Wikipedia is a dangerous place, let me tell you that from the start. Once you get reading, say for example – Fire fighting in the 1930’s, an hour later you realise you are on Simon Says (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simon_says). Do not ask me how. But it does happen and you can’t stop. You just keep following link after link and keep opening tabs in your browser until most are hidden from view. And then your eyes give in.

So anyway, I was trolling wikipedia searching for Band of Horses (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Band_of_Horses). (Great band, let me just say that, as well), when somehow I ended up on some law enforcement bloke from Arizona, the notorious Sheriff Joe Arpaio…Heck, I can’t even say this guys name, but man, now that’s what I’m talking about! (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Arpaio) Be warned though, Wikipedia disputes the neutrality of the article.

So, the good sheriff of Maricopa County (Whats with these names?) seems to be a bit of a tough nut. He makes his inmates wear pink undies, work in chain gangs (seems fair), wont give them salt and pepper with their dinner (works for me) and makes the prisoners sleeps in tents, so as to save costs for the good citizens of Maricopa County and Arizona State at large. Now you’re talking my language and I ain’t even from Arizona.

When these fuckers complain about heat ‘cos there ain’t no aircon in a tent, he tells them to shut their mouths, the soldiers in Iraq live in tents with the same heat and they didn’t commit any crime (excpet for joining the military, perhaps, or is that just stupidity?) Now be you for or against that little foray into the good state of Iraq, you must agree with Apaio’s comment.

Oh, and he also cut coffee, as it lacks nutritional value. Complaints were answered by – this isn’t the Ritz/Carlton. If you don’t like it, don’t come back.

Now it appears that some folk on Myspace want this man recalled as he and his friends are angry racists and there ain’t anything as ugly as an ugly Republican racist, y’all agree? He’s hurtin’ those who hurt us…(http://www.myspace.com/recallcorruptpoliticians) Be warned though, these folk do not dispute their neutrality.

Now, I am all for human rights and the such like. Its what, I am told, makes the US great. (Yeah, like the right to bear arms – blam blam mother fucker, balm blam, fuck your human rights, mofo, cap cap). All in a school cafeteria one slow Thursday afternoon. But at the same time, I hope the arsehole who nicked my motor car and planted it on a lamp post ends up in his pink undies watching the weather channel just prior to going out to repave the roads around Maricopa County. Fuck your human rights, brother. Cap Cap!

But then,

and there is always a but then…

I read that 99% of the good sheriff’s inmates are illegal immigrants from down south, drug mules swimming across the border.

So my question – If most of the citizens of the tent city where folk from the US, would this be tolerated? Imagine if they flattened all the buildings on Alcatraz and put up tents for the inmates, would that go down well? Well, for starters, Nicolas Cage would have an easier time getting to the nasty virus missiles about to be launched from Tent 20, but I seriously doubt that the voting public would stand for it.

Its fine if illegals live like that, but for shits sake, not US citizens. Hell, it could be your brother or sister in there. In the meantime, Sheriff Arpaio, do what you must until those boys with the Myspace page get you shut down. Oh, and if I somehow get the shit-for-brains who stole my car sent your way, please put a hole in the roof of his tent.

- Few songs are as lovely as “No One’s Gonna Love You.”

- Paste Magazine called Cease to Begin “one of the top ten albums of 2007.”

- Seem to be TV-show darlings. Their song “Funeral” alone has been featured on SUV commercials, a movie trailer for Penelope, and the shows CSI, Criminal Minds, One Tree Hill, Numbers, Kyle XY, The Best Years … and even in a video game, Skate. Other songs have been featured on Gossip Girl, 90210, and Chuck. 

“Ode to the LRC” off Cease to Begin (2007)

“Is There a Ghost?” off Cease to Begin (2007)

 ”No One’s Gonna Love You” off Cease to Begin (2007)

Or so I hope to be soon. I have been M.I.A.  for quite a while, busy doing day-to-day routines, keeping Taylor busy. A few new things:

•  Taylor starts her Co-op Preschool soon. I am so excited, for one, getting back into the groove of things, I love seeing all the kiddos and Mommies, and it’s always nice to know that your child isn’t the only one screaming at the tops of her lungs whenever she doesn’t get her way…a nice reminder that it’s all normal behaviour for a two year old is in constant need over at our place. Seriously, some days I soak in the tub for hours once Richie gets home…
• I haven’t really been crafting. There have been projects here or there, but nothing too big. I’ll see if I can find some pictures…

(This cute dress was an old shirt of mine, I used this tute on Jessica’s blog, ”oh so happy together”, ((what a cool blog!))  it’s super easy, and so cute!)

(A little grainy because it was taken with my camera phone..(darn it!)…but this is a work in progress, I still have to make the clothespin doll a dress, and put everything on a wooden board platform, will show pics when it’s done. )

• Been listening to some new music, and I’m TOTALLY jocking Band of Horses right now. Their Cease to Begin album is amazing…been playing that in the car over and over again… I carefully look into the rear view mirror to look at Tay, and it’s so cute, she’s secretly rocking out as well, bobbing her head up and down. I don’t know why but she gets sort of embarrassed when I catch her in these moments…the cutest thing ever though.

