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Some of you people out there still question our undying love for all things Deerhoof and we’re here to prove you fools wrong! Check out some live stuff the band just did on The Interface and tell me you don’t love them. Be sure to watch the jamming guitars on song “+81”. You’ll be hooked soon enough!
Download: Deerhoof – +81 [MP3]
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Austin’s power trio Ume is set to release their second EP to the masses. The band has been heralded by many as a powerful group, set to break down the doors of the local scene with their sheer energy. Can they do it on record?
From the opening minute of “East of Hercules” you can tell that the band is bent on getting right up in your face, as heavy guitar work confronts the listener. Here, the percussion has a bit of a bounce to it, which should win the band many fans, as its difficult to combine power and swing in one moment.
Stylistically, the band seems to draw a lot from the alt-girl rock of the late 90s, but they blend it with a freshness that gives the band a bit of a unique quality. A lot of bands simply rehash those old sounds, but Ume are intent upon using their influences as a staging point for their attack, moving beyond the simplistic structures of days of old
Throughout the short EP, they keep up the pace, consistently approaching their high aims. One of the better songs on this set is “The Means” as the band chooses to slow it down a little bit in order to provide some clarity to the rest of the album. This song seems to be the antithesis to the rest of the album, and it sheds their Longwave similarities, breaking entirely new ground. It’s easily the brightest point of the EP, showing the range and capabilities that the band possess.
One drawback might be the fact that the vocals don’t reach the clarity during all the songs, much as they do in “The Means.” Often the wall of guitar and energy shield the listener from attaching one’s self from the lyrics. Sure, it’s a slight misstep for a promising new act, but for a fan of lyrics and vocals, it might be a bit disappointing.
Five songs later, you can see a band growing before your eyes. It closes with the sultry “Pendelum,” moving the band beyond all your expectations. Expect a powerful live show, and a bright future from this local act. To see that powerful live act, you should all check out the band this Saturday night at The Mohawk for their CD release party. It’s sure to be a rocking good time!
[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/ume-ep-the_conductor.mp3]Download: Ume – The Conductor [MP3]
I love my friends Corey and Levi, for many reasons, but one being their interest in music outside of my spectrum. This year they finally converted me, via The Big Takeover’s Top 50 Reggae Albums, to the ways of true reggae. I opted to share with you one of my recent discoveries, The Meditations, on this fine Thursday. This ain’t your mother’s reggae tunes!
Download: The Meditations – Life is Not East [MP3]
A couple weeks ago, we told you about a new Austin artist to watch called The Great Nostalgic. This week we’d like to focus on another new and promising local act, Frantic Clam. We recently had the good fortune of seeing this band at Beauty Bar the other night and we’re excited what the future has in store for them. Follow the jump for their story and free music.
Learning Secrets of Austin are teaming up with Scion to put on one of their crazy house parties in Austin this Thursday night. The event is going down at Beauty Bar with DJ sets by The Juan Maclean, Still Going and Ian Orth of Learning Secrets. You’ll need to send in an RSVP if you hope to get in, but space will be tight for sure. Doors are at 9pm so get there early and start the weekend right!
Dance/pop outfit Chairlift recently recorded a 4 song Daytrotter session that you can download or stream online. The 4 song set features 3 old tunes and one previously unreleased track. Here’s “Bruises” (that song from the ipod commercial) performed live in the Daytrotter studio.
Download: Chairlift – Bruises(live) [MP3]
We’re probably a little late on getting this one out, but we can’t resist new tunes. Today’s new music comes from Detroit outfit, The Von Bondies. You more than likely remember the band from their 2004 hit “C’mon C’mon” or singer Jason Stollsteimer’s 2003 altercation with Jack White. Regardless, the band has a new album out on February 3rd entitled Love, Hate and Then There’s You. We’ve got first single from the album “Pale Bride” below.
Download: The Von Bondies – Pale Bride [MP3]
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Local Austin label, Western Vinyl, has caught hold of yet another bedroom country musician, but this time with a familiar name, at least to many. J Tillman is one of the various vocalists in last year’s adored Fleet Foxes. On his latest release, Vacilando Territory Blues, he offers the public his take on meandering folk tunes, this time sans multiple part harmonies.
While most that are unfamiliar with Tillman’s solo work will see similarities with his other group, this is an album that sonically goes outside of the spectrum of the aforementioned group. A noticeable difference upon first listen is that he does not seem overeager to fill all the empty space. He allows for the presence of hollow moments, or negative space if you will. This allows him to spend more time crafting the individual song structure, but that is the role when one chooses to go solo.
Oddly, the absence of multiple harmonies reveals one telling detail, that being that his voice might hold more strength than that other guy. There is an element of sincerity, tinged with personal clarity, that makes his songs immediately personable to the listener. It’s as if stepping out of the shadow allows him to find himself, and he does it through his songs.
Fans of modern alt-country and folk tunes will surely find a great deal of comfort in listening to songs like “No Occasion.” Sure, there is a definite sense of familiarity with the acoustic styling of the song, not to mention the vocal tones, but you’d be hard tapped not to notice the force behind the song. He uses a similar pattern throughout the album, which may be his one downfall.
As each song meanders through the album, the entirety of it all gets a little tedious. Often it’s hard to differentiate one song from the next one, though separately they all are somewhat striking. However, the patterns just go on and on, which can easily wear on any listener who is listening half-heartedly, allowing this album to merely seep into the background.
All in all, you’ll find comfort in the listening experience you get with J. Tillman here, though you may not fall head over heels in love. It’s an above average piece of output, but it simply needs a little extra something to push it beyond the level where it rests.
[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/02-no-occasion.mp3]Download: J Tillman – No Occasion [MP3]
In a break from new music posts, here’s a bit of tasty news from one of our favorite actors making the all too baffling leap into music. Some of you may have already seen the ridiculous video of Joaquin Phoenix rapping/falling on stage, but you may not have known that Phoenix plans to bring Sean “Diddy” Combs on board to produce his album. You may also not know that Casey Affleck (Ben’s sort of talented younger brother) plans to make a documentary about the creation of this album. We don’t even know what to say… just look at that picture. Phoenix is either on heavy medication/drugs or just another actor who plans on embarassing themselves for our amusement. Singing like Johnny Cash does not mean rapping is a good idea. ATH fans, how about a Joaquin Phoenix album title or worst musical acts by famous actors? Go!
We here at ATH have always loved the musical stylings of Zach Condon and his band Beirut, so when they drop new music, we give it to you. Today we offer up new single “La Llorana” which is set to appear on new EP March of the Zapotec due out February 17th via Ba Da Bing Records. The EP is said to contain music from Mr. Condon’s recent trip to Oaxaca, Mexico and features backing music from 19 piece Mexican outfit The Jimenez Band. What’s your take on the new material?
Download: Beirut – La Llorona [MP3]
