The Middle East :: I Want That You Are Always Happy

The Middle East :: I Want That You Are Always Happy

It takes a few listens to get your head around the new album from Australian outfit, The Middle East. At times it's a dark affair; the first three tracks suggest tones of 60's British folk with a medieval twist (The album opens with "Black Death 1349"). By the fourth track, "Jesus Came to My Birthday Party," the sound shifts to a lighter place, only to dip back into the slow melancholy of songs like "Mount Morgan" and "Months." Clocking in at an hour (almost unheard of these days), I Want That You Are Always Happy takes some patience, but is ultimately rewarding.

Despite their ability to successfully navigate multiple genres, The Middle East are at their best when diving into more traditional folk/country sounds. Album standout "Land of the Bloody Unknown" is a downright chill-inducing ballad. Later tracks like "Months", "Dan's Silverleaf" and "Hunger Song" continue the rousing chamber folk sound to great success.

I Want That You Are Always Happy is an impressive collection of songs that takes enough twists and turns to keep listeners tuned in for quite a bit longer than most sub-40-minute albums. Sometimes it feels like the album will never end; a prospect that I'm 100% okay with and you should be too.



The Middle East :: Hunger Song

Previously:

The Middle East :: Blood

I Want That You Are Always Happy will be released June 7 in the U.S.

Hooray for Earth :: True Loves

Hooray for Earth :: True Loves

There are some songwriters who seem to simply discover melodies, as if song craft was no different from walking out your door and breathing fresh air. Each song, each chord, each note falls precisely into place seemingly preordained by the gods of song. Hooray for Earth, led by Noel Heroux, embodies this notion to the fullest. Says Heroux:

“I don’t write music with an instrument, I usually just get an idea of what the whole song sounds like in my head, kind of like an earworm that stays with you after listening to the radio. My task is to recreate what’s stuck in my head in actual audible form, as quickly as possible.”

And when Noel Heroux says "quickly" he means quickly. Less than a year after the release of their fantastic EP, Momo, Hooray for Earth are gearing up to drop their full length, True Loves, a joyous collection of melodic pop sure to yield some of the year's best songs.

The band has a clear gift for infectious rhythms and "earworm" vocal melodies. Opener "Realize It's Not the Sun" slowly unfolds with what sounds like a choir of baritones in an open-air African market. Heroux's voice hovers over all and is quickly joined by tribal beats and yelps. It's a sound deeply rooted in gospel, afro-pop and communal singing.

Second track, "Last Minute" and third track "Sails" both showcase the band's propensity for stadium-worthy hooks. It's almost impossible to listen to the songs and not imagine a large and youthful crowd singing along to every word (Think early MGMT singles minus the ego). Standout "True Loves" falls right in between the African and stadium influences and is a no-doubt candidate for single of the year.

Side 2 slows down from the torrent pace of the first five tracks, but still holds on to the melodic and rhythmic integrity established in the first half. Closer "Black Trees" revisits and reinterprets the beat from "True Loves" in a slower and more contemplative track. The melodies close out the album with the same emotional powerful with which they opened it.

This album will appeal to fans of MGMT, Passion Pit, Twin Shadow as well as more afro-influenced acts like Ra Ra Riot, Vampire Weekend, Paul Simon and the Lion King soundtrack (not kidding). It's a record as genius as it is unpretentious. Well worth your time.



Previously:

Hooray for Earth :: Surrounded by Your Friends

Hooray for Earth vs. Twin Shadow :: A Place We Like

Dam Mantle :: Movement

Dam Mantle :: Movement

Dam Mantle :: Movement

Dam Mantle is movie music. Dam Mantle is Jurassic Park meets Open Wyoming Highway. 

How I really feel about Dam Mantle:

Wild Beasts :: Smother

Wild Beasts :: Smother

Yesterday I jokingly described Wild Beasts to a friend as a mind-numbing combination of Queen, Death Cab for Cutie and Dean Martin. While such mash-up descriptors are typically a sad reflection of my limited musical tastes, I challenge any one out there to refute this one. Hailing from Kendal, England, Wild Beasts features two energetic and unique vocalists: Hayden Thorpe, whose warbling countertenor channels Freddie Mercury's more operatic moments, and Tom Fleming, who appears to be the only surviving member of the Rat Pack.

Wild Beasts' newest album, Smother, sees the band toning down some of the unrestrained energy of their previous efforts. The steady, frolicking drum and bass lines of their last album, Two Dancers, are replaced with slow, drawn out melodies and floating electric guitar lines. It's an odd stylistic decision for a band fronted by such an extraordinary pair of voices, and fans of earlier albums might find it a bit off putting. But after several listens Smother finds its groove.

Second track "Bed of Nails" shoots out of the gate, carried by a subtle, machine-gun bass line. Post-rock guitar lines bounce through the track alongside a repetitive and quiet synth that slowly gains steam as the song expands. The package as a whole is mesmerizing. Album standouts "Albatross" and "Reach a Bit Further" are perfect examples of how Wild Beasts has managed to convey a paradoxical sense of intensity and relaxed control. The play between Thorpe's and Fleming's vocals on the latter track is the highlight (and emotional peak) of the album.

Smother is an oddly fitting name for an album that seems, on first listen, to rein in the energy of Wild Beasts' previous music. But this restraint also reveals the unique songwriting and undeniable talent of each band member. I highly recommend this one!

You can stream the album over at The Guardian. Release date is May 9.

Memoryhouse - "Caregiver" Video

Memoryhouse - "Caregiver" Video

We are Trees - "Sunrise Sunset" (not a Bright Eyes cover)

We are Trees - "Sunrise Sunset" (not a Bright Eyes cover)

[via]

This video is pretty mesmerizing. Out of tune on purpose? More We are Trees here.

Sufjan Documentary

Sufjan Documentary

In which Sufjan rules at pacman.

The Radio Dept: Never Follow Suit Single

The Radio Dept: Never Follow Suit Single

The Radio Dept. is releasing a new single their album Clinging to a Scheme in anticipation of their fall U.S. tour. The release features a few new tunes, including "The One" a slow jam that showcases the band's melodic lo-fi electronic pop of which we are so fond. If you haven't had a chance to get into Clinging to a Scheme, I would highly recommend it.

[mp3] The Radio Dept. :: The One