"Please Don't Pass Me By" If I had to dislike something about Vetiver, it'd be that they are just so easy. Almost like easy listening of the folk variety. While this could easily tarnish their reputation, fact is their sound is so effortless and carefree that the simplicity doesn't bother me, rather it enchants me, giving their sylvan folk a preternatural quality, comparable to dawning sun. If your looking to get into the band, I highly suggest checking out "Sleep a Million Years", a collaboration with Vashti Bunyan which appeared on Vetiver's covers album Things of the Past, which, like all thigns Vashti, is absolutely magical. Vetiver released their latest, Tight Knit, this week on Sub Pop and will be heading on tour with current Bobka favorites Papercuts this Spring. The pairing will hit the Bowery Ballroom on May 3rd and Brooklyn's Bell House on May 7th. I highly suggest penciling this in on your calendar.
"Said the Knight on the Road" Just a little follow up on the last post. AtEaseWeb member Robin Pecknold confirmed that it was he who recorded and posted the two songs on the White Antelope MySpace page. In his own words:
Ey!!!
I used to post demos of songs on that page before the record came out. The Guitar Duet thing dates from when we were recording the LP and the cover of False Knight I did about two weeks ago. I posted the first demo of Blue Ridge Mountains (when it was called Stirring, before the other Stirring) on there before. I might put that back up, it had different instrumentation and was kinda cool....
Right now I am alone in this house we've rented to record the next record in and tomorrow I'm going to record a cover of Ridge Rider, the Judee Sill song, for this compilation. Trying to write new stuff is hard right now for some reason.
I want to do a record of really spare stuff for White Antelope so it may be recorded this year. I dunno if that is a good name though.
Thinking out loud.
I guess I can add the White Antelope (or Robin solo disc) to my increasingly elongated list of albums I'm anxiously awaiting to hear in 2009. The two tracks in discussion are available below.
"In The Quivering Forest" Still not on the Fleet Foxes bandwagon? Try this Nigel Godrich produced, recorded and engineered live version of "Blue Ridge Mountains" on for size. It fits wayyy better than that itchy sweater your great Aunt Ada gave you last Christmas, and the Christmas before that. In fact, it fits so well, you'll never want to take it off. Ever. You can marvel at the video, soon to be shown on IFC, here, but we know your going to want to take this one with you, so grab the mp3 below. Ripped by yours truly. And May the wind always be at your back...
"I'll Find You & I'll Kill You" Featured on the latest Bobkast, the video for the haunting "Molten Light", from Chad VanGaalen'sSoft Airplane (Sub Pop), is a twisted pyschotropic nightmare that somehow comes off as playful, regardless of the dour lyrics and sort of horrifying animation. It should also be noted that even though we've never discussed Chad before, Soft Airplane is quickly becoming one of my favorite records of 2008. It's full of slow-folk trips down memory lane that meander like endless drives and lilting melodies that soar like hot air balloons over ancient valleys. Throw in some sound manipulations, a few electric beats and you've got yourself a winner. Now if Sub Pop would just release it on wax (along with Sera Cahoone and the Ruby Suns) the world would be complete.
Two of my favorite songs of 2k8. Casey adds some melodica to Blue Ridge Mountains, a perfect, almost Parisian, touch to the Appalachain hymn. Once again, go see le Fleet Foxes ASAP.
"When I First Came To Town They Called Me The Roving Jewels" (Photo by Play Vicious) As expected, last nights Fleet Foxes show at the Grand Ballroom was another blessing. No surprise, considering every time we've seen them, with exception of Pitchfork Fest, they've been absolutely magical. Last night's set wasn't too different from what I've seen in the past, but it did feature a healthy Robin, a first for us New Yorkers, and a standing Robin taboot. Highlights of the evening were Robin's solo, totally unplugged versions of traditional standard "Katie Cruel", a personal favorite, and "Tiger Mountain Peasant Song." They also unleashed a not-quite-finished new song, "Silver City", which they've been playing on the road, and features Robin on electric guitar. And, of course, "Mykonos" continues to define itself as the definition of new American gospel folk, a made up genre that perfectly suits le Fleet Foxes. If our prior posts on the wonders of the Fleet Foxes didn't make you immediately buy tickets to their next show, please do yourself a favor and make it happen. You will not be disappointed.
