Tuesday 4 August 2009

Dose 24...Sunrise, Sunset

1)June Evenings by Air France

Air France, the Swedish duo of Joel and Henrik, is essentially the synthesis of Cut/Copy and Boards of Canada. They take the laid-back danceable grooves of the former, add interesting samples (re: The 1980's TV fantasy-romance "Beauty and the Beast" is used at the beginning of this track to perfectly set the mood), and tone down the energy, in the manner of the latter, such as to preserve a less clubby more minimalist electronic aesthetic. Interestingly enough, they do this without sounding too much like Kraftwerk (there are times when you ask yourself though). You see, one of the key appeals of this band --if I were to forget the catchy rhythms, interesting tones, and the fact that No Way Down (2008) may be one of the most apropos summer albums ever-- is its ability to avoid being pigeonholed into any particular category. They genuinely defy classification; so much so that all a person can do is describe Air France as being at the crossroads of other bands. Sound Tribe Sector 9 and Passion Pit and Tempest/Damage and Gang Gang Dance and Bag Raiders and Flunk and the Pinkertones and so many more (especially Swedes) can be used as mere descriptors but never as analogues.

Listen to the album HERE

2)Pocket Check by Windsurf

I had the idea to write about two really ebullient songs. I thought I'd grab a couple of tracks from the electronic beach-side music I've always been a fan of, and that this would satiate people's desire for the endless summer. Ironically, I've realized that rather than produce enthusiasm, Windsurf's sonics are far more likely to fill you with nostalgia. Maybe it's just me, but when I listen to "Pocket Check", I'm thinking back on the last 2 months rather than the upcoming weeks. In fact, the album cover's sunset scene, makes no mistake in advertising that one should expect Coastlines (2008) to embody the spirit of the ending summer.

Coastlines

Sunday 19 July 2009

Dose 23...Sore Subjects of the Seventies

1)Spanish Bombs by The Clash

Giovanni Dadomo famously heralded The Clash as, "the first new group to come along who can really scare the Sex Pistols shitless". Ironically, the band was formed in an effort to branch away from the Sex Pistols unapologetic, "like it or fuck off", brand of rock. Stummer and Jones, instead, sought to popularize pub rock and even add an even deeper basis to the music. By their third album, London Calling (1979), the band had not only established pub rock as its very own scene, but synthesized elements of reggae, ska, punk, and soul in creating a truly unique amalgam.

"Spanish Bombs" typifies the sheer genius of this record. Initially conceived during a conversation regarding a Basque nationalist separatist movement (Euskadi Ta Askatasuna), the final work reflects on the friction between Franco's fascist regime and his centerist/communist/anarchist opposition. Thoroughly intricate, the track is littered with allusions to figures like Frederico Garcia Lorca and the people's militia, red and black flags (communists and anarchists working together to oust the dictatorship), la Gaurdia Civil (a Spanish police force), and the atrocities at Guernica.

Amazing Album. Amazing Song.

London Calling


2)California by Joni Mitchell

If I were around in the 60's and 70's, had a bit of a musical streak, and was willing to compete with Robert Plant and Jimmy Page, I think Joni Michell and I could have got on great as a couple. Her because she was a beautiful, young idealist with an angelic voice and a passion for creating the best folk music of the decade (Re: Dylan excluded). Me, well, I probably could have served as a fawning devotee to any of her causes, in addition to being a great homemaker (see how progressive I would have been!). The problem with this fictional romance I, not-too-regularly, daydream about is that (and here's the kicker) I would never have had Joni's heart. No, she wasn't tied up with another man, but rather with another land. As a Canadian transplant, Mitchell found herself enamored of California's surreal geography and open-minded thinkers. Consequently, she recognized her new potential for independence in this frontier and saw that she had an audience comprised of those who believed her ideas possible. Luckily, as an 80's baby, I never had to deal with the anguish of losing Joni Mitchell, but you get the idea...

Blue (1971)

Friday 3 July 2009

Dose 22...Black Bile & Lugubriousness

1)St. Augustine by Band of Horses

As the last track on Everything All The Time (2006), "St. Augustine" could have really gone any way. Throughout the album, the band (presumably, of horses) demonstrated their prodigious versatility. From their morose tracks like "The Funeral", lush with stoic lyrics about abortion challenged by cascading guitar chords, to their more upbeat songs such as "Wicked Gil", these guys proved over and over that they didn't necessarily fit into any prescribed niche. True, Birdwell's voice sounds a lot like Jim James...and that "glimmering reverb" doesn't help either. But what Band of Horses has going for it has all together nothing to do with these MMJ-esque qualities. Rather it's the dichotomies that they themselves establish. Stephen M. Deusner describes it as the "delicate balance of elements- between gloom and promise, quiet and loud, epic and ordinary, familiar and new, direct and elliptical, artist and listener", which is the real draw of their music. Nowhere is this is more apparent than on "St. Augustine", a song which harmonizes the basso vocals of Mat Brooke with Birdwell's soothing whisper. As the two croon in combination, they tell of past indiscretion, redemption, and forgiveness. Whether this song is about St. Augustine, Florida (as many from the locale posit) or about the misguided Saint Augustine Indian Mission School (their website even has pictures of the staff...gruesome), it is really the melancholy tone of the song which is most interesting, as it, like most conclusions, defines the complete work.

Everything All The Time

2)Citrus by The Hold Steady

"Citrus" isn't a fitting song on Boys and Girls in America (2006) or even for The Hold Steady. They don't thrash about loudly with heavy rock 'n' roll chords. Nor does Craig Finn narrate, in vivid detail, the story of teenage love and drug binges, though these themes are integral to this despondent piece. In fact, the only real resemblance this piece has to the rest of their catalog is that it is self-reflective and thus particularly apropos for drinking by oneself , in addition to our other self-destructive vices. Apart from this attractive complement, the song is gentle, cathartic, and unsurprisingly meticulous, making it pleasing on sonic levels as well.

As is typical of their lyrics, The Hold Steady are primarily speaking to the interplay of sex and drugs (with themselves creating the rock'n'roll to complete the trinity), but, this time it comes from a grander perspective. Perhaps, a bit older, Finn is now speaking with the voice of someone who's lived through the good times, as well as the bad, and uniquely, he tells no cautionary tale. Instead he, like the experienced sage, urges you to go forth and try it all. He only impresses on you that down this path, both Judas and Jesus await.

Boys and Girls in America

Monday 22 June 2009

Dose 21...Stunts, Blunts, and Hip Hop

1)Vitamins by Elzhi, Dwele, and Lacks

Detroit is one of the few places, outside of New York, Houston, and Chi-town, with a real claim to breeding the best underground hip-hop. Just think about her notable alumni: Eminem, J Dilla, Slum Village, Guilty Simpson, Black Milk...the list goes on. Furthermore, it doesn't seem like this trend is changing. D-town continues to be a fertile environment from which new MC's and producers are burgeoning.

