reviews of the new Wilco LP and Tindersticks live will appear here soon, but for now news that brand new Fleet Foxes material is starting to surface.
Robin Pecknold played 'Blue Spotted Tail', a sparse acoustic song, for BBC Radio 6 prior to Fleet Foxes' appearance at Glastonbury last night. Its gentle and pretty and can be heard and indeed downloaded here:
http://downloads.pitchforkmedia.com/Fleet%20Foxes%20-%20Blue%20Spotted%20Tail%20(Live%20On%20BBC6).mp3
Showing posts with label fleet foxes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fleet foxes. Show all posts
Friday, 26 June 2009
Friday, 27 February 2009
Fleet Foxes at The Roundhouse
It took me a while to learn to love the Fleet Foxes but when I did I quickly became completely hooked and 'Fleet Foxes' was undoubtably one of the top three albums of last year. Its success and the recent Radio 1 airplay given to 'Mykonos' meant the band were able to sell out three nights at the Roundhouse and I saw them on Monday night.
I thought the evening was quite a strange mix because the band were superb and the performance would have made for an absolutely incredible gig at a smaller, more intimate venue. As it was, the size of the Roundhouse meant that actually seeing the band was quite a challenge for those of us who are somewhat shorter than 6ft and it meant that there were an awful lot of people there who seemed more interested in chatting to friends or talking on their mobile phone than actually enjoying the music.
That said, the music was superb. Opening with 'Sun Giant' and 'Sun It Rises' set the scene nicely, 'Ragged Wood' sounded great, the solo acoustic covers were very pretty. Best of all for me though was 'Oliver James' which was so spellbinding that even the chatting ceased and 'Your Protector' which built beautifully to a really powerful ending.
This gig made me wish I had the seen the band when they played the smaller Shepherds Bush Empire last year and I certainly don't think Fleet Foxes' music would suit any bigger venues than this but still a great night. 9/10 for the band...5/10 for the venue and the chatterers in their business suits.
I thought the evening was quite a strange mix because the band were superb and the performance would have made for an absolutely incredible gig at a smaller, more intimate venue. As it was, the size of the Roundhouse meant that actually seeing the band was quite a challenge for those of us who are somewhat shorter than 6ft and it meant that there were an awful lot of people there who seemed more interested in chatting to friends or talking on their mobile phone than actually enjoying the music.
That said, the music was superb. Opening with 'Sun Giant' and 'Sun It Rises' set the scene nicely, 'Ragged Wood' sounded great, the solo acoustic covers were very pretty. Best of all for me though was 'Oliver James' which was so spellbinding that even the chatting ceased and 'Your Protector' which built beautifully to a really powerful ending.
This gig made me wish I had the seen the band when they played the smaller Shepherds Bush Empire last year and I certainly don't think Fleet Foxes' music would suit any bigger venues than this but still a great night. 9/10 for the band...5/10 for the venue and the chatterers in their business suits.
Tuesday, 24 February 2009
TracksandGigs goes away for one day and......
PAVEMENT GET BACK TOGETHER!!!!
well almost.
Turns out that all of Pavement except Spiral Stairs played one song (not a Pavement song) at a wedding reception over the weekend. Surely this is going to happen soon, its like they're just teasing us now.
T&G saw Fleet Foxes at Camden Roundhouse last night. Full thoughts on the gig tomorrow but The Roundhouse is a terrible venue. Too big, too many posts and although this isn't the venue's fault, last night it was full of people who were just too damn busy doing other things to listen to the Fleet Foxes. Chatting, texting, phoning people etc were all vitally important to some people who bothered to get tickets to last night's gig. I guess this is what happens when a band gets a lot of press attention. Full review tomorrow.
well almost.
Turns out that all of Pavement except Spiral Stairs played one song (not a Pavement song) at a wedding reception over the weekend. Surely this is going to happen soon, its like they're just teasing us now.
T&G saw Fleet Foxes at Camden Roundhouse last night. Full thoughts on the gig tomorrow but The Roundhouse is a terrible venue. Too big, too many posts and although this isn't the venue's fault, last night it was full of people who were just too damn busy doing other things to listen to the Fleet Foxes. Chatting, texting, phoning people etc were all vitally important to some people who bothered to get tickets to last night's gig. I guess this is what happens when a band gets a lot of press attention. Full review tomorrow.