Setlist:Sun Giant->Sun Rises->Drops in the River, English House, White Winter Hymnal, Ragged Wood, Your Protector, Crayon Angels (Judee Sill Cover) {Robin solo}, Oliver James{Robin solo}, Quiet Houses, He Doesn't Know Why, Mykonos,
Encore: Katie Cruel (Traditional) {Robin unplugged, solo}, Tiger Mountain Peasant Song {Robin unplugged, solo}, Silver City(new song), Blue Ridge Mountains
"Your So Sweet, Thanks For Asking" (Photo by LikeATeenSpirit) Sunday night Oxford Collapse played an acoustic set at Sound Fix. Sound odd? Yeah, it kinda was. Granted the guys were extremely open about how they had "never done this before", play acoustic that is. We weren't surprised, because honestly it's electricity which propels Oxford Collapse's tattered and bedraggled pop into a whirlwind of exhilarating and enticing basement punk . They mentioned attending one of Levon Helm's near legendary Midnight Rambles the night before and the 'loose' vibe of the Ramble certainly made its way into the Sound Fix Lounge. However, the vibe didn't do much for the songs, which were sort of sloppy, sort of shitty, and sort of unbearable. I only say this because I really like Oxford Collapse, its just that they were incredibly awkward in trying to pull together this acoustic set. Yet they went against the grain and did it anyway. They played a few songs off BITS and a couple of admittedly butchered covers, including a Frightened Rabbit tune and Bob Dylan's "When I Paint My Masterpiece."
Regardless, I've been listening to their latest, BITS (just released on Sub Pop), and it's pretty darn sweet. "The Birthday Wars", a song they opened with (I think) at Sound Fix, is all the woozy, bass heavy bashing we've come to expect from the Brooklyn trio (mp3 and video below). Fortunately, Oxford Collapse is throwing an ELECTRIC CD release show Thursday at Glasslands, which will feature the following:
fun n' games, decorations, streamers, comedians, clowns, mimes, capoeria, mud wrestling, midget wrestling, wheelchair basketball, tupperware parties, a preview screening of the new BATMAN, WWF all-star "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan, a very special appearance by someone very special, beer pong, Darth Maul, the Groovie Ghoulies, how to learn braille, chimichangas, 5th wave ska, legendary A's slugger Dave Kingman, Violent Bullshit, Mario Cantone, and the usual gang of i'jiots.
Luckily, I don't think there will be any mandolins in attendance on Thursday.
Waking up at 4:30 a.m. occasionally has its advantages. Case in point, yesterday when I awoke to find that the Fleet Foxes announced a second show for this evening at Union Hall. While reports of Robin's health from last night weren't exactly positive, I was optimistic because when I saw them make their NYC debut in March, Robin was also under the weather. (Although that time it seemed to be the fluctuating weather, not the perils of the road.) Regardless, the late show at Union Hall tonight was a special affair. Robin definitely wasn't 100%, but the dude gave his God's honest all and everyone in the room was thankful. Not only were they thankful, but I have to give mad props to Brooklyn, as the audience at the late show was one of the most respectful, utterly entranced audiences I've had the pleasure to have been apart of in along time. (Probably since the last time I saw Fleet Foxes, or Joanna Newsome.)
Not gonna lie, even in a shitty situation the Fleet Foxes sound amazing. Their form is timeless, not some passing neon fad or Hype Machine fueled future top 40 act. "Blue Ridge Mountains", as expected, was an evening highlight, but I think the moment of most utter transcendence came during "Mykonos", where Josh Tillman's percussion lent a dark force to the best song on the Sun Giant EP. I heard someone mention that Tillman takes "Mykonos" to almost religious levels, and I can't do anything but agree.
