Art Brut

It's a bit complicated
(isn't it just?)

although I generally prefer not to get too personal about these reviews and instead focus on the music, somehow this seems like the soundrack to my own life right now.....from the title onwards it strikes a chord. simple tales of making mix tapes, starting new relationships, ending others, hanging out and just living life. the lyrics are so simple but they are still witty and charming like Bang Bang Rock & Roll...the album just sounds like life in all it's banal and fun glory.
some of the picks:
"I can't say I'm not enjoying the kissing, but I've a sneaking suspicion, you're not really listening. I know I shouldn't, is it so wrong? to break from your kiss to turn up a pop song." (from Pump up the volume hear it on their myspace page)
"just a couple of friends, hanging out with each other, we started to swap tapes to soundtrack our summer, tapes that are full of the things we can't say, during the day." (Sound of Summer listen to this track here)
who could resist that?

Art Brut are not trying to be anything they are not. This is pared down rock, and it's good. it may not have the newness and novelty of Bang Bang Rock & Roll (or great song like 'we started a band') but it's a consisently decent second effort and you won't be able to help turning in on over and over again.

Chris Garneau

on rotation

to be honest The National and Handsome Furs are still taking up a lot of my listening space, but there are a few other things keeping me company


Dntel - Dumb Luck

Dntel (aka Jimmy Tamborello of the Postal Service and Figurine) released his anticipated follow up to Life is full of Possibilities. Full of appearances from some prominent friends - Jenny Lewis, Conor Oberst, Grizzly Bear and Mia Doi Todd amongst others. There are definitely some good moments here (To a Fault with Grizzly Bear Edward Droste being one of them, and the title song itself), but somehow it's just not LIFOP. It's definitely not disappointing, but perhaps not quite as good as it looks on paper.



Jim Bryson - Where the Bungalows Roam

Rich and impressive release from Canadian singer/songwriter Bryson. He describes this as an accidental record - putting it together in pieces during his last tour with one of my other faves Kathleen Edwards, but nothing about this album sounds accidental. If you're expecting something like his previous albums, don't. This is gentler and acoustic based allowing his considerable songwriting talents to shine.
This record is all class - click here to launch his radio link and hear the album.


Chet - Fight Against Darkness

More sounds from Canada.....this time from Vancouver Island. Achingly beautiful vocals overlaid with old style dance band sounds. Some of it gets a little cloying and melancholy for even me, but there are some genuinely beautiful moments and you can't fault that voice.

Why Ryan?

I almost have nothing to say about this....I need to let the disappointment pass a bit.

for now I'm just bored, bored, bored......ughh

update 19 June

Ok I've calmed down now.....so allow me to explain a little. I love Ryan Adams. I think he's an awesome songwriter and have continued to be one of his staunchest supporters along with every release (apart from Rock & Roll of course) It just doesn't sound like he was trying here with Easy Tiger. It's not about the return to a more country sound - I couldn't be a bigger fan of that - in this case it just feels a little too slick, too formulaic.... too uninspired. It sounds more like a second rate impression of Ryan Adams than Ryan himself.....I've been listening to (and enjoying) Mrs Lovely for years now for example and yet I'm none too happy about it being repackaged and rereleased here as These Girls. The whole thing just doesn't really resonate. Nothing feels that new, there's nothing to excite, none of his regular innovation....
Don't get me wrong, Ryan at his worst is probably still better than most, I just expected (ok selfishly wanted) much more.

Mark Olson - the salvation blues

just about to rush out the door, but picked up some great news from largehearted boy this morning.
A new release from Mark Olson - featuring old Jayhawks buddy Gary Louris! This has completely brightened my day. Check out LHB's blog for more info.

handsome furs - plague park

I'm not sure what is in the water in Canada at the moment, but whatever it is I like it.

Dan Boeckner (of Wolf Parade) and his fiancée, Alexei Perry teamed up as Handsome Furs this year to release the wonderful yet understated album Plague Park. It's amazing what these guys do with a guitar, a drum machine and some ragged, emotion filled vocals. Chuck in some synth and distorted electro beats and they get themselves a winner. This is pretty stripped back stuff, which is filled with a backdrop of discontentment, and yet somehow it's very satisfying....the imperfection only adding to the beauty.

