Weekend Winddown 5

The end of the year is near! I'm hoping to get a christmas mix up sometime soon, just to fall in line with every other blogger. I don't know of many artists that do christmas songs as well as Sufjan Stevens though so it could just be a bunch of his finest.

Looks like 2008 has a lot to offer. For those who don't know the "other" preferred political party in Australia has made it in to governance! Labor has booted the Libs out for the count and the timing couldn't be better. With interest rates on the rise, despite who would end up running the country, it's about time we turn to the environment as we deal with the monetary and general costs of global warming. Drought and petrol prices have sent the price of goods and services soaring. Fruit and Veg has never seemed to cost so much!

But I digress. Whether or not you support the Libs the Labs or neither it's nice to see some neglected areas being addressed. That much some of us can agree on... maybe... I say this in as politically correct a way as possible (assuming there's a general consensus on what is the "correct" thing).

I offer another round of relaxed tunes for the hopefully stress-free weekend. Nothing beats lying in bed semi-awake on a Sunday morning and listening to some good music.

Alela Diane - Pieces of String [buy]

Alela Diane was a risk buy for me. I was traipsing through one of my favourite indie music shops, Landspeed Records, and noticed the reviews on the front of this woman's album. The comparison to Joanna Newsom sold me (or rather, sold the album TO me). I can see what the reviewer meant when they mentioned this contemporary of Diane's (whose music I adore). However Diane's voice is perhaps more approachable. It doesn't demand your attention as immediately as Newsom's. At first you don't notice the music; it seems like background music. But suddenly a harmony from out of nowhere will grab you by the heart and you find yourself hooked to simple soft songs.

Angus and Julia Stone - The Beast [buy]

This Sydney brother-sister duo, Angus and Julia Stone have taken their time growing on me. It's not that they don't sound lovely together. It's just that they're tempted into writing what I call "lacklustre songs for the sleepy surfer." This is the same category where you'll find my seldom-listened-to albums by Jack Johnson, Xavior Rudd etc. It's just not my thing; I need a melody not just some pissin about on a guitar.
In the case of AJ Stone, however, they do surprise me time and time again. They've challenged themselves a lot more on their debut release, and the first song off it "The Beast" reveals their nuanced angle. I'd be interested to see if they will continue their musical walk in this direction, or even if they take another turn altogether!


I'm From Barcelona - Chicken Pox [buy]

Swedish band, I'm From Barcelona, have warranted comparisons to The Polyphonic Spree. This is probably because their band's number of musicians total 29. But that's as far as the comparison goes, as far as I can tell.
These guys write much more radio friendly structured pop songs than The Polyphonic Spree will ever feel humble enough to attempt.
IFB carry a flurry of instrumentsm, including clarinets, saxophones, flutes, trumpets, banjos, accordions, kazoos, guitars, drums, and keyboards among others. However, they don't use them unnecessarily; rather, they use them in a complementary way. Their method is: if it works, throw it in, if not someone can wait by the sidelines and do some backing vocals for a bridge. It's much more palatable than TPS's mad dash to include every single instrument known to man in every single song they write.

As a result, you wouldn't know that 29 members crowded this band when listening to their songs. Hell, the album cover would suggest there are only 4 of them! You only find out when you recognise the variation between each track just how much is involved.

Kat Frankie - Treading Water [buy]

Apparently Kat Frankie is from Sydney! I didn't know this when I first heard her. I downloaded a song "The Tops" from the radio stationJJJ's official website. And recently bought the album before reading an interview that revealed a bit of her background.

This woman would easily fit in a mix cd (or tape, or blog mix, if you prefer) including Cat Power, Katie Noonan, Missy Higgins, Beth Gibbons and Basia Bulat. Taking time out to go live in Berlin seems to have paid off for Frankie! Not only has Frankie got a remarkable talent for writing beautiful melodies, she also includes the right instruments to build on or break down each song at the right time, avoiding any possibility of monotony. In "Treading Water" the piano is worked in perfectly.

