It's The New Thing

Otis Westinghouse · Post by **Otis Westinghouse** » Sun Sep 18, 2005 5:03 pm

I tend to follow what newspapers and mags are touting as the thing to be listening to right now quite closely. It seems there's a fair amount of interesting stuff on either side of The Pond right now. Much of this has been mentioned before here, but always interesting to know what bands people have checked out and what they think. A list of 5 for starters:

Arcade Fire The more I play Funeral, the more I'm awestruck. It's such an original work, a feeling all of its own. OK I'm even more enthused knowing that Bowie is a fan and they've done both Five Years and Queen Bitch together, and that had me reaching for the CD today, but boy is it a cracker. The description of the album which was in the excellent salon.com Scott Lamb review WSS? cited on http://www.elviscostellofans.com/phpBB2 ... &start=975 is very spot on to my mind, especially this fabulous line: 'they're tight without being polished, reckless without being sloppy, assured without being pretentious'. How does the 8 track EP from 2003 compare?

Decemberists Picaresque is also very good, but not as affecting as the above. It's very imaginative, and the diversity is very impressive, but for me the voice is a bit too ordinary.

Kaiser Chiefs Fun live, good singles, but do they have the depth to make it last? Like most of the current 'angular' UK bands, they are steeped in musical history from the 70s and 80s, possibly one of the reasons why they can appeal to me at the same time as my 12-year-old son.

Bloc Party I like Helicopter, and the feel is good, but, again, the voice is a let down for me. Remain to be convinced.

Franz Ferdinand I think the debut LP was a cracker, with real quality to the songs, and a great voice. The new single sounds a bit too easy to me, like they're on auto-pilot, though it's catchy (but nowhere near the genius of Take Me Out). Observer gives the LP 5 stars today. Sounds promising.

martinfoyle · Post by **martinfoyle** » Sun Sep 18, 2005 5:20 pm

Otis Westinghouse wrote:
Franz Ferdinand I think the debut LP was a cracker, with real quality to the songs, and a great voice. The new single sounds a bit too easy to me, like they're on auto-pilot, though it's catchy (but nowhere near the genius of Take Me Out). Observer gives the LP 5 stars today. Sounds promising.

You haven't downloaded it yet, Otis? How old school. It's an excellent album, exactly the same as the first one, and no harm in that. I'll be buying a proper copy asap, the mp3 version doesn't do it justice.

invisible Pole · Post by **invisible Pole** » Sun Sep 18, 2005 7:11 pm

New Pornographers - I know their first and second album, and a couple of songs from the latest one, Twin Cinema, which is getting rave reviews. Hugely enjoyable pop music with plenty of hooks, smart lyrics and great four-lead vocals harmonies.

M. Ward - I only heard Transfiguration Of Vincent but I fell in love with it instantly and it's enough for me to say that the guy is a major songwriting talent. Night is probably the best time to listen to this beautiful album and to sink in its melancholy. His latest, Transistor Radio, is also universally praised.

Bright Eyes - I know there is some scepticism about them on this board, but - leaving aside some far-fetched comparisons to Bob Dylan - I do think I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning is a very good album. Could be pigeonholed as alt-country but the songs sounded fresh and catchy enough for me to like them from the first listen.

And waiting impatiently for Damien Rice's second album.

Who Shot Sam? · Post by **Who Shot Sam?** » Sun Sep 18, 2005 8:08 pm

Sufjan Stevens - I know that others on the board, including BlueChair and noiseradio, have been singing the praises of Illinois, and I would agree that it is a truly outstanding piece of work, full of imaginative touches, no small amount of humor, and plenty of history. It took me a few listens to get fully into the album - it's so unusual that your ears need time to adjust (banjo, winds, strings, echoes of community theater, even funk) - but after a few spins it becomes quite addictive. Very very highly recommended.

Pernice Brothers - I saw them at the Bowery Ballroom a few weeks ago, performing a lot of stuff off their new disc, Discover A Lovelier You, as well as some earlier songs that I'd never heard, such as the desolate, searing "Bum Leg" from Joe Pernice's earlier solo album, Big Tobacco. Since the show, I've had all of the Pernice Brothers discs, as well as Big Tobacco and the last Scud Mountain Boys album, in heavy rotation. selfmademug informs me that "There Goes The Sun" from Discover... features in a new Sears ad. Good for Joe - the guy is one of the best songwriters working today and if it takes a Sears ad to make him some extra money, so be it. For newbies, I'd recommend starting with their previous disc, Yours, Mine And Ours.

