Tape Deck Mountain: It Goes Down
I’ve always enjoyed Tape Deck Mountain ever since I saw them at Aquarium Drunkard’s Waved Out in 2010. Live, they are ferocious as they are slowly hypnotic; that is a skill every great shoegaze band has and I am just giddy with the two latest tracks from the San Deigo band.
They may have just released their album, Ghost, last November but they’ve been keeping busy enough to release a brand new EP a few days ago titled “Secret Serf” which boasts the very exciting songs, “It Goes Down” and “P.I..” With the latter being slightly more upbeat than the former, both songs make for a very positive foreshadow of what their full-length will hopefully sound like.
With vocals almost hidden in all the fuzz and shredding mania, “It Goes Down” especially pulls one into something similar to an acid trip – ironically not on the beach. Tape Deck Mountain manages some tongue and cheek humor along with some incredible talent.
Take a listen to the two new songs below!
Wise Blood: Loud Mouths
My initial feelings toward Wise Blood aka Christopher Laufman were very similar to the ones I had when I first discovered Kissed Her Little Sister. Leaving me a bit confused yet intrigued as mashup music always does, my ears were begging for more when I heard a few tracks from Wise Blood’s then-free EP, ‘+’. “B.I.G. E.G.O” has an unusual organ foundation similar to one you’d hear in gospel music, and “STRT SRNS” has great pop hook which bounces around in those heavy beats.
I may be a little late in sharing Wise Blood with you but just know this. He’s young and he’s determined to take over the world of pop music through his mashups. Toward the end of 2010, he was definitely one of those obscure, hyped up acts based on his EP alone. Since then, he’s released a few videos with “B.I.G. E.G.O.” even starring Guinness heiress (Daphne Guinness). He’s now also signed to Dovecote Records for an upcoming 2011 EP.
I’ve enjoyed Wise Blood before but it’s this new single “Loud Mouths” that has me really digging his style. Starting out with some choral snippets of the hymnal, “Holy, Holy, Holy,” a couple of chilling screams, and some deep moans, Laufner then comes in with those falsetto vocals on top of a gothic beat and repetitive piano chords. As he sings about throwing “powder up your nose,” it all makes for one nice, heavy, hip-hop tune – even if I swear there is a Celine Dion sample toward the end.
Check out “Loud Mouths,” the B.I.G. E.G.O. video, along with some other tunes from his previous EP below. (Wise Blood also debuted another video a few days ago which you can catch here.)
Family of the Year Music Video: Pysche Or Like Scope
If you’ve ever seen LA band, Family of the Year, you’re most likely used to seeing a large group of guys and gals playing some tight folk indie rock jams. In fact, they’ve gotten such a familial and easy-going vibe about them, Steven Tyler even dubbed the band as the “Mamas and Papas on acid.”
So, it’s a bit of a surprise to see that they’ve recently released a video for a track they never play live. “Psyche Or Like Scope” seemed a bit out of place on their 2009 album, Songbook, which boasted rich, harmonious songs like “Stupidland” or “Summergirl.” However with “Psyche Or Like Scope,” having as much magnetism as it has a nice solid electronica foundation (which still supports the comparisons to Fleetwood Mac), the song found its way up to the top on Parisian radio. It may not be folk, but it’s certainly proof that this band can bend their artistic pencils when it comes to writing great songs in other genres.
The video is laid-back as it is spacey and nicely portrays the feel-good vibes of the band members while it also caters to a more “European” sound. The clip is directed by Mareesa Stertz who got a lending hand from rest of Black Flamingo for the effects.
You can watch the video below as well as grab “Chugjug,” a tune off of last year’s EP, “Through the Trees” (which sounds more like the Family of the Year we locals know). However, if you’re into making new mixes of your favorite songs, the band has put their stems of “Psyche Or Like Scope” up for a remix contest. Take a listen to the tracks below and see what you feel like doing.
Kurt Vile: Jesus Fever
Whether Kurt Vile is playing solo or with his backing band The Violators, there is always a demure quality to him as we take in his simple yet majestic tunes in a live setting. It may be the long hair, which always seems to block any facial expressions of his, that may give off a certain humility but it ultimately never seems to matter when the lyrics and melodies always speak for themselves.
If you’ve gotten the chance to see Vile play a few times, you’ve probably noticed that his confidence has grown as it always should for a great artist. However, the spin he puts on the subject of spirituality is consistently soft as it is always enticing. His latest track “Jesus Fever” continues the theme as he sings of being “already gone.” The 70′s tinted tune combines the usual roots and psychedelia rock Vile is known for, but there’s also a nice gentle breeze that flows through this one making it must-listen-on-repeat addiction. The song is off of his upcoming sophomore LP, Smoke Ring For My Halo, which will be released on March 8 via Matador. If you’re smart, you’ve already pre-ordered the album.
Take a listen and grab the track below!
LA Font: Lone Wolf Boys
LA Font landed on my radar far too late. However, once their music found its way to my pool of local music I enjoy putting on repeat, the band made room for themselves in a seat next to other local favorites such as The Henry Clay People and Death To Anders. Their tune “Fine Lines” from their album The American Leagues also made my Top 20 Local LA Songs of 2010.
I’ve described this band as a “no-frill” band on my latest mixtape because there’s just no better way to put it. Vocals from Danny Bobbe amusingly sneer with the ironic lyrics and the country-punk undertones serve as a wake-up call to all hipsters in Echo Park. LA Font is a band who calls it as they see it through some pop sensibility and garage rock drenched in Slanted and Enchanted influences. Who’s going to reject the truth when it sounds this good?
