Showing posts with label nashville. Show all posts
Showing posts with label nashville. Show all posts
Friday, May 7, 2010
Rebuild This City on Rock and Roll
Been trying to figure out what to write or post or what about this Nashville flood business.
Just decided to post up the vid from Nashville Scene about the benefit show held the other night at the Mercy Lounge in Nashville. Think they roped in $11,000. That's not Taylor Swift or Ke$ha money, but still it's pretty good.
Check here for places to donate or buy this good WE ARE NASHVILLE shirt. I'm ordering one.
More after the jump...
Friday, April 30, 2010
review: De Novo Dahl - Tigerlion
De Novo Dahl
Tigerlion
Theory 8 Records
May 25, 2010
Nashville's De Novo Dahl has been reborn in a familiar place. Set loose from the confines of pop-metal label Roadrunner Records, the group is releasing their new record on Nashville's own Theory 8, who released their first album, Cats and Kittens. The joyous pop disco on Move Every Muscle, Make Every Sound has slid into a more morose, subtle downbeat approach.
"We are kind of like Voltron now," lead singer Joel Dahl told the Nashville Scene in February.
According to that article, Joel and his wife Serai were the only two left after the Roadrunner Records debacle and built the band back up.
No matter. It's obvious the return to Theory 8 records is welcome. There's comfort, there's support, there's familiarity. The words "All we want to do/ is just be with you" echo in the first track "Two Thirds," a slow organ-filled(?) plod of honesty, the band asking us for grace, to forgive and forget, and a request to continue on as if nothing happened.
"For Richard Harper" is the first (and really only) super bouncy track, but it takes a surprising, ironic downturn in the chorus with the words "you gotta keep going" sapping some of the energy, but of course, reinforcing the point.
Don't expect much in the way of "Shout" or "Sexy Come Lately." In fact, any leanings to being a 'pop-rock' group are basically gone now, except maybe the mix of new OK Go and Cut Copy hooking up with The Flaming Lips is the new pop.
Definitely think in terms of "Target Practice" or "Rhythm Phd" from Cats and Kittens. That vibe, that feel--of loose and confident but not over the top--the measure of beats and lyrics valued the same--that's what comes out here.
The first single and total stand out track is "Love Is The Healer"--a nice transition for fans that came to De Novo Dahl via Muscle. There's plenty to chew on though, "Don't Kill Yourself" feels like its from the corner crate of old R&B and "Dusty Drifter" a road-weary ballad given the De Novo spin.
From this slightly new direction, I'm guessing the matching, outrageous costumes are gone, the effervescent pop traded in for gulp of sobering realism. Like the tiger, like the lion--this album is moody, fierce, contemplative and solid. A different fierceness from a few years ago.
More after the jump...
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
review: Slowmotions Quick Potions
Slowmotions
Quick Potions
YK Records, 2009
Download for free at Bandcamp/Buy CD at YK Records
Nashville's Slowmotions delivers an album that is not the destruction of anything, but maybe the wake of something. It's an album that surveys the contemporary electronic-pop-hybrid scene and delivers bursts and slices of what that looks like today amidst the downfall of music's genre and production restrictions.
QuickPotions is a quick downtempo album, if that makes any sense, the songs are bursts in 1:30 or 2:00 minute sections, as if Slowmotions-maker Andrew Brassell is giving up on the songs before they wander off too far and by the end, they rise again. But then they wander to the right places, like "Cheese Whiz" and "Birthing a Stone" and the irresistible "Magnus Ogan."
That means soulful snips like "Time" gets cut too early, though the groove is just staring to take hold...it means "Orchestra" lays out a tantalizing somber scene only to end...it means the bass, high-hat and Jimi Hendrix solo just stops in "Cool Band Nightmare"...it means the folky-marathon of "Celebration" peters out...as if Quick Potions is an album of flash fictions or discarded jingles for products and commercials that will never exist...
This is equally annoying and brilliant. The album seems to be on iTunes Store preview the whole time, but it also challenges the concept of song--why, like in the old radio days, does the song need to constantly repeat a chorus, when we can just hit the 'repeat' button over and over? Or just click back in milliseconds to hear it again---
Some songs like "Old v New" and "Fingers Flicker" are quote-fully formed-unquote and in those instances, I think of two other bands near Slowmotions on the iPod: Statistics and Spoon. There is a beat-up / soul sound here, with bells and whistles and pop-commentary like in Statistics (maybe he's still around Nashville?)
