Archive for March, 2010
‘…No hard feelings, just the future’
Amidst all the speculation, here’s the first official ’statement’ from the new-old Taking Back Sunday:
…….well pseudo-3d anyway.
This is the video for “Doubtful Comforts” by Blue Roses. What makes this video special though is their attempt to make a 3D video using “Wiggle Stereoscopic” techniques. While it may not be true 3D, it is supposed to trick your mind into thinking that it is in 3D. Apparently the way it works is there are two cameras that film at slightly different angles, and the images jump between them. It usually works pretty well in still images, and there are moments of here that work really well but the effect isn’t as good as I hoped it would be.
Check out the video. Did it work for you? Would you want to see others try this……or should we just pass?
I’ve been wrapping my spoilt ears around a plethora of amazing music lately, so I thought I’d let y’all know about it. The following comes with my (ultimately meaningless, but egotistically lauded) seal of approval:
‘Reservoir’ – Fanfarlo
I reviewed these guys live about a month ago, and it was at that show that I purchased this absolute beauty. They kind of sound like Arcade Fire, except Fanfarlo don’t go out of their way to be unnecessarily and annoyingly ‘kooky’. The whimpering vocal delivery coupled with the sparse whimsy of the instrumentation makes for a shimmering and mildly haunting album, and the lyrical content keeps me going back for another listen. As I’ve said previously, these guys are one of the best-kept secrets in the UK, so go out and get your hands on this brilliant album.
‘My Dinosaur Life’ – Motion City Soundtrack
I’ve been into these guys for quite some time. I caught them supporting All-American Rejects in Liverpool just after they made ‘I Am the Movie’, and I was totally hooked after that show. Since then – not counting a slight dip with their last album – MCS have gone from strength to strength, and what you hear on ‘My Dinosaur Life’ is glowing proof of that. Trading again in their hooky pop-punk with dark, introspective lyrics, it’s nothing fans of the band haven’t heard before. But it’s so reassuring to hear a band so comfortable with their own sound. A great one to tap your feet to.
‘Brand New Eyes’ – Paramore
OK, so I know their fanbase consists mainly of teenage girls, but it’s become far too trendy to hate on this band; particularly after two solid albums. With ‘Brand New Eyes’, their third, they’ve really stepped it up. The band have clearly become more focused in their writing, and tracks like ‘Brick by Boring Brick’ and ‘Playing God’ possess a streamlined quality that really lodges the hooks in your brain. Hayley Williams once again stretches herself vocally, and despite some cheesy lyrics and a couple of stinkers (most notably ‘The Only Exception’, inexplicably selected to be the 3rd single from the album), this is a killer record on the whole.
‘Kezia’ – Protest the Hero
These guys are one of the best tech-metal bands on the block right now, and this album showcases them at their best. Furious riffing, catchy-as-hell hooks and straight-up conviction drive ‘Kezia’, and the intriguing lyrical concept is the very definition of an added perk. To be honest, there’s too many highlights here to go into deep detail, all I can say is that if you have even a passing interest in metal music, then this could be right up your street.
That should keep you busy for a while.
Rumours have been spreading like wildfire. Could it be? Has the ‘Tell All Your Friends’ era Taking Back Sunday been reborn? Well, it looks very bloody likely.
Just yesterday, Matt Rubano and Matthew Fazzi both announced that they were leaving TBS, and the identities of their replacements seem quite obvious upon visiting the official TBS site. This picture shows former members John Nolan and Shaun Cooper with the three remaining members of the line-up. To add further credibility to already strong evidence, John Nolan has been banging on about it all in cryptic Facebook posts (for example: “Hey everyone, I have a big announcement”; “I know, big news, right?”).
I don’t know about you, but this is all music to my recently sad ears. After the disbanding of Straylight Run, I was absolutely gutted. But even the possibility of a TBS album that could rival ‘Tell All Your Friends’ has really lifted my spirits. If I’m being honest, I don’t think TBS has made a good album since their full-length debut, and I chalked that up to John’s absence. Hopefully he will carry over his prolific writing to TBS and we’ll get a grown-up version of a band I thought I’d lost long ago.
Let’s face it, getting on Chatroulette is like playing Russian roulette only with schlongs instead of bullets.
