Woods - At Rear House

Woods
At Rear House
(2007, Shrimper Records)
7.5/10

At Rear House is one of those obscure lo-fi treasures that spice up your record collection. Woods are a duo that make simplistic acoustic/folkish music similar to Spenking or Half Handed Cloud (the vocals sound uncannily like the latter). One of the major differences Woods incorporate is some trashed drums which underscore the incredibly cheap nature in which the album must have been recorded. Back to the vocals – I am absolutely in love with them in all their eclectic, mousy beauty but the lyrics can be a bit taxing. At Rear House tends to have lyrically repetitive songs. Sometimes this works as in “Be Still” and “Night Creature” but elsewhere it just starts to create boredom. With music this simple it becomes necessary to have interesting subject matter and Woods’ infatuation with darkly tinted fairy tales never evolves into gripping narratives but plays like the repeating of chapter headings over and over. In the end Woods still succeeds in being lovely and you can’t really argue with that. Very nice.

-Mr. Thistle

Woods -Bone Tapper

This Weeks Shows!

I am going to be brief but there are some really good shows this week if you are able to catch them.

For those who aren't put off by him yet, Ryan Adams is sure to bring his swagger to his show Tuesday, July 31st at Red Butte. Don't really know where you can get information on this one but it may be worth searching out.

Blitzen Trapper is bringing their brand of schizo-americana to Kilby Court on either Wednesday, August 1st (on Pollstar and the band's Myspace) or Friday, August 3rd (on 24tix and Kilby Court's website). Try both nights, it will be worth your efforts.
As for free shows, Peter, Bjorn and John along with Apostle of Hustle will be part of the Twilight Concert Series at Gallivan Center on Thusday, August 2nd.

Lastly, local alt-country band Atherton are having a CD release show along side Paul Jacobsen at the U of U on Friday, August 3rd.

(sorry for the formatting, working from Safari today...[Firefox to the rescue])

Portugal. The Man - Church Mouth

Portugal. The Man
Church Mouth
(2007, Fearless)
8.5/10

The new release from the beloved cross-genre darlings, Portugal. The Man has been released this week. Their last album, Waiter: "You Vultures!," stole my heart in one fell swoop (even though I usually don't pander towards Fearless releases) and many critics felt the same way. Portugal. The Man has somehow found a way to make post punk interesting and accessible to the masses of indie pop lovers. Church Mouth is everything you came to love about Portugal. The Man, except it lacks some of the creativity and diversity that made Waiter: "You Vultures!" so appealing. However, whatever it is lacking in creativity it makes up in soul. This new album shows a bluesy side of the band that we had only seen glimpses of in the previous release. You can hear their cited influence, Muddy Waters, bleeding into this album. It sounds as if they had been heavily influenced by the deep south blues culture, which is strange, considering they are all Alaskan natives. Expect to be drawn into their catchy, dirty rock on Church Mouth. Its epic rock mixed with blues guitars and innovative vocal melodies are sure to make an instant fan out of most listeners.

-Sassigrass

Portugal. The Man - "Shade"

Dntel - Dumb Luck

Dntel
Dumb Luck
(2007, Sub Pop)
5.0/10

5 years after Life Is Full of Possibilities and this is all Dntel could come up with? This has to be the most disappointing release of the year so far for me. Where Life Is Full Of Possibilities was a majestically constructed, minimalist glitch-electronic album, Dumb Luck plays like a half hearted display of Dntel's new indie acquaintances to stale beats. High profile friends has been the downfall of a lot of hip hop and electronic/dance music and Dumb Luck is a prime example. Almost every track features a random guest artist singing awkwardly over Dntel's new affinity for boring tracks dipped in a tiny bit of fuzz. Just because your friends with Grizzly Bear, Jenny Lewis and Conor Oberst doesn't mean that their unique voices are going to tie in with your music. The number of guests effectively fragments the album into as many ideas as there are tracks, making listening to Dumb Luck from start to finish difficult even if you don't have ADD. The real problem is that it seems like Dntel doesn't have control over his own music, and is left with a scattered album featuring ideas that were stale 5 years ago, shortly after Dntel's involvement in the Postal Service. An unfortunate return from an artist capable of so much more.

-Mr. Thistle

Dntel - "Dumb Luck"

Black Moth Super Rainbow - Dandelion Gum

Black Moth Super Rainbow
Dandelion Gum
(2007, Graveface)
9.0/10

Imagine being in the place that "Lucy In the Sky With Diamonds" is about. You know, picture yourself in a boat on a river with tangerine trees and marmalade skies.... rocking horse people eat marshmallow pies, cellophane flowers, etc. Well, if that place had a soundtrack it wouldn't be to the Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band, it would be to Dandelion Gum. This mystical album is a wash of amazing sounds that pulse in and out of you as you listen. The synthesized vocals act as another instrument in the psychedelic pop electronica. It's a slow drunken album with a fairly lazy feel. I'm surprised we haven't seen more mention of Dandelion Gum this year. Raven Sings the Blues included it on his mid-year list (which you should check out) but other than that, this album is definitely not getting the credit it deserves. It's a treat of listening experience, one of the only recent electronica albums I fully enjoy front to back. And what's even more of a treat- Black Moth Super Rainbow has two upcoming shows in Salt Lake City.

-Sassigrass

Black Moth Super Rainbow - "Sun Lips"

Zodiacs - Gone

Zodiacs
Gone
(2007, Holy Mountain)
8.0/10

Instrumental rock music can be quite a drag sometimes. The prospect of songs whose minutes span into the double digits that features only rock based instrumentation (guitar, bass and drums) can be a dauntingly at the least. The structured, crescendo filled bands usually keep my attention the longest but their formula as been depressingly overplayed in the instrumental post rock world. It is with rarity that the improvisational side of such strikes anything more than apathetic boredom. This is why I was so surprised with Zodiacs! Eschewing the crescendos and going straight for the jugular, Zodiacs have created a series of four scorching psych skronk freak outs bent on improvisation. The idea of the album makes me think that I could be fully understanding of what they have dished up with a 30 second sample from Amazon, but on Gone, Zodiacs have proved me feebly wrong. Sharing members with Hush Arbors, Sunburned Hand of the Man and Wooden Wand and the Vanishing Voice, Zodiacs sound is inspired from the guitar solos of Zepplin and Hendrix combined with the avant-garde leanings of bands like Lightning Bolt and the previously reviewed Comets On Fire. The delicious recordings are mind-blowing in the most positive way and somehow are not laboring to listen to. Gone is noisy psychedelia sent down from the gods of rock.