Saturday, 7 February 2009
J. Tillman 'Vacilando Territory Blues'
Its taken me ages to review this because the record took some time to unravel and the more it did, the more I wanted to discover before writing about it.
J Tillman has been a singer/songwriter long before he was Fleet Foxes drummer and harmony singer. I remember him touring with Denison Witmer a few years ago and I admit I did have him down as just another acoustic guitar playing singer songwriter. However, whereas Witmer's last album fell back on easy melodies and cliched lyrics, Tillman's fifth has better songs and takes a few risks.
The first half of this album does concentrate on hushed acoustic ballads, sung and played by Tillman mainly on his own. The best of these, the mournful 'No Occasion' and the funny/sad 'James Blues' are superb examples of the type of lo-fi acoustic recordings that the likes of Bonnie Prince Billy and Jason Molina produce. In particular Tillman sounds like 'Didn't It Rain'-era Molina...sparse instrumentation and a warm, strong voice. Late night, lonely, tender ballads of the highest quality.
Just when you think you've got the record figured out though, Tillman changes things round on side B with some full band recordings that offer a different feel. 'Steel On Steel', is a tragic story but with a catchy melody and hookline, 'New Imperial Grand Blues' is a stomping rocker with booming drums and best of all, 'Master's House' is confident, laid-back blues which Tillman plays and sings beautifully. It is gloriously unhurried and sparse.
Tillman has showed that he is capable of turning his hand to a number of styles and this is a superb album. The core of the album, certainly, are the hushed, acoustic ballads but he sounds like he could well make a similar move to Jason Molina and make a more expansive album like 'Magnolia Electric Co' next. How he will find time to do all this whilst continuing his day job of being in one of the best new band's in the world is anyone's guess!
7.6
['Vacilando Territory Blues' is out now on CD/LP on Bella Union]
J Tillman has been a singer/songwriter long before he was Fleet Foxes drummer and harmony singer. I remember him touring with Denison Witmer a few years ago and I admit I did have him down as just another acoustic guitar playing singer songwriter. However, whereas Witmer's last album fell back on easy melodies and cliched lyrics, Tillman's fifth has better songs and takes a few risks.
The first half of this album does concentrate on hushed acoustic ballads, sung and played by Tillman mainly on his own. The best of these, the mournful 'No Occasion' and the funny/sad 'James Blues' are superb examples of the type of lo-fi acoustic recordings that the likes of Bonnie Prince Billy and Jason Molina produce. In particular Tillman sounds like 'Didn't It Rain'-era Molina...sparse instrumentation and a warm, strong voice. Late night, lonely, tender ballads of the highest quality.
Just when you think you've got the record figured out though, Tillman changes things round on side B with some full band recordings that offer a different feel. 'Steel On Steel', is a tragic story but with a catchy melody and hookline, 'New Imperial Grand Blues' is a stomping rocker with booming drums and best of all, 'Master's House' is confident, laid-back blues which Tillman plays and sings beautifully. It is gloriously unhurried and sparse.
Tillman has showed that he is capable of turning his hand to a number of styles and this is a superb album. The core of the album, certainly, are the hushed, acoustic ballads but he sounds like he could well make a similar move to Jason Molina and make a more expansive album like 'Magnolia Electric Co' next. How he will find time to do all this whilst continuing his day job of being in one of the best new band's in the world is anyone's guess!
7.6
['Vacilando Territory Blues' is out now on CD/LP on Bella Union]
Sunday, 1 February 2009
Single of the week...
No surprises here, single of the week is..
Fleet Foxes 'Mykonos'
Possibly their most commercial sounding song and absolutely essential for the "brother you don't need to turn me away.." part alone. Plenty of hooks and a great showcase for Robin Pecknold's amazing voice.
Was playing the lovely 7" version yesterday. The b side is a cover of a Steeleye Span song 'False Knight On The Road'. I admit to never having heard much of the veteran UK folksters but my girlfriend's mum and dad are huge fans and apparently this stripped down, mellow version of the song is way different to the original. Undeniably very nice though.
