50 Words Or Less: Weird Shit You Might Have Missed
(Dark Dark Dark photo via MySpace)
As you might know, Ian likes pop songs. I like pop songs, too. But I also listen to some weird shit. Here’s some of it that might interest you. In 50 words or less. Boom.
1. *MP3: Mako Sica - “I’Itoi”
Chicago trio crafts the soundtrack to a post-rock haunted house, creaking with jazz-inflected drumwork. Listen with lights low and eyes closed.
2. Solid Gold - “Matter of Time” Video
Not weird in any aesthetic sense, but more like, “bah, Solid Gold is MTV-approved!”
Grimy, homemade video from the nu-gazer video. Again, not weird, but absolutely essential for MPLS viewing. Damn, I’ve cheated twice already with this.
4. *MP3: Chandeliers - “Candy Apple”
Electro-dance quartet from the Windy City combine glitchy electronics, whispered vocals, and slithery synths to cold, creepy effect.
5. *MP3: Dark Dark Dark - “Bright Bright Bright”
MPLS chamber-folk collective’s waltz highlights both thrice-repeated characteristics of the band’s name and song title. Austere in its simplicity and beauty, with an undercurrent of piano-and-cello-driven anguish bubbling up in multi-part harmonies.
6. *MP3: Quasi - “Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler”
Veteran indie-rock outfit creates Beatles-esque pop number, partly in French. Très excellent.
Plus: What’s new on Elbows Top Ten
7. *MP3: Phantogram - “When I’m Small”
Snappy, treble-heavy guitars and metronomic trip-hop beats set an appealing atmosphere, but “When I’m Small” still comes off like Portishead-lite.
Grade: C+
8. *MP3: Baby Monster - “She Comes Alive”
Same thing as above, except replace “portishead” with MGMT, and “guitars” with ebullient synth-sounds. Time to pretend indeed.
Grade: C
9. *MP3: Free Energy - “Hope Child”
Pavement-meets-AC/DC romp-stomp provides the hooks-and-handclaps goods. Not quite as poignant as “This Fucking Job”, but this will do in a pinch
Grade: B-
10. *MP3: Dr. Dog - “Shadow People”
Wayne Coyne-esque howl builds toward warm, Americana-inspired hum of classic-rock riffs and Southern rock harmonies. No doubt would sound good coming out of car stereos.
Grade: B-
(Jon Graef)
Posted 2 years ago