-Mr. Thistle

Zodiacs - "Road Star Blues"

Various Artists - SLC Rules

Local Review
Various Artists
SLC Rules
(2007, 8ctopus Records)
7.5/10

In homage to the west coast’s answer to Brian Eno’s infamous late 70's punk compilation, No New York, 8ctopus Record’s design for SLC Rules hints at revolutionary music. A compilation of the thirteen local bands on the label including Blackhole, Vile Blue Shades and Chinese Stars, SLC Rules is a gritty look into what can, in no uncertain terms, be seen as Salt Lake’s finest grouping of straight-forward rock n’ roll. The CD was obviously produced and sequenced to play as a cohesive record rather than a sampler. Labeling of the participants and their track’s title on the album is just a formality. The listing is out of order, forcing you to listen straight through rather than skipping to your band of choice. This isn’t as large of an annoyance as you might expect seeing as how well these bands fit together on a roster. Almost completely unified in recording aesthetic and sound, SLC Rules plays more like a rock concept album than a mixtape. This becomes a simultaneous strength and weakness of the album. If SLC Rules marks anything, it is that the heady lo-fi rock scene is alive and well here. Here are my favourite tracks for those who know the sequencing: 1, 8, 9, 12 and 13.

-Mr. Thistle

8ctopus Records myspace

Deerhoof - Friend Opportunity

Deerhoof
Friend Opportunity
(2007, Kill Rock Stars)
10.0/10

Friend Opportunity is mind-blowing even for the loyal Deerhoof fans who have followed the bands long existence and impressive catalog from the beginning. Even people who don't usually like Deerhoof seem to have latched on to this one. I heard a few fans mention that Friend Opportunity restored their faith in Deerhoof- and to that I say "Oh ye of little faith!" I have a special little place in my heart for every one of Deerhoof's releases. Each one is a gem of a different spectre with a cozy place in a catalog of accomplishment. Friend Opportunity brings just as much to the plate as does any of the other releases, this time with just a little extra pop to spice things up and add some general appeal. Of course, you already know that. Since Forest Gospel didn't start until this summer we missed reviewing a lot of albums at the time when the reviews would have been the most relevant. Anyone who reads this blog most likely already owns or has heard this album and has already formed their own opinions. I don't think explaining their sound is going to do much good here. Even so, I just had to post my 10 out of 10 today because I am soooooo excited for their upcoming show on October 6th, at In The Venue that I just found out about a few days ago. I mean, holy camole! Correct me if I am wrong, but I think the last time Deerhoof played Salt Lake City was in 2003 or so at Kilby. I myself have never seen them live, but have been wishing to for quite some time now and have seriously considered many a road-trip to do so, but now, here they are- coming to us. This is a joyous occasion not to be missed. See you there!

-Sassigrass

Deerhoof - +81

Comets On Fire - Avatar

Comets On Fire
Avatar
(2006, Sub Pop)
8.0/10

Yesterday I was driving home from work (the FG home office of course) and I got this incredible itch for some squealing rock that I was having the hardest time satisfying. I was scrolling back and forth through my Ipod trying to find something to satisfy it and was coming up shorthanded. Final I scrolled across Comets On Fire and remembered that I really hadn’t given their 2006 release, Avatar, much of a chance in comparison to their previous scorcher Blue Cathedral. I think the logical argument in my head went on somewhat pretentiously along the lines of it being against its much cleaner production and the fact that you could actually distinguish the lead singer’s vocals. I was getting desperate so I thought that it was about time for a second round and I let the opener “Dogwood Rust” loose on my stereo. My auditory itch was immediately pleased and I realized that Avatar is a lot better than I let myself believe. Not being obscured by their previous “arty” static overload, Comets On Fire reveal themselves as an absolute virtuoso band, taking on 70’s guitar anthems with more ferocity than your likely to hear recorded anywhere. Comets On Fire have accomplished something here that should be the goal of every rock band in existence, they have recorded an album who’s passion bleeds through to the point that you tell yourself “I have to see these guys live.”

-Mr. Thistle

Comets on Fire - Dogwood Rust

New AC

GOODIES
It has been about a month or so since the first Animal Collective tracks from their forthcoming release, Strawberry Jam, were leaked. That, along with their absolutely nuts set earlier this summer at In the Venue and we at FG are utterly drooling. Here is a youtube featuring my favourite song I’ve heard off the record. Enjoy.



-Mr. Thistle

Blitzen Trapper - Wild Mountain Nation

Blitzen Trapper
Wild Mountain Nation
(2007, Lidkercow Ltd.)
8.0/10

Coming out of relative obscurity, Blitzen Trapper have created a schizophrenic tapestry of everything from blazing 70’s Americana to 90’s lo-fi indie. Wild Mountain Nation is Blitzen Trapper’s identity crisis, but somehow they seem comfortable with that fact. Spawning comparisons that span from CCR and Lynyrd Skynyrd, to Pavement and Sebadoah, to My Morning Jacket or Band of Horses, Blitzen Trapper have compiled there influences into their own unique voice. Even with it's ADHD tendencies, Wild Mountain Nation scores high with each track creating the most perfect mixtape of blistering lo-fi rock and Americana that you will find anywhere. The Portland band seems to know when to reel in their spastic nature, though, and say “enough” before anyone starts to get annoyed. Clocking in at just over a half hour in 13 songs, Wild Mountain Nation will excite without testing your patience. Overall it is a great mess of an album containing some of the best songs put to tape so far this year.

-Mr. Thistle

Blitzen Trapper - Wild Mountain Nation

Shows This Week

After last weeks dream teams at The Gallivan Center and The Depot, and the local band bombardment provided at Slowtrain’s 1 year anniversary (happy birthday!) we have an early week recuperation. For those who do regain energy for live music, this weekend seems pleasant enough. Friday, July 27th, is Kilby Court’s anniversary bash providing tunes, most notably, from northwestern DIY folk popper turned inspirational speaker, Jason Anderson. If you haven’t seen him live you may be in for a surprise, and you may possibly make a new best friend. It's endless energy and endless positive vibes. Emo rockers need not apply.

Jason Anderson Myspace

Saturday, July 28th, In The Venue will be suplying the evening's fun with Ex-Polyphonic Spree/Illinoisemaker, St. Vincent, with Scout Niblett and local opener Kid Theodore. A solid all ages show that is getting a bit of buzz.

St. Vincent Myspace

Scout Niblett Myspace

Kid Theodore Myspace

Saturday, July 28th, head to the Urban Lounge after St. Vincent because this thing is sure to have not started by then. Dead Horse Point, Band of Annuals and Cub Country will be providing all the Americana you’ll need for the next month.