With all of this competition in the big city, it can be pretty hard for lesser known, but equally talented, artists to make their mark. As is often the case, it seems as though a grassroots campaign is best adapted for such a climate (Obama '08?). When hard working, skilled artists get together to start a movement, there is no stopping them. This is definitely the case with The Breakfast Club EP (2001). When Detroit natives Lacks (formerly LacksiDaisyCal, now MC Ta'Raach) and Big Tone recognized the immense talent in the city's underground scene, yet the inefficacy of each artist in completing his own project, they teamed up to assist in producing, sequencing, and mixing. As Lacks said on Platform 8470, "The Breakfast Club was an artist support group started by myself and Big Tone then later Elzhi (Slum Village). It was never really a rap group." By enlisting Elzhi, 87, and Dwele (he's the soulful guy on "Flashing Lights"), the collective was formed and the team became much more than the sum of their parts (Synergy!).

Although the group recorded constantly, they were really interested in helping each individual member release his own solo project. Despite this ethic, the guys would put on shows in Detroit together, all for the public's enjoyment. This warm reception instigated them to sequence some of their unreleased tracks and therein lies the birth of The Breakfast Club. 20 or so cassettes were sold locally but, as Lacks continues, "the craze hit and muhfuckahs in Japan, Germany and everywhere else had a copy. Last I remember copies of the original tape on CD where selling for $80. I guess we did something people loved." Truth...

The Breakfast Club EP (2001)

(The sound quality on this unreleased album is lacking, as it was ripped off a cassette, but the 192kbs creates a pretty cool aesthetic)

2)Stress by Jazz Addixx

I often wonder, "What the fuck happened to hip hop"? This bastardized music we listen to on the radio (Hot 97 and Power 105, for me) just isn't cutting it, especially when so many real artist and talented musicians are being slept on. In this age of the global recession, wherein Harvard grads are struggling to find employment, should Jeremiah seriously get recognition for a 3 minute blumpkin of a song, entitled "Birthday Sex". Our world is one where former chiefs of industry are driving taxis and delivering pizzas, while a no talent ass-clown like Drake sits atop iTunes hip hop chart with his "hit" ("pardon me, I had to laugh at that" -Jay Z), "Best I Ever Had". Honestly, something ain't right!

Unfortunately, the parties that profit are far fewer than those which suffer. Not only does the public have to sit back and watch as the music industry implodes due to its own decadence, but we must also live with the fact that our children (none for me... *knock on wood*) and their children are being indoctrinated in this drivel. Moreover, artists with even a smidgen of talent are being overlooked for their more pop-friendly (dare I say, Dumber!) counterparts.

America, let's look at ourselves as the cause because the people on the radio tend to reflect what we desire out of music. With regards to hip hop, in the 1980's our society needed change. There existed a yawning dichotomy between the rich and poor and grave social injustices were plentiful. As well, the lingering effects of the country's inherently racist doctrine were coming to light. To all this, we called on figures like Chuck D, Run DMC ("Wake Up" is like a hip hop "Imagine"), and NWA to expose the hipocracy in statements like "equality for all mankind" and show that there was a sector of the population being exploited. In the early-90's, gangster rap emerged to explore the manifestations of legislation employed to keep blacks in the lower class. It showed that what whites feared in blacks was really a monster they themselves created. By the mid-late 90's (at the time when I was first "allowed" to listen to rap) the themes had changed once again. As the unofficial apartheid began to lift, rappers began to think, not only in terms of keeping up with whites, but rather in exceeding their wealth and power. The game, thus, changed from one of equality, to one of narcissism, opulence, and power.

Then, somewhere in the late 90's and early 2000's, there occurred a Gestalt switch. Suddenly hip hop became everyone's music, and little white, brown, yellow, and purple kids were allowed into the club (metaphorically speaking). As such, the music's aims became universalized. Every kid, then, became infatuated with the themes of money, glory, and power. As evidenced by our culture (think Pacino's famous Scarface line, "In this country, you gotta make the money first. Then when you get the money, you get the power. Then when you get the power, then you get the women."), sex was a natural corollary. Thanks to this dissection, we can now understand the climate we have created, and how these talentless people became our icons. But what to do?

The change from good hip hop into its evil counterpart did not occur overnight. That said, any reformation will take time. In order to be part of the change, we can't play into the hype and idolize these figures any longer. Instead, we have to work to find better music and patronize it, thus creating an incentive for musicians to return to the "art".

Listening to Jazz Addixx', Oxygen (2005), is a breath of fresh air and a step in the right direction...

Oxygen (2005)

Tuesday 9 June 2009

Dose 20...Sator Arepo Tenet Opera Rotas

1)Fake Palindromes by Andrew Bird

On the six and a half hour ride (if you take I-95) from Tallahassee, Florida to Charleston, South Carolina, most of us would relax by taking in the scenery, listening to music, and gorging on rest stop knick-knacks (I prefer Sour Patch Kids). However, the true genius, it seems, instead spends his time concocting lyrically surreal fantasies...or at least that's how the story goes. In an NPR interview, sometime back, Bird confessed to having devised "Fake Palindromes" while on just such a journey, in an effort to amuse himself. He also explained that the lyrics are centered around a particular 'singles-ad' that interested him, as it was different than most others that he had encountered.

Bird opens the piece with chaotic electric violin swells, creating the imagery of a ship on rough waters (perhaps drawing comparison to the treachery of singles life). But, it isn't until the folk singer-songwriter chimes in with his lilting, though reserved, vocals that we get a chance to understand complexity of Bird's creation. Utilizing his lyrical prowess, which would baffle even Chomsky, he begins nimbly unloading his artillery of cryptic shibboleths over the heavy cadence. (My dewy-eyed Disney bride, what has tried/swapping your blood with formaldehyde?) As interesting as what Bird says, is how he says it. His voice carries with it a faint Rufus Wainwright-esque murmur (this is very apparent on "Masterfade"), while his mouth seems wired shut ala Kanye West (...it sounds as if Bird is actually singing with his teeth clenched).

Though the song contains no actual palindromes, the theme may be much more subtle. Perhaps the notion of a palindrome, a phrase that works from either direction, can be seen as synonymous with opposites which are, in reality, the very same. Extrapolated, this metaphor works pretty well with the idea of finding love. As the song is named "Fake Palindromes", the title seems to suggest Bird's pessimistic sentiment towards singles-ads. Just a thought...

Don't stop here. Listen to the entire album. Andrew Bird is extraordinary, and this was my gateway into his brilliance.

Andrew Bird & The Mysterious Production Of Eggs (2005)

2) If I Had A Hi-Fi by Bottin

Bottin, or William Bottin, or Guglielmo Bottin, is a Venetian musician, producer, and sound designer (an Italian designer...sounds reliable) who specializes in downtempo and trip-hop. His music very much resembles that of Kruder & Dorfmeister, but carries with it an aura of artsy-ness. Unlike K&D's G-Stoned (their only really worthwhile album), Bottin seems less reliant on single instrumentation. The focus of Bottin's music is never centralized to a single soloist (sample, of course), but instead meanders frantically creating a soundtrack to some alien dream world.