My favorite song on the album.

(will get back to this…must. get. some. sleep…apparently, am the only one who stays up past midnight browsing through different blogs, drooling over craft projects!)

Album art for Band of Horses "Cease to Begin"

Originally published CelebrityCafe.com, March 20

If you haven’t yet discovered Band of Horses and are in the mood for soulful, original American music with more artistic credence than the pop on your top 40 radio station, you need to listen to Band of Horses’ sophomore album “Cease to Begin.”

When Band of Horses released their first album “Everything All the Time,” it was met with positive response but they risked being forever compared to other Americana bands such as My Morning Jacket. In the time passed since it’s release, Band of Horses has endured a string of shake-ups and emerged with a record solidifying their abilities.

After co-founder Mat Broke left the band, they relocated from Seattle to South Carolina and closer to their roots. Their change of scenery is apparent in their sound, hints of Southern folk are laced throughout the album. While still more indie rock than folk, Ben Birdwell’s distinct haunting voice carries Southern twang in his wide vocal range.

Themes of ghosts spook throughout the entire album. On “Is there a Ghost,” the climactic opener Birdwell metaphorically bellows of love separation pains by wondering if a ghost is responsible for his insomnia.

Slightly sappy love woes are found on the majority of tracks on the album, however somehow the melodies come together with the words to make the sappiness more than bearable; rather touching and enjoyable. On “Detlef Schrempf” he sings longingly “Eyes can’t look at you any other way…any other way.” “Marry Song,” a lovely hymnal filled with a beautiful tragic sadness is capable of invoking tears.

With the move to South Carolina Band of Horses moved closer to their family, and closer to finding their soul. While it is evident the Southern rockers are still young and searching for their perfect niche, “Cease to Begin” is certainly worth a listen and Band of Horses are a band with enough promise to continue to follow.

Reviewer: Sophie Duensing

for the last few days i’ve wanted to listen to little else but cease to begin by band of horses.

this album came out october 9th, 2007. if you don’t have it, get it.

here are the first two songs from the album, both great songs, but i think the second one “ode to lrc” is one of my favorites on the album.

“is there a ghost”

“ode to lrc”

Welcome to the tearjerking, heart wrenching, blood curdling final installment of Musical Timeline.  If you have no idea what this is all about, then check the previous 2 entries.  We will tell you that Part 2 was probably the best, and most controversial, fitting in right with The Empire Strikes Back and Look Who’s Talking Too in epic trilogies.  We welcome your criticism of our choices, as long as you know that in the end, you are wrong.

We end with the years 1997-2008: there is too much of 2009 left to go ahead and name a best album of the year, but mayhaps we will come back to this from time to time.  It’s a little early in our relationship with our readers to be talking about the 20th anniversary of Random Ramblings (we’re keeping it casual at the moment. Doing the bull dance, feeling the flow. Working it. Working it.)

Here it is. 

1997: Radiohead-Ok Computer

Another no brainer.  This album changed how this band was perceived, and gave them tenure as the Alternative World’s most brilliant, ambitious band.  Not a happy album by any stretch of the imagination, but perhaps the most epic, atmospheric, foreboding collection of songs to gain semi-mainstream acceptance in the last couple of decades.  If they come close to this level of greatness again, it will be ok. Even coming close would be pretty amazing. 

Honorable Mention: Foo Fighters-The Colour and the Shape

1998: Elliott Smith-XO

We first found out about Mr. Smith like most people: while watching the excellent movie Good Will Hunting.  While “Miss Misery” and the other songs on the soundtrack drew us in, this major label debut was full of gorgously bittersweet acoustic ballads, as well as some up tempo rockers.  While we think Figure 8 is probably a better album from start to finish, the highlights of “Pitseleh”, “Bled White”, and “Oh Well, Ok” makes us wish we could have had a full lifetime of work from this troubled musical genius. If you are in a good mood and want to be brought down a notch, anything by Elliott Smith will do just fine.

Honorable Mention: Beastie Boys-Hello Nasty

1999: Wilco-Summerteeth

Before they started coming out with adventerous but not-so-fun-to-listen-to sonic detours, Wilco had the double dose of heightened inspiration that was Being There, and then this album. After the twangyness of their previous album, the off kilter modern day Beach Boy harmonies were a little jarring.  But this album delivers classic song after classic song, culminating in the perfect title track.  Even the hidden song “Candyfloss”, an apparent tossaway for the band, is better than most bands can ever hope for.  This is pop music for hopelessly romantic,  narcisistic, and nostalgic music lovers (I’m sure Jeff Tweedy wouldn’t mind putting himself in all three catagories). 

Honorable Mention: Travis-The Man Who

2000: Coldplay-Parachutes

It’s interesting to think that everyone thought that Coldplay wanted to be the next Radiohead, instead of the next U2 like they would later aspire to become.  For downtrodden, sad sack songs, this album is pitch perfect.  Favorites of ours: “Sparks”, “Trouble”, “Don’t Panic”, and of course, “Yellow”.  Their song writing would take on a more crowd pleasing singalong turn on later releases, perhaps for the better, depending on who you ask.  But this was an impressive debut for a band that has gone on to become the most popular band of this decade. 