The album changes course, maybe not too much, but perceptibly so from the beginning and the songs are so short, I'm wondering how Brassell really feels about these songs--or if the he perceives them all as castoffs. Maybe that's the problem with a snippet album: no one knows for sure if you're serious or not.
But Slowmotions has serious talent, a good ear for the appropriate changes while obviously interested in multiple states of the audio experience--corralling that in a more cohesive way--evening out the folk ends to make them blend with the electronic fringe--more songs like the standout "Birthing A Stone" that's what I'm trying to say.
Do I need a conclusion to this review? Here's one: download Slowmotions for free at Bandcamp. More after the jump...
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
review: Tallest Trees--Hey There Little Nebula
Tallest Trees
Hey There Little Nebula EP
Self-released
Download Tallest Trees here.
Tallest Trees: "Aloutte!"
Tallest Trees: "Learn"
Never was sure what a "buzz" band was until I heard Nashville's Tallest Trees. Not sure where I first downloaded their free album, but Out The Other threw it up on Twitter about a month ago and as I went to download it, I realized I already had it. Just never spent much time with it, never got to know it in a proper way, only that fleeting way which is the state of inboxes and status updates.
Here's another blog post for the wash of white noise over you--Tallest Trees is good and excellent in some cases, but still needing some refinement. Maybe Nashville is all atwitter because they finally have their own Animal Collective/Of Montreal to call their own. Tallest Trees is THAT type of band--instantly alluring, in that non-threatening way that indie stalwarts like Grizzly Bear, Dirty Projectors and the aforementioned bands have so, so, so perfected.
"Alouette!" is the strongest song, precisely because it depends so much on its percussive beats and the cascading French words step so perfectly right into tune, like a marching band of misfit string players. Theirs a high falsetto with intriguing lyrics--yes, Animal Collective is a strong influence and much of this 5-song EP feels like Feels.
Is that bad? Of course not. Too much of a good thing? Maybe. Though "Alouette!" is original, it's hard to find a "non-derivative" song after that one. "Non-derivative" is in quotes, because the quality is extremely high, it's just that Animal Collective has got almost a decade and several albums and side projects tucked in their pockets. Finding a niche in that scene will always be tough--too many parts, too many elements always teetering on the edge of failure. But I love the violin(?...never sure w/ instruments) in "Skinny Little Wrists," the deeper, darker beats of "Finally Home," the twinkling electronica melody on "Learn," and the clever lyrics on "All My Fears."
All the while there is more electronica swirls (not electronica ambiences) than on Animal Collective; combining some standard beats with indie rock strings and a compelling, but familiar sound is made--you know like getting Breyer's Ice Cream instead of Haagen-Dazs. It still tastes good, just very similar.
More after the jump...
Hey There Little Nebula EP
Self-released
Download Tallest Trees here.
Tallest Trees: "Aloutte!"
Tallest Trees: "Learn"
Never was sure what a "buzz" band was until I heard Nashville's Tallest Trees. Not sure where I first downloaded their free album, but Out The Other threw it up on Twitter about a month ago and as I went to download it, I realized I already had it. Just never spent much time with it, never got to know it in a proper way, only that fleeting way which is the state of inboxes and status updates.
Here's another blog post for the wash of white noise over you--Tallest Trees is good and excellent in some cases, but still needing some refinement. Maybe Nashville is all atwitter because they finally have their own Animal Collective/Of Montreal to call their own. Tallest Trees is THAT type of band--instantly alluring, in that non-threatening way that indie stalwarts like Grizzly Bear, Dirty Projectors and the aforementioned bands have so, so, so perfected.
"Alouette!" is the strongest song, precisely because it depends so much on its percussive beats and the cascading French words step so perfectly right into tune, like a marching band of misfit string players. Theirs a high falsetto with intriguing lyrics--yes, Animal Collective is a strong influence and much of this 5-song EP feels like Feels.
Is that bad? Of course not. Too much of a good thing? Maybe. Though "Alouette!" is original, it's hard to find a "non-derivative" song after that one. "Non-derivative" is in quotes, because the quality is extremely high, it's just that Animal Collective has got almost a decade and several albums and side projects tucked in their pockets. Finding a niche in that scene will always be tough--too many parts, too many elements always teetering on the edge of failure. But I love the violin(?...never sure w/ instruments) in "Skinny Little Wrists," the deeper, darker beats of "Finally Home," the twinkling electronica melody on "Learn," and the clever lyrics on "All My Fears."
All the while there is more electronica swirls (not electronica ambiences) than on Animal Collective; combining some standard beats with indie rock strings and a compelling, but familiar sound is made--you know like getting Breyer's Ice Cream instead of Haagen-Dazs. It still tastes good, just very similar.
