Into the Dark
I realize that I’m about a week or two behind the curve of the blogosphere in gushing over the new Hot Chip record. Much like their last record I needed to listen to it a couple of times before forming my opinion. It’s not a bad thing, but I find that with many of these ‘hyped’ acts there is not much to sustain the hysteria past the initial listen. That aside, Made in the Dark merits more than the casual listen and is clearly deserving of every bit of hype. Running the gamut from full-on electronica to the soul bearing solo piano ballad, the record delivers on many levels. And I could be wrong, but I have a feeling that the track “Wrestlers” will end up on more than a few Valentine’s Day mix tapes. Check it out and let us know what quirky tune you’ll be singing to your Valentine.
Hot Chip – Wrestlers (MP3)
You can also check out the entire album at Last.fm.
Buy Made in the Dark: Amazon | iTunes
Links: Official Site | on Last.fm | on MySpace
The Bird and the Bee
Ickmusic contributor the Great Gonzo returns! – Pete
Hello, Ickies. I know I’ve been pretty quiet, sorry about that. Last semester was a doozy, and things have been hectic over the holidays. But I’ve returned!
Today, I give you The Bird and the Bee out of L.A. I first came across this group in late 2006 when I heard their EP again and again and again and again. The EP contained 4 tracks, three of which were slated for their upcoming full length, the fourth a Peaches remix of “Fucking Boyfriend.” I was drawn into the band’s unique sound. Laid back, yet poppy. Indie-ish, yet polished. And a hint of jazz (they are, after all, on Blue Note).
The male component of the duo is Greg Kurstin, formerly of Geggy Tah. Yes, *that* Geggy Tah. But don’t let that turn you off. I promise, The Bird and the Bee are much more sophisticated than their 1996 hit, “Whoever You Are.” The female lead is Inara George, an aspiring actress turned musician.
The group’s 2007 self-titled full length is simply splendid. I’m generally horrible at description, so let’s let the band speak for themselves, eh?
The Bird and the Bee – “Again and Again” from their self-titled full length
[youtube=http://youtube.com/watch?v=xDlEXQaMBpk 336 278]
Later in 2007, the band released an EP, Please Clap Your Hands
. The EP carries 5 brand-spankin’ new tracks, all of which are in much the same vein as the self titled album. A particular highlight for me however, is their take on the Bee Gees’ “How Deep is Your Love.” I’ve always liked the song, but this version made me melt.
The Bird and the Bee – “How Deep Is Your Love” from Please Clap Your Hands EP
And it looks like they’re planning another release for 2008. Do these folks sleep?
Buy The Bird and the Bee music at the Amazon mp3 store
The Bird and the Bee (MySpace)
The Bird and the Bee (Official Site)Jumping on the Band (of Horses) Wagon
I’m late to the Band of Horses bandwagon. I guess my inclination is to shy away from the darlings of the indie critics and hipsters. Well, I made a mistake for not checking these guys out earlier. Since the beginning of the year, Cease to Begin has been on regular rotation over here in the House of Ickmusic. Lead singer Ben Bridwell’s voice is the key for me – gentle and soothing.
The album is top notch from start to finish, but it’s this track – the finale – that I could literally put on Repeat for a day straight and never tire of it.
Band of Horses – Windows Blues (mp3)
Buy: Cease to Begin
Links: Official Site | MySpace
Home for The Holloways
If you haven’t heard them yet, here’s your introduction to England’s The Holloways. The first group on my “new to me” list for ’08, the group is bratty brit-pop at it’s best. They’ve been kicking around in their native UK since 2006 and their debut So This Is Great Britain? was released in the US last October. Up for the offering is the groups first, fourth and sixth single “Generator”. If this is your first time hearing this tune, I’m sure it will not be your last!
The Holloways – Generator (MP3)
Buy: So This Is Great Britain?
| Amazon
Links: Official Site | MySpaceSecret Agent Man
While I was planning on stockpiling as much scripted television as possible in anticipation of the glut of reality television set to descend on us the snow and ice delivered to my front doorstep today had other plans. The wife and I decided to enjoy a marathon of my new personal favorite Chuck. At the conclusion of the episode Chuck vs. the Nemesis I could not have been more psyched to hear one of my favorite tracks from Band of Horses new release Cease to Begin. I won’t give the plot away, but I’ll say that the inclusion of the track “No One’s Gonna Love You” was a perfect emotional point.
