Matt's Track of the Week: "New Year's Kiss"

Track: "New Year's Kiss"

Artist: Casiotone for the Painfully Alone

Album: Etiquette

Year: 2007

Casiotone for the Painfully Alone began as the product of film school dropout, Owen Ashworth, making Lo-Fi, synth and drum music on small, battery-operated keyboards.  As you will hear in the song below, he has slightly upped production value to give the music a little space to breathe on his latest record, Etiquette.  Still, it remains in the same vein as his earlier releases, and I see it as a mature development.

I came across this track while making a New Year's Eve playlist this year, and it immediately struck me as interesting.  From the distorted opening percussion, to the minimalist piano, and Ashworth's unique vocal delivery (which is strangely reminiscent of a disinterested David Bowie), I thought it seemed like something worth sharing.  I would definitely recommend checking out the rest of his work if you feel the same.  Listen below.

The Coast's Expatriate

While perusing some music this evening, I ran across The Coast's 2008 effort, Expatriate.  Part of me wants to issue the guys a formal apology for not including them in my Best of 2008 list, but alas, maybe this short write-up will suffice.

Expatriate, released on April 1st, via Aporia Records, is an energetic and bright record, shedding light on the positive effects of using electronic effects (modestly) can be, while sort of differentiating themselves among the recent glut of Canadian indie/alternative bands coming onto the scene in the past 18-24 months.  What intrigues me about this record is that the band doesn't seem to try too hard.  It knows its sound and doesn't try to push itself beyond its limits- keeping everything confined to an intelligent, upbeat buzz.  I'm still having trouble pinpointing who they resemble most at the moment, but at times, old Jimmy Eat World, Ra Ra Riot and Tokyo Police Club come to mind.

If I were you, I'd try and find this album, if you can.  At the moment they're a very well kept secret of sorts, but who knows how long that'll last.  Check out their Last.FM page if you have time, and you can stream the entire album there.

Best Track: "Killing Off Our Friends" (track currently unavailable)

John's Track of the Week: "No One Does It Like You"

Track: "No One Does It Like You"

Artist: Department of Eagles

Album: In Ear Park

Year: 2008

In starting this new segment, running parallel with Matt's similar feature, I wanted to just talk about a track which I've been particularly enjoying throughout the week.  It can be old or new, but the point is just to talk about it quickly.  In the future, I'll try to avoid talking about songs from artists/albums I've already discussed, but for this post, I'll make a small exception.

"No One Does It Like You" possesses that retro, almost distant feel that I enjoyed so much from various artists in 2008, Department of Eagles being one of them.  It's got a moving, interesting beat grabs you in, and almost presents a happier tone than the subject matter of the song- the consequences of cheating on, or leaving someone, it would seem.  If you didn't hear it last year, it's worth a listen now.

Lil' Wayne on ESPN's 1st & 10

Maybe it's not completely relevant to what we do here, but I thought this was necessary to post after seeing it a couple days ago.  Earlier this week, Lil' Wayne (who has a blog on ESPN.com, if you didn't know), was on ESPN's 1st & 10.  Not only did he provide an intelligent critique of the flawed BCS system, but also made a Super Bowl pick.  Part of his spot is shown here.  Here's a link to Weezy's most recent piece for the Worldwide Leader, since they've yet to add his name to the site's blogger index.

Jeff Tweedy Does "Fake Plastic Trees"

Here's a pretty spectacular video that I figured deserved a post- Wilco's Jeff Tweedy covering Radiohead's "Fake Plastic Trees," along with Ed O'Brien and Phil Selway.  Quite an awesome makeshift band, if I do say so myself.  Jeff does a great job here, giving New Zealanders his best Thom Yorke impression, while still maintaining his usual country vibe.

Hope everyone enjoyed this.  My new "Track of the Week" segment should be posted at some point later on today.

Blitzen Trapper's "Furr"

I'm honestly surprised this one took so long to happen, but regardless, I'm pleased to see it did.  For those who read our Best Albums of 2008 series, you're probably familiar with the Portland, Oregon natives, Blitzen Trapper, and their newest release, Furr.  According to this blog, the title-track, "Furr", was the best song on the record, so I figured this would be appropriate to post up here.  Enjoy.

(Video via Pitchfork.TV)

Pre-Screening: Andrew Bird

Album: Noble Beast

Artist: Andrew Bird

Label: Fat Possum

Due Out: 1/20

Calm, cool and collected. It's probably the best possible way for me to describe Andrew Bird's latest effort, Noble Beast. It stays centered- the highs never get too high, and the lows never get too low. Overall, Noble Beast becomes a sonic experience which leaves you feeling mellow and relaxed, yet fully engaged in the scenic wilderness that seemly surrounds you. This album, similar to the previously discussed Merriweather Post Pavillion, is already contending (and rightfully so) for a spot on this year's best albums list.

