write this I have only listened to 3 minutes and 19 seconds of Yellow Ostrich's Fade Cave EP, but I'm quite convinced from this small sample size that I will be impressed by the next five songs. The record is (I've read) simply composed of Alex Schaaf's vocals and a drum machine. No chill-wave synths or swedish guitar licks - just singing.
It reminds me quite a bit of Julianna Barwick's music, as well as the more obvious influences - Noah Lennox, Beach Boys, etc. The drums could be described as tribal, and comparisons to Animal Collective aren't too much of a stretch. The music however lacks the weirdness of AC; it is simple, no frills - almost cheesy in a Lion King kind of way, but it works...at least through two tracks.
The final song, "I'll Run", has an immediacy and dark energy that ends the album solidly. Worth checking out for sure. Oh and did I mention the EP was free? So you probably will check it out no matter what I say.
Here are the first (rips - in a good way - the melody from Atlas Sound's "Walkabout") and last songs on the album:
If you like what you hear you can download the entire EP for free over at bandcamp.
[Via I Guess I'm Floating, who have been writing up some fantastic new bands lately]
I've always been so-so on El Guincho. Labeled almost immediately as the spanish Panda Bear, his debut LP Alegranza! was indeed heavily influenced by the tribal trends of Animal Collective and the cyclical sampling of Noah Lennox. It was a pretty good album, but it didn't last too long for me.
El Guincho now returns with a series of EPs that re-envision, according to his website, "various South American standards and lost classics." The first of these, Pirates de Sudamerica, is streaming below. It doesn't venture too far from earlier sounds, although it tends to adhere to more traditional pop structures rather than endless loops. I'd say its a nice a change for the band as they stray away from incriminating buzzband influences. Take a listen and stay tuned for more in the future.
Oberhofer is the moniker for Brad Oberhofer, a local Seattle/Tacoma guy who has migrated east to the thriving Brooklyn music scene. He is unsigned, but his new local and recent blog buzz will certainly propel him into the indie spotlight.
Oberhofer's melodies and guitar riffs are beautiful, raw and deeply American. His free EP o0Oo0Oo (yep) is a sloppy seven track endeavor full of catchy and rather surprisingly creative tunes. Comparisons have been made with The Dodos, Wavves, Real Estate, Animal Collective, etc.
Though the entire EP is great, "Away FRM U" stands out above the rest. The song is a highway anthem of the highest quality. The opening guitar line will send chills down your spine and as the deep percussive rhythms emerge you will probably feel the urge to run into the filming of a sudo-hipster Levi's commercial where the sun sets on buff youthful models who have been forced into skinny jeans. Its like the feeling you would have nannying the immaculately conceived children of Kerouac and Whitman.
I have really been enjoying Victoria Bergsman's aka Taken By Trees's debut album East Of Eden recently. Besides having a lovely Scandinavian voice that lazily croons throughout every track (ahhh!..love) and besides being named after one of my favorite books, the album includes a rather creative take on the decades 9th best song. "My Boys," sticks with the repetition of the original but this time it sounds like hand claps and bongo drums. The insistent bass in the original becomes a synth key here, and the whole thing suggest tropicalia. Bergsman handles the melodies magnificently and now here is the video of it:
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 topfew or so for the year. So yeah, basically I think this stuff is just hype. But, here we go.
Here is a Japanese commercial that is way better than 99% of the commercials we have here. I don't even speak Japanese.
And of course, Animal Collective. Listen for the 13 year old girls once they figure out what song it is. Also, I love seeing this little light off to the left wagging back and forth. Oh geologist. No one know what you do...
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.
Yeah Yeah Yeah's give SNL and Animal Collective a "Zero"
Saturday Night Live housed the Yeah Yeah Yeah's last week, led by a constantly grinning Karen O (she is always having so much fun). They played that single from It's Blitz!, "Zero" and surprisingly followed it up with Fever to Tell hit "Maps" which was a nice treat. I can't help but feeling like the new material comes off a little sparse in the few live videos I have seen of it. For how big the album sounds, I hope that the epic-ness is just lost in translation or else I will just have to go to some other stage during Sasquatch (who has posted their schedule, btw). Both SNL tracks are available for download at Stereogum.
"Zero"
"Maps"
What's more, if you read about and/or listened to that très petit hord'oeuvre of Animal Collective's "Zero" remix last week and thought to yourself "hey, this is too short and that beeping thing is annoying" then you are in luck, my friend. Animal Collective right took that sparsy idear and done made it exter sparser. Karen O's vocals get tweaked resulting in a rather trippy rendition (see that one coming?) and it makes me really sleepy. Hear here.
Buy the It's Blitz! LP from Insound Listen to Yeah Yeah Yeah's Download Yeah Yeah Yeah's - "Zero" - It's Blitz!
