Lykke Li- Youth Novels (2008)

 

Youth Novels is the debut LP from 22-year old Swedish sensation Lykke Li. Produced by Björn Yttling of Peter Björn and John fame, Youth Novels is full of indie pop gems that blend the intimate folk of female singer songwriters Feist with choral, orchestral and electronic elements. No doubt Lykke Li owes some of her sound, especially her high-pitched croon, to Björk but her style is a unique mix. Youth Novels is one of the year’s most fun albums, if not one of the best. She’s currently on tour with Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson so check out the tracks I put up and check her out on tour!

 

mp3: “I’m Good, I’m Gone”
mp3: “Let It Fall”
mp3: “Little Bit”

 

Myspace | iTunes | Official Site

Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson (2008)

 

Last night, I threw on Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson’s (I know, it’s a mouthful) self titled LP, an album I ripped blindly from my college radio station. Expecting that I would quietly fall asleep to the album, I found myself captivated from start to finish. The RIYL tag on the album at the station had read “Bob Dylan” so naturally I expected some traditional folk. But what greeted my ears was a superb mix of lo-fi psychedelic folk and intimate acoustic songs (think The Microphones’ The Glow Pt. 2). The album features guest appearances by Chris Taylor & Christopher Bear of Grizzly Bear and Kyp Malone of TV On The Radio and their influence is apparent in the powerful vocal layering and awesome production. Though only vaguely similar in sound, I am reminded of Bon Iver’s For Emma, Forever Ago in regards to this album sheer emotional power coupled with fantastic songwriting. It’s not hard to understand where the intense emotional performance comes from when you read Robinson’s biography (available here), which includes drug addiction, homelessness, and cross country migration. Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson is one of the most exciting albums of the year and I urge fans of Conor Oberst, The Microphones, Bon Iver or Grizzly Bear to check out the album. Robinson is currently on tour with Swedish indie pop sensation Lykke Li (who I will be featuring later this week) in the States and he is going to put out another album next year, produced by Kyp Malone, so look out for both! “Woodfriend” is a gritty lo-fi rock out with incredible vocal work while “The Debtor” and “Written Over” are examples of Robinson’s pop sensibility with their combination of raw acoustic licks and bouncy piano.

 

mp3: “The Debtor”
mp3: “Woodfriend”
mp3: “Written Over”

 

Myspace | iTunes | Say Hey Records

Calexico – Carried To Dust (2008)

 

Let me start by admitting that I am not nearly as familiar with Calexico as I should be. Strangely, my first experience with the band was when a couple years back I asked my dad if he had ever heard of an album called Feast Of Wire and to my surprise, my dad responded with “yeah, by Calexico?” I had heard the album name dropped multiple times on “essentials” lists and was interested to find out more. Apparently, despite his all but exclusively classic music collection, my dad really dug on Calexico’s Spanish influenced alternative country/folk jams and he gave me Feast Of Wire, which I listened to maybe once but didn’t particularly like it (though in retrospect, I don’t think I had as much of a soft spot for acoustic folk as I do now). Enter 2008: David and I are in the studio at our college radio station when I spot Calexico’s new album Carried To Dust. Fueled by my desperate need for new music, I ripped the album so I could finally maybe get what all the fuss about Calexico was. A week later, I think I’ve figured the fuss out.

 

Carried To Dust is a beautifully crafted album in Calexico’s traditional vein of Spanish and country influenced folk, written by primary members and chief songwriters Joey Burns and John Convertino. The first two tracks are absolutely breathtaking. “Víctor Jara’s Hands” sets the tone immediately with its Spanish lyrics, dirty southern guitar line and a sexy brass line. “Two Silver Trees” is more simplistic with its use of chimes that mimic the vocal melodies, but the swelling tremolo guitar under the beautiful vocal harmonization on the line “two silver trees” could bring one to tears. “Writer’s Minor Holiday” swings back and forth on its catchy rhythm beneath guitarist/vocalist Joey Burn’s smokey drawl. And while most of the music borders on the sing along folk of the Mountain Goats with a dash of Summerteeth-esque alternative country, “Inspiración” is an unashamed Spanish dance number. From start to finish, the album is truly a fantastic piece of art and undoubtedly one of the best of the year. Luckily, my enthusiasm with Carried To Dust lead me to another Calexico related gem, Iron & Wine and Calexico’s collaboration for a cover of Bob Dylan’s “Dark Eyes” for the film I’m Not There, which I included as a bonus. So check out Carried To Dust and check Calexico’s website to see if they are coming near you during their tour this winter!