We start with the bright and charming "Oh No". The track more than does its job, setting the mood for the enjoyable and pleasant 14-track experience awaiting you. A nice acoustic feel, mixed with an appropriately-placed whistle, ease you in, and set the stage for what you're about to hear- what more can you ask from an introduction track? Bird progresses from this point to a more lively, yet lighter mood on the following track, "Masterswarm," grabbing a southwestern feel. The whistling, which is a constant on the record, helps create the desert illusion, as does what sounds like a mariachi backing and a flowing string contribution.

What struck me immediately about Noble Beast were two things- its maintenance of the southwestern feel it establishes so early, and its similarity to the earlier work of Belle and Sebastian. Not to say that the sounds are exactly alike, but if you set B&S' If You're Feeling Sinister to more of a desert flair, chances are it would be a fair resemblance. Besides the music, you'll find some similar themes, as Bird spends a lot of time here seeming to tear himself down, referring to himself as a sociopath, among other citations of his perceived character flaws. Perhaps the album's title is an illusion to Bird's sense of self? I can't say, but it's probably not a bad idea. As far as continuity goes (and those who have read my reviews before know that I'm a stickler for it), this record scores an A from me. Bird maintains the aforementioned mood throughout, differing enough to keep it interesting, but not always enough to be conscious of the track change- which, if done right, can be a positive trait.

On a record full of dynamics in a box, so to speak, no track seems to have the execution of "Not a Robot, But a Ghost". The high tempo start, complete with clarinet and the samba transition, blends into an engaging, yet mellow song, throwing the full range of the album's instrumentation at you in the span of the track's 5:37. I hate to start throwing out year-end prediction already, but everything about this song makes me think you'll be seeing it down the road (here, at least) as one of the standouts of 2009.

Whether you're in the mood for a fun record, or one that just allows you to relax, Noble Beast seems to provide the best medicine. With each listen, the landscapes become more distinct, and the instrumentation more vivid. Looking at the cover of the album, you can't help but be transported to that place, a seemingly never-ending and barren meadow, devoid of human contact- it's a truly wonderful experience. When purchasing the record, be sure to get the deluxe edition, as it includes Useless Creatures, a charming set of instrumental tracks, which lives up to the regular album set, and is also highly recommended. Comparisons for this one include older Belle and Sebastian (as mentioned earlier), Beirut and Sufjan Stevens.

Rating: 8.5/10

Best Track: "Not a Robot, But a Ghost"

Matt's Track of the Week: "The Start of Something"

Track: "The Start of Something"

Artist: Voxtrot

Album: Raised by Wolves EP

Year: 2005

First of all, I want to say that I'm glad to be rejoining the Animal Noises team after an extended absence.  What I will be doing, as I get back into the swing of things here, is posting a song a week (old or new), that I'm really enjoying at the time, for your streaming pleasure.  I will also be contributing other articles and materials whenever possible.

This song by Voxtrot, off of their debut EP, Raised by Wolves, has a certain Smiths-esque, heart-on-the-sleeve quality that you don't come across everyday.  It feels familiar the first time you hear it, and it's unbelievably catchy.  Check it out below.

M. Ward's "Hold Time"

The new M. Ward video, "Hold Time" is now out for your viewing pleasure.  It's a very chill affair, to say the least, as the video mixes future and past to create an odd, and vacant world.  Fantastic musical arrangement, and a great concept make this something to watch, and M. Ward's new album, Hold Time, something to watch for.  Hold Time is out on February 17, on Merge Records.

Jay-Z v. Radiohead

No, it's not an official mash-up the likes of the highly popular Jay-Z v. Linkin Park experiment, but DJ Minty Fresh Beats has combined the sounds of Radiohead and Jay-Z to create YET ANOTHER (!) mash-up album.  Now, I don't even think I'll be downloading this, because, to be honest, I'm sick of all the mash-ups, as I'm sure many of you are.  Still, I figured it was worth noting, since Stereogum had also put up something about it earlier today.  I've been out doing stuff all day, so only now did I get word of the deal.  Still, for your listening (dis)pleasure: DJ Minty Fresh Beats' Jaydiohead, free on the internets- Jaydiohead.com.

In other news, Pre-Screenings of both Andrew Bird's Noble Beast and Morrissey's Years of Refusal will be up within the next week or so, as well as Matt's return to the site.  Stay tuned.