I recently attended the Girl Talk show, and though I'll say I was quite impressed by his live mixing abilities, it seemed as though he used nearly all mainstream material to mix with during the live show in contrast to the vast variety he is known for on his actual albums, reaching from Neutral Milk Hotel, to Annie (the Norwegian pop artist), and everywhere in between. It was also neat that he allowed the audience to climb on stage with him during the performance, it definitely added to the experience. This week, tomorrow, in fact, I get to see Band of Horses and Cass McCombs live, I'm especially excited for the latter! And in the following weeks, Casiotone for the Painfully Alone, which should also prove entertaining.
As for music, I've been listening to quite a bit, but haven't been able to get as much new stuff as I desired recently, since Icarus was put back into effect on campus (I experienced this firsthand, unfortunately).
Xiu Xiu- Women as Lovers 7.5
Throughout the album, one can expect to be left with a loopy sort of off-balance vibe, as it sets you off your normal place with a unique sound. The primary reason for this would be a constant use of varying synth that is blended into nearly every song on the album. Among the stand-out songs on this album, Guantanamo Canto was the one that really caught me for its simple variety of sounds placed together. Overall, barring the fact that you'll feel a bit off your rocker listening to this experimental group, it'll turn out pleasing to most in the end, but I would say you'd have to be "in the mood" to give it a solid listen, so don't give up on the album after one play through.
And now, though I've mentioned the album before on my blog, I think it deserves a proper review considering it will probably end up on my top albums of 2008 at the end of the year.
Los Campesinos!- Hold On Now Youngster... 9.5
This is the must have thus far in my honest opinion with it's only possible competitor of 2008 being Vampire Weekend, and even that's a long shot. While I believe that the entire album could be turned into singles (You! Me! Dancing! is the only one that actually has been so far), I would personally pick the following four, "Broken Heartbeats Sound Like Breakbeats" with the opening alternating shouts just screams to be played countless times, and screamed along to as well! Then there's "Drop it Doe Eyes", which no matter how horrible the chorus may seem to you with it's "Deer die with their eyes wide open, eyes wide open, wide open!", it simply leaves a pleasant ring of it in your ear. This song is then followed up by the shortest, but one of the greatest tracks on the album "My Year In Lists" which makes up for it's length in energy, carrying an intensity higher than "breakbeats" earlier on even! And the final shining star on this album would have to be given to "Sweet Dreams, Sweet Cheeks" for essentially the same reasons that "Broken Heartbeats Sound Like Breakbeats" pleased me so much. The album this wraps up perfectly with an epilogue-esque song "2007, the Year Punk (Broke My Heart)", and also wrapping up what will be without a doubt a top album of the year!
I've been listening to quite a bit of Belle and Sebastian, and Oh No! Oh My!. I've also recently gotten back onto a Marc Biachi kick with all of the Her Space Holiday material, and now I've got the xoxo, panda songs too!
As well, the Bonnaroo lineup was released a night ago at 11:00, overall, I was quite underwhelmed by it and would much rather go to Coachella, but considering it's in California
and overlaps with finals, I doubt I'll be attending, sadly.
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