Archive for March, 2008

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16
Mar

Amsterdam is goin’ right

By Joe 7 Comments
Categories: Recommendations/Reviews

The April 2008 of British music magazine Word says of Amsterdam’s sophomore effort Arm in Arm, “Amsterdam make big, emotional stuff: these are songs that hug you, offer you a pint and put you in a cab home.”  I wish I had written that line.  The review ends by exclaiming, “Bold, honest and tuneful, a trip to Amsterdam comes highly recommended.”

I will second that recommendation.  Even though it will have stiff competition just in the weeks ahead (see below), I expect this will be my album of the year.  While websurfing, I stumbled upon the Amsterdam website many years ago.  After one listen to the pop sheen of one of its posted songs, “Takin’ on the World,” Amsterdam was at the top of my radar, and I slowly started to file them in my “all-time” favorite band lists with groups such as The Jam, R.E.M. (new album April 1), Astrid, Counting Crows (new album March 25), James (new album April 7), and The Connells.  Soon after my introduction to Amsterdam, I flew to London in December 2005 for a quick vacation to see them perform at the legendary Borderline club.   As I eagerly look forward to the weeks ahead of anticipated releases, Amsterdam begins my escape from my occasionally self-imposed indie confines.

In an incredibly insightful interview posted to Jade’s Blog, a blog by the music columnist for the Liverpool Echo, Amsterdam frontman Ian Prowse remarks of the new album and his band’s place in the musical landscape:

I’m not competing with The Wombats.  Our record won’t appeal to the NME, but Uncut and Mojo give us great reviews. It’s Radio 2, not Radio 1.  But the main thing I’ve realised is I’m not trying to be clever anymore.  It’s about the big things in life now, the things that really mean something. I don’t want to write about throwaway things.  It’s reflected in the sort of music I listen to now. Unless it’s really going to reach out and touch me I don’t want to hear it.

Continue reading ‘Amsterdam is goin’ right’

16
Mar

brilliance through this keyhole…

By Dave 2 Comments
Categories: Culture, Music and Recommendations/Reviews

WM

  • Strong pop sensibilities? Most definitely.
  • Club bass and next level synth lines? Oh, of course.
  • Unique, yet comforting vocals gliding over hook-laden melodies? Check, and Walter Meego has and continues to do it oh so well.

My favorite Chicago duo who steps to the keyboard racks with ease and also twiddles knobs, yet is heavy on the pop hooks, is finally about to release a full-length LP entitled, Voyager. Walter Meego is no stranger to constructing tracks that are just as comfortable in the club or on a DJ’s mix, but could definitely find their way to a pop lover’s stereo, too. Musically, I’m going to throw a comparison to the Junior Boys if those Ontarians brought more upfront melodies and more heavy bass. Check out ‘Forever’ from Walter Meego’s Voyager record being released in May. Damn if this track couldn’t blowup with the masses.

WM :: ‘Forever’

And then on maybe the flipside to the above cut, is ‘Through a Keyhole’; this is definitely so far my highlight from them- Simple piano melody throughout, sporadic electronic effects, gutter bass and ultimately, a brilliant pop song under it all. Simply a shame if you don’t put this on blast.

WM :: ‘Through a Keyhole’

13
Mar

Ray Davies back with another fine solo effort

By Joe 0 Comments
Categories: Recommendations/Reviews

As lead singer/songwriter for the Kinks, Ray Davies is known the world over for his influential 1960s classics, including “You Really Got Me.”  He was honored several years ago as a Commander of the Order of the British Empire, cementing his status as one of Britain’s leading musicians of the 20th century.  Of late he has released two solo albums, both critically praised.  Working Man’s Cafe released last month is comparable to 2006’s “Other People’s Lives”, if a bit uneven at points.  At its best, including the opening stomp of “Vietnam Cowboys,” the album feels more urgent and more pointed, while maintaining a refreshing lyrical humor.  It seems being shot in 2004 on the streets of New Orleans has awakened Davies’s creative spirit, and his songs continue to address the changing political and socioeconomic landscape of our times.

Check out “Vietnam Cowboys” - a screed on the globalization of labor that should have opened the Obama-Clinton debate in Cleveland…

Also, worth seeing is his performance of “In a Moment” last month on Letterman.  I would say Paul Shaffer is enjoying himself on keys and backing vocals!  Davies plays the Chicago Theatre on April 1st.

10
Mar

The Whip Arrive At Their Destination

By jason 1 Comment
Categories: Culture, Music and Recommendations/Reviews
The Whip

The latest band to hit the dirty-pop/electro-dance scene is a four-piece from Manchester, England called The Whip.  They blend glorious loops, samples, and synths with standard pop instrumentation to create a scenic musical landscape.  They are admittedly influenced by New Order and Joy Division.  But they also call to mind more recent acts and MiS favorites- most notably Soulwax, The Faint, and The Presets.

The Whip dropped a few 7″ singles and EPs last year and were recipients of the trendy remix treatment from their peers as well.   All of this hype has been the precursor to their first full length, X Marks Destination, currently scheduled to be released on March 24th in Europe.  A US release hasn’t been listed yet, but they are playing a host of shows at SXSW this week.  Let’s hope the Austin crowds show them some love. 

Aside from the songs below, be sure to listen to some of the songs on their Myspace site (particularly “Fire”).

Dance…

The Whip :: Sister Siam (Original Version)

The Whip :: Dubsex

09
Mar

12 angry months = 7 days of Local H….

By Dave 3 Comments
Categories: Culture, Music and Recommendations/Reviews

H

“I’m in love with rock and roll, but that will change eventually.”

