Hand Claps Are The New Cowbell!
Since it was pointed out, no my last review wasn’t the best, in fact it really had nothing to do with the music by either band it was mostly me just wanting to write that infamous “fourth paragraph.” But I was angry and disappointed and was left feeling bitter (especially concerning the case of The Mars Volta). These are two of the better contemporary rock bands! What are were they thinking? Aw shucks, I guess we all have our off days.
Still! Let this be heard throughout the land! I challenge anyone to find two guitarists more exciting to listen to. (There are obvious exceptions.)
Another factor that I believe has an effect on our response to music is our anticipation. I expected a great deal from these two artists and therefore maybe I kind of jinxed myself. So I scaled back a bit, took a risk.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Band of Horses and Phoenix.
Band of Horses – Everything All The Time
Not to be confused with Horse the Band (the Nintendo-Core group from California who have the funniest website I’ve ever seen), Band of Horses is the re-animated corpse of Seattle indie darlings Carissa’s Weird (what is it about the Pacific Northwest that produces so many exceptional groups?). Founders Ben Bridwell and Mat Brooke have produced a dense and dreamy debut. Poor Ben Bridwell has the unfortunate curse some vocalists suffer from, which is sounding like another singer. On most of the album he sounds like Jim James of My Morning Jacket, whom I told you about. Musically though they are in a completely different territory, the guitars are still meaty but Band of Horses bypass the pyrotechnics in favor of melody. There is a buffet of “must-hear” tracks but I will mention only “The Funeral”, the song that hooked me right away. You can see a video for it here. Tell me how it goes because I sure as hell can’t see it on this blasted dial-up!! Want to hear more? You can also download a few tracks from the media section of their website. Band of Horses are signed to Sub Pop.
Phoenix – It’s Never Been Like That.
The best thing from France since Michel Gondry! (Take that French bashers!) Phoenix is a Parisian group of young men whose previous two albums were mostly sprawling electronic rock. On “It’s Never Been Like That”, Phoenix’s electronic shells have been shed and now the Sun shines on the rawer, warmer epidermis that has been exposed. Thanks to the repaired heart/mind connection the feelings begin to pour out and the music takes on a three dimensional figure, a catchy figure at that. The production is still slick but manage to preserve that fresh and sincere, first-take feeling in the songs. The guitars are confident and engaging and the beats are tight and danceable. But the lyrics, sung in English, also largely autobiographical, is why these guys fit the romantic French-guy stereotype: “My heart is waiting for a new you/ And there’s no other option on the schedule” So next time you read a girl poetry in French, remember: Its not because its in French, its because it is French; possibly the best of the Romance languages, certainly the most romantic anyway. Check out: Consolation Prizes and Long Distance Call. Phoenix is signed to Astralwerks.
Leave a Reply