This is fine.
London dance hits makers Hot Chip are back with new material and a new LP planned for 2010. The new album will be called One Life Stand and features this new single “Take it In”. You’ll be able to get your hands on the new album in February via Astralwerks.
Download: Hot Chip – Take It In [MP3]
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It’s been a long long time since the essence of cool was brought back by The Strokes. No longer do we have to listen to stagnant rock on the radio, and the indie underground seems to have grown substantially. We owe a great deal of that to Julian Casablancas. His new album Phrazes for the Young creates a certain sense of nostalgia; it makes you look back to those days when it all seemed new and vibrant.
Hands down, the first three songs on this record, “Out of the Blue,” “Left and Right in the Dark,” and “11th Dimension,” are all ridiculously good songs. You can say that they have a more pop-centric leaning than most of the work done by Casablancas other band, but you can’t deny that the infections hooks are in abundance on these first three tracks. If you take “11th Dimension” alone, you can see that combining the swagger of The Strokes with the electronic pop of Phoenix packs a huge punch. This is such a killer opening to the album, that it really makes the latter half of the album fall flat on its face before our eyes.
Once you get to the last five songs, the pace is gone, and with it, the depth that seemingly existed from the outstart. “Ludlow St.” has sort of a throwback feeling to a summer folk string, almost as if The Beatles have just entered into Julian’s lexicon, while the lyrics are reminiscent of Whitman’s Song of Myself. It’s clever, but it is not a song that will last long in your memory.
“River of Brakelights” does sound exactly like some of the more straightforward rock songs that eclipsed the gems that were on First Impression of Earth. Unfortunately, Julian Casablancas has a difficult time as it is differentiating the tones in vocals, and this song makes that all too apparent, which lead to the damage that devours this track.
All this seems to head towards the trudgingly slow “Tourist,” a song that is lyrically akin to “Ludlow St.” All the punch is clearly gone at this point, and you can feel your heart sink as the album draws to a close. It’s a shame actually, as the record began with such a promising start that you wanted the entire thing to be successful, but our luck has run out here. Still, for those die-hard completists, you will find the voice of The Strokes living in a different place, one that at times, is as exciting as we’ve ever heard him. Perhaps such moments make it onto the new work of either of his bands.
[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/Julian-Casablancas-11th-Dimension.mp3]Download: Julian Casablancas – 11th Dimension [MP3]
Over our weekend of Fun Fun Fun, we had lots of fancy photographers running around taking pictures for us to capture the madness that went down. Today we want to share come photos by our long time photographer Jonathon Edwards. He’s been working hard for us for quite some time now and I think you’ll agree that his work is always pretty impressive. So take some time to have a look and re-live the weekend that was Fun Fun Fun Fest. Follow the jump for photos.
| Date | Wednesday, November 11th |
|---|---|
| Location | Mohawk |
| Doors | 800p |
| Tickets | $12 @ the door |
Whilst most of us are still recovering from the FFF Fest, music must go on here in town. Luckily, there is a pretty solid show of the laid back sort for all of us to enjoy this Wednesday, as Langhorne Slim makes his return to town. Not only will you get Langhorne, but you get the fabulous Austin Lucas, as well as Dawes. Seems like a chill way to spend hump day.
[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/04Shoulders.mp3]Download: Austin Lucas – Shoulders [MP3]
Thanks to our friend over at GvsB for pointing out to us that local juggernaut The Strange Boys have a new song, “Be Brave,” up at their Myspace Page. Said song is slated to be released on an upcoming 7″ in January, and will also be included on the group’s next record…word on the street is that hits stores in February.
NYC band Longwave are celebrating their final show of the year at Bowery Ballroom on Saturday by giving away a free song each day this week. Yesterdays new and previously unreleased song was called “Disappointed” and it’s been getting heavy rotation in the ol itunes. Be sure to check the band’s website each day this week for more previously unreleased and new tracks.
Download: Longwave – Disappointed [MP3]
During Fun Fest weekend, we had the chance to sit down and speak with electro beat makers Ratatat. Duo Mike Stroud and Evan Mast were a tad bit on the sleepy side early in the morning, but we still managed to discuss some things we thought you guys would like to know. Hopefully you’ll find out something new about the band if you’re a fan. Follow the jump for full interview.
| Date | 11/10/09 |
|---|---|
| Location | Austin Music Hall |
| Doors | 6:30pm |
| Tickets | $35 from Frontgate |
He made our top Halloween songs list last year and now we think you should go check out Mr. Rob Zombie at Austin Music Hall on Tuesday. Not sure what the music will sound like, but we do know that the spectacle should be worth the price of admission. Openers include Nekromantixm and Captain Clegg & The Night Creatures.
[audio: https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Living_Dead_Girl_Rob_Zombie.mp3]Download: Rob Zombie – Living Dead Girl [MP3]
Oh man. We really like you Jaguar Love. We really do. But what is this new direction you’re going in? I guess we should have seen it coming when drummer J. Clark left the band and Johnny and Cody continued on as a two piece. This new song is sort of a techno sounding number with way too much production work and the same lyric chanted over and over. Let’s hope that more new material is on the way with more of that old punch and energy. Maybe it’s not sooo bad, but it really makes me want to try out as drummer for the band. This track will appear on a new album from Jaguar Love out sometime in 2010 via Fat Possom.
Download: Jaguar Love – Up All Night [MP3]
The folks at Daytrotter gave us a nice surprise over the weekend with a live set by Austin band TV Torso. Check out the recordings and you’ll get some old tunes and a couple unreleased tracks. Here’s one of those new and unreleased songs called “Elegy”.
Download: TV Torso – Elegy [MP3]
