Julian Plenti
Since their 2002 debut Turn on the Bright Lights Interpol has been a staple of New York City rock. Since then they have branched out moving from indie label Matador to Capitol shortly before the release of their mediocre 2007 record Our Love to Admire. What makes the band so dynamic is the contrast between Carlos D.'s arrogant swagger and Paul Bank's smokey poetry. Together Interpol is untouchable, encompassing New York cool.
Earlier this month vocalist Banks branched out on his own while the band took a break releasing his first solo record under the alias Julian Plenti. Though not being a far departure from the sound of Interpol Bank's style as a songwriter and vocalist stands alone quite well.
On Julian Plenti Is...Skyscraper Banks explores his voice in a way that he cannot on an Interpol record. Playing in Interpol forces Banks to push his voice to compete with the powerful rhythm section making him seem like he is on the brink of yelling (see all of Antics). As Julian Plenti Banks is much more pitch friendly, able to put the sweetness and emotion in his voice he famously lacks in Interpol (though he still manages a few sleazy lyrics).
Stand out tracks include "Skyscraper" which seems to be the farthest departure from the Interpol sound. The song is nearly all atmosphere with only Banks' gloomy crooning "shake me, shake me, skyscraper."
Banks also touched on a bit of a folk influence in tracks like "On the Esplanade" which sounds more like Iron and Wine and less like Interpol.
Though there are some rough spots ("Games for Days", "Fun That we Have") Julian Plenti Is...Skyscraper is still an interesting record, making one wonder in what direction the next Interpol record will head.
watch the video for "Games For Days" here.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Medicate
Today AFI released their first single in three years "Medicate" on itunes and radio. The song itself is much more organic than tracks from their previous release Decemberunderground. Instead of having layers upon layers of sounds and effects the song showcases only the band's raw talent, sounding like something that could have been released between the Art of Drowning and Sing the Sorrow.
"Medicate" is certainly and AFI release, it is insanely catchy and features that familiar yelp and "oooo" of Davey Havok. Refreshingly Jade Puget's guitar has a metal feel, strong and stand alone. Subject matter is great as it always is, Havok is an underrated poet.
All in all a solid track, one listen and you will definitely have it in your head for a while.
find it on itunes now!
Crash Love will be released September 29 and tour dates have been announced.
"Medicate" is certainly and AFI release, it is insanely catchy and features that familiar yelp and "oooo" of Davey Havok. Refreshingly Jade Puget's guitar has a metal feel, strong and stand alone. Subject matter is great as it always is, Havok is an underrated poet.
All in all a solid track, one listen and you will definitely have it in your head for a while.
find it on itunes now!
Crash Love will be released September 29 and tour dates have been announced.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Music you should be listening to
The Horrors
The Horrors first began playing in London in 2005/2006 releasing their first single "Sheena is a Parasite" and an EP. The band first built up steam stateside with the video for "Sheena is a Parasite" because it was banned by mtv (also because it was genius. The single also spawned a short U.S. tour, a first for the band. In March 2007 they released their first LP Strange House which featured re-recorded versions of previously released singles like "Death at the Chapel" and "Count in Fives".
Around that time I had the chance to see them play at Great Scott with only a few dozen others. As a live act the band is not exactly musically sound but their stage presense is captivating, frontman Faris Badwan towers abover the crowd and often incites fights and vandalism.
After a nearly a two year absense the band released their second record Primary Colours a few months ago both in the U.K. and U.S. Their most recent effort far outshines their ghoulish garage rock beginnings. With tracks like "Sea Within a Sea" and "Scarlet Fields" the band channels My Bloody Valentine with a buzzing shoegaze sound. Though the band's aesthetic has garnered them significant attention in the past Primary Colours will surely steer conversation back to their music capabilities.
check ou the video for "Sea Within a Sea", directed by former Jesus and Mary Chain bassist Douglas Hart
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1lD5cE6Bwc
The Horrors first began playing in London in 2005/2006 releasing their first single "Sheena is a Parasite" and an EP. The band first built up steam stateside with the video for "Sheena is a Parasite" because it was banned by mtv (also because it was genius. The single also spawned a short U.S. tour, a first for the band. In March 2007 they released their first LP Strange House which featured re-recorded versions of previously released singles like "Death at the Chapel" and "Count in Fives".
Around that time I had the chance to see them play at Great Scott with only a few dozen others. As a live act the band is not exactly musically sound but their stage presense is captivating, frontman Faris Badwan towers abover the crowd and often incites fights and vandalism.
After a nearly a two year absense the band released their second record Primary Colours a few months ago both in the U.K. and U.S. Their most recent effort far outshines their ghoulish garage rock beginnings. With tracks like "Sea Within a Sea" and "Scarlet Fields" the band channels My Bloody Valentine with a buzzing shoegaze sound. Though the band's aesthetic has garnered them significant attention in the past Primary Colours will surely steer conversation back to their music capabilities.
check ou the video for "Sea Within a Sea", directed by former Jesus and Mary Chain bassist Douglas Hart
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1lD5cE6Bwc
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