A Week at the Most
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New Envy full length coming in 2010?
Envy's current Japan tourdates:
Jan. 24 at Club Junk Box, Sendai
Jan. 25 at Graph, Chiba
Jan. 28 at Club Upset, Nagoya
Jan. 29 at Shangri-La, Osaka
Jan. 30 at Cave-Be, Hiroshima
Jan. 31 at Drum Son, Fukuoka
Aaron's Top 10 Records of 2008
I tend to have a love/hate relationship with this time of year. Friends and family are always around but the decision to narrow down all the films and music you listen to over the year to a measly 10 rips me apart. Suffice to say I made it out alright this time and I think I may have my 'Top Records' of this year down so hear goes....
10. Does It Offend You, Yeah? -You Have No Idea What You're Getting Yourself Into
Electronica usually isn't my thing but I loved this album. Dance Punk. Electro. Whatever you want to call it, it still stands as one of the best records of the year.
9. The Photo Atlas - No. Not Me, Never.
Easiest way to put it. If At the Drive In was still around and didn't collapse it to jam bandin' ala Mars Volta they would probably sound alittle bit like these kids.
8. Verse en Coma - Rialto
This thing would be further up on my list if it contained more than 5 tracks. This thing, however, is a little beast. The boys of such hardcore roots as Pg 99, City of Catapillar, and Malady converge into a work of true beauty. Everyone should own this baby.
7. Lite - Phantasia
Math Rock at its finest. This Japanese instrumental band is a true work of brilliance. Stroke of genius in strides.
6. Bridge and Tunnel - East/West
Therse Brooklyn boys and girls nearly snuck on pass me buried in a pile of medicore promos. So glad I took the time to give them a try. Hot Water Music mixed with Braid/Hey Mercedes throw in some rough and tough female vocals on occasion and there you have it. Give this band a few more records and they may be quote names themselves.
5. Jaguar Love - Take Me to the Sea
I honestly thought I was going to dig Jordan Billie's post- Blood Brothers project, Past Lives, more than Johnny Whitney's but man was I wrong. With the addition of master musican Jay Clark involved, they really can't do no harm. Very accessible but in a good way.
4. MGMT - Oracular Spectacular
Pretentious? Sure. Overhyped? You bet. A clusterfuck of a record? Check. But really who gives a shit, this thing is a great listen. Can't wait for number 2.
3. Sebastien Grainger - Sebastien Grainger & the Mountains
Come on, could you expect nothing but greatness from my favorite Canuck. Rising from the ashes of Death From Above, Grainger took a while to finally release this beast but it was worth the wait. The record just flows together so nicely. The man's got soul and isn't afraid to show it off.
2. Foals - Antidotes
Dear Sub Pop. You are some smart fuckers. This album is brilliant. The best Dance Rock record in quite sometime. Hell, one of the best records period in quite sometime. Thanks for release this monster.
1. Frightened Rabbit - The Midnight Organ Fight
Honestly, I don't know what to say about this record. I listen to it everyday. It is one of those rare albums you can never get tired of hearing. Really, theres nothing else to be said about it. If you don't own it by now, you have a problem.
Arcade Fire releases documentary online; talks of future releases
Somehow this news has got passed me so apologizes in advance if you already heard about this. On December 15th, Arcade Fire released a documentary film available exclusively online chronicling the creation of their last record Neon Bible. The film, entitled Miroir Noir: Neon Bible Archives, is available for purchase in a variety of sizes and while psychically hit record shelves on March 31, 2009. A limited edition set is also currently up for pre-order which comes housed with a second disc featuring among other things footage from their Saturday Night Live appearance and Arcade Fire at the BBC.
Pitchfork has also published a neat little interview with the band's frontman Win Butler who not only chats up abit about the beginnings of a new album but also leaks more on score they have created for Donnie Darko director Richard Kelly's latest film The Box.
Review: Lanterns - Apocalypse Youth EP
Some times you have to wonder what is wrong with the music industry when so many really good bands go unsigned by even a decent indie label. San Diego's Lanterns is no exception. At times during their latest EP Apocalypse Youth the likes of Jawbreaker and Burning Airlines are channeled and could be sited as clear musical influences for the band. Sure, following in the footsteps of legends like Blake Schwarzenbach and J. Robbins is nothing new in this scene but Lanterns just seem to do things, for the most part, just right.
The majority of Apocalypse Youth just sounds like a great mix of distortion and catchy cuts not unlike the days of early Sonic Youth. The opener 'Midnight Psalms' draws you in with its warmth, jumpy appeal, and the sound and feel of a Smoking Popes song while track three 'Creation Myth' brings to mind the great mid '90s indie rock bands that always made us feel giddy inside.
The only sore spot of the album comes with its closer 'Electric Warrior Kisses' a song more interested in distortion and noise than the music and melody. I will admit most great albums even have a unlikeable throwaway track but come on guys this is only a 5 song EP! Its a shame, really. Lucky for them, I overlooked this misstep due to my enjoyablement of the first four tracks. Lets just hope other will too.
Is 'Far' back in action for good?
Chalk Far up as one of many bands whose demise came when it had just seemed like they were getting started. Frontman Jonah Matranga has since then gone through a plethora of solo projects under the name onelinedrawing along with a successful return to rock (New End Original) along with a not so prosperous one (Gratitude anyone?).
Well, now it seems like Far may be making a bit of comeback. Beginning in the early '90s and calling it quits just shy of the millennium, the band was a bit of a breath of fresh year in the indie music scene and gained a rather large about of fans over their existence.
Last month the band announced a handful of UK tour dates and even revitalized their official website. Far has even recently recorded a stellar cover of the cheesy Ginuwine track 'Pony' and the results is pretty brilliant. The latest announcement is a show in Sacramento, California on January 15th, 2009. Could this mean a possible US tour is on the horizon? Time can only tell.
Wanna hear their cleverly good 'Pony' cover? Then go on and click here. Feel like downloading it instead, head on over to the Far store.
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