On Tuesday, D. and I saw Andrew Bird give a stunning performance at Pittsburgh's Carnegie Music Hall (not to be confused...). Equally stunning and, to us, delightfully surprising were the opening act: A Hawk and a Hacksaw (who take their name from a line in Hamlet: "I am but mad north-north-west: when the wind is southerly I know a hawk from a handsaw" (Act II, scene ii).
Fronted by former Neutral Milk Hotel drummer Jeremy Barnes on accordion, bass drum, and tambourine; and backed by Heather Trost on violin and other strings as well as a couple folks (whose names I didn't catch) on sundry horns and woodwinds, these guys were amazing. Captivating.
I'll admit, some of it - including the this week's track - sounds like it could be the soundtrack for a fast-motion montage in a Guy Richie film (circa-1990's, Lock, Stock style), but not at all to its discredit. I've been listening to them all morning, and I can't get enough.
A Black and White Rainbow.
And while I'm at it, one from Andrew Bird:
Nomenclature.
Enjoy!
Showing posts with label Track of the Week. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Track of the Week. Show all posts
April 10, 2009
March 20, 2009
Track of the Week: "If I Had a Heart" by Fever Ray
Jeez oh pete! '09's shaping up to be a great year for new music from some of my old favorites.
Yep, Bob Dylan.
But also, Wilco's got a new one slated for June.
Andrew Bird just released a fine album Noble Beast.
In addition to the remastered reissues of Paul's Boutique and Check Your Head, word on the street is that the Beastie Boys have a new one in the works (my prediction: a "punk" album).
Animal Collective are relentlessly assaulting us with good stuff: beyond the truly excellent Merriweather Post Pavilion, they're re-releasing nearly everything they've recorded on Direct Metal Mastering vinyl (see, for example, the reissue of Spirit They've Gone, Spirit They've Vanished) as well as a long-awaited vinyl-only, live box set from Catsup Plate Records.
And that says nothing of the newer bands busting out on the scene.
Dreijer Andersson may not be new to the scene, but her solo project Fever Ray is. I'll admit it, I picked this one up thanks to Pitchfork's "Best New Music" section: So sue me (and, haters, just have a look at their 10 most recent best new albums and disagree with them. I dare ya).
"If I Had a Heart" is the haunting opener from Fever Ray's self-titled album.
Enjoy!
Yep, Bob Dylan.
But also, Wilco's got a new one slated for June.
Andrew Bird just released a fine album Noble Beast.
In addition to the remastered reissues of Paul's Boutique and Check Your Head, word on the street is that the Beastie Boys have a new one in the works (my prediction: a "punk" album).
Animal Collective are relentlessly assaulting us with good stuff: beyond the truly excellent Merriweather Post Pavilion, they're re-releasing nearly everything they've recorded on Direct Metal Mastering vinyl (see, for example, the reissue of Spirit They've Gone, Spirit They've Vanished) as well as a long-awaited vinyl-only, live box set from Catsup Plate Records.
And that says nothing of the newer bands busting out on the scene.
Dreijer Andersson may not be new to the scene, but her solo project Fever Ray is. I'll admit it, I picked this one up thanks to Pitchfork's "Best New Music" section: So sue me (and, haters, just have a look at their 10 most recent best new albums and disagree with them. I dare ya).
"If I Had a Heart" is the haunting opener from Fever Ray's self-titled album.
Enjoy!
February 27, 2009
Track of the Week: "Trouble Weighs a Ton" by Dan Auerbach
The first track from the Black Keys's frontman Dan Auerbach. This guy can do no wrong, in my opinion.
"Trouble Weighs a Ton"
Enjoy!
"Trouble Weighs a Ton"
Enjoy!
February 13, 2009
Track of the Week: "Legal Tender" by Handsome Furs
This one comes from the duo comprised of Wolf Parade's Dan Boeckner and his wife Alexei Perry: Handsome Furs.
The other bands involved in the collective that gives us Wolf Parade and Handsome Furs - Frog Eyes, Sunset Rubdown, Swan Lake, et. al. - seem to get more attention than the Handsome Furs, but, in my opinion, the Furs are the best of the bunch.
Here's a new one from their forthcoming album Face Control.
Legal Tender.
Enjoy!
The other bands involved in the collective that gives us Wolf Parade and Handsome Furs - Frog Eyes, Sunset Rubdown, Swan Lake, et. al. - seem to get more attention than the Handsome Furs, but, in my opinion, the Furs are the best of the bunch.
Here's a new one from their forthcoming album Face Control.
Legal Tender.
Enjoy!
February 7, 2009
Track of the Week: "Let's Talk About It" by White Denim
This one comes from White Denim's recent Exposion, available here in multiple formats ranging from FLAC files to a "one-year subscription" that comes with the album on both wax and in a million digital bits as well as a 7" single of this week's track.
"Let's Talk About It"
Enjoy!
