Animal Collective
Merriweather Post Pavilion
January 20th 2009
Domino
Two of my favorite things come from Baltimore, Maryland, the setting for The Wire and Animal Collective. Now living in New York City, Avey Tare (David Portner), Panda Bear (Noah Lennox), Deakin (Josh Dibb), and Geologist (Brian Weitz) make up what is easily one of the most dynamic bands celebrated by popular music’s enlightened underclass. To be sure, 2007’s Strawberry Jam was not perfect, but it was an infectious collection that had everyone’s ears aflutter. Animal Collective’s follow up, Merriweather Post Pavilion has only improved on the band’s innate sense of melody, creativity, and freakishly impressive composition.
With Panda Bear’s solo, Person Pitch, upstaging critically Strawberry Jam, it is no surprise that Merriweather Post Pavilion is a softer, more relaxed, and sober album. Person Pitch, winning a shack full of accolades, is a hyper ethereal and subdued record that never approaches the measured schizophrenia exhibited on Strawberry Jam. Merriweather Post Pavilion draws at least part of its genealogy from this release. The guttural rantings of Peacebone and For Reverend Green are tucked away deferring to harmonious vocal polyrhythms. There is an air Paul Simon’s usage of South African melodies and music that recalls Graceland in the most flattering way possible.
Merriweather Post Pavilion is Animal Collective’s most vocally accessible record. While its sedated character makes for easy listening and demonstrated maturity, the band has reserved their most vibrant songwriting for another day. Every flaw bitched about off of Strawberry Jam was attended to and corrected. But the heart and soul of the two records are far from one another. An apologist would argue that this obviously stems from the fact the they are indeed two different records, but even they would deep down inside feel the cold void caused by the absence of Animal Collective’s most delicious attribute—madness.
Other Music
Spirit They’re Gone, Spirit They’ve Vanished- 2000
Danse Manatee- July 2001
Campfire Songs- 2003
Here Comes the Indian-2003
Sung Tongs- 2004
Feels- 2005 Strawberry Jam- 2007
Tour
Jul 16 2009 8:00P Cigale, Paris
Jul 17 2009 8:00P Dour Festival, Dour
Jul 18 2009 8:00P Melt Festival, Grafenhainichen
Jul 19 2009 8:00P Jarocin Festival, Jarocin
Jul 20 2009 8:00P Postgarage Graz
Jul 21 2009 8:00P Bands Apart Festival @ Piazza Castello, Ferrara
Jul 22 2009 8:00P Rock in Roma @ Ippodromo, Le Capanelle Rome
Jul 23 2009 8:00P Jazzaldia at Kursaal San Sebastian
Jul 26 2009 8:00P Fuji Rock Festival, Nigata
Aug 8 2009 8:00P Lollapalooza, Chicago, Illinois
Aug 8 2009 8:00P Lollapalooza DJ Set, Chicago, Illinois
Aug 14 2009 8:00P Prospect Park Bandshell, Brooklyn, New York
Aug 15 2009 8:00P Prospect Park Bandshell, Brooklyn, New York
Aug 20 2009 8:00P Brixton Academy w/ Gang Gang Dance, London
Aug 21 2009 8:00P Green Man Festival, Crickhowell
Sep 12 2009 8:00P All Tomorrow’s Parties, Monticello, New York
Michael Jackson‘Who is it’ (original mix): ‘Ice Cap Zone 1′ Sonic the Hedgehog 3 OST
So electronic artist Fluorescent Grey out of California believes he has discovered a link between Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and bits and pieces of MJ’s catalog. Here is what he posted this morning:
“for those unaware of this piece of music history trivia, Michael Jackson was hired by Sega to compose the music for sonic the hedgehog 3, for whatever reason he was let go from the project. Sega ended up using the songs anyways with minor changes done to them, and Michel Jackson himself used several of these original versions to later make the hits ‘Black and White’ ‘Remember the Time’ and ‘Jam’. Most of the Sonic music was sped up to double time and keys changed. I made adjustments to each song to match them up with one another.