Honorable Mention: Elliott Smith-Figure 8

2001: Pete Yorn-Music for the Morning After

It’s a shame that Pete Yorn has still not moved from just a step beyond cult status.  His debut album seemed to be a sign that his star would ascend a lot farther than it has, but it isn’t for lack of talent. This isn’t a ground shattering innovation of an album-just an album’s worth of heartfelt songs, with interesting lyrics and Yorn’s emotional vocals that resonate with the listener.  ”Life on a Chain”, “Black”, and “Murray” have enough of a balance between world weariness and yearning  to draw the listener in.  If interested, check out his 3rd album next (Nightcrawler), then his 2nd (Day I Forgot). 

Honorable Mention: John Mayer-Room For Squares

2002: David Gray-A New Day at Midnight

He’s known for “Babylon” but then seemed to slip from the radar back to obscurity.  But this album is stronger than White Ladder. A nice combo of drum machine beats, keyboards,  and acoustic guitars align for an underrated mellow masterpiece. More people will hopefully hear this as the years go on. Best songs: “Long Distance Call”, “Kangaroo”, and “Last Boat to Nowhere”.  

Honorable Mention: Queens of the Stone Age-Songs for the Deaf

2003: The White Stripes-Elephant

We truly didn’t get this band until we saw them live. Sure, we liked “Fell in Love With a Girl”. But nothing prepared us for the hot slab of rock that they shoved down our throat when we saw them at Music Midtown in 2005.  Meg White’s kindergarden bully drumming and Jack White’s slide guitar on crack wailing gave us a new appreciation for their modern day blues and rock.  Give Jack White 3 chords and a vintage amp and he’ll pulverize your cerebral cortez and have you smiling the whole time.  If the guitar solos in “Ball and Biscuit” don’t stir your inner air guitarist, then you are an android. A really dorky, uncool android. 

Honorable Mention: Guster-Keep it Together

2004: Interpol-Antics

Menacing bass driven nightclub rock for the city dwelling set.  We have not heard much Joy Division, but anything that inspired this album must be a good thing.  The bass in “Length of Love” is fit for a sinister disco.  And the staccoto guitar in “Evil” seems like the theme music for some ubercool, indifferent city spy, who doesn’t really care if he assassinates his target, but wants to look cool during the attempt.  Other highlights: “C’mere”, and “Slow Hands”.  

Honorable Mention: Ambulance LTD-LP

2005: My Morning Jacket-Z

A perfect mash up of falsetto, reverb, classic rock, epic guitar solos, and non-self indulgent, non-boring jamming.  ”Lay Low” has the best build up we’ve heard in quite some time. It made us appreciate long, jammy codas if done the right way. And the right way includes piercing guitar work, culimating in the whole band regrouping for a thunderous finale. The electro-coustic soul of “It Beats 4 U” shows how creative they can be, but the driving, propulsive “Anytime” also shows how they can maneuver themselves around a standard rock song just fine. Also an amazing live band, which is the icing on the cake. 

Honorable Mention: Coldplay-X & Y

2006: My Chemical Romance-The Black Parade

We felt a little odd when we starting liking this band’s music, seeing as the youth of today were so infatuated with them.  We are sure they would have been mortified to know that we were rocking out to “The Ghost of  You” and “I’m Not Okay” in our cars.  But who would have known that they had this epic, theatrical classic in them.  Intended to be taken in as a whole, with a story of a terminally ill patient running throughout, this album is a soaring mix of punk, pop, balladry, and even some vaudeville thrown in.  Our personal favorites are “Welcome to The Black Parade”, “I Don’t Love You”, “Cancer”, and “Disenchanted”, but we could listen to this from start to finish any time, any day.  

Honorable Mention: Mastodon-Blood Mountain

2007: The White Stripes-Icky Thump

Jack and Meg can’t be denied a second entry on the list.  After the slight detour of Get Behind Me Satan, they returning to their old stomping grounds of riff rock.  The title track is menacing stop start rhythms and screeching guitar work.  ”Conquest” features a duel to the death between horns and guitar.  And “Catch Hell Blues” has slide work so impressive that it makes Duane Allman’s ghost weep with shame. Can’t wait to hear what they create next. 

Honorable Mention: Band of Horses-Cease to Begin

2008: Coldplay-Viva La Vida

If we had to pick a best album by them, it might actually be this album.  We like the succinct, catchy, dense quality of the music. And the title track could be the best song of last year, or any other year in recent memory. It is physically impossible not to sing along with it. (sorry Joe Satriani-we don’t think they plagiarized your song on purpose. Learn how to sing like Chris Martin and beat him to the punch next time).  ”Strawberry Swing” is a nice tribal change of pace, and “Lovers in Japan” bounces along on sunny tack piano. It is fashionable to dismiss this band as lightweight, but the truth is that they write really, really good songs. The scary thing is that it feels like they are just hitting their stride. 

Honorable Mention: Metallica-Death Magnetic

So there you have it. The albums that we will place in the time capsule.  If, perchance, the invaders discover the location of said time capsule, rest assured we have a back up plan. And as soon as we figure out what it is, we will put it to action.