It’s not everyday that a band is granted the privilege to play back-to-back nights at any venue, no matter the band’s notoriety or the club’s willingness to accommodate XYZ artist. Chicago’s own Beat Kitchen, located in the Roscoe Village neighborhood has given the hardest working Midwest duo, Local H not only two nights in their tiny club, but a week’s residency to showcase their catalog in its entirety. This rock outfit that has held an overall consistent sound with traces of classic rock, stoner-rock, hints of psychedelic sounds and even frat rock thrown in over 13 year’s time is also about to release their 6th full-length studio album, ’12 Angry Months’.

To celebrate H’s new LP, Scott Lucas and Brian St. Clair are dedicating seven days in May to play all songs from each of their studio albums from start to finish. May 7th will kick off this extravaganza with their first full-length, ‘Ham Fisted’. And the days that will follow will each showcase another one of their records. Before the unveiling of ’12 Angry Months’, Lucas has decided to enlighten us with a night of B-sides and rarities, too. Besides the chance to witness LPs from start to finish, we have been promised a different opener each night and surprise guests; this promise itself almost makes the time commitment of this showcase worth showing up for. Maybe a reunion show of sorts?

More rambling and some music after the jump.

Continue reading ‘12 angry months = 7 days of Local H….’

07
Mar

And it will be glorious…

By Dave 1 Comment
Categories: Culture, Muse, Music and Recommendations/Reviews

Muse

Yea, if you sold-out 75,000 capacity venues you could dress like that, too. Our main competitor, Pitchfork, reported today that the U.K. superstars Muse are gearing up for a CD/DVD release of a show from last June at Wembley Stadium. HAARP is what the three-piece have decided to title this package. Those blokes across the pond will get to hear and see this spectacle in all its glory in mid-March, and us wankers will get the full experience on April 1st. This trailer gives one a slight idea of what a non-Muse fan has been missing.

To celebrate this future release, I wanted to up two b-sides that you should own if you already don’t.

‘Glorious’ was graced upon the Japanese release of Muse’s ’06 LP; those releases over on that island always seem to have absolute gems of bonus tracks. (Anyone remember this Japanese only killer?)

Muse :: ‘Glorious’

‘Fury’ was featured on you guessed it, the Japanese release of one of my favorite records, Absolution.

Muse :: ‘Fury’

05
Mar

back when chevy chase was cool…

By Dave 5 Comments
Categories: Culture, Music and Recommendations/Reviews

With all the hoopla about Pitchfork’s new online TV site, there is also chatter online about the lack of quality channels that play music videos. No doubt that has been a topic for years, maybe even a decade now? Regardless, there are high-quality music channels that focus on what we at MiS are all about: MUSIC. That just depends if your cable provider is aware of them and also kind enough to subscribe to them. Fortunately for me, I’m graced with:

IMF (International Music Feed)

MTV Hits (You wouldn’t really click on a Mtv link, would you?)

VH1 Classic (Tune into ‘Totally 80’s’)

I was tuning into a block of videos that were just focused on the 80’s and whoa! Quality! If a YouTube inspired post wasn’t so heavy on the filler, I should be posting all the videos I witnessed in just a 15 minute span. Here is one that just maybe inspired those Brooklyn boys, Vampire Weekend….

04
Mar

Days Are Long

By jason 5 Comments
Categories: Culture, Music and Recommendations/Reviews
Winter Warmth

The first two to three months of the year are typically the most depressing for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere.  The holidays have passed, leaving behind a trail of debt and darkness in its wake.  Here in Chicago, winter seems to drag on longer each year.  Or perhaps it just feels that way this year because the season has been a little more brutal than usual.  Whichever the case, it has me longing for warmer weather and longer days.

 This song, written and performed by Herman Jolly, is called “Days Are Long.”  His vocals are delicate yet forthright while he tries to find a safe haven during a particularly exhausting day.  The steady acoustic rhythm sheds a cold tone throughout. 

The song has kept me company on my walks with the dog lately.  There have been nights experienced where the wind literally whips through any layer I wear.  And as I look up at the clear sky and see the moon shining bright in the midst of my breath, I often wonder when the sun will shine for just a little while longer.   The first step will be made on Sunday as we change our clocks ahead.  Hopefully the weather will follow suit. 

Herman Jolly :: Days Are Long

04
Mar

Most likely, gonna break into my top 10…

By Dave 3 Comments
Categories: Culture, Music and Recommendations/Reviews

Earli

Maybe the, “Wow! It surprises me you included this one in your best of”” 2007, but there was something about the Los Angeles group Earlimart that instantly hooked me upon their first piano strike or perhaps that initial harmony that made me realize the weather will rise above -10. After what I consider the only LP of 2007 that actually had the ability to CONSTANTLY find my speakers and headphones, these chamber popsters are returning in July with ‘Hymn and Her’. And if it’s anything like those other efforts, this record will be on infinite repeat as well.

07’s ‘Mentor Tormentor‘ produced quality track after quality track; the song below is truly a standout that begins lo-fi and cloudy, but jumps up with enough poppy do do dos to make you want to simply, hit repeat.
Earlimart :: ‘Gonna Break Into Your Heart’

01
Mar

Returning to the Flobots

By Joe 1 Comment
Categories: Culture, Music and Recommendations/Reviews

I wrote a couple weeks ago about the Flobots, my deflowering hip hop post.  I’ve been listening to the band’s debut album quite a bit since then.

The song “Same Thing” is by far my favorite, not only for its political message but its interspersed angry beats, rhythm, and melody (don’t mind the “Yo Joe” line either).  I hope my neighbors like it as well.

Are we ready to make change?

“Same Thing” by the Flobots.

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Chicago/Denver Concerts

1/23 :: Prairie Cartel - Bottom Lounge
    2/12 :: Fujiya & Miyagi - Bottom Lounge
      4/9 :: Sebastian Tellier - Empty Bottle

a

 

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