Heidi is sick of the sound of her own voice today, let’s listen to Jared instead.
Whilst I have lived in England I have been struck by the cross pollination of many musical genres under the guise of indie. What is indie? It’s exactly what it sounds like — independent music — but it’s a bit of a minefield, you have to be careful. It has traditionally referred to bands that were independent of a major label, often still true. Frequently independent of classification, but wholly in ownership of a certain batshit crazy awesome. However, sometimes it means music independent of creativity or integrity. Often I want to vomit in my own mouth with how awful it is that any pimply Emo kid in his basement can hype his “Sergeant Pepper” via a Twitter account and Facebook. I hear from people that with a good hash tag, you can hype any old cat turd in the litter box. I must be old and bitter and hope that one day Steel Panther will schools these assholes (since the greatest genre of music is Metal). But since I’m a bit weak, this artsy music has helped me to apologize to the cat for kicking it. It’s rare, but sometimes, just sometimes, a gem emerges. Let’s review a few:
Artist: Late of the Pier
Album: Fantasy Black Channel
Check out: Space and The Woods, The Bears of Coming, Bathroom Gurgle
These guys first came to my attention in 2008 when my wife kept badgering me to listen. I was watching some late night telly when I saw the video for Bathroom Gurgle. Their music is a strange mix of Prog rock, indie disco, epic synths and cut and paste free association Bowie-styled lyrics. While listening your imagination finds itself in a dystopia cum Hieronymus Bosch world of fire-breathing, end-time demons being fought by bands of Lord of the Flies youths. This is the kind of music kids should be making in the basement. Danceable, uncomfortable and strangely medieval, it will pretty much leave you with strange dreams for a few weeks. In a fight these guys could beat up Justin Bieber, they are pasty British art school kids after all.
Artist: Everything Everything
Album: Man Alive
Check Out: MY KY UR BF aka My Keys Your Boyfriend, Suffargette Suffragette, Schoolin
If you don’t know about Math Rock, well then these guys won’t add up… HA HA. Nerd joke, but true to Everything Everything’s kind of musical arithmetic, they make great use of quirky and strange tribal rhythms coupled with compelling vocal harmonies and stylings that add a complexity to an otherwise lonely raw emotion that combines well with clever observational lyrics. Not sure if available outside of UK since it was released here in august 2010. Truly interesting music about compliflicted (complicated and conflicted) love. These guys would beat up Donny Osmond, but run from David Crosby.
Artist: Metronomy
Album: Nights Out
Check Out: A Thing For Me, Heartbreaker, My Heart Rate Rapid
I know this is not available in the USA. Well, really why cast pearls before swine? But if you’re into adventure these guys from Devon won’t let your down. Some very interesting instrumental music on the album and when they tour members of Lightspeed Champion help out with the live sets. Very much electronic based, with guitar and bass in supplementary roles, but not in a boring predictable way. Since releasing this album they have remixed and produced many other notables. 2011 will see a release of new material, but until then press that light on your chest and join in. These guys wouldn’t fight anyone, but would have you over for tea and afterwards score with your sister on the couch while you took a nap.
Artist: Yeasayer
Album: Odd Blood
Check Out: Ambling Alp, O.N.E., 2080 (new song), Tight Rope (not on album)
I feel real conflicted about these guys. I really thought I hated world music though they have only vague influences. Not so electronic based and American to boot. Great drumming and atmospheric. A little more serious and earnest than the other choices, but for you thinking types it should be a pleasant and enjoyable listen. Some introverted thinking feeling lyrics and a bit more cryptic. Not for the novice. Not as challenging on the ears as the first 3, but not a doddle either. These guys would fight MGMT to a draw.
All these bands represent an interesting hybridization of many forms and genres on my side of the Atlantic. Please check these foolz out. And if you don’t like it….. Well then, LISTEN TO MORE METAL. You will like yourself in the morning.
*Disclaimer: Some people find my love of metal in conflict with loving other kinds of music. Well to them I say —It’s not a religion man, you don’t have to just pick one… right?
Jared, you rock. Two things then I’m back to listening … 1. The pearls have been cast. I’m able to listen to Metronomy’s Lights Out with my Zune pass. Can’t get to Everything, Everything but maybe one day. 2. Thanks!
I somehow missed the first italicized line and was trying to ‘hear’ this in Heidi’s ‘voice’ and my head was exploding. Jared’s
‘voice’ is a much better fit. Love the whole thing.
Haha! Jared’s posts are always a collaborative effort, but it is definitely his voice — I have never compared anything to a “cat turd” or thought about who could beat up who in my life. When I questioned him, he told me that I wasn’t allowed to mess with “his art.”
Yes, the cat turd phrase was the lightbulb moment when I looked up to the author line :-)
Nice. Particularly liking Late of the Pier.
Yeasayer makes me think of Depeche Mode, The Cure, The Kinks and The Clash all at the same time. Diggin’ it.
My favorite is Our Friends Electric… you should check them out some time, but their CDs are pretty rare, I’m lucky to have one. (Heidi, man our husbands have freakishly similar senses of humor!)
Hey Jared, what’s some of your favorite metal?
It is real happiness to know you blog!