…o esas fueron las palabras con las que Ben Bridwell inició una explosión de emociones en el espacio que nos contenía durante la pasada presentación de Band of Horses en la Ciudad de México.

Si, nosotros también podríamos dormir, y en realidad quisiéramos dormir. Pero no podemos, no podemos porque no escuchamos islas en la costa. Las luces se apagaban y se encendían, seguramente era aquel fantasma. Mientras nos escurríamos en gritos y coreabamos Wicked Gil porque quiero que sepas que soy tuyo, aunque apenas me importe, Ben brindó con nosotros, y nos prometió que regresaría por más. Era noche de jueves y estábamos ahogados en el gran Salt Lake, y esa estampida seguía embistiendo contra el concentrado multitudinario de personas detrás de la valla que intentaba mantenernos alejados de Ben (ja, que tontos). Después el fantasma seguía haciendo de las suyas, recorde que me casaré con mi amada, no tengo que pedir permiso para ser feliz. SOY TUYO. ¿Acaso siquiera me importa? Porque nadie más en el mundo va a amarte como yo, recuerda bien eso, y haría cualquier cosa que logre hacerte sonreir. Hasta ellos saben que cuando lo haces el sol resalta de entre las nubes. Yo me llevo una playera, sólo para no olvidar nuestras espadas esta noche, y me la llevo porque quiero que sepan de lo que fui testigo, ya más tarde nos empezaremos a ir. Y aún cuando nadie estaba dentro del recinto, el fantasma seguía ahí, y seguirá, apagando y prendiendo las luces.

Cease to Begin by Band of Horses

Band of Horses…is a pretty freaking awesome band. Ben Bridewell’s voice rather reminds me of that of Rogue Wave’s Zach Schwartz, and the music itself has a lovely low-key folky quality to it. Maybe it’s just been a while since I’ve heard some quality music– as in, an album featuring tracks that were legitimately musical and didn’t sound like one long bland ballad. A solid thumbs up.

Notable tracks: “Is There A Ghost,” “No One’s Gonna Love You,” “Ode To LRC,” “Marry Song” [twangy goodness at its best, and I don't usually go for that kind of thing], “Detlef Schrempf”

-LisaM

Here is a clip of Band of Horses performing Older at Glastonbury. This track will be featured on their upcoming album. Thanks to Critical Acclaim for the video.

Both of the Band of Horses albums (Cease To Begin and Everything All The Time) have been in heavy rotation rotation here at The Grip headquarters. You might even go as far as saying they are “On The Hook.” They played a set at Glastonbury 2008 and I was lucky enough to find a copy of the MP3.

Band of Horses – Live @ Glastonbury 2008 (zshare)

I never actually saw the video from “No one’s Gonna Love You” until today, so if you are interested you can check it after the jump.

Das brandneue Video der Band Of Horses aus ihrem Album “Cease to Begin”.

Band of Horses, som jeg havde fornøjelsen af at høre den 3. marts på Vega, er nu kommet med en musikvideo til sangen “No One’s Gonna Love You”, fra deres andet album “Cease to Begin”. Videoen er skudt på deres sidste tour, så det en god blanding, lige fra surfing på stranden til toiletbesøg. Dog ikke en skide interessant video, men det er en af de bedste sange på pladen. Se videoen herunder:

Band of Horses kommer iøvrigt også på Roskilde Festivalen i år, og jeg kan kraftigt anbefale at kigge forbi når de spiller. Benjamin Bridwell synger fantastisk og bandet fungerer rigtig godt live!

Links:
http://www.bandofhorses.com/
http://www.myspace.com/bandofhorses

Apparently, there existed in ‘06 a niche market for sad bastard farm rock that I didn’t know about. Before I had even heard a track off of Band of Horses debut Everything All The Time last year, I already knew their name and forest green album cover from browsing Best Buy shelves. It was given the distinguished position of sitting in the featured section, instead of hidden behind a stack of those plastic name cards like so many Sub Pop records have been post-Nirvana. Then, I happened to catch them perform “Funeral” on Letterman one night as if everyone had caught the buzz but me; there’s at least one disadvantage to not listening to radio, I guess. So when it came to their follow-up Cease To Begin this year, I was ready for the release date by keeping up with news posts on Treble and looking forward to another chart topper from the Midwestern duo. After the fact, though, I found out that one of the key members had left the band and less of the red carpet treatment was given to the Horses’ new release; in fact, the only buzz I’d heard was Pitchfork’s condescending remark that it was one of the lamest titles of the year thus far. This was me, poised for disappointment. But after warming up to Cease To Begin for a few months now, I think it’s just as solid an album as its predecessor, even without one-half of its band leaders. A little less banjo pluckin’ and vocal harmony, as expected, but the songs are no less anthemic or spirited. Opener “Is There A Ghost?” reminds me of Coldplay’s “Clocks” sans piano for its sulky, impassioned crescendo, and “The General Specific” could have easily supplanted “Part One” from Everything and critics would have still tried to chastise them for, how dare you, sounding the same. Don’t bother living up to expectations, guys; the pundits came up only to hold you under.