So why Bottin over any other DJ/Producer? Honestly, it's because he's the only guy with 3 palindromic song titles on one album.

I know! I'm stretching my credibility here, right? But come on. You knew today's theme when you started reading. I guess you're gonna have to forgive me if you thought there was something much deeper.


If I had a hi-fi





Also, here's a list of some other songs, whose titles are palindromes...
I'm a lasagna, Hang a salami (credit to Jordon Wolosky for inventing this one)

Friday 5 June 2009

Dose 19...Darwinian Music: An Evolution in Sound

1)My British Tour Diary by Of Montreal


Perhaps it's the nostalgia of having just left the UK, or the sheer fractalized bliss this album emotes, but recently I haven't been able to get enough of Satanic Panic In The Attic (2004). Though the album's sound is a dramatic divergence from their previous works, this seems to indicate an evolution in the band's method of production. Rather than working with his entire ensemble, Kevin Barnes took the reins on this project and saw it as testing ground for new sounds and arguably his most eccentric, though introspective, lyricism (at least until 'Alter Eagle Whoa'). The result harnesses the same psychedelic cheerful exuberance the band was always known for, but limits it to specific tracks, thus varying the sound throughout the album and intensifying the kaleidoscopic euphoria on particular songs.

Satanic Panic In The Attic should really come with an advisory sticker...Beware: This album is a drug that causes addiction!

Satanic Panic in the Attic


2)Harlem Country Girl by Olu Dara


It is a grave injustice that Olu Dara's fame should have been eclipsed by that of his son Nasir (who appears on 'Jungle Jay'). Prior to 1994, and the released of Nas' Illmatic (still, in my opinion, the best hip-hop album ever created), Dara was primarily renowned for his skill on the cornet. His proficiency was vindicated by the illustrious jazz musicians he kept as colleagues. He recorded several albums with saxophonist David Murray, drummer Art Blakely, The Henry Threadgill Sextet, and even pianist Don Pullen. That said, although Dara was in good company, he yearned to leave the avant-garde jazz scene in search of a more bluesy sound.

In 1998, he took hold of this opportunity, recording and producing In The World: From Natchez to New York. The title was meant to reflect the growth of this creole boy from Natchez, Mississippi (right off Highway 61, on the border of Louisiana) into a man, and illustrate that as we age, we bring with us our lifetime of experiences. As such, the sound on the album is deeply steeped in African roots (because, after all, we are a manifestation of our ancestory) while maintaining the tradition of folksy-blues so integral to creole culture. Precocious as ever, Dara adds the ingredients of his newly found fluency on guitar, as well as his raspy but endearing voice, to prepare his own particular southern gumbo (Highway 61 Revisited, if you will). Thus the evolution of Olu Dara, from backing group member to band leader, was completed.

This is a rare one.

If you want it, get it from...

http://bluestown.blogspot.com/2009/04/olu-dara-1998-in-world-from-natchez-to.html

Monday 1 June 2009

Dose 18...ἀπόκρυφος

In ancient Greece, secretly guarded writings were the sole method of transmitting profound sacred knowledge between pedagogues and disciples. These texts came to be known as 'apocryphal', and were widely regarded as keepers of transcendental truth. This system (of honoring lesser known texts, music, 'kai hetera', in lieu of their more popular counterparts) has pervaded most of our history ever since; but as secrecy has waned in importance, rarity has waxed correspondingly. This is why Greco-Roman royalty wore Tyrian purple while the common man wore plain white togas (Spoiler Alert: this historical piece may be bullshit).

In fact, this mindset is exactly what motivates some people (pretentious ones in my opinion) to see themselves as '-heads'. These pompous bastards are so self-indulgent, that in many cases they stoop 'so low' as to condescendingly share their appreciation of these once-privately applauded works with a world that couldn't care less (see: Polarbearneackwear.blogspot.com).

That said, I have a couple juicy (and positively secret!) nuggets for everyone.

1)I Just Wanted To Say by My Morning Jacket

Google the lyrics to this song...I dare you! You won't find anything but forums abuzz with bloggers and stoners alike discussing the hypocrisy that is US Medical Marijuana law (perhaps I shouldn't have used the pregnant keywords: I just wanted to say MMJ). In all seriousness though, the internet is a huge place and scouring for a song with only the fainest notion of the melody is a monumental task...ok let's backtrack for a second.

Three years ago, as a budding rock climber (not so geeky anymore, huh?), I would make regular visits to my local rock wall at odd hours. This was the price I paid for my bashfulness as a 'shoobie'. Nonetheless, in the absence of my prodigious friends (who I am still somewhat intimidated to go with...oh god, save it for therapy), I would climb and listen to a seemingly ancient mixtape made by a member of the mountaineering club, years before I joined. As I would strain for various indentations and features on the granular surface of the gym's bouldering wall, an optical lens would face a similar struggle in reading the 'pits' of the badly defaced CD-RW (a perfect microcosm), to reproduce some semblance of the tracks burnt onto it so many years before.

On this CD, one particular track stood out. Now I could guess it was a My Morning Jacket song, but because Jim James often sings as though he is the last contestant in a Homeric game of 'Chubby Bunny' (Disclaimer: We do not avocate the gleeful enjoyment of this high-glucose "game of death"...facts!), it was quite hard to disentangle any of his potentially meaninful verses. Unfortunately, as I planned my sessions with the intent of solitude, I had no one else to verify my hypothesis of MMJ or to enlighten me as to the track name. So I was stuck with the one line I had mistakenly deciphered as, "I just wanted to be, just you wittle paht of yo chee", and a dwindling number of resources.

At the time, the iTunes Store had 180 songs by the band (mind you Evil Urges only came out in 2008), but I remained undaunted and searched and searched and searched...180x... until finally, at my wits end, I found the tune. This ordeal was my form of pledging, a trial by fire wherein my travail paid off (though I often wonder why I never just stole the damn thing) and I was inducted into a brotherhood of MMJ fans...nay, devotees!

This all came to light as effete soon after though, as one of my climbing buddies (one whom I had avoided during my self-conscious "training-wheel" phase) had apparently had the entire MMJ album, Does Xmas Fiasco Style (2000), all along. Arrgghh!!!

Either way, here it is...

Does Xmas Fiasco Style (2000)


2)Gonehead by Asamov (now The AB's)

Isaac Asimov is a total dick! I'm not saying that because he wrote some nerdy book about "robo-psychology" and how we can't trust technology. And, I am also not saying it because Will Smith was cast as Detective Del Spooner in the biggest waste of my $10 in 2004 (keep in mind, Shark Tale came out that same year...come on Big Willy!). Anyhoo, my grievance arises over the fact that even after recieving royalties on the $120 million summer blockbuster, the Asimov estate still sought litigation against a similarly monikered hip hop quartet, Asamov, in 2006.

