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Full 2012 Pitchfork Festival Lineup Announced

6 Apr

While rumors and leaks run wild regarding the potential Lollapalooza lineup, Pitchfork has announced the rest of the bands for their 2012 festival. It looks a little thin at the top, to be sure, but this (like every other P4k festival) is a very solid lineup of bands at what is always a wonderfully intimate festival. Three day passes have sold out, but you can still pick up a single-day ticket for $45. The full list of bands playing are below:

Friday, July 13:

A$AP Rocky
Willis Earl Beal
Big K.R.I.T.
Clams Casino
Dirty Projectors
Feist
Tim Hecker
Lower Dens
The Olivia Tremor Control
Outer Minds
Purity Ring

Saturday, July 14:

The Atlas Moth
Atlas Sound
Danny Brown
Cloud Nothings
Cults
Flying Lotus
Godspeed You! Black Emperor
Grimes
Hot Chip
Nicolas Jaar
Liturgy
Lotus Plaza
The Psychic Paramount
Schoolboy Q
Sleigh Bells
Wild Flag
Youth Lagoon

Sunday, July 15:

A Lull
AraabMUZIK
Beach House
Chavez
Dirty Beaches
The Field
Iceage
King Krule
Kendrick Lamar
The Men
Milk Music
Thee Oh Sees
Oneohtrix Point Never
Real Estate
Ty Segall
Unknown Mortal Orchestra
Vampire Weekend

Lost in the Trees – A Church That Fits Our Needs

1 Apr

Lost in the Trees - A Church That Fits Our Needs

A Church That Fits Our Needs is an elegant and wondrous album, it’s certain to be one of the better ones you’ll hear all year.

Release Date: March 20, 2012
Record Label: Anti-
Rating: 97

Written in the aftermath of the suicide of frontman Ari Picker’s mother, it’s not surprising that A Church That Fits Our Needs is an emotionally stirring album. What is, however, and what separates this sophomore effort from anything you’ll likely hear this year, is that the weight of the album is never overdone. This is not melodrama, and while the sense of loss is evident, it is delivered in such a sweet and sensitive manner, that between the complex string arrangements and ever-present sense of space in the production, the listener finds themselves swept in a theatrical question of life, rather than merely lamenting what has been lost. There’s a true sense of wonderment here, where even the most evident moments such as “This Dead Bird is Beautiful,” where Picker sings “I’ll carry her, but I’ll always have her eyes,” the somber tone is lifted by an elegant operatic solo. It’s a poignant moment, one that truly defines the album as a whole– anyone can make sad bastard music, but it takes some kind of splendor to truly make it a memorable experience such as this album.

“Golden Eyelids”

Lollapalooza Lineup Begins to Take Shape with M83, Bloc Party, Jack White and more in tow

30 Mar
a Lollapalooza sign.

a Lollapalooza sign. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

In a very clever ad campaign, Lollapalooza has voluntarily leaked some of the names that will be gracing Grant Park this summer. While it was reported here a couple of weeks ago that Neon Indian would be performing, we now have some new names to add to what’s looking to be a very good lineup this year. See the list of expected acts below:

The Big Pink
Bloc Party
Die Antwoord
The Growlers
Jack White
Justice
The Weeknd

Look for more names to be leaked soon!

Vapor Eyes – Golden Beats Vol #1

19 Mar

Vapor Eyes - Golden Beats Volume #1

Golden Beats Vol #1 is a joy to listen to– it’s a great reminder that just because it’s chill, it doesn’t have to be boring.

Release Date: March 9, 2012
Record Label: Self-Released
Rating: 91

It’s an unfortunate turn that was bound to happen as DJs and electronic music and sampling all garner mainstream appeal– there are a lot of lazy ass artists out there. However, as easy as it is to become cynical of anything that comes your way, it’s always refreshing to come across those that still “get it.” Chicago based producer Vapor Eyes has put out quality material in the past but on Golden Beats Vol 1, he seems not only on the brink of something big, but he appears to be a largely confident artist as well, allowing each track to organically grow rather than forcing his hand or going the well-travelled route out of convenience. There is a decided understanding of nuance as well– it’s more than just textures, there’s an entire element of feeling involved that makes this album feel warm and intimate, instead of the cold and calculated vibe you get from a lot of other albums.

It isn’t flashy, but the album evolves so effortlessly, that you’d be forgiven for mistaking it to be the release of a big name producer. Ah yes, but if it was, it likely wouldn’t have the soul of one Golden Beats. This is the album you want to have in your stereo right now just in time for spring and summer.

Listen to and Buy this Album

Neon Indian to perform at Lollapalooza 2012

14 Mar
Era Extraña

Image via Wikipedia

In an odd leak through Songkick, it has been revealed that Neon Indian will be back at Lollapalooza to perform on Saturday August 4. This is the first official musical artist to be listed as part of the lineup, so look for more names to trickle as the days go on.