Okay, zugegeben, “Wincing the night away” war 2007 kein wirklich schlechtes Album. Und zugegeben, hier geht es eigentlich gar nicht um die wundervolle Band The Shins, die ich quasi als meine Lieblingsband der letzten Jahre bezeichnen würde (Alltime-Heroen à la Queen nehme ich jetzt mal aus). Es geht vielmehr, um eine Gruppe namens Band of Horses, die ich vor kurzem für mich entdecken durfte, und bei deren Stil sich Vergleiche zu den Shins einfach aufdrängen, da die Songs definitiv eine gewisse Ähnlichkeit mit dem Stil der Kollegen aus New Mexico aufweisen. 

Wenn man es also nicht besser wüsste, dann könnte man beim ersten Hören einiger Songs vom Album “Cease to begin” eben meinen, dass The Shins sich dieses Mal nicht wieder ein knappes halbes Jahrzehnt Zeit gelassen hätten für ein neues Album. Doch da ich Band of Horses nicht im Radio sondern ausgerechnet im TV zum ersten Mal gehört habe, ist mir dieses Versehen zumindest nicht passiert.

Ja, ihr habt richtig gelesen, ich habe eine gute Band im TV entdeckt, ja im deutschen Musikfernsehen, richtig, bei MTV!!! Gut, es war nachts um ca. 2 Uhr unter der Woche – aber hey, immerhin mal wieder eine Entdeckung auf einem der beiden Musiksender-Karikaturen!

Der rockige Sound mit Hang zum melancholisch Verspieltem hat mich dann auch sofort angefixt, so dass ich mir dann natürlich mehr oder weniger umgehend das Album zulegen musste. Und dies begeistert schon mit einem wunderschönen Artwork des Covers. Ein Vollmond der über einem schwarzen Meer steht – da spiegelt sich genau das erwähnte verspielt Melancholische schon direkt wieder. Einfach schön.

Und so ist der Opener denn auch direkt die schon erwähnte Single-Auskopplung mit dem Namen “Is there a ghost”, die so getragen beginnt, als ob der Sänger am Ufer eben dieses Meeres steht und in die Nacht rein-brunstet, bevor dann das Tempo und die Lautstärkeregler plötzlich aufgedreht werden. Ich würde ja sagen, dass es sich hier um einen perfekten Song für Liebeskummer handelt, aber dazu schwingt in dem Lied doch irgendwie zu viel Lebensmut und Optimismus mit – vielleicht etwas für jemanden der gerade dabei ist mit seinem früheren Liebeskummer abzuschließen?!
Das würde dann zumindest insofern prima passen, da sich der zweite Titel “Ode to LRC”, direkt das zweite große Highlight des Albums, nahtlos in diese Theorie einfügen würde. Ist dieses Lied doch schließlich auch wieder perfekt dazu geeignet, den Hörer in beste Laune zu versetzen mit seiner positiven Melodie und dem hinten raus hemmungslos wiederholten Slogan “The world is such a wonderful place”.

Track 3 wäre dann zugegebenermaßen wieder ein kleiner Rückfall, handelt es sich doch um eine mindestens ebenso hemmungslose Ballade mit dem Titel “No one’s gonna love you” (mit dem Zusatz “more than I do”), die einen Platz auf jedem Mixtape haben muss, dass man einer Angebeteten mit dem Anspruch schenkt, darauf Musik aus diesem Jahrzehnt draufpacken zu wollen. Dabei dürfte eigentlich kein Frauenherz ungeschmolzen bleiben (und wenn doch, dann schießt sie in den Wind!).

Verträumt geht es dann auch direkt weiter mit dem wunderschönen Kuschelsong, der auf den gänzlich unkuschligen Namen “Detlef Schrempf” lautet. Keine Ahnung wie der Bezug dazu kommt, aber als Patriot freut mich eine solche Hommage natürlich sehr, und der Song an sich ist einfach… schön!

Zur Mitte von “Cease to begin” nehmen die Horses dann wieder an Tempo auf und legen mit dem vom Klavier dominierten ”The General Specific” eine herrlich gutgelaunte und beschwingte Sohle aufs Parkett, bevor das Klavier wieder an die Seite geschoben wird und mit “Islands on the coast” ein Uptempo-Song in bester Shins-Tradition nachgelegt wird, mit einem treibenden, aber nicht aufdringlichen Gitarrenriff, vielen Tempo-Wechseln und dem markanten Gesang von Ben Bridwell.

Mit dem “Marry Song” gibt es dann noch mal eine erfreuliche unkitschige Liebeserklärung, was wohl vor allem mit der sehr reduzierten instrumentalen Begleitung zusammenhängt, der aber wunderbar mit dem schon  fast Country-artigen Gesang harmoniert. Und Textzeilen wie “When you smile,  the sun, it peaks through clouds” gehen natürlich runter wie warmer Honig.

Passend zum gerade angesprochenen Thema “Heiraten” kommt dann neben mein, neben den ersten beiden Songs, absoluter Lieblingssong des Albums “Cigarettes, wedding bands”. Okay, nur vom Titel her passend, denn “Cigarettes, wedding bands” ist im Gegensatz zu den 8 vorherigen Stücken sowohl musikalisch als vor allem auch textlich wesentlich pessimistischer und aggressiver, teilweise wie hingerotzt (vielleicht avancierte es gerade deshalb zu meinem Lieblingssong…), aber immer ziemlich ausgefeilt und vom Ablauf her wunderbar durchkomponiert.

