Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Monday, January 31, 2011
Cass McCombs- "County Line" (2011)
2011's first great single comes from alt-country crooner Cass McCombs. "County Line," from the singer-songwriter's upcoming LP Wit's End, due out on Domino in April, is a five and half minute blissful mix of organ and McCombs' delicate vocals. "County Line" reaffirms McCombs' masterfully minimalist approach to songwriting; the song's soft organ and simple drum beat calls to mind Beach House, Bill Callahan and Devendra Banhart, artists whose sparse compositions allow their vocals and lyrics become the main focus. McCombs' vocal performance on "County Line" is stunning, trading off between his signature nasally whine and a rich falsetto that blend perfectly with the song's chiming organ line and give the song a soulful movement. All in all, it's one of the most heartbreaking and beautiful songs I've heard in a while. I could not be more excited for Wit's End.
Cass McCombs - County Line by DominoRecordCo
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Panda Bear- Last Night At The Jetty (2010)
The third single in anticipation of Panda Bear's release of the Tomboy LP in 2011, "Last Night At The Jetty" could be the best. It begins with perhaps Lennox's heaviest beat yet and builds into a watery mix of violins and layered harmonies. With "Last Night At The Jetty," Lennox reminds us of the core elements that truly make his music so compelling: the beautiful vocal layering, the use of repetition and looping. And though he's ditched the crackling samples of Person Pitch for more organic beats and instrumentation, "Last Night At The Jetty" shows that Lennox's songwriting remains strong. Unfortunately, it's paired with the B-side "Drone," a forgettable track based on a Oneohtrix Point Never inspired blare of synths and electronics, making "Tomboy" and its companion "Slow Motion" probably a more likely candidate for Panda Bear's best single from 2010. But "Last Night At The Jetty" should only the heighten the excitement about Tomboy. Click the artwork to sample.
1. Last Night At The Jetty
2. Drone
Monday, January 17, 2011
The Best Albums of 2010
#15The War On Drugs- Future Weather
On Future Weather, The War On Drugs play a beautifully crafted mix of classic rock and shoegaze textures. Despite the absence of founding member Kurt Vile, frontman Adam Granduciel takes a command presence and establishes himself as singer-songwriter deserving the same praise as the greats he draws so much influence from. His Dylan inspired lyrics and voice work perfectly over the band’s frantic mix of folk, punk and shoegaze. Check out my feature on the album for more.
Sun Kil Moon- Admiral Fell Promises
On Admiral Fell Promises, Mark Kozelek, the man behind Sun Kil Moon and the late Red House Painters, sheds his band for an intimate album of classical guitar and vocals. Just listen to the intro to the first track, “Alesund,” and you’ll hear Kozelek delicately plucking away at his nylon strings in an almost flamenco style that he’s used rarely before. And though Sun Kil Moon’s earlier LPs were so interesting because of the way they could switch from acoustic folk ballads to droning, fuzzed out jams, the lack of stylistic variation does not detract from Admiral Fell Promises. This is still the same Kozelek, only stripped and unplugged. His lyrics are just as devastatingly personal as ever, his guitar playing just as top-notch, and his quavering voice still sounds on the verge of tears. Admiral Fell Promises wouldn’t be the first Sun Kil Moon album I’d recommend. Newcomers will undoubtedly grow tired of his extensive and simplistic songs. The album is really more rewarding for more intense fans like myself who have come to appreciate his beautiful narrative lyrics and preference for repetition.
Friday, December 31, 2010
Connor's Top 20 Albums of 2010
Friday, December 17, 2010
Coke Bust- Degradation (2010)
I'm not going to bother comparing Coke Bust's music to any other hardcore acts for fear of sounding out of touch with the hardcore scene (I am, I've only recently starting revisiting all of my old favorites and checking out new groups) but all you need to know is they play fast pissed off straight edge hardcore and from D.C. If you're into Ceremony, Trash Talk, Punch or any other super fast thrashy shit, you'll dig this. Blast beats and thick metal riffs galore. 6 songs in 5 minutes. The last track, "Deathbed," is the best but the whole thing is awesome.
1. Another Fucking Problem
2. Long Gone
3. Keep Out
4. Degradation
5. No Authority
6. Deathbed
Buy Degradation through Refuse Records
Thursday, December 16, 2010
tooth ache.- "Skin" (2010)
So, a while back the fantastic emerging label Father / Daughter Records got in contact with me asking me to feature this lo-fi gem from Vermont's tooth ache. Despite being so new, as far as I'm concerned Father / Daughter is 3 for 3. In addition to "Skin," they put out singles for Family Trees' "Dream Talkin'," one of my favorite songs of the year, and Levek's "Look On The Bright Side." "Skin" is a freaky mix of spiraling organs, heavy clicking rhythms and the airy vocals reminiscent of A Sunny Day In Glasgow and All Saints Day. Alexandria Hall is the sole figure behind tooth ache. and it shows. But the song's choppy, electronic chirps and simplistic composition give it a home-grown feel that makes it all the more real. Check out "Skin" via Father / Daughter's website and look for features of more great releases from this awesome up and coming label.
tooth ache.- "Skin"
Buy Skin from Father / Daughter Records
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