A predictable playlist - Hear
HEAR is the enema your iTunes needs. Bringing you the most thought-provoking and up-to-date music reviews this side of Lester Bangs, HEAR sifts through the ever growing mountain of press releases and promos to only feature albums, EPs, LPs and mixes that we want to, not that we have to. Also, we try and make things make sense in 200 words or less so that you can just listen to the music.
The Ruby Suns interview
Ryan McPhun is a musical Krishna; the multi-talented operator behind The Ruby Suns has a new album out on Sub-Pop called Fight Softly. With an almost entirely new sonic palette compared to that of 2008's lush Sea Lion, the Sun's new album represents a trip out into sparse synth land. I spoke to Ryan during my lunch break.
Spoon, 'Transference'
The fact that this is the first self-produced Spoon album was a surprise to me. They've always been so ridiculously full of sound-purpose and sound-awareness. As you might expect, it sounds just as good as anything they've paid some dude with a massive beard and a concerned look on his face to record.
The Besnard Lakes, Are The Roaring Night
Sometimes I wish I didn't have to tell you about music via a flashing computer screen.
I wish I could just play you something at a party. Or make you a mix CD. Some things are better if you find them out by accident, or from a friend. The Besnard Lakes have too much personality for the impersonality of a computer screen.
Holly Miranda, 'The Magician's Private Library'
Words like magical, enchanting, and playful get used a lot these days. Unfortunately, they're often meant to endear you to bands whose work has more twinkling and twee affectation than real emotion.
These words could describe Holly Miranda's debut - but DON'T be frightened by this (or the album's title or artwork.
HEALTH interview
HEALTH operate on a visceral plane. There is emotion apparent in their recordings but it is not made clear for you in words. It comes through in sound abstracted, voices affected and tempos flailing. They are able to connect to the audience on a basic level without having to sacrifice their complexities.
Grizzly Bear interview
Here's a band! Ethereal, psychedelic pop infused with a tidbit of Gregorian chant, texturally rich, dense, colourful, not too gay, a little bit gay. These dudes don't fuck around at band practice, so to speak... Chris Taylor (bass/clarinet/flute/vocalist/producer) imparts upon me a couple of ‘fun facts' from the Seattle Airport.
Total Control, Retiree 7"
Punk is now more than 30 years old, and while that might not be old enough to qualify for the pension, those who were around to see the scene ignite in the '70s are certainly getting close. Yet, as a general rule, it still plays as music for the young. The genre hasn't necessarily aged with its instigators.
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