Band of Annuals Myspace

Cub Country Myspace

After this weekend's exciting events, here are some future events you should be looking forward to:

7/28 – Aceyalone, Gift of Gab – Suede (Park City)
7/31 – Ryan Adams & The Cardinals – Red Butte
8/1 – Blitzen Trapper – Kilby Court
8/2 – Peter, Bjorn & John, Apostle Of Hustle - Gallivan Center
8/6 – Bishop Allen, Page France – Velour (Provo)
8/8 – Plants, Stag Hare - Kilby Court
9/5 – The Dirty Projectors - Kilby Court
8/9 – Pelican, Clouds – Urban Lounge
8/11 – Laura Veirs – Pierpont Pl.
8/11 – Harry and the Potters – SLC Public Library
8/13 – Paper Cuts – Urban Lounge
8/18 – Pelican, Clouds
8/18 – Skybox, The Future of the Ghost – Kilby Court
8/21 – Rock The Bells (Nas, Rahzel, Wu Tang, Talib Kweli) - TBA
8/23 – Portugal. The Man, The Nurses – Country Club Theatre (Ogden)
8/23 – French Kicks – Twilight Concert Series
8/26 – Alejandro Escovedo, Son Volt – Red Butte Garden
8/29 – Magnolia Electric Co., Band of Annuals – Urban Lounge
8/31 – Sleepy Time Gorilla Museum – Urban Lounge
9/1 – Ben Kweller, P.O.S. – In the Venue
9/4 – Brian Jonestown Massacre – Urban Lounge
9/5 – Dirty Projectors – Kilby Court
9/6 – Editors – In the Venue
9/7 – Maserati, Black Moth Super Rainbow – Urban Lounge
9/10 – Modest Mouse – McKay Events Center (Orem)
9/13 – The Brian Jonestown Massacre – Urban Lounge
9/21 – Two Gallants – Kilby Court
9/25 – Lavender Diamond, The New Pornographers – The Depot
9/28 – Black Mountain, The Cave Singers (w/ members of PGMG) – Kilby Court
9/28 – The Smashing Pumpkins – McKay Events Center (Orem)
9/29 – White Stripes (hopefully more than one note) – E Center
10/4 – The Cure – E Center
10/6 – Deerhoof! – In The Venue
10/12 – John Vanderslice – Velour (Provo)
10/13 – John Vanderslice - Kilby Court
10/15 – Interpol, Liars – McKay Events Center
10/20 – Pinback – The Depot
10/22 – Aesop Rock, Black Moth Super Rainbow – In the Venue
10/24 – Caribou, Born Ruffians – Urban Lounge
10/26 – Busdriver, Daedelus – In the Venue
10/26 – Tiger Army – In the Venue
10/27 – Menomena! – Kilby Court
11/4 – Octopus Project – Urban Lounge
11/15-18 – “High School Musical” on Ice Tour – Energy Solutions Arena
11/16 – Of Montreal, Grand Buffet – In the Venue
11/7 – Do Make Say Think – Urban Lounge

- Mr. Thistle

Pumice - Pebbles

Pumice
Pebbles
(2007, Soft Abuse)
10.0/10

You know those times when you listen to an artist for the first time only to completely surprised with a work of absolute creative perfection? It probably only happens once or twice a year, tops! Pumice has done it this year. Not only is this album in that field of genius but Pumice’s Pebbles is also in my "album of decade" category and onward beyond that. It's unabashedly spectacular beyond all reason. This is the kind of music that inspires cults. In my personal field of musical revelations this is up there with the first time I listened to Microphones’ The Glow Pt 2, Kallikak Family’s May 23rd 2007, Animal Collective’s Sung Tongs or The Books’ Lemon of Pink. And even still, Pumice is trying to prove himself as better than the former and almost anyone else I can think of. I could list the insanely influential and inarguably essential list of albums that Pumice seems to effortlessly and humbly belittle. I am sure that much of my mushy adorations come from personal preference (how can they not) but Pumice’s Pebbles is absolutely everything I want in an album. So what is this record, and who is this Pumice? New Zealander, Stefan Neville, is the one man wrecking machine responsible for the entire creation and Pebbles is his 3rd or so proper release amongst scores of recordings scattered everywhere. Once you hear this record you are going to think that this next statement is hilarious: Pebbles is Neville’s most refined production effort to date. The reason this is funny is because his recordings are soaked in a tub of TV static. In fact the whole DIY aesthetic makes it feel like the album is being held together by rolls of Scotch tape. Moving from the generally somber productions of his past recordings, Neville has actually recorded some fuzzed out booty shakers here on instrumental tracks like opener “Eyebath” and “Northland.” Pebbles reels from skuzzy instrumental rockabilly to damaged 60’s pop, to blissed-out, racket-filled drones to lo-fi folkish balladry that is all tied together in the most perfectly sequenced package that I have heard in a long while. It would take an absolute miracle of an album to remove this from my number 1 slot at the top of my year end list. I welcome any attempts…

-Mr. Thistle

Pumice - Northland

Vetiver - To Find Me Gone

Vetiver
To Find Me Gone
(2006, Fat Cat)
8.5/10

Vetiver’s To Find Me Gone has to be one of the most underrated albums of 2006. Getting middling reviews
from the impatient, the second full length from Andy Cabic’s solo project is an example of delicate, focused folk music that rewards the stamina. To Find Me Gone finds Vetiver reaching a perfect, unique stride after a promising debut. Here Cabic has found a healthy distance from former contributors and friends, Devendra Banhart and Joanna Newsom, making folk that is forward thinking but not “freakish.” To Find Me Gone avoids awkward vocal strains for a relaxed beauty that you can’t help but soak up like a rag. It is the antidote to stress and the soundtrack for hammocks. It is road trip music or music for floating lasily down a river. One Vetiver commenter got it spot on when they labeled this as a “go to album.” It is one of those necessary albums for the times when nothing else on your Ipod will seem to do. An essential album to fall back on again and again. Vetiver has created a record instantly satisfying whenever it is played.

-Mr. Thistle

Vetiver - stream To Find Me Gone

Minus Story - My Ion Truss

Minus Story
My Ion Truss
(2007, Jagjaguwar)
8.0/10

Minus Story has been a Forest Gospel staple for some time now. 2004's The Captain is Dead. Let the Drum Corps Dance and 2005's No Rest For Ghosts are FG essentials. So, you must read this critique in context. I like My Ion Truss a lot. It will certainly have a cozy spot on my year end list and is definitely recommended listening. The thing is, in the wake of two of the most influential albums in my home catalog My Ion Truss can only struggle to avoid being slightly disappointing. Minus Story has, for the first time, started to tread water. Even so, the water they are treading is still delicious. There is no way to evade Minus Story's knack for building melodically redeeming songs anchored by terrific drumming, and Jordan Geiger's quirky frog voice and strange lyrics are all intact here. I really shouldn't have such a negative tone towards this release, it just kind of nags at you. To Minus Story's credit, on My Ion Truss the band has created some of the most rocking songs since their debut. If MIT was released by a much younger band I would probably be slinging the accolades left and right. As it stands, My Ion Truss is just another brick in Minus Story's discography, one that they can hopefully build on in more interesting ways in the future.

