Stop Awful Covers 5

This next chapter of the music artwork "gallery of horrors" comes much earlier than I would desire. I'm getting really really worried by the huge amount of crappy, terrible sleeve covers you can find out there. Please stop...

ARTWORK ATROCITIES

Donnie & Joe Emerson: Dreamin' Wild
We start with this 1979's reissue. You can laugh. Out loud. Is going to be much worse below

Dz Deathrays: Bloodstreams

Death rays, x-rays, skulls, sure you get it: not very remarkable, don't you think?

Sébastien Tellier: My God is Blue
Emm... dear Sébastien, be careful with the hallucinogenic substances... Just my advice

 Kelly Hogan: I Like to Keep Myself in Pain
A bit disgusting, quite annoying, seriously lame

Bloc Party: Four
Usual dose of zero effort in the artwork. Now in circles!


TALWST: Alien Tentacle Sex EP
Graphism that fits well with the also "poor" (polite euphemism) title

Rye Rye: Go! Pop! Bang!
Horrendous! Tacky! Ridiculous!

Animal Collective: Centipede Hz
If the award exists, it will probably get my vote for worst artwork of the year...


Paul McCartney / Linda McCartney: Ram

Another reissue. That's why home-made sometimes is a pejorative term. Poor animal

"Moonrise Kingdom", teenage dreams

Moonrise Kingdom

Wes Anderson is back! Sorry if I don't hide my enthusiasm, but cinema is not giving me many chances to enjoy/get moved lately, and after the quite unremarkable "Fantastic Mr.Fox" (another director trying to jump into the animation bandwagon), watching "Moonrise Kingdom" it's a formidable way to ingratiate oneself with movies again. Besides, you cant count me as an Anderson's fan.

Having said that, "Moonrise Kingdom" is another "turn of the screw" on the usual themes of Anderson's films: family, parenthood, the difficulties of communication, the things left unsaid, nostalgia, all packed, surrounded, by his particular visual style, music and very peculiar sense of humour (offbeat, quirky, deadpan, and I admit, not for everyone).

Yet in this occasion, Anderson decides to tell his recurrent story under a new perspective: and adventure film where kids lead the path. On one side, that choice is refreshing as it allows the director to almost create a parallel world on the remote North Eastern coastal community, where his style and visual talent shines. In terms of style, it might be his most remarkable work (well, my heart is still with the surreal universe of "The Life Aquatic"). Haunting.

But on the other side, and maybe not so positive, is that with Anderson putting the weight of the film on a couple of young teenagers, Sam and Suzy, that run away together, there's not a lot of space for the adults, and the story development, at least superficially, is just that adventuresque, hide & seek tale.

It wouldn't be fair to say the film is not compelling or emotional, though. Anderson is proposing (again) a tale where the responsible adults, from the Scout Master Ward that has to take care of Sam, to Suzy's parents, or the authorities, are incapable of behaving like they are supposed to. Worse than that: in their crazy search of the couple, they reveal themselves as a disillusioned, appalled by life's disappointments cast. Anderson isn't shy to confront their frustrations against the hope and vitality of the kids. In "Moonrise Kingdom" youth against age, illusion against cynicism, love against misery, are the opposing worlds. 

So, yes, there are wounds and desolation among the adults, but the overall tone of the film is lightweight. Which is something a bit sad considering the impressive cast: Edward Norton (his role had an incredible potential that is missed), Bill Murray, the great Frances McDormand, Bruce Willis (maybe the only one that is able to develop, good work by Willis), and in very small roles, Jason Schwartzman, Tilda Swinton and Harvey Keitel. Anderson could have taken more profit from their characters. Maybe is just that I find the adults' conflicts way more intereting, which are constrained/limited under this strcuture. 

But it wouldn't make much sense to keep complaining, because the focus on the kids has been a conscious decision by Anderson. And in doing so he has provided us, again, with a bunch of unforgettable moments. One in particular, the dance of the kids on that intimate beach, where they feel the first beats of romantic love, is wonderful. Praise Kara Hayward (Suzy, what a magnetic look she has, what a presence) and Jared Gilman for carrying the film in their shoulders with brilliance. "Moonrise Kingdom" opts for optimism (not exactly a comedy, though) and hope. If it's done with such grace and talent, it's nice to go for the smile then. A film to enjoy cinema.

SCORE: 7/10

The Indie Anthology 14: essential songs

New chapter of the Anthology, digging a bit into my recent past this time, with another criminally underrated band, and a very very special place on Earth!