Lyrics are a strong point here, all dissatisfaction and longing, repressed anger and desolation....check out Snakes on the Ladder, Can't Get Started and Sing Captain in particular.

I know it's a side project, and I want to hear more Wolf Parade for sure, but I hope there's more to come from Handsome Furs.

the national - boxer

I only got into The National by way of their last album Alligator although that was already their 3rd album release. It was an addictive offering which left me wanting more of that expansive indie rock sound. Their latest Boxer, whilst not deviating too much from the formula of Alligator is a terrific album, if a little less rocky and simple. As described on I (heart) music this is the perfect comedown album. Orchestral/ alt country/ rock/ pop....it is not the easiest stuff to define. Matt Berninger has the kind of voice that makes me melt....a little bit Nick Cave, a little bit in his own universe. The kind of voice that only takes a few listens to totally consume you. But it isn't just Berninger's voice that is highlighted here. Drumming from Bryan Devendorf is amazing and perhaps even more prominent than on Alligator. His input provides that extra kick of atmospherics and dark power which only serves to amp up the rest of the lineup and add to the expansive sound of this album. Bryce Dessner trades the bass for the Spanish guitar which makes songs such as Racing like a Pro more beautiful and haunting. There are also appearances from a few notable friends such as Padma Newsome (of Clogs fame - adding a bit of Australian perspective) Sufjan Stevens playing piano (on Racing like a Pro and Ada) and Marla Hansen on backup vocals. There are so many other highlights on this album - Start a War, Apartment Story, Slow Show, Fake Empire - to be honest they don't really hit a wrong note in my book. (Although the track 2 Mistaken for Strangers seems more like an Interpol track than the National...this can't really be a too much of a criticism though as the song is great)

Start to finish it's still my bag.....Let this one grow on you.

check out their myspace.

Clap your hands say Yeah!! (Hi-Fi Bar 22 May)

Despite the crazy workload at university, I was not about to let my tickets to see the boys of Clap your Hands Say Yeah! go to waste. It may have signified the loss of a few more hours of sleep, but it sure was worth it. I've been in love with the sounds of CYHSY since early 2006 and just waiting for the chance to see them in the flesh. I have heard a few horror stories about their live performances around the traps, but sometimes you have to make up your own mind. This is definitely a band who struggle with the ups and downs of the hype machine, going from everyone's favourite unsigned band to everyone's favourite band to rant about. Their second album Some Loud Thunder came out this year to mixed reviews at best, but I have to say it's a pretty decent sophomore effort (although clearly not as good as their first self titled release)

I was in the mood to dance, and dance I did along to Alec Ounsworths very distinctive voice and the hyper rhythms of the band. There were a few issues early with sound (or lack thereof for Lee Sargent's guitar) but everyone was having too much fun to notice too much.

The CYHSY back catalogue is not exactly expansive, so we got to hear practically everything from their first two albums, with particularly great versions of the skin of my yellow country teeth, details of the war, is this love, satan said dance, upon this tidal wave...... I could go on and on. A lot of the material sounds better live than on the albums (such as Satan said Dance) and the additional jams and crazy freak outs were worth the entry price alone. I really needed to get lost for a while this night and they managed help me do this effortlessly. Even my uni buddy who had never heard them before got caught up in the whole thing - there was just a great, fun and positive vibe there (despite the increasing temperatures) and you couldn't help but be affected by it.

The boys seemed genuinely surprised at times at the reception from the very responsive at Hi-Fi bar but it did appear to give them that little extra lift which meant we were all happy. I know they often struggle with technical issues at their shows, and to be honest, much of their music relies on the sound equipment working 'just right'.....I'm just glad I either didn't care as I needed to have a break, or just that this night it wasn't such a big deal. Clap your Hands.... are not for everyone, and Alec's voice is definitely an acquired taste, but if you give these guys a chance, I reckon you get a pretty good reward.


You may notice my pics are better and clearer than usual this entry - and I have Mr Barry O'Reilly to thank for this increase in visual quality at least. I think I will try and make him be my regular gig photographer! ;)