After years of toiling in hardcore obscurity, definitive Bay Area " power violence " band Ceremony is on the cusp of international recognition and (relative) mainstream success. From their smashing debut—the appropriately titled Violence Violence , 13 songs in 13 minutes—through 2010s redefining Rohnert Park LP , Ceremony has been recognized for their decidedly artful approach to lo-fi brutality. Over the past 8 years, Ceremony have jumped from label to label, releasing 2 LPs and 4 EPs in the process. Now, after signing to indie powerhouse Matador , [...]
Despite suffering debasement from low-quality acts and living as a cultural punchline, emo has persevered as a legitimate sub-genre. Songwriters like Jesse Lacey , Patrick Stickles , Max Bemis and David Bazan have managed to preserve the essence of intelligence, self-awareness and honesty that has defined the genre as far back as Minor Threat, while still progressing the sounds in their own ways. After an explosion in popularity (and an equal and opposite backlash) in the late 90s and early Aughts, great emo records are certainly harder to find than they were 20, or [...]
Lana Del Ray, Video Games L.V., It seems that we've come to some basic agreement about Lana Del Rey: She has talent, her songs are catchy, and the negative reaction to Born to Die says more about the biases of her critics than it does about her music. But perhaps I was too quick to dismiss your claim that her presence on the album matters less than the songs themselves. It's true that in pop music, the song often carries [...]
Lana del Rey - Born To Die Lana Del Rey - "Off To The Races" Keith, I must admit that your critiques are valid: I certainly short-changed LDR's vocal capabilities (unfairly so), and I am most certainly a cynic! Allow me, then, an opportunity to re-evaluate and rephrase. I suppose I was trying to say that, although Lizzie Grant is certainly a capable vocalist, her presence on the album didn't dramatically affect my impression of the record. Yes, I enjoyed [...]
Lana Del Ray, Video Games L.V., It seems that we've come to some basic agreement about Lana Del Rey: She has talent, her songs are catchy, and the negative reaction to Born to Die says more about the biases of her critics than it does about her music. But perhaps I was too quick to dismiss your claim that her presence on the album matters less than the songs themselves. It's true that in pop music, the song often carries [...]
(Today we continue our new monthly column , Dialogue , where our editors discuss an ongoing controversy in pop music. Today, Keith Meatto responds to L.V. Lopez's impressions of Lana Del Rey's Born To Die and the critical struggles surrounding the album.) Lana Del Rey, Diet Mountain Dew Who cares if Lana Del Rey's daddy is rich or her mama's good looking? Who cares that music tastemakers made her an Internet sensation, then tore [...]
Lana del Rey - Born To Die (Today we introduce our new column , Dialogue . Every month, editors Keith Meatto and L.V. Lopez will discuss an ongoing controversy in pop music. This month, the editors take on Lana del Rey's Born To Die and the critical struggles surrounding it.) Lana del Rey - "Born To Die" For those of you who don't follow such things, Lana del Rey is the stage name [...]
It's been said before and hopefully it will to be said: hip hop is on the rise. Last year we learned that the Internet actually does work as a means for promotion, catapulting hungry artists from nobodies to somebodies over night. By removing the tawdry veil of fake success that defined hip hop of the mid-Aughts, the Internet empowered kids who were interested in expression. Because of that exposure, the power in hip hop is gradually being transferred from out-of-touch superstars to those who care more about advancing the genre. So that puts us in 2012. If this [...]
Porcelain Raft - Strange Weekend Mauro Remiddi has led a complicated musical life. He has performed Klezmer Music for the Berlin Youth Circus, crossed the 38th Parallel to re-interpret the folk songs of North Korea, composed music for short films and Vaudeville revivals , and, today, he is set to release his solo debut under the name Porcelain Raft. The record, entitled Strange Weekend , is a triumph of so-called "dream pop," a record at once both intimate and expansive, both gentle and arresting. Mr. Remiddi recently re-located [...]
As we've reported over the last few weeks, 2011 saw the release of plenty of great music. Luckily, in a year with so many great releases, we also had the opportunity to see plenty of great shows. From arena blow outs to dive bar ragers, the following are the 13 best live performances I saw the last 12 months. 1/15: Punch Brothers @ Bowery Ballroom (NYC) Punch Brothers are arguably the most talented touring band today, and their mid-January Bowery Ballroom performance did not dissapoint. Billed as one of their famed "P-Bingo" Nights, Punch [...]