 

mp3: “Two Silver Trees”

mp3: “Writer’s Minor Holiday”

mp3: Iron & Wine With Calexico- “Dark Eyes [Bob Dylan cover]”

 

Nurses

 

A week ago, fellow indiemuse writer Dave and I went to see Chicago math rock up and comers Maps & Atlases (who we interviewed and hope to have posted within the next week!). Although openers Rahim really didn’t wow me much, Oregon based labelmates Nurses arguably almost stole the show with their surreal performance. Nurses is three fellows who create a unique blend of reverb drenched indie pop that almost hints at the freak folk genre given to bands like Animal Collective. On stage, the three members played a set of wild ballads driven by bouncy piano, strange loops and samples, and eerie yet strangely catchy vocal harmonies. Their performance was truly awe-inspiring and I urge you all to catch them if they ever stop by your area. Although the band only has one LP out on Sargent House, the material they played on tour will be featured on their upcoming LP Apple’s Acre, due out early next year. Luckily you can hear 4 demos from the album on their myspace so check it out and keep an eye out for Apple’s Acre next year!

 

mp3: “Technicolor”

mp3: “Lita!”

Throw Me The Statue- Moonbeams

 

Throw Me The Statue is the brainchild of Seattle resident Scott Reitherman and with the help of a few friends, Reitherman recorded Throw Me The Statue’s debut LP Moonbeams in 2007. The album was re-released this year on Secretly Canadian and fans of Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Pedro The Lion, Sunset Rubdown or even LCD Soundsystem will fall in love with Reitherman’s clean mixs of pounding guitars, bouncy electronics and his distinct catchy whines. Moonbeams is one of the year’s catchiest albums and not one to be missed so check out the mp3s I posted. Enjoy!

 

mp3: “Lolita”

mp3: “About To Walk”

 

The Ruby Suns- Sea Lion

 

January started off the year nicely with New Zealand’s The Ruby Suns release of Sea Lion, their second LP, on Sub Pop. The album is a dreamy mix of acoustic driven indie pop anthems and intimate folksy pieces. “Tane Mahuta” is undeniably catchy with its choir vocals and upbeat rhythms while “Kenya Dig It?” sounds like a glossy mix between Grizzly Bear, Beach House and Caribou track with its atmospheric dancing flutes, floating keys and punching bassline. The impossible-to-not-like “Oh, Mojave” is a thumping folksy romp reminiscent of something from Animal Collective’s Sung Tongs. Sea Lion is a delightful trip that creates an amazing atmosphere and is surely not an album to be missed in 2008.

 

mp3: “Oh, Mojave”
mp3: “Kenya Dig It?”

 

TV On The Radio Announce New Album, Tour

 

Brooklyn post punk phenomenons TV On The Radio have announced that they will release a new album entitled Dear Science on September 23rd via Interscope Records. The album is the highly anticipated follow up to 2006’s Return To Cookie Mountain, an album that was named one of the best albums of the year by SPIN Magazine and Pitchfork Media to name a few. Following the release of Dear Science, the band will embark on a national tour with openers The Dirtybombs. I got a chance to see TV On The Radio this summer on the Outernational Music Tour and they put on one of the greatest shows I have ever witnessed. They didn’t play any new material which surprised me but given the band’s repertoire, I think Dear Science will be a contender for the album of the year. So pick up Dear Science on September 23rd and catch the band if they come near your area, you won’t be disappointed.

 

Fri/Oct-10 Philadelphia, PA Electric Factory
Sat/Oct-11 Providence, RI Lupos
Mon/Oct-13 Boston, MA Wilbur Theatre
Tue/Oct-14 New York, NY Brooklyn Masonic Temple
Wed/Oct-15 New York, NY Brooklyn Masonic Temple
Sat/Oct-18 Cincinnati, OH Bogarts
Sun/Oct-19 Indianapolis, IN Vogue Theatre
Mon/Oct-20 Minneapolis, MN First Avenue (2 Show Offer)
Tue/Oct-21 Minneapolis, MN First Avenue
Wed/Oct-22 Chicago, IL Riv
Fri/Oct-24 New Orleans, LA Voodoo Festival
Sat/Oct-25 Atlanta, GA Tabernacle
Sun/Oct-26 Knoxville, TN Bijou Theatre
Tue/Oct-28 Dallas, TX Lakewood Theater
Thu/Oct-30 Austin, TX Stubbs
Fri/Oct-31 Oklahoma City, OK Diamond Ballroom
Sun/Nov-02 Denver, CO Ogden Theatre
Thu/Nov-06 Los Angeles, CA Wiltern

 

mp3: “Dirtywhirl”

mp3: “Bomb Yourself”

Panther- 14kt God

 

14kt God is the new album on Kill Rock Stars from Portland, Oregon duo Panther, an album which I downloaded on a complete whim not knowing what it would sound like. I was pleasantly surprised when I heard a zainy mix of math rock riffing with enough groove and pop hooks to keep your head bobbing. Fans of !!!, Maps & Atlases or music that will get you moving will delight in Pather’s 14kt God.

