Having waited for Florence + The Machine to release a followup to 2009′s excellent ‘Lungs‘ album our wish was finally granted with ‘Ceremonials‘.
This followup from Florence Welch and co. merits a spot in our top albums of the year because it combines great songwriting skills, something that is becoming rare these days, with an impressive production job from Paul Epworth.
The musicians often duel with each other in what is a considered and well crafted album but they always allow Florence‘s characteristic wail to be the albums leading light.
Our boy Mario mused that “at a time when artists are seeking to sound like “the last big thing” Florence + The Machine continue to be a bit of an anomaly. It is for this reason and many others that ‘Ceremonials‘ it can be appreciated by indie kids and Adele fans alike.”
Cougar regular Emilyadded ‘Ceremonials’ to her list as ”another guilty pleasure that I’m not ashamed to admit. I wish there were more energetic and euphoric music on my iPod, but Florence is a start”.
In the unlikely case you missed the unveiling of M83‘s new track ‘Midnight City‘ here is the first taste of Anthony Gonzalez‘s upcoming double album ‘Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming‘.
In my mind this represents an excellent union between the french touch and 80′s synth pop of the quality kind (think Talk Talk).
The use of the vocoder reminds me of Air‘s lyrical delivery although if I had to find a slight blemish I would say the boat has not been pushed far from the sound of ‘Kim & Jessie‘ from the previous album. Obviously thats me being nitpicky and as we watch the track blows up all over the internet you have got to say this is one kick ass single.
Catch Monsiour Gonzalez on an extensive North American tour in October and November. ‘Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming‘ is out on October 18, 2011.
COYOL are yet another example of how in 2004 there was a turning point in the indie music with the release of Arcade Fire‘s ‘Funeral‘ album. That album skillfully combines traditional American folk music with the archetypical New York City indie rhythm section and the melodies of the big arena rock bands. Since then thousands of bands have tried to follow that blueprint to mixed results.
There are those who have taken the lead into some projects worth noting such as the excellent Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros who push the use of dual vocals in addition to adding a country and western twang and a greater use of wind instruments in the orchestration of their tracks.
COYOL in theory might be the natural evolution of this trend. The couples country ballad voices evoke those of Johnny Cash and June Carter and rhythm section arrangements more concise than the band above. The lyrics are personal and engaging such as the brilliant ‘Pharmacist‘; which deals with modern society’s troubles and the anxiety disorders suffered by singer John Isaac Watters. Together with Céleigh Champan they offer a passionate delivery that betrays both their old Southwest and new Los Angeles roots.
Having recorded their self-titled EP in late 2010 COYOL will unveil each of the EP’s six tracks individually, culminating in the full release on September 6, 2011. With unique art produced for each song this is a journey worth pursuing and hopefully they can continue finding their “voice” on their first full LP.
AspenSails are a British folk duo who have just brought out their first EP titled ‘Maud’. The release shows its credentials by skilfully interweaving crystalline melodies and great vocal harmonies without ever over stepping its boundaries.
The promising tracks are reminiscent of the folksy ways reintroduced on the American west coast by the likes of FleetFoxes, although AspenSails may still be searching for their killer single. Still, the band is in its infancy so there will be plenty of time for that.
As a collection of songs this release is perfect to warm hearts in the cold winter.
Candy Claws hail from Fort Collins in Colorado; if you are up to scratch with your US geography you will appreciate that the Centennial State is filled with natural resources and wonderful landscapes but certainly does not boast its own seafront, until Hollywood’s various doomsday prophecies come to fruition, that is.
The bands debut ‘In The Dream Of The Sea Life’ was recorded in various global locations, specifically in places the band felt a strong link to, the album blends a series of electronic samples and recordings of natural sources to create a sound that is anything but artificial.
Inspired by the 1951 Rachel Carson book ‘The Sea Around Us’, the album is a bittersweet ode to the sea evoking the French electro twists pioneered Air (remember ‘Kelly Watch The Stars’?). The use of a vocoder for some of the vocals works is tasteful as is the frequently interlaced sound of the Indian Ocean recorded during the bands sessions in the Philippines.
Despite the significant nautical premise and the band citing of the Beach Boys as one of the bands chief inspiration, this album is a million knots away from the surf rock presented by the Wilson Brothers. Dive in at the deep end and explore it for yourself.
Coldplay can’t seem to put a foot wrong at the moment, both in musical terms and ( crucially) in their promotional strategies. Just when you were beginning to think their trademark sound was destined to age on the hollow notes of ‘X&Y‘ they recruited Brian Eno to regain a little spark. His liberal borrowing of world music instrumentations and quasi-oriental time signatures undoubtedly rejuvenated the bands creativity and augmented their sound at a crucial time.
2 months ago the band gave away their live cd ‘LeftRightLeftRight‘ which was recorded during their last mastodontic tour. To date some 4 million people are said have downloaded it. Having already provided the fans with exclusive content during the promotion for ‘Viva La Vida‘ as well as free live shows hosted in Europe and The United States, here was more proof that these unlikely heroes have learnt to exploit the possibilities the web offers better than most.
‘LeftRightLeftRight‘ is a snapshot of where Coldplay are as a band right now. A place where stadium choruses as seen on ‘Viva La Vida‘ and huge instrumentals like ‘Death And All His Friends‘ sit comfortably next to old hits such as ‘Clocks‘ and ‘Fix You‘. The band are even able to squeeze in ‘Death Will Never Conquer‘, a country ballad sung by drummer Will Champion.
Its of little matter that Chris Martin‘s voice has never been note perfect or even that some preferred the timid and awkward frontman seen on early tours, Coldplay now sit comfortably with other legendary imperfect yet unifying bands that are worth seeing at least once in your life.
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This article written by Mario, long time Cougar Microbes advisor whose patience is always appreciated. Mitico!
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