Song: Talent
Artist: The Brilliant Trees
Year: 1996

It was just a matter of time and the right person to go with, but I finally did visit Ireland, on 2006. The particular story of the country, my (then) U2 fanatical behaviour, the literature... I would say that everything regarding the Emerald Island had a mythical halo for me. As expected, I enjoyed a lot that trip, bringing back with me many memories, and of course, a lot of music. U2 aside, I got my hands on a couple of records from The Brilliant Trees, one of these superb bands that music history didn't do any justice. I remember shouting on the tiny (but cool) record store in Dublin when I found "Friday Night", their debut album, where the song "Talent" was included. What a tune, perfect jangle pop with an inner fire and a disarming honesty in the voice of Alan Hoey and the Barrett's guitars. Their brief discography was full of enduring melodic gems ("Let It All Go" is another masterpiece), but "Talent" is unforgettable, being the song that comes to mind when I remember that trip. And Ireland? I know for sure I'll be back soon.

Discoverer 35: new indie findings

It's been a long long while since the last chapter of our "Discoverer" series, but here we are, with three new fantastic proposals. Hope you enjoy!

Shrag. Checking the indispensable Fortuna Pop! website I found "Tendons in the Night", blistering song included on a split 7" with Tunabunny. I quickly searched for more. Since 2003, two albums (currently under the spell of "Life! Death! Prizes!") and nine singles, a stunning combination of indiepop and post-punk, that immediately recalls to Comet Gain. And the best is yet to come, as the London/Brighton band is releasing their third album, "Canines", in a couple of weeks. Judge by yourself (single "Show Your Canines", video below, is ridiculously addictive) but I'm already counting down the days for the release!
Shrag - Chasing Consummations by Shrag
  Rabbit Kids by Shrag

The Belljars. Not much info on this quintet from Umeå, Sweden, that describe themselves as a band inspired by the "two great decades of pop, the '60's and the '90's", that after "being around for a few years, finally managed to get a decent recording". But this four songs, "The Belljars EP", available for free at their bandcamp, are not just "decent". This are gold indiepop tunes, in particular "You Will Know", with the gorgeous female-male vocals and the violins, and "Found You", summoning the spirit of early (and missed) The Cardigans or Acid House Kings. Sweden again, fellows. Yes!

Evans the Death. This was recommended by our friend Jeremy Jensen (The Very Most), so it was granted we were going to discover a great band. There's no letdown here, not even time for it!. "Bo Diddley", "Catch Your Cold", "Telling Lies", "Threads", "I'm So Unclean" (superb)... a collection of upbeat hits, guitar-driven indiepop-punk, in which singer Katherine Whitaker stands out, propelling the tunes with her vocals, shining also in the exquisite mellower numbers. The more I listen their s/t debut album (out through Slumberland and Fortuna Pop!, another plus) the more I'm haunted. You were right dear Jeremy, the only bad thing about Evans the Death is their name.

Best songs of the year 2012... so far

Like we did last year, it's June, time for taking a look to what has 2012 offered so far in terms of music. Here's a playlist with the best 30 songs (in my opinion, of course) of the year to date. Like its 2011 predecessor, several songs have been dropped because the selection followed two criteria: songs released during 2012, and just 1 song per group/artist, so I could include different proposals. They are not in order of preference, just trying to combine them in a good playlist. Hope you enjoy!

1. Myth- Beach House 
2. The Rifle’s Spiral- The Shins 
3. The National Health- Maximo Park
4. Álferez Provisional- Los Punsetes 
5. Off the Wall- Lee Ranaldo 
6. Serpents- Sharon Van Etten 
7. Follow On Your Own- Young Romance 
8. Gone Tomorrow- Lambchop 
9. Brains- Lower Dens 
10. Don't Believe Ayn Rand- Novella  
11. Hollywood Forever Cemetery Sings- Father John Misty 
12. The Right Profession- Hospitality 
13. Just for Fun- Alpaca Sports 
14. La Nueva Reconquista de Graná- Grupo de Expertos Solynieve
15. Astronomy- Nat Johnson and The Figureheads 
16. Sing Up for the Boys in Green- The Very Most  
17. I'm So Unclean- Evans the Death 
18. Siberia- La Habitación Roja
19. Capricornia- Allo Darlin’ 
20. Stop, Look and Listen- Strawberry Wiplash  
21. I've Always Known- Rose Elinor Dougall 
22. No Sleep- Fountains
23. Afraid of Summer- Lost Lander 
24. I Don't Care- Summer Twins
25. Ruin- Cat Power 
26. Deconstruction- Fanfarlo 
27. Our Old Centre Back- Cats On Fire 
28. Sweetness in Her Spark- Lightships 
29. So Long You Pretty Thing- Spiritualized 
30. We Can’t Be Beat- The Walkmen 

