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Prefuse 73 - The Class of 73 Bells (Edit)
- Prefuse 73
- Prefuse 73 - The Class of 73 Bells (Edit)
- Preparations
Warp
Thu Sep 6 2007 · Posted in Songs on littleradio.com
Film School - Two Kinds
Thu Sep 6 2007 · Posted in Songs on littleradio.com
Sunset Rubdown - Winged/Wicked Things
- Sunset Rubdown
- Sunset Rubdown - Winged/Wicked Things
- Random Spirit Lover
Jagjaguwar
Thu Sep 6 2007 · Posted in Songs on littleradio.com
C.O.C.O. - Play Drums + Bass
C.O.C.O.
Play Drums + Bass
2007 | K
When drums and a bass guitar are pitted against each other, and not in
a techno sense, the end result is something raw, digging deep into your
ID. C.O.C.O., on their latest release Play Drums + Bass, combine that aggressiveness with a beat you can, well, dance to.
With
just the minimal vocal, bass and drums, this duo stomps through indie,
funk and beat music, all the while keeping in mind that they want their
audience to get up and shake. The opening track "Good" hooks you in
with the sultry voice of Olivia Ness, backed by a funky beat that
instantly reminds me of ESG. It's loose but deceptively complex. Also
the woops from drummer Chris Sutton (of Dub Narcotic Sound System fame)
in the background are pretty fun too.
The transitions from each
song are smooth despite the obvious changes in style of music. With the
meat of the song basically the same, it's probably easier to do.
However, the ability to transform each song with it's simplicity into
such unique gems is pretty fantastic. "For You" is a quick tempo garage
beat song while "Crime" reflects more of a 60's beat, finger snapping
style. "Much to Learn" really digs deep into that primal heavy sound
with tribal like drums and chanting accompanied by Olivia's haunting
vocals. "The End" closing out the album, is the culmination of happy,
pop-beat music that leaves your heart racing. For creating this band
while learning how to play their respective instruments, Play Drums + Bass is
a highly polished example of what a few years and some commitment will
get you. I'd recommend "For You", "Crime" and "The End".
-Elana Rintala
(Looking for something similar? Try these bands: ESG, The Ettes, and The Fall.)
Thu Sep 6 2007 · Posted in Reviews on littleradio.com
Division Day - Every Shining Time You Arrive
- Division Day
- Division Day - Every Shining Time You Arrive
- Beartrap Island
Eenie Meenie
Wed Sep 5 2007 · Posted in Songs on littleradio.com
Ferraby Lionheart - Before We’re Dead
- Ferraby Lionheart
- Ferraby Lionheart - Before We're Dead
- Catch the Brass Ring
RCA
Wed Sep 5 2007 · Posted in Songs on littleradio.com
Blitzen Trapper - Crazy On You (Heart cover)
- Blitzen Trapper
- Blitzen Trapper - Crazy On You (Heart cover)
- Bridging the Distance (compilation)
Arena Rock
Wed Sep 5 2007 · Posted in Songs on littleradio.com
Enon - Mirror On You
- Enon
- Enon - Mirror On You
- Grass Geysers...Carbon Clouds
Touch & Go
Tue Sep 4 2007 · Posted in Songs on littleradio.com
Film School: Hideout
Film School
Hideout
2007 | Beggars Banquet
Film School’s
self-titled debut was a history lesson that covered many points along
the darker and more brooding side of shoegaze/80’s-pop (The Cure &
Ride specifically). The album sounded like a group of guys jockeying
for position with no clear direction, but good tunes nonetheless. When
I popped in Film School’s sophomore release, Hideout, it immediately grabbed me and sounded like a different band altogether, a better one.
While Hideout was being made things also changed in camp Film School (the addition of bassist/vocalist Lorelei Plotcyzk, guitarist Dave Dupuis and drummer Dave Smith). With the exception of keyboardist Jason Ruck, longtime band members moved on, and Greg Bertens stepped up as the principal songwriter who's vocals and melodies have
seriously grown into something special. The first thing you’ll notice
on Hideout is how lush and patient each song sounds. And
while a standout banger like “He’s a Deep Deep Lake” from their debut
soars with waves of guitar that particular track sounds dated compared
to most of the new material Bertens has written.
Perhaps it’s
because I’ve always thought of Bertens as the singer/guitarist of a
quintet, simply a piece of the puzzle, but he’s much more than that
now. Turns out he is the puzzle and carries this album like a
matured writer and musician giving the audience a peek into his life.
His voice hints at personal relationships and the experiences we have
all come across concerning love and failure.
Several outstanding songs that appear on Hideout easily distinguish this album as a true progression in form.
“Capitalized I” and the ultra-catchy “Go Down Together” will remind you
of the building miasma created by Serena-Maneesh, only Film School are
less concerned with blown-out noise and ruckus. Other tracks vary but
are quite sticky as we follow Film School down a consistent path of
dreamy pop. The band unleashes devastating melodies and awesome guitar
structures on “Compare”. This song could work as a radio single because
the melody is so inviting and eventually transforms itself into a
beast. Bertens also reveals a beautiful falsetto on “Florida”. The
music and vocals create a tension against the chaotic keys and
repetitive wash of reverb, a real gem for Pale Saints fans. Once the
song opens the floodgates you’ve got to be sold on this record.
With
the help of some notable musicians like Colm O’ Ciosoig (My Bloody
Valentine), Tracy Uba (ex-Timonium) and Paul Wilson (Snow Patrol) the
album displays a real variety of rhythms and vocal styles. But I still
get the feeling that this record exists as the product of Greg Bertens
locking himself up in a studio and revealing himself the way he’s
always wanted to.
-Scott McDonald
(Looking for something similar? Try these bands: Pale Saints, Slowdive, and Psychedelic Furs.)