While the entire band was on extra point tonight (due to Robin Pecknold's illness), it was Pecknold himself who stole the show. No doubt he could've sat the show out, hell if I were him I would've cancelled it, or not even scheduled it. But even under the weather, Pecknold delivered a bold, wholehearted and genuine performance that both enraptured the audience and wrapped them in warm blankets. I only wish I'd given Robin a proper bear hug after the show to prove how much his performance meant to the entire crowd. Like the show in March, he repeatedly thanked the crowd in the most humble, Northwestern way possible. Needless to say, I had to thank him back and I'm pretty sure everyone at Union Hall tonight would've done the same. That said, the band admitted that the early show was, well, shit. And it didn't help that folks in the front row scribbling notes (Tillman joked about his performance receiving a 7.2). Regardless, the Late night crowd was so attentive, I almost forgot I was in a packed room full of awe-struck compadres, which is probably the greatest compliment I could ever give band. I literally lost myself, in place and time, in the Union Hall basement tonight. It was beautiful, in the realest way possible. God bless the Fleet Foxes
"Another Saturday Night And I Ain't Got Nobody" I arrived at Union Hall just in time to grab a drink and catch Sera Cahoone's first song. From the start things sounded great and the live interpretations of songs from this years fantastic Only As The Day Is Longsounded as good, if not better than on record. Her band was tight, fleshing out rainy day country folk with elegance and restraint. The weeping of the pedal steel and the charming backwoods melodies of the banjo, coupled with Cahoone's smokey voice and heart-broken (but not devastated) lyrics made the basement of Union Hall feel more like a porch or bon fire affair than a packed gig in a Park Slope bar. I can't possibly emphasize how immaculate Cahoone's band sounded, except by saying that they were spot-on, every note delivered with reverence and grace. Stunning. (And yes my crush on Ms. Cahoone is now a mega-crush.)
Setlist: You Might As Well/ Last Time/ Only As The Day Is Long/ Runnin' Your Way/ Baker Lake/ The Colder The Air/ Shitty Hotel/ Couch Song/ Happy When I'm Gone/ Delta Dawn (Tanya Tucker cover w/ Grand Archives)
After Cahoone left the stage, former bandmate and collaborator Mat Brooke brought his Grand Archives to the Union Hall stage. The band, a scruffy group of vocal pop and atmospheric '60s California pop revivalists, played most of the tracks from their debut LP, as well as a couple covers, including Sam Cooke's lonely weekend anthem "Another Saturday Night." I've been patiently waiting Grand Archives New York debut since they released their original demos 16 months ago and last night was a culmination of over-playing demos, pre-ordering LP's and being inherently happy that the Grand Archives exist. Their classic retro pop was the perfect match to Cahoone's weeping folk, and the bands fabled 4-part harmonies lived up to all the praise they've received. The band seemed at home on the dimly lit stage, exchanging slacker banter with the crowd and bringing a little bit of Seattle comfort to Brooklyn.
Set List: Miniature Birds/ Louis Riel/ Index Moon/ New Song/ Swan Matches/A Setting Sun/ Sleep Driving/ Torn Blue Foam Couch/ Liberty Bell/ Another Saturday Night (Sam Cooke)/ George Kaminski/ Sundown (Gordon Lightfoot)/ The Crime Window/ Southern Glass Home
"Where Do They Go Graceful In The Morning Light" Our love of the Fleet Foxes is highly chronicled on these pages. Fleet Foxes is probably going to be the best album released in 2008. I picked up my copy of the debut on double vinyl (comes with a repackaged Sun Giant as LP 2!) Tuesday evening from Sound Fix. And now Pitchfork has gone and given the band a much deserved 9.0. Well done. Can't wait to see these guys again in a month. Go buy it now.
"For You To Find Next Time Around" Grand Archives debut record was one of my most anticipated albums of 2008. Luckily, they followed through on the promise of their demo CD-R and crafted a lush, harmonic pop record in the grandest sense of the word. And by pop record, I mean a rock and roll record that would sit well beside The Kink's Village Green Preservation Society and CSNY's Deja Vu. Since The Grand Archive was released, I've gone back and visited Mat Brooke's past work (Carissa's Wierd, Band of Horses) and as much as I love BoH's Everything All The Time, I often find myself returning to Grand Archives. Why? Because it's an impeccable vocal pop record filtered through both smoky bars and sunny afternoons that compliments all seasons and feelings. Grand Archives inhabit a purgatory like state, neither belonging to the nostalgic retro band club nor the indie popsters group, instead the band exists in a timeless ethereal world, where music is music and just that. No scenes, no fads, just the tunes. A few choice examples are newly available at Daytrotter, especially the wonderful "George Kaminski," a song about an "American inmate who once held the Guinness Book of World Records title for his four leaf clover collection (all found exclusively in the prison yards)." The band will be in NYC June 13th for a show at the Bowery Ballroom. From what I hear, this is not a show to miss.
