Cougar Microbes

In my head, record shop instores are meant be like the final scene of Empire Records- with a band playing on the roof and slackers rolling kegs down the street. In reality, this never ever happens, and perhaps that’s a good thing as no one really ever wants to see Renee Zelwegger sing more than once in their lives. And in spite of my shattered teen movie dreams, sometimes, in record stores, with their poor sound systems and randomly congregated audiences, in stores can be truly quite remarkable gigs. Craig Finn’s recent performance at Rough Trade East definitely falls into that category.

As a huge Hold Steady fan, I did (wrongly) wonder if Finn’s debut ‘Clear Heart, Full Eyes’, was just going to be an album of ‘not making the grade’ Hold Steady outtakes. Instead, it is full of wonderfully unique country-esque songs, with simple guitars focussing topics such as on punk rock wisdom (‘No Future’) and the dying days of a relationship (‘Not Much Left of Us’)- much more contemplative than some of the party tales of The Hold Steady but with all the lyrical brilliance.

Playing at Rough Trade with just a slide guitarist as back up, to a small audience of pre-sale album buyers, journalists and the odd hipster who had stumbled in off Brick Lane, Craig Finn still managed to bring new beauty to stripped down versions of the highlights from ‘Clear Heart Full Eyes’. Songs such as ‘Sarah, I’m Surrounded’ sounded beautifully melancholic, and ‘My Friend Jesus’ provided a humorous interlude.

Considering this, perhaps then the main outcome of the Rough Trade East, is actually something quite awe-inspiring: whilst The Hold Steady are undeniably one of the greatest live bands around, this short set demonstrated that with a very different set up, with a different array of material, and without a full band, Craig Finn still has the ability to host an enchanting live show. It’s not just the party soundtrack of The Hold Steady he has up his sleeve, but now its an album and live show of truly beautiful, enigmatic songs.

I’m pretty sure no one from the cast of Empire Records couldn’t even come close to that achievement.

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Post by Jazmin / @jazmin_burgess

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TRACKS:

Craig Finn – Honolulu Blues

Douglas McGillivray, a.k.a ANOTHER has just released his first LP and my little finger tells me that this little beauty should not go unnoticed. As a matter of fact I think it’s probably the freshest, most genuine music I have heard in a long time.

‘Since June‘ offers a lovely mix of synths, electronic beats and acoustic guitar, with a delicate voice thats blends in perfectly. He describes his music as ‘ Intimate Ocean Pop‘, and I think that suits it perfectly. In my mind his music is very similar to that of Phoenix, and I definitely wish him the same success as the parisian band.

You can tell that this was not produced by some big label and the sounds do tend to be a bit rough at some moments , but for someone who recorded everything in his bedroom, I have to say the results are superb.

This record is quite eclectic, and stretches from electronic vibes on ‘ Same To You‘ and ‘Night‘ to dancy/surfy/pop ballads on ‘Night‘ or ‘Maika‘ , and finally to calmer songs that embody the message of hope and positivity that he is trying to convey through his music.

Truly a great record.

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Review by Olivia

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TRACKS:

Same To You by ANOTHER

 Night by ANOTHER

Due to catastrophic weather conditions band’s travelling down to London for a gig I was involved in were forced to cancel. Having already hired a large-ish space in East London and confirmed a couple of local bands it seemed a shame to cancel the event entirely.

As a solution we found a place that did furniture hire in London and turned our room into a cosy lounge like space with band’s and DJ’s alternating between lampshades and sofas. The superb Kick Up The Fire, fresh from an appearance on BBC Radio 6, played an intimate acoustic set. Meanwhile, I did a little DJ set and also managed to drop in The XX‘s new demo “Open Eyes“ which has been doing the rounds lately.

Good effort!

TRACKS:

The xx – Open Eyes (Demo)

It was an eye opening moment when Radiohead released ‘In Rainbows‘ and gave their fans the choice of at what price to purchase it at. The moral implications of this were far greater than one might think in this disposable era.

Jonathan Dagan aka J. Viewz decided his latest project would be as modern and intelligent as the music of that he produces. In the early stages of this mini masterpiece, fans would pay for an album in advance and release a song a month, sent digitally, before culminating the album and producing a twenty six page booklet with beautifully thoughtful artwork. This would leave fans with a full package, yet by giving them small chunks of a whole, leaves fans desperate for the next song and in turn, a sense of longing for the finished piece.