Now this burgeoning ensemble, whose release And Now (2005) blew up in the underground hip hop scene, was destined for big things that year. Their debut album was an acclaimed success, their fanbase was growing well out of their homestate of Florida, and their lead single "Boombox" was featured on iTunes 'Back to School' free music project. Unfortunately, having just come upon fame, they had neither the energy nor the financial fortitude to confront this behemoth of an aggressor. Thus the ultimatum was set and, as anyone in their position would do, they opted to change their name. This disruption caused their record label to halt the production and sales of their first LP. Ever since the, retitled, AB's have worked on putting together a follow up as enjoyable as their original album.

The rarity of And Now (Original Press) surely makes it a must have (leaving aside, for a moment, their verbal finesse and jazzy laid back production). Cling on to this piece of apocrypha, for if you don't, it truly will be lost in the sands of time.

And Now (2005)

Sunday 24 May 2009

Artist Spotlight...Breez Evahflowin'

Breez and DJ Chillout

A couple days ago, I said that I had never heard of Breeze Evahflowin', but that his verse on 'Same Beat: Freestyle' was exceptional. Well after conducting a little investigation into Breeze's hip-hop history, turns out I may have been sleeping on one of today's best freestyle lyricists.

Though, prior to 2001, most people hadn't heard of Breez, he had been making waves in the hip-hop community since the late 90's. As a member of the New York hip-hop collective Stronghold, Breez was came to the forefront of the nation's growing battle rap scene. In 1999, Evahflowin' was crowned National Grand Champion at the Blaze Battle Competition. Unfortunately, though his skills were recognized at such events, he still wasn't generating the popularity that someone of his caliber should have. It wasn't until January 2001, that most of the public caught their first taste of Breez. On MTV's Direct Effects, he reigned as battle champ seven weeks, effectively establishing the standing record. Two years later, Breez offered a nugget of his immense talent on the Fly EP (2003). Since then, Breez has remained relatively low key, working with hip-hop's elite underground artists and putting out a slew of independent singles, EP's, and, recently, a compilation entitled The Unearthed Past: A Collection Of Underground Hip Hop (2009). Keep an ear out for this talented MC.

Learn something (anything) everyday!

Saturday 23 May 2009

Dose 17...Hit Me With That Shit, One Time!

1)Hit Me With That by The Beatnuts

Juju, Fashion (aka Al' Tariq), and Psycho Les tear it up on this classic Beatnuts track. Though they never garnered the fame that many of their fellow Queens rappers (Nas, Rakim, Mobb Deep) did, The Beatnuts were always equally talented. Every track on Street Level (1994) is gangster-rap classic, including "Ya Don't Stop", "Are You Ready", "Get Funky", and "2-3 Break". A great deal of credit has to go to their production, which, on this album, is simply remarkable. Take "Hit Me With That" for example. The beat samples Monty Alexander (Love and Happiness), David Axlerod (Holy Thursday, obviously), Method Man (7th Chamber), features awesome scratching, and has some weird child sounds (I think he's saying "oh", "no", and "eh"). In saying that, their MC skills cant be overlooked either. Each of these guys has a unique flow (they're all slow, smooth, and jazzy) even though most of the lyrical content drips with narcissistic self-approbation. Anyways, this is the one album I'm going to be listening to A LOT this summer.

Street Level (1994)


2)Same Beat Live Freestyle (at WKCR FM) by Y Society feat. Breeze Evahflowin'


I've really got to thank my man Kev for hooking this one up. Homie's got an ear for the illest stuff out there right now.

So I knew very little about Damu and Insight (together, Y-Society) before hearing this EP. Last year (maybe a bit longer now), Y-Society's Travel At Your Own Pace (2007) was acclaimed by many as the best hip-hop album of the year. Damu's Pete-Rockesque productions and Insight's versatile flow led people to think that it was the reemergence of jazzy poetry-styled rap. As such, the album was generally seen as a renaissance of Golden-era hip hop.

On Same Beat EP (2009), Damu takes one beat ("This Advice" from TAYOP) and shows the flexibility of his production. One track features Damu's own vocal contribution, while another showcases Insight's studio talent. However, the track really worth focusing on is the Freestyle for WKCR...

and I thought the Jay-Z/Big L freestyle only had competition from Murda Mook/Jae Millz... oh my god!

Here Insight and Breez Evahflowin (never heard of him, have you?) go crazy. Insight takes the first verse, and though he maintains his flow, sounds a bit shaky as he concludes (You gotta go out and vote/ cuz that's what you should be doin'/ Understand that if you're whack, your life's ruined). The second round goes to Evahflowin', and he's off the hook ("Circulate the lines, like the surface of the vinyl"...fuck!). Not to be outdone, Insight comes back with a vengeance. He completely restructures his rhyme scheme, rapping at speeds that would leave Twista tongue-twisted (The "Syllable Suplex" verse is unreal) and flowing with a pulse that only Big L brought to the mic (They weak preformers when you see them rock live/ thinking sales mean skills?/ that's really not wise). By the end, Insight's style morphs into some incarnation of the RZA saying,"6 confused bio-physicists"?, but he still keeps it together.

Frankly, this is the best freestyling I've heard since the days of Big L. Rather than battling each other, it's almost as though Insight and Breeze are taking on the entire rap community...guess who wins?

Check the video: Here

Check out Kev's Post: Here

Same Beat EP (2009)

Thursday 21 May 2009

Dose 16...Perception

1)Disco: The Secretaries Blues by Beulah

It all began with humming...or at least, that's how I remember it. Nearly 3 months ago, a friend of mine was humming a tune thats vague familiarity tickled my curiosity. When I asked him for the name, he couldn't produce a solid answer and responded "I think it's Beulah". With that, we opened iTunes and proceeded to investigate. Opting for the 'track by track' method, we went through Handsome Western States (1997) until we found a tune that resembled his off-pitched crooning. "Riders on the right won't you help me, It's crowded and a bit too lonely", it seems, were the words he was missing.

Beulah's sound, on HWS, shifts between lo-fi pop and punk, all with a refreshing air of California dreaminess (what do I even mean?). Western States is also a remarkably accessible album, which cuts it apart from In The Aeroplane Over The Sea (1998), one of its contemporaries from another Elephant Six group. Though at first the album gives the illusion of simplicity, it appears that this was purposively employed to highlight specific sections with brass and string accompaniments. In the end, its short length (34 minutes and change), teen-focused content, and catchiness made me realize that I should have been listening to this instead of Nimrod, in 1997.