"What a life I lead in the Spring" This week's sunday(er, monday) morning music comes from from Xachu'bsh, Washington based Fleet Foxes. Yes, we were drooling over them a month ago when we saw them deliver the gospel at the Bowery Ballroom. This Daytrotter session, while not entirely representative of the choral wonder displayed at the Bowery, is none the less, a wholehearted gift from the Foxes. If you haven't yet fallen in love with these guys, do yourself a favor and jump on the band wagon. Highly recommended for fans of The Band, My Morning Jacket, CSNY and the woods.
"No clue as to what I'm doing here" We love Sera Cahoone's new record. This should come as no surprise to anyone whose good at playing connect the dots. Shall we: Sera used to play drums in Carissa's Wierd, with Matt Brooke and Ben Bridwell. Carissa's Wierd broke up. Mat and Ben founded Band of Horses. We love Band of Horses. Sera played drums on their debut, Everything All The Time. Then, Mat left Band of Horses. Tyler Ramsey sorta took his place, but not really. Mat founded Grand Archives, whom we also love. Sera recently toured with Grand Archives and just released her second solo disc on Sub Pop, home to Carissa's Wierd, Band of Horses and Grand Archives. So yeah, six degrees and all that nonsense. Anyway, we've really been digging the "country noir" of Cahoone's Only As The Day Is Long, but there's just one problem; no vinyl release!
Seriously, Sub Pop, were you not listening when Sera dropped the final mix in your palms?! This record screams vinyl, from the front porch banjos to the jangle of tambourines and Sera's oh-so haunting voice. Only as the Day is Long feels like a record released 30 years ago and should be a prime target for vinyl release, just as Bon Iver's sylvan dream For Emma, Forever Ago is one of those records that only feels right on wax. Not gonna lie, we're a little disappointed in Sub Pop for not giving Sera the vinyl treatment, because honestly, Only As The Day Is Long really deserves it.
Get your wallets out, as tomorrow is the first big release day of 2008. Not only are two albums we've been dying to hear on vinyl finally getting released (Bon Iver, Grand Archives), America finally gets druggy with the Raveonettes, Cryptacize digs treasure and we also get a new fill of John Darnielle's drunken lullabies. It's a good week to be a music fan. The Mountain Goats- Heretic Pride Another great record from John Darnielle and company, this one departs from Get Lonely and The Sunset Tree, as it documents a series of character based tunes rather than Darnielle's interior dialogue. Nothing exceptionally new with the sound here, just great lyrics, affectingly nasal vocals and Darnielle's everyday poetics.
Grand Archives- The Grand Archives We've been patiently awaiting this release since Mat Brooke uploaded 4 demos on MySpace over a year ago. Couldn't be happier to finally hear it on wax. We've had this one pre-ordered since Sub Pop put it up. They really need to come East soon.
Bon Iver- For Emma, Forever Ago Yep, one of my favorite records of 2007 finally gets a proper release by the nice people at JagJaguwar. And yes, it's coming out on vinyl(!). More importantly Justin will be at Williamsburg's Sound Fix Thursday night for a free performance. See ya there.
Cryptacize-Dig That Treasure Asthmatic Kitty releases the debut from this band of minimalist SoCal sugar popsters. And by sugar, we mean this band was started in an apartment across the street from a sugar factory and their sound totally reflects it.
The Raveonettes- Lust Lust Lust Following in the steps of The Magnetic FieldsDistortion, or the other way around (Lust Lust Lust was released in Europe last Fall), the new Raveonettes record finds them dabbling in J&MC distortion and MBV Loveless-esque walls of noise. Walls of feedback behind '60s pop melodies and loads of digital delay make tracks like "Dead Sound" and "Candy" sound like they could be long lost demos on a remastered deluxe version of Psycho Candy.
all songs are posted because we love them and think they make the world a better place. they are for sampling purposes only (duh). if you like what you hear, buy the record or see the concert!!! if you own the copyright to anything that appears on this site, contact us.
