Thursday, 29 November 2007Vessels - two words and a gesture on Cuckundoo Records VesselsTwo Words & A Gesture Two Words & a Gesture / Clear & Calm Cuckundoo Records Pressed: 500 Release Date: 26/11/2007 Something that keeps getting me, and I wonder if it always will is this epic instrumental, math rock recycled trend that seems to keep growing. Am I a sucker for this emotional movement instrumentation? Could you just build a program that followed some kind of formula and get the same result? Maybe...I just know I like it. Also it's just that so far I haven't heard one of these bands I didn't like. Is it just that easy? I don't think so, I think enough bands approaching this genre have tapped into something. That definitely goes for the Vessels. So far from what I've heard the Vessels lean towards Explosions in the Sky's twinkly subtle melody driven numbers rather than the metal of say...Pelican or the Champs. These seem to be the two camps that are forming if you want to make that divide. Red Sparowes might straddle the line, although I say closer to Explosions. Along with the quiet moving chorus-y sections, the vessels have a Don Cab stutter stop intricacy, it's not all quiet to loud and back again. For what looks like 7 members, this is a feat in and of itself. Now this latest 7" 'Two words and a gesture' throws everything else I heard so far out the window, on this track 3 members are singing, harmonizing with each other and it's really changing my first impression. I'm having a little trouble with it, especially since how can vocals sound out of place? Up until this track I haven't heard them. It's venturing into progressive rock territory that I wish they wouldn't go. I'm really puzzled by this direction, but maybe it's an anomaly and the b-side is back to the straight sound. Jason Dean Labels: champs, cuckundoo records, don cabellero, pelican, red sparowes, two words and a gesture, vessels
posted by Jason @ 17:10
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Monday, 26 November 2007
The Drones - ATP recordings - CUSTOM MADE CONTEST
This week we have another 7" giveaway contest. Thanks to ATP recordings we're giving away a copy of their first release from their new 7" series 'Custom Made'. Just email the address below and include something about contest and 7" in the subject. I will pick a winner this Sunday from the entries, so good luck.
ATP recordings just launched 'Custom Made'. Each release in the series will be double gate fold 7" vinyl consisting of 4 songs, and this is where it gets really interesting. In this beautiful marriage of sound and plastic, they ask each artist for something old, something new, something borrowed and yes....something blue.
For the Drones that meant an old (previously released) track, 'Cockeyed Lowlife of the Highlands', which they then rerecorded for this double 7", which comes off as an Australian take on early Make up or John Spencer Blues Explosion, this updated raw blues guitar screaming solos, but it's Gareth Liddiard who gives all of this it's unique edge. He's totally committed to his own style, complete with shrieks and yells, that this feels live and is typical of their all out approach.
Next is something new. Thy took a track 'I don't ever want to change', from their latest album Gala Mill. They continue this garage dead dog story blues thread, ending in a complete vocal breakdown.
Something borrowed of course is a cover. They chose Charles Aznavour's 'I drink', I'm unfamiliar with this artist but it seems like a perfect eclectic choice from this french Frank Sinatra. This is where I'm hearing the Pogues, (and not just because it's about drinking).
Something Blue? I'm assuming this will be pretty much left to the band as to how to interpret this rule for future releases. Here the Drones included their aptly titled Shark Fin Blues. Leave it to The Drones to come up with a song title like that. It's a perfect example of the way they are working with the classic rock elements, drawing from some early Neil Young or Tom Petty sound, pure driven songwriting and sound, bringing it into the 21st century and proving that there are still unexplored territories in this familiar sound.
But ATP didn't stop with the music...they are also commissioning artists to design the silk screened sleeves and then hand number the edition which is for sale directly from ATP in an edition of 100. For this release they asked indie rock poster artist, Michael Motorcycle But for those of you that can live on the music alone, there's another 900 out there with the same artwork, and no less of an amazing artifact. I love when 7"'s are elevated by the packaging, they deserve it, and it's the whole point in this fleeting age of digital download. I appreciate that format for different reasons, but given a project like this...sure it's not for everyone, but if you love the Drones or Michael Motorcycle you have to have this.
The 100 limited silk screened copies will be available soon, directly from ATP recordings.