More after the jump...
Thursday, October 22, 2009
review: Heavy Days Jeff the Brotherhood
Jeff the Brotherhood is currently rocking it at CMJ in Brooklyn, so here’s a CMJ shout and a review at the same time.
Jeff the Brotherhood
Heavy Days
Infinity Cat Recordings, 2009
Jeff The Brotherhood: "Heavy Damage"
Figure if punk rock can be divided into different restaurant styles, then Jeff the Brotherhood is classic Italian. I thought of this while making a pasta dish of course, but that quick, copycat punk rock on the radio is fast food, and I’m not sure what would be Mexican or a sub shop (a band from New Jersey=Jersey Mike’s?) but “classic Italian” because this is good, consistent, and recalls the “punk” of old, I’m sure The Ramones would listen to this on their way to CBGB’s or to see Riff Randle with no clue what to do with the screamo barreling out of the radio.
But Heavy Days seems a bit slower (maybe because it’s heavier?) than the previous Castle Storm, with some instrumental dashes, this is The Ramones meets The Beach Boys. “The Tropics” has this slow mellow trot, “Heavy Krishna” has like this “Wipeout” vibe that I really like, and “Bone Jam” has that “ooooh” opener. But “U Got The Look” and “Heavy Damage” carries the weight, "Mind Ride" is the new classic rock-punk song and all of them have typical young adulthood meandering lyrics, like Jeff the Brotherhood got lost in their own neighborhood. At only nine songs, well, that kind of sucks but I heard the ‘bros’ rock it hard at their live shows.
Can’t remember if Jake and Jamin Orrall (the brothers in BROTHERHOOD) were in Be Your Own Pet, but they’re kind of incestuous with the Turbo Fruits which possess a very similar straight-forward punk sound, so maybe they were. All of this seems to be chronicled at Nashville's Dead which is my new favorite website.
I’m just glad this stuff is dropping out of Nashville, finally some cool crap going down over there beyond Taylor Swift and Kings of Leon and whatever is at Tootsie’s.
I’m tempted to blend Jeff The Brotherhood in with No Age, The Black Lips and The Thermals, all bands that are punk but are outside that Warped Tour/Alternative Press scene, whatever that is called now, I don’t know, maybe the Hot Topic Bands of Fakeness That Sometimes Put Out One or Two Good Albums. That’s kind of a long name so we’ll shorten it to: HTBFTSPOOTGA, or maybe the SPOOTGA for short. Yeah, SPOOTGA. Alright kids, there’s a new ‘meme’ so run with it and find a copy of Heavy Days when you get out the door.
Vid of “Bone Jam” after the jump...
More after the jump...
Jeff the Brotherhood
Heavy Days
Infinity Cat Recordings, 2009
Jeff The Brotherhood: "Heavy Damage"
Figure if punk rock can be divided into different restaurant styles, then Jeff the Brotherhood is classic Italian. I thought of this while making a pasta dish of course, but that quick, copycat punk rock on the radio is fast food, and I’m not sure what would be Mexican or a sub shop (a band from New Jersey=Jersey Mike’s?) but “classic Italian” because this is good, consistent, and recalls the “punk” of old, I’m sure The Ramones would listen to this on their way to CBGB’s or to see Riff Randle with no clue what to do with the screamo barreling out of the radio.
But Heavy Days seems a bit slower (maybe because it’s heavier?) than the previous Castle Storm, with some instrumental dashes, this is The Ramones meets The Beach Boys. “The Tropics” has this slow mellow trot, “Heavy Krishna” has like this “Wipeout” vibe that I really like, and “Bone Jam” has that “ooooh” opener. But “U Got The Look” and “Heavy Damage” carries the weight, "Mind Ride" is the new classic rock-punk song and all of them have typical young adulthood meandering lyrics, like Jeff the Brotherhood got lost in their own neighborhood. At only nine songs, well, that kind of sucks but I heard the ‘bros’ rock it hard at their live shows.
Can’t remember if Jake and Jamin Orrall (the brothers in BROTHERHOOD) were in Be Your Own Pet, but they’re kind of incestuous with the Turbo Fruits which possess a very similar straight-forward punk sound, so maybe they were. All of this seems to be chronicled at Nashville's Dead which is my new favorite website.
I’m just glad this stuff is dropping out of Nashville, finally some cool crap going down over there beyond Taylor Swift and Kings of Leon and whatever is at Tootsie’s.
