Slowly, but surely, our weekly features are returning. Today, we've got the first (small) collection of releases for 2010. Among them, some favorites, as well as newcomers as well. Either way, all are worth a look, especially if you plan on purchasing. Check them out over on Spinner. As always, credit for the original idea goes to LargeHeartedBoy.
Daniel Johnston, indie rock's resident mad scientist, is the latest artist to lend some tracks to a session over at Daytrotter. Many will probably recognize the name from his latest album, Is and Always Was. Or perhaps from the fact that he was the inspiration for the title of Brand New's third album, The Devil and God Are Raging Inside Me. Or, for those older readers, from the time Nirvana's Kurt Cobain wore a t-shirt for Johnston's album Hi, How Are You. Regardless, you'll want to check out the session. And if you haven't yet listened to Is and Always Was, it's out via Eternal Yip Eye Music.
It appears that a band's work is never done, even after releasing a breakout 2009 album that reached #6 on our annual end-of-year countdown. Dirty Projectors are giving away single "Ascending Melody," along with b-side "Emblem of the World," completely free of charge (as per the band's MySpace blog). Check out the widget below and after entering your email, you'll be able to download the tracks. Also, for those who download it through the widget, 20 will be entered to win the 7" vinyl copy. So get on it. Now.
Even though it's only January, RJD2's video for new track "Let There Be Horns" will probably stand as one of my favorites of 2010. Witty, entertaining and downright ridiculous at times, the video chronicles a typical day in the life of a minotaur that lives in a human world. Of course, the mythical beast doesn't behave as he was depicted in ancient lore. Rather, he's an incredibly flawed individual, dealing with rage and relationship difficulties, while popping pills all day. His work life and home life are guided by his need for medication, and as he progressively saunters through his day, he gets himself into more slightly comical, and almost sad situations. It also doesn't hurt to have a great, dynamic backing of heavy electronic beats and instrumentation-- but regardless, this one's worth a view.
I'm sure you thought you'd be able to catch a break from Animal Collective for a couple weeks of 2010 at least. However, it seems the band has different ideas. In true Animal Collective fashion, failing to make a big deal about the new video for "Brothersport" has automatically made it a big deal. The fresh visual interpretation represents the song as best it can-- with kids in weird costumes, animals, seizure-inducing cartoons and raves with paint. Yeah, so the standard stuff for the band. Check it out below (unless you are prone to seizures caused by flashing lights, which this may have some effect on-- seriously).
As the first big album of 2010, Vampire Weekend's Contra has a lot of expectations levied on it. Coupled with the already high hopes that would follow a debut like 2008's self-titled effort, it's almost staggering what Contra has to live up to. So with that in mind, perhaps that's why the album seems a bit underwhelming in comparison. Or perhaps that's why it fails to really perform to the standards set by its predecessor-- an over-confidence in its abilities. Siding with the ladder, the album also holds a fair share of strengths, even in spite of these shortcomings.
Immediately, one sees there is a distinct change in Vampire Weekend's approach on Contra, in comparison to their debut. The album harps on less afro-pop and squeaky clean indie sounds. Instead, we see more experimentation and daring, and a definitive California influence on songs like "Horchata" and "Run," that team with a tropical and carefree vibe. Contra does what it can to distance the band from the prep school imagery which gained them equal amounts of acclaim and scorn just two years ago, and at times, the results are encouragingly positive. It takes some daring to go outside of your comfort zone, and suddenly start incorporating synths, auto-tune and brass, so for that, the group should be commended. But of course, it's not all positive either.
The same aforementioned chances the band took are also a lot of what dooms them here too. Leaving their comfort zone as many times as the band tries to do on Contra results in confusion for listeners, and a sense of over-reaching on their part. "Giving Up the Gun" sounds like something more suited to Discovery than Vampire Weekend, as the synthy dance track bounces around unlike completely separate of the rest of the album, residing in some kind of distant, sing-songy dream land. This, along with the next track, "Diplomat's Son" seem to lack the substance of the album's singles, and anything the band has done before this point. Of course, this could be used as the central issue of the record as a whole-- ten tracks that barely fit together due to their stark differences in style and texture, so much so that they hardly create the cogency an album should comprise.
