CD Review, Deerhunter, Entertainment, Music

CD Review: Halcyon Digest [2010]

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Band: Deerhunter
Release: 9/2010
Label: 4AD

1. “Earthquake” – B-
2. “Don’t Cry” – A
3. “Revival” – A
4. “Sailing” – A
5. “Memory Boy” – A_
6. “Desire Lines” – A
7. “Basement Scene” – A-
8. “Helicopter” – A-
9. “Fountain Stairs” – A-
10. “Coronado” – A
11. “He Would Have Laughed” – A+

Comments: Deerhunter is another one of those bands whose releases I greatly anticipate. Last year’s EP Rainwater Cassette Exchange tickled my fancy, as I gave it about as high of a grade as anything else I heard. I anticipated that I’d be doing the same with this LP. Not the case. There are some cuts that seem like leftovers from Rainwater: the jungle-jangle “Revival,” coincidentally the best song on here, the upbeat saxophone-included ditty “Coronado,”and “Don’t Cry,” an engaging encounter with a youngster who’s in a difficult situation similar to the one that Bradford was in at the same age. Though, more likely, it might just be adult Bradford talking to child Bradford. Next topic: atmospheric songs. These are quintessential to Deerhunter’s discography and probably always will be. Atmosphere + singing is a little bit better than plain old instrumental, but I’m a proponent in the belief that a band can do without these. The folk-tinged “Memory Boy” delves into some thought provoking issues. “Is there anyone who wants to see the sun go down, down, down, down, down, down, down?!” “Desire Lines” has Lockett Pundt and crew taking a stab via vocals, dominant bass lines, arpeggios, and consistent drum beats at the sound of ’90s alternative. “Basement Scene” is reminiscent of ’50s and ’60s Buddy Holly/girl group material with, of course, a decent amount of psychedelia thrown in the stew. “Helicopter” is refreshing and, for lack of a better word, chill. The Jay Reatard dedicated “He Would Have Left” is a similarly chill exposition that holds up well over its near 8 minute length. In conclusion, this record deserves a spot among Deerhunter’s best. It might not contain several game-changing songs that Microcastle or Rainwater possessed, but it does come close.

Grade: A- (92)

Band Recommendation, humor, Music

Band Recommendation: Red Mass

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Red Mass is a group of musicians who fit in the general category of a band. They’re on the psychedelic/experimental side of rock and roll AND will be opening for King Khan and the Shrines at select shows! Among those select shows is the Royale Boston one that we’ll be attending. Ahh, the excitement! Well, anyway, I like what I hear and thought I’d share them with all of you guys. You know, move them to the next level of recognition.

“Male Models” – Haha! This one is funny. They sound like they’ve been at this since the ’80s. The style is dance-rock, but it’s eclectic and nearly parodies mainstream ’80s rock while still maintaining an edge that none of the shitty bands ever had at that time.

CD Review, Music

CD Review: Crush [2010]

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Band: Abe Vigoda
Release: 9/2010
Label: Post Present Medium

1. “Sequins” – B+
2. “Dreams of My Life (Chasing After You)” – B
3. “Throwing Shade” – B
4. “Crush” – B+
5. “November” – B
6. “Pure Violence” – B
7. “Repeating Angel” – C+
8. “To Tears” – B
9. “Beverly Slope” – B
10. “We Have to Mask” – C+

Comments: Ha ha! What funny guys Abe Vigoda are. Well, funny…sort of. They’ve all but ditched their lo-fi “tropical” punk aesthetic for something more…hi-fi and softer.  This record sounds a bit like a Bloc Party record in that it combines traditional post-punk revival tendencies with synth/electro pop. It’s a wimpy showcase that is momentarily fun, but rather stale. I sense they had a hard time parting with their earliest asset: tropicalismo. There are some slight elements of that genre present on this record like on “Pure Violence” in the form of reverb-drenched guitar riffs (a la Real Estate and the like). The band gets all Arcade Fire Suburbs on “To Tears.” I might even have to call this out as “chillwave.” Gross. I guess if you plan on falling asleep in the middle of listening to this then it’s all right.

Grade: B- (83)

pictures, Politics, Quotes, rant, religion

My Thoughts On the Mosque

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Either way, whether you are for or against the building of the Mosque at Ground Zero, this is without a doubt a touchy topic and it is understandable for both parties to feel hurt and/or offended. Though, with that being said, this is America after all, the supposed land of freedom and therefore through a legal perspective the mosque’s location should not be in question. Ok, so they can build it, that’s not the issue, it’s the moral factor. Well, I admit this sounded funny to me the very first time I heard it, but I never thought it was some sort of horrible act that was worthy of such (smoke screen) media coverage and debate. So, now that I am over a hundred words into my little spiel, I bet you are saying to yourself “get to the fucking point, which side are you on?!” Ha, well let me say up front I don’t know what it is like to walk in the shoes of the 9/11 Victims’ families, but at the same time, what is wrong is wrong. To me, as with most, discrimination is wrong. This, though as I said earlier is an emotionally charged issue, is clearly discrimination, even if understandable discrimination. Discrimination is discrimination. Let’s look at it this way, if it had been a Christian nation or rather Christian terrorists that had committed the atrocious crime in the name of God would we be debating the right or morality of Christians to be able to build a church a couple of blocks away from Ground Zero. No, of course not, because Christianity is the dominant religion here, so we are not offended by it. Well, to me there is no difference and that is a massive indication that this is a clear sign of Islamaphobia. It’s not like they are buildng Jihad Cafe. This a community center for those of the Muslim faith, not a center for terrorists. Also, this is the equvialent of freedom of speech and so it’s the same deal: freedom of speech protects the speech you precisely disdain. I sincerely send my heart out to all who feel sad or threatened by this issue, on either side. But, like Rage Against the Machine screams, “When ignorance reigns life is lost.” Keep your eyes and ears open.

Boston based shows/fests – DIY, punk, noise