halou: halou

halou self-titled fourth album

after four albums and several eps spanning almost 12 years; count, ryan, and rebecca coseboom have decided to close the chapter that is halou, with arguably their best release to date.

for those who purchased the sawtooth ep, you will find every song on this release as well as re-worked versions of songs from the trembling lanterns release including: “eejit” and my favorite song from the album “hollywood ending.”

some may immediately notice a move away from the glitches and pops of halou’s earlier material (“morsecode” comes to mind) to the organic, almost live band-like feel of this release. the same r/r coseboom sound is evident as ever, especially on songs like “seabright” and “skimming.”

the thing to note on this release is the inclusion of robin guthrie of cocteau twins as well as avant-cellist zoë keating to several of the songs. while some may want to hear the inclusion of robin guthrie, that patented guitar sound that he’s so known for, is noticebly absent from this recording. it appears that halou felt very strongly about the sound that they were searching for and essentially had the musicians play what they had asked for.

the final release by halou (pronounced huh-loo) will appeal to anyone who appreciates bands such as: explosions in the sky, mogwai, hammock, the album leaf, or mùm.

ryan and rebecca are continuing making music but are now recording under the moniker stripmall architecture. you can expect a review of their release object02 at a later date. in the meantime, download object02 by visiting their blog.

Playlist un pò dark per onorare il numero 13.

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Artista: Halou
Titolo: It Will All Make Sense
Links: PLAY & DOWNLOAD

Artista: rf (Ryan Francesconi)
Titolo: Difference
Links: PLAY & DOWNLOAD

Artista: Lili Haydn
Titolo: Maggot brain
Links: PLAY & DOWNLOAD

Artista: Mott the Hoople
Titolo: Bastard (AM01 Edit)
Links: PLAY & DOWNLOAD

Ryan Coseboom met Rebecca Coseboom in 1992 while running his father’s notorious independent record store in Santa Cruz, CA. Three years later, the pair ventured north to San Francisco to pursue the sound that would eventually become Halou.
Rebecca and Ryan debuted in a band called Anymore. Inspired more by dreampop bands like Cocteau Twins and less by trip-hop, the band had released only two albums: “Thistlestar E.P.” (1996) and “Umani” (1997). Minus Alex Ionov, the members of the band decided to start another project entitled Halou that would have more elements of downtempo electronica.

Download:

- Halou (2008)

- Sawtooth [EP 2008]

- Wholeness & Separation

- Wiser

- We Only Love You

Web: Myspace Page , Website

I’ve been away for a week. A little holiday. It was nice and relaxing. Exactly what I needed.
Spring in a small town is a beautiful thing and I took advantage of it as much as I could. I took long walks, sat on park benches and read, caught up with some friends I haven’t seen in a while, ate the most delicious ice cream.

Also, I’ve discovered something new in the world of trip-hop. New for me, cause the album I’m currently listening to is 7 years old. Still, great stuff. I’m talking about Halou’s Wiser. Never heard about them before.

I’m listening to it thanks to I’ll Carry You, song featured in a national campaign for giving blood. Can’t tell much about it, besides the fact that it sounds really good.

OAKLAND – So, anyone catch that Eels show Monday night? I missed out danggit! Anyway, after a brief hiatus I’m back to my regular music posts (and an actual blog site as well…hey I’m tryin’). I will make a strong attempt to push these music posts out weekly but we all know how life can suck up valuable time that could be spent on music.