Friday is a day to crash. Crash meaning "to kick back and relax." And also, for me, meaning to violently burn to the ground in a heap of broken pieces because of all of the things that I have neglected to write about during the week. Since this happens pretty much every friday, I've resolved to go the way of the airplane and record everything in a tiny black box. Also, for your convenience I have decided to forgo the inevitable casualties usually associated with plane crashes. Cheers. ................................................................................................................................... New Michel Gondry Video Collection
Michel Gondry directorial repertoire has embraced, in reverse chronological order (because I copied from IMDB), an episode of "The Flight of the Conchords," The Science of Sleep, Dave Chappelle's Block Party, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, White Stripes' "Fell in Love With a Girl", Björk's "Bachelorette", and Daft Punk's "Around the World" making him a good human being. But believe it or not, he has made even more visual candy throughout his career, some of which will be compiled on "Michel Gondry 2: More Videos Before & After DVD 1," due April 14 via Gondry's website. The vidlist is divided into a "Music Videos" section and an "Other Work" section. Some of the ones that I am stoked about are listed below.
From "Music Videos" Paul McCartney: "Dance Tonight"
Björk: "Declare Independence" Queen [ft. Wyclef Jean, Pras and Free]: "Another One Bites the Dust" Radiohead: "Knives Out" * The Rolling Stones: "Gimme Shelter"
From "Other Work" "The Simpsons" White Stripes Parody Booker T and The Michel Gondry’s Michel Gondry Solves a Rubik's Cube With His Feet Michel Gondry Solves a Rubik's Cube With His Nose Jack Black Beats Michel Gondry With His Rubik's Cubes ...................................................................................................................................
Sigur Rós' Jónsi has Side Project, Album
Ethereal Icelandic vocalist Jón Þór Birgisson aka Jonsi from Sigur Ros is planning to debut a side project entitled Riceboy Sleeps with his partner Alex Somers. You may have already encountered RS via the Philip Glass-y eight and a half minute Dark was the Night track "Happiness," which you may have noticed, was all instrumental. This is apparently true to form as July 20th will bring the debut release from the duo which is also completely instrumental.
According to a press release all of the songs are "played solely on acoustic instruments in Iceland (and featuring long-time string collaborators Amiina, as well as the Kopavogsdaetur choir) and then endlessly toyed with on solar-powered laptops in a raw food commune in some far corner of Hawaii." Awesome! Check the tracklist here, a video for "All the Big Trees" (which looks like a photo from Jonathan Safran Foer'sExtremely Loud) and "DanÃell in the Sea."
................................................................................................................................... Stream Part of Animal Collective's Remix of Yeah Yeah Yeahs "Zero"
While most 7"s are a chance for diehard fans to hear that b-side or alternate take that makes their collection complete, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs/ Animal Collective split 7" is generating a bit of buzz mostly due to AC's remix os YYYs "Zero." If you are that interested, you can listen to about 30 seconds of it here. There is an annoying little beep that interrupts the song so you dont steal it or something, but other than that it seems pretty interesting to me.
................................................................................................................................... Bat for Lashes "Daniel (lo-fi version)" Live
If you've been checking out Natasha Khan's new Bat For Lashes album, Two Suns, via myspace (or otherwise...) than you will most likely want to see this live version of an alternate lo-fi take of the excellent song "Daniel." I definitely love to see all the instruments they use. What is that tinkly thing?
................................................................................................................................... Ryan Adams + Mandy Moore =
Phoenix play three songs from their upcoming LP Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix on SNL. Thomas Mars lets out a few yelps like he's Vampire weekend. Also it looks like Jesus is working the synths in the background.
"Listzomania"
"1901"
"Too Young"
The second single from maestro Dylan's soon to be released 42nd album Together Through Life. I actually like this one a lot more than the first. Let me know your thoughts.
"Feel a change comin on"
Two bits of Joanna news(om) in two weeks? This is just getting gratuitous. Here, the beautiful music from Milk Eyed Mender's "Sprout and the Bean" lifts up (ahem) this Victoria's Secret commercial. Strange pairing, no?
"Sprout and the Bean"
Canada's finest, Leslie Feist and Kevin Drew discuss Drew's new film project which features Feist's "The Water." The movie also apparently stars Cillian Murphy aka Scarecrow from Barman aka definitely awesome. This clip is actually really fascinating if you are a fan ofBroken Social Scene and/or Feist and/or Cillian Murphy and/or experimental film.
In case you weren't satisfied with the silhouette + weird mouth combo of Animal Collective's official "My Girls" video, here is an awesome unofficial Alternate video that is as trippy and beautiful as Animal Collective's music. Pretty sure I spotted some Andy Goldsworthy in there too.
"My Girls"
I've never really listened to Man Man but this video for "Rabbit Habits" makes me feel weird and strangely happy.
"Rabbit Habits"
For a bonus video, Youaintnopicasso has Sacha Baron Cohen’s Bruno trailer which looks hilarious.