-Mr. Thistle

Minus Story - Stitch Me Up

Marissa Nadler - Song III: Bird On The Water

Marissa Nadler

Song III: Bird on the Water

(2007, Kemado)

8.0/10.0

Listening to Marissa Nadler sing is like transporting yourself centuries into the past of some forgotten country village. Her ghostly voice echoes only a hint of modern familiarity, instead opting for eerie otherworldliness. Accompanied with a folk guitar and a river of strings, Nadler’s damp beautiful songs are curiously magical, casting an unlikely spell that requires repeat listens. Nadler also employs an occasional organ and backing vocals by additional specters, affecting a thin amount of dust to envelop your listening station before you can free yourself from her enchantment. Admittedly, this is my first time listening to Nadler and my initial “not bad but not great” reaction has been called into serious question. Continually building momentum and supernatural strength, Song III: Bird on the Water is destined to grow to be a 2007 favourite.

-Mr. Thistle

Marissa Nadler - Diamond Heart

Bat For Lashes - Fur And Gold

Bat For Lashes
Fur And Gold
(2007/US Caroline)
9.5/10

I have fallen in love again this year. Fur And Gold has been on repeat on my itunes for days now. This album has enthralled me and held me captive, with no sign of release. Bat For Lashes is the musical art project of England based Natasha Khan. This is her debut album, and already her voice is matured and precise, occaisionally reminiscent of Bjork. Her songs are deliberate and penetrating, vocal based and backed with multiple instruments including; piano, harpsichord, looped drums, and violins. The album is a journey with an overall brooding feel. The lyrics are particularly interesting, talking of wizards, magical journeys, and "chosen ones." Khan said that she wanted to create an album that "started at dusk and finished up in glorious sunlight." When listened front to back, Fur And Gold does sound like an overnight journey, slightly unnerving but mystical and curious. The ONLY hang-up I have with this album is that it has a tendency to get overly dramatic and theatrical, but mostly just on single "What's A Girl To Do?" (see below) Even with the melodrama, this is one of the best releases of the year. Don't let this one slip by.

-Sassigrass

Adem - Love and Other Planets

Adem
Love and Other Planets
(2006, Domino)
8.5/10

Love and Other Planets is the sophomore solo release of Fridge band member, Adem. On this album Adem takes the generally somber beauty of Homesongs and expands them into some more optimistic territory. The songs maintain the intimate delicacy that made Adem’s debut so entrancing and add many subtle instrumental embellishments. With hand claps, percussive vocals and odd clicks and bells, Adem creates something unique among most acoustic guitar based folk: strong songs with plenty of ear candy to keep you occupied. British by origin, Adem’s voice hints at his motherland but never pushes into novelty or annoyance for those not under British rule. One of the most enjoyable parts of Adem’s brand of introspective folk is that he is believable. His sincerity is paramount, there is no pretence here. Top ten of 2006.

-Mr. Thistle

Colleen - Everyone Alive Wants Answers

Retrospective
Colleen
Everyone Alive Wants Answers
(Leaf, 2003)
9.5/10

Producing miniature loop based suites; Colleen’s debut Everyone Alive Wants Answers plays like an elaborate dream or a lulling nightmare. The pseudonym of artist Cecile Schott, Colleen has released two proper full length records since her debut, including this year’s Les Ondes Silencieuses which sees her expanding into more classical areas. Even with her constantly forward thinking and consistently mesmerizing catalog it is Everything Alive Wants Answers that truly bewitches beyond all else. Mixing beauty with magic and magic with mystery and mystery with horror, Everything Alive Wants Answers could have easily been the cinematic mood piece that has spun Pan’s Labyrinth. Colleen incorporates an organic nature to her electronic stylings that involves a barrage of classical instruments along with purposeful recording methods and found sound and field recordings. Schott shows her mastery of the mini opus with pop sized gems that instantly transform you inner disposition. While the first halve may playfully lift, depending on your temperament, the second halve of the disc dips undoubtedly into creepier territory, guiding you through a serious of slightly off-kilter music box sonatas. All and all, Colleen’s debut is a masterfully unique piece of art that must be heard to be truly understood.

-Mr. Thistle

Efterklang - Under Giant Trees

Efterklang
Under Giant Trees
(2007, Leaf)
7.0/10

Efterklang’s limited min album, Under Giant Trees is a joy for completists. The release couples beautiful packaging with five songs that were written to accompany the band as they supported their terrific debut, Tripper. Under Giant Trees’ five tracks clocks in at just under 30 minutes taking obvious influences from glitch electronica and symphonic post rock ala Mum, Rachels and Colleen. Efterklang also adds some enjoyable choral elements with both female and male vocals to their particular concoction being a worthy addition among their contemporaries. Even while Under Giant Trees is enjoyable and has some genuine beauty, the little mini release fails to have the cohesion, even within its songs that Tripper had as a debut album. A fitting companion but not an introduction. Fortunately, Under Giant Trees still imbeds enough interest to keep me in steady watch for their true follow up.

-Mr. Thistle

Efterklang – Towards the Bare Hill

Joanna Newsom - Joanna Newsom and the YS Street Band EP

Joanna Newsom
Joanna Newsom and The YS Street Band EP
(2007, Drag City)
9.5/10

Somehow Joanna Newsom's voice gets better with every release. Her newest EP, Joanna Newsom and The YS Street Band is expanitorily named. After extensive touring for last year's release YS, Joanna and four members from her touring band (The YS Street Band) recorded three songs live in-studio. The tracks include a version of "Clam, Crab, Cockle, Cowrie" off of Milk Eyed Mender, and "Cosmia" which happens to be my favorite song off of YS. The first track on the EP is a new song "Colleen," which has beautifully haunting lyrics, like every other Newsom song. It sounds like an old Irish ballad. The EP is basically a more celtic extension of YS, which means it's amazing, and a must have for anyone who saw Joanna and the YS Street Band play together live. It's absolutely beautiful. I suggest reading along the epic lyrics while listening to "Colleen," "Cosmia," or any song on YS.

-Sassigrass

Shows This Week!!

Good week for shows in Salt Lake. Mmm, yes, much live deliciousness mostly for free!

Thursday (7/19) at the Gallivan Center the Twilight Concert Series is presenting the best show it has booked! First and foremost for me, the SLC Arts Council has somehow reeled in the Fiery Furnaces, who’s only other scheduled live show this year is in Long Island City, New York in September. Consider yerself lucky suckas, because the Furnaces are bringing their bizarro-pop blitzkrieg specifically to you for their single summer date of 2007. Trust me when I claim that the Furnaces are a one-of-a-kind live experience. Oh, and to up the ante, it seems that they are opening for some obscure indie rock band named Yo La Tengo that a lot of "the kids" are listening to nowadays. The show is one of their random stops outside of festival shows that are scheduled through the remainder of this year as well. Oh yeah, and don’t need to whine over the price of admission because there is none.