But don't forget to email me and enter to win one of these great 7"'s. (index7jason (at) gmail dot com).
Labels: custom made, giveaway, JSBX, Make up, pouges, shark fin blues, the drones
posted by Jason @ 08:54 0 Comments
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Tuesday, 20 November 2007
Half Handed Cloud - Winding currents on a spool on the Seven Inch Project
Half-Handed Cloud
Winding Currents on a Spool EP
Side A // Missing // Winding // Cut-down
Side B // Got-it // To Fill // Loathed
Seven Inch Project
Quantity Pressed: 500
Released: 27/11/07
Half Handed Cloud is John Ringhofer, a trombonist for Sufjan Stevens, and a sometimes bassist for Danielson, is part of the amazing Seven inch project. This label recently launched with three seven inches from a variety of artists, Half handed cloud being one of them. They have really lovingly packaged all of these with colored vinyl, gatefold sleeves, and then digital downloads so we don't have to spend the afternoon looking for adapters to run the headphone jack out from the turntable to the computer, and then run over and hit record before the song starts. It kind of takes you back to the days of taping songs off the radio for mix tapes. I'm dating myself....and what about the music?
Ok...what we have here is an almost embarrassingly naked John, captured on 4-track and a dizzying array of instruments. Everything from grand pianos to Casio keyboards and a euphonium. I have no idea what that is. Sounding at times like a children's educational cartoon, John harmonizes sincere vocals and simple melodies sounding like a Captain Beefheart meets Davey and Goliath. He packs 6 tracks on this EP, so there's plenty of room to get a feel for this idiosyncratic artist. I have a seven inch where he collaborated with Sufjan Stevens and there's a similar complex orchestration, and it's unbelievable that one person has wrapped their head around singlehandedly arranging and playing these complex hymns.
No matter what your beliefs, there's some amazing sounds to be heard in the third installment (already) on this promising new label.
Jason Dean
Labels: 4-track, half handed cloud, john ringhofer, seven inch project, sufjan stevens, trombone
posted by Jason @ 11:45 0 Comments
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Friday, 16 November 2007
Sons and Daughters - Gilt Complex on Domino records
Sons and Daughters
Gilt Complex / Cover: Adamski's 'Killer'
Domino Records
Quantity Pressed: Not Specified
Released: 29/10/07
Sons and Daughters, appropriately 2 girls and 2 guys, have a sixties garage feel right off the bat, they launch this track with a killer riff reminiscent of something like Painted Black by the Stones, all crisp distortion and then a stomping tom beat kicks in with handclaps. Adele Bethel continues to drive this track right over the cliff, while backing bandmates add the na na na's which complete the hair raising chorus.
There's elements of rockabilly in rhythm and attitude, they are examining that dark, devil blues place in spirit with a modern sound. Like a haggis western, with Ennio morricone whistling, they could be scoring a grindhouse biker movie. All set in the west, with dust flying, go-go dancers at the seedy stripclub, and guns and gangs. Whatever happens next is not going to be a happy go lucky feel good time.
Scott trades vocal duties on various tracks and rules a thick scottish accent fighting with Adele for mic time. It's all frantic, sometimes hinting at transvision vamp with a tougher edge. They take all these things and subtlety bring a pop dance element to it all, and after all the doom and gloom it's a welcome relief.
Jason Dean
Labels: gilt complex, go-go, grindhouse, sons and daughters, transvision vamp, western
posted by Jason @ 01:49 0 Comments
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Monday, 12 November 2007
Wojtek Godzisz - The Moon and the Yew Tree on Tigertrap records
Wojtek Godzisz
The Moon And The Yew Tree / Time Of The Wolf
Tigertrap Records
Released: 29/10/07
Quantity Pressed: 500
I'm not familiar with Wojtek's punk band Symposium in which he played bass, but from what I hear it's vastly different than this new direction.
From the first yelp and dark piano rumblings The Moon and the Yew tree takes an ominous turn. This is one of those tracks that literally screams out to be a single. There is an arcade fire choral intensity and orchestration, I hate to say it, but that's the comparison that comes to mind. It's a foot stomping viking sea shanty and I can't help but wonder about how much eastern european influence worked it's way into this pounding hectic track, (he's czech) and that this is some kind of ancient call to battle.
