Cover of the Day: "Cecilia" (Simon & Garfunkel) – Local Natives

I can't tell you last time I actually listened to "Cecilia," but for some reason today I just happened to start humming it. It then came to me that Mike mentioned that Local Natives, one of my favorite new bands, did a great cover of the song. I am so glad I finally got around to checking this out because it certainly made my day. I hope it makes yours as well.

MGMT--Congratulations

Spaced-out Brooklynites come up short on sophomore album

I'm not sure if "Congratulations" is the appropriate celebratory expression to give MGMT for their so called Sixties inspired second album. To be honest, I'm not quite sure what to say about Congratulations. This album is as much a mystery as what goes on in the minds of MGMT frontmen Andrew VanWyngarden and Ben Goldwasser. Congratulations is undeniably a step towards a direction; I'm just not sure which direction the duo were aiming for. According to the recent issue of RollingStone, "MGMT are confident they've made the right album." Goldwasser goes on to say, "Recording Congratulations was the first time in my life that I was able to make whatever music I wanted to make and know that at least a few people are going to hear it." While that may be true, Congratulations fails to hold up to the duo's reputation as excitable craftsmen, willing to go all out on pushing the boundaries of musical composition.

While very strong at some points, MGMT miss the mark in areas that would have allowed them to shine. The duo have designated Congratulations as an ode to the pioneers and heroes before them; a tribute if you will to an era of psychedelic twelve minute jams, airy, layered vocals, and epic guitar anthems. While the flower power influence can be heard on only a handful of songs at different intricate moments, Congratulations sounds more like it could act as the score to an animated, educational children's show on PBS in 1974.

That's not a bad thing by no means, but if you say you're going to make a Sixties inspired album with cues taken from the Grateful Dead and Syd Barret, you better come through and do it right. As much as VanWyngarden and Goldwasser would like to have the album sound from the Summer of Love, it's just not. Although some songs do show a background cemented in early listens to The Byrds, The Beach Boys, and various Nuggets pop glory, this is an album that has more components of Electric Light Orchestra, Todd Rundgren, and Ozark Mountain Daredevils. If you want satisfying, successful Sixties done right, check out Dr. Dog's debut album, We All Belong. Congratulations is not disappointing though; as said before, the strengths are easy to pick out, but the weaknesses at times surmount to a pile of wasted analog tape.

A majority of the songs sound as if they have been labored over too long, thought out too much, dissected, and cut up and stitched back together again. The 60s sound is inconsistent, with their better songs sounding as B-sides to their hugely successful debut album Oracular Spectacular. Even as I write this, I can't help but listen to Oracular Spectacular instead. "Flash Delirium" is the only real successful Sixties inspired song on the album, incorporating huge choruses, churning organ, and the feeling that you're hearing a "Sixties dance hall vibe" according to VanWyngarden. Other songs such as "Brian Eno" and "I Found a Whistle" have a cheesy ? and the Mysterians vibe to it, relying heavily on the haunting sound of an organ. Album closer "Congratulations" takes it's bass line from The Band's "The Weight." Hmm...maybe thats why it is so good? "Someone's Missing" is easily the highlight of the album, the little brother to their other funktastic hit, "Electric Feel." "Song for Dan Treacy" does the Television Personalities' frontman proud, reminiscent of early Elvis Costello. The other pleasing highlight, "Siberian Breaks," is a Yes fan's wet dream; an epic twelve minute journey through landscapes of holograms and smoke machines.

Congratulations just doesn't work for them. Only a handful of groups can attempt this retro genre and be successful. It seems as if the group is trying too hard to escape the fame acquired from Oracular Spectacular. If thats the case, we're sorry, but you'll always be remembered for some the catchiest, dance jams of the last ten years. MGMT picked the wrong time to experiment on their sophomore album. VanWyngarden and Goldwasser should stick to what they do best: making people dance, not making people second guess them. MGMT are a talented group of musicians with a talent for creating fun songs to listen to. Save the time for experimenting where you're four or five albums down the road. If you want satisfying, successful Sixties done right, check out Dr. Dog's debut album, We All Belong. There is no "Time to Pretend" or "Kids" on this one. For them, Congratulations is their middle school art project; a compilation of mix and matched attempts resulting in a collage held together by staples and Elmer's glue.

Rating: 75/100

--Mike

MGMT--"Someone's Missing"

Song of the Day: The School - "Let it Slip"

I was first introduced to this song through The School's first EP, Let it Slip, in 2008 and I fell in love. It was just the cutest four songs I have ever heard (God, that was lame). I spent hours searching for more stuff by The School and I never had any luck, but just about two days ago I was looking through All Music's reviews and there it was: Loveless Unbeliever by The School. I have not been this excited to listen to a "pop" album in a while. The new album features all the songs off of their 2008 EP plus nine other new songs. “Let it Slip” was a favorite of mine in 2008 and I hope will make some top songs lists for this year.