But somewhere amidst all the flabby middle-aged creepsters wanking it for the world to see are some truly creative people just looking to have fun. And that’s really when Chatrt shines – when people get creative with it.
Case in point: Ben Folds whipped out…his computer during a recent show, got on Chatrt, and started playing freestyle piano ditties about all the people who lucked into landing on him. BAM on the can is my personal fave. Check it out:
Another great Chatrt video after the jump:
Today, I’m taking a look at a video that a reader emailed us recently. We’re always willing to check out any bands or songs that you guys think are cool; just send us an email (tips@sudsonbleeker.com) with a link to a place where we can hear your music and we’ll give it a listen.
This reader suggestion came from Kidd Russell, who is promoting his new video for the song “E North Ave” off his recently released album Backyard Heroes.
But before I begin, I have to call Mr. Russell out for something. In his YouTube description for this video, he says the song comes “off the legendary album Backyard Heroes.” Excuse me…legendary? The album came out last week, buddy. The YouTube description (that either he or his label posted) was written in February. I’m sorry, but it’s completely bad form to so preemptively call your own album legendary before it’s even been released!
But whatever – it’s the music that counts right? Well, “E North Ave” is actually a pretty good song. It’s not exciting by any means, but it’s pleasant. It seems like Kidd Russell draws his inspiration heavily from bands like Sublime and Everlast and synthesizes those into a genre I like to call “frat rock” – basically any strummy guitar music with a chilled-out vibe and semi-sung/rapped lyrics, perfect to be played as the background music to a big summer party. It’s got relevant lyrics for this time of economic recession and job loss, but you probably won’t be paying attention to the words as you are trying to hit that last cup in your game of Beruit.
Check out the video after the jump:
I know, I know – it’s been awhile. I’d like to think that I’m better than the guy that just shows up at your door after months of not calling. After all, I spent these past two months immersing myself in my own music as well as tunes written by others, so it’s not like I wasn’t putting in valuable work toward the betterment of our relationship. If anything the next five albums should show that I am devoted to your listening experience. So without further adieu…
Cymbals Eat Guitars – Why There Are Mountains
This record came out in 2009 and I was admittedly tardy on it, but better late than never right? The fact that Joseph D’Agostino and Matt Miller are from New Jersey (but now play out of Staten Island) is further proof that the Garden State breeds musicians. Maybe its the daily grind of trying to find the space to move between crowds of people and cars, or the emptiness of our wallets and bank accounts that inspires so many musicians from Jersey to wear their hearts on their sleeves. Whatever it is, Cymbals Eat Guitars have crafted a sound heavily reliant on dynamics, cryptic yet meaningful lyrics, and beautiful song structures that are pushed to the creative max. These guys are not to be missed.
Laura Stevenson and the Cans – A Record
Laura Stevenson creates and plays music because she enjoys it. No, I haven’t asked or anything…I can just tell. Her songs are honest and anything but contrived – she’ll show you a folky whisper that can break into a mightily powerful melody at any given time. The accompaniment of violin, accordion, bass, trumpet, and other horns adds invaluable texture to her songs but also allows her to shine front and center with a heartfelt voice and Fender Telecaster (I’m a sucker for anyone that plays a Tele, let alone a beautiful girl with a heavenly voice). The songs are accessible yet incredibly original. I had the pleasure of seeing the five piece version of her group this past Saturday and had a blast. I don’t often make 75 mile drives each way to see anybody, but this trip was worth it.
Freelance Whales – Weathervanes
The first time I heard this band, I was intrigued – a soft lead voice that reminded me of a mix of Death Cab and Pompeii is something with which I can always get down. The song ‘Starring’ is infectious as hell, as is the whole album really. But what really got me were a few youtube videos of the band playing live at the Bedford stop on the NYC L subway line. Here was a five-piece group having fun with accordions, xylophones, and intelligent vocal melodies right amongst the rest of us on a ::cough:: aesthetically pleasing subway platform. The fact that a subway would rumble by every now and then, causing the band’s sound to go slightly muffled, only added to the scene. Their album comes out April 13. You should definitely buy it.
And check out this video: 
Ellie Goulding – Lights
Goulding – an amazingly talented singer/songwriter – has been popular in the UK for some time now, but gained some acclaim here in the States with her remix of Passion Pit’s ‘Sleepyhead’. Considering that Passion Pit put out one of my favorite records last year, her A+ performance of the song instantly won me over. Lights shows you what she can do, or more importantly what she is going to do for many years to come. She displays a soothingly majestic voice over fun yet intelligent rhythms and progressions. Simply put, she’s a blast to listen to.
