The noisy punk duo No Age has all of the prerequisites for instant indie success. Pounding drums, fuzzy and squealing guitars and scream your heart out vocals translate to intensity that pounces from your listening source and crawls all over you. Their first two albums Weirdo Rippers and Nouns are two giant steps forward in their progression towards an album that balances noise and melody, while never forgetting the intensity that butters their bread. With the new album Everything In Between less than one week away, Sub Pop has posted the entire album for you listening pleasure via SoundCloud. After a thorough listening, Everything is a healthy leap rather than a step with each song showcasing a new color on their palate wheel. We always knew they could rock as hard as anyone, but it is the melodic left turns that keep your ear on point, intrigued by what comes next. Check it out now as it is unsure how long the stream will last.
As an added teaser, No Age offered up the first single a few weeks back as a free download. "Glitter" is that great example of melody and noise in sync, humming along with oscillating synth and guitar scrape over cheerleader beats and confessional vocals raising the whole glorious mess to indie's own pop perfection. The b-side "Inflorescence" is a squealing march featuring an jarring organ wedged in the middle. The song earnestly plugs along by keeping it simple. It is truly an similar sounding yet worthy companion to "Glitter". Listen to both tracks below then download "Glitter" by right-clicking here.
Reaping the benefits of the "listen before you buy" ability of the Internet, we have not only one song, but an entire album to check out before it's release date. Milwaukee gents Jaill are given the promo push from their label Subpop for their new LP That's How We Burn. This is twitchy indie with a healthy dose of early R.E.M./dB's roots rock worked into the mix. Early giveaway single "Everyone's Hip" is a definite keeper and rockers "She's My Baby", "The Stroller", "How's The Grave" and the title track carry the album's good time jangle from start to finish. Makes me want to blow the dust off some of those 80's classics. Side note: I saw Jaill live back in May play a lively set and The Empty Bottle. Check them out if they blow through your town.
The excitability of the English music press is well established. If a new band vaguely has hit the airwaves with a new song, publishers such as NME or Q are ready to ignore restrained hyperbole and wildly declare them the new Oasis or start connecting the dots to John, Paul, George and/or Ringo. Oxford five-piece Foals made some indie waves with their breathy 2008 debut Antidotes. It was well received here in the US, perhaps even more than England. However, their new album has struck a chord across the pond and you can't take a tube ride without seeing massive advertising about their release. The reviews in NME, The Guardian and the BBC proudly followed suit.
I guess I cannot blame the English for support their rock music to the point of excess. British bands are well-established in making their catchy brand of pop. It comes so easily and often that it leaves American bands in the dust to the point that it is a source of national pride. Even the band themselves called their new album's sound like the "dream of an eagle dying". Cringe.
So, the real question is "Is Foals new album Total Life Forever good? Great? Beatlesque?". Quick answers are: Yes, Depends, Stop it. Released in America on the ever broadening label Sub Pop, Foals have taken their upbeat, breezy and reinforced it with a muscular funky dub bassline, jazzy drums and thickly accented vocals that emphasize the lyrical force. There is an excellent retro feel to this album, reminding the listener of the best of the British New Wave of the 80's. Standouts tracks include the new single Spanish Sahara, powerful opener Blue Blood and the smooth sounds of tracks Black Gold and 2 Trees.
Desperate to try to get out this weekend, I am scanning who is playing live in Chicago. Saturday evening at the Empty Bottle has a rather enticing bill. Headliners are the Austin trio Harlem, bringing the silly back to garage rock. There is something to be said for a joyous sing-a-long about Casper the Friendly Ghost played with reckless abandon. Their latest album Hippies was released April 6 to some solid reviews here. And here.
Supporting band out of Milwaukee, Jaill has a cleaner sound, but the same speedy pop-punk bounce that brings the kids up to the front of the stage. Also from across the Cheddar Curtain, Call Me Lightning sports a serious riff and earnest vocals that will surely translate well to the stage of a small venue. Give the music a listen below and maybe I will see you at the Empty Bottle Saturday night.
Right now, I need a little asskicking in my life. I am considering checking out a show next Wednesday at the Empty Bottle. Let me share with you a few tidbits about it and, hopefully, you will go as well.
First off, the band’s name is awesome. Pissed Jeans. Before you even hear the music, you already have an initial impression of what these guys are all about. Their sound is uncomfortable, dirty and infuriating like, well, wetting yourself. They are a foursome from Allentown, Pennsylvania who fill the void left by The Jesus Lizard for music that is the sonic equivalent of getting kicked in the face while some screams at you for scuffing his boots. Couple that with David Yow-like rants about the banality of everyday life and its annoyances and you have yourself a full evening.
Sound intriguing? Well, it does to me. Through their label website Sub Pop, they have some free downloads from their two full lengths: 2007’s Hope For Men and 2009’s King Of Jeans. Check it out and maybe I will see you there.