Anyhow, here we go…

DJ JAMIE LIN // TONIGHT & 22APR
Get ready people, tonight is the night for serious ass-shakin with local fave DJ Jamie Lin at Blowfish in San Jo. (In case ya didn’t know, Blowfish = crazy good sushi!). Tonight Jamie will be spinning with her partner-in-beats Lyndsay (of 1015 FOlsom)…double trouble of the best kind. Jamie will also spin next Tuesday night at the Cardiff Lounge in Campbell. Go ‘head girl!
~ Escucha: http://www.myspace.com/djamielin
~ Venue: Blowfish Sushi, San Jose

HALOU // TONIGHT & 23APR/21:00
If you’ve read my previous posts, you know I can’t get enough of our own Halou. This time they’re not only coming at us with one, but two dates (three including last Wednesday’s show which I missed thanks to American Airlines’ ridiculousness): tomorrow and next Wednesday at Cafe Du Nord. Evidently they’re starting a residency at CdN – good on ya Halou! If you haven’t heard of or don’t know of these folks and are in the City, GO TO ONE OF THESE SHOWS. They also released a new EP, “Sawtooth” available on iTunes. Yummy.
~ Escucha: http://www.myspace.com/halou
~ Witness: “Everything Is OK”
~ Venue: Cafe du Nord, SF

FLYLEAF // TONIGHT
What can I say, I’m a Flyleaf fan. Yes they are from Dallas. (Nothing wrong with that, just don’t see TONS of bands who make it from The Big D.) Yes they are all Christian (not to be confused with a “Christian” band). Thing is, Lacey Moseley has an incredible range and a piercing, often eerie delivery matched to some fairly deep and personal lyrics. Worth your time, I say.
~ Venue: The Warfield, SF
~ Witness: “Breathe Today”

DENGUE FEVER // 18APR/20:30
You’ve probably not heard a band like Dengue Fever. Basically it’s 60’s Cambodian pop-meets-LA shoegaze, with an occasional horn section. You got it…crazy. I caught their show last year at the Treasure Island Music Festival, which was nothing short of fantastic and lots of fun. Dengue Fever are a suprising crowd-pleaser, so don’t miss this show!
~ Witness:
~ Venue: The Independent, SF

ATMOSPHERE // 08-09MAY
Ya just can’t fade Atmosphere. Boy got skills…Brotha Pass, approved. His new album “When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold” drops next Tuesday. Don’t miss the dope show next month.
~ Escucha: “Shoulda Known” (sneak listen from his new album dropping on 22APR)
~ Witness: “Trying To Find A Balance”
~ Venue: Grand Ballroom, SF

CHRISTOPHER LAWRENCE // 9MAY
Don’t miss what will surely be another electrifying club set by DJ Christophoer Lawrence at Ruby Skye next month. (Speaking of Ruby Skye, you might want to start shopping now…less than two months until the 7th Annual White Party.) Anyway, get ready to light up the floor and tuck in for a long sexy night with your boy CL.
~ Witness: “Freefall”
~ Venue: Ruby Skye, SF

M.I.A. // 21MAY
You just don’t know this girl until you’ve experienced one of her hot-like-fire shows. If you’re not the type to wind up ya waist an’ grind pon de beat, ya got no kinda business at an M.I.A. show. If you’re even a little curious, though, the night will be unforgettable – sure to linger for a long, long while.
Witness: “Boyz”
Venue: Concourse/SF Design Center

FLIGHT OF THE CONCHORDS // 27MAY
Who’s the Boom King?! Jermaine and Bret – the boys from the Land of The Long White Cloud drop their funky riffs on us at Nob Hill Masonic Center. If you don’t know about FOTC yet, well…
~ Witness: “Mutha Uckers”
~ Venue: Nob Hill Masonic, SF

UPCOMING:

REM + MODEST MOUSE // 31MAY-01JUN
~ The Greek, Berkeley

ERYKAH BADU + THE ROOTS // 08JUN
~ The Paramount, Oakland

DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE // 21 JUN
~ The Greek, Berkeley

StarCAST #114 – [listen here] [stream]
Show Length: 34:32 – File Size: 31.6 MB

Track Listing:
1. “Wish I Was Cool“* by Chris Trapper – [buy]
2. “40 Long Days” by Yes King – [buy]
3. “You Are” by Sky Cries Mary – [buy]
4. “Dog On A Lead“* by Jonny Diina – [buy]
5. “Evensong” by Halou – [buy]

Shout-out: C.C.of AccidentHash.com, Rayko & Mick
“Random Info.” Topic: “The World” [site]
(*) Music from the PMN & IODA Alliance.