If you opt for the soul-free, disposable download version of the single, you get a live version of 'Tiger Mountain Peasant Song' which is so gentle and spine-tingling that T&G officially now CANNOT WAIT for the Fleet Foxes Roundhouse dates later this month. Best band in the world at the moment? Could well be.
Absolutely loads of stuff coming up in the next 2-3 weeks....new Morrissey LP, new M Ward LP, J Tillman LP (that I already have but still need to listen to) and an Emmy The Great album (at last)...plus those aforementioned Fleet Foxes gigs. Phew.
Fleet Foxes 'Mykonos'
Possibly their most commercial sounding song and absolutely essential for the "brother you don't need to turn me away.." part alone. Plenty of hooks and a great showcase for Robin Pecknold's amazing voice.
Was playing the lovely 7" version yesterday. The b side is a cover of a Steeleye Span song 'False Knight On The Road'. I admit to never having heard much of the veteran UK folksters but my girlfriend's mum and dad are huge fans and apparently this stripped down, mellow version of the song is way different to the original. Undeniably very nice though.
If you opt for the soul-free, disposable download version of the single, you get a live version of 'Tiger Mountain Peasant Song' which is so gentle and spine-tingling that T&G officially now CANNOT WAIT for the Fleet Foxes Roundhouse dates later this month. Best band in the world at the moment? Could well be.
Absolutely loads of stuff coming up in the next 2-3 weeks....new Morrissey LP, new M Ward LP, J Tillman LP (that I already have but still need to listen to) and an Emmy The Great album (at last)...plus those aforementioned Fleet Foxes gigs. Phew.
Monday, 26 January 2009
Fleet Foxes 'Fleet Foxes' 2cd edition
I have to report that I am currently half deaf. This is hopefully a temporary thing, very temporary. It means though that I have not been listening to much music over the last couple of days and I have the Bruce Springsteen and J Tillman LPs to review. Best idea then, is to review something that I have been listening to pretty constantly for the last few months and is now being re-issued.
Fleet Foxes are re-releasing their fantastic debut album with a bonus disc, which is the already released 'Sun Giant' EP with one extra track! This could be considered to be an un-necessary re-release but at times like this we don't be-grudge Bella Union trying to cash in a bit, plus it gives T&G a chance to correct our original review of 'Fleet Foxes' which was along the lines of "its very good but not as good as people are saying". The truth is this is a brilliant record and the ultimate 'grower'.
So why is this album so good?
Melodies that you pick up on without noticing and then find dancing around your head for days on end. A singer with a wonderful voice. Songs that you'll just love singing along to. The highlights here are songs that you'll want to listen to for years to come.... 'White Winter Hymnal' is a weird, vivid fairytale and the most immediate song on the record, 'Oliver James' is the beautiful, part acapella, ballad with the harmonies to die for, 'He Doesn't Know Why' is maybe best of all, the story of a friend who went down the wrong path with some amazingly poweful singing. The EP has 'Mykonos', with about three distinct and equally catchy sections and the touching, sparse 'Innocent Son'.
All the comparisons have already been made. You'll hear echoes of the Beach Boys, Crosby Stills and Nash and The Eagles here but this is a record that will stand for years to come on its own name, pure quality. This is the sort of record that you'll find yourself buying copies of to give to other people. I said in my original review that there is nothing really new here and that is true. These are just superbly crafted songs that will dance around your head and make you want to sing along. No more or less than that.
9.2
['Fleet Foxes' the 2cd edition is out on Monday on Bella Union. Or you can buy the vinyl copy with 'Sun Giant' on side 4, out now. Fleet Foxes play 3 nights at the Roundhouse in Feb. T&G will be in attendance.]
Fleet Foxes are re-releasing their fantastic debut album with a bonus disc, which is the already released 'Sun Giant' EP with one extra track! This could be considered to be an un-necessary re-release but at times like this we don't be-grudge Bella Union trying to cash in a bit, plus it gives T&G a chance to correct our original review of 'Fleet Foxes' which was along the lines of "its very good but not as good as people are saying". The truth is this is a brilliant record and the ultimate 'grower'.
So why is this album so good?
