Bradford Cox has been a jarring force on the indie scene for the better half of the past decade. Alternating between his group Deerhunter and his solo work under the name Atlas Sound, Cox has made his mark with his take on psych-pop that leans heavy on the stormy feedback and kitchen-sink studio experiments. With each successive product, his voice and musical focus has transgressed from loose to laser-centered on finding that proper blend of noise and melody. For the past weeks, the machine has been drooling over the impending release of Halycon Digest, hitching a wagon to the album screaming "The Moon Or Bust". After giving it a full listen via NPR's First Listen, I think Deerhunter may have achieved that stratosphere-shattering moment that defines a band's career. An extended review on this surely to come soon...
The first thing that struck me about the offered track "Revival" is how coherent it was. Rather than opting for the drugged out waves of fuzz that attacked the listener, Cox now has the confidence to cradle us in a warm embrace. The production finds the balance between a delicate mandolin and a just enough electric hum to add tension to this short trip. Halycon Digest will be out September 28 on 4AD.
About three weeks ago, I posted a link for new National track "Bloodbuzz Ohio"; an urgent,emotional rocker that set expectations high for their new album, High Violet. Apparently, they can't wait for the release date. The National has released another enjoyable track for our listening pleasure.
The new track, entitled "Afraid Of Everyone" has an achy, dark yearn as the burning slowly spreads to strings, woodwinds and an insistent drumbeat. The chorus is a surprising sing-a-long despite the dark tone and fearful lyrics. By the end, the drums are the approaching footsteps of phobia and eventually overtake the songs as it descends into a dissonant fadeout. Back to back great songs like "Afraid Of Everyone" can only mean that The National have done it again.
The odd little geometric explosion you see to the left is the cover art for the new single by The National. Also oddly named, the song "Bloodbuzz Ohio" will be on the forthcoming album High Violet on 4AD due out May 11.
The song is a classic National rocker, kicking off with insistent drumming and oncoming keyboards that swell into Matt Berninger's forlorn baritone. His lyrics are a snapshot; "lay my head on the hood of your car" sketches his memory of a loss that is as intimate as his lover's heartbeat. As many poets, he invents his own language when he is searching for the right word. Tonight, he is on a bloodbuzz with bees humming in his ears, propelled by more than liquid courage. Berninger's strength has always been in repetition, punching each point he makes, pushed by barroom piano, thumping bass and that awesome drumbeat. It is obvious that The National has grown into a more assured band and, lucky us, new songs like this will always be available, now and in the future.
