Cougar Microbes

To the uninitiated pressing play on a Gregory and The Hawk album and hearing the beautiful serenading of Meredith Godreau may come as a surprise. This deliberately cloudy moniker is designed to avoid being pigeonholed in the “female singer/songwriter” bin.

It would therefore be lazy reviewing to say ‘Leche‘ sounds like Emiliana Torrini recorded underwater, or that it is as endearing as Soko without ever relying solely on cutesy nuances, or that it subtly captures Bat For Lashes eeriness…

The above statements are somewhat true but if you need a male example to justify this inclusion then I’m confident in saying that Godreau‘s songwriting sits comfortably next to any of Owen Pallett/Final Fantasy‘s output whilst displaying a more imposing vocal range. There is a spectral quality to her melodies that are almost disarming to the listener.

‘Leche‘ is an album equally suited for those times when it is raining outside and you just want to stare solemnly out of the window as the times when you decide it’s time to splash around in the puddles.  

With the aid of it’s subtle layers and emotional dynamics it deservedly earns it’s spot on the top albums list.

TRACKS:

NEXT: #17 Cougar Microbes Top Albums of 2010: Band Of Horses – Infinite Arms

PREVIOUS: #19 Cougar Microbes Top Albums of 2010: Frightened Rabbit: The Winter Of Mixed Drinks

Great Lakes are a bit of an institution having been around in various guises since 1996. Ben Crum is the heart of the band since his partners in crime Dan Donahue and Jamey Huggins (of Of Montreal fame) focussed their talenta on other projects over the years.

For the latest release under the Great Lakes guise, and the first to feature Crum as the principle songwrriter, he assembled musicians from the likes of Mice Parade, Beirut, Ladybug Transistor, Ted Leo and the Pharmacists and Ryan Adams to deliver his folk and country influenced vision.

‘Ways Of Escape‘ is pretty distant from the sound that has become associated with the bands but in no way less elegant. Clearly benefitting from the all star cast of of musicians lending their help Crum has delivered an enchanting record boasting soulful organs, steel pedal guitars and considerate drumming.

‘Ways Of Escape’ is out now on Orange Twin Records

TRACKS:

South East London mischief-makers Kick Up The Fire release their self-titled debut mini album on November 15th on You And Whose Army?Records.

Aditionally they have unveiled a video for ‘No Fun In London‘ directed and edited by talented NYC based filmmaker Alice Millar. The band needed some additional live shots so I stepped in to film some additional footage which I’m pleased made the final cut.

The band’s album launch party is set for the 18th of November. If you are in London go down and show your support

TRACKS:

Kick Up The Fire – No Fun In London

Brooklyn based power-duo of Paul Hammer and Deidre Muro, known as Savoir Adore, certainly knows how to rock in one of the most uniquely indie styles to hit the streets yet.

Organs, electrics, and usually with almost more tambourine than drums; They weave it all together with an unimaginably catchy kitschy vibe. Incredible girl/boy vocals and a solid pop-rock back track really solidify the sound they bring to the table.

After meeting whilst attending NYU, the two discovered they shared a love of music, then on a whim decided to whip up a concept album. Their friends then pushed them to keep bringing the tunes, which is usually a good indicator you’re on the right track, lest you have sham friends.

Now they’ve built up an exceptional musical catalog and come to the forefront of NYC‘s music scene. Though they’re not quite the MGMT of Cantora Records newest acts just yet, but they’re well on their way.

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Post by the icebreaker Kyle
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TRACKS:

Savoir Adore – We Talk Like Machines

NYC DJ duo (Pretty) Girls & Lasers have been keeping themselves busy since Cougar Microbes featured them back in November.

For all you New York peeps check out their monthly club night on the first Thursday of every month at Arlo & Esame which is still going strong. Additionally they now host a weekly Wednesday night party at STAY in the Lower East Side.

Check out their take on Ghostland Observatory‘s “Sad Sad City” which keeps the star qualities of the original whilst injecting a Bronski Beat-esque upbeat 80′s feel. They’ve also unleashed a new mixtape via their Soundcloud page.

TRACKS:

Ghostland Observatory – Sad Sad City ((Pretty) Girls & Lasers remix)

I don’t usually post mixtapes on Cougar Microbes (preferring to leave that to the experts) but I am willing to make an exception for (Pretty) Girls & Lasers. The NYC DJs have been on my list since they hit me up with their summer set and with a new mix under their belt I figured now is a good time to feature them.