Melodies that you pick up on without noticing and then find dancing around your head for days on end. A singer with a wonderful voice. Songs that you'll just love singing along to. The highlights here are songs that you'll want to listen to for years to come.... 'White Winter Hymnal' is a weird, vivid fairytale and the most immediate song on the record, 'Oliver James' is the beautiful, part acapella, ballad with the harmonies to die for, 'He Doesn't Know Why' is maybe best of all, the story of a friend who went down the wrong path with some amazingly poweful singing. The EP has 'Mykonos', with about three distinct and equally catchy sections and the touching, sparse 'Innocent Son'.
All the comparisons have already been made. You'll hear echoes of the Beach Boys, Crosby Stills and Nash and The Eagles here but this is a record that will stand for years to come on its own name, pure quality. This is the sort of record that you'll find yourself buying copies of to give to other people. I said in my original review that there is nothing really new here and that is true. These are just superbly crafted songs that will dance around your head and make you want to sing along. No more or less than that.
9.2
['Fleet Foxes' the 2cd edition is out on Monday on Bella Union. Or you can buy the vinyl copy with 'Sun Giant' on side 4, out now. Fleet Foxes play 3 nights at the Roundhouse in Feb. T&G will be in attendance.]
Sunday, 11 January 2009
what's playing on the T&G stereo this week...
With virtually nothing new released yet this year, T&G have been listening to some (recent) old favourites this year:
- Everything Fleet Foxes! Still stunned by the brilliance of this band. The LP has had several plays along with the under-rated 'Sun Giant' EP and their superb Daytrotter session.
- Innocence Mission 'Street Map'. Their beautiful new EP has had several plays, especially 'A Thousand Miles', which sees them at their most upbeat and life-affirming.
- Various Broken Records 7" singles.
- Pavement's absolutely superb 'Live Europaturnen 1997' live LP, given away free with pre-orders of the 'Brighten The Corners' reissue and essential listening, not least for the extra verse about Kula Shaker in 'Range Life'.
- Animal Collective 'Merriweather Post Pavillion' - only arrived yesterday, so more on this soon.
Come on record company people...let's have some new releases...
- Everything Fleet Foxes! Still stunned by the brilliance of this band. The LP has had several plays along with the under-rated 'Sun Giant' EP and their superb Daytrotter session.
- Innocence Mission 'Street Map'. Their beautiful new EP has had several plays, especially 'A Thousand Miles', which sees them at their most upbeat and life-affirming.
- Various Broken Records 7" singles.
- Pavement's absolutely superb 'Live Europaturnen 1997' live LP, given away free with pre-orders of the 'Brighten The Corners' reissue and essential listening, not least for the extra verse about Kula Shaker in 'Range Life'.
- Animal Collective 'Merriweather Post Pavillion' - only arrived yesterday, so more on this soon.
Come on record company people...let's have some new releases...
Thursday, 1 January 2009
Happy New Year
A Happy New Year to all TracksandGigs' readers, whether accidental or deliberate.
Here's hoping 2009 will be as good a year as 2008. Things T&G are looking forward to in the early months of the year:
- New M Ward LP (due Feb) and UK date.
- New Morrissey LP and UK tour
- New Bill Callahan LP (the wonderfully titled 'Sometimes I Wish We Were An Eagle')
- Fleet Foxes UK dates
..and of course all the great surprises we don't know about yet. Amazing to think that this time last year we knew nothing of Bon Iver and Fleet Foxes!
A quick word for what I believe to be the most under-rated album of 2008, even by TracksandGigs...
Stephen Malkmus and The Jicks' 'Real Emotional Trash' has rarely left the T&G stereo in recent weeks. It is a really superb album and a joy to listen to all the great guitar breaks and jams. I gave it an 8 in my review but it definitely deserves a 9. Which leads me to the T&G new year's resolution....which is to wait a little longer before reviewing albums...to live with them for a while more before jumping in with an opinion. Sometimes it is hard to wait when you think you have an album figured out, but T&G will try to this year!
Happy New Year everyone.
Here's hoping 2009 will be as good a year as 2008. Things T&G are looking forward to in the early months of the year:
- New M Ward LP (due Feb) and UK date.