Friday is a day to crash. Crash meaning "to kick back and relax." And also, for me, meaning to violently burn to the ground in a heap of broken pieces because of all of the things that I have neglected to write about during the week. Since this happens pretty much every friday, I've resolved to go the way of the airplane and record everything in a tiny black box. Also, for your convenience I have decided to forgo the inevitable casualties usually associated with plane crashes. Cheers.
This Stereogum sponsored awesome-fest is in support of Housing Works, an NYC non-profit that has fought against both AIDs and Homelessness since 1990. It is set to go down like this:
In a brand new collaboration, Björk will perform music composed for her by David Longstreth. The suite, written for five voices, will pair Björk with Longstreth and Projectors' Amber Coffman, Angel Deradoorian, and Haley Dekle. The band will also perform material from Dirty Projectors' oeuvre, using only voices and one acoustic guitar.
Animal Crack Box sells, Then Doesn't Like we said, Animal Collective's Animal Crack Box was up on ebay for $2,425 which it eventually sold for. However, it turns out that the winner (loser) couldn't pay up, which seems like a mean thing to do to a charity. Catsup Plate's website says to keep looking at Catsup Plate's website for information about a relisting. ...................................................................................................................................
All Five of Death Cab's New EP available at Stereogum
As a redux to some certain strong opinions regarding the new Death Cab offering, The Open Door EP, here are links to all the tracks. The EP is available online at the end of the month on Atlantic.
Sunset Rubdown announces Third LP, Dragonslayer Spencer Krug is a busy person. Besides releasing two albums in the last two years with two different bands, he already has another album ready with another different band. Dragonslayer is out 6/23 via Jagjaguwar along with a picture disc 7" called Introducing Moonface that'll include "Coming To The Dawn" and "Insane Love Is Awakening." It's out in early April via Aagoo.
01 "Silver Moons" 02 "Idiot Heart" 03 "Apollo and the Buffalo and Anna Anna Anna Oh!" 04 "Black Swan" 05 "Paper Lace" 06 "You Go On Ahead (Trumpet Trumpet II)" 07 "Nightingale / December Song" 08 "Dragon's Lair"
The Album is out digitally in a couple days (on 30th March) and the album will be released physically, four weeks later, on 27th April. But if you can't wait, that is what myspace is for .
Alpha Media Group closed Blender magazine today, eliminating about 30 jobs and reducing its portfolio of titles to Maxim alone. The April issue of Blender out now will be its last. Not that I ever read the magazine. It is sad to see people lose their jobs. ...................................................................................................................................
"We’re about 7 tracks (probably about halfway) into our over-thought, over-long, over-the-top sophomore album, and I’m thinking this is probably going to be our 'Coke Album' what with the track-numbers piling up, egos a-flailing and a Gallagher-sized sense of misplaced belief in our own band. Sadly though (for you) there’s not a sniff of white powder in sight, so it might not be as bombastic as we’d all hope… (though i’m sure if we went searching in the cracks of the SSL board here at Carriage House we’d find enough to make Be Here Now 2). So it’s probably gonna be more of a 'Diet Coke Album'."
They are working with John Goodmanson for this record, who has produced both Blonde Redhead and Hanson. Maybe they can get sweet hookups with some Tinted Windows.
Animal Crack, meet Bohemian Cuddle Animal Collective is releasing a limited three vinyl set of live rarities called Animal Crack Box. I like the title cause it reminds me of animal crackers (which are objectively amazing) and cracker jacks (maybe there is an extra prize inside?).
The music for the discs was all recorded live to mini-disk documenting roughly the first few years of the bands existence. The tracks span from September 2000 to July 2003 which means that the last disc has a few Sung Tongs tracks on it (full track list via Stereogum).
The albums are produced by Catsup Plate Records (responsible for early Animal Collective albums like Danse Manatee and Campfire Songs) who are only pressing 1000 copies so its probably going to be a little pricey. They claim they will have everything ready in 4-6 weeks "if all goes well."
However, if you have already (somehow) played out Merriweather Post Pavilion and need some Animal Crack immediately and also have an extra few thousand dollars lying around, you're in luck. Catsup Plate is auctioning off a test pressing of the Lp's on ebay right now. All proceeds won from the auction go toward Doctors Without Borders which is really a fantastic (Nobel Peace Prize winning) organization and is entirely deserving of the money. Fortunately for them (and less so for you) the auction is already up to $2425.00 with a couple days to go.
The pokemon name invoking, New York duo Ratatat will be stopping by Seattle in March 29th as part of a small Spring tour. So if you were planning on being mesmerized and dancing a lot that day, but didn't know how you were going to get that done, now you know. I'm here for you.
In other news, Ratatat also just released a 12" which includes an Animal Collective remix of 'Mirando' from last years fantastic LP3. You can purchase it and listen to the remix here.
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 winnerKings of Leon, and the unworriedPeter 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!
Bohemian Cuddle Box likes to support the artists! If you have questions, comments, concerns or would like to send us something, mail bohemiancuddlebox@gmail.com.
All mp3s are for sampling purposes only. If you would like us to take down one of your songs, please email us and we will respond promptly.
Posts