EardrumsPop & Young Romance= glorious indie-pop

ePop022- Young Romance

Any indie-pop lover knows that each time EardrumsPop announces a new release, it's time to go to their website and let your ears celebrate their (nearly immaculate) taste. But in this occasion, there was even more anticipation than usual, as the band featured in their ePop022 is Young Romance, a band already discovered on this blog, and one that got me completely haunted with just a bunch of songs. I was anxiously looking for their next step, and here it is, in the form of an  EardrumsPop EP. What a wonderful combination!

Previous tunes like "Swollen Hearts, Bitter Tongues" or "She, Me, Him and You" proved this London duo had a very special talent to inject a burst of real emotion and passion to their sweetest, utterly romantic indie-pop tunes. It seemed impossible to achieve, but with this EP they have reached a new level, Paolo and Claire have penned a couple of perfect songs.  

"Follow on Your Own" is sublime: slow burning verses, killer chorus where Claire's voice is disarming, a background of layers and fuzziness. Definitely one to rank among the best-songs-of-the-year list. And is followed closely by "Break My Heart By Morning". Listening Young Romance's tunes one has to believe Paolo's words (you can read them on the digital booklet also included on the EP) of "wanting their songs to capture the rush of feeling something for the very first time". Indeed.

Unfortunately, "Rose Tint", the song Young Romance chose to cover (the tradition of the EardrumsPop EPs is to cover a song the featured group considers it deserves more attention), from the group Lulu and the Lampshades (now just Landshapes), passes almost unnoticed. An ok song nevertheless, but pales by comparison with the couple of terrific songs. Oh! And if I may add another little complaint: unfortunately, the artwork doesn't do any justice to the beauty of this EP. Being completely honest, it is very close to be on the next Stop Awful Covers post. 

But let's concentrate on the positive. EardrumsPop did it again. A stunning free!!!! EP from Young Romance, a lovely duo that makes gorgeous indie-pop. Run (virtually) and grab it (Odd box Records will release a physical, limited edition of the single, cheers for that too!).

SCORE: 7,5/10

Listen them!!

Young Romance by Young Romance

"Hospitality", indie-pop debut of the year

Hospitality- Hospitality

Yeah, I know, a big statement on the title, but Hospitality's fun, hyper-addictive, catchy as hell and quite peculiar, quirky indie-pop, deserves that sort of title for a post. If there's a better debut album this year, then 2012 should be one to be musically remembered.

The start of "Hospitality", the album, is unbeatable, terrific. "Eight Avenue", "Friends of Friends" and "Betty Wang". Upbeat, intricate indie-pop that makes you smile and "charge batteries". Full of melodies that stuck in your head, this is the sort of music that fits perfectly to walk/wander around the city on a sunny day. It will be a matter of time you'll find yourself humming along one of its irresistible choruses ("But I've got friends that are new friends"), or some of the one-liners where Amber Papini's shines. "If you leave New York/ I don't care, I don't care!" 

Because Papini's voice is one of the "miracles" of Hospitality. Kind of funny and strange (on Merge Records website, their label, they explain she learnt to sing with the English accent of Bernard Butler while listening to Psychedelic Fur's "Talk Talk Talk"), but also sweet, she will amuse you first, and then, once you have been disarmed, it will haunt you. Her peculiar vocal range and tone quickly becomes a trademark of the band, allowing to distance them from indie-pop standards. And Papini is a fine lyricist too, explaining stories in the songs that are not that unfamiliar for a whole generation of of twentysomething's-thirties trying to figure out what's next in their life, always with a refreshing wit and humour, not taking things too seriously.

There's a particular groove going on during the whole album, giving it a cohesion. Despite finding more languid numbers in its "middle section" like "Julie" (maybe the less impressive of the lot), the delicate "Sleepover", or "Argonauts" and "Liberal Arts" with its wonderful harmonies, towards the end, there's also space for some more fast-paced tunes, where guitars keep shimmering, intertwined with trotting drums and keyboards on "The Right Profession", "The Birthday" or the closer "All Day Today". Songs are wisely combined throughout the record, helping to make it a joyous, very fluent one. Like the good albums, "Hospitality" gives the listener the impression it ends too soon. So there's no other option that going for another "spin". Da-da-da-da-da-da/da-da-da-da.....

SCORE: 8,25