Enjoying This Lokomoko Track

This warbly bit of pop music from Lokomoko is helping me get geared up for the week. It’s reminiscent of bits of MGMT, though there are some added elements that I can’t quite place (aside from obvious psych nods). What I like is that the band seem relaxed in their approach to songwriting, sitting back and letting the song come through via carefully played guitar notes. It’s got a light touch to it, which gives way to the song’s natural pop aesthetic. They’ve got a debut EP titled Harold Weir coming your way soon, but for now, just get yourself acquainted here.

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FFF8 in Pictures – Sunday Edition

King KhanSlow rolling is now done, though I think we may put up a PYAITK version of FFF8 coverage. FFF9 info is pending and you can recommend artists to the festival honchos.

But for now, you get to peep a ton of bad ass festival pics from a couple Sundays back. This edition features Cayucas, The Men, XXYYXX, Dennis McCoy, PLG, Matt Hoffman, Washed Out, Dismemberment Plan, Deltron 3030, MGMT, Bonobo, Slayer and King Khan with just enough crowd shots that you could be a star!

Click past the break people…

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Peppy New Jam from League

Man, this track’s really making my Tuesday so much better. League is an LA based outfit who are putting out their How Do I Know EP, which is a blistering three song pop masterpiece–just saying. For me, I feel like there’s a little bit of MGMT hiding in their sound, but in a more progressive way, with a hint more of the rock n’ roll.  Regardless, the title track definitely will hook you in just a few short seconds, so if you’ve got the time, come get lost in this song with me.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/HOW-DO-I-KNOW.mp3]

Download: League – How Do I Know [MP3]

FT5: Bands the Radio Should Ban

Honestly, I’m not a huge connoisseur of the air waves in our nation, but occasionally there are those days when I rush out the door without my iPod and I have to suffer the pain that is radio.  Recently, with my hectic schedule, this has happened more and more, so it left me to ponder why on Earth some bands still get ready play, and more so, some certain songs.  I thought of my top five, and while some are song specific, others just need to leave the airwaves in general.

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FT5: Why Fun x3 Fest Is One Of The Best Music Festivals Around

So, last week saw the unveiling of the 2010 Fun Fun Fun Fest lineup by the Fun Fun Fun Fest corporation, and some of us were privilege to the official announcement via a press conference conducted at Austin’s Wyndham Garden Hotel. Complete with corporation adorned ties and suits, a PowerPoint presentation, donuts, fried chicken, and tap water, the leaders tickled and enticed with the revelation of it’s real goal for us and our future. “Prepare yourself for an exponential growth in awesome” was one of the leading lines into the disclosure of the lineup. Now, why is Fun Fun Fun Fest rapidly becoming one of the more popular music festivals amongst true music fans these days? 5 years in and this is what we have to look forward to during Fun Fun Fun Fest 2010.

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Sonny and the Sunsets @ Beerland – (6/6)

Date Sunday, June 6th
Location Beerland
Doors 1000p
Tickets Who Knows?

You’re bummed you missed the MGMT show on Sunday, so you’re looking for something spectacular to do, right? Well, the hot ticket that no one seems to be paying much heed to is Sonny and the Sunsets.  They’ve got a bit of that Dutchess and the Duke sound going, with a whole lot less of the Rolling Stones to it.  Really, this is the place to be on Sunday night, no matter what you’re into, as this band is legit. One listen to their album Tomorrow is Alright and you’ll be hooked; I promise.  Be there if you know what’s good for you!