NZCA/Lines – NZCA/Lines

29 Feb

NZCA/Lines - NZCA/Lines

NZCA/Lines stands out in the glut of 80′s influenced blue-eyed soul with sharp attention to detail, and a heightened sense of sonic experimentation that goes a step farther than merely mimicking its predecessors.

Release Date: February 28, 2012
Record Label: Loaf
Rating: 82

Formerly a bassist for the band Your Twenties, Michael Lovett changed gears drastically, now creating a hypnotically soulful self-titled debut. If there’s something to be impressed by right off the bat, it’s the superbly tight production that provides a unique voice for Lovett. Yes, you have a strong sense of familiarity when you listen to the music and songwriting on the album, but there’s a definitively modern twist to it all, a welcome change from the continued reliance on simply recreating 80′s and early 90′s R&B and Soul and forgetting about the organic element that made those songs so relevant upon release.

The lyrics don’t always hold up to the excellent production and sound of the album, but one could argue that it’s the feel that matters the most when it comes to music of this genre, and with some serious synth-laden grooves, that type of philosophy would certainly be forgiven. As it stands in this modern setting, however, NZCA/Lines makes an intriguing splash for his debut effort, that starts particularly strong with “Compass Points” and “Okinawa Channels.” Hopefully Lovett doesn’t change course again before completely exploring this new-found funkier side.

“Okinawa Channels”

Beth Jeans Houghton & The Hooves of Destiny – Yours Truly, Cellophane Nose

29 Feb

Beth Jeans Houghton & The Hooves of Destiny - Yours Truly, Cellophane Nose

After riding a fair amount of hype, the results of Beth Jeans Houghton & The Hooves of Destiny are as varied and creative as you’d expect. Yours Truly, Cellophane Nose, is a wonderful debut.

Release Date: February 28, 2012
Record Label: Mute
Rating: 86

Beth Jeans Houghton has been on the radar of many for quite a while, releasing numerous singles and EPs before finally unveiling her and her band’s debut effort, Yours Truly, Cellophane Nose. Her highly theatrical and varied approach dazzles and is aided by the production by Ben Hillier (Blur, Depeche Mode, Elbow). Despite its short length, each track is packed with a slew of ever-evolving musical ideas and centered with strong, anthemic lyrics. Because of this, the casual listener may immediately want to paint Beth Jeans Houghton as similar to an Adele or Florence & the Machine– but Houghton never attempts to blow you away with her voice, her band carries that burden, she merely lures you in with her passionate storytelling and clever songwriting.

It’s been a long time coming, but Yours Truly, Cellophane Nose has been well worth the wait. From the triumphant opening of “Sweet Tooth Bird” to the dynamic “Liliput” and the gorgeous “Dodecahedron,” Beth Jeans Houghton remains head and shoulders above many other artists you’ll hear this year– she and her band are artists well worth watching.

“Dodecahedron”

New Song from Moonface – “Teary Eyes and Bloody Lips”

12 Feb

Spencer Krug of Wolf Parade and Sunset Rubdown fame is back again with his Moonface solo project this time, pairing up with the Finland-based Siinai. The album will be titled Heartbreaking Bravery and will be released on April 17 via Jagjaguwar.

Django Django – Django Django

10 Feb
Django Django's Self-Titled Album

Django Django - Django Django

This four-piece band makes a huge splash with their debut, creating an album that will certainly be one of the best albums you’ll hear all year.

Release Date: February 4, 2012
Record Label: Because
Rating: 95

Django Django may sound like an innocuous name for a band, but it’s a name you’ll likely hear often throughout this year. Their energetic and inspiring eponymous album is uncanny in their willingness to take calculated risks that don’t jeopardize the overall concept of the album. Their understanding of that delicate balance so early in their careers is something that will certainly help them in the long run. Within the framework of this album, this knack makes their debut all the more fun as a listener. Their opening track, appropriately titled “Introduction,” gives great insight into what one should expect from the band– a larger than life, two-minute summation of their influences and skills, that somehow branches Enrico Morricone and  their psychedelic pop charm before blending effortlessly into one of their catchier songs, “Hail Bop.” “Default,” the highlight of the album, despite being the clear single of choice, doesn’t feel forced, instead taking the best bits of their sound and consolidating it into a tight three-minute package. For some of their left-field offerings, look instead to songs like the Beta Band-esque “Zumm Zumm” and the distinctive “Skies Over Cairo”

One thing is clear after listening to their debut, Django Django is a very innovative band with a lot of clever ideas. Not only is their debut an incredibly fine effort, but they appear poised to be one of the most talked about bands by the end of the year.

“Default”

M.I.A. Releases New Single with Sweet Video to Match

4 Feb

In case you thought that M.I.A. had lost a step, she’s back in full force with a reworked version of “Bad Girls” that was on her ViCKi LEEKX mixtape. While it is admittedly somewhat redundant, it’s a wonderfully defiant single and has an equally poignant music video. Check them both out below:

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