- New Morrissey LP and UK tour
- New Bill Callahan LP (the wonderfully titled 'Sometimes I Wish We Were An Eagle')
- Fleet Foxes UK dates
..and of course all the great surprises we don't know about yet. Amazing to think that this time last year we knew nothing of Bon Iver and Fleet Foxes!
A quick word for what I believe to be the most under-rated album of 2008, even by TracksandGigs...
Stephen Malkmus and The Jicks' 'Real Emotional Trash' has rarely left the T&G stereo in recent weeks. It is a really superb album and a joy to listen to all the great guitar breaks and jams. I gave it an 8 in my review but it definitely deserves a 9. Which leads me to the T&G new year's resolution....which is to wait a little longer before reviewing albums...to live with them for a while more before jumping in with an opinion. Sometimes it is hard to wait when you think you have an album figured out, but T&G will try to this year!
Happy New Year everyone.
Tuesday, 16 December 2008
Top 10 Albums of the Year
here at last are the T&G top 10 records of the year....and after all the stuff written on here about American bands, the top 3 albums this year are from English, Scottish and Irish artists...
1- Tindersticks ‘The Hungry Saw’
What can I say about this album that I haven’t said already? A creative, vibrant record that is more than a match for any of their wonderful previous albums. In ‘Mother Dear’ it has the most atmospheric, tension filled ballad they have ever written and in ‘Boobar’, the most magical, Spector-ish pop song. Just fantastic. And album of the year.
2- The Twilight Sad ‘Here It Never Snowed, Afterwards It Did’
How do you top making one of the albums of 2007? If you’re the Twilight Sad, you make a mini-album featuring complete re-workings of several songs from that album. ‘Here It Never Snowed…’ took away much of the noise and the pace from the songs, stripping them down and highlighting James Graham’s amazing vocals. Both sounds work equally well and the band are now combining the two sounds at live shows. The album also featured a new song, plus a cover of Daniel Johnston’s ‘Some Things Last A Long Time’. The best new British band to emerge for a decade.
3- The Sleeping Years ‘We’re Becoming Islands, One By One’
Ex-Catchers singer/songwriter Dale Grundle returned in 2008 with this quietly triumphant set of songs about home, memories and heritage. It didn’t get a tenth of the attention it deserved but these are wonderful songs, held together by Grundle’s soothing voice. ‘Macosquin, Coleraine' is one of the songs of the year, a simple arrangement with acousic guitar and handclaps, I can’t stop playing it!
4- Fleet Foxes ‘Fleet Foxes’
A grower. Initially pleasant but unremarkable (the instantly catchy ‘White Winter Hymnal’ apart), the melodies creep up on you and you finding yourself singing them and then wondering what they are. Gorgeous harmonies mixed with old fashioned guitar sounds and of course Robin Pecknold is an amazing singer. How do they top this though?
5- Beck ‘Modern Guilt’
A 33 minute collection of short, sharp bursts of energy. This is a really exciting record that sounds great from start to finish. Highlight is ‘Chemtrails’ which is perhaps the single of the year and sounds amazing played loudly through headphones!
6- Stephen Malkmus and The Jicks ‘Real Emotional Trash’
Most pleasing post-Pavement album from Malkmus. Stunning guitar jams, especially on the title track, which is a complete tour-de-force.
7- The Mountain Goats ‘Heretic Pride’
Really consistent album from John Darnielle and more up-beat than previous offerings. ‘Lovecraft in Brooklyn’ and ‘Sax Rohmer’ are two of the best TMG rockers to date. As ever, lyrically supreme.
8- Jenny Lewis ‘Acid Tongue’
Beautifully produced with plenty of space for each instrument, this is a great old-fashioned sounding record with some gorgeous ballads. Highlight though is the thrilling duet with Elvis Costello.
9- The Dodos ‘Visitor’
Innovative sounds, great use of rhythm and simply some great sing-along songs.
10- American Music Club ‘The Golden Age’
New line-up, a lighter touch and a couple of bona-fide AMC classics (‘Sleeping Beauty’, ‘The Dance). A couple of filler tracks too though but this is still more gold from Eitzel.