Der versöhnliche Abschluss nach der kleinen emotionalen Achterfahrt durch das Album kommt dann mit dem zehnten und letzten Stück der Platte, dem “Windows Blues”. Man ist sozusagen wieder am Meer in der Vollmondnacht angekommen und sitzen wieder am Ufer, während eben jene Nacht so allmählich durch ein zartes Morgengrauen zurückgedrängt wird und man sich allmählich mal wieder nach Hause begeben könnte, um einfach etwas erquickenden Schlaf zu bekommen. Oder so.

Für mich nach den Chroniken eines bohèmen Teenagers das zweitbeste Album 2007 – sehr bezeichnend für diesen kulturell überwiegend sehr mauen bis hochgradig entäuschenden Jahrgang, dass beide Alben erst in den letzten Atemzügen des Jahres den Weg in meine Gehörgänge finden konnten. Wer also The Shins mag, der kann hier nicht viel falsch machen, die Songs der Jungs aus South Carolina sind lediglich etwas rocklastiger. Also: Kaufen!

Youtube-Direktlink

Happy New Year to one and all. I’m way late with this post.

There are a number of reason for this, from sheer laziness to the genuinely distracting mayhem leading up to Christmas – not least of which, includes Christmas parties (their inevitable fallout and not so inevitable complications), companies going through strange, exciting and disruptive times and collecting a fantastic Christmas present of a festive throat infection from one of my ever coughing nieces and nephews.

On the musical front I have been listening to the Eisley album “Combinations”, Band of Horses’ “Cease to Begin”, Interpol’s “Our Love to Admire” and a two part mix CD by friend and DJ, Dave – I’ll go into detail on the last of these later on.

My listening list has also included Canadian act Stars. This Montreal band is playing Ireland in late January including Galway, Cork and Dublin as part of their tour for “In Our Bedroom After The War”.

Poppy jangletunes like Take me to the Riot remind me of 90s England, bands like Inspiral Carpets and Catherine Wheel. The vocals on My Favourite Book really bring me back to when Morcheeba were all over the airwaves a few years back and Bitches in Tokyo is the best song name I’ve heard in years, the track itself having a cool surf punk fade out. The mixture of male and female vocals across different tracks is appealing giving Stars a very broad base for music fans across the spectrum to clamber on to. Midnight Coward was my “first listen favourite”; The Beautiful South?

DJ Kub – Tarmac Soul (1A)

The two part mix CD “Tarmac Soul” by digital DJ, DJ Kub, that I want to mention, hails from his road trip across the United States last year. It’s an experience I’ve never had, driving a vast distance, picking up and listening to music of all types and genres as you go along – sounds fantastic.

It would be tedious (not to mention time consuming) to go through the CD track by track commenting on everything that comes along, so I’ll just talk about disc A and mention a track or two that caught my attention and suggest that you go to DJ Kub’s own blog linked above and at the top of this post to check them out for yourself. You can listen to it directly here.

The first two tracks that caught my attention are an old favourite, Changes by Sugar and a track that I wasn’t familiar with, She Brakes for Rainbows by The B-52s. Flowing these two tracks together is freaky, really really really freaky – it works but it shouldn’t and it works but it still shouldn’t!! Gorgeous little song.

Of course it’s rare that every track combination on a mix is going to appeal to everyone and this CD is no different, there are a few songs that I’m not too keen on and I’m sure that’ll be the same for you. Thanks to the age of the digital player we can mix and match so if you don’t like a track, just drop it from the mix, perhaps replacing it with something else to create your own Tarmac Soul mashup (The Cramps have never done it for me).

Other high points are Big City by Shirley Horn and Roustabout, Elvis.. Big City is one of those tracks that is great up loud with low light – and I can just picture driving along a wide warm road at dusk, in a ridiculously oversized car with the top down and this track blasting out. I’m going say nothing about Roustabout – it’s one of my favourite songs of all time.

I think tracks 14 and 15 are in the wrong order – perhaps it’s just a personal preference thing but Swimming Places is quite a jolt after Roustabout – maybe that’s what Kub intended?

All in all I’ve really enjoyed this mix and I’m going to be listening to some of Kub’s earlier mixes when I’m travelling to the UK later in the month.

I am however going to end on a complaint – Sinatra’s too obvious to close with!¬) .. yeah ok, he makes up for it by opening the second CD with Aldo Nova’s Fantasy.. I felt the need to put on yellow skin tight leather trousers to listen to it. .. and following it with Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ Cheated Hearts.. argh what a f**king deadly song.. I love it!

repr’Eisley

Now that I’ve had a chance to absorb it properly, “Combinations” isn’t quite as alternative as I had originally expected (hoped?) having heard the track Many Funerals that I mentioned in a previous blog entry but it doesn’t detract from what is a very full album. Although I have found that many of the songs have quirky, less appealing sections, the anthemic choruses with Abba and REM influenced harmonies in the right places, save just about all of these. The result is an album that is a repeat listener and definitely a grower. The powerful vocals of all the singers really contribute to this, cutting through cheesey melodies leaving memorable tunes.

