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Archive for the ‘Musicology’ Category

Minus the Bear: The Classic Rock of the Future

15 Aug

First time I heard a song by this Seattle-based band, I thought it sounded familiar – I had a feeling like I was listening to my parents’ old records which, in fact, had a lot of influence on me and the music I listen to today. I looked at the album date, and no they weren’t from the 70s or 80s. I also had to double check that the song isn’t by Tears for Fears or something.

I have confronted that awkwardness from the first second of lead single “My Time”. It’s probably the most awkward video I have ever seen – with some dudes looking like Jesus wearing M&M outfits and a bunch of girl break dancers I feel like I’ve seen before, somewhere.

And yet, in a weird way, their album Omni is interestingly admirable. Minus the Bear is something more than just another competent indie band, their music sounds like it was made 30 years ago, but the only difference is, they are still alive, and young. So, yeah — if you’re into old school, classic 70’s or 80’s rock but wasn’t old enough to appreciate music during those times, these dudes sound just like it, with a modern feel.

 
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The Bird and the Bee – Interpreting The Masters Volume 1: A Tribute To Daryl Hall & John Oates

16 Jul

I f you love Hall & Oates,  you might be interested in hearing a modern, indie-like twists of their music for your ears. This is a band that has been neglected by modern cover artists, but the genius band seems to know what people like me are looking for.

The Bird and the Bee, with singer Inara George and multi-instrumental/producer Greg Kurstin, just released Interpreting The Masters Volume 1: A Tribute To Daryl Hall And John Oates, on EMI’s Blue Note Records on March 23, 2010.

This album is a follow up to their2009’s Ray Guns Are Not Just The Future. The acclaimed band’s third full-length is a love letter to my favorite famed “rock and soul” duo Hall & Oates.

 
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Metric: Insanely Talented Emily Haines

16 Apr

I dig Metric. I cannot describe them in words, which is why I am encouraging every person reading this to go to myspace.com/metric after you finish reading this post and you’ll know what I’m talking about. I like them and I like them a lot. I rarely say that about a band with bands that have female vocalists. Metric is fronted by the insanely talented Emily Haines. The band has a way of writing music that not only takes your breath away, but also leaves you pissed at the world, and happy to be alive all within the same album. They have written and recorded stories of your life, cleverly.

The single “Help I’m Alive” is a personal favorite. I’ve heard both the remix and the acoustic versions, and I must say I can’t just pick just one between the two. Both versions are disturbingly infectious and addicting. One makes me feel like dancing without a care in the world, while the other leaves me thinking while my whole life flashes in front of me. Amazing how it brings me to two separate worlds with the same exact lyrics.

“Metric” is a super group of musicians that are masters of experimentation. I think fans of Bjork, Faithless, and DJ Shadow would especially enjoy Metric as well.

 
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The Runaways (2010)

27 Mar

I want to see this movie. I love the 70s (although I didn’t exist back then!) Looking at my parents’ old photographs, I absolutely dig the fashion, the music, and the lifestyle. There’s just something about the 70s that never goes out of style.

Kristen Stewart plays Joan Jett and Dakota Fanning plays Cherie Currie. (Creepy how she grew significantly from the last time I saw her!)

 
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She & Him: Cute, Dark, and Oddly Weird

19 Mar

“She” is Zooey Deschanel, indie boys’ cute girl crush. “Him” is M. Ward, the geeky, hot guitarist with a bedhead. Together they are “She & Him”, an indie folk band that is both cute and dark, and oddly weird at the same time. If this is your kind of thing, you will love this band. I know I do. In every song, they sound like they wish they were cruising in their Le Car, in the 70s, on their way to Martha’s Vineyard.

Deschanel and Ward first met on the set of the film “The Go-Getter”. The director introduced them to each other and asked them to sing a duet for the end credits of the film. Ward, having heard Deschanel sing previously in the film “Elf”, was surprised to learn that she wrote songs herself, but hadn’t pursued a career in music. Ward heard demo tapes, called her a short time later, and their band She & Him was formed.

Deschanel’s vocals are Carly Simon meets Rita Coolidge meets Linda Ronstadt. Smokey Robinson is definitely an inspiration, as you can tell in some of their songs. Deschanel is that cute, sassy, comical girl that sings, just like in her movies.

 
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Silversun Pickups

06 Mar

Swoon — the second album by Silversun Pickups — comes in many forms, including climatic guitar distortions. Singer-guitarist Brian Aubert’ voice, Nikki Monninger’s bass and Christopher Guanlao’s drums  form this Los Angeles quartet that is boldly retro, with the distress of Nineties alternative rock, particularly the neopsychedelic convulsions of Smashing Pumpkins and the British om-pop band Ride. Pickups’ 2006 debut, Carnavas, was less slavish writing.

The Silversun Pickups know how to create that 90’s emo-grungy mood you sometimes felt in high school, if you are my age.

