New Music from Villagers

Long ago I raved about Becoming a Jackal, an album by Villagers that I think a lot of people really overlooked.  But, now they’re back with a brand new single that is scheduled to come out on October 22nd, and with a recent tour with Grizzly Bear, I think they might finally start to break into the big time.  “The Waves” is every bit as dramatic as the earlier output from the band, but this one has a different approach.  For me, this tune utilizes the electronic production as its backbone, and the emphatic beauty ensues.  I just picked this up on iTunes, so you too can grab it early if it suits your fancy.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/VILLAGERS-The-Waves.mp3]

 

Show Preview: Ra Ra Riot @ Emos (10/26)

Date Tuesday, October 26th
Location Emos
Doors 900p
Tickets $15 from Ticketweb

Okay, so everyone will probably be running around town trying to get their hands on this Jonsi character, but I just can’t do it.  I think I’ll pass my time with a little bit of pop tunes, and a nice dose of orchestral touches.  You see, Ra Ra Riot are playing at Emos on the same night.  The band just released The Orchard, their sophomore effort, and while it may seem them trying new ground, it still has a lot of upside, not to mention the band’s great live  potential. Also on the bill are up-and-comers Givers and one of my favorite new groups, Villagers.  This sounds like a more low-key place to be Tuesday night, so get on out there folks.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/02-Boy.mp3]

Download: Ra Ra Riot – Boy [MP3]


Free Compilation From Domino Records

As if your weren’t enjoying all the free music on our Summer Mixtape, Domino Records jumps in the game and is offering up an 11 song compilation from artists on their label.  The free download features music from Owen Pallett, Villagers, The Dirty Projectors, and a bunch more.  Check out new song “We Still Got the Taste Dancing on Our Tongues” from Wild Beasts below and download the free sampler now.

[audio: https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/01-We-Still-Got-The-Taste-Dancing-On-Our-Tongues.mp3]

Download: Wild Beasts – We Still Got The Taste Dancing On Our Tongues [MP3]

Villagers – Becoming a Jackal

Rating: ★★★★☆

Villagers is the namesake for Irish songwriter Conor O’Brien, and the release of his album Becoming a Jackal is every bit as glorious as early hype might have lead us to believe.  While the backing band for this project relies upon subtleties, Conor’s voice serves as the key instrument from which you will fall in love with his work.

Album opener “I Saw the Dead” begins your journey with a haunting piano line whilst O’Brien recounts his visions of seeing the dead.  It’s your first glimpse of his storytelling, which definitely has a more poetic leaning than a lot of modern lyricists.  You immediately find yourself immersed in his visions, precisely as the songwriter wants.  Then you find yourself at the title track following the frailty of O’Briens voice, and at this point you can’t help but to recall similar tonality shared with Zach Rogue.  It’s the proper choice for a single, although it might not be the song that portrays all of Conor’s strengths.

Entering “Ship of Promises” you start to notice a bit of a waiver in the vocals, something that should remind you of early Bright Eyes works (Fevers and Mirrors in particular).  Villagers succeeds in this arena due in part to the steady percussion that lines almost all the tracks on this collection, but you’ll find the vocals wrapping you up in Becoming a Jackal.  For instance, the fragility exposed during “The Meaning of Ritual” when O’Brien claims “my love is selfish/it cares not who it hurts” allows you to forgive the emotions being expressed here.  Not many songwriters can still accomplish that feat by voice alone.

Those of you looking for variance in songwriting will surely appreciate the juxtaposition of styles throughout the record, allowing you to move amidst the songs without finding yourself bogged down by monotony. “The Pact” has sort of a rollicking guitar line that lends itself to the more modern side of singer/songwriter genres, though careful orchestration places emphasis in precisely the right place, especially the organ that seems to grown for the duration (ed.-I’d love to see what Mike Mogis could do with this guy).  Yet its placed alongside “Set the Tigers Free,” a song that relies more upon the effect of barroom crooners.  There’s a slight bit of swing to the song, perhaps aided by the tropicalia accent in the guitar work.  One must surely appreciate the movement within Becoming a Jackal, as many songwriters have succumbed to the pitfalls of the profession.

“Twenty Seven Strangers” probably is one of those tracks that I’d include on mixtapes for the rest of the year.  It features a polite strumming, and a bit of an echoing hum serving as a semi-chorus.  O’Brien’s vocal delivery is so calm and focused that encourages you to sneak inside yourself in order to appreciate the narration.  And, when his voice finally rises in the middle of the song, its clear that he’s constructed another wonderful track. Such is the work of a great songwriter.

You’ll find yourself pressing repeat often during your listening experience with Becoming a Jackal.  It seems that each song has something different to offer, whether that be the approach to songwriting or to the emotional reward for the listener.  Villagers debut reminds us all that occasionally someone gets it so right that we can’t ignore their work.  Conor O’Brien’s promising (and ultimately rewarding) album will surely serve as that reminder in 2010.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Becoming-A-Jackal.mp3]

Download: Villagers – Becoming A Jackal [MP3]

New Tunes from Villagers

Something about singer-songwriters writing warm pop just draws me in every single time.  Villagers is one such project by Conor O’Brien, and this song keeps playing around my desk all day long.  It sounds a lot like early Rogue Wave, but at the same time, some of his vocal qualities really remind me of Patrick Wolf (minus the thematic insanity).  It’s definitely just a subtle pop song that finds its way straight to your heart. You can find this song on the album Becoming a Jackal, which hits stores June 8th on Domino.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Becoming-A-Jackal.mp3]

Download: Villagers – Becoming A Jackal