- Greg

Fell In Love With a Cover

I am not sure if it is the fact that I have finally made friends or that I have been loaded with work this past month, but it has not been easy getting posts up every day. However, to get me back in the swing of things I have decided to do something new, which is to post some covers. I define a good cover as one that attempts to stray away from the original and create its own atmosphere of sound. I feel as if the following songs really fit my mold of a “good” cover.

The first cover I will post is of "About a Girl," originally by Nirvana. This song is so good that it is a bit difficult to do a terrible version of it, but I am sure it could be done. On the other hand, this version by Cibo Matto is one of my favorite covers of any Nirvana song. The video is just bizarre, but it was just the only one that I could find that had the full version of the song on it.

I am sure some of you have heard this following cover, but for those who haven't heard it you are in for quite a treat. This is a cover of one of the best songs of last year: "My Girls" by Animal Collective. However, this version is called "My Boys" and it is done by Taken By Trees. I would actually even suggest giving Taken by Trees some listens. They put out a fantastic record last year entitled East of Eden.

- Greg

Band of Horses: The Sweet Taste of Songwriting

To be released May 18th, Band of Horses' new album Infinite Arms is a rock purist's dream.

Lead singer and guitarist Ben Bridwell knows what he wants and how he wants to do it. Over the last several years, Seattle-based riff-heavy rock group Band of Horses have been churning out catchy, hook filled reverb rock with a hint of sound from the Pacific Northwest. The music of BoH retains the classic formula for good, listenable rock: jams that are unquestionably memorable, vocals one would die for, and a knowledge of the ones that have came before them.

BoH takes cues from woodsy folk rock and combine chiming, ethereal guitar lines that sound as if the local custodian's keys jangle throughout the echo of high school halls. They are a down home band; a band who voices the memories of the youth, the unfortunate obstacles we experience growing up, and the contemplative events that make us question should I or shouldn't I?

Bridwell holds true to these notions; the man could very well be one of the most underrated lyricists in the music community. He doesn't try to write songs; more so they just come out. This is evident on BoH third album, Infinite Arms, a memorable and excitable listen that contains only the best BoH has to offer. The group have been releasing songs here and there, most notably their first video for "Compliments," a shape shifting landscape of pastoral imagery that seem to act as a constant conveyor belt for BoH music. "Compliments" is a song of regret, with lines such as, "I'm fixing a drink in the morning with the wavy jar, you may have stayed too long." Their other release, "Laredo," is just good solid songwriting. There's nothing too extravagant or epic about "Laredo," but it acts as a key ingredient to the content of the album, relying on simple chord changes, a jangling pop riff, and traditional emotions that exemplify the longing for a romantic escape we have all fantasized at some point about. Recently, BoH have also released, "Factory," a string-laden ballad that takes the Horses' sound in a new direction with the same heart felt stories that could only be sung by Bridwell.

In addition to previous albums, Everything All The Time and Cease to Begin, Infinite Arms is undeniably Band of Horses; with the progression of each album, the sound becomes thicker, the production cleaner, and the songs always sing-along worthy. They are one of the few bands who understand the nature songs are able to give to storytelling and it's characters; ranging from narratives of innocent youth to the realization of an expected maturity.

Band of Horses--"Compliments"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyVe3YnA6QU

--Mike

Song of the Day: Dr. Dog - "Stranger"

While millions of people have been attempting to get into the new MGMT album, I have been listening to the new Dr. Dog album, Shame, Shame, religiously. The first song off the album, "Stranger," is unquestionably the best song I have heard in a while. Wow... just wow!! 

- Greg

 

Song of the Day: Bear in Heaven – “Lovesick Teenagers”

During the middle of their set, Cymbal Eat Guitar’s bass player, Matt Whipple, faced the audience and comically said, “if you look in the dictionary for “hard act to follow” there will be a picture of Jon’s (lead singer of Bear in Heaven) mustache;” these words perfectly summed-upped how both Mike and I felt about the whole show in the Music Hall of Williamsburg last Friday night. Mike and I were both big fans of Cymbals Eat Guitar’s 2009 debut record Why There Are Mountain, so we both highly anticipated a good show, and the fact that Bear in Heaven was going on before them was just an added bonus. I liked Bear in Heaven’s 2009 release Beast Rest Forth Mouth, but I never really gave it that much time. Mike had never really heard much of Bear in Heaven before Friday’s show so we were looking forward to see what they would bring to the stage.

Right before Bear in Heaven were scheduled to go on Mike and I were pretty happy with the show to that point, besides the child that was being conceived next to us. We would have been perfectly happy with just some lackluster performance by Bear in Heaven because we assumed Cymbals would have been good, however what came to the stage was completely different. Mike described Bear in Heaven’s performance as “hypnotizing.” It was simply brilliant. The vibe of the audience, the sounds, and the lighting were amazing. What they put together live was something that is just a must see. One of the best performances I have seen in a while.  Cymbals Eat Guitars, however, was a bit disappointing. They are great to see if you want to hear the best songs on the record (i.e. “Cold Spring,” and “Wild Phoenix”), but besides that it was really not impressive at all. The solos were predictable and the lead singer, Joseph D'Agostino, seemed totally pissed the whole time.