 
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Vampire Weekend

05 Mar

If you’re a fan pf Phoenix, MGMT, The Shins, and the likes, Vampire Weekend would be another great addition to your preppy, well-read indie rock with joyful, Afro-pop-inspired melodies and rhythms collection.

Describing their sound as “Upper West Side Soweto,” New York City’s Vampire Weekend consisting of Ezra Koenig, Chris Baio, Rostam Batmanglij, and Chris Tomson formed the band early in 2006, when they were finishing up their studies at Columbia University.

Vampire Weekend reached a fame peak in 2007 when the band embarked on their biggest tour yet, and I’m definite we’ll be seeing more of them in the days to come.

 
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Johnny Drama: A Cover Band from Jersey

06 Feb

I recently had the pleasure of getting to know this awesome group through some good friends. Johnny Drama is not your regular local cover band. They play a wide diversity of music ranging from Rage Against the Machine to Lady Gaga. The band is full of energy and never fail to draw a crowd. The interesting name is only an added bonus! The guys are probably big fans of Entourage.

Members:

Nate Ross – Lead Vocals
Christian Colabelli – Guitar / Vocals
John Kanopka – Bass / Vocals
Craig Scoppa – Drums / Samples

The charismatic frontman and three instrumental virtuosos who comprise Johnny Drama create musical magic.

This wildly eclectic band moves seamlessly between classic and modern rock, pop, dance, R&B and hip-hop, shape-shifting from “Jump”-era Van Halen to Kings of Leon, reviving vintage new wave bands like Eurythmics, The Human League and Depeche Mode, re-energizing party-rock hits by Guns N’ Roses and Whitesnake, channeling the ’90s angst of Rage Against the Machine and Nine Inch Nails, and recreating note-for-note songs by right-now faves like Muse and Phoenix.

Johnny Drama possesses breathtaking energy and magnetic stage presence. Lead Vocalist/MC Nate refuses to be confined, working the room with a potent combo of urgency and charm while the band holds down the music onstage. Along with their withering power chords and thundering drums, the band manages to uncannily recreate the full sonic spectrum of the artists they cover, blending in songs from the likes of Bell Biv DeVoe, Michael Jackson, Kanye West, Flo Rida, Pitbull and even Lady Gaga.

Johnny Drama’s shows are further intensified by a fully automated, state-of-the-art light show. Seeing them live is like going to a full-blown arena concert.

How do they pull it off? We have no idea, and they’re not giving away secrets. Check out a show and figure it out for yourself — or better yet, just allow yourself to be swept away by this explosive, versatile and wildly entertaining band.

 
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Almost Alice

13 Jan

Track List & Album Artwork Debut Today (A Facebook Exclusive)

There will be two albums capturing the wonder of Lewis Carroll’s beloved books and visionary director Tim Burton. “Almost Alice” is a 16-song compilation featuring ALICE IN WONDERLAND’S end credit track “Alice (Underground)” written by Avril Lavigne and produced by Butch Walker. Danny Elfman composes the score for the original motion picture soundtrack. Both albums will be released on March 2, 2010.

Here is the complete track list for “Almost Alice”:

1. “Alice” performed by Avril Lavigne
2. “The Poison” performed by The All-American Rejects
3. “The Technicolor Phase” performed by Owl City
4. “Her Name Is Alice” performed by Shinedown
5. “Painting Flowers” performed by All Time Low
6. “Where’s My Angel” performed by Metro Station
7. “Strange” performed by Tokio Hotel and Kerli
8. “Follow Me Down” performed by 3OH!3 featuring Neon Hitch
9. “Very Good Advice” performed by Robert Smith
10. “In Transit” performed by Mark Hoppus with Pete Wentz
11. “Welcome to Mystery” performed by Plain White T’s
12. “Tea Party” performed by Kerli
13. “The Lobster Quadrille” performed by Franz Ferdinand
14. “Running Out of Time” performed by Motion City Soundtrack
15. “Fell Down a Hole” performed by Wolfmother
16. “White Rabbit” performed by Grace Potter and the Nocturnals

 
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Phoenix: A Take Away Show [HD]

12 Jan

Phoenix – Lizstomania / One Time Too Many / Long Distance Call – A Take Away Show [HD]

Phoenix – 1901 – A Take Away Show from La Blogotheque on Vimeo.

Phoenix – Lizstomania / One time too many – A Take Away Show from La Blogotheque on Vimeo.

Phoenix – Long distance call – A Take Away Show from La Blogotheque on Vimeo.

“It’s a weird game going on between the band and the place where they play. A mesmerizing Eiffel Tower or Trocadero usually steal the show with their size and more or less spectacular tricks, but here’s a band no one would expect to find there, competing with all those crowd-pullers. ”

Produced by Chryde for la Blogotheque
Filmed by Vincent Moon
Sounds by François Clos and Guillaume de la Villeon
Edit by Guillaume Guerry
Mix by Francois Clos

9 OCTOBER 2009
TROCADERO, EIFFEL TOWER, PARIS

 
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