I've always admired the metal culture. It's hard not to appreciate a subculture with an unflagging devotion to hedonism , a penchant for creative facial hair, and an embrace of the darker side of renaissance faire mythology. I'm particularly drawn in by its subversive nature. Who doesn't love seeing some guy at a bar donning a "Goat Whore" t-shirt? That's not to say I've always understood metal. While my admiration has only just begun to take shape, my relationship with metal runs deep. The fascination is essentially a reactionary one. I grew up in a Chicago suburb [...]
My recent arrival in Chicago has been beneficial for two reasons: 1) I have a fulfilling job, and 2) I get to a shit ton of rock shows. For example, over the course of the four weeks of October, I made it to six shows. No two shows were alike: I welcomed fresh-faced James Blake and Ty Segall; cheered for past-their prime Glenn Danzig, Smoking Popes and Frank Turner and turned Japanese with Boris. James Blake @ The Metro (9/29) September 29 was a very eventful night for Chicago's hipsters. Due to [...]
Last week, vocalist for Toronto hardcore band Fucked Up Damian Abraham admitted to Spinner that his days as a regularly touring member of the band could be nearing an end, or at least a rest. Due to the rigors of the road and his toddler son, Abraham (a.k.a. Pink Eyes) concedes that he is tired, and has considered allowing the band to go on without him. "I can't tour anymore," Abraham says. "I don't want to take that away from them, so I would love to find a way to basically make it [...]
Today, I am taking a stand. After reading Nitsuh Abebe of New York's article " Indie Grown Ups ," an editorial declaring 21st century culture monuments like Radiohead, Wilco, Neko Case, Feist and Bon Iver founders of "the new adult contemporary", I couldn't help but feel protective of the bands he unfairly maligns. On the surface, Abebe's article seems inoffensive, ceding that these bands' most recent works are respectable and retain artistic value. But then he calls them dull and lumps them in with the much-maligned "Adult Contemporary" genre; the mere mention of which has triggered Train's " Drops of [...]
Today, I am taking a stand. After reading Nitsuh Abebe of New York's article " Indie Grown Ups ," an editorial declaring 21st century culture monuments like Radiohead, Wilco, Neko Case, Feist and Bon Iver founders of "the new adult contemporary", I couldn't help but feel protective of the bands he unfairly maligns. On the surface, Abebe's article seems inoffensive, ceding that these bands' most recent works are respectable and retain artistic value. But then he calls them dull and lumps them in with the much-maligned "Adult Contemporary" genre; the mere mention of which has triggered Train's " Drops of Jupiter [...]
Russian Circles - Empros The members of Chicago's Russian Circles must exist in a world much different than our own. That is the only explanation that can be ascertained from their brand of cataclysmic, apocalyptic metal. Their most recent release— Empros , out this week on Sargent House and currently streaming on their bandcamp —continues their eardrum shredding antics, but brings elements of pop and positivity that were previously unseen. Empros walks a tightrope between the two seemingly similar genres of "post-rock" and "post-metal." Is Russian Circles at a post-crossroads? [...]
This is harder and darker than the music I usually post here on Eardrums, but I find it very interesting and beautiful. I am weak for woods in videos as well. 2:54 is definitely a band I need to look deeper into. The "Scarlet" EP is released November 14 on Fiction What do you think?
This is perfect saturday morning music for me today. The artist is Pal , - Albin Johansson from Malmö, Sweden. Thanks to Solander for recommending him. More about Pal here: http://paltunes.tumblr.com/ and here: http://soundcloud.com/paltunes Pal plans to release his debut-album in the end of 2011, and I am waiting in excitement for it!
This past weekend, the always quality pop culture arm of the immensely popular Onion , The A.V. Club brought their expertise into the real world with the first annual A.V. Fest in Chicago, Ill. Hosted by the legendary Hideout, A.V. Fest was a time of hearty pop culture reflection, with a smattering of under-the-radar or nearly forgotten acts. Not to take away, most every band on the bill was necessary, and gave further insight into The A.V. Club and what the editors value as far as art is concerned. [...]
Twin Sister Long Island's Twin Sister have been gaining momentum. Last year, their EP Color Your Life finished 13th in Gorilla vs. Bear's best of 2010 list , and the band finished 3rd in the "Best Hope for 20113 category of Pitchfork's Readers' Poll . 2011 has arrived and, following a well-received set at the Pitchfork Music Festival, they are ready to release their debut LP In Heaven September 27th on Domino Records. Drummer Bryan Ujueata was kind enough to take some time to answer some of our [...]
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Chromatics: “Into The Black”
Download: The Violet Lights - "Sex and Sound"
Whitney Houston uncovered
Download: Lissy Trullie - "It's Only You, Isn't It"
