Tag: pigeons

Here We Go Magic – The January EP

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Rating: ★★★½☆

The six songs on The January EP are leftovers from the band’s session for Pigeons, and while leftovers might seem like a bad thing for fans of Here We Go Magic, there are definitely tracks on this offering that might outshine some of those featured on the full-length.

While you begin with the psychedelic leanings of “Tulip,” you’ll notice that there are definitely some more upbeat moments that lay in waiting for future Here We Go Magic releases. Luke’s voice still has that boyish quality to it, and while the song moves into a sprawling blend of harmonies before going back to the California-chug of guitars, you’ll begin to wish this had come mixed in with the latest LP.  Similarly, “Backwards Time” has a more upbeat feel than some of the tracks that precede it, but this is where some fans will wish that the group went more often.  It’s clear the drums are pushing the song, but Temple’s vocal delivery really does its best to grab the listener’s attention.  Quite possibly this is one of the best songs these guys have written.

Don’t think that there isn’t a slow burner on this record.  You know, the one’s where Here We Go Magic really work on composing floating pop galaxies where Luke’s voice can carry any note.  They do precisely this with “Hands in the Sky,” and at times, you can almost feel yourself drifting away with the song, while electronic elements provide sounds from those old science videos on space.  Listening closely, the percussive element of the group definitely holds the unit together, as the drumming serves as a tight metronome-like beat.  And you can juxtapose that tight formality with the closing track “Mirror Me,” which has a murky feel to it, perhaps influence by programmed beats that mirror blown speakers.  Hidden inside this track are some incredible moments, but this, like few of the other tracks on the January EP definitely feels like it was one meant to be left over.

Perhaps Pigeons needs a revisiting.  If a handful of incredible songs were left laying around when Here We Go Magic wrapped up their recording, then that album’s got to be full of magnificent gems.  You can tell with the January EP that it has thematic differences from its forefathers, so lets hope it indicates a continued bright future for the band.  If at the very least, we can see a unit evolving into a tight-knit group of melodic songwriting that we’ll all enjoy for some time. So in the end, you’ll surely agree that this doesn’t taste like leftovers.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/02-Hands-in-the-Sky-1.mp3]

Download: Here We Go Magic – Hands in the Sky [MP3]

Here We Go Magic – Pigeons

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Rating: ★★★½☆

When we first heard from Here We Go Magic on their self-titled album, the work was largely the product of Luke Temple.  On Pigeons, we find Luke extending the olive branch to his bandmates, collaborating on the collection of tunes, which leads to a more complete sound for the group, and one that shows a great deal of cohesiveness.

A crazy little bass line opens up the album, coated by the usual layering of the rest of the group on “Hibernation.”  More construction seems to be the biggest difference here, as details are fleshed out in every bit of space.  Temple’s vocals are really soothing, almost warm, which makes the vocal more of just another way to fill out the sound.  It all leads into one of the band’s best songs to date, “Collector.”  Temple’s vocal delivery when he says “I got a mild fascination” just gets me every time, and its not even the best vocal performance of his on the song.  Furious pacing by guitars and drums alike barely give you time to breathe, and before you know it you’re blasting on towards the end.

Some weird moments pop up throughout Pigeons, and perhaps this is just a personal thing.  By weird I mean there are some odd influences, that may not be conscious ones at all.  “Casual” really has a Stereolab feel to it, using electronic beats to build gentle melodies, with very soft vocals barely sitting atop the mix. “Bottom Feeder” is one of those sneaky tracks that doesn’t seem to fit quite into the entire album, although the Nada Surf feel might not be too far fetched for these NYC kids.  It’s a gem of a pop song, though it doesn’t fit the mold of the rest of the songs, but just focus on the fact that its a killer track.  Let’s not forget the quirky “Old World United,” which just feels good to listen to it.  It’s got a throbbing bass line and key use of electronic touches allows for maximum amounts of listening pleasure.

While the latter half of the record seems to largely be constructed of more jamming pieces, such as the fast paced “Moon,” the variance softer numbers are some of the more rewarding upon repeated listens. “F.F.A.P.” moves really slowly, and its one of the few songs of the set where Here We Go Magic seems to let Temple’s voice shine through, which it should do more often.  His voice holds this track in place while the music is secondary, used more as filler.   But, while those bright moments have all shown greatly during Pigeons, the album end sort of anticlimactically.  Two of the shortest songs close it out, and they seem more likely to be moments of tinkering and studio downtime than well thought out tracks one would include on a record.  It’s the one disappointing thing about the entire group of songs because up until this point in the album, it appeared that the group was really hitting their stride.  Alas, those weak moments aside, you’ll find growth and depth in the sound of Here We Go Magic, and no one can complain with artistic progress.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/02-Collector-1.mp3]

Download: Here We Go Magic – Collector [MP3]

New Music From Here We Go Magic

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Luke Temple and his band Here We Go Magic are currently sitting on top of the world.  They earned spots on all kinds of year end lists with their debut LP last year and pretty much everyone is labeling them the next big thing.  Now only a year after their debut release, HWGM are planning to release their sophomore effort, Pigeons, on June 8th via their new label Secretly Canadian.  This album will feature collaborations from all band members as opposed to last years album that was basically a Luke Temple solo effort.  Below you can find the first sneak peak from the album, “Collector”, which some of you may recognize as a staple of their live sets.  After a few spins, I’m ready to call this best new song of the week and a must have album in 2010.

[audio: https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/02-Collector-1.mp3]

Download: Here We Go Magic – Collector [MP3]