Filed under: Editor Picks | Tags: Bon Iver, Fleet Foxes, Grizzly Bear, Shai Hulud, Spanish Prisoners, The Antlers, The Black Atlantic
The Black Atlantic play chilly, Bon Iver-tinged baroque pop
PREVIEW: DOWNLOAD The Black Atlantic’s Reverence for the Fallen Trees
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: 20 Watts Reviews The Antlers’ Hospice, Emerging Artist: The Antlers
With their sad, shadowy crooning and sweet acoustic overtures, Holland’s The Black Atlantic are pretty much perfect for gusty fall weather. Frontman Geert van der Velde, late of the metal act Shai Hulud, wails and mourns like a Nordic Bon Iver, while the rest of the band — piano, flute and ukulele in hand — channel baroque pop through a chilly, North Sea lens.
Appropriately, the majority of their recent debut, Reverence for the Fallen Trees, was recorded in a log cabin in the Adirondacks. Its ten tracks, all earnest meditations on life, death and remembrance, can be downloaded for free on the Black Atlantic’s site. The Antlers and Spanish Prisoners also make appearances.
If you like either of those bands — or Bon Iver, Grizzly Bear, Fleet Foxes, and others of their folk-pop ilk — you’ll have Reverence on heavy rotation.
– Caitlin Dewey, Editor in Chief
Filed under: Editor Picks | Tags: All Points West, Dirty Projectors, Fleet Foxes, Girl Talk, Grizzly Bear, hip-hop, indie rock, Jay-Z, Ra Ra Riot, Seasick Steve, The National, Vampire Weekend, Williamsburg Waterfront, Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Jay-Z is apparently a huge fan of Grizzly Bear
PREVIEW: Download Jay-Z’s “Run This Town” (Ft. Rihanna and Kanye West) MP3
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: 20 Watts Reviews Jay-Z’s “Run This Town”
With Jay-Z prepping the release of his ridiculously hyped new album, The Blueprint 3, it’s surprising that he would have time to go to any concerts — much less Grizzly Bear’s free appearance on the Williamsburg Waterfront (previously graced by Girl Talk and Dirty Projectors this summer) this past Sunday, Aug. 30. However, the rapper did the 12,000 hipsters at the waterfront one better, by giving the indie rock scene one of the most notable stamps of approval it’s ever received:
“The thing I want to say to everyone — I hope this happens because it will push rap, it will push hip-hop to go even further — what the indie rock movement is doing right now is very inspiring. It felt like us in the beginning. These concerts, they’re not on the radio, no one hears about them, and there’s 12,000 people in attendance. And the music that they’re making and the connection they’re making to people is really inspiring. So, I hope that they have a run where they push hip-hop back a little bit, so it will force hip-hop to fight to make better music, because it can happen, because that’s what rap did to rock.” (MTV) (more…)
Filed under: Releases of the Week | Tags: Black River Killer, Blitzen Trapper, Chuck, Eric Earley, Fleet Foxes, Sub Pop, Wilco
Blitzen Trapper release new album Black River Killer
PREVIEW: Download Blitzen Trapper’s “Silver Moon” MP3
WE GIVE IT: 17/20 Watts
Whether you love them for their music, heard of them because you are addicted to Chuck re-runs, or just stumbled across them opening for Fleet Foxes or Wilco, Blitzen Trapper has a few new songs for you to hum along to. The Oregon-based sextet, after self-releasing albums for years before signing with Sub Pop, is going public with their second collection under the label.
Black River Killer is a seven song EP showcasing work from the band’s entire career. Combining songs, which used to be available only on CD-R, into a solid assembly, Blitzen Trapper produce a mini-album that will be hard to overlook. Ranging from melancholy folk influences to cosmic jailhouse rock, this album has it all. Each song emulates perfection, making it impossible to pick your favorite.