Since MJ is dead now we will probably never know the actual truth about what happened, but as i listen to more Dangerous and post Dangerous Michael Jackson i keep imagining Michael Jackson busting out some awesome sega genesis fm synthesis music and taking it just as seriously as he would one of his hit singles and i respect him a lot for that.”
Fluorescent Grey has created a blog to distribute is reconstructions that contrast Sonic 3’s music with MJ lyrics etc. They are most definitely worth a listen and you will want them at you’re next party. They are sick! Click the links below.
Is it true? This might not be a hoax, but it certainly could be a cleverly and intentionally perpetuated conspiracy theory with little or no merit. But if something interesting comes of it, then I suppose who cares…
Summer shows are a double edged sword aren’t they? The heat makes us acutely aware of the sticky auras enveloping ourselves and everyone around us. Forced to mingle, we herd ourselves into the small venue or cram ourselves as close as possible against the outdoor stage, sacrificing our personal space like the legions of L Train morning commuters riding in from northern Brooklyn. But the shows, they are amazing and they are aplenty. This summer looks to be very promising indeed.
Of course for me it has gotten off to a piss poor start. I intended to write a feature about a Norwegian band called Pirate Love. It would not only review their tiny EP, but talk about their live show as well. I was fortunate enough to be guest-listed for last Thursday’s performance at Pianos. A few companions and I had arrived early for a little pre-show drinking. I bullshitted with the bar-back, discovering that he is from Nebraska and that we know a few of the same folks—an altogether enjoyable experience.
Then it turns out that my name slipped through the cracks and was omitted from the guest-list. What to do? I had money for beer or the show, and seeing as one of the expenses was unforeseen, like any normal human being I chose the beer. A few other friends arrived at Pianos later that night. They relayed to me the following day that Pirate Love played a great show. From what I gather it would be a big mistake to miss these guys next time they are in town.
The following night a few friends and I were off to Prospect Park to catch Blonde Redhead. The weather, we can all remember, had been shitty the past couple of days, and it wasn’t looking good for our Friday plans. Again we arrived a bit early and stopped at a pub to drink some pints of Bass and tequila shots. After drinks we began walking toward the park as it began to sprinkle and spit. The line into the venue was very long, but clearly the fans were willing to suffer the rain—for a while. When it came time to open the gates, the park workers kept the doors closed. What was at first a slow drizzle turned into a down pour and no umbrella could really do the job. So, defeated, we walked back the F Train and headed on home. When we finally arrived in Bushwick the rain had passed and the sun broke through. Mother fucker, two shows in two days blown—and we actually made it to the venues. We did the best we could to make up for the lost time. We bought and ate some baguette, stinky cheese, and pastis while watching the sun go down on our converted factory roof.
What will come of the rest of summer is anyone’s guess but I certainly look forward to actually getting inside venues. As always, there is a standing invitation for suggestions on venues and bands. Let us know what should be seen and where. Next week, we go to Wilcoopened by Yo La Tengoat Coney Island’s ill-named Keyspan Park. I haven’t seen these guys in a while, although I was able to get a copy of their newest effort months ago. A review is certainly pending.
But listen people…the best news of the week is thatSunny Day Real Estate will be reuniting for a 20 date tour (see dates below), supporting the rerelease of their first two records Diary and LP2. My fucking God this is amazing! Jeremy Enigk is without a doubt a major hero of mine. I feel slightly ashamed that the last time I got the chance to talk with him was 2003 and I was quite drunk. My brother and I drank dirty gin martinis until he puked and was booted from the venue. It was his 21st birthday. I felt like such a dick. My brother’s inebriation didn’t stop from seeing what was then a Fire Theft show at a joint called Knickerbockers. I asked Enigk something to the effect of “Jesus or Buddha?” He snarked back at me and said “Both.”
Luckily he wasn’t too offended about my mocking allusion to his past exploits in Christianity. He went on to disclose that his favorite band is The Who. After the show I got to sit in the booth with Nate Mendel and William Goldsmith. I am not sure how I pulled it off, but it was one of the greatest moments I’ve had. We’ll see what we can do this time. Although they play at Terminal 5, a shitty venue with what seems like a million people, half of whom will be complete assholes because they hate the music. Their friends dragged them there. Enigk had an amazing showing at the Bowery Ballroom supporting his 2006 solo record World Waits. This is easily the most anticipated reunion of the decade. I wonder what else, if anything, could top it.
