Death Cab For Cutie - Narrow Stairs (2008)
After a lukewarm response to Plans (2006) - even though it gained popular success - Ben Gibbard decided to realign Death Cab for Cutie back towards the lo-fi sound of yesteryear with the release of Narrow Stairs.
Over production is kept to a minimum - and you're far less likely to hear this record being played in Starbucks. While Plans felt like a few gems (Crooked Teeth, I Will Follow You Into The Dark) amongst a sea of filler, this album is far less skippable. It has teeth.
After about 3 minutes of the opening track - Bixby Canyon Bridge - it's clear that Death Cab have surrendered the mainstream shackles. And yep, even distorted guitars! Very un-Plans. The follow up is the epic first single from the album, I Will Possess Your Heart. It's as menacing as it sounds with a funky bassline that guides you through the 5 minute intro. Perhaps slightly repetitive (you may prefer the Radio Edit), but superb nonetheless.
No Sunlight is reminiscent of The Sound Of Settling, with its upbeat tempo and jumpy vocals. Cath, however, is my favourite track on the album. Exceptional drumming and lyrically brilliant, it's a track that you find yourself listening to over and over.
The drifty Grapevine Fires is relaxing as it is upsetting (if your life has been affected by forest fires, that is) although Long Division proves Death Cab's scope. Who else could write a song about mathematics and still get the entire crowd singing along? Hmm. I'm struggling. They don't need no education.
The album peters out slightly, but it's still a great record. Don't miss it.
Rating: 8/10
MP3: Cath... From Narrow Stairs
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
"Sorry, I Thought I Was Going To Puke..."
Brendan Campbell - The Twilight Bird EP (2008)
In the intimate surroundings of the Old Queen’s Head pub in London, UK, Brendan Campbell announced to the crowd with his soft Glaswegian tones that he wasn’t feeling too great. Seconds earlier, he’d stopped singing a few seconds into his fourth song of the evening, “Venice”.
Watching a musician concentrate on stage is far from a new phenomenon. However, seeing someone focused on forcing back the contents of their stomach back down their throat can be classed as pretty damn rock ‘n’ roll.
Stomach ulcers aside, Brendan battled on through the pain barrier and still achieved the stunning vocal harmonies that he is becoming much feted for. His lyrical talent leads to inevitable yet enviable comparisons with the likes of Bob Dylan and Elliott Smith.
The lyrics of his dreamy first single, Burgers and Murders, highlight not just his ability but also his sense of humour - ‘Speak to the pigeons/maybe they speak Turkish too’. His guitar strumming also mirrors his vocal ability - it’s of exceptional quality with an impressive pace.
Fittingly, Campbell closes his set with “Mr. Robinson” – the final song on his recent debut release, the Twilight Bird EP, which is available now from digital retailers. It’s a beautiful record that uses the lack of post-production as an asset rather than a flaw.
Many singer/songwriters before him have attempted to create a marriage of convincing lyrics and catchy harmonies, yet Campbell appears to be well on his way to mastering the art - he just might need some painkillers.
MP3: Burgers and Murders from Twilight Bird EP
Also published at the Daily Rind Blog
Friday, March 28, 2008
They're warm and powerful...
Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin - Broom (2006).
Many bands around these days have simple, effective and radio-friendly names. They tend to be prefixed with 'the' and make your MP3 player believe that the vast majority of artists begin with a T. One of these bands, The Shins, just so happen to be one of my favourites. Their sound is lo-fi and it's a sound I find difficult to quench my thirst for. I must always search for more lo-fi.
On this quest, I discovered a band a couple of months ago, called 'Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin'. Perhaps now you see the relevance of my opening gambit. It's a name you'll hear and remember.
They are true middle-Americans, hailing from Springfield, Missouri. The band began write songs in their first year of college and recorded the album Broom in a the house that Will lived in. They were unsigned at this stage, yet due to the wonders of blogging and the internet, gained a review from Pitchfork and Oregon Girl even featured in The O.C. It must have come as little surprise that a record label had become interested.
In early-2006, they were signed by Polyvinyl Records, the label which gave us Mates of State and Of Montreal amongst others. Broom was remastered to an industry standard quality. Since then, they have completed a US tour and even had a trip to Russia to play at a small festival in Moscow. How apt.
So what's all the fuss about then?
Broom kicks off with Pangea, a beautifully balanced song about the continents drifting apart, featuring lyrics ("Pangea we used to be together/why'd we have to drift apart?"), off-beat humour you will become accustomed to by the end of the album.
There's strains of early Weezer to be found in the next song, I Am Warm and Powerful, with inspiring harmonies. It contrasts beautifully to the following track, the Elliott Smith-esque What We'll Do. After this song, we're given the Travel Song. Another homage to the late Smith it seems, as we head further down this darker portion of the album.
Things brighten up, though, once we arrive at Oregon Girl, as mentioned earlier. A cheery song worthy of any summer's day. The Shins would certainly be proud of this number. This note is taken down a level again during House Fire. It fuses the dark optimism of Eels lyrics ("Your pretty face is soaked in blood/you know I still find you dashing") with the piano/guitar combination you would be more used to hearing in a Death Cab for Cutie song.