Opening track “Black River Killer” defines the album’s sound. Subtle guitar chords paired with understated, airy synth in the background serve as a perfect accompaniment to singer Eric Earley’s tranquil country vocals. Blitzen Trapper offer a wide selection that displays both songs with commercial appeal as well as examinations of very personal emotions. (more…)
Filed under: Emerging Artists | Tags: 60's, California, Crosby, East Coast, Fleet Foxes, Green technology, Grizzly Bear, I'm Waiting for the Man, Lou Reed, Mamas and t, Metal Machine Music, Nash and Young, Pink Floyd, Quentin, Quentin Tarantino, revivalist, San Francis, San Francisco, Scott Walker, Stills, Syd Barrett, The Beach Boys, The Fresh & Onlys, The Mamas and The Papas, The Velvet, The Velvet Underground, Thee Oh Sees
Fresh out of their garage
PREVIEW: Download The Fresh & Onlys’ “I Saw You (It Was Strange)” MP3
These days nostalgia for the past is at an all-time high. Whether it’s fashion, cars, or music, we’ll just mix n’ match and recycle old ideas and make them new again! That’s why we have groups like The Fresh & Onlys that are a part of this burgeoning “’60s revivalist” movement carelessly wearing its influences on its sleeves.
The most popular of these “revivalist” groups today are bands like Fleet Foxes and Grizzly Bear, who have infused the lovely harmonies of ’60s California bands, from The Mamas and The Papas, The Beach Boys to Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young.
The Fresh & Onlys call back to the grittier bands from the East Coast and some sounds that weren’t even popular in the 1960s — with songs that sound as if they’re being played on scratchy 45s you could only find in a jukebox in a Tarantino film. Surprisingly enough, this band is from sunny San Francisco.
The influences can be spotted a mile away by any casual audiophile who hasn’t already ruined his/her hearing from listening to Lou Reed’s Metal Machine Music. On “Tell Me What You Want to Know” The Fresh & Onlys employ a juggernaut of rhythm that harkens back to The Velvet Underground classic “I’m Waiting for the Man.” Tim Cohen’s vocals combine haunting Scott Walker and abrasive Lou Reed impersonations.
Their track “I Saw You (It Was Strange)” clashes old school American early ’60s rock with the jolting psychedelic melodies of Syd Barrett’s Pink Floyd. This occurs in a break between the indistinct, yet lovely, “aww-aww-awws” with the first lyrics “I saw you/ Yes it is/ Seeing me/ Through-ough you.” They aren’t the most brilliant lyrics: at first glance, they sound like Barrett-wannabe’s. But that’s hardly any reason to pin The Fresh & Onlys down since the atmospherics they instill in their recordings are good enough to make you forget about the words.
If you’re in California be sure to check them out this month in the handful of gigs they’re playing all over the state. For the rest of you, check them out on their upcoming cross-country tour with Thee Oh Sees!
– Charlie Weeks
Filed under: Free 4 All, Releases of the Week | Tags: built to spill, Fleet Foxes, Phil Ek, Radiohead, Strokes, The Dodos, Time to Die, Visiter
Time to Die isn't as impressive as Visiter, but it'll do for now
PREVIEW: The Dodos: “Fables”
LISTEN: Time to Die Streaming
Last year, The Dodos released one of the best albums of 2008, Visiter. Pitchfork described the album as “one of the most welcoming (and welcome) records of 2008.” Sadly, the same can’t be said for their follow-up, Time to Die.
After expanding the duo to a trio and hiring veteran indie-rock/-folk producer Phil Ek, The Dodos convinced hipsters everywhere that their third release would be godly. Alas, even Ek’s impressive credentials (Fleet Foxes, Everything All the Time, most of Built to Spill’s discography) can’t save Time to Die from that all-powerful album-breaker: boredom.
Overall, the record employs the same technique we remember from Visiter, and actually has superior production values, but never reaches the same memorable height that the first album did. The same specific issues are present on more than a few of the album’s nine songs. (more…)
Filed under: Editor Picks, Free 4 All, Playlists | Tags: Animal Collective, Atlas Sound, Ben Lee, Brazilian Girls, Bright Eyes, Broken Social Scene, Coldplay, Devendra Banhart, Dirty Projectors, Enrique Iglesias, Fleet Foxes, Gipsy Kings, Grateful Dead, Jose Gonazalez, Kings of Convenience, M83, Phoenix, The Shins
20 Watts' free beach mix is a perfect blend of warm-weather hits.
DOWNLOAD FREE 20 WATTS Beach Playlist AT MEDIAFIRE
I’m going to follow Alex’s lead, but not because I’m an unoriginal poseur, but because I sincerely believe in the power of a kickass playlist. There is absolutely nothing more precious than music perfectly coinciding with your surroundings, which is why I’m going to share my ideal beach playlist. Trust me, I tested it this past weekend, and a playlist capable of transforming the Jersey Shore into the ultimate island getaway is worth a listen.