Also check out: Lay Low For The Letdown, The Rise And Fall Of Our Hero's Reward, and Delta (sort of like a Modest Mouse version of "In My Life")

Handsome Western States (1997)

2)The Music Never Stopped by The Grateful Dead

A month ago, I probably wouldn't have considered myself a true Dead fan. Of course, like all red-blooded Americans, I sang along to Uncle John's Band, Friend Of The Devil, and Casey Jones. And yes, I enjoyed listening to the vast majority of their music. But what separates (or perhaps more correctly 'separated') me from the true fans, was my apparent nescience regarding their versatility (especially towards their more funky songs). See, I always thought of the Dead as Americana-Jam. A sort of primitive (albeit amazing) endeavor in stretching the boundaries of rock 'n' roll. And in many respects they were.

However, my understanding of the Dead completely changed when I gave Blues For Allah (1975) a listen. What I realized, was that my preferential treatment of their older music (see: Aoxomoxoa, Workingman's Dead, American Beauty) had inadvertently blinded me to their more experimental stuff.

So am I a 'true fan' now?
No, true fans are middle aged, have dancing bears sewn onto their corduroy backpacks, and love sticking it to 'the man'. That said, I definitely have a greater appreciation for their work thanks to this album.

This album is sick. Its style is never static and the jams are enthralling. Actually, if I may be so bold (sorry Mr. Garcia, Weir, Lesh, et al.), I think it needs to be said that Blues For Allah is the wrong title for this album. Instead, perhaps we should call it something like 'Tiktaalik'. It honestly sounds like the missing link between the experimental progressive-rock of Pink Floyd (Atom Heart Mother era) and the jam sounds Phish.

Ok, so maybe that's a bit farfatched [preposterous, retarded, etc.], but honestly listen to Blues For Allah and see whether you recognize it as the Grateful Dead you thought you knew.

Blues For Allah (1975)

Saturday 9 May 2009

Dose 15...Five Alarm Fire

1)Star/Pointro by The Roots featuring Wadud Ahmad


Set over a looping sample of Sly's hit, "Everybody is a Star, "Star" epitomizes the two best qualities of any Roots track: optimistic lyricism and a jazzy beat. Their particular message on this track reassures the audience that they too are important. Stars of the same magnitude as The Roots? Probably not, but everyone's still special in their own way and should be themselves (now where have I heard that before?).

So the message is cliched...but the song is immaculate. Black Thought's introspective lyrics and ?uest's jazzy cymbals are perfectly matched, while the Family sample is top notch (Sly's R&B tone is reshaped into a jazz ballad). If you stick around for the rest of the album you may be a bit disappointed. Songs like "Don't Say Nuthin'" (which actually says just about nothing) and "Guns Drawn" (which might sample NBA Jam Tournament Edition '94) aren't great lyrically, but beg to be blasted obnoxiously out of car windows. On the other hand, songs like "Stay Cool" and "Boom" are worth skipping entirely. Anyhow, make your way through this album and ask yourself whether The Roots still are, in the immortal words of David Brotman, "just that good!"

The Tipping Point (2004)
- Part 1
The Tipping Point (2004)- Part 2


2)Thought Process by Goodie Mob featuring Andre 3000

Holy Shit!!! I can't believe I've been sleeping on the Goodie Mob for this long. This Atlanta quartet (often paired with Outkast and other Dungeon Family members), featuring a young and presumably less rotund Cee-Lo, Khujo, Big Gipp, and T-Mo, absolutely kills it on their debut, Soul Food (1995). The most notable theme on this album is spirituality. So much so, that for moments (especially when backing tracks drop out) the soulful recitations make you wonder how this collective could have remained largely an underground sensation. As far as conscious rap goes, this is A-one.

On "Thought Process", the crew, along with Andre 3000, describe the stress of poverty and the importance of prayer in pushing on. Here Cee-Lo has the best verse, rasping, "I wanna lie to you sometimes, but I can't/ I wanna tell you that it's all good, but it ain't/ It's nigga's hurtin' and uncertain 'bout if they gon' make it or not". Only a hair less powerful is 3000's signature stream-of-consciousness verse, which crests as the beat fades out and the rest of the group is heard clapping to keep the a capella rhythm.

Soul Food (1995)

Saturday 2 May 2009

Dose 14...Shameless Promotion

Every Street Mixtape by J-OK!


Once a champion sailor, college football player, and excellent potter, Andy Oakes has constantly found ways to reinvent himself. Oakes' first began flirting with the notion of creating music over a year ago. At the time, he and a friend thought it would be interesting to create a mash-up of artists from two distinctly different genres (How original!). Through the grueling process of learning the in's and out's of music programs, Oakes stayed determined when others were cynical. In mixing Jay-Z's verses on "Justify My Thug" with Sound Tribe Sector 9's futuristic tune "F. Word", Oakes first tasted the glory that is musical creation.

Since then, Oakes, whose moniker has changed nearly as many times as Prince's (from Jeffrey to Andy to DJ Ayo to J-OK!), has devoted himself solely to music. Though, in the last 6 months, I have been lackadaisical in following his endeavor, it seems that his interests have changed from solely DJing to rockin' the mic too.

On J-OK!'s (I'll acknowledge his 'street' name) debut showing, Every Street Mixtape (2009), he does well to set himself apart from the riff raff of the hip-hop community. An album predicated on animosity towards the trite and repetitive bullshit that passes for popular rap these days, Every Street is a poignant statement that what we need to do is return to the conscious music that was original hip hop. But, is J-OK! really going to be the one to bring us back?

Most probably not...but I support his earnest effort!

Why?

1) J-OK!'s production on the album is ill. He creates beats following the mantra of ultra producer RZA. He takes tiny snippets, as opposed to lazy chorus sampling, and loops them creating, as RZA coined, "psychedelic rap". Plus, Big A-LO's mixing and scratching is wild!

2) The lyrics are actually pretty decent...interesting....funny...what's up with the scat solo on "The Funk"? With regard to lyricism, I am especially impressed by his work on "Fire & Rain" and "What It's Like" (*sick Em impression on this track).

3) His flow isnt THAT wack! Ok, so it's kinda your cliche elementary hip hop flow (See: Hope), but you can tell he's learning as the album progresses. With that said, I'll go out on a limb and say that his rhyming style will become more stylized and personal on his next outing.

4)What J-OK lacks on the first verse of "Hope" is made up for by Barack's flow.

5) Most importantly, I must invoke the wisdom of the one and only KRS-One, and say if "MC's spit rhymes to uplift their people".... J-OK most definitely is one of 'em.

So, while it's not the debut that Illmatic (1994), Reasonable Doubt (1996), or Ready To Die (1994) were, Every Street is legit. It's definitely worth, at least, a once over, and in doing so I'm sure you'll find a couple tracks you like.

My personal favorites were "Fire & Rain", "Hope", What It's Like", and "Music Theory".


Get it at...
Every Street Mixtape (2009)

Tuesday 28 April 2009

Dose 13...Overdose!

Now where were we? Over the course of the last month, I have listened to all types of music and have much to share. That's why today's Dose will be comprised of three distinct sections which PBNW would normally tackle on separate occasions...enjoy!

Hip-Hop:

1)Danish Donuts by Isbjerg



What more can be said of the late J Dilla? He was simply an inspiration to all who heard his music. His prolific ear for music was constantly showcased by the samples he chose and his ability to contort them into great hip hop beats.

