This is fine.
It’s hard knowing who to follow in this group, as the members of Field Music also represent School of Language and The Weeks that Was. So, when news came that Field Music had new tunes to offer up on their web site, of course we jumped at the chance to get our hands on these songs. You can do it yourself by heading to the band’s web site, or just borrow one from us.
Download: Field Music – Measure [MP3]
My affair with Tegan & Sara began when I first got my hand on the largely acoustic-based So Jealous. When they switched it up on The Con, I could sense a move in a new direction, and while I liked the album, it didn’t seem like the girls had quite gotten to where they wanted to be. Now, with Sainthood, you can finally see the progression as its come to fruition. From the opening moments of the album, you can see that they’ve continued to progress, and the production throughout is spot on.
“Arrow” opens the album, and you can hear the poppiness pumping from your stereo, and the emphasis from the bits and pieces of electronic samples (or sounds) brings out the strengths in the song. You can feel the turning and whirling of the song as it grabs ahold of you, refusing to let you loose until you’ve absorbed all the pop goodness it has to offer.
And the first single, “Hell” is one of the hardest hitting songs the girls have ever put together. Initially (as in a few weeks ago) it seemed out of place on its own, but when placed in the whole of Sainthood, it’s one of the best songs the girls have written. The stutter step delivery of the lyrics propels the song forward, and the backing vocals fit perfectly into the greater spectrum of the song. It might be awhile before you get this song out of your head.
Suddenly, the pacing of the album seems to take a step. After rushing forward with their stories of love and loss (and possibly the role of playing the martyred lover) they seem to put on the brakes. “On Directing” through “The Cure” are classic Tegan & Sara, stripped to some of their basic elements, the girls continue to find a way to draw you into their storytelling and catchy melodies. Then they move into some new direction, a place we haven’t seen them.
“Night Watch” is a short number, backed up to one of the most straightforward pop-punk moments of their career with “Northshore.” There is a brooding quality here, and the music seems so sparse that you have no choice but to focus on the lyrical value here. The dual vocal delivery of the chorus is precisely what makes this song attractive, although it’s the fact that the girl’s explored some empty space that will fascinate many.
From this point on, the rest of the album runs from hit to hit until the end. Personally, “Sentimental Tune” reminds me of a great Albert Hammond Jr. (get well buddy) driving song. Jangling guitars and captivating hooks provide diversity that other albums have lacked. It proves that Sainthood is one of the most complete albums the Tegan & Sara have put together. Their maturity shows, and with lyrics that everyone can relate to, this is the record when everyone will truly fall in love with Tegan & Sara, if they haven’t already.
[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/11-The-Ocean.mp3]Download: Tegan & Sara – The Ocean [MP3]
| Date | 10/26/09 |
|---|---|
| Location | Antones |
| Doors | 8pm |
| Tickets | $20 from Frontgate |
After a superb set at ACL, Dirty Projectors are returning to Austin on Monday night for a show at Antones. Up and coming band Givers will be on hand to provide opening support. If you missed this show during your time at ACL, trust us in saying that you won’t want to miss out on this one.
[audio: https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/dirtyprojectors_stillnessisthemove.mp3]Download: Dirty Projectors – Stillness is the Move [MP3]
Local bands have been dropping new music our way left and right as of late and Sad Accordions decided to get in on the fun. We’ve really been enjoying this new track from the locals called “Sacrificial Chumpsucker Diatribe” and we wanted to share it with you. It’s the first new material from the band in over 4 years and it doesn’t disappoint. Enjoy.
Download: Sad Accordions – Sacrificial Chumpsucker Diatribe [MP3]
| Date | 10/25/09 |
|---|---|
| Location | Mohawk |
| Doors | 7pm |
| Tickets | $12 from Frontgate |
If you didn’t have enough fun over the weekend, mosey on down to Mohawk on Sunday night for a set by UK hit makers Art Brut. Opening support for this one will be provided by Princeton. Also take some time to check out our review of the band’s most recent effort Art Brut vs. Satan.
[audio: https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/Art-Brut-Nag-Nag-Nag-Nag.mp3]Download: Art Brut – Nag Nag Nag Nag [MP3]
“She thinks she missed the train to Mars, she’s out back counting stars.” Before the Cadillac commercial, I was a 13-year old kid when I first discovered Hum. Best known for their 1995 hit “Stars,” the Champaign, Illinois quartet combined heavy-distorted guitars, melodic-monotone vocals, and songs about plants, dreams and suicide machines that proved a breath of fresh air from Pearl Jam-clones in the mid-nineties. 1995’s LP You’d Prefer an Astronaut is a solid effort, but 1998’s Downward is Heavenward is a ten-song epic adventure through space. For every tender moment sung by lead-singer Matt Talbot, there’s a sonic blast of splintering guitars that erupt like a goddamn Android Volcano! I’m not quite sure what that means but you can judge for yourself by listening to my favorite Hum song, “I Hate it Too.”
| Date | 10/24 |
|---|---|
| Location | Stubbs |
| Doors | 7pm |
| Tickets | $25 from Frontgate |
The great pioneers of indie rock Built to Spill are making a return to Austin at Stubbs on Saturday night. Fellow groundbreaking artist Dinosaur Jr. along with Lou Barlow, and Disco Doom will also be on hand to make this one of those can’t miss nights. Built to Spill are currently touring in support of their brand new record There is No Enemy which we reviewed recently.
[audio: https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/Built-to-Spill-Hindsight.mp3]Download: Built to Spill – Hindsight [MP3]
I know that being from Austin, we’re supposed to ignore all things Oklahoma, but you can’t really ignore great music, regardless of local mores. So, now that Stereogum has thrown up a new tune from an unreleased EP by The Uglysuit, we had to jump on it. This tune is a lot quieter than their work in the past, but it has an ornate quality, which definitely brings pleasure to the ears of us here at ATH.
Download: The Uglysuit – 1902 Deep Ocean [MP3]
Sure, we love the in-house sessions on Daytrotter, but they’ve outdone themselves, at least in our nostalgic eyes. They just ran The Get Up Kids session, which includes classic tunes like “I’m a Loner Dottie, a Rebel,” not to mention the inclusion of a Vitreous Humor song. To top it all off, there is a brand new song, said to be one of nine. Could it be? Are they back for good? I hope so!
Download: The Get Up Kids – Your Petty Pretty Things [MP3]
As we look forward to the debauchery that will be Fun Fun Fun Fest, there can be only one band that will bring the best time to all those in attendance: Les Savy Fav. Forget the fact that they bring their own spin of angular punk and indie grit to the sound board, and just focus on the fact that they have one of the single most entertaining frontmen of all time. Tim Harrington will bring his sweaty bald head and parade around the stage, and the crowd, like nothing else anyone has ever seen. You should love the band for their tunes, but you’ll fall in love with them as soon as you see this one man show. Case in point, last time I saw LSF, Tim hung upside down from the rafters of the venue and screamed the lyrics before dropping to the floor, stuffing a pillow beneath his shirt so as to be with child, and took shots with the crowd. Enough said, be there.
Download: Les Savy Fav – One To Three [MP3]