 

mp3: “Decision, Decision”

mp3: “On The Lam”

 

Myspace | Kill Rock Stars | Website

Album Of The Year Contender: Beck- Modern Guilt

 

Beck is an artist that needs no introduction. For almost 15 years, Beck has put out great album after great album of varying genre, while still maintaining his distinct sound, characterized by his complex arrangements, clever lyrics and honest voice. Just like the sex rock/funk of Midnite Vultures to the intimate folk of Guero and Mutations, Beck’s 2008 release Modern Guilt forms a unique sound, highlighting Beck’s incredible songwriting abilities. Produced by Danger Mouse, the album is very drum/beat oriented and the guitar is often sparse or sampled. The second track, “Gamma Ray,” is the album’s catchiest number, full of rhythmic snare hits and punctual guitar, while “Chemtrails” exposes Beck’s vocal range as he whispers in falsetto over pounding drums and piano. Each track will get your head bobbing with their infectious rhythms while varying in sound and style. Modern Guilt is one of 2008’s best records so far and an early contender for album of the year.

 

From Modern Guilt:

Beck – Gamma Ray

Beck – Replica

Wolf Parade – At Mount Zoomer

 

 

Despite how much I loved Wolf Parade’s 2005 debut LP Apologies To The Queen Mary, their hugely anticipated sophomore effort, 2008’s At Mount Zoomer, remained untouched and unzipped on my desktop for two months before I listened to it. Maybe it was because I was afraid that it would be the ultimate sophomore slump, but really I think I just wanted to give it the in depth listen it deserved. So I finally listened to it about a week ago and I must say, I’m very impressed.

While it’s certainly not as good as Apologies To The Queen Mary, the album has its own distinctive flavor. For the most part, the wild, bouncy keyboard/vocal interplay that Spencer Krug is known for (present on songs like “Grounds For Divorce” or “Fancy Claps” from Apologies To The Queen Mary) are absent. The album is much more subdued. Guitarist Dan Boeckner’s vocals really shine on At Mount Zoomer, often upstaging Krug, who I felt presented the stronger vocal delivery on their debut. The album overall is darker; more songs sound like “Same Ghost Every Night” or “Modern World.” But that doesn’t mean Krug and the rest of the band doesn’t go wild at points, like on the very Sunset Rubdown-esque “Bang Your Drum” or floating keyboard-driven “The Grey Estates.” But songs like “Fine Young Cannibals,” “Call It Ritual” and “California Dreamer,” are turbulent tunes of pounding rhythms, loud guitar and the despondent vocal delivery of Krug/Boeckner. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention how stunningly awesome the 11 minute closer “Kissing The Beehive” is, as each member of the band take turns showing off their musical prowess. At Mount Zoomer is also recorded much crisper than Apologies To The Queen Mary, giving it a sound that I think both accentuates the band’s musical abilities but also removes much of the raw, youthful sound of their first LP.

Yet ultimately, the album relies much more on generic, standard indie pop progressions. Now I’m not saying Apologies To The Queen Mary was anything groundbreaking musically, but I felt it had enough originality to earn it the high rating it holds in my book. The songs were extremely well written. And while At Mount Zoomer has dozens of great head bouncing, sing along moments, the songs simply rely on a lot of the oldest tricks in the indie pop books. But before I start over analyzing the album and finding faults that aren’t there, I’m going to end by saying that At Mount Zoomer is an excellent follow up to a nearly impossible to top debut. Sure, it’s a little cliche at points, but there’s not really a weak track on the album and it proves that Wolf Parade are still on top of their game and are still the best Spencer Krug band. Pick up the album if you’re a fan of stuff like Sunset Rubdown, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Of Montreal, etc. and check out a few mp3s from the album.

 

Score: 8.4 out of 10

 

P.S. How much does that album cover kick ass?

 

From At Mount Zoomer:

Wolf Parade – Fine Young Cannibals

Wolf Parade – Language City
Wolf Parade – Soldier’s Grin

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