Albums to Write Home About

Besides obsessing about my newest Radiohead fix, I've spent much of the last week perusing my usual top 20 twenty music blogs. The message is clear: there an overwhelming amount of new (and QUALITY) releases flooding the music scene this moment. Sidenote: Is it wrong with all this great music surrounding me I'm still excited to hear the newest release (10/30) from guilty pleasure Britney Spears? Probably. But in the interest of complete honesty I must praise Brit Brit for taking shitty vocals, a synthesizer, and performing the crap out of both. Sans one VMA performance.

That being said, lets get to the paydirt. Audio Orgasms as I like to call them.
First off is actually an older release:

Audio Orgasm One
Animal Collective's Strawberry Jam
Released: September 11, 2007

Sounds Like: Grizzly Bear, Sunset Rubdown, Les Savy Fav

Climax Tracks: Fireworks, Derek, Peacebone



If you've been a fan of the quirky quartet since their 2000 inception then you've jammed along to their less accessible efforts Here Comes the Indian, (personal fav) Feels, and Hollinndagin. Fans of this genre-transcending band know that their music is both eclectic and uncomfortable, radical and familiar. Just as fans become accustomed to a particular effort, AC shocks us with something unexpected; transcultural, euphoric, technological, abstract, then direct.

A chamleon of a band, AC's newest, more mainstream effort Strawberry Jam is just as sweet as it sounds. Die-hards will once again be taken aback by the new mixture of synth ambiance and psychedelic vocals. And newcomers whose earlier impressions of AC efforts would include "cacophony of noise" or "rambling lyrics" might be pleasantly surprised with just how engaging and relatable this release is. That's not to say this album is easy listening. Like many-a-favorite album, Strawberry Jam has the ability to frustrate and confuse before enjoyment or appreciation can follow. However, if you like a small challenge this album is a MUST have. Though I can't say the album artwork makes me fire up the toaster, I will say this album satisfies the sweet tooth with more vigor and perseverance than any condiment ever could. Strawberry Jam has enough appeal to keep you entertained and enough substance to keep you curious on that inevitable 30th listen.


Audio Orgasm Two
Band of Horses, Cease to Begin
Released: October 9, 2007

Sounds Like: Matt Pond PA, Rogue Wave, Death Cab for Cutie, The Shins

Climax Tracks: No One's Gonna Love You, Windows Blues, Ode to LRC, Is There a Ghost, Marry Song

If you know me, you know I love this band. Maybe their humble Seattle beginnings give me a little of a hometown bias. Though its much more likely that my love affair with Ben Bridwell's vocals, being the longest and most committed relationship I've had, keeps their newest release on repeat. Ben draws repeated comparisons to My Morning Jacket singer Jim James. Another torrid love affair that I can't get into now. Don't want Ben getting jealous.

Though the band is really a baby in terms of musical heirarchy, it is obvious to fans that their music transcends only two releases. Ben, Creighton, and Rob have been around music for much longer than the four years they've played together. In fact, original founding members Ben and Matt Brooke, who left the band last year, were part of the now-deceased Carissa'a Weird before organizing the group that would catch critical acclaim and cult-like followers opening for Iron and Wine.

Cease to Begin has the similar ambiance and instrumentally haunting elements of its outstanding predecessor, Everything All the Time. The loss of Matt has effected neither the poignant lyrics or powerful vocals. And although some critics claim the album is less than thrilling, I think fans will be pleasantly surprised by the band's personal growth. I myself admit to feeling trance-like after Cease to Begin ceases. However, I must chastise those who were underwhlemed by this latest effort. Band of Horses has not only solidified their talent by conquering the ominous sophomore slump, but also surmounted a challenge many musicians fail at, adaptability. Despite losing a founding member, Band of Horses has remained true to their original sound and core audience, simultaneously incorporating new and pioneering sounds. Get back "Nay"- sayers, this band has enough Horsepower to take you to take you around the track infinitely.