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/01-Too-Young-to-Burn.mp3]

Download: Sonny and the Sunsets – Too Young to Burn [MP3]

MGMT @ Stubbs (6/6)

Date Sunday, June 6th
Location Stubbs
Doors 700p
Tickets SOLD OUT

We’re not sure exactly how this show will work out, considering a lot of people have underestimated the latest effort from MGMT, Congratulations, but we think that regardless of your thoughts on recent work, the show will be nothing short of amazing.  It’s bound to be filled with hits from the past, and the uber-creative new tunes.  Unfortunately, the only way to get in to the show, if you don’t have tickets, is to get ripped off on Craigslist.  Tickets were going for over $70 last time I checked. We’ll be sure to get solid photos for you.  You’ll also be treated to great tunes by up-and-comers Tame Impala.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/mgmt-flash-delirium.mp3]

Download: MGMT – Flash Delerium [MP3]

MGMT – Congratulations

Rating: ★★★½☆

After the surprising success of Oracular Spectacular, all indications from MGMT would point towards a different direction.  They had no need to reproduce a singles-heavy album in search of hordes of fans; if anything, they acknowledged that the new record, Congratulations, might be off-putting for many of the fans who came their way after hits such as “Kids” or “Time to Pretend.” While the band jump as far away as possible, this record, for musical accomplishments is by no means a letdown.

Opening moments of the album show a more developed group.  “It’s Working” immediately demonstrates that while they’ll remain playful, they won’t simply rely upon access to simple hooks, choosing instead to allow the joy in their work unfold as the songs carry on to their end.  For some reason, MGMT just sound more complete at this point.

Along the same lines as the first number, “Song for Dan Treacy” resembles the early works of Islands.  It uses odd time stops and oddball effects to draw you into the tune while refraining from becoming over-indulgent in the electronic backbone of the music, as some might have said in regards to their last album.  Similarly, MGMT use slow pacing for “Someone’s Missing” to let the song unfold before the listener’s ears, and unfold it does with 45 seconds to go, as the euphoric chanting of the song title with improved percussion bring the song to its end.

“Flash Delirium” is probably the best “single” on the record, if that’s what you’re looking for here.  It recalls the storytelling of Grandaddy, along with the approach of using space-age electronic sounds to build up the chorus.  Once again, the use the ending of the song to tell an entirely different musical story, so be sure not skip ahead, as you might miss some of the musical message hidden beneath.

One of the joys of this album is in the evolution of the band.  Their last album hit you hard in the beginning, but left you sort of bored near the end (at least for me), but the slow-burners on Congratulations have a much larger impact here.  “I Found a Whistle” just seems to trudge along, and while a bit of vocal inflection might have improved it a touch, it’s still one of those songs you’d put on a chill mixtape for a buddy.  You could even include it right along “Congratulations,” which is certainly a great song. All those slow moments that bored last time around, are somehow more interesting here, and that may be due to the well thought-out ordering of songs.  They’ve spaced out the slower moments between pop elements and experimenting (see “Siberian Breaks”).  You have to give them credit; it’s a much more effective approach, and infinitely more rewarding.

One problem with Oracular Spectacular lay in the fact that you enjoyed it immensely upon first listen, but the hooks wore out the more you chose to spin the record.  In contrast, Congratulations is a much different affair.  It’s not set out to make you dance in the same manner, nor does it intend to rely upon singles to boost album sales.  Instead, MGMT have chosen to focus on their writing, which not only make the songs better, but make the record itself much more durable.  It’s not perfect, but it’s definitely a step in the right direction.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/mgmt-flash-delirium.mp3]

Download: MGMT – Flash Delerium [MP3]

Hear New MGMT Album On NPR

Now I know some of you may have already gotten your hands on a leaked copy (you wouldn’t do that would you?), but you can check out a full streaming version of MGMT’s upcoming Congratulations over on NPR.  Being as this record may be one of the most hyped of the year, we’d love to hear your first take on the band’s sophomore effort.  We will of course offer up a proper review closer to the planned April 13th release date.

Update: They are also streaming each song on their very own website.  Thanks dudes

New Tunes from MGMT

MGMT are coasting right now.  They’ve got the adoration of every one, and their new album hasn’t even hit the streets yet.  But, we finally have a track from the new record, Congratulations.  You’ll want to keep close track of these guys this year, as this track indicates they’ll be huge by the year’s end. Grab yourself a listen and lets us know how you feel. (via Fader)

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/mgmt-flash-delirium.mp3]

Download: MGMT – Flash Delerium [MP3]

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