Friday, 4 May 2012
The new Alt Nation top-18
... is remarkably similar to the previous week's Alt Nation top 18 list, with a few songs changing positions, and Gotye and Kimbra entering the list.
The Alt-18 Countdown - Week of April 28
18. Gotye – "Eyes Wide Open"
17. Kimbra with Mark Foster & A-Trak – "Warrior"
16. Santigold - "Disparate Youth"
15. Chappo - "Come Home"
14. Grouplove - "Tongue Tied"
13. A Silent Film - "Danny, Dakota & The Wishing Well"
12. The Temper Trap - "Need Your Love"
11. Atlas Genius - "Trojans"
10. Electric Guest - "This Head I Hold"
9. Imagine Dragons - "It's Time"
8. Of Monsters & Men - "Little Talks"
7. The Shins - "Simple Song"
6. Jack White - "Sixteen Saltines"
5. Silversun Pickups - "Bloody Mary (Nerve Endings)"
4. Bombay Bicycle Club - "Shuffle"
3. Walk The Moon - "Anna Sun"
2. The Wombats - "Jump Into The Fog"
1. The Black Keys - "Gold On The Ceiling"
The Alt-18 Countdown - Week of April 28
18. Gotye – "Eyes Wide Open"
17. Kimbra with Mark Foster & A-Trak – "Warrior"
16. Santigold - "Disparate Youth"
15. Chappo - "Come Home"
14. Grouplove - "Tongue Tied"
13. A Silent Film - "Danny, Dakota & The Wishing Well"
12. The Temper Trap - "Need Your Love"
11. Atlas Genius - "Trojans"
10. Electric Guest - "This Head I Hold"
9. Imagine Dragons - "It's Time"
8. Of Monsters & Men - "Little Talks"
7. The Shins - "Simple Song"
6. Jack White - "Sixteen Saltines"
5. Silversun Pickups - "Bloody Mary (Nerve Endings)"
4. Bombay Bicycle Club - "Shuffle"
3. Walk The Moon - "Anna Sun"
2. The Wombats - "Jump Into The Fog"
1. The Black Keys - "Gold On The Ceiling"
Wednesday, 2 May 2012
The Band I Saw Last Night: Electric Guest
A few months back, a little-known LA band called Electric Guest released an advance single called "American Daydream" from a then-upcoming album called "Mondo" and I instantly became a huge fan of that particular track and have played it repeatedly at my Second Life shows. It's a great summery tune--light, quietly upbeat, featuring a trip-hop beat and a high-voiced singer whom I assumed--mistakenly--was a woman.
Now I know that the singer in question is one Asa Niccone, a mere slip of a young man who possesses a great voice that frequently slides into the falsetto range and who accompanies it with a sprite-like stage manner that's infectious. I feel qualified to offer these assessments because I saw this band perform last night in my city before a highly enthusiastic crowd.
The reason I went is because it was only yesterday morning when I first heard the album, which made a big impression on me. I then immediately sent an e-mail to a fellow music lover, saying, "You gotta hear these guys," and about an hour later he responded by asking me if I was aware that Electric Guest was playing here in Boston THAT VERY NIGHT!
So I jumped into action, saw that tickets were still available here but that the Wednesday-night show in New York had already sold out! In other words: move quickly! So I did and ended up seeing an excellent show.
Electric Guest definitely rides a retro groove--in their case, soul, funk, and R&B--and it kinda reminds me a bit of Gnarls Barkley. They sounded great, but I couldn't help but wonder how genuinely "soulful" this music really is to them and whether it's really more of a derivative thing. But that quibble aside, I highly recommend this album and I also strongly recommend these guys as an excellent live show. But if they're coming to your town, act fast. Their reputation is growing, and their shows are selling out.
--MobyTen
Now I know that the singer in question is one Asa Niccone, a mere slip of a young man who possesses a great voice that frequently slides into the falsetto range and who accompanies it with a sprite-like stage manner that's infectious. I feel qualified to offer these assessments because I saw this band perform last night in my city before a highly enthusiastic crowd.