In their own words the ‘Late 2009 Mix‘ is:”mostly upbeat synthpop and light electro with a focus on fun, danceable tunes and high-quality mixes”. Don’t take their word for it though, check it out for yourself at the bottom of this post and play it loud.

The guys are also hosting their monthly party at Arlo & Esme so if you are in New York and looking for something to do this Wednesday I would recommend you click here.

I received a mysterious package from the elusive Turtlenex containing a first class ticket to New York for that weekend. I had heard rumours that the rap super group were planning their emergence but frankly I was a little anxious and didn’t know what to expect.

I got on the plane 2 days later to land at New York City‘s JFK airport early in the morning where I was met by a large man resembling Uncle Fester, from The Adams Family. He drove me to a remote location instructing me to blindfold my eyes when we were close to destination. Once I removed the blindfold it was clear I was in a massive abandoned warehouse.

What could have been a routine interview ended up taking just under 17 hours due to the insistence by the rappers that all my questions and all their answers be delivered through a massive Etch and Sketch seemingly purpose built for the occasion. I was rewarded for the ordeal with a large piece of Tuna and a copy of their beef squashing single ‘Throw It On The Grill‘.

After the ordeal Kylemikaze took me on a tour of New York‘s hottest nightspots, insisting on paying for every drink with a huge wad of $2 notes. He was also weary that we don’t spend more than one hour and twenty-three minutes in each location. After getting me sufficiently drunk I was reunited with Uncle Fester at 9am the next morning and driven back to the airport.

Here is what I have managed to decipher from my notes:

In late 2007, two men from a remote fishing village shattered traditional views of “makanan dr ikan pencuri“, or what is known as “fish thievery” in the United States. They also changed hip hop forever.

On Oecussi-Ambeno, a small island off the coast of East Timor, Chet Stewart and Kylemikaze were living in destitution, subsisting on dried fruit while honing what little skills they possessed as amateur fishermen. In order to survive, they made pickles, they conserved what little they had, and they stole. They stole from men, women, children, and livestock. They were thieves –”pencuris“. Weary from a life fraught with dishonesty and constant ridicule, the two pencuris decided to cast their lines North Westward or so.

They cast the longest lines they had –their penises– and reeled themselves in to the shimmering golden shores of the Rockaway Peninsula in Queens, NY. From there they travelled further North and further West and carried with them their most recent booty from Oecussi-Ambeno: fresh tuna and mayonnaise. When they finally arrived in Manhattan, they went to a Subway shop and peddled their wares. One intrigued franchise owner bought a tuna and a jar of mayonnaise from Chet and began selling it to his customers. Low and behold, the customer returned for more and garnered interest from people in nearby neighbourhoods. And so the Tuna Sandwich(TM) on Honey Oat (TM), Italian Cheese and Herb(TM), Italian(TM), or Wheat(TM) was born.

After the success of the semi-popular Tuna Sandwich Sub at Subway(TM), Chet and Kyle acquired heaps of dollars So once again they cast their penises across the world and reeled themselves back to Oecussi-Ambeno to disperse their newly acquired riches among the villagers. “Mengambil uang ini! Makan! Maaf!” (“Take this money! Eat! We are sorry!“). The villagers, eager to hear the stories of the adventurers’ travels told in a tale that would please the ear, demanded that the two former pencuris tell their story in verse form. So they wrote raps. This is their story. In Oecussi-Ambeno, Chet and Kylemikaze are known as fish thieves-turned-heros. In New York City and everywhere else in the world they are known as Turtlenex. This is their music.

MP3:

Turtlenex – Throw It On The Grill

My time in New York ended just a little over a week ago and I miss it. London is a great city but Gotham just outdoes it

I’m slowly settling back into “normal” life is  and will be back with two posts a week on Cougar Microbes. In the meantime here are two tracks that remind me of this visit.

TRACKS:

Nathan Asher & The Infantry – Turn Up The Faders

This song captures the alienation felt when travelling in any big city. There is a mix of opportunity and paranoia felt around and Nathan Asher’s lyrics describe this mixed emotion to chilling effect.

Leonard Cohen – First We Take Manhattan

For some reason I was constantly humming this Leonard Cohen tune whilst in the US.  All around me the kids were spontaneously writing and directing films, holding last minute fashion shoots and generally having a care free time. I sensed camaraderie between the various New Yorkers and adopted New Yorkers which was enviable. They could easily take Manhattan (and Brooklyn) and this could be their anthem