The song I have posted has been stuck in my head for days now and it was easily one of the best songs from last year. The song is called, “Lovesick Teenagers” off of Beast Rest Forth Mouth. Enjoy!

- Greg

Jónsi - Go

I have been looking forward to Jónsi Birgisson's Go for quite some time now. Often times when I am excited for a new record I tend to be very upset when it does not live up to my expectations. However, this album lived up to all my expectations and then some.
“You grow from the inside,” sings Jónsi on the third track, “Tornado.” This line speaks wonders of Jónsi’s song construction. I was listening to an interview with Jónsi on NPR, in which Jónsi explained that the song "Animal Arithmetic" was first constructed on a single acoustic guitar and further lathered with instruments. In the end, he ended up just erasing the original acoustic track from the song. His music is exactly what Jónsi sings on “Tornado.” It grows from the inside; it takes pretty, simple melodies and glorifies them with stunning falsettos and instrumentation.

I was surprised with how much this album was not a Sigur Rós record. I mean, obviously Go is a Jónsi Birgisson record and not a Sigur Rós record, but I would find it hard to believe that most reviewers were expecting the length of this record. Go is about twenty five to thirty minutes shorter than all of his past records with Sigur Rós. I almost thought that I got only half the album, but when I found out that it was actually only forty minutes I was really impressed. This album is certainly Jónsi’s most pop accessible record to date. From “Go Do,” with its thumping bass drum to “Around Us,” the album is full of great pop music. However, the production is often as atmospheric as Jónsi’s albums with Sigur Rós.

“Go” is the perfect name for this record. It is demanding. Unlike, Ágætis Byrjun, the first big Sigur Rós album to make it in the United States (yeah… I can’t pronounce it either), which translates to “An Alright Start." Go demands a listen.

Rating: 85/100

Jónsi - "Go Do" 


- Greg

Surfer Blood Play in the Garage for Pitchfork

Recently Mike and I visited a friend at Northeastern. While there, we had the opportunity to see Yeasayer. The show was amazing and afterwards on the bus back to the city we discussed why Yeasayer's Odd Blood was our top record of the year thus far. However, looking back on our agreement it seems a bit biased because we obviously had just saw Yeasayer. I am willing to bet that if I had the chance to see Surfer Blood, Astro Coast would easily be my top record of the year. After listening to many bootlegged live shows and the videos below, in which the band played in a garage for Pitchfork.TV, I am looking forward to see Surfer Blood more than any other band out right now. Hopefully Mike and I will make our list of the top albums of the year to this point.

- Greg

"Floating Vibes"

"Catholic Pagans"

Song of the Day: Neon Indian - "Terminally Chill"

The song I posted is "Terminally Chill," my favorite song off of the brilliant debut, Psychic Chasms by Neon Indian.

Neon Indian is going on tour and I am super excited!

04-09 Atlanta, GA - The Earl
05-12 New York, NY - Terminal 5 *
05-13 Boston, MA - House of Blues *
05-20 Calgary, Alberta - Hi Fi Club
05-31 George, WA - Sasquatch
06-02 San Diego, CA - Casbah
06-03 Costa Mesa, CA - Detroit Bar
06-04 Los Angeles, CA - Natural History Museum / First Fridays #
06-05 Corvalis, OR - Flat Tall Musical Festival
06-07 Austin, TX - Emo's
06-09 Atlanta, GA - The Earl
06-10 Manchester, TN - Bonnaroo
06-11 Cincinnati, OH - Fountain Square
06-12 Pittsburgh, PA - Brillobox
06-13 Baltimore, MD - Sonar
06-17 Brooklyn, NY - Music Hall of Williamsburg
06-19 Denver, CO - Westword Music Showcase
07-17 Milwaukee, WI - Turner Hall Ballroom

- Greg

Song of the Day: Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings - "I've Learned the Hard Way"

I think it was through NPR that I was introduced to Sharon Jones and ever since I’ve been hooked. Jone’s voice is powerful, dynamic, and, mixed with the booming horn section of The Dap King (for those don't know of the Dap Kings, they were the backing band for Amy Winehouse on her last record), is sure to lead to one of the best records of the year.  The song I have posted is the title track off of the new Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings album coming out on Tuesday. Man, this song is great!

- Greg

Song of the Day: Monsters Of Folk – "Dear God (Sincerely M.O.F.)"

I will say out front that Monsters of Folk's self-titled debut last year was not as great as I knew it could have been.  It was not terrible, but I thought the band had tons of potential that the album did not show. However, there were a few great songs on the album, including the one posted below. The team of Conor Oberst, Mike Mogis, Jim James, and M. Ward have recently created the video for the opener to the album, “Dear God (Sincerely M.O.F.)." With its philosophical lyricism and hip-hop back beat, “Dear God” was unquestionably the best song on the album. I am not a big video guy, in fact, I often find them annoying to watch, but I really do love the simplicity of the new video for this song.  

- Greg