San Francisco’s favorite experimental indie band, [tag]Xiu Xiu[/tag], are just a few weeks away from the release of their sixth album “Women As Lovers.” As a unexpected teasers, they decide to stream the whole thing down at the band’s MySpace page. We gave it a few repeated listens, actually it’s on the background as I type, and so far it’s shaping up as a really solid effort. Need more listens to form a opinion for…
Well whoever said that [tag]The Mars Volta[/tag] music is “puzzling” is oh so right, especially when the Long Beach, CA based band, recently put out a brain challenging puzzle on their website. The puzzle is made out of 16 blocks, all forming the cover art for TMV’s forthcoming 2008 studio album “The Bedlam in Goliath,” the type where you have to move a block one at a time. Yeah I know it’s really frustrating. If…
Sometime earlier this morning, the zoological quartet of [tag]Animal Collective[/tag], stopped by BBC Radio 1’s Rob Da Bank show and were gracious enough to play a few songs live for the show. Not only that, but they played a two new songs as well! Besides the fan favorite “Doggy” from Campire Songs and the psychedelic “Hey Light,” from Here Comes The Indian, the band also premiered two never before heard tracks as well. These are…
The product of a merger between two local New York bands, The Mercenary Gang and Del Black Aloha, The Vandelles have made a name for themselves, thanks to their experimental distortions and harmonies, as Noir Rock’s new generation spearhead. Recently I’ve had the pleasure to sample their latest self titled EP [via Safranin Sound] and I can say that I’m particularly impressed. Their sound resembles The Jesus and Mary Chain and Danish duo The Ravonettes,…
Artist name: Sigur Rós Album name: Hvarf/Heim Label: XL Recordings Gender: Pop-Rock/Experimental Rock Release date: November 5, 2007 ZMErating: 9/10 Website: http://www.sigur-ros.co.uk After playing with the same music and influences for a over a decade, Icelandic post-rock fine musicians Sigur Rós, a lot of people might think that a change might come as a dose of fresh air, for both the band and fans alike. I’m not saying that, during their five records career, they’ve…
[tag]Neil Young[/tag]’s latest album Chrome Dreams II, a revived shelved 1977 project, is set to hit stores next week. It’ll undoubtedly at least be a decent addition to the Canadian musician impressive catalog, a catalog that many bands had the privilege to sample and cover. Georgia indie quintet Of Montreal is such a band, covering Neil Young’s classic Harvest Moon. Kevin Barnes vocals take on the song, laid upon a simple 2 chord acoustic, make…
Washingtion DC noise rock Apes quartet are preparing to release their forth full length album in the form of “Ghost Games,” scheduled to be released February 19, 2008. One of the tracks off the band’s upcoming effort is the synth infused “Beat of the Double.” It’s certainly feels a little different from their previous material, most likely because of new lead singer Breck Bunson refreshing vocals. [tag]Liars[/tag] influences can be felt through out the song….
[tag]PJ Harvey[/tag] is undoubtedly one of my favorite contemporary female vocalists, her unpredictable vocals have always been a mystery to me. Her voice can switch from intimacy to anger as if on a hair trigger, a quality or better yet gift few artists posses and master. Now after 15 years of experience in the music industry Polly Jean released her eighth album this week, called White Chalk, in which she ditched her trademark guitar for…
NYC math rockers Battles released a formidable debut full length album in the form of Mirrored, at the start of this year, a record full of experimental synths, calculated,robot like percussions and guitar chops and beats that would cause shame even to the best MC. It also featured vocals for the first time, as in their previous EPs Battles song were only instrumental, if you can call Tyondai Braxton’s munchkins-like vocals singing. “Tonto”, the second…
Artist name: Animal Collective Album name: Strawberry Jam Label: Domino Records Gender: Experimental/Indie Rock Release date: September 11, 2007 ZMErating: 10/10 Website: http://www.paw-tracks.com/ Anyone who at least gave a spin to a [tag]Animal Collective[/tag] album should know that their sound is far from commercial, extremely selective and most of the time plain old inaccessible. They’ve been regarded by most music savvy men as a bastion of quality indie music, alongside such acts as [tag]Arcade Fire[/tag],…
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