Combining their first three EPs into a single compilation was a brilliant idea for these Scottish indie rockers dabbling in neo-psychedelia and electronica.
One of the finer releases on either side of the pond of the late 90s.
Showing posts with label Indie Electronic. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Indie Electronic. Show all posts
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Monday, January 3, 2011
Yeasayer - Live at Ancienne Belgique (2010)
Holy shit this is so good. If you haven't hopped on the Yeasayer bandwagon yet, stop fucking around and get on it. Seriously. Not only are they one of the most interesting bands of the last few years in terms of experimenting with sound, they're also one of the most listenable (I know that word "experimenting" can be a huge turn-off for ears, but trust me- totally accessible).
The sound quality of this show is pretty amazing and the fans are respectful and attentive as well.
Here's some live Yeasayer- check out some of the re-worked versions of the songs from both All Hour Cymbals and Odd Blood.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Fujiya & Miyagi - Transparent Things (2006)
I've been on a serious Krautrock kick lately; I'm not talking Can, Dzyan, Neu!, Amon Düül II, Embryo, et al. (those are always in constant rotation) but the bastard sons of Kosmiche Musik- stuff like Brighton, UK's Fujiya & Miyagi and their 2006 record Transparent Things. It's got a ton of Kraut-infected reference points on here, from the motorik drum beat (Klaus Dinger's most celebrated drum pattern found a home on half these tracks!) to the spacey electro atmospherics and dancey vibes all about.
I'm interested in the synthesis of influence- recent bands making homages to the first wave; like Stereolab, LCD Soundsystem and Super Furry Animals all have the Kosmiche spirit sprinkled around their music, but here Fujiya & Miyagi celebrate it like it's the only style of progressive rock to make it alive out of the 70s.
Which isn't a bad thing at all...
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Todosantos - Aeropuerto (2005)
When I was starting out trying to be a music writer, a friend sent me a website that was hiring and urged me to apply. I didn't get the gig, but I became a fan of their fair and diplomatic reviews (probably because they weren't trying to become some massive money-making media conglomerate like that one named after a piece of farm equipment). One review was of this band from Caracas, Venezuela; Todosantos and their album Aeropuerto. I listened to their posted tracks and quickly ordered the physical copy, I had to jump some minor hurdles with the shipping costs and my lousy Spanish while corresponding with their record label, but it arrived a week later.
I'm thinking this album was made in response to (or on the heels of) all the other successful electro-pop albums of the early part of the decade- The Postal Service's Give Up, The Notwist's Neon Golden, múm's Finally We Are No One and Manitoba's Up In Flames, with a decidedly post-punk/glitch edge to it.
Anyway, enjoy one of the coolest electro albums to come from abroad this past decade...
Friday, April 2, 2010
Stereolab - Emperor Tomato Ketchup (1996)
I'm pretty sure I was coerced into liking Stereolab, sometime in the mid '90s. Yeah, it was definitely one of those cute shop girls clerking at Repo Records in Rosemont, PA. You know how it is:
Me: Yeah, um, what's this playing now?
Repo chick: (glaring) Uhhh, hello... it's the new Stereolab...
Me: Oh... Cool.
Repo chick: Totally.
Me: ...
Repo chick: You should get it.
Me: I think I will.
Repo chick: Cool.
You see that? How she bullied me into buying Emperor Tomato Ketchup? Practically twisted my arm right there. It was totally worth it.
Anyway; the funniest thing I ever read about Stereolab said something to the effect that "this is what both Can and the Velvet Underground would have sounded like if they weren't so self-serious, had a half decent lead singer and their lead guitarists didn't totally suck." Ouch, buddy. I love both of those bands, but to be totally honest, you kind of got a point there...
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