Musically it is a very exprerimental yet expressive album, lying somewhere between Neon Indian, Passion Pit and Zero 7, up beat electro pop backdrop sometimes submerging beneath a watery haze of chillout lounge, and minimalist soul.

‘Meantime‘ is a great example of these two themes melting together, with Japanese house synths and soft vocals rolling like two colours of smoke above a solid lanscape of straight beats.

As time goes on, genres will get harder and harder to define and redefine, and J. Viewz is no exception. The trip-hop meets go-go dance funk of ‘This City Means No Love‘ and the Peter Bjorn and John meets late eighties LA hip-hop of ‘Salty Air‘ both don’t feel out of place, and even compliment each other. They are as unpredictable as the times of music ahead.

‘Building A Home‘ is a beautiful slab of creative layers, energetic and bold, yet thoughtful and stark. What follows it is in my opinion the strongest song on the album and keeps these themes alive. ‘Far Too Close‘ is as pop as it is creative.

While straying far from each other, each track on ‘Rivers And Homes‘ is undeniably J.Viewz.

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Post by T.R Wicks

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TRACKS:

building a home. by J.Viewz

Nada Surf‘s new album’The Stars Are Indifferent To Astronomy‘  shows the NYC band haven’t lost any of their melodic charm. Featuring guest appearances by musician Doug Gillard (Guided by Voices) and produced by Chris Shaw (Wilco) the band show an exceptional ability for remaining evergreen.

Take the excellent ‘When I Was Young‘ for example; it builds classically, starting with a simple jangly acoustic intro until it delivers you into a beautiful rock crescendo of crashing drums and striking guitars.

The nostalgic lyrics stay much in sync with the concept presented in the title, sweet listless thoughts concerning previous states of mind are front and center as Matthew Caws sings. As the chorus repeats “what was that world I was dreaming of“, and the music swells it is hard to ignore ones own youthful misgivings. The tones of the rock ensemble are spot on. The track is masterfully mixed, showcasing each instrument appropriately and without bombast.

The band will be beginning there latest national tour March 20th in Los Angeles, CA. The album . ‘The Stars Are Indifferent To Astronomy‘ is out now.

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Post written by Cole

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TRACKS:

Nada Surf – When I Was Young

Chairlift seem to do what most electro pop bands cannot, and that’s edit themselves. The critically acclaimed ‘Does You Inspire You‘ along with its heavily promoted single ‘Bruises‘ was subtle in it’s use of synthesizers and reverberated sound.

The Latest album ‘Something‘ is comprised of much lusher and moving arrangements with a backdrop of retro midi synths and themes of uncertainty and human greed. The eighties reverberation only reinforces the darker shades from this era from the unshakable motivational moods of the times, to the corporate greed and oppression.

This album is in no way claustrophobic though, it is exceptionally wide and poignant, evidence of a band at the top of their game and brimming with confidence. The warmth of this this record is what shines through and I’m sure Ghandi would’ve have something irritatingly wise to say here.

Singles ‘Sidewalk Safari’ and ‘Met Before’ are fantastic examples of this production along with the modern chic indie pop, lying somewhere between Cocteau Twins ethereal ripples and Blonde Redhead‘s stylish cooing. ‘I Belong In Your Arms’ is bold and concise and, much like the whole album, is unbelievably catchy.

The addictive bass lines from ‘Amanaemonesia’ and ‘Wrong Opinion’ should back the single pillars from this album perfectly, offering not only a record that would suit a cult 1980’s B-Movie, but also a dose of dream pop to shake your arse to wildly.

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Post by TR Wicks

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I Belong In Your Arms by Chairlift

Met Before by Chairlift

A household name in their native Norway and a fair section of Europe, sassy 4-piece Katzenjammer hit the UK festival circuit earlier this year at Glastonbury, Cambridge Folk Festival and Bestival, becoming Steve Lamacq favourites and enticing a whole new horde of admirers along the way.

Word must have gotten out, because fans squashed into their gig at the London Monto Water Rats until they were packed in like a tin of sardines. Yet when Turid, Anne-Marit, Solveig and Marianne squeezed onto the rather tiny stage, the irritation of being jostled around soon gave way to something a lot more pleasant.

The four multi instrumentalists vigorously delivered a set that scoped from the tinselled folk of ‘Rock, Paper, Scissors’, through the gypsy, Gogol Bordello-esque crowd favourite ‘A Bar in Amsterdam’, to a hugely entertaining honky tonk cover of Genesis’ ‘Land of Confusion’.