The reason I went is because it was only yesterday morning when I first heard the album, which made a big impression on me. I then immediately sent an e-mail to a fellow music lover, saying, "You gotta hear these guys," and about an hour later he responded by asking me if I was aware that Electric Guest was playing here in Boston THAT VERY NIGHT!
So I jumped into action, saw that tickets were still available here but that the Wednesday-night show in New York had already sold out! In other words: move quickly! So I did and ended up seeing an excellent show.
Electric Guest definitely rides a retro groove--in their case, soul, funk, and R&B--and it kinda reminds me a bit of Gnarls Barkley. They sounded great, but I couldn't help but wonder how genuinely "soulful" this music really is to them and whether it's really more of a derivative thing. But that quibble aside, I highly recommend this album and I also strongly recommend these guys as an excellent live show. But if they're coming to your town, act fast. Their reputation is growing, and their shows are selling out.
--MobyTen
Portugal. The Man
This band's imagery freaks me out. Probably because I'm a wus. I'm posting this video because the other two 'official' videos featured ... blood (albeit clay blood in the animated version). In this acoustic video, they are merely singing and playing their instruments :)
Wiki describes Portugal. The Man as 'psychedelic' rock and looking up the term produces the following, which seems quite accurate of Portugal. The Man's music (and official videos):
of or noting a mental state characterized by a profound sense of intensified sensory perception, sometimes accompanied by severe perceptual distortion and hallucinations and by extreme feelings of either euphoria or despair.
Wiki describes Portugal. The Man as 'psychedelic' rock and looking up the term produces the following, which seems quite accurate of Portugal. The Man's music (and official videos):
of or noting a mental state characterized by a profound sense of intensified sensory perception, sometimes accompanied by severe perceptual distortion and hallucinations and by extreme feelings of either euphoria or despair.
Tuesday, 1 May 2012
The Shutes EP
Well, it's not easy to categorise this band...
They seem a bit confused also describing their EP Echo of Love as a collection of Indie Rock with Psychedelic and Surf flourishes. I'd say they're more folky than psychedelic and less rock than they are indie...but this isn't a bad thing :)
To me it's simply a showcase of sensual vocals combined superbly with original, innovative guitar riffs and melodies.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2MZRg1a6rA&w=560&h=315]
This five track EP was recorded with producer Julian Simmons (Midlake, Guillemots) at East London's Dean Studios and mixed by Rich Woodcraft (Radiohead, Neil Young).
So.. spread the word, expect big things :)
Agnes xx
They seem a bit confused also describing their EP Echo of Love as a collection of Indie Rock with Psychedelic and Surf flourishes. I'd say they're more folky than psychedelic and less rock than they are indie...but this isn't a bad thing :)
To me it's simply a showcase of sensual vocals combined superbly with original, innovative guitar riffs and melodies.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2MZRg1a6rA&w=560&h=315]
This five track EP was recorded with producer Julian Simmons (Midlake, Guillemots) at East London's Dean Studios and mixed by Rich Woodcraft (Radiohead, Neil Young).
So.. spread the word, expect big things :)
Agnes xx
Jezabels - Endless Summer
This Australian band are blowing me away at the moment - and it's not just this song, but the entire album that is awesome. The music is different, hard to define. According to wiki, the band describes themselves as 'intensindie'. I think it's a really fitting term :)
Monday, 30 April 2012
Metric - New Single
Metric's new single 'Youth Without Youth' was released 3 hours ago:
[soundcloud url="http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/43544043" iframe="true" /]
There's a commentary over here, in which the band mention the '70s sleaze' feel of the song, the 'Gary Glitter beat' and discuss the deeper meaning of the song - the younger generation inheriting debts from the older.
For more info check out the www.ilovemetric.com
[soundcloud url="http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/43544043" iframe="true" /]
There's a commentary over here, in which the band mention the '70s sleaze' feel of the song, the 'Gary Glitter beat' and discuss the deeper meaning of the song - the younger generation inheriting debts from the older.
For more info check out the www.ilovemetric.com
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