Here are the calendars for a few of the better NYC venues:
Sunny Day Real Estate Tour Schedule
September 17 Vancouver, BC/Commodore Ballroom
September 18 Portland/Crystal Ballroom (Musicfest NW)
September 20 Salt Lake City/Murray Theater
September 21 Denver/Ogden Theater
September 23 Minneapolis/First Avenue
September 24 Chicago/Metro
September 25 Detroit/St Andrews Hall
September 27 New York/Terminal 5
September 28 Boston/House of Blues
September 30 Washington DC/930 Club
October 1 Philadelphia/Trocadero
October 3 Atlanta/CW Center Stage
October 5 Dallas/Granada Theater
October 6 Houston/Warehouse Live
October 7 Austin/La Zona Rosa
October 9 Tempe/Marquee Theatre
October 10 Anaheim/House of Blues
October 11 Los Angeles/Henry Fonda Theater
October 13 San Francisco/Fillmore
October 15 Spokane/Knitting Factory
October 16 Seattle/Paramount Theatre
Brian E
Yellow Light District
Record Label Records
July 15th 2009
“Don’t Stop—Just Slow Down”
This motto on the cover of Brian Ellis’ newest project speaks volumes. Yellow Light District, due to be released as a limited series of 500 individually numbered 12” vinyl in July, is vintage sonic pornography for those who get a hard-on when they listen to the likes of the Beverly Hills Cop soundtrack, or are obsessed with 1988’s Bloodsport…err anything Jean-Claude Van Damme. This record is no conservative, veiled throwback; it is a neon headband inspired synth-feast.
I listened to the LP while jogging through industrial Bushwick and Williamsburg. I quickly transformed into Little Mac training for my final bout with Mike Tyson in NES’ Punch-Out. Yellow Light District’s most penetrating hook is its style; It isn’t intellectual—it isn’t professorial—it is its own weird science. The first track, Theme, flawlessly begins the record with rolling waves of soft synth melodies that eventually starburst into a dance floor beat, textured with free form keyboards. As every track passes, Mr. E never lets up, always reintroducing the listener to an era some wish was long forgotten. But like the venerable Dov Charney seems to believe, some things don’t die for a reason, and there should always be those creatives out there to remind us why.
Black Hat Brigade
Fathers EP
May 29th 2009
Unsigned
Black Hat Brigade- Zombie City Shake
Far from the cavernous sprawl expressed by earlier recordings, Black Hat Brigade has recorded an EP that will be described as one of the best releases of 2009. Their Fathers EP kicks so much ass, they aren’t permitted to tour in America for fear that their presence will make the heads of residents in Williamsburg, Greenpoint, and Bushwick explode. This really is a national security thing. It is worth noting that the religious right and Billboard magazine have rigorously lobbied INS to approve visas for the band—clearly an attempt to silence northern Brooklyn’s pesky music scene. You know what I say? Fuck it’s worth it! Get your asses to NYC! Sure Robert Haughey’s vocals might remind some of fellow Canadian Dan Boeckner, but who really gives a damn?
Like the morose joy of Eagle Seagull, Black Hat Brigade’s music is entirely different and in many ways better than Wolf Parade. Fathers is defined by a paradox. Dark lyrics that speak of blood, guts, and zombies are cradles inside of some of the brightest and most expansive dance music written for the small club stage. Or maybe it is just that I can dance to anything, but we all know this to be untrue. While there is not a bad track on the 7 song + 1 reprise EP, there are certainly a few standouts. Zombie City Shake, Castlevania, and Vera are all exceptional. These songs not only have the pop sensibilities that provoke inebriated jigs, but they throw back to the epic layers common on their first EP. Here, the voluminous multifaceted interplay is harnessed to produce ridiculous crescendos, the heights of which truly press the limits of grandeur.