It is a rare band who can pull off such a dizzying swap of instruments without seeming pretentious, yet Katzenjammer take it all in their stride. They also prove to have four very competent lead singers, but Marianne’s earth-shattering vocals, at times angelic and at others reminiscent of a Deep South soul diva with a 40-a-day habit, deserve special mention.

Soon enough they have the entire crowd singing along to their contagiously fun camp ditties – infused with a jumble of influences from Balkan Gypsy Folk to Cowboy Blues to Burlesque and everything else in between. Very obvious musical talents underpin their flair for colourful showmanship, preventing them from sounding like a novelty act.

Closing the set with sing-to-the-rafters, 4-piece a cappela ‘God’s Great Dust Storm’, they demonstrate how to shift from a lighthearted pop romp to blowing the roof off a cathedral in one move, leaving many a dropped jaw in their wake. Those searching for live entertainment of the highest caliber need look no further.

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Post by Karen aka @housegirlfriend

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TRACKS:

Rock-Paper-Scissors by Katzenjammer

Cocktails and Ruby Slippers by Katzenjammer

The Black Keys – El Camino

Made the Cougar Microbes Top Albums of 2011 list here

The Decemberists – The King Is Dead

Made the Cougar Microbes Top Albums of 2011 list here

Ryan Adams – Ashes & Fire

As a die-hard Ryan Adams fan – hello! – I have nothing bad to say about his latest creation. He can do no wrong. He’s always had the ability to defy genre, and his forte is in crafting timeless classics. And by classic I mean, modern day Neil Young – there I said it.

This time around, on ‘Ashes & Fire‘, he discards all pretense, offering up a series of stripped down ballads and a few crystallized pop songs (see: “Lucky Now”, “Invisible Riverside”, “Chains of Love”).

If you’re a sucker, like I am, for his folk-Americana roots, then be sure to give the title track a few spins. There’s nothing like those few opening verses. I don’t know what’s more thrilling – that or the laid-back love song, “Dirty Rain“.

If his “Wonderwall” cover taught us anything it’s that Ryan Adam‘s can be at his best when he pulls back, and for the most part ‘Ashes & Fire‘ is one of those albums: it’s strength is in its subtleties.

Bon Iver – Bon Iver

Made the Cougar Microbes Top Albums of 2011 list here

Little Dragon – Ritual Union

Yukimi Nagano’s vocals give major soul to this otherwise electro outfit, and the resulting combination is thoroughly modern. This Swedish band’s recent collaborations with the Gorillaz and SBTRKT are only bringing more attention to their own releases – and rightfully so. Nagano delivers a current take on R&B that’s outside the mainstream.

Must hear: “Little Man”, “Please Turn”, “Nightlight”.

My Morning Jacket – Circuital

Rich and free-wheeling rock n’ roll with masterful arrangements.  “Circuital” is an overall solid album, full of peaks and valleys, providing the listener with a complete experience.

Key Tracks: “Victory Dance” “Circuital” “Wonderful” “Holding On To Black Metal”

Smith Westerns – Dye It Blonde

The Smith Westerns self-titled debut album came as a breath of fresh air in all its fuzzed-out, adolescent glory. So with the release of the more fully realized ‘Dye It Blonde‘ there was a bit of an adjustment. Though the sound got cleaned up all the flirtatious lyrics and wonky guitar remain.

Yuck – Yuck

Wilco – The Whole Love

How do you begin to review a new Wilco album?  This is a band that’s tended to the hearts and minds of listeners everywhere for 17-freakin’ years!  They’re in a class of their own.

What stands out is how inventive they are. This album in particular explores some ambient noise moments that would be space-age if not leveled by Jeff Tweedy’s down-to-earth vocals. ‘The Whole Love‘ is a rhythmic dreamscape that covers a lot of turf. It’s masterfully refined pop and melancholia sandwiched between two starkly different 10 minute tracks, beginning with a wicked melt-your-face guitar solo and ending gently with a lullaby. Delicious!

The Kills – Blood Pressures

Made the Cougar Microbes Top Albums of 2011 list here

TRACKS:

Ritual Union by Little Dragon

Dirty Rain by ryanadams

Circuital by My MORNING JACKET

Smith Westerns – Weekend

Get Away by Yuck

Wilco – I Might

The Black Keys – Lonely Boy

Calgary by boniver

The Decemberists – Down By The Water

The Kills – Future Starts Slow