Following his predecessor's cue, Isjerg chose to rework the original samples from Dilla's final album, Donuts (2006), in order to create an homage to the master-producer. In a "choose-your-own-adventure" styled effort, the Danish producer utilizes Dilla's palette to create a work his very own. In fact, Isbjerg's endeavor succeeds so much so that many of the tracks on Danish Donuts rival Dilla's original cuts.

Bests: Piano Mash, Twisted Wonder, Hold On, Last Call for Danish, Danish

Danish Donuts (2009)

2)Mathmatics by Mos Def



Do you think that the "hardcore East Coast" hip hop beats of DJ Premier would match the socially conscious flows of The Mighty Mos?

Most Definitely.

The two hip-hop stars pair up on what might be the best track from Def's critically acclaimed Black On Both Sides (1999). Throughout the song, Mos riffs on the different social challenges, advocated by governments, which serve to subjugate urban minorities. His conclusion is that a system predicated on treating people like numbers could never have sympathy for the struggles of real people...

"This is business, no faces just lines and statistics
from your phone, your zip code, to S-S-I digits
The system break man child and women into figures
Two columns for who is, and who ain't niggaz
Numbers is hardly real and they never have feelings
but you push too hard, even numbers got limits
Why did one straw break the camel's back? Here's the secret:
the million other straws underneath it - it's all mathematics"

Black On Both Sides (1999)

Indie:

1)Railroad Man By Eels

With the exponential rate of technological innovation, I think it is easy for any of us to feel like an "old railroad man". I, myself, remember using actual maps, learning with out Wikipedia, and not using Facebook as a means of prolonging inane friendships. For some of us, the nostalgia that accompanies the "simpler" life far outweighs the benefits of these new devices. E's Railroad Man shares a similar sentiment, and he too opts for the "old ways".

Blinking Lights and Other Revelations (2005)- Disc 1
Blinking Lights and Other Revelations (2005)- Disc 2

2)Brandy Alexander by Feist

Leslie Feist, with her angelic voice, cute demeanor, and effervescent personality, is impossible to dislike. "Brandy Alexander" is particularly paradigmatic of these three qualities. The song's progression from quiet, forlorn initial verses, to optimistic choruses perfectly captures the spirit of the song. When she is with her "Brandy Alexander" she transforms from the timid quiet girl into a free spirit.

The Reminder (2007)

Miscellaneous:

1) Moth Wings by Passion Pit

Just a little update: NEW PASSION PIT!!! With their forthcoming album, Manners (2009), in its final stages, Angelakos and Co. have begun to give clues as to the new sound for their first full length production. I, myself, am a fan of this new direction (as long as falsettos stay the band's M.O.), but I've gotten mixed reviews. Let me know what you think?

Moth Wings on Youtube

2)The Death of Adam by 88-Keys

For well over a decade, 88-Keys, worked behind the scenes, producing tracks for high profile hip-hop artists like Scarface, Mos Def, and Beanie Sigel. Last year, Keys decided to tell a story rife with innuendo. The Death of Adam (2008) chronicles the sexual adventures of protagonist, Adam. With the help of Phonte, Kanye (co-producer), Redman, Kid Cudi, and Bilal, 88's narrative becomes robust. Each featured MC adds their personal flavor to their particular track, giving the album a varied feel, ranging at times between R&B, Hip-Hop, and Rap. Finally, with its twist ending, this album reminds me of a sexually charged A Grand Don't Come For Free (2004).

The Death of Adam (2008)

Saturday 28 March 2009

Dose Over?



I'm sorry to inform you that Polarbear Neckwear's institution, the Double Dose, will be on a brief hiatus. During this period of hibernation, I urge you to go out and listen to all the music you can. Doses should resume at the end of April...

Tuesday 24 March 2009

Dose 12...Silent in the Morning

I have a terrible problem with early rising. Long before my friends and neighbors rise from their slumber, I awaken with full alertness. Much like the solitary rooster at dawn, I sit forlorn and silent waiting to hear the stirring of other creatures. Luckily, these hours as a hermit afford me ample time to listen to the mollifying tones of some artists with whom I have the most intimate of relationships...

1)Chains, Chains, Chains by Elvis Perkins in Dearland



The prestigious Brown University has had its fair share of notable alumni who excelled in the preforming arts. Artists like Chubb Rock (of the Crooklyn Dodgers), Damian Kulash, and Lisa Loeb once graced the halls of this Providence, RI institution. The latest name to add to the list is Elvis Perkins. Son of actor Anthony Perkins and photographer Berry Berenson, it seems as though Elvis was destined to live an artist's life.

In stark contrast to Perkins' Ash Wednesday (2007), an album forged by tragedy, his most recent creation is boisterous and processional. Despite the difference in tone, Perkins remains devoted to a similar subject matter. He focuses on dark issues such as death and lonliness, but does so within the aesthetic of Americana.

"Chains, Chains, Chains" is a particularly poignant track on Elvis Perkins in Dearland (2009). Throughout the song, Perkins voices many of the existential questions which sporadicly arise from our own subconcious to plague us. Interestingly, he punctuates these dispiriting inquiries with intermitent horn, trombone, and string interludes which give the track an overall lightheartedness. Make sure to also check out "Doomsday" and "I'll Be Arriving" (as luck would have it all three are in order).

Here

2)That's When the Audience Died by Final Fantasy



In 2005, Canadian musician, Owen Pallett, released his debut album under the pseudonym, Final Fantasy. Has A Good Home (2005) was the classically trained violinist's first foray into the world of indie, wherein he would garner his most fame. Straying from his roots, Pallett creates a whimsical and cheerful string-concentrated indie-pop "fantasy" wrought with subtle allusions. On "That's When the Audience Died", he showcases his dexteral prowess. The imaginative lyricism, rising strings, minimalist aesthetic coalesce to produce a truly beautiful song.

Here

Tuesday 10 March 2009

Dose 11...Southern Rap

Enough already with all this east coast/west coast bullshit!!!!! Everyone knows the best hip hop comes from the Dirrrty South. First emerging as a reaction to bifurcated nature of the 90's hip hop scene, southern rap carved out its own niche as unique brand of rap. Although this genre was originally typified by gangster content and contemplation of the troubles of southern life, of late this classification has come to denote the rubbish that Lil John and his crunkified colleagues pass off as "music". Still, there are the gems of the 90's which stand out as perhaps the pinnacle of a by gone era in hip hop history.

1)One Day by UGK feat. 3-2



The 10+ year collaborated effort of Pimp C and Bun B as UGK began in the heart of Texas' rap scene. After the release of their second album, Too Hard To Swallow (1992), the two began to build a solid following. Four years later, UGK put out their critically acclaimed Ridin' Dirty (1996), which quickly set the standard for southern rap. Expounding on an eclectic assortment of topics, the duo proved that the southern sound didn't need to be dominated by materiality. Though they have most recently become recognizable for their work with Outkast on their 2007 hit "International Player's Anthem", it's obvious that Ridin' Dirty stands in a league of its own.