Contra's saving grace actually ends up being its singles, all of which we've at least gotten glimpses of prior to the album's release. "Horchata" properly embraces the album's tropical intentions, while still remaining true to the playful, coy nature of Vampire Weekend's original sound. Same could be said for "White Sky," though with the appearance of a more airy approach, still manages that space properly to create a scenic pop joy ride. Then there's "Cousins." If the band truly wanted to try and remake itself with this record, this was the song to do it with. Brash, bold and possessing an edge unlike anything else in the band's short catalogue, the punk-influenced track would have been the perfect tone setter. Yet, instead, it just rests as a footnote of what could have been. A single resounding track over a body of work that alternates between slightly enthusiastic and downright depressing.
Going into this album, Vampire Weekend was known for their cocky and slightly humorous delivery, interwoven with upbeat pop sensibilities. What they gave us here sort of acted to the contrary of that, which is why many listeners are not as thrilled as they'd hoped to be. As mentioned earlier, expectations played a large role in peoples' reception of Contra, for this writer included. However, bar set high or not, the fundamental differences, and lack of real flow do a bit to harm the album, which actually possesses a quality collection of individual musical arrangements otherwise. Combined with a surprising void of energy though, the album becomes a series of hits and misses that could have been so much more.
Although Rebirth may never actually be released, that's not going to stop Lil' Wayne from putting out singles and videos from the (possibly fictional) album. The latest endeavor, "On Fire," is just the standard stuff for Rebirth-- guitar noodling, house parties, scantily clad women, etc. And it sounds like a mashup of hip-hop, mainstream rock and 80s pop, as we discussed in December. Quite the combination, but none too surprising anymore when it comes to Lil' Wayne's "rock" project. Check out the video below, and maybe we'll see Rebirth out sometime this year (who knows).
For 2010, Rogue Wave appears to be headed in a dramatically different direction than previous efforts. Gone are the mellow, soft endeavors like "Lake Michigan." Instead, their new offering is decidedly pop-oriented, with a pulsing dance beat and a catchy guitar and keyboard combination. Though it's not what we're used to from the group, I'd say people could get used to the new sound rather quickly, especially in today's electronic-/pop-themed landscape. You can check out the new track, "Good Morning" below. The full album, Permalight, is out March 2, via Brushfire.
What better to start up the hype surrounding Yeasayer's upcoming release Odd Blood than featuring first single, "Ambling Alp?" The track is a strong statement ahead of the album, which looks to further entrench the band in the psychedelic and experimental indie landscape. With catchy, complicated melodies like this one, I doubt it'll be much longer before Yeasayer is considered among the industry's most enterprising innovators.
With a bouncy pop and worldbeat flavor, "Ambling Alp"'s energy is contagious and exciting-- bleeding exuberance and a jovial, emphatic nature. It's a fun and entertaining mix of indie pop, jazz and experimental rock, not unlike a combination of Passion Pit, Animal Collective and TV on the Radio. Still, with those similarities in mind, the song stands on its own, ecstatic in its jolly, chanting chorus line. Positive energy abound, Yeasayer's late-2009 single is aiming to be the trendsetter in early 2010, and for all intents and purposes, they are the act to follow for at least the first month or two of the year.
To kick off everyone's New Year (I know, a few days late), Jay-Z's got a new video for his droves of fans across the web and elsewhere. "On to the Next One," featuring Swizz Beatz, presents the upbeat, bouncing track in the classic style Jay fancies all of his work to be in. Entirely in black and white, the album is also surprisingly art-oriented. Intertwined within the homages to power and money, are tons of other, odder images. Flaming basketballs, moving inkblots, clowns and more jump in and out of the shot, leaving the viewer both intrigued and puzzled. Still, a worthwhile video to start off 2010. Check it out below.
Animal Noises is a blog about music, both old and new, and how it stands up in the current music scene. The staff-- John, the editor, with contributions from Matt-- uses their various music backgrounds to intelligently discuss artists and albums, focusing on the good, while not avoiding the bad. We focus on sub-genres of rock, electronic music and hip hop, but don't be surprised to see the occasional wildcard too.
Slowly, but surely, our weekly features are returning. Today, we've got the first (small) collection of releases for 2010. Among them, some favorites, as well as newcomers as well. Either way, all are worth a look, especially if you plan on purchasing. Check them out over on Spinner. As always, credit for the original idea goes to LargeHeartedBoy.
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