TITOLO: Honeythief
AUTORE: Halou
ALBUM: Wholeness & Separation (2006)
ASCOLTALA!: http://www.musicwebtown.com/jacopax/172599

Certe canzoni sono di gran lunga migliori del gruppo che le ha composte. Fortuna, caso, divina ispirazione: non importa quale sia la spiegazione. La storia della musica è piena di band che sono sparite dopo aver scritto uno o due pezzi straordinari. Nel Regno Unito, patria di una buona percentuale di questi fenomeni “usa e getta”, vengono scherzosamente chiamate “One hit wonder“. Noi, altrettanto scherzosamente, abbiamo definito “capolavori preterintenzionali” tutte quelle canzoni di cui non ci si capacita da quale cilindro siano sbucate, tanto erano mediocri gli autori.

Ascoltando i tre album che gli Halou hanno all’attivo sembra davvero incredibile che si tratti dello stesso gruppo che ha partorito un gioiello del calibro di Honeythief. Non c’è molto da dire su questo trio di San Francisco, nato nel 2001 e assestatosi ben presto nel solco di un trip-hop molto convenzionale e fortemente influenzato, nelle atmosfere e nelle melodie, dal sound dei Portishead. Eppure con Honeythief ogni cosa sembra andare al posto giusto: la voce di Rebecca Coseboom comincia in equilibrio su un tappeto elettronico, per poi crescere di intensità quando irrompono le chitarre fortemente riverberate del fratello Ryan. La canzone ha uno sviluppo semplicissimo, ma gli strumenti trovano un’alchimia davvero magica, purtroppo irripetibile. Dal cilindro degli Halou esce così un capolavoro, sì, ma preterintenzionale. Fino a prova contraria, naturalmente.

LINK: testo della canzone, pagina su MySpace

At last, we’ve found another A-ranked record: an album titled “Between the Hammer and the Anvil”, from The Belle Auren. Rewind Music is a distributor dedicated to bringing quality, cutting-edge trip-hop, downtempo, illibent music to the world and in the process introduce the masses to the incredibly eclectic sounds of experimental. Well, if they don’t succeed with Belle, then with nothing. Browsing through the album, we were amazed by the quality of the tracks like Birch, Is This Your Fault?, Montage and the title track, Lysim – but we could mention all the featured songs. Fans of Beauty’s Confusion, Karmacoda, Saltillo, Portishead and alike, check The Belle Auren’s site for information about the release.

• http://www.purevolume.com/thebelleauren

StarCAST #83 – [listen here] [stream]
Show Length: 39:37 – File Size: 36.6 MB

Track Listing:
1. “Stonefruit” by Halou – [ ]
2. “Amy’s Song” by Dallison – [buy]
3. “I Believe“* by Peter Searcy – [ ]
4. “Never Even There” by 32 Leaves – [ ]
5. “Room With A View” by Tina Dico – [ ]

Shout-out: Heather, Danny, Mugglenet & Scholastic.
Includes: “Random Info.” Topic: “Harry Potter“
(*) Music from the PMN & IODA Alliance.

Haunting… melodic… electronic…moving…

We chose Stonefruit from Halou’snew album “Wholeness and Separation” for this week’s single of the week… but we could just as easily have chosen the irresistlbe “Everything is OK” or the portishead reminiscent “Honeythief”… the vocals are magnetic, the music unforgetable…

After 10 years of producing, both for themselves and other artists… the grass roots power of the internet is finally bringing Halou the attention they deserve…Check out Halou’s new album, Wholeness and Separation….

from “Wholeness & Separation”
by Halou
Vertebrae

• Buy at iTunes Music Store