Take a listen to their beautiful laments in “Lone Wolf Boys” and unabashed declarations in “Fine Lines” below!
Adele Music Video: Rolling in the Deep
Adele‘s success rode in on the wave which Amy Winehouse started with her infamous Back To Black album. The British invasion which then included Lily Allen, Kate Nash, and Duffy seemed to highlight strong women with lyrics sharp enough to cut down any typical stereotype of females in the pop industry.
Adele, only 19 then (hence the title of her debut album), slid in only to be dubbed the “new Amy Winehouse.” Whether or not that comparison is still completely absurd, both singers did embody soul elements in their music but they both executed their strengths with very different techniques. Although Winehouse’s tabloid stories didn’t seem to help her out in the end, that second album of hers is still legendary for the contemporary pop/soul genre. Adele, on the other hand, managed to keep her head together and stayed classy enough to announce the news of her sophomore effort, 21 (slated for release on February 22, 2011 in the US).
The lead single, “Rolling in the Deep,” should already sound familiar to you as it made my Top 40 Songs of 2010 while the Keljet remix also made my Top 15 Remixes of 2010. However, if you haven’t seen the official video or the behind the scenes footage to the song, I’ve included both clips below. With Adele’s maturity shining even more, “Rolling in the Deep” dives into some contemporary roots and country music, thanks to her influential bus driver who would only play Nashville music on tour. The song still has the expected soul vibe with Adele belting it out in the chorus, but there is also another level of smokiness which she reaches by getting a little rowdier than usual through blues and gospel. If the rest of the album sounds anything like this song, we can predict a few more Grammys to fall into her lap again.
Check out “Rolling in the Deep” below and grab a remix as well!
High Highs Music Video: Open Season
High Highs‘ debut full-length is another album I’m looking forward to this year. Dropping their single, “Open Season,” on us near the end of 2010, it was quite the tease considering the fact that the tune’s warm acoustic tones and gentle yet bright vocals beckoned any listener into a peaceful state of mind following bursts of audio euphoria.
The Brookyln by way of Australia duo also released a video to accompany the song and the visuals they chose to pair up with the melodies and lyrics work quite well. Taking a simple super 8 camera and recording themselves performing the tune in various cities, the clip provides some nice summer footage for the harsh winter some of you are currently going through.
Check the video out below and grab the track along with their cover of Wild Nothing’s “Live In Dreams.” (See, they’re already showing potential. I love me some Wild Nothing and High Highs’ cover is stunning.)
Johnny O’Donnell: Retreat To America
I’ve been meaning to share Johnny O’Donnell with everyone for a while now. Since he released his EP, “Korean Debutante,” back in October, his music has been nothing but fresh air in the midst of a city clogged up with poorly executed lo-fi arrangements.
O’Donnell who is mostly known for being the guitarist of the band Holy Ghost Revival is a prime example of an artist who knows how to make sure style is present without concealing what’s imperative for original songs to shine. The compositions from a diverse sound palate clearly reflect his personal life as he has had a number of different zipcodes with one of those locations being Seoul (hence the EP’s title).
“Korean Debutante” may only tote four tracks but each one embedded in Americana has a different flavor hinting at various locales, mentors (such as Van Dyke Parks) and his current home here in California. Take a listen to “Retreat To America” and grab it after the jump. If you like what you hear, take a mental note: His entire EP is only $1.99 on bandcamp.
Pepper Rabbit Music Video: Harvest Moon
As a fan of most artists on Kanine Records, I was really pleased to hear that they had discovered the band Pepper Rabbit fast enough to make a cozy home for this charming Los Angeles band. Experimental, folk, and pop are just many of the words one could use to describe the sound Xander Singh and Luc Laurent play together (now with a full live band).
Although there is some looping involved, it’s Singh’s endearing vocals and the choice of instrumentation he chooses to put into the mix that are impressive. Somehow in the almagamation of all the polite horns and soft woodwinds, other instruments such as the guitar and keys (sounds that usually front a song) are there to cushion instead of overpower and it’s all delightful.
Their debut album, Beauregard, was released back in October but they just released a video for their track, “Harvest Moon.” Floating instruments, mysterious books, and enchanted artwork seem to perfectly fit into Pepper Rabbit’s world in the clip. Watch it below and grab a few of their songs!
Oh Land: White Nights (Twin Shadow Remix)
We may have been blessed with Glasser in 2010 but I have another one-woman show to look forward to in 2011. Denmark pop sensation, Oh Land aka Nanna Fabricius, has been getting fans of sparkling electro-pop beats all a twitter (literally if we are talking in a social media context) with her self-titled EP last year. However, sometime soon in early 2011 we’ll finally be seeing a full-length. She’s got the inviting vocals which beautifully flow around those drum-machine beats and in between the synth-melodies. Every element she has melded together in a true pop sense does nothing but enhance those catchy hooks she writes.
Most people are familiar with her song, “Son of a Gun,” but in case you haven’t noticed by now she’s also easy on the eyes. Using her skills as a fashionista and intoxicating stage performer, she’s been known to captivate crowds with her moves and grooves enough for us to dig deeper into her catalog of artistry. For instance, I now know the dreamy yet futuristic video for “Son Of A Gun” easily rivals the innovation of Lady Gaga and Robyn combined.
There is a new remix of her track, ‘White Nights,” done by Twin Shadow which you should check out along with the previously mentioned video. However, that’s not it. I’ve got more treats for you after the jump including a Yusek remix of “Son of a Gun” as well as an acoustic version of the song.