The Wrens - This one is perhaps not so new, but it's new to me and too farking good to pass up, so... From New Jersey, a band that time forgot. They put out a marathon album of spiky guitar pop called Secaucus back in 1995, then got in a major dispute with their indy label. The result was that they did not record another LP again until 2003, when The Meadowlands came out. Though Secaucus is full of energy and inventiveness, The Meadowlands is even greater - it opens with the sound of crickets, but by the second or third tune has really grabbed you. A lot of the songs start quietly and sort of work themselves into a frenzy. A great great record, without a doubt. If anyone wants a copy of the impossible-to-find Secaucus, let me know. It's going for $50+ used on eBay. Why it hasn't been put up on iTunes is beyond me, but probably has a lot to do with that record company dispute.

selfmademug · Post by **selfmademug** » Sun Sep 18, 2005 8:13 pm

Well I have been planning to get all three of those, WSS-- figures! I think you should just start a subscription service for me.

I ran into an old beau last week who recently saw the Wrens here, and I'm bummed to have missed that, esp since it was at TTs, my fave little club. And after the 'Sears' revelation I am all over the prospect of the Pernice Brothers... next paycheck!

Who Shot Sam? · Post by **Who Shot Sam?** » Sun Sep 18, 2005 8:15 pm

selfmademug wrote:Well I have been planning to get all three of those, WSS-- figures! I think you should just start a subscription service for me.

Too bad we don't live closer to Boston - I'd be happy to, uh, share these and others with you!

Wrens, Doves... What next?

selfmademug · Post by **selfmademug** » Sun Sep 18, 2005 9:59 pm

Who Shot Sam? wrote: Wrens, Doves... What next?

Well a pal of mine recently saw a band called Finch, but he said theye were pretty bad.

PlaythingOrPet · Post by **PlaythingOrPet** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 5:57 am

Otis, have you heard Bowie and Arcade Fire doing a live 'Wake Up' from that fashion thingy recently? Bloody marvellous.

The Franz are never going equal the genius that is Take Me Out, it has got to be the best debut single since Love Me Do. But there's still more than enough shiny gems on the new one, and I'll be doing as Foyle M and ordering the CD post-haste.

Just a couple of quick ones for now:
Architecture in Helsinki. Been listening the their most recent record at least once a day for a few weeks now and I'm no where near becoming bored with it. Like a more buoyant Funeral but no less captivating.

The Dead 60s, a new Liverpool band who haven't Love nor Beefheart to thank for inspiration, more the Specials, Clash and Joe Jackson. In fact, they completely rip off both of those bands, which is no bad thing I suppose. Apparently they were on TOTP last night..but I missed them.

Otis Westinghouse · Post by **Otis Westinghouse** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 5:02 pm

No, ain't heard that. Where? How? Haven't looked on dimeadozen, is it there?

I will never download an LP I want to then buy/obtain by other means. Don't believe in it. Gigs, yes, LPs, no thanks.

I think the Observer gave Architecture in Helsinki a rave review. Ridiculous name. Almost as silly as 'Architecture and Morality'.

What about Devendra Banhart? They all seem to be raving about his new one: http://www.guardian.co.uk/filmandmusic/ ... 67,00.html http://observer.guardian.co.uk/omm/10be ... 46,00.html

martinfoyle · Post by **martinfoyle** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 5:13 pm

Otis Westinghouse wrote:

I will never download an LP I want to then buy/obtain by other means. Don't believe in it. Gigs, yes, LPs, no thanks.

I sort of agree with you. I still dont mind downloading an album in advance just to see how good it is. They're usually low quality mp3 versions, so if it's any good, which the Franz album is (and the Neil Young album is) I'll gladly buy a proper copy. Then again if they are small label operation, like Ian McNabb, I'll pay upfront for a proper copy.