Listen
Buy (UK release, no word on a US release yet)
Surfer Blood – Astro Coast
Surfer Blood dominated my iPod for a good 3 weeks. That may not sound like a lot of time, but with all the music I continuously encounter, 3 weeks means these guys made a serious impact on me. I always have a tough time describing a band to anybody, because I think everything sounds like everything, but if I had to pin some kind of tag on this band it would be ‘Melodic Garage Rock’. The vocals display an impressive range and the chord progressions aren’t isolating…they are inventive song in and song out. I have yet to see this band but I am going to change that very soon.
Thanks for reading – I promise I’ll be back sooner next time. I’ll even call. (Special thanks to Mike Resnick for his constant barrage of text messages containing new things to listen to. I don’t get to everything right away but when I do, it’s always good)
Godsmack’s new album The Oracle will hit stores on May 4.
They’ve now released the cover art (pictured here, duh) and track list for the album.
Somewhat surprisingly, the track “Whiskey Hangover” will not be among the ten songs on the album. “Whiskey Hangover” was released as a promotional radio single for the Crue Fest 2 Tour in June of last year. The band hyped it as the type of sound they were going for on the new record, but I guess when they were done with the record they didn’t think it fit. Oh well. I’m not expecting The Oracle to blow me away, but I am holding out hope that it will surprise me in a good way.
Track list after the jump:
There’s something that grates about this album, but I feel like I shouldn’t complain. After all, it is the Brunettes, cutesy New Zealand bedroom pop duo known for skirting the finer edges of twee, and on their new album, Paper Dolls, it is no different, but there are some new bells and whistles.
Lyrics that are too saccharine for their own good are, by definition, pretty hokey. Play it correctly though, and they can leave one feeling unburdened and smiley. That being said, I found it hard to forgive this time around. The music is still catchy as hell, and by design, since the original idea for the band, as concocted by co-founder Jonathan Bree, was to rebel against the then-prevalent skinny jeans and loud guitar scene in NZ and produce a highly-refined, “pop as product” sound. The duo continues that trend here, featuring songs that seem to be written with a template or archetype in mind, and with an increased dose of synthesizers to boot. There’s another song that heavily features hair, (“It’s Only Natural”; they had one on their last album too), one about a missed connection in an espresso shop (“Connection”), a silly number about wanting to live in the 1920’s (“The Crime Machine”), and a “goodbye, and thanks for coming” song, a la Cheap Trick, in “Thank You”. Many of these songs get away with the clever lyrics game, and are immensely enjoyable plays on the couple dynamic, such as in “Red Rollerskates” where Bree pulls his girlfriend and band mate around with a rope because she has asthma, but those same witticisms can often act as an elephant in the room. The worst example of this is “If I”, a call-and-response where Bree starts out with a “What would you do if I suddenly died?” routine, followed by Heather Mansfield’s calling him “a sweet, romantic tool”. The word “tool” just hangs there, meant as a wry poke but lingering way too long, while the accompanying music is the most cloying of the bunch, with sticky strings and lullaby-like chimes.
On paper, there really shouldn’t be any problem here. The idea behind the band is the same: the layered synthesizers bubble and swoon, Bree’s baritone and Mansfield’s increasingly Chipmunk-like chirp still bat and paw at each other, and the cute lyrics aren’t new either. But the enhanced electronics lend a throwaway feeling in this instance, and the constant stream of couple-isms just left me with a toothache. For my pop dollar, this is unfortunately a poor effort, and I can’t help but wonder if the Brunettes couldn’t use some fresh inspiration in their lives. They do say it best, after all, in “Magic (No Bunny)”: “Could we have magic/If we didn’t have an end?”
Critic’s pick: “Thank You”
Louis Armstrong is br00tal
This video is pure gold. It’s Louis Armstrong’s “What A Wonderful World” rearranged and recorded as a death metal song by Andy Rehfeldt.
Aside from matching up perfectly with Mr. Armstrong’s lips, the man himself just looks like he’s growling some death metal. And at the 0:54 mark, I’m pretty sure he’s getting ready to summon some dark spawn from the pits of hell.