And of course I can't resist the Mellotrone used in a few of the songs. What a beautiful and unnoticed instrument it is. It just draws in a gorgeous line of melancholy. "Treading Water" doesn't have any Mellotrone in it but the songs that do are perfect for your lonely days. For those who have heard The Notwist, their song "Pick up the Phone" is a good example of a Mellotrone used well and I highly recommend you check these guys out.

Machine Translations - Love Won't Wait [buy]

I'm still testing the waters with Machine Translations. He's a bit hit and miss for me. When he does hit the mark though he gets the bullseye.
Comparisons to Beck are fair but he's a bit more relaxed in his style. Good laid-back tunes, and potential for strong songs.

The National - Cherry Tree [buy]

The National continue to impress me in many different ways. It's now at a point where if a certain song by them comes on I have no choice but to listen to it there and then, all the way through. I like a lot of artists but few are privy to grabbing me like that. I now understand why there's such a strong underground following... and why they've so quickly crawled to the number one most-listened-to artist on my Lastfm profile page!
Just listen.

The Panics - Don't Fight It [buy]

Ahhh The Panics... If only the lead singer had a sweeter voice... but isn't that the point? There's something in the drawl-tone style of Jae Laffer's voice that feels sentimental and oddly colonial. I know that's a vague way of explaining it but that's the best I can come up with.
I don't know why but for the most part I like The Panics...
Some songs fall flat, mind you. But this album introduces an instrumental element that delivers the songs with much more bravado; and it works perfectly!

Either way, they've just won the J Award so they're doing something right.


Before I sign off though I must direct your attention to Grizzly Bear member Daniel Rossen's cover of a song called "Too Little Too Late." "What song," you ask? Exactly! I'd never heard the apparently bad Jo-Jo original but it's performed so well by Rossen. It's a nice 60's style track with great vocals. Click on the song and download it from Stereogum's website.

Road Rage

A good long while ago I remember seeing a poster for a new (or, as it is, old) concept wherein two films are shown for the price of one (a double bill feature release). Better yet, two of the hippest directors around (Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez) were set to pen this (at least these days) uniquely marketed film prospect.

It's been months since I first heard this idea and, thanks to an extremely poor response at the box office, the two films have now been organised for individual release in Australia (and in other parts of the world). Sufficed to say I was pissed off. My friends and I had anticipated a night reminiscient of our high school days, when we'd have horror/thriller nights devoted to popcorn and limited, squashed seating in our homes. Of course we could still do that now but it's just not practical or necessary.

Which is, from what I gather, exactly what the audience has been thinking about this Grindhouse idea. Why struggle to stay awake through two films, than see them both for what they are individually, with the appropriate rest periods?

Even so, I thought the idea was cool and being a cheapskate, the two-for-the-price-of-one thing still appealed. I was going to see it at the closest Drive-In movie complex (of which there are very few left). We figured they'd show the Tarantino and Rodriguez upon the release of the second film (in this case Rodriguez's Terror Planet)). Alas I've now heard that as of 31st October 2007 Bass Hill Drive-In has closed down.

It's strangely poetic and telling of this generation's response to the idea of a fun night out, watching films of degenerate quality in terms of sound but elite quality in terms of storyline, direction, acting and screenplay.
Tarantino might have been disappointed (perhaps clinging to the idea that we're missing out on something special the public had in the 70's) but Rodriguez says he understands the response completely (according to an interview found in last month's issue of Empire. As much as I hate to admit it I tend to agree with Rodriguez. Come to think of it, very few of my friends were actually keen to see the double bill. A lot of my friends are either not horror/thriller people or find themselves too busy to stay up past their bedtime to watch two films which they could have savoured better on two separate occassions.

Either way I'm a fan of both directors and last Tuesday I decided to see Death Proof (which has recently been released in limited cinemas in Australia).
In short, I loved it. This is classic Tarantino. It doesn't matter what the story is, in the end the direction and the dialogue keeps me intrigued in any of his projects. I'm yet to come across a director which better provides dialogue speckled with talk about absolute crap. And it's not uninteresting crap, it's "that's so true," seemingly off-the-bat cafeteria chat.