Otis Westinghouse · Post by **Otis Westinghouse** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 5:25 pm

Fair dues, I'm not on a moral crusade against it, I just don't like the idea of it. I'm with Blue on the pleasure of getting a new CD and unwrapping and feeling like a 12 year old again and hearing the whole thing for the first time. I do find that less is more, and having bought and got my hands on tons of CDs in the last couple of years at a time when I/my family was relatively flush that now we're having to tighten the belt for a while to come (loft conversion), I know I'm really going to plan what I buy carefully and will appreciate it more, so in a perverse way am looking forward to it. That said, there's so much to check out out there, e.g. The Magic Numbers (who I've just discovered play the small Cambridge venue The Junction next month and it's sold out!).

What about the new Neil Young? have read nothing about this, other than an advert that said it was the third part of the Harvest/Harvest Moon trilogy. Cheap marketing ploy or true description? If it's anywhere near as good as HM, I'm game.

lawngnome · Post by **lawngnome** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 5:38 pm

Otis Westinghouse wrote:
Arcade Fire The more I play Funeral, the more I'm awestruck. It's such an original work, a feeling all of its own. OK I'm even more enthused knowing that Bowie is a fan and they've done both Five Years and Queen Bitch together, and that had me reaching for the CD today, but boy is it a cracker. The description of the album which was in the excellent salon.com Scott Lamb review WSS? cited on http://www.elviscostellofans.com/phpBB2 ... &start=975 is very spot on to my mind, especially this fabulous line: 'they're tight without being polished, reckless without being sloppy, assured without being pretentious'. How does the 8 track EP from 2003 compare?

I'm going to see them the 28th in chicago. They are amazing, the EP is definitely worth it. I was lucky enough to find it used for a couple of dollars, but its worth the full price.

martinfoyle · Post by **martinfoyle** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 6:04 pm

I slightly od'd on the Neil Young album when I got it the week before last, so I'm letting it rest for a bit. The Harvest trilogy thing sounds a bit pretentious, cheap marketing ploy describes it perfectly. That said, it is excellent, very much in the style of the earlier 2 of the trilogy i.e. no rockers. It's certainly Neils best, by along way, since Sleeps With Angels.
There is a glut of new stuff out at the moment, I'm concentrating on getting to know Sufjan Stevens current album, along with his incredible back catalogue, in preperation for his sold out show next month.
At his all too short interview session at Stradbally, Bob Mould raved about a Toronto band called Uncut. Are they worth further investigation?

Otis Westinghouse · Post by **Otis Westinghouse** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 6:07 pm

Lucky you. Wish they were coming over here. Next year, maybe.

Of course last year The Streets were the (relatively) new thing. I revisited A Grand... the other day, and thought, wow! It wasn't all hype. What a seriously great record with some great sounds and brilliant words. You should download the LP, Martin, and see if you can convert yourself. My new signature is in your honour.

Otis Westinghouse · Post by **Otis Westinghouse** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 6:11 pm

martinfoyle wrote:It's certainly Neils best, by along way, since Sleeps With Angels.

Sounds very promising. SWA was, to my mind, an absolute cracker, some really great stuff on it, so this is getting me excited.

Bob Mould raved about a Toronto band called Uncut. Are they worth further investigation?

They could have been imaginative than naming themselves after a magazine.

martinfoyle · Post by **martinfoyle** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 6:27 pm

Otis Westinghouse wrote:Lucky you. Wish they were coming over here. Next year, maybe.

Of course last year The Streets were the (relatively) new thing. I revisited A Grand... the other day, and thought, wow! It wasn't all hype. What a seriously great record with some great sounds and brilliant words. You should download the LP, Martin, and see if you can convert yourself. My new signature is in your honour.

Jaysus, I'm honoured. I'm presently downloading a copy of the 'Grand' album and will let you know what I think.

Richard · Post by **Richard** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 11:48 pm

The two that have held my attention for the last twelve months or so (so not as new as the thread deserves perhaps) are;

The Shins - Two albums in, you would think they would be unlistenable after all the hype, Garden State soundtrack & all. Both their debut Oh, Inverted World & the follow-up Chutes Too Narrow are stronger than that.
Give them a chance to seep into your conciousness & you will find something simply stunning. I hear the best bits of the Feelies & The Go-Betweens on these records. I love the lyrics. Even more the phrasing is as idiosyncratic as early Chrissie Hynde.