Fiery Furnaces - Quay Cur

Yo La Tengo - Pass the Hatchet, I Think I’m Goodkind

Saturday (7/21) at Slowtrain the best of SLC’s best local bands will be playing all day long. It is Slowtrain’s one years old birthday extravaganza and along with raffles and prizes you have the invertible who’s who playing. Check out this schedule: Laserfang, The Lionelle, Palomino, Band of Annuals, Cub Country, Wuhu Seai, Glinting Gems, Vile Blue Shades.

Slowtrain's Myspace (with music and links to all the band's myspace pages)


Saturday (7/21) part 2 at The Depot, Built To Spill will be visiting our fair city for the umpteenth time. An essential must see band, at least once. While I have seen my fair share of extended Doug Marsch guitar solos to fulfill any personal cravings, one special draw here is their opener The Boggs who have turned their bluegrass folk into an experimental pop funk that is likely to see a positive review on these pages (who doesn’t these days…) in the near future. Recommended.

Built To Spill Myspace

The Boggs Myspace

Annuals - Be He Me

Annuals
Be He Me
(2006, Ace Fu Records)
9.0/10.0

The proper thieves of our very own Band of Annuals’ maiden name from what I understand; the now exclusively named Annuals are also the proper thieves of incredible ideas strewn about the indie rock/pop landscape. Perhaps “thieves” is a bit harsh because, in fact, Annuals are endlessly creative and unfathomably fun. But in reference to thieving they do have a surprisingly wide number of name dropping references that are all bands of seemingly high creative prowess themselves. Indeed, Broken Social Scene, Akron/Family and Animal Collective all come along variously when listening to Annuals’ debut Be He Me. Sassigrass has also referenced Islands on her first listen that I found pretty apt but perhaps misleading in my own mind. Where Islands debut had dwindling replay value in comparison to their former band, The Unicorns, Annuals are continually and repeatedly inspiring, slapping smiles on the faces of all its listeners. Constantly searching out and finding inventive indie rock gems, Annuals wear their name well despite and personal SLC grudges they may have developed. This is a band I would travel to see play live. Listen to my new favourite song below; absolute energetic wonderment.

-Mr. Thistle

Annuals – Brother

Love Is All - Nine Times That Same Song

Love Is All
Nine Times That Same Song
(2006, What’s Your Rupture)
8.5/10.0

Bombastic! Yeah, I think that is the exclamatory descriptor here. Love Is All is the perfect post-punk pop band you have been waiting for, dishing endless hooks through 10 tracks. Nine Times That Same Song, title of the groups debut is probably a little bit more descriptive than you would expect or far more enjoyable than you would think. Completely by coincidence, Love Is All is the third Swedish band I have reviewed here (Dungen, The Knife) making me think that they be engineering creativity over there. Indestructibly consistent while rattling out hook after hook after hook, Love Is All is the champion of the summer making loud post punk anthems to eat popsicles too. Led by vocalist Josephine Clausson’s urgent singing and backed with angular guitars, bleating horns and blistering drums, there is something Jr. High about this stuff (but definitely not in a bad way). It is like music for crushes or music for cruising down to the gas station for a soda or something. Utter unabashed bliss that should not be missed!

-Mr. Thistle

Shows This Weekend!

Ok so here is a late update to this weekends shows.

7/13 (Friday (tomorrow)) - The Future of (I'm not sure if it is "a" or "the") Ghost will be playing with MeKungFu and FG favourites The Lionelle at Kilby Court. High quality local show for all ages, duh.

7/14 (Saturday starting at noon I believe) - Red Light Books is holding what I believe is titled the "Doon'n Sick Noise Fest" featuring what appears to be the first of its kind to recognize any type of SLC noise scene. Featuring the likes of The Tenenant's of Balthazars Castle, Waxen Tomb, Nolens Volens, Schwas, Gudgeguh and others? Go get your ear drums blown here.

I have also been digging for upcoming shows. While we will definately notify you as the dates get closer and new shows pop up, this is what we are looking forward to/are interested in (and maybe you too?):

7/19 – Fiery Furnaces, Yo La Tengo – Gallivan Center
7/21 – Lazerfang, The Lionelle, Vile Blue Shades and a million others – Slowtrain
7/21 – Built To Spill, The Boggs – The Depot
7/26 – Dr. Dog - Gallivan Center
7/28 – Cub Country, Band of Annuals – Urban Lounge
7/28 – St. Vincent, Scout Niblett, Kid Theodore – Kilby Court
7/31 – Ryan Adams & The Cardinals – Red Butte
8/1 – Blitzen Trapper – Kilby Court
8/2 – Peter, Bjorn & John, Apostle Of Hustle - Gallivan Center
8/8 – Plants, Stag Hare - Kilby Court
9/5 – The Dirty Projectors - Kilby Court
8/9 – Pelican, Clouds – Urban Lounge
8/11 – Laura Veirs – Pierpont Pl.
8/13 – Paper Cuts – Urban Lounge
8/21 – Rock The Bells (Nas, Rahzel, Wu Tang, Talib Kweli) - TBA
8/29 – Magnolia Electric Co., Band of Annuals – Urban Lounge
8/31 – Sleepy Time Gorilla Museum – Urban Lounge
9/1 – Ben Kweller, P.O.S. – In the Venue
9/4 – Brian Jonestown Massacre – Urban Lounge
9/6 – Editors – In the Venue
9/7 – Maserati, Black Moth Super Rainbow – Urban Lounge
9/25 – Lavender Diamond, The New Pornographers – The Depot
9/28 – Black Mountain, The Cave Singers – Kilby Court
10/12 – Caribou, Born Ruffians – Urban Lounge
10/13 – John Vanderslice - Kilby Court
10/17 – Busdriver, Daedelus – In the Venue
10/22 – Aesop Rock, Black Moth Super Rainbow – In the Venue
10/26 – Tiger Army – In the Venue
11/4 – Octopus Project – Urban Lounge
11/15-18 – “High School Musical” on Ice Tour – Energy Solutions Arena
11/7 – Do Make Say Think – Urban Lounge

www.24tix.com
www.pollstar.com
and elsewhere

Beach House - S/T

Beach House
Beach House
(2006, Carpark)
8.5/10

Beach House’s self-titled debut is sugary dream pop nostalgia that melts in the mouth of your ears, tingling your every sense. Beach House is a Baltimore duo consisting of Victoria Legrand and Alex Scally. The lush, weighty vocals of Legrand are the real center piece of this hallucinogenic ear candy. There is something slightly haunting to the cobwebs strewn throughout Beach House’s debut. It’s something about Legrand’s tone, its unnoticed manipulation. Along with Scally’s accompaniments, Legrand’s deep, entrancing yarns slowly mummifying its listeners into eternity, yet it is so slight in its otherworldliness that you are hardly aware you are away from home. Subtly and slowly charming, Beach House sits you down on the back porch to watch the waves roll in and the sun slowly fade into the pink-orange horizon. And its there you sit with a glazed smile, the most willful victim of a beautiful dream pop horror.