Filed under: Emerging Artists, Playlists | Tags: Fleet Foxes, Kid Cudi, Mos Def, Passion Pit
Filed under: Editor Picks, Features, Industry News, XCLUS!VES | Tags: All Points West, Animal Collective, Fleet Foxes, Girl Talk, Guided By Voices, Lady Boys, Lykke Li, MGMT, MSTRKRFT, N.A.S.A., Ra Ra Riot, Smash Brothers, The Handsome Furs, The Shins, The Smash Brothers, Tokyo Police Club, Yeah Yeah Yeahs
HEY Y’ALL.
Jett and I have some v. exciting news for you.
As if you weren’t inundated enough with podcasts, downloads and other new media ‘gimmicks,’ we have created the all-new – the exclusive – the amazing – 20 WATTS WEEKLY PODCAST.
Jett and I will sacrifice our time and reputations to bring you the week’s best music news and commentary, complete with song bytes and idiotic chatter.
FREE 4 ALL: 20 Watts Weekly Podcast #1
On Podcast #1: Food poisoning, Smash Bros side projects, bad remixes, worse top 100 lists, the difficulties of picking a day to attend All Points West and how naked you should be at a Girl Talk show.
This thing is in its baby stages, y’all, so PLEASE comment and let us know what you think. Do you want more music? More raciness? More Jett/less Caitlin? We also need a more creative name.
Until next Friday, then…!
- Caitlin, front of book editor
Filed under: Editor Picks, Features | Tags: Fleet Foxes, Lykke Li, MGMT, MSTRKRFT, Ra Ra Riot, Silversun Pickups, Tokyo Police Club, We Are Scientists, Yeah Yeah Yeahs
I’ve never been to major music festival in my life, and I’ve been waiting for the right one to come around. To my great excitement, I might have found one! If you’re going to be in NYC this summer, then All Points West is a must! The lineup is unbelievable, and the single-day pass is reasonable –only $89!
It’s okay if you want to salivate as you read some of the acts playing this year: Ra Ra Riot, MSTRKRFT, Lykke Li, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Tokyo Police Club, MGMT, Fleet Foxes, The Cool Kids, Silversun Pickups and We Are Scientists.
The only problem is that if you just want to pay the single-day pass, you have to pick the best day, because obviously you’re not going to get to see all these great bands in one day…which is why they want us to by the full pass– $199. There’s also a chance these prices might only be available for a limited time, so act quick and buy your tickets this Saturday on Ticketmaster!
I might not have a choice, so if you’re down, let me know!
[Ed. note: check back often for more extensive coverage of APW, as more news develops]
–Jett Wells, Co-Reviews Editor
With winter in full force this week, the best thing to do is daydream of spring. A perfect compliment to your thoughts of sandals, warmth, and life without winter coats is the chamber pop band Fleet Foxes. The Seattle five-piece creates lush songs that evoke elements of folk, rock, and pop influences.
Lead vocalist Robin Pecknold sings with a maturity beyond his years, sounding both plaintive and upbeat. Instruments like the mandolin, banjo, and tambourine are often incorporated, giving the music a playful quality. The track, “White Winter Hymnal,” seems to be a call for spring rather than a celebration of winter because it evokes a carefree, shimmering quality. The song builds from a quiet echo with a tambourine to a fully realized chorus that’s hard to get out of your head. It will definitely be on my soundtrack for spring.
“Sun it Rises” starts off with a country-tinged chorus, but eventually turns into an airy pop song with a nod to times past. Fleet Foxes seem to be masters of interspersing quiet guitar parts with charged keyboards that keeps you guessing where the song will go next. But their transitions are seamless, making the music memorable and engaging.
Apparently the venerable Seattle-based record label Sub Pop Records thinks so too. Fleet Foxes signed with Sub Pop in January of this year. The band is currently touring throughout the U.S. with a couple of shows in Canada. They will release an EP, “Sun Giant,” available everywhere April 8th. According to their Myspace page, they will also release an LP in June, just in time for summer.
To learn more about Fleet Foxes, check out this Youtube interview from Bumbershoot 2007:
- Christina