The Fiery Furnaces - Certainly not to everbody's taste. The debut Gallowbird's Bark is more accessible. The second Blueberry Boat is incomprehensible, difficult, annoying & downright compelling. Like listening to a foreign language that you may have taken a couple of classes in, you start to make strange sense out of the few words you do understand. Then you give up trying to understand & just enjoy the sounds as beautiful & hypnotic.
Pretentious half-baked waffle? Mis-understood genius with unfathomable depths? I think they are both & for now I love them

Who Shot Sam? · Post by **Who Shot Sam?** » Tue Sep 20, 2005 1:08 pm

Otis Westinghouse wrote:What about Devendra Banhart? They all seem to be raving about his new one: http://www.guardian.co.uk/filmandmusic/ ... 67,00.html http://observer.guardian.co.uk/omm/10be ... 46,00.html

I dunno - sounds a little too hippyish and self-consciously artsy for me. He also has some association with Coco Rosie, which should frighten the curious. I've been avoiding Antony & the Johnsons for similar reasons.

I would, however, be interested to hear what people on the board have to say about either of these. No need to fill me in on Coco Rosie. I've already decided that they are the world's most annoying band.

Otis Westinghouse · Post by **Otis Westinghouse** » Tue Sep 20, 2005 2:20 pm

Know nothing of The Shins. not getting many refs over here, to my knowledge. Fiery Furnaces are the brother and sister, right? (Real ones, not like Jack and Meg!) Seen some comments here and some good reviews.

Anthony & The Johnsons have obviously become now far more prominent after winning the Mercury Prize. Was glad to see that win - less obvious than one of the guitar bands (especially after FF last year). Would like to hear the LP. The voice is amazing. I like his intervention on Rufus W's Old Whore's Diet, and the song he did live at the Mercury event was impressive too. Incredibly emotional sounding voice, bluesy, Billy Holidayesque, androgynous. Great to have a new truly individual stylist to reckon with, like Kate Bush or Bjork. Or Edwyn Collins! Ordinary voices are so limiting, as I was indicating above with Colin Meloy, much as I like his music.

Who Shot Sam? · Post by **Who Shot Sam?** » Tue Sep 20, 2005 2:26 pm

Otis Westinghouse wrote:Ordinary voices are so limiting, as I was indicating above with Colin Meloy, much as I like his music.

It's interesting that you call his voice "ordinary". Do you mean that his vocal instrument is ordinary?

The few reviews I have read that have been critical of The Decemberists have all pointed to his "unusual" or "mannered" voice as an annoyance. I seem to remember someone on here (Mike Boom I think) making the same criticism.

Otis Westinghouse · Post by **Otis Westinghouse** » Tue Sep 20, 2005 5:33 pm

Yes, the vocal instrument. Mannerisms are odd. On Infanta he's doing some very English sounding vowel sounds, and is verging on Moz-esque, elsewhere not. They are worth listening to in other ways, but the lack of appeal in the voice is a big drawback for me.

Chrille · Post by **Chrille** » Fri Sep 23, 2005 5:24 pm

Of those previously mentioned, I really like Arcade Fire's album too. I have the first New Pornographers album as well and it too is great. A.C. Newman (of NP) released a solo album (Slow Wonder) that's a must buy if you like that band.

In general though I don't listen to much modern music simply because it doesn't click very often. Also, it's cheaper to listen to older bands, the prices on their albums have gone down. I can often get three great older albums for the price of a new one.

bambooneedle · Post by **bambooneedle** » Fri Sep 23, 2005 7:46 pm

Otis Westinghouse wrote:Of course last year The Streets were the (relatively) new thing. I revisited A Grand... the other day, and thought, wow! It wasn't all hype. What a seriously great record with some great sounds and brilliant words.

?!?

Are there two bands called The Streets that have a record called A Grand... ? Cos the one that I've heard I found utterly uninspiring on all counts.

selfmademug · Post by **selfmademug** » Fri Sep 23, 2005 8:04 pm

Not a fan then, Boo? I too think it's fantastic. More a piece of storytelling than anything else, but the musicality (is that a word?) makes it work. I always need to listen to the whole thing; it's a great one for the car.

bambooneedle · Post by **bambooneedle** » Fri Sep 23, 2005 8:22 pm

Lyrics typically about that he might go and sit on the sofa and watch tv and drink beer or argue with his girlfriend or some other such self-involved drivel, with the worst rhymes imaginable. And the sound of it is droning and repetitive and dissonant... amateurish! I just found it totally unengaging and couldn't invest myself in it at all.

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