Audio Orgasms Three - Six

• Stereophonics, Pull the Pin

Sounds Like: Bush, Jimmy Eat World, Kaiser Chiefs

Climax Track: It Means Nothing, Bank Holiday Monday

• Beirut, The Flying Club Cup

Sounds Like: Iron and Wine, Sunset Rubdown, Sufjan Stevens

Climax Tracks: La Banlieu, Nantes

• Boys Noize, Oi Oi Oi

Sounds Like: Justice, Digitalism

Climax Tracks: Lava Lava, Oh!

• Keane, Little Broken Words

Sounds Like: Mutemath, Snow Patrol, Josh Rouse

Climax Tracks: To the End of the World, Emily, What a Wonderful World


Stay tuned for Tomorrows Review (Surprise) and for a new mixtape in the LTK series!

In the meantime check out the latest LTK playlists to get "chosen" over at FIQL; both are currently displayed on the front page of the website.

Lounge Music

Old Favorites... New Light

Austa.

Music: The Nasal-Friendly Addiction

So the only thing I can stand to write about now is music. My life is terribly uninteresting; if I was a paperback B & N would have dropped me in the bargain bin ages ago.

Music is my addiction. And if Hohan and Brit Brit's nasal activity can sell a few million tabloids, I figure my less scandalous drug of choice can attract a little notice. Until the day I'm taken to Promises or some place in the middle of who knows f*ck (Utah), I can support the habit. I'm sure they'll recognize the disorder in the DSM any day now.

If you haven't already experienced Radiohead's new album, In Rainbows, I really hope you are on crack. "Do more drugs Turtle. Seriously, do more drugs."
Because Radiohead doesn't work for "the man" anymore, they've made their new 10-track album a digital release, available for download off their website. Take the time to sluggishly move your index over a few clicks and download the album for next to nothing. Now. Not because Kid A or OK Computer were both radical masterpieces, or even because the genius that is Thom Yorke can make us uncomfortable with our existence in a few sparse but powerful lyrics. Buy this record because it marks the beginning of the end; the downfall for music as a corporation. Purchasing In Rainbows is like giving a huge middle finger to the record label execs who forced you to pay 13.99 for that shitty Beyonce cd. Offense intended B.
Lets face it, the world is full of pirated music. But is it any wonder we glorify pirates, or a lot of famous thieves for that matter? It's the whole stealing-from-the-rich-giving-to-the-poor element that hero Robin Hood advocated. I've always believed music, as a form of art, should be available to the culture it was created to enrich. Do musicians really want only a certain demographic to benefit from their music? Is that really why they got into the business - to make the .001 cents or whatever the figure is off each additional record they sell? If it is, they deserve to have your record downloaded. I know its your job, and you're trying to make a living but do it with a little integrity. Have a little respect for your fans. If you don't suck balls there are people willing to pay for your record and pay to come to your concerts. Start taking notes Keven Federline.

So Radiohead is the shit. Worldwide. They have enough credit in this business to make a radical move like this because their fans are willing to pay for their music. Up to about 80 bucks in fact for their exclusive box set. Well-known, popular artists like Oasis and Jamiroquai have already said they will follow suit, and release their new albums free to fans.

The success of In Rainbows may come with a price. That being a decline in physical album sales. Hosts of the amazing podcast and radio show, Chicago Public Radio's SoundOpinions, Jim and Greg talk about this potential problem. Check out this edition of the podcast here on their website, with a links to the streaming mp3 feed. However, yours truly doesn't see this as a problem. Not yet at least. Radiohead will release a copy of the cd in 2008, and I think more than a few fans will go out and buy another copy on record. Fuck you itunes, this is one exclusive you didn't get.

PS. Check out the two new playlists posted and "chosen" to be featured by FIQL. Also check out my FIQL page which has other amazing playlists, all but one selected by the website.
- For the Indie Lover in Love
- Wake Up; I Go to Sleep

Songs You Should be Listening to Today
Peter Bjorn and John - Let's Call it Off
Lily Allen - Naive (Kooks Cover)
Aesop Rock - Water
Afrikan Boy - Marching Riddim Re-Birth
Stars - Heart

Album You Should Go Out and Buy
Boys Noize - Oi Oi Oi (Amazing!)