These themes run throughout the rest of the album. It's possible to note further Eels and The Shins comparisons, even parts which make you believe you're listening to the genius of Thom Yorke.
Towards the end of the album, Anne Elephant is probably their most eclectic and experimental song, It fails somewhat to live up the rest, but they proved with the other 9 songs on the album what they are capable of and the sound they should be aiming for.
Rating: 9/10
http://www.myspace.com/boris
http://www.sslyby.com/
New album 'Pershing' released on 8th April.
MP3: Modern Mystery from Pershing
Many bands around these days have simple, effective and radio-friendly names. They tend to be prefixed with 'the' and make your MP3 player believe that the vast majority of artists begin with a T. One of these bands, The Shins, just so happen to be one of my favourites. Their sound is lo-fi and it's a sound I find difficult to quench my thirst for. I must always search for more lo-fi.
On this quest, I discovered a band a couple of months ago, called 'Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin'. Perhaps now you see the relevance of my opening gambit. It's a name you'll hear and remember.
They are true middle-Americans, hailing from Springfield, Missouri. The band began write songs in their first year of college and recorded the album Broom in a the house that Will lived in. They were unsigned at this stage, yet due to the wonders of blogging and the internet, gained a review from Pitchfork and Oregon Girl even featured in The O.C. It must have come as little surprise that a record label had become interested.
In early-2006, they were signed by Polyvinyl Records, the label which gave us Mates of State and Of Montreal amongst others. Broom was remastered to an industry standard quality. Since then, they have completed a US tour and even had a trip to Russia to play at a small festival in Moscow. How apt.
So what's all the fuss about then?
Broom kicks off with Pangea, a beautifully balanced song about the continents drifting apart, featuring lyrics ("Pangea we used to be together/why'd we have to drift apart?"), off-beat humour you will become accustomed to by the end of the album.
There's strains of early Weezer to be found in the next song, I Am Warm and Powerful, with inspiring harmonies. It contrasts beautifully to the following track, the Elliott Smith-esque What We'll Do. After this song, we're given the Travel Song. Another homage to the late Smith it seems, as we head further down this darker portion of the album.
Things brighten up, though, once we arrive at Oregon Girl, as mentioned earlier. A cheery song worthy of any summer's day. The Shins would certainly be proud of this number. This note is taken down a level again during House Fire. It fuses the dark optimism of Eels lyrics ("Your pretty face is soaked in blood/you know I still find you dashing") with the piano/guitar combination you would be more used to hearing in a Death Cab for Cutie song.
These themes run throughout the rest of the album. It's possible to note further Eels and The Shins comparisons, even parts which make you believe you're listening to the genius of Thom Yorke.
Towards the end of the album, Anne Elephant is probably their most eclectic and experimental song, It fails somewhat to live up the rest, but they proved with the other 9 songs on the album what they are capable of and the sound they should be aiming for.
Rating: 9/10
http://www.myspace.com/boris
http://www.sslyby.com/
New album 'Pershing' released on 8th April.
MP3: Modern Mystery from Pershing
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
This is what I dig
What makes my musical clock tick then? Well, there has to be a melody in there somewhere. Whether it's the distorted guitar in Regular John by Queens of the Stone Age or the simplistic pop-keyboard in Back In Your Head by Tegan And Sara; I don't mind.
Lyrics play an important role too, as they should. "Hey now, you can't keep saying endlessly/My darling, how long until this affects me?" is an example of Jimmy Eat World's frustration with apathy in American politics.
I like invention. Something a little different from the normal sound you are continuously subjected to on the radio - hence the title of the blog. Give me Dntel over Daniel Powter.
Phases are crucial in the moulding of someone's music taste and I'm no different. The first album I ever bought was Surrender by the Chemical Brothers.
A brief synopsis of my music taste would show that I was into Queen and Led Zeppelin when I was 13/14 until I progressed onto electronica such as Primal Scream, Massive Attack and the Chemical Brothers. After that, I progressed into guitar-based music with the Dandy Warhols and Everclear, then into the typical teenage obsession - ska-punk. After a brief flirtation with metal, I finally became an indie kid. I suppose I remain one in my heart. I do, however, take great satisfaction from being able to listen to most music I have been into over the years and still enjoy it.
So there you have it. My music taste in a nutshell.
Lyrics play an important role too, as they should. "Hey now, you can't keep saying endlessly/My darling, how long until this affects me?" is an example of Jimmy Eat World's frustration with apathy in American politics.
I like invention. Something a little different from the normal sound you are continuously subjected to on the radio - hence the title of the blog. Give me Dntel over Daniel Powter.
Phases are crucial in the moulding of someone's music taste and I'm no different. The first album I ever bought was Surrender by the Chemical Brothers.
A brief synopsis of my music taste would show that I was into Queen and Led Zeppelin when I was 13/14 until I progressed onto electronica such as Primal Scream, Massive Attack and the Chemical Brothers. After that, I progressed into guitar-based music with the Dandy Warhols and Everclear, then into the typical teenage obsession - ska-punk. After a brief flirtation with metal, I finally became an indie kid. I suppose I remain one in my heart. I do, however, take great satisfaction from being able to listen to most music I have been into over the years and still enjoy it.
So there you have it. My music taste in a nutshell.
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