I don’t think that I need to sell many of you on this, but you should all own this record. For those who need a reason, here are live performances of two of my favorite tracks from the record: “No One’s Gonna Love You” and “Marry Song”.
No One’s Gonna Love You
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_D04LD_UsaU 336 278]Marry Song
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhrT1OlnEDk 336 278]
Buy: Cease to Begin (Amazon)(iTunes)
Links: Official Site | MySpace
Always Make a Good First Impression
42 Minutes and 34 seconds later and I’ll admit that the new Radiohead record In Rainbows is worth every pence of the £5.45 I paid for it. Immediate standouts are “Nude”, “Bodysnatchers” and “Faust Arp”. Quirky and challenging, this record will take a few listens to fully appreciate, but it makes a stunning first impression. Anyone else enjoying this record this morning?
Buy In Rainbows
Stop Whispering, Start Shouting
So Radiohead announced that they are putting another nail in the music industry’s coffin over the weekend by releasing their new album digitally (DRM free, no less) in 9 days for however much you are willing to pay. So the question is, how much are you willing to pay?
Personally, I will pay $10 USD. Why $10 you ask? Here’s the breakdown of my logic (and be careful, this might get complex), there are 10 tracks on the new record, so I’ll gladly give the band a dollar per track for the right to listen to it on my iPod. Could I legally download it for free? It certainly appears so, but I want to support an act that I’ve enjoyed over the years. So what would you pay for a download of new music from your favorite artist?
Pre-Order In Rainbows Here
Link: Official Site
Ickmusic Inbox: Intensive Care
Montreal based quartet Intensive Care show a great deal of promise in their debut EP 2805. While the recording itself lacks a certain depth you can see past it for the clarity of the group’s vision in songwriting. Complex and moving, the band clearly knows its identity and has little difficulty sharing it. The multi-layered vocal crescendo of the epic 7 minute-plus “K” builds to quite the satisfying resolution with vocalist Philippe Manasseh pleading in earnest with an unseen spirit looking into his soul. There are missteps along the way, but this band appears to be at its best when they’re at their most epic and glorious. I’d recommend this to fans of Radiohead or Sigur Rós. I look forward to hearing more from this group.
Intensive Care –
Break Me Up, Machine(MP3)Purchase 2805: CD Baby |
Link: Official Site | MySpace
Taken by Spoon’s Ga Ga Ga Ga
Hey, look! It’s the Spoon bandwagon coming down the road! Wait, hold on, out of my way! Ouch. Jerk! Let me on! Let me on! *runs along side, and jumps on the bandwagon*
It all started when I heard Spoon’s single, “The Underdog”, from their new album, Ga Ga Ga Ga.There’s a catchy and shall I say, summery-ness about it (even though I’m stuck in 110 degree desert hell, so summer isn’t pleasant like it should be). But I can enjoy a good summer song in the car with the AC cranked, or in a friend’s pool (note to self – next house, pool).
So off I went to eMusic to see if their new album was there. It was. I downloaded it. I played it all the way through. I played it all the way through again. I burned a disk for the car. I put it on my iPod. This album makes me happy. It is laden with catchy hooks, pleasant melodies, and a wide variety of infectious tunes.
“The Ghost of You Lingers” is wacked out dream music (a good thing). Then the 3-4-5 song combo of “You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb”, “Don’t You Evah”, and “Rhythm and Soul”pack a BAM BAM BAM punch. Cool sounds pervade the album: tamborines, handclaps, horns, cool bass lines, fresh acoustic guitars…
It’s a solid album from start to finish. And it’s no secret. I’m about the 1,000th music site to rave about this album. So consider this highly recommended with the Ickmusic *ding* stamp of approval.
Pick up Ga Ga Ga Ga on Amazon
or
.Listen to “Don’t You Evah” over at Said the Gramophone.
Check out some more Spoon toons on Elbo.
Watch the video for “The Underdog”…
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LenPKPqvdJA 336 278]
Oh No! Oh My! – Drink up the Party Punch
More new music coming your way. This song by Austin band Oh No! Oh My! qualifies as a perfectly fine summer song. Their tunes, according to their MySpace write up, are “chocked full of sunshine, wit and feel good energy, which translates into lively, interactive performances that will get your head bobbing and hands clapping.”
Oh No! Oh My! –
The Party Punch(mp3) – from the upcoming EP, Between the Devil and the Sea; check out their previous release on.
Check out their Official Site and their MySpace.