The film plays out in two parts. It's a bit like Kill Bill in this way. The first half is serious, sexy, sensuous and strangely ambiguous. Tarantino teases us for a long time with a keenly self-aware abscence of horror. We even find the character who we know (at least from the trailers) to be the psychopathic maniac of the film quirky and likeable (even though it is Kurt Russell playing the role). He sure is smooth with the ladies (particularly in the way he manages to talk a flirtatious but nonetheless comparably shy woman into giving him a lapdance). Notably, I feel like I'm watching an old 70's-style dusty film. The jukebox spins records, the reel is old-school and jumpy, and yet they're using mobile phones and discussing the signs of the times.

The second half of the film is a lot more fun and funnier! I was almost a bit hysterical and felt I had to contain myself from whooping and laughing raucously. It takes a lot to get me in that mood so I was massively impressed and entertained. The car chase scenes were cleverly constructed, the dialogue breezy and colourful, the characters loveable and cultured.

It wasn't the perfect film (I did find myself looking at my watch sometime through the first half of the film; it certainly doesn't start with a bang). It does work its way up fast though.
My advice is don't expect this film to change the world and don't take it too seriously. Tarantino's films have often been acclaimed for their philosophy on life. For once though this guy is enjoying the genre for what it really is.

The soundtrack, as usual in a Tarantino film, is slick with relatively unknown "classics" from an earlier era.

Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Titch - Hold Tight
April March - Chick Habit [buy]

I give Death Proof 4 out of 5 stars.

You can see what Margaret and David gave this film out of 5 stars here.


In other news, director of Donnie Darko, Richard Kelly's new film has been released in the States. Thankfully it looks very different from DD (I loved DD but whenever a director tries to reclaim the feel of their first film it usually pales in comparison). And it sure looks a lot bigger in scale. Exciting and timely end-of-the-world stuff which might not go down well with the critics but is sure to please the (not so) underground fanbase. The film is called Southland Tales and is set for release in Australia sometime in January.

Catching Bullets in our Teeth

Sorry for the major lack of posting lately! I got a new job about 5 weeks ago in another state and I don't have personal internet access there yet(which I must say is driving me up the wall).

Lately I've been watching Nip/Tuck. It took me a while to get into this show and you really have to pay attention and follow closely to understand what's going on but it's got so much going on that if you do that you won't be bored of it even for a moment.
The gritty portayal of two men's plastic surgery business explores corners of the mind and body I have never even paused to consider.

Somewhere through the second season the creators introduce a new menace in Miami (the harsh glitzy city in which the series is set); the carver! As he rapes his victims and carves sickeningly broad smiles into people's faces Sean and Christian (the lead partners of the show) do their pro-bono best to repair the damage.

This of course gets under the Carver's skin and the series really starts rollercoastering from there. The clever thing, though, is that the creators are sure that the other storylines are not interrupted or postponed. Rather, they're all weaved constructively together.

I'm yet to see what happens after the first one or two episodes of season 3 and i'm hooked now; determined to watch on.

Below are a list of songs I've been listening to lately. The first up is Tunng. The theme of their latest album fits in well with Nip/Tuck actually as a lot of the lyrics concern matters of the body. They're playing at the Sydney Festival in January, along with a host of other amazing talents like Andrew Bird, The National and Joanna Newsom.

Perhaps the most exciting artist to play in Sydney though is Sufjan Stevens! Finally I'll be seeing my favourite music guy! I've also added his latest "released" song, "Ring Them Bells," a cover of Dylan from the new soundtrack I'm Not There.

Tunng - Arms [buy]

Sufjan Stevens - Ring Them Bells [buy]

Lior - Landslide [buy]

Sia - Soon We'll Be Found

Band of Horses - No One's Gonna Love You [buy]

Radiohead - Reckoner [buy]

Covers 1

Cover songs!