"Let's Talk About It"
Enjoy!
January 30, 2009
Track of the Week: 6 Ghosts by Nine Inch Nails
I'm not gonna lie: I have tremendous respect for Trent Reznor. At about the same time Radiohead were shattering traditional methods of music distribution, Reznor was also digitally releasing some amazing material sans record label (and without asking his fans to qualify their appreciation by coming up with their own price).
The guy is intelligent and talented. Don't believe me? Check out NPR's World Cafe interview.
This week's track comes from a massive, 36-song instrumental collection called Ghosts. Reznor made the first of four parts of this collection available for free download. And it's good.
6 Ghosts.
Enjoy (and don't be afraid).
The guy is intelligent and talented. Don't believe me? Check out NPR's World Cafe interview.
This week's track comes from a massive, 36-song instrumental collection called Ghosts. Reznor made the first of four parts of this collection available for free download. And it's good.
6 Ghosts.
Enjoy (and don't be afraid).
January 23, 2009
January 16, 2009
Track of the Week: "You Remind Me of Something" by Bonnie "Prince" Billy
When I lived in Louisville, I was often told I should check out local act Will Oldham aka Palace Brothers aka Bonnie 'Prince' Billie. As usual, when I'm told I should check out any cultural product (be it film, television show, album, artist, etc.), I'm resistant. Oppositional, even. I mean, c'mon, I'm a unique, precious snowflake: irreducible to your simplified assumptions regarding my artistic preferences, tastes, etc. You don't know me, man.
So, I never got around to checking out old Will.
Thanks to a recent New Yorker article, I decided to give him a shot. That's right, my friends don't know me, The New Yorker does.
Everyone who said I'd like Oldham was right.
"You Remind Me of Something"
Enjoy!
So, I never got around to checking out old Will.
Thanks to a recent New Yorker article, I decided to give him a shot. That's right, my friends don't know me, The New Yorker does.
Everyone who said I'd like Oldham was right.
"You Remind Me of Something"
Enjoy!
January 9, 2009
Track of the Week: "My Girls" by Animal Collective
I love this band so freakin' much. Their new one... Merriweather Post Pavilion...geez oh man, it's good.
Pitchfork Review.
Buy it from Domino.
Listen to "My Girls".
Enjoy!
Pitchfork Review.
Buy it from Domino.
Listen to "My Girls".
Enjoy!
December 19, 2008
Track(s) of the Week: From the Top Ten
Five Track from my Top Ten:
High Places - From Stardust to Sentience: Dreamy and ethereal. This track is a perfect depiction of the entire album.
Man Man - Mister Jung Stuffed: From the first "Been locked down way too long" of this opening track through the final "Who are we to love at all" of the album's closing tune ("Whalebones"), Rabbit Habits is the funnest circus-ride of an album that I know.
The Dodos - Red and Purple: I'm amazed when two-man bands are able to produce a sound this full. I know, recording studio hocus pocus and all that... but, still, there's a richness to The Dodos that's unexplained by the effects of layering tracks.
Sleepingdog - The Sun Sinks in the Sea: Hypnotic. Mesmerizing. Polar Life is like forced meditation. The entire album manages to stay consistently entrancing without sounding repetitive.
Gang Gang Dance - First Communion: Saint Dympha made the top ten largely because it's been the backdrop for my writing for several weeks. It's a good album, but it's particularly good for passing the time spent in the excruciating work of wordsmithing.
Enjoy! If you like it, buy it (if possible, buy as directly from the artist as you can - by picking up something at a show, purchasing through their websites, or going through their record labels).
High Places - From Stardust to Sentience: Dreamy and ethereal. This track is a perfect depiction of the entire album.
Man Man - Mister Jung Stuffed: From the first "Been locked down way too long" of this opening track through the final "Who are we to love at all" of the album's closing tune ("Whalebones"), Rabbit Habits is the funnest circus-ride of an album that I know.
The Dodos - Red and Purple: I'm amazed when two-man bands are able to produce a sound this full. I know, recording studio hocus pocus and all that... but, still, there's a richness to The Dodos that's unexplained by the effects of layering tracks.
Sleepingdog - The Sun Sinks in the Sea: Hypnotic. Mesmerizing. Polar Life is like forced meditation. The entire album manages to stay consistently entrancing without sounding repetitive.
Gang Gang Dance - First Communion: Saint Dympha made the top ten largely because it's been the backdrop for my writing for several weeks. It's a good album, but it's particularly good for passing the time spent in the excruciating work of wordsmithing.
Enjoy! If you like it, buy it (if possible, buy as directly from the artist as you can - by picking up something at a show, purchasing through their websites, or going through their record labels).
December 18, 2008
Track(s) of the Week: Honorable Mentions
Five tracks from my Best of '08 Honorable Mentions:
Cat Power - Song to Bobby: The one original tune (not counting Chan's cover of her own song) on Jukebox. Also, an unapologetic love letter to Bob Dylan.