-Mr. Thistle

Beach House - Master of None

Polyphonic Spree - The Fragile Army

Polyphonic Spree
The Fragile Army
(2007, TVT)
5.0/10

I was converted to the Polyphonic gospel pretty late in the game. I didn't really listen or like them until Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (which I didn't see until it had been out over a year) helped me fall in love with "Light and Day." I really really loved their 2003 release, The Beginning Stages of... with its crawling beautiful instrumentations that lead into swelling anthemic choruses. The new release, The Fragile Army, is pretty much the same thing, but sans the crawling beautiful instrumentation. It's straight pop anthems, with the whole chorus singing almost the entire album. As much as I loved the occasional anthems in "The Beginning Stages of..." now it's just overboard. Seriously, it never lets up. It's so overly enthusiastically amblemic. I find it pretty annoying actually. I was very much looking forward to this release, but am sorely disappointed. They somehow digressed into a strummy overdose of happy. It's not a horrible album, but it's definitely not a great album. I would maybe turn it on as background music while cleaning the house or something.

- Sassigrass

Dungen - Tio Bitar

Dungen
Tio Bitar
(2007, Kemado)
8.5/10

Tio Bitar is Swedish import Dungen’s effort to complete the impossible task of following up 2004’s almost perfect Ta Det Lugnt. While Tio Bitar could only be expected to dwell in the shadows of its towering older brother, it is still an apt younger sibling. For those unfamiliar, Dungen take the best of Led Zeppelin and The Who and somehow enhance it using some type of Scandinavian voodoo wizardry. Where Ta Det Lugnt built on the unimaginable prospects of those former bands, Tio Bitar dwells as a slightly mellowed yet fulfilling companion piece. Buried in their influences, Dungen takes great lengths to ensure they capture the soul of their guitar heroes, using only vintage equipment to play and record the psych rock balladry. The effect is stunning. Tio Bitar feels like a hazy summer afternoon, awash with occasionally searing guitar riffs and nostalgic, galloping drums stirred into a layered mess of audible joy, circa 1977. Definitely the only album on my year end list that has successfully incorporated the jazz flute.

-Mr. Thistle

Dungen - Tio Bitar streaming

Aufgehoben - Messidor

Aufgehoben
Messidor
(2006, Holy Mountain)
9.0/10.0

Let me (hopefully) be the first to introduce you to the most violently abrasive noise album of 2006. Yeah, I’m aware that 2006 saw the release of Wolf Eye’s Human Animal, Yellow Swans’ Psychic Secession and even Prurient’s soul destroying Pleasure Ground. Nevertheless, Aufgehoben’s Messidor is the rightful king of them all. Clearly, “noise” can be a divisive topic; well, lets face it, noise can be a repellent topic at best. It is not even a point of possible conversation for most. I don’t tote these statements as a pretension because I share some of the sentiments held by its detractors. However, I also find that some of this so called noise is, in fact, genius. A portion of this movement is the embodiment and natural progression of the true punk/hardcore spirit of old that has all but fizzled into commercial stagnancy. Another part is all geek, harboring the crème de la crème of musical scientists. If you will allow me to be overly and unnecessarily analytical: Noise, as a genre label (and I am aware of the stigma of labeling genres of music, so bear with me), or avant-garde music as a whole, walks a thin line between intellectuality and the most intense ignorance; between the positively inspiring and the absolutely degrading. It’s a razors edge and you are either on it or you aren’t. The trouble is, as a rule, the genre is so heavily washed in reverb and distortion that it can be quite a task to sort through the legitimate artistry and the illegitimate, obnoxious crap. By now it has to be unavoidably clear that I, Mr. Thistle (my obvious birth name, first and last), has a bit of a sweet tooth for the unconventional. It is with this sweet tooth that I would like to humbly assert that Aufgehoben’s Messidor is in fact a work of genius proportions. Coupling both the spirit of a punk/hardcore revolution and the intellect of the most precisely built, artistic audio composition, Messidor drives its ethic, like screws, into your very bones. Aufgehoben’s noise devastation also manages to be incredibly respectable and refreshing by avoiding the now cheap hallmark of screaming through distorted mics that each of the aforementioned bands seems to fall back on. My personal problem with noise music can often be traced back to this method of distorted screaming. While I don’t perceive myself as particularly offendable, this process often leaves me with a more demonic tone than I casually prefer. It turns the composition into shock art which has little relevance in my arena of appreciation. On the other hand, Aufgehoben’s jazzy Sightings via Merzbow attack comes as a robust explosion, making its contemporaries look exceptionally weak in comparison without using any vocals. In fact, Aufgehoben has actual live drumming with the group priding itself on not using electronic processes to make the serious bleating on their records. Initially they went by the name Aufgehoben No Process just for clarification. Messidor is war music surging and softening in the progress of its battles. An absolute statement for the consumers of noise as a genre. If you are reading this line you have completed the longest review that will ever grace these pages and importantly so.

-Mr. Thistle

Aufgehoben – Coanima

An Introduction To A Magical Genre

GOODIES
Today is a very magical day, and with all the wizardry floating around in the air due to the release of the Harry Potter and The Order Of The Phoenix, I thought it would be an appropriate day to introduce you to a genre that you may not be familiar with. WIZARD ROCK! Sounds ridiculous right? Well it is, but it's pretty amazing at the same time, amazing that over 60+ bands have emerged in the "Wizard Rock" category since the first release of the J.K. Rowling cult classic. The bands are all directly related to Harry Potter and include: Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Band, Ron and the Weasley's, Lord Voldemort's Lonely Horcrux Band, Mostly Muggles, Remus and the Lupin's, Severely Snaped, Team Divination, The Hungry Hungry Hipogriffs, The Ministry of Magic, The Owl Post, The Unforgiveable Curses, Whomping Willows and a whole lot more. Of course, the stars of Wizard Rock are brothers Joe and Paul DeGeorge who started the first known Wizard Rock band, Harry and the Potters. Most the Wizard Rock bands are fanatics making crappy Garage Band music and people just joking around, but Harry and the Potters are serious about their music, well... sort of. They have released three albums and have done full US and European tours. In fact, I personally saw them at Kilby court last summer. It was an incredible age span, with quite a few members of the audience being under 10yrs of age. Both the DeGeorge brothers dress as Harry Potter for the shows and both claim to be Harry. One states that he is 1st yr Harry and the other claims to be 5th yr Harry. The story goes- they used Hermoine's time turner from book 3 to join the two Harry's and form the most rocking wizard band that ever will be. Their live show is very entertaining, usually opening with crowd favorite and chant along "Voldemort Can't Stop The Rock!" then"Save Ginny Weasley," and "This Book Is So Awesome!" Harry and The Potters will be rocking our dear Salt Lake City Library on this August 11th. If you like the Harry Potter book's you are sure to at least be entertained by their humorous lyrics, but the DeGeorge brothers energy is sure to wear you out- even if you are a marathon runner. The music isn't amazing, by any means. It sounds like the half serious/ half joke band that everyone had in high school. Their music pretty much sucks and their only talent lies in lyrical stand-up. Most Wizard Rock bands are novelty commedy acts rather than musical acts. It's definitely for a selected Harry fan audience, but if you are into magic and a little juvenile innocent fun- Harry and The Potters live show is sure to rock muggles, squibs and wizards alike into magical bliss.