1- Tindersticks ‘The Hungry Saw’
What can I say about this album that I haven’t said already? A creative, vibrant record that is more than a match for any of their wonderful previous albums. In ‘Mother Dear’ it has the most atmospheric, tension filled ballad they have ever written and in ‘Boobar’, the most magical, Spector-ish pop song. Just fantastic. And album of the year.
2- The Twilight Sad ‘Here It Never Snowed, Afterwards It Did’
How do you top making one of the albums of 2007? If you’re the Twilight Sad, you make a mini-album featuring complete re-workings of several songs from that album. ‘Here It Never Snowed…’ took away much of the noise and the pace from the songs, stripping them down and highlighting James Graham’s amazing vocals. Both sounds work equally well and the band are now combining the two sounds at live shows. The album also featured a new song, plus a cover of Daniel Johnston’s ‘Some Things Last A Long Time’. The best new British band to emerge for a decade.
3- The Sleeping Years ‘We’re Becoming Islands, One By One’
Ex-Catchers singer/songwriter Dale Grundle returned in 2008 with this quietly triumphant set of songs about home, memories and heritage. It didn’t get a tenth of the attention it deserved but these are wonderful songs, held together by Grundle’s soothing voice. ‘Macosquin, Coleraine' is one of the songs of the year, a simple arrangement with acousic guitar and handclaps, I can’t stop playing it!
4- Fleet Foxes ‘Fleet Foxes’
A grower. Initially pleasant but unremarkable (the instantly catchy ‘White Winter Hymnal’ apart), the melodies creep up on you and you finding yourself singing them and then wondering what they are. Gorgeous harmonies mixed with old fashioned guitar sounds and of course Robin Pecknold is an amazing singer. How do they top this though?
5- Beck ‘Modern Guilt’
A 33 minute collection of short, sharp bursts of energy. This is a really exciting record that sounds great from start to finish. Highlight is ‘Chemtrails’ which is perhaps the single of the year and sounds amazing played loudly through headphones!
6- Stephen Malkmus and The Jicks ‘Real Emotional Trash’
Most pleasing post-Pavement album from Malkmus. Stunning guitar jams, especially on the title track, which is a complete tour-de-force.
7- The Mountain Goats ‘Heretic Pride’
Really consistent album from John Darnielle and more up-beat than previous offerings. ‘Lovecraft in Brooklyn’ and ‘Sax Rohmer’ are two of the best TMG rockers to date. As ever, lyrically supreme.
8- Jenny Lewis ‘Acid Tongue’
Beautifully produced with plenty of space for each instrument, this is a great old-fashioned sounding record with some gorgeous ballads. Highlight though is the thrilling duet with Elvis Costello.
9- The Dodos ‘Visitor’
Innovative sounds, great use of rhythm and simply some great sing-along songs.
10- American Music Club ‘The Golden Age’
New line-up, a lighter touch and a couple of bona-fide AMC classics (‘Sleeping Beauty’, ‘The Dance). A couple of filler tracks too though but this is still more gold from Eitzel.
Monday, 10 November 2008
Fleet Foxes on 'Later...'
My favourite song at the moment is 'He Doesn't Know Why' by Fleet Foxes.
Their debut album has grown on me an extraordinary amount. I'm slightly embarrassed by my initial review of it now. I liked it, but I didn't think it was special, not as good as the Bon Iver album for example. Silly me, although I guess, this is what album of the year lists are for. The best albums generally aren't immediate and many times in the last few months I've had a song stuck in my head and wondered what it was, then realising it was a Fleet Foxes song.
If you haven't seen their performance on Friday's 'Later With Jools Holland', go to BBC Iplayer and watch it now. In particular the performance of 'He Doesn't Know Why' is incredible. I'd heard that they were a lot better live than on record and it seems to be true. Watching Robin Pecknold hit every note and singing with such control and power is wonderful, one of the musical moments this year that has made the hairs stand up on the back of my neck.
I've got tickets to see them at the Roundhouse in February. Counting the days already.
Their debut album has grown on me an extraordinary amount. I'm slightly embarrassed by my initial review of it now. I liked it, but I didn't think it was special, not as good as the Bon Iver album for example. Silly me, although I guess, this is what album of the year lists are for. The best albums generally aren't immediate and many times in the last few months I've had a song stuck in my head and wondered what it was, then realising it was a Fleet Foxes song.