Ratatat - Mi Viejo: These boys have some great remixes out there.
Juana Molina - Dar (Qué Dificil): Juana Molina is incapable of making songs that aren't completely infectious. Listen to this and don't like it. I dare you to even try.
Tobacco - Hairy Candy: All analog. From a limited vinyl release. And (perhaps too surprisingly) a Pittsburgh native.
Department of Eagles - Around the Bay: A solid tune from a solid album. If I'd had more time to spend with In Ear Park, it may very well have ranked higher.
Cat Power - Song to Bobby: The one original tune (not counting Chan's cover of her own song) on Jukebox. Also, an unapologetic love letter to Bob Dylan.
Ratatat - Mi Viejo: These boys have some great remixes out there.
Juana Molina - Dar (Qué Dificil): Juana Molina is incapable of making songs that aren't completely infectious. Listen to this and don't like it. I dare you to even try.
Tobacco - Hairy Candy: All analog. From a limited vinyl release. And (perhaps too surprisingly) a Pittsburgh native.
Department of Eagles - Around the Bay: A solid tune from a solid album. If I'd had more time to spend with In Ear Park, it may very well have ranked higher.
December 12, 2008
Track of the Week: "Old Panda Days" by Casiotone for the Painfully Alone
To continue the series of tracks from bands I've recently seen live and who, after the show, slept on my couch,* this week's track comes from Casiotone for the Painfully Alone (cftpa).
After seeing cftpa in a small, artsy venue in Pittsburgh a few weeks ago, I invited Owen Ashworth - cftpa's creator and sole member - and his brother Gordon (who's band Concern also played) to crash on my couch, and, to my surprise and overly-enthusiastic delight, they took me up on it.
I first heard cftpa on the first installment of the limited David Horvitz Picture Disc Series from Aagoo Records, and I immediately fell in love.
"Old Panda Days" is the track from the picture disc series that sealed the deal on my gushing fandom. Enjoy!
Buy cftpa's recent full length Etiquette here or digitally through iTunes. Also, see the band's MySpace page for some extraordinarily awesome and rare wax, including the highly recommended Ashworth brothers' collaboration on a couple Springsteen covers printed on a square slab o' vinyl.
* Note: unless in the extremely unlikely event that another band happens to sleep on my couch between now and next Friday, this will be the last track in the "bands who've slept on my couch" series. I don't go givin' that couch out to just anyone, you know.
After seeing cftpa in a small, artsy venue in Pittsburgh a few weeks ago, I invited Owen Ashworth - cftpa's creator and sole member - and his brother Gordon (who's band Concern also played) to crash on my couch, and, to my surprise and overly-enthusiastic delight, they took me up on it.
I first heard cftpa on the first installment of the limited David Horvitz Picture Disc Series from Aagoo Records, and I immediately fell in love.
"Old Panda Days" is the track from the picture disc series that sealed the deal on my gushing fandom. Enjoy!
Buy cftpa's recent full length Etiquette here or digitally through iTunes. Also, see the band's MySpace page for some extraordinarily awesome and rare wax, including the highly recommended Ashworth brothers' collaboration on a couple Springsteen covers printed on a square slab o' vinyl.
* Note: unless in the extremely unlikely event that another band happens to sleep on my couch between now and next Friday, this will be the last track in the "bands who've slept on my couch" series. I don't go givin' that couch out to just anyone, you know.
December 5, 2008
Track of the Week: "Hazmat" by Via Audio
I recently saw the Brooklyn born and Berklee educated band Via Audio perform in Pittsburgh, and, as it was my fourth or fifth time seeing these guys, I was stunned by how consistently awesome they are.
This week's track - "Hazmat" - comes from their first full-length, Say Something. To quote the Pitchfork review:
On a personal note, these guys - Jess, David, Tom, and Adam - also happen to be amongst my most favorite people in the world. It's such a lovely coincidence that they're also brilliant musicians.
Buy Say Something here or on iTunes.
"Hazmat".
This week's track - "Hazmat" - comes from their first full-length, Say Something. To quote the Pitchfork review:
Finally, a catchy pop record that's serious: not gloomy, not mournful, and not pretentious. It's serious and earnest, it's occasionally sad, but there is such a beautiful gloss over everything that it sticks, hurts, and feels delicious. Not surprisingly, the album was produced by Spoon's drummer, Jim Eno, who I don't believe puts a stamp on anything; he just added some sort of sealant that keeps the sultry goo of "Numb" and sexy-sad lollipops like "We Can Be Good" and "Harder on Me" in our heads for weeks.
On a personal note, these guys - Jess, David, Tom, and Adam - also happen to be amongst my most favorite people in the world. It's such a lovely coincidence that they're also brilliant musicians.
Buy Say Something here or on iTunes.
"Hazmat".
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