For more info on wizard rock check out wizardrock.org and realwizardrock.com

Harry and the Potter's on myspace

-Sassigrass

The Knife - Silent Shout

The Knife
Silent Shout
(2006, Mute)
9.5/10

I am always skeptical but never fail to be blown away by the superb recommendations of the mighty indie music juggernaut Pitchforkmedia. It was only a short time ago that I half heartedly accepted listening to The Knife over a half year after Pitchfork announced Silent Shout as their number one album of 2006. Initial listens confirmed my apathy, splaying taboo euro-techno drums and synths with awkward, processed vocals. I don’t know quite what compelled me to make repeated listens really, but those subsequent listens have absolutely floored me. I have literally had the album on repeat amongst scores of incredible, enticing new music that I could be listening to. It is the first album to do that to me since Joanna Newsom’s Ys. I feel like I can’t keep listening to Silent Shout or else my 2006 gem (and Forest Gospel’s #1 of ’06), Joanna Newsom’s Ys, may be in danger of a retrospective rank toppling. That type of talk may just be from shock but it still isn’t verifiably impossible. The Knife’s Silent Shout is an absolutely unequivocal modern masterpiece. The difficulty is becoming familiar with and used to instrumentation that seemed to played out even in its hayday of the 1980’s. As previously experienced, you will likely play the first tracks and be wondering to yourself how anyone got suckered into buying into this Swedish hype. Patience though is the key here. The album must be consumed as a whole – only then will the kitschiness dissipate and the pure satisfaction of the album bleeds through. Slowly, one by one, every element from the seemingly inadequate drum machine to the apparently juvenile vocals will find their place and suddenly there is no turning back- you have already listened to the album 5 times in a row.

-Mr. Thistle

Guest Review: The White Stripes - Icky Thump

We at Forest Gospel are proud to present Guest Reviews. Every Tuesday we will be posting a review written by a FG reader. These reviews will not represent FG's opinion, but rather the reader's opinion. IF you would like to submit a review, feel free- just email forestgospel@hotmail.com. We will not guarantee that everything submitted will be posted. With that said, here is our very first Guest Review.

Guest Review

The White Stripes

Icky Thump

(2007, Warner Bros)

1.0/10.0

I think this album fully encompasses who The White Stripes really are. Unlike previous albums that don’t entirely capture the insanely massive ego of Jack White III, for Icky Thump he said goodbye to producers and decided this album would be his and his alone. From the silly button covered suits to the terrible title to the pretentious and poorly worded intro notes (written, of course, by III (aka Jack White III – which is a ridiculous notion regardless since his birth name is actually John Anthony Gillis, how exactly does he decide he is third in a line of Jack Whites?)), this album would appear to be a bust. But oh no music lover, it only gets worse once you actually listen to the record. Icky Thump sounds like the worst “Best of the 70’s Rock” compilation you’ve come across in your local Walgreens. It lacks any emotion on any level and relies heavily on the same guitar rifts we have previously heard in past White Stripes albums. Transitions from song to song are awkward at best, and Meg continues to fail to grow as a drummer (considering she is a 10 year veteran that is a damn shame). I’ve heard more creative (and on beat) drumming from the pre-recorded beats of a Casio keyboard. If you really want to listen to a solid rock album with true soul, try, local favorites, The Red Bennies. They put Jack White III to shame.

-The Dung Beatles

Battles @ The Urban Lounge 7/7/07

Show In Review
I have grown even more in love with Mirrored since my reivew, and I was very much looking forward to seeing it being played live. I think I was more excited for this show than I had been for any other show this year. All week I had been imagining "Race In" being played and how excited I would be. Then, it was Saturday, it was here. The Urban Lounge was packed, it being Will Sartain's birthday show and all. I can't say I paid a whole lot of attention to openers, The Future of The Ghost, and The Tremula- I was too anticipatory. Mr. Thistle seemed to really enjoy the reformed Tremula. The bits that I did pay attention to sounded a bit like At The Drive-In to me. The crowd really loved it. After they played, Battles sound checked for what seemed like a full decade then began playing-oh man, this was it! Oh wait, they totally slaughtered their album. It was like minimalized Mirrored, and maybe it was because I was expecting too much, but I was ultimately disappointed and would have been happier listening to their masterpiece album alone in my car. The sound levels sucked, which is weird, since they brought their own sound guy. Tyondai Braxton's guitar was completely drowning out Ian Williams, which removed all the subtle interesting undertones of the songs and placed in the forefront just the decoration. Most of the main substance was totally overpowered, and they stretched out every loop to about 16 measures longer than it is on the album, making it fairly boring. Maybe if I didn't have every count of the album memorized and had been expecting to hear it that way I would have been impressed, but it just wasn't as good as I wanted it to be. Overall, their album is still in my top 5 releases of the year thus far, but I could have passed seeing them live.

-Sassigrass


Thought I would add a little addendum here to kind of flesh out the openers minutely. I have seen The Future of the Ghost (who played first) 3 times now and I think they are getting a bit tighter each time I see them. Really good energetic post punk/pop rock vibes. I definitely think that if they keep progressing that they can become an important part of SLC music. As for The Tremula…wow! I remember exactly why I am in love with these guys. The played an absolutely powerful set of abrasive, experimental post punk exorcisms. Amazing drumming (of whom the member had flown in for the show I’m told) and awesome interplay between the dual guitar and bass onslaught. I miss music like theirs. I think the landscape of music is really absent of this kind of wonderfulness. I sincerely hope that this little one off reunion inspires The Tremula’s members to reconsider their retirement. Battles were definitely good as well but I can understand Sassigrass being let down considering her love for the album. It must be hard to evolve the songs as quickly in a live setting with the amount of looping being had. Battles were solid though. Just not quite the energy of what we love from their album.

