Author: nathan.lankford

Thee Oh Sees – Castlemania

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Rating: ★★★½☆

A bit of time has passed since Thee Oh Sees released Warm Slime, but we’ve not got the first of two 2011 releases from the band, Castlemania.  Apparently the band dedicated a lot of time in the studio to the recording of this record, and while the songs are kept short, the extra layers definitely provide a great deal of depth to the band’s sound.  It’s a record full of twists and turns, all of which leave us asking, what can the band do next?

“I Need Seed” begins our affair with bit of a repetitive stomp from the group, though that’s a good thing here.  Call and response lyrics, make this a catchy ditty, but it’s not too polished, keeping the live element of the band on the studio recording.  Then you’ll move into a bit of a boogie with “Corprophagist,” which blasts off with horns and such amid the cacophonous vocals evident here.  It’s an energetic beginning to Castlemania, and one that sets the tone for the places Thee Oh Sees will go.

Studio effects are definitely apparent by the time you get to “Corrupted Coffin,” which features some sort of organ, atop all the horn work.  Slower pacing creates the space for the band to bring their own noisy style into the area where one might normally place a chorus.  But, this track doesn’t prepare you for the following number, “Pleasure Blimp.”  You can see similarities with Sonny and the Sunsets, using that old barroom country effect to create a sing-a-long melody, though their version is filled with a little less clarity in regards to the sound of the vocals.  Different band, different spin.

Even with all the twists and turns, you can easily follow the musical path on Castlemania, which, personally, contains some of my favorite tracks. “Whipping Continues” shares some style with the opener, providing you with a bit of a stomp, but it’s the melodious vocals, aside from the baritone in the background, that really reach out and suck you into the song.  Wild yelps give you hints at how Thee Oh Sees kick it out live, combining great studio moments with live attributes.  You’ll then find a bit of swagger with “AA Warm Breeze,” which uses varying vocal approaches, not to mention a mean little harmonica soloing in the various spots.  Then the band get as close as they probably ever will to a nice ballad with “If I Stay Too Long.”  Everything about this track should make you a fan of the band, or at the very least the song.  There’s that bit of discordant noise, yet the chorus with its dominating female vocal illustrates just what a bit of focus in the studio can do for an already incredible band. Probably one of my favorite tracks of the year.

There’s sixteen songs on Castlemania, and not a one of them could be considered a bad track. From the minute the whole record kicks off, Thee Oh Sees are taking a new approach; they’re combining quality recording time with their live energy.  At times, you feel as if you’re right there stomping your feet along at your favorite venue, and at other points you’re glad the band had the wherewithal to give a little bit more depth to their powerful sound.  In the end, you’re not going to go wrong spending a lot of time here.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/INeedSeed.mp3]

Download: Thee Oh Sees – I Need Seed [MP3]

Castelmania is out now on In the Red Records!

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]

Friday Top 5: Ska-Punk Bands

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There are several things that most people associate with music bloggers; either we’re super arrogant about our tastes, or just have loads of free time and connections.  For the most part, I think people tend to put me in the first category, considering I have a full-time job that isn’t this web site, but I feel like I always have to justify myself, proving I’m not a snob.  I’m pretty sure my love for this genre establishes my inability to escape mockery in all instances.  It’s true, I love ska/ska-punk, whatever you call it. I spent loads of weekends as a teen dancing at Liberty Lunch or Voodoo Lounge.  I figured in admitting my lack of cool, I’d also admit my favorites.

