Feb 9, 2009, 5:35am
3hive
On their second full-length, Alberta, Canada's Faunts reign in their epic song structuring, meandering less while managing to maintain their expansive sound. Their new album tends to use more electronics (a more dour Postal Service?) without sacrificing the ringing guitars. In "M4 (Part 1)" guitars loop repeatedly a la Michael Brook's infinite guitar and Faunts' ethereal tendencies in many of their songs remind me of similar moments in The Cure's Seventeen Seconds . Faunts get plenty of comparisons to The Cure, but unlike many of their contemporaries the similarities lie with the instrumentation rather than Smith's warbled vocals; [...]
Feb 9, 2009, 4:18am 3hive
On their second full-length, Alberta, Canada's Faunts reign in their epic song structuring, meandering less while managing to maintain their expansive sound. Their new album tends to use more electronics (a more dour Postal Service?) without sacrificing the ringing guitars. In "M4 (Part 1)" guitars loop repeatedly a la Michael Brook's infinite guitar and Faunts' ethereal tendencies in many of their songs remind me of similar moments in The Cure's Seventeen Seconds . Faunts get plenty of comparisons to The Cure, but unlike many of their contemporaries the similarities lie with the instrumentation rather than Smith's warbled vocals; [...]
Feb 7, 2009, 8:47am 3hive
Clay recently wrote about not being able to post the bands you'd really like to, and I can sympathize. A few years ago I wanted to share The Hazzards, a ukulele-playing pair of girls from, of course, Brooklyn. Alas, nothing was available. If you're looking for a uke fix, though, a little Jason Holstrom can do the trick. While decidedly more island-themed than The Hazzards, who were, you know, ironic (from Brooklyn), Holstrom plays it kind of straight, dishing up clean pop songs with some palm-inspired lilt. A veteran of a bunch of Seattle bands [...]
Feb 7, 2009, 8:47am 3hive
Clay recently wrote about not being able to post the bands you'd really like to, and I can sympathize. A few years ago I wanted to share The Hazzards, a ukulele-playing pair of girls from, of course, Brooklyn. Alas, nothing was available. If you're looking for a uke fix, though, a little Jason Holstrom can do the trick. While decidedly more island-themed than The Hazzards, who were, you know, ironic (from Brooklyn), Holstrom plays it kind of straight, dishing up clean pop songs with some palm-inspired lilt. A veteran of a bunch of Seattle bands [...]
Feb 4, 2009, 12:00am 3hive
You've heard the Submarines by now. They're getting a lot of buzz nowadays, but even if you haven't, just think of the commercial for a certain fancy cell phone that everyone seems to have these days. See, you have heard them. Our motto here at 3hive is "Sharing the Sharing," where we share free and legal MP3's. And there are so many times when we want to share an awesome band, but they don't have any free MP3's on offer. I've been wanting to share an old fave of mine since the start of 3hive, Jackdrag aka Jack Dragonetti, [...]
Feb 4, 2009, 12:00am 3hive
You've heard the Submarines by now. They're getting a lot of buzz nowadays, but even if you haven't, just think of the commercial for a certain fancy cell phone that everyone seems to have these days. See, you have heard them. Our motto here at 3hive is "Sharing the Sharing," where we share free and legal MP3's. And there are so many times when we want to share an awesome band, but they don't have any free MP3's on offer. I've been wanting to share an old fave of mine since the start of 3hive, Jackdrag aka Jack Dragonetti, [...]
Feb 2, 2009, 5:08am 3hive
Bishop Allen may very well be the first band that's been reviewed by three of us. Yeah, we're pretty geeked about them. Take a look at the artwork for their new album Grrr... Do you like what you see? Do you appreciate its colorful, simple whimsicality? Then you'll love the new tracks; the music marches hand-in-hand with the visual. Notice the clean white space. The music has that same crisp, airy feeling. I quickly donned headphones, wanting to squeeze my brain in between the bright melodies, the bouncy bass, snappy guitars, and the lyrics' 'ancient commonsense' poetics. The [...]
Feb 2, 2009, 2:15am 3hive
Bishop Allen may very well be the first band that's been reviewed by three of us. Yeah, we're pretty geeked about them. Take a look at the artwork for their new album Grrr... Do you like what you see? Do you appreciate its colorful, simple whimsicality? Then you'll love the new tracks; the music marches hand-in-hand with the visual. Notice the clean white space. The music has that same crisp, airy feeling. I quickly donned headphones, wanting to squeeze my brain in between the bright melodies, the bouncy bass, snappy guitars, and the lyrics' 'ancient commonsense' poetics. The [...]
Jan 31, 2009, 11:35am 3hive
If it weren't for our self-imposed "free and legal " mantra here at 3hive, without a doubt Lloyd Cole would've been post number one, origin of the 3hive species. Why? Briefly, because the guy is my musical and literary guru. His debut album, Rattlesnakes , recorded with his band The Commotions, has miraculously survived decades of repeat listens by this finicky music fan. Its healthy shelf-life is due in part to Cole's smart, literate lyrics, the sweet jangle of guitars, and keyboardist Blair Cowan's keyboard magic, which included his ability, either through his playing or re-wiring, to [...]
Jan 31, 2009, 11:35am 3hive
If it weren't for our self-imposed "free and legal " mantra here at 3hive, without a doubt Lloyd Cole would've been post number one, origin of the 3hive species. Why? Briefly, because the guy is my musical and literary guru. His debut album, Rattlesnakes , recorded with his band The Commotions, has miraculously survived decades of repeat listens by this finicky music fan. Its healthy shelf-life is due in part to Cole's smart, literate lyrics, the sweet jangle of guitars, and keyboardist Blair Cowan's keyboard magic, which included his ability, either through his playing or re-wiring, to [...]