If you haven't seen their performance on Friday's 'Later With Jools Holland', go to BBC Iplayer and watch it now. In particular the performance of 'He Doesn't Know Why' is incredible. I'd heard that they were a lot better live than on record and it seems to be true. Watching Robin Pecknold hit every note and singing with such control and power is wonderful, one of the musical moments this year that has made the hairs stand up on the back of my neck.
I've got tickets to see them at the Roundhouse in February. Counting the days already.
Friday, 7 November 2008
The T&G 11
TracksandGigs is preparing its 'Album of The Year' list. In advance of this, it has nominated eleven albums to form the 'album of the year' shortlist. Each of these records has given T&G an enormous amount of pleasure this year. The list, in alphabetical order, is...
American Music Club 'The Golden Age'
A few weak tracks here but many strong ones and it features one of Eitzel's most beautiful songs, the incredibly visual and moving 'Sleeping Beauty'
Beck 'Modern Guilt'
Short and sweet, his most cohesive record to date. An exciting, tremendously alive set of songs.
Fleet Foxes 'Fleet Foxes'
Deserving of all the hype. A delicious mix of country, soul, pop and folk. Gorgeous harmonies and a great Summer record.
Jenny Lewis 'Acid Tongue'
Unfairly slated by some, this is a luxurious, rewarding album to listen to. It is also a lovely recording with plenty of space allowed and each instrument given room to breathe.
Micah P Hinson 'Red Empire..'
A warm and inviting country-noir album that is all the better for Hinson finally sounding happy and content.
Stephen Malkmus and The Jicks 'Real Emotional Trash'
Just about his best since Pavement. A guitar masterclass and some great songs too.
The Dodos 'Visitor'
Sweet ballads, innovative percussion and great songs. This came from nowhere but will stand the test of time.
The Mountain Goats 'Heretic Pride'
An album of horror, monsters, death and fun from John Darnielle. Some of his best 'loud' songs for years. A really consistent album too.
The Sleeping Years 'We're Becoming Islands, One By One'
Tindersticks 'The Hungry Saw'
Unconcerned with the past, this is a fresh, vibrant piece of music that has formed the centre-piece of the band's shows this year. It has left the band rejuvinated and open to all possibilities for the future. A near-perfect 45 minutes.
Full list soon.
American Music Club 'The Golden Age'
A few weak tracks here but many strong ones and it features one of Eitzel's most beautiful songs, the incredibly visual and moving 'Sleeping Beauty'
Beck 'Modern Guilt'
Short and sweet, his most cohesive record to date. An exciting, tremendously alive set of songs.
Fleet Foxes 'Fleet Foxes'
Deserving of all the hype. A delicious mix of country, soul, pop and folk. Gorgeous harmonies and a great Summer record.
Jenny Lewis 'Acid Tongue'
Unfairly slated by some, this is a luxurious, rewarding album to listen to. It is also a lovely recording with plenty of space allowed and each instrument given room to breathe.
Micah P Hinson 'Red Empire..'
A warm and inviting country-noir album that is all the better for Hinson finally sounding happy and content.
Stephen Malkmus and The Jicks 'Real Emotional Trash'
Just about his best since Pavement. A guitar masterclass and some great songs too.
The Dodos 'Visitor'
Sweet ballads, innovative percussion and great songs. This came from nowhere but will stand the test of time.
The Mountain Goats 'Heretic Pride'
An album of horror, monsters, death and fun from John Darnielle. Some of his best 'loud' songs for years. A really consistent album too.
The Sleeping Years 'We're Becoming Islands, One By One'
Quietly beautiful folk/pop songs from ex-Catchers frontman Dale Grundle.
The Twilight Sad 'Here It Never Snowed...'
Atmospheric mini-album with the band playing in a completely different style from their debut LP. Including a stunning Daniel Johnston cover.
Tindersticks 'The Hungry Saw'
Unconcerned with the past, this is a fresh, vibrant piece of music that has formed the centre-piece of the band's shows this year. It has left the band rejuvinated and open to all possibilities for the future. A near-perfect 45 minutes.
Full list soon.