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Show Preview: Mogwai @ Stubbs (5/16)

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Date Monday, May 16th
Location Stubbs BBQ
Doors 700p
Tickets $20 from Frontgate

If you’re looking for an incredible show to kickstart next week, then you should definitely make your way to Frontgate and get your hands on Mogwai tickets.  The Scottish band is perhaps one of the best known post-rock instrumenalist groups, and they’ve just recently released Hardcore Will Never Die But You Will, which has actually grown a lot on me since I first reviewed it. I’ve seen the band several times, and always find myself encapsulated in walls of sound, music that borders the fine line between beauty and sheer noise.   You’ll also be fortunate enough to catch opening act Errors, who are supporting the group on their current tour.  If your lucky enough to catch a cool breeze, this could make for one of the best nights of your life.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/8346.mp3]

Download: Mogwai – San Pedro [MP3]

Show Preview: Lovers @ Beauty Bar (5/14)

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Date Saturday, May 14th
Location Beauty Bar
Doors 1000p
Tickets $Should be cheap

It’s been a sparse week of shows, but we know that this one is going to be a blast.  We’ve got a little bit of synth-pop coming your way this Saturday night via Portland’s Lovers.  It’s the sort of thing you’d expect to find at the Beauty Bar, giving you some night-tinged dance tracks.  They released their album Dark Light last fall, and for those looking for tunes in this vein, you can’t find too much that beats this group out.  There’s even a little dance party afterwards, so go get down at the Beauty Bar this Saturday.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Lovers-02_Figure_8.mp3]

Download: Lovers – Figure 8 [MP3]

New Music from Brad Laner

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Brad Laner probably has his name thrown around with Medicine far too often.  While the old shoegase troupe had a decent following, Brad’s been busy working on other project ever since.  He’s readying a new 12″ where he’s accompanied by the Norwegian group Joensuu 1685, and the first listen we have is remarkable.  There’s a slight fuzz on the vocals, knifing guitar harmonies, and an element of darkness that he’s added to the cover of this classic Chicago track.  For those of us with a nostalgic pop leaning, this looks to be an effort that will cure all your ills. You can grab the 12″ now via Hometapes.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/BradLaner-FeelinStrongerEveryDay.mp3]

Download: Brad Laner – Feelin Stronger Every Day [MP3]

Show Preview: Jackson Browne @ Moody Theater

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Date Friday, May 13th
Location Moody Theater
Doors 800p
Tickets $125 for 2 Tickets

Of course I realize that most of us folks don’t have the kind of money to see Jackson Browne, but I absolutely love the guy.  I blame my dad of course, who always had folk/country jams about the hardship of life playing around our house as a kid.  It’d be easy to dismiss Browne as an oldie (but a goodie), yet his influence over American music, even modern indie rock looms large.  One track alone has reverberated for years, as Nico, Mates of State and most recently, St. Vincent, have all covered his fabulous track, “These Days.”  It’s just one song in a catalog full of great tracks that you’ll surely be lucky enough to enjoy if you’ve got the dollars to witness this American great. The song below is a live version of the previously alluded to tune, so you can get the jist of it all.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/26-These-Days.mp3]

Download: Jackson Browne – These Days [MP3]

New Music from Berlinist

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It’s hard to get a good grip on what’s going on overseas, but our friends over at Bad Panda sent us this sweet new single today from Spanish group Berlinist.  While the band works on their debut, I thought I’d give you a little taste of what we all have in store.  Musically, this is a sparse track, with just a bit of sampled percussive sounds used merely as soft accompaniment from the vocals.  Yet, the song eventually begins to add more depth, and the echoes have that recorded quality as if they were taken in an empty warehouse. It all has an incredible effect when given the right chance, which has us really excited to see what the group comes up with next.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Berlinist-A1-MyDarlingGrace.mp3]

Download: Berlinist – My Darling Grace [MP3]

New Track from Pursesnatchers

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I’ve been aware of this band for some time now, anxiously awaiting the chance to introduce them to you.  Pursesnatchers began as the project of Doug from Dirty on Purpose, who I loved, but soon his wife Annie from Au Revoir Simone joined in to round out the project.  The band releases its debut, A Pattern Language on Uninhabitable Mansions July 19th, which based on this first single is going to be every bit as exciting as I hoped. It features the soft vocals of Doug, occasionally joined by his wife, and this rolling drum beat that allows for the guitars to build throughout the entire time, rising and crashing, creating a great bit of energetic sound scapes. Better get ready folks, this band is on to big things.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/pursesnatchers_baseballontheradio.mp3]

Download: Pursesnatchers – Baseball on the Radio [MP3]

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