-Mr. Thistle

Twighlight Concert Series

What are you doing this thusday, and next thursday, and the next, and the next, and the next? Starting at 7:00pm on thursdays the Gallivan Center will be rocked by the Twighlight Concert Series, which basically means, that for the next 7 thursdays the Salt Lake City Arts Council has amazing acts lined up for you to see FOR FREE! The most notable shows are July 19th featuring Yo La Tengo and The Fiery Furnaces, and August 2nd with Apostle of Hustle and Peter Bjorn and John. Check out their website for the info on the rest of the shows.

http://www.slcgov.com/arts/twilight/



-Sassigrass

Deerhunter - Cryptograms

Deerhunter
Cryptograms
(2007, Kranky)
8.5/10

Anyone who has heard even a moderate amount of the praise spewing forth for Deerhunter’s sophomore album, Cryptograms, is in for a let down; at least initially. At least I am speaking for myself (as always). Released by the almost incomparably high standards and consistency of Chicago based Kranky label, Cryptograms is an oxymoron of sorts. Marrying early 90s indie rock with their new label’s penchant for experimental ambient ear candy, the theory of Deerhunter’s sound is a marvelous one. However, my first listen was like getting punched in the face. After an almost Kranky required minimalist instrumental intro Deerhunter crushes your preconceived ideas of lifting and inspiring melodies with a garage of course unadulterated rock. For a couple of weeks I couldn’t get past the first few songs. Then one day I pushed my way through to the last half of Cryptograms to find that the hardnosed beginning morphed into a wonderfully satisfying shoegazer pop. Interspersed with several ambient instrumental tracks throughout the album, it is only as a whole that Deerhunter’s Cryptograms can be appreciated and subsequently dissected into individual songs for one-off enjoyments. Cryptograms is, in my opinion the true grower album of 2007. The accolades can now be verified as accurate. Seriously, I love the first half of the album now as much as the last. The context has somehow opened up the entire album like a vision. Do not sleep on Cryptograms, this is one of the better album indie rock albums you’re likely to find this year.

-Mr. Thistle

Exclamation!

GOODIES
I can't say I am a fan of Matt and Kim, but somthing about this video for the Flosstradamus remix of "Yeah Yea" had me at hello. It's probably because the little red monster says "holy camole!" Enjoy

-Sassigrass

The Number - Small EP

The Number
Small EP
(2007, Creation Centre)
8.0/10

In comparison to some of the other EPs produced by the Creation Center, the title to The Number's contribution to the label can be a little misleading. In length it may just be the longest than any of the other selections they have released. The Number's Small EP is also not lacking for content in the length of their compositions. An instrumental affair, the songs on The Number's Small EP would probably fit well next the most recent Do Make Say Think album or anything on the Temporary Residence record label (Explosions in the Sky, Sonna, Cex). There is something about this batch of four songs that is magical. Like the soundtracking of a magical forest, The Number plays lifting, eccentric compositions that dance around with an army of deftly plucked strings. This is coupled with an optimism builds through the first three before dropping back into reality (or possibly worse) on the fourth track “You,” which defers optimism for claustrophobia. As a whole, The Number's Small EP is exceedingly worthy of the time necessary to download.

-Mr. Thistle

The Number - Morning Music Refills

DOWNLOAD the Small EP as zip file

Shugo Tokumaru - Night Piece

Retrospective
Shugo Tokumaru
Night Piece
(2004, Music Related)
9.0/10

Shugo Tokumaru orchestrates miniature baroque pop/folk masterpieces. Night Piece's, his debut is a quaint view of his charming masterwork. Destined to be underwritten (the first and only current pressing available in the United States was for 500 copies), Night Pieces is a compilation of ten songs falling just short of a half hour; however, each translates like the movement of a tiny symphony. Tokumaru’s talent is in flawless production, interspersing countless instruments (mostly all played by Tokumaru himself) into each gem without flooding them of their unique heart. Tokumaru’s arrangements are golden. Lightly plucked guitars and softly swooshing strings from one song play into the playful romp with the mild acoustic beat of the next. The album really feels breeze-like, swiftly and quickly cooling you on the hottest day, somehow making life bearable. Tokumaru couples his expert guitar instrumentals with a tension melting tenor voice that often works as the albums most beautiful instrument, as the Japanese lyrics are likely impenetrable to most listeners. Night Piece is an uncompromising mark of pure talent coupled with an earnest, eclectic spirit. Inspiring.

-Mr. Thistle

Pandatone - The Outside and I EP

Pandatone
The Outside and I EP
(2007, Creation Centre)
7.0/10

Pandatone is an electronic (or folktronic, depending on your ability to stomach the genre title) artist that was actually my introduction to the Creation Centre label. On The Outside and I EP Panatone has crafted an group of recordings slightly more ambient and experimental than the recordings on his full length releases. Losing the structure captured by his previous releases beats, here Pandatone rides awkward, repeating guitar and piano motifs coupled with field recordings and electronic embellishments. Some of the tracks remind me of Colleen, creating slightly devious, slightly beautiful instrumental soundscapes. The EP follows four songs for under 12 minutes, and while not as immediately satisfying or repeatedly rewarding as some of his past work, the EP does cover ground that is attention worthy (and how couldn’t you pay attention when you can download it free?).

-Mr. Thistle

Pandatone - Not the Last Train

DOWNLOAD THe Outside and I EP as zip file

Chad VanGaalen- Skelliconnection

Chad VanGaalen
Skelliconnection
(2006, Sub Pop)
9.0/10

Skelliconnection is Calgary native Chad VanGaalen's follow-up album to the impressive Infiniheart. Infiniheart was an instant classic for me, but the album felt like it had a few holes of disinterest. Chad has filled the holes and released one of my favorite albums that I own. Last year Forest Gospel created a Top 50 Album of 06' list and this album was #4. So why did I give it a 9, probably because I've played it out like crazy since it's release last August (almost a retrospective, but not quite!). Chad VanGaalen sings his curious lyrics in a humble broken tone over ever changing instrumentations. The names of most the tracks are two-word morphs, like the album title, which seem fitting for one of the most contrasting yet congruent albums of late. The songs vary in a wide range from drum-machine dance flavored trance songs like "Flower Gardens," all the way to strummy blue's folk ballads like "Wing Finger." The album is organic and ever changing, soothing and discoordinate. The songs were all written and performed by him, except an occaisional guest drummer (he even created a few new instruments just to records this album.) Seeing Chad VanGaalen live is also an amazing experience. When he opened for Band of Horses last fall at Club Sound he played solo on stage with a guitar in his hands, a harmonica around his neck, and three drums on the floor which he played with his feet using bass pendels. His talent doesn't stop at the audible only, he is also a very skilled illustrator and animator, and makes his own music videos. Chad VanGaalen seems like an unstoppable indie force right now and I am hungerly waiting to hear more from this super-musician.

-Sassigrass

New Zach Condon and Iron & Wine

GOODIES
Today's goodies are two absolute delights. First up, Zach Condon's (Beirut) single from the The Believers Cue the Bugle Turbulent compilation.

Zach Condon- Venice

And next we have the new single from Iron and Wine's new album, The Shepherd's Dog, which will be released Sept. 25th. Enjoy!

Iron and Wine - Boy With A Coin

-Sassigrass