I’m tempted to blend Jeff The Brotherhood in with No Age, The Black Lips and The Thermals, all bands that are punk but are outside that Warped Tour/Alternative Press scene, whatever that is called now, I don’t know, maybe the Hot Topic Bands of Fakeness That Sometimes Put Out One or Two Good Albums. That’s kind of a long name so we’ll shorten it to: HTBFTSPOOTGA, or maybe the SPOOTGA for short. Yeah, SPOOTGA. Alright kids, there’s a new ‘meme’ so run with it and find a copy of Heavy Days when you get out the door.
Vid of “Bone Jam” after the jump...
More after the jump...
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
We Own This Town: Mean Tambourines, Cactus's & Bad Cop @ Nashville's Mercy Lounge
For the uninitiated, Nashville's We Own This Town is one of the premier radio shows/blogs for finding new independent music in the Music City and the southeast. They've started putting up local shows at Nashville's Mercy Lounge on Tuesday nights for free (that would be uh, nothing) and this one is sure to be a rip-roarin' rockin' time:
Mean Tambourines embodies that 80's synth-dance-indie pop thing really well, but with more polish. Their new EP War drops this July.
Joining the mayhem is Cactus's, and misplaced apostrophes aside, Cactus's wears their thrash math rock moniker well, like a couple of loose bears fighting over a calculator. Raw without being excruciating, the trio of Jru, Sam and Asher are soon bringing their dirty rock to the Northeast. Also on the bill is Nashville's Bad Cop. Vid for Cactus's is below--
More after the jump...
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Smokin' Hot: Hot Pipes in Nashville, Chattanooga & Lexington this wknd
Nashville's Hotpipes venture out to Tennessee and KY for a nice jaunt and to play some shows, too. Think irresistible keys and electronic effects with classic pop and a tiny southern drawl for effect. Not Kings of Leon, but Birds of Avalon. More excitable than typical indie pop and better than most hard rock drivel. Cheer for "The Future is Where We Belong" for its rollicking chorus and the nastier "Future Bolt." Vid of "The Future is Where We Belong" after the dates.
May 28 Chattanooga JJ's Bohemia w/ Coral Castles & Prabir & The Substitutes
May 29 Nashville The Basement w/ Coral Castles & Prabir & The Substitutes
May 30 Lexington, KY Al's Bar w/ Prabir & the Substitutes
Hotpipes - The Future Is Where We Belong @ The End 9/11/08
More after the jump...
Friday, May 15, 2009
Shoot the Mountain releases new EP
What's up with mountains? Here's the second mountain group this week: Indie Brit-pop group Shoot the Mountain releases a new self-titled EP this weekend with a show at the Basement in Nashville. The Protomen and Totally Snake. Shoot the Mountain is part surf-groove, part tangled classic rock, part dance band, part high-pitched harmonies. The show is with The Protomen and Totally Snake. Shoot the Mountain's whole EP can be streamed here at Bandcamp.
More after the jump...
Friday, May 1, 2009
Oh Brother: Jeff The Brotherhood
Nashville and popular blog fav (uh...not this one) JEFF the Brotherhood wrap up their east coast tour before sitting back down at home for a few more dates then launching out again. They've got a slew of new 7" splits and some CD-Rs that may or may not be sold out, but view the MySpace for that. For those inclined to know what the northeast looks like in the spring, here are more of the bro's band blog antics. (band blog antics have been a fav of my as of late.)
Check JEFF for some scuzzy electro-punk akin more to melody than moshing. No word on if JEFF is jazzy or not.
Vid of "I Dream of Jake and Jamin" after the tour dates.
May 1 2009 8:00P bbb complex (bury your bike 2 fest) jacksonville, FL
May 7 2009 8:00P the end (w/ screaming females) nashville
May 14 2009 8:00P mercy lounge (w/ royal bangs) 18+ nashville
May 19 2009 8:00P new french bar (w/ turbo fruits) asheville, NC
May 21 2009 8:00P meat town u.s.a. (w/ turbo fruits) new brunswick, NJ
May 22 2009 8:00P cakeshop (w/turbo fruits) New York, New York
May 23 2009 8:00P don pedros (w/ turbo fruits) Brooklyn, New York
May 24 2009 8:00P the khyber (w/ turbo fruits) philladelphia
May 26 2009 8:00P go bar (w/ turbo fruits) Athens, Georgia
Jul 9 2009 8:00P the end (w/ jay reatard) Nashville, Tennessee
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60g19Lw1pwA&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1]
More after the jump...
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