I think I'll let this song speak for itself...

Here

2)Mind Playin Trick '94 by Scarface



In 1994 Mr. Scarface pulled off a feat, attainable only by the elite of the hip hop community. Upon the release of his album, The Diary (1994), the once Geto Boy was given the ratings of 5 mics and XXL. Mind you this was before The Source became the most arbitrary and least reliable appraiser of music that exists (besides me). The reason for these plaudits was the contemplative gangster lyricism delivered through Face's smooth drawl. Listen to this entire album and it will change your understanding of southern hip hop!

Unlike the Geto Boys version of this track released on We Can't Be Stopped (1991), Face's solo track focuses primarily on the psychological baggage that street life of can bring on. Three years older, and perhaps three years wiser, Face can now deliberate on failed love, hypocrisy within the community, and the daily violence that he witnesses.

Here

Saturday 7 March 2009

Dose 10...Acoustics

1)Blood Red Heart by Le Days



While checking out the trailer for the upcoming Swedish climbing film, "Sends", I heard an amazing background track. It was delicate, intimate, and just a bit dark. It emoted pain, regret, and frustration. In essence, it was the perfect pairing. After hunting down the track (which would have been much easier if I had waited until the end of the video), I found out that it was by the small Swedish artist Le Days. Daniel Hedin, the front man, acoustic guitarist, singer, and songwriter, is relatively unknown. Aside from the fact that the band has put out no LP's, has no information on its Myspace, and doesn't even have a biography section on its website, Hedin remains even more enigmatic by alluding to the fact that he has actually been creating music since 2003. Rest assured, your music will soon find its following. For you Pixies fans, Hedin's melancholy acoustic tunes are reminiscent of a sombered down "Surfer Rosa". For everyone else, the modest and introverted tone of Hedin's music is great for those moments of solitude and self-reflection.

Because there are no LP's I'll hook up some Youtube links...

Blood Red Heart

Hot Spot


2)Undertaker by M. Ward



On Transfiguration of Vincent (2003), Ward attempts to make sense of the death of close friend Vincent O'Brien. The immediate intimacy of the album's subject matter at once makes you close to Ward and able to empathize with his grief. Ironically, Ward sets the tone for this album with a certain lightheartedness which "transforms plain grief into a celebration of the essentially absurd, precarious nature of life." On "Undertaker", he opens with a shivering harmonica verbrato and a guitar tuned to the spirit of Jack Johnson. Throughout the track, Ward describes the high's and low's of love...original huh? What differentiates Ward's portrait from that of his colleagues (namely every musician to agree "love hurts") is his relative equanimity. Ward gives us a descriptive account of love, in the strictest sense. "Love is so good, when you're treated like you should be," he sanguinly warbles. This sentiment is decisively contrasted with the halcyon recitation, "Oh but if you're gonna leave, better call the undertaker, take me under"...

Here

Friday 6 March 2009

Dose 9...

1)8:08 PM @ the Beach by Fred Falke



Fairly little is known about French house turntablist and DJ Fred Falke. In fact, he has spent most of his career in collaboration with electronic comrade, Alan Braxe. In 2008, the two decided to part ways and pursue solo careers. Braxe's would lead to popular remixes for groups like Goldfrapp, Röyksopp, and Justice. Falke, on the other hand, opted to create his own electronic tracks and has since released a number of singles. As the sun slowly comes out of hiding, eager to illuminate the the northern hemisphere in that annual phenomenon we call "spring", I felt it only fitting to find a tune in the spirit of the season. We are all aching to get rid of the cold and escape into that blissful period of long days, longer nights, and no responsibility. Falke's "8:08 PM @ the Beach" reminds all of why we're all so damn chipper about these warmer seasons. The night parties at the beach, the firepits, and the serenity of waves crashing. All in all, it's enough to get your summer festivities started early this year...

Get it

2)G'won Train by Billy Larkin & The Delegates



Ain't That A Groove (1966) was the fourth album by Billy Larkin and The Delegates. Larkin, the organist, began his group as a jazz trio, with Hank Sworn on guitar and Mel Brown on drums. By '66 the band had been revised to include Jimmy Daniels on guitar, Jessie Kilpatrick on drums, and tenor saxaphonist, Fat Theus, who became an intergral part of their success. Larkin and The Delegates' audience was intially centered in the Los Angelas jazz scene. With the inclusion of Theus, their following grew to include jazz enthusiasts, as well as those just looking to dance. Larkin's funky Hammond B3 skills, Kilpatrick's steady drumming, and Fat T's emotive solos proved to be the perfect combination for jazz which expanded the boundaries of the genre.

Get it

Tuesday 24 February 2009

Dose 8...Take Cover, It's a Remix!

Covers and remixes are fundamentally reinterpretations. Though some artists opt for a more conservative approach by simply adjusting the voice carrying the tune, others find it a creative and imaginative experience to rearrange the very structure of the piece. Neither Johnny Cash nor Nina Simone are strangers to this musical practice. In fact, to many, they are seen as the epitome of reconstructive and "reconstructible" artists. This is because both Cash and Simone's music has an intangible quality, that can only be seen as "soul". Their music, no matter the writer, arranger, or producer, evokes emotion because it is their sheer passion which is transmitted. Enjoy...

1)I Hung My Head by Johnny Cash



Sting. Sting would be another person who's a hero. The music he's created over the years, I don't really listen to it, but the fact that he's making it, I respect that...

Sting's 1996 ballad, "I Hung My Head", masterfully tells the tale of a man resolved to die for a crime he didn't intentionally commit. The narrator has accidentally killed his fellow man and must come to terms with his guilt and face the consequences. All in all, this track had the makings of a classic. Sadly, Sting ruined this tune by accompanying the melancholy and repentant lyrics with a jazz organ and an upbeat voice, which is eerily reminiscent of mid-80's Springsteen.

Cash's take on this piece is a bit more somber. In being so, it evokes the perfect blend of mourning and optimism for the human spirit. Cash has always been known for his ability to take a song and make it his own. This is clear from a number of his renditions on his album, American IV- The Man Comes Around (2002), including "Hurt" and an amazing version of "In My Life".

Here

2)Ain't Got No, I Got Life by Nina Simone (Groovefinder Remix)



The High Preistess of Soul, Nina Simone, originally recorded "Ain't Got No/ I Got Life" for her album, Nuff Said (1968). This track, showcasing Simone's immense vocal talent, was written to highlight the tribulations of being a negro slave. By juxtaposing all that's witheld from the slave with that which she has available, Simone depicts the perservering power of the soul. This solemm lyricism, however, is complimented, on both Simone's original recording and Groovefinder's remix, by an upbeat piano and drum section. Perhaps this is to further counterpoise the elements of hate which served to repress the human spirit and the optimism inherent in life.