Originally by Nelly:

Jenny Owen Youngs - Hot In Herre


Originally by John Lennon:

Regina Spektor - Real Love [buy]

Originally by Sigur Ros:

We Are Scientists - Hoppipolla


Originally by Peter, Bjorn and John:

Dawn Landes - Young Folks


Originally from the Willy Wonka soundtrack:

Ferraby Lionheart - Pure Imagination

Weekend Winddown 4

Ben Harper - Morning Yearning (Alternate Mix) [buy]

I'll admit I like the original version of Ben Harper's "Morning Yearning" better because I just like strings in any song, really. But subtract that and the guitar becomes more prominant and there's some nice guitar work in this song.

Clare Bowditch - The Thing about Grief [buy]

Clare Bowditch has some new stuff coming out on 13th October! Perhaps because she won an aria award sometime after her last release the wait for new material hasn't seemed too long. I'm definately excited to see what she's written! She seems to develop in leaps and bounds between albums, creating catchier and more melodic music!
You can hear a new track on her myspace page.

Lior - Grey Ocean [buy]

Lior's music is now available overseas via itunes, yay! His album, Autumn Flow, had me entranced for ages! I was just meditating on his sound. I saw him live once with my sister and brother-in-law and the crowd were so still when he played. His voice seemed to crack when he told us how sick of the war in Iraq he was. He'd just heard backstage that there'd been terrorist bombings in London (we found out after the show from my mother). This news gave his music strength though and made it all the more heartfelt.
He'd opened the set with this song "Grey Ocean" which is the first of his I'd heard. I love slow sad music so I was in pursuit of Lior's music long before I could buy the album.
Can't wait for new stuff from him!

Basia Bulat - Snakes and Ladders [buy]

I was a little disappointed with the whole album but perhaps it's just taking a while for me to get into Basia Bulat's Oh My Darling. A few songs have really stuck out for me though, particularly "Snakes and Ladders." I'm not a fan of country music but the slight warble in her voice doesn't deter from the tune. In fact it's matched well by the intense violins and piano, which retains a continuity through the song as layers of instruments explore beyond the core melody.

PJ Harvey - Silence [buy]

This woman can sing! I didn't realise it before this album. I always had an annoying dislike for Harvey's usually sardonic vocals. Annoying because everyone else seemed to like her. Every now and then I'd hear a song like "This Mess We're In" and realise that amongst the almost grunge influence weighing down her songs was a beautiful songstress in Harvey.
The new album sees her stripping off her monotone mood and breaking forward with a soaring range of highs and lows. The only likeness she seems to maintain with her old sound is the darkness in her music. It works well.

Jenn Grant - In a Brown House [buy]

This woman doesn't write songs with clear choruses and verses. You might tap along thoughtlessly to one of her songs before you find yourself caught up in a different mood sometime through the song.

What really makes "In a Brown House" special is the background vocals. Beautiful simple song.

The National - Racing Like a Pro [buy]

Whenever an artist I like recommends a band I always seem to get off on the wrong foot with the recommended artist.
Let me explain. Final Fantasy does a cover of The Destroyer's "An Actor will Seek Revenge" and I figure I might like The Destroyer. Turns out, I don't, but Owen Pallett (aka Final Fantasy) does more justice to "An Actor" than the Destroyer.

So when Menomena say they're listening to The National I figure I'll give them a go, expecting the worst. And, to be honest, if the free mp3s on The National's website were anything to go by I might still not like them much.

However, their new album has blown me away. Not sure how I can describe it. The songwriting is beautiful, the deep Nick Cave/Lambchop-esque voice works, the piano is irresistable and all other instruments used at exactly the right moment. The album collaborates a variety of moods without taking away from the album as a whole too.

I'll never get sick of "Racing like a Pro."

APEST

Photo taken from here.

This weekend NSW are getting "treated" to a long weekend. On friday people will sit at home and twiddle their thumbs while the Australian Government hosts the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)forum.
Basically a bunch of leaders from around the world meet up and discuss information the general public will never be privy to.