 

Band of Horses’ “Cease to Begin” is just bloody excellent – from Is There a Ghost that I mentioned after seeing the great live version on Jools Holland’s Later, to No One’s Gonna Love You which I found myself singing (lyrics and all) after just one listen.

These guys shift from country feedback to love ballad and on to aggressive indie with the same kind of confidence as the Kings of Leon – there’s something more real and less cock-sure about it – that’s probably a ropey explanation of what could simply be due to the lighter, more haunting vocal style and the use of buckets of reverb all over the shop in the mix.

I’ll come back to “Our Love to Admire” by Interpol in a later blog, I haven’t listened to it enough to form an opinion yet. The fact that it’s challenging me is usually a good start – I’ll probably have a natter about the second CD in Tarmac Soul – if Dave’s still talking to me of course. You can find more from DJ Kub on his own blog: – http://tarmacsoul.blogspot.com/

 

Best wishes all – may the new year bring wonderful music and wild exciting things for everyone. As for me, I’m going to be getting my car a New Year’s present in the form of a bigger engine and putting as much energy into making music as is humanly (or otherwise) possible.

While the pun is poor and Halloween is so over, it is apt as this will be a supersized chunky monkey of a links post to get you through our lack of posting on a Saturday. Enjoyacise!!

Harp talks to Band of Horses about the creation of their decent sophomore record, Cease to Begin.

Iron & Wine’s The Shepherd Dog is following the way of his previous works and becoming a slow-burn work of wonder. He talks to Incendiary.

One of my personal Jesi/Jesuses Craig Finn, of The Hold Steady, talks lyrics with The Stranger.

David Fincher is to adapt graphic novel The Killer.

Knight Rider has been confirmed, cast, suited and booted, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The AV Club takes a look at the screen view of the Afterlife.

The Onion reports a surprise for a narrator.

Dennis Wilson, the true great of The Beach Boys, is beautifully eulogised on PopMatters.

Stylus can’t help itself on the listmaking side of things, now giving its Top 50 Songs of the Year (to Halloween)

Another Jesusian of mine, Thurston Moore from the most Sonic of Youth, is on a video, on Pitchfork, on Jimmy Kimmel, performing. Solo by the way.

PopJustice has some very strange pictures of The Spice Girls.

Variety, has seen PT Anderson’s new movie, There Will Be Blood and decided to review it.

The cheeky chappies behind the sweet, funny little muffin that is Pushing Daisies speak to The Futon Critic.

AOL delivers a kick to the Maxim balls with a list of the eleven least attractive men currently out and about.

This is a week old, but this is a superlative article on Gossip Girl, paradoxically the best and worst show currently on television.

Entertainment Weekly runs down a strong list on SNL’s musical sketches. ‘Dick In A Box’ all the way.

Time gives some props to John Edwards.

The New Yorkers offers up a take on ‘Nude’ from Radiohead’s new one and gives probably the strongest review I’ve read yet of American Gangster.

I’m one down in our house X Factor sweepstake this year as Emily has dropped out due to some rather iffy video footage uploaded to YouTube. Still I have Hope and FutureProof… come on the bands!

Peter Paphides bemoans the difficulty of promoting the gorgeous McFly along with the band in this heartbreaking article.

And, last but not least, The Guardian’s Hadley Freeman waxes lyrical about fashion’s new originality this winter.

When its time to get in trouble…we know just what to do

Band of Horse – Windows Blues

So I realized a wile ago that I have completely shifted gears in musical interests. Or, should say what I feel like hearing. Lately its been Americana, Alt Country(I feel cool throwing that title out), and more Indie stuff than ever before. I’m not really sure who to blame for this preference revolution. I can think of a few females, and a few breaks (both good and bad), but maybe I’m just getting old or something. Damn I hope that’s not it.

I’m always listening, reading about, and basically digging for new music and whatever else is cool that I can find. I’ll be the first to admit that while I’m open to all types of stuff, I also have pretty ingrained biases and am quick to judge. I’m working on this and hopefully one day I’ll get past it.

But for now it is what it is.
On that note, three cd’s I’ve been listening nonstop for a while now. I’ve talked about a couple of them before, but not really in any detail. They are listed in order of personal preference, but I wouldn’t be writing about it if I wasn’t already addicted, so that should count for something….right?

As always. My pick on poster art accompanying each artist.

Josh Ritter – Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter.

Once again it was a love at first sight kind of thing. I have to give credit to All Songs Considered once again for this introduction. While Josh Ritter has been around for a while, I unfortunately was not in the know until just recently. I have wasted no time in covering the full catalog, and it definitely does not disappoint. I won’t lie and say that I wasn’t hooked by the ultra-catchy opening track, but that’s how it always happens for me. This cd is sort of like Rihanna in that it’s basically damn hot from floor to ceiling. I’d say this disk is a lover and a fighter with about a 50-50 split on up and down tempo tunes. He’s been constantly compared to Dylan and Springsteen, which wouldn’t normally fire me up all that much, but I think it’s the best of both worlds. I’m not going to tell you its flashy or hip, but its evocative and fun, which is what we’re all looking for anyways….right? Every track is a possible mix selection, so don’t even bother just listen to the whole thing.