With a yo / with a yo heave ho / we built a boat / to keep a hope afloat / and down we go / into the fog below / yea down we go / so keep your head down low
It's straight up primal scream rock.
The video for The Moon and a Yew Tree shows Wojtek in a white gypsy suit, bearded and barefoot, walking in beat, coming across tarot cards and chasing or being chased by unseen forces.
There's no doubt he's got a great voice from climax to breakdown, from guttural yell to quiet melody. I think this split personality is the more rational side trying to talk this berzerker out of destroying everything in his way, and I doubt it will work.
Stay out of his path...you will be moved.
Jason Dean
Labels: moon, sealegs, shanty, tree, viking, Wojtek Godzisz, yew
posted by Jason @ 02:51 0 Comments
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Thursday, 8 November 2007
Manchester Orchestra/Annuals Tour 7" Giveaway
The Annuals and Manchester Orchestra would like to give one lucky reader of index7, a copy of their tour only 7".
Manchester Orchestra covers the Annuals 'Brother' and The Annuals cover the Manchester Orchestra's 'Where have you been?'.
Take a listen to the tracks above and then imagine them coming from a tiny slab of circular vinyl, wouldn't that be so much better? Of course it would.
They even reinterpret each others album covers from the looks of the sleeve above.
This is such a labor of love, they are only selling copies at their shows in the US. There is no other way to get it... except here.
That's right, Manchester Orchestra is giving away a copy of this to one lucky winner appropriately enough on index7.
Manchester's cover of 'Brother' is as great as the original, the energy and explosion is still there, they constantly change the rhythms of the original and reinterpret percussion elements and just when the vocals seem to be fading away, when it's quieted down to just a muted acoustic, it blows up into all out chorus again. I've been listening to their latest 'I'm like a virgin losing a child' on Myspace and they have a real epic, slightly prog feel, like a classic rock Annuals if you will. The same intensity, but more straight up rock.
The pairing of these two on the road makes perfect sense and this 7" is the perfect extension of their live show, both bands swapping mates to sing backup or just support each others tracks on tour.
But now for what you came here for: the chance to win this super limited tour only 7".
Just email index7jason at gmail dot com and include in the subject 'CONTEST' or 'I want that Manchester Orchestra 7", or something, include your name and address and you will be entered to win a copy of this amazing 7" your grandchildren will be fighting over.
The deadline for entries is midnight November 18th. You have 10 days.
Jason Dean
Labels: annuals, brother, giveaway, manchester orchestra
posted by Jason @ 10:55 0 Comments
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Tuesday, 6 November 2007
Young Knives - Terra Firma on Transgressive Records
Terra Firma / A Cavern
Transgressive records
Released 29/10/07
1000 pressed
Mercury prize nominee's, the Young Knives are cultivating this image of nice/weird prep school boys who formed a band, something like the calculating music of the Futureheads combining it with the tongue-in-cheek attitude of an Art Brut. There's something definitely anti-sex symbol about them. Brothers Henry & Thomas have been playing as Young Knives since the late 90's and only recently consider themselves a success. Modestly recording their second album full of '...shit songs like any other band.', this is the first single.
Suits are their uniforms, disheveled suits that have spent too much time away from the office. These are average guys making a go of a rock and roll band, they probably will manage their royalties and everything will work out OK. They won't be one of those sad behind the music stories of drug use and fancy car wrecks, these are your accountants. But they quit their jobs and add catchy hooks together and come up with: fake rabbit / real snake / terra firma / terra firma.
I haven't seen them play an instrument yet in one of their videos, they seem content to play these stereotype businessmen turned bad actors: monotone and repeating the choruses, it's like if Prinzhorn Dance school went way more pop. I appreciate the idea that these disjointed words are beating me over the head, over and over, cramming them into my subconscious. It fits the business model.
They to also be a part of this movement to release 2 vinyl singles and a CD for 3 pounds. This is a ridiculously great trend and another reason to wake up in the morning.
Jason Dean
Labels: art brut, henry, terra firma, thomas, transgressive records, young knives
posted by Jason @ 11:08 0 Comments
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