Jan 27, 2009, 4:25am 3hive
To say that Mr. Russia are low-end fiends is an understatement. Mr. Russia is heavy on drums and bass. Make that plural on the bass, drums and basses. Plus a bit of synth and lots of snark. Death From Above 1979 fans may find Mr. Russia's a bit tame for their tastes, but I personally like their poppier take on the sans guitar sound. The timbre and attitude in the vocals remind me a lot of the late, great Possum Dixon, which is never a bad thing. A perfect pair of rock 'n' roll numbers to shake the tedium out [...]
Jan 27, 2009, 2:09am 3hive
To say that Mr. Russia are low-end fiends is an understatement. Mr. Russia is heavy on drums and bass. Make that plural on the bass, drums and basses. Plus a bit of synth and lots of snark. Death From Above 1979 fans may find Mr. Russia's a bit tame for their tastes, but I personally like their poppier take on the sans guitar sound. The timbre and attitude in the vocals remind me a lot of the late, great Possum Dixon, which is never a bad thing. A perfect pair of rock 'n' roll numbers to shake the tedium out [...]
Jan 26, 2009, 3:07am 3hive
After seeing the Ettes last Thursday night (awesome show!), I had a host of events, and my own laziness, prevent me from catching the Raveonettes and the Soft Pack Friday night. Formerly known as the Muslims, the Soft Pack has a wonderful cover of Spiritualized's "Walking With Jesus," one of my top songs of all time. Their song "Parasite" is my current favorite song; the throbbing bass makes me wanna move, and the steady pounding drums and vocals are heavily influenced by the Velvet Underground. The singer of this San Diego outfit sounds like a young, modern Lou [...]
Jan 22, 2009, 3:37pm 3hive
So, Gnarls Barkley. You might have heard of these guys, eh? Danger Mouse and Cee-Lo? Yeah, they're kind of popular, with two records of sweet beats and smooth vocals, and an EP with versions of the song below. Oh, and a pair of Grammys, also. Yep, here at 3hive, we're glad to introduce you to the cutting edge of new music! www.waxploitation.com www.gnarlsbarkley.com
Jan 22, 2009, 12:28pm 3hive
Not to burden you with the boring details of my life ( I've already alluded to them , so now I'm beating a dead horse to boot) but my equilibrium has been shot to hell over the last three weeks and it's hampered my efforts in getting you the tunes. Thanks for bearing with 2009's slow start. Point Juncture, WA was the first thing I pulled out of the growing pile of submissions at the 'hive's HQ. What a pleasant surprise and glowing gift this album is. Unfamiliar with their previous work I can't compare it to their past efforts, [...]
Jan 18, 2009, 3:51am 3hive
Mona and Anar were destined to make this music together. That's the only explanation of how they can (seemingly) effortlessly create such beautiful, personal, intimate, and delicate music. Their second LP The Hot Summer is out now, again self-released; why there aren't labels lining up to get their John Hancocks on the dotted line is beyond me. Original Post Sept 17, 2007: Travels is the duo of Mona Elliott of the band Victory at Sea and Anar Badalov of Metal Hearts . The two met and fell in love [...]
Jan 15, 2009, 6:27am 3hive
It's supposed to be -5 degrees Fahrenheit in Detroit tonight, which means it must be about -500 Celsius in Saskatoon, home of The Deep Dark Woods. (Actually, I picture Saskatchewan as being one big wheat field, with about ten trees scattered here and there, but what do I know, I've never been there.) Such cold is clearly irrelevant to this quartet, who offer up easy-going country rock more suited to the bronze glow of fall than the brutalities of winter. In fact, I'd go so far as saying these are warm songs, with steel guitar or, as [...]
Jan 13, 2009, 4:39pm 3hive
L.A.'s Intricate Machines seem to find inspiration in their own name, taking an intricate approach in their creation of pop music. They don't necessarily pay more attention to the details in their music than anyone else; that's impossible to judge. It's just that the details and textures on which they elaborate are less obvious than most. Really, it's just my roundabout way of saying they have a roundabout way of getting to the hooks in their songs. Intricate Machines require time to soak, simmer, and settle. If you're willing to give them that time you'll find plenty of pleasures to [...]
Jan 13, 2009, 3:01am 3hive
L.A.'s Intricate Machines seem to find inspiration in their own name, taking an intricate approach in their creation of pop music. They don't necessarily pay more attention to the details in their music than anyone else; that's impossible to judge. It's just that the details and textures on which they elaborate are less obvious than most. Really, it's just my roundabout way of saying they have a roundabout way of getting to the hooks in their songs. Intricate Machines require time to soak, simmer, and settle. If you're willing to give them that time you'll find plenty of pleasures to [...]
Jan 12, 2009, 3:27am 3hive
Slumberland is putting out some great pop these days from New York bands. Recent releases from Crystal Stilts and Cause Co-Motion! will be followed up this month with the self-titled debut from The Pains of Being Pure at Heart. POBPAH continue the Slumberland tradition of fine noise-pop, in the mode of Velocity Girl, the Ropers, Black Tambourine, with boy/girl harmonies, choice bits of fuzz and jangle, and crisp drums, all wrapped together by clever songwriting. Said debut album will be out February 10th, in the middle of their East Coast tour. [...]
Bison - Quill
Shinichi Osawa – Big Beach Mix 2012
Neutral Milk Hotel- Aeroplane Over the Sea
Mr Fogg - Eleven