Fair enough. I don't think I could sit through what will probably be a very drawl meeting. Bet the boss of US will be taking some time off golf to grab a nap during the summit. There's the cynic in me coming out again.

The official APEC website for those who have the time and patience.

My friends and I are trying to plan what to do this friday.

But it's proving difficult, as others may find.


If you have any suggestions let me know...

Bjork - Who Is It (Choir Mix) [buy]

Earlimart - The World [buy]

Headlights - Put Us Back Together Right [buy]

Weekend Winddown 3

Image taken from here


I didn't watch for too long but the Lunar Eclipse was spectacular last Tuesday night! It was a clear night, the milky way was visible and the red moon reminded us all of our teensy size in the universe.

I bring you another Weekend Winddown mix on this the first day of spring!

Bat for Lashes - Moon and Moon (live on KCRW)

This Bat for Lashes song is unreleased so far (even though she brought an album only just this year). What an amazing song though! And well, with the lunar eclipse last week and all I figure the timing fits too.

Radiohead - Gagging Order [buy]

I finally found this rare-ish Radiohead album of bsides the other week! The album, Com Lag, was rereleased here earlier this year. You can also find the Four Tet remix of "Scatterbrain" on there so it's a good compilation!
I always like the way Thom Yorke takes a phrase and uses it in a different context: Move along, there's left to see...

Beach House - Master of None [buy]

I heard Beach House a while ago and they didn't take with me. Probably because I had the volume turned down. They do the creepy quiet sound well though and the melody of their songs, though buried beneath the sound, sticks with you like a slow waltz for ages. "Master of None" is my favourite track.

Caribou - Melody Day (Four Tet Remix) [buy]

I heard this Caribou song earlier this year and I remember being impressed with the way they've modernised the 60s groove styling. The album is very psychedelic and cool! But it also has this variety of sounds too. It's not all "groovy" and upbeat.
And I've come to the conclusion that Four Tet don't know how to do bad remixes. They're just so good at what they do. This time they wind the song right down and spin it out a little more.

Tunng - Take [buy]

The unique sound Tunng use is basically a combination of folk and electronica. Not new but they do it extremely well. The melody is usually pretty basic but very catchy and they use a variety of instruments to keep you listening all the way through, as they build up the song. They also have a talent for creating a bassline with their vocals. "Take" comes from the forthcoming album, "Good Arrows."

Turin Brakes - Dark on Fire [buy]

I've always quite liked Turin Brakes. I bought their first two albums on sale both times for $10. I bought the first one on the strength of "Underdog (Save Me)" and then the second album on the first album's strength. I've never gotten sick of them. They have a really good acoustic sound and the lead singer has an amazing voice with a range he seems to expand more and more each time an album is released. I didn't get into the country stylings of the third album but this song, "Dark on Fire," from the upcoming album promises a return to form with even stronger song writing.

The Epochs - Head in the Fire

Who are The Epochs? I went to their website and it took me to their myspace page. I haven't seen any music of theirs on sale anywhere. All I know is that I love this song and "Opposite Sides" (which you can download for free from their myspace page) and that they're quite different from one another. OS is an upbeat 90s sounding song. "Head in the Fire" is an acoustic strolling melody slow song. If you can do upbeat and downbeat songs equally well, chances are the debut album will blow us all away. Too bad they're still so unknown.

The One A.M Radio - Mercury [buy]

I've gotten into The One A.M Radio so quickly it's not funny. I heard "In the Time We've Got" and I knew I'd love these guys. I don't know much more about them but this song "Mercury" reminds me of the Notwist a lot: which is a high compliment!
Can't wait for this album to be released here!

Beirut - Nantes [buy]

Zach Condon of Beirut promised us good things when he released an EP last year, which included the mindblowing and moving song "Elephant Gun." This guy takes gypsy folk and makes it more palatable to the casual ear, as he universalises the sound. He has an amazing voice too! Thanks to the bloggers a bunch of tracks from his upcoming album have just been leaked and it's all as emotionally astounding as he promised! If you download only one song from this winddown mix it has to be this song!