Monday, 21 July 2008
single of the week
All is fairly quiet in terms of new music at the moment. New releases tend to dry up around this time before it all goes absolutely demented in late September/early October.
But, this week's 'Single of the Week' and a single that you absolutely have to buy if you have somehow avoided this band is Fleet Foxes' 'White Winter Hymnal'. The best track on their debut album, this is a harmony filled, strange, twisted nursery rhyme that will be floating around your head for weeks after hearing. Its an incredibly vivid lyric and you will doubtless have your own little video for the song playing in your head while you listen. Or maybe that is just TracksandGigs. Anyway, buy it. The 'b side' is a non album track 'Isles' which is a lovely, hushed folk song. Absolutely, no excuse for not buying this single, out now on 7" on Bella Union or on iTunes if you must.
Lastly, just to say that I am incredibly jealous of anyone who saw Tindersticks at Latitude. They played 'Walking'....
But, this week's 'Single of the Week' and a single that you absolutely have to buy if you have somehow avoided this band is Fleet Foxes' 'White Winter Hymnal'. The best track on their debut album, this is a harmony filled, strange, twisted nursery rhyme that will be floating around your head for weeks after hearing. Its an incredibly vivid lyric and you will doubtless have your own little video for the song playing in your head while you listen. Or maybe that is just TracksandGigs. Anyway, buy it. The 'b side' is a non album track 'Isles' which is a lovely, hushed folk song. Absolutely, no excuse for not buying this single, out now on 7" on Bella Union or on iTunes if you must.
Lastly, just to say that I am incredibly jealous of anyone who saw Tindersticks at Latitude. They played 'Walking'....
Thursday, 26 June 2008
Fleet Foxes 'Fleet Foxes'
Hype. Hypety, hypety, hype, hype. Hype.
Its a funny old World readers . Mark Eitzel has spent most of the last twenty years writing some of the most brutal and beautiful songs ever written and nobody bats an eyelid. No 9.0s on Pitchfork, no big features in G2 etc etc. Now though, you can't open a magazine or 'paper without reading yet more about how groundbreaking and wonderful the Bon Iver and Fleet Foxes albums are. The Bon Iver album is great, no doubt about that. Excellent songs and a great story. Bon Iver was April and May, but that album is yesterday's news and now the Fleet Foxes LP is the greatest thing ever, with one review claiming it was unlike anything we have heard before. Really?
No. 'Fleet Foxes' is an enjoyable mix of folk, gospel and classic rock and sounds a lot like the first couple of My Morning Jacket records. They do a nice line in acappella harmonies, particularly on opener 'Sun It Rises'. The highlight is 'White Winter Hymnal', a ridiculously catchy summer pop number that you will be humming all day, whilst trying to figure out the scary and visual lyrics. There is no getting away from the My Morning Jacket comparison, singer Robin Picknold sounds an awful lot like Jim James and a lot of the music has the same Southern rock sound. They do great, heartfelt ballads too, 'Ragged Wood' works through several different phases always staying interesting.
This is an enjoyable record. Fans of all sorts of genres will appreciate it, there are Country elements here too and perhaps the reason for all the hype is that it is so far-reaching. Dreamy, soulful and perfect for a Summer's day then, but not unique.
8.0
'Fleet Foxes' is out now on Bella Union. As if you didn't already know.
Its a funny old World
No. 'Fleet Foxes' is an enjoyable mix of folk, gospel and classic rock and sounds a lot like the first couple of My Morning Jacket records. They do a nice line in acappella harmonies, particularly on opener 'Sun It Rises'. The highlight is 'White Winter Hymnal', a ridiculously catchy summer pop number that you will be humming all day, whilst trying to figure out the scary and visual lyrics. There is no getting away from the My Morning Jacket comparison, singer Robin Picknold sounds an awful lot like Jim James and a lot of the music has the same Southern rock sound. They do great, heartfelt ballads too, 'Ragged Wood' works through several different phases always staying interesting.
This is an enjoyable record. Fans of all sorts of genres will appreciate it, there are Country elements here too and perhaps the reason for all the hype is that it is so far-reaching. Dreamy, soulful and perfect for a Summer's day then, but not unique.
8.0
'Fleet Foxes' is out now on Bella Union. As if you didn't already know.
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