Josh Ritter – Kathleen
Josh Ritter – Temptation of Adam. – Speaking of this song. I mean honestly, who doesn’t love the concept of living in a moment and wrestling with the choice between losing love or immortalizing it with a nuclear gesture.

Band of Horses – Cease to Begin

I’d compare this CD to a blind date that I had already planned on cooking breakfast for. I was in love with this album before they even made the trip up to Ashville to lay it down. Their first release, Everything All The Time, was nothing short of amazing and I just couldn’t see them running out of whatever magical fairy dust they use to create that sound. I think it could just be mountains of reverb, but I’m cool with it if it is. For me, this disk started where their last one ended, and went both backwards and forwards. The mellow became delicate, the rock became country, and to be honest I’m really not even sure how to describe the rest. It’s somewhere in between and beyond what came before, but grounded with the same amazing vocals and lyrics that are unique to say the least. I have all kinds of love for the fact that they returned from Seattle to their South Carolina roots and decided to stake out the woods of Awendaw in what I’m hoping will lead to some random SC shows. My favorite track on the album, “The General Specific”, seems to be about this very transition. Other tracks that will no doubt find their way onto mixes for my friends include, “Ode to the LRC”, and Cigarettes, Wedding Bands”. This is now at the top of my vinyl-to-buy list, as it should be on your damn-I-gotta-listen-to list.  Artwork by Andrew Vastagh

Others Wrote:

Band of Horses – The general Specific

Kelly Willis – Translated from Love

Okay, so if you didn’t already know, I actually like country. Not all country, but it’s about the only radio I consistently listen to and it seems that possibly 20% of the genre is still pretty genuine. I think I’m attracted to it because it’s simple and not complicated, unlike everything else in life. This album just plain does it for me. Seducing me as if she was sitting next to me with just the acoustic, it’s not flashy but has soul, and it just has that genuine, not overproduced sound that I find contaminates a lot of mainstream country(though I don’t really consider this 100% mainstream). Her sound just seems a little too cool for Nashville, which is probably why it doesn’t come from there anymore. I find it so up front and honest, that I almost feel guilty if doubts even begin to creep into my subconscious. Possible mix tracks for me would be “Sweet Sundown” and “Losing You”. Artwork by The Butler Brothers.

Kelly Willis – Losing You

Although old enough to be my grandfather, Rolling Stone Magazine continues to maintain it’s finger on the pulse of everything hip and now. From the hottest bands to the sickest trends, RS has known what’s up for 40 years… and 2007 is no different. Check out Rolling Stone’s 2007 Hot List after the jump.

HOT BABE – Megan Fox

2007 was a good year for Megan Fox. Starring opposite Shia LaBeouf in this Summer’s Sci-Fi Blockbuster “Transformers“, this hot starlet is soon to be a household name. Her next role is playing a Hollywood “IT” girl (what a stretch) in the highly anticipated “How to Lose Friends and Alienate People“ with Kirsten Dunst.

See more Megan Fox photos here.

HOT BAND: Band of Horses

Grunge may be dead in Seattle, but local heroes Band of Horses have rubbed the paddles together to bring new life to the the city’s indie music scene. Ben Birdwell’s haunting vocals alongside an ethereal Southern-Alt Rock guitar sound has ” made Band of Horses the most promising young guitar group going.” Their latest release “Cease to Begin” is certain to adorn numerous critic’s year end top tens.

See more Band of Horses photos here.

HOT CALENDAR: Mormons Exposed

This seems so wrong on so many levels, but as the old adage goes “If you got it, flaunt it”… and that’s just what these son’s of Brigham Young have done. Chad Hardy has put the S -ex back in LDS with his 2008 “Men on a Mission” Calendar, featuring 12 of the hottest, shirtless Morman missionaries on the planet. Apparently it’s big seller with the boys as well as the girls, although we’re pretty sure it’s a conservative wrong for the conservative right.

See the calendar photos here.

HOT MODEL: Agyness Deyn

Critics call Agyness Deyn the “next Kate Moss”. We just call her hot. This 21 year-old rock-a-waif has done ads for Burberry and Armani to name a few and has been sporting this tough girl look since the age of 10. Expect to see a good bit more of Ms. Deyn. She is apparently working on a new band called “Lucky Knitwear” in addition to her day job.

See more Agyness Deyn photos here.

Click here to see the rest of the Rolling Stone 2007 Hot List.

I’ve been mentally punishing myself since yesterday for forgetting that the new album, Cease to Begin, from the Band of Horses came out yesterday.  However, it was a nice surprise.  I’ve had plenty to say about them in the past, and once I’ve properly perused this new album, I’m sure I will have plenty more to say.  But until I have properly assimilated this new material, I’ll just leave with these tidbits and promise that I’ll get back to you.  And as always, POSTER ART by Ben Wilson!

Band of Horses – Ode to LRC

Band of Horses – Is there a ghost