If Simone's aim, musically, was to produce a glimmer of hope, Groovefinder's was to infuse enough cheer to reinvigorate those who have been downtrodden. With the addition of a brass section and an even speedier tempo, Groovefinder explodes this classic ditty.

Here

Wednesday 18 February 2009

Dose 7...A Throwback or Two

Today, I offer a couple of original samples. Sure, for most people of my generation these songs won't conjure up the memories of their release and "the good ole days", but even if you're young, they're sure to get you groovin'...

1)Funkin' For Jamaica by Tom Browne



My first introduction to Tom Browne came from the one and only J Dilla. Whilst still producing for Slum Village, Dilla sampled "Funkin' For Jamaica" on the Fantastic Vol. 2 track, "Forth and Back". When I got older, I started digging in the crates (thanks to a lot of help from Kevin Nottingham), and uncovering the original samples to a plethora of Dilla tracks. This pursuit led me to believe that much of the talent we heard in mid 90's hip-hop production came from classics, and the deeper I got the better the music was. This track is your quintessential late 70's & early 80's jazz recording. Check it out on Browne's Love Approach (1980).

Here


2)Today Won't Come Again by Donal Leace



It took me ages to admit to myself that Kanye West is a lazy producer. In K's defense, he has an amazing ear for music, but what he samples has been already been created. Unlike the Rza or Dilla, he doesn't sample two or three second snippets and individual instrumentation. Instead, he takes full choruses and verses, and aside from the chipmunkesque distortion he contributes, he does very little to make them his own. This is the case with "Today Won't Come Again". You know that whispering hook you think is so endearing and you love so much at the beginning of "Hey Mama"? Well that came directly from this song, but rather than dive into an honorary tribute to his mother, Leace calls for political change and places emphasis on action. Sounds good to me...

Get it from Kevin Nottingham on Late Registration: Original Samples

Tuesday 17 February 2009

Dose 6...Sunny-Day, Bloody Sunny-Day

On this luminous Tuesday morning, as I slowly emerge from my self-created cavernous sanctuary, constituted mainly of duvets and pillows, I find myself yearning for some uplifiting neo-psychedelia and garage-pop sounds. But, I'm tired of listening to my Apples in Stereo and Dr.Dog LPs which, though amazing the first two trillion listens, have lost some of their charm and originality. Instead I'm opting for something a tad different...

1)Niagara Falls by Harlem Shakes


To begin with, Harlem Shakes represent everything I hate about bands like Vampire Weekend. Both VW and the Shakes love their boldly colored sweaters, and whatever else constitutes the Ivy League ensemble these days. They both play pop-oriented songs that proclaim to go deeper than your average tune. And Harlem Shakes will soon see that their constituency is predominantly comprised of similar, if not the same, hipsters and girls who "know" something about music. Fortunately, there is something redeeming about the under-engineered sounds of this Brooklyn based quintet. Songs like "Niagara Falls", which are destined to be future pop gems after the release of Technicolor Health (March 2009), jangle out a certain intimacy which is undoubtedly lacking from the music of their oxford and cardigan wearing colleagues.

Technicolor Health (2009)


2)Red and Purple by The Dodos


"I know that I am yours and you will be mine, Come and join us in the trenches, Red and purple by our side, Say you'll never leave us, In this company of mine", The Dodos croon in their intricate love song. Superficially they tell the of war, "red" and "purple", perhaps further coding the Japanese cryptographic machines used to decipher US communications during WWII. Underneath this labyrinthine tale, however, an even deeper symbolism pervades. It may just be that these colors themselves signify, the two extremes of any meaningful relationship. Red might constitute suffering and sacrifice as it does in Christianity, while Purple connotes the emotion of love as in Alice Walker's novel.

Visiter (2008)

Saturday 14 February 2009

Dose 5...Dancin' the Night Away

Note: Sorry for the lack of updates, but a recent bout of illness has kept me bedridden for the past couple of days. Luckily in that time all I was able to do was listen to music and watch scrubs in 72 minute blocks (thanks megavideo).

Though it is quite a difficult task to date the origins of "dancing", archaeologists suspect these rhythmic body movements have been an integral part of story-telling, showing affection for the opposite gender, and expressing the sentiments of pieces of music since the beginning of human civilization. From then on, dance and music have been inseparable.

How then are the contemporary genres of "dance" and "electronica and dance" divergent from any other music? In this humble bear's opinion, it is in the fact that these two styles imply something about the emotion they transmit. Often led by a shrill falsetto, robotic vocoder, or sampled verse, these songs are saturated with a certain elation that you can't find everywhere. With their 4/4 beats and 200+ BPM these songs get even the lamest geizers movin' and a-shakin'. So here's a thought, this week spend your 15 bucks on the type ecstasy that will keep you sweaty and dancing until the wee hours of the morning, without scaring mom.

1)Smile Upon Me by Passion Pit

My first brush with Passion Pit, the electro-ego of Michael Angelakos (perhaps Greek for "angelic voice"), was on the way to a Mike Gordon show at Highline this past summer. Pumped for the sweet jams I was about to hear, I was charged with the euphoric intoxication only the freedom of summer and 1/4 of Phish could arouse. While my friend, a recent graduate, and I waited at a nearby apartment for the doors to open, he regaled me with his stories of post-college life. Most notably, he told me about the job he had landed as a talent scout at a local venue, Piano's. When I asked him what bands he had been checking out lately, he had but one name: Passion Pit! When I told him I had yet to hear of them, he quickly lunged for the nearest computer and proceeded to Youtube "Sleepyhead", the only song off the Chunk of Change EP anyone knew about. From that moment on I knew they would be big.

Now, nearly 6 months later, I'm hard pressed to find a person who hasn't heard of this Cambridge electro-dance band. Every blog, reviewer, and music columnist has added their two cents to Passion Pit's growing "Chunk of Change" (where do I come up with this?). So, in lieu of the background information, concept of the album, or song breakdown, I will just leave you with the love-inspired sounds of Passion Pit...

Chunk of Change EP (2008)


2)Shooting Stars by Bag Raiders featuring Rhys



Together, Aussies Chris Stracey and Jack Glass are the duo known as Bag Raiders. Primarily known for their impossibly addictive EPs and remixes, the two have never put out a full length album. I remember this being the subject of a heated debate this past fall. Arguably, none of the songs on their three EP is worth skipping over, but why not complete an LP and showcase their talent outright? It wasn't until short while ago that I realized: these two are products of the modern generation. In our world of iPhones, mp3's, and ADD who really has the time or attention span to listen to a full album? Hell, the concept behind the Bear is to bring digestible quantities of great music to this very audience. Instead, the Bag Raiders and we (shameless self-promotion) understand this trend and seek not to curb your behavior as some of our peers would, but rather to indulge you in your instant gratification. Two great songs, two remixes, what more do you need? Be sure to also check out "Turbo Love", the title song of the album.

Shooting Stars


Turbo Love