Something Like Sound

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Spring break is upon us at the Colorado School of Mines and that means I finally get a break to rest and relax. I will still be updating the blog throughout next week with a few album reviews that have been in queue for a while, but unfortunately I’m not going to SXSW like everyone else. (I’ll post some links to Denver-local coverage of the party in Austin as it becomes available).

A memento from their final show that now hangs on my kitchen wall

As an update to a story covered earlier, Vaux has posted the live recording of their final concert from July 2007. I was at the Bluebird that night to see what Westword called the “Best Show to Rip the Still-Beating Heart Right Out of Your Chest.” While the recording may not do that night its proper justice, it is still a must-download.

Download Vaux – Last Show, Denver CO 07

Local experimental instrumental lo-fi group Woodsman released a new single out this week on the French digital-single-label Beko. The two-track download features “Manual Control” and “Chants.” While “Manual Control” is a shorter soundscape filled with ambient guitar and voices, “Chants” uses its 9 minute running time to build from a simple repetitious guitar riff (which sounds a bit like “Dikembe Mutombo” from their recent LP Collages) to a full thematic climax and denouement.

Download Beko 34 (via Beko DSL)

Listen to Woodsman

Achille Lauro at the 2009 DPUMS | photo by Tim Weilert

A bit of good news just dropped in to my mailbox. It looks like Achille Lauro will be releasing a new EP on April 10 at Hi-Dive (Houses and fellow Hot Congress’ers Vitamins will also be playing that evening). SLS will be getting a copy of Indiscretions, so expect a full review at some point in the future. Check out the official press release below and get your record players ready.

The official press release:

Denver’s Achille Lauro will be releasing their new 12”, Indiscretions, on April 10^th, 2010 at The Hi-Dive, 7 South Broadway. This will be the group’s first release since 2008, and only their third appearance this year (the band’s shows having been called “a rare and remarkable event”- Westword.)

Recorded at Notably Fine Audio and at Blue Tower Studios, Indiscretions is the band’s third release, and will be printed only on vinyl (the songs will also be available for digital download.) The album features instrumental contributions from Jeff Eliassen of Delby L and Tyler Archuleta of Paper Bird.

Also appearing will be Denver bands Houses and Vitamins, and the recommended costume theme is “Country Club.”

Achille Lauro is Ben Mossman, Luke Mossman, Jonathan Evans and Matthew Close.

If the recent trends continue, Denver may become a hot-spot for electronic music on the national scene. Among the newest class of artists in the genre is The Biz, a trio consisting of Tim Santos, Phil Buck, and Leigh Bernstein. Their debut full-length The Ancient Future hit the internet just last week and is available on the group’s homepage as a “pay-what-you-want” download.

The Biz manages to maintain a certain organic sound throughout the 70+ minute record. From acoustic-drum and horn samples to non-sampled bass grooves, The Ancient Future feels like a sexy soul record turned sideways. “Infinite Light” and “The NEXUS” stand out as two tracks that are as smooth as they are inventive.

Listen to “Infinite Light” (via ReverbNation)

Saturday night at the Bluebird started out with a modest crowd and a few bobbing heads and ended with a packed room full of dancing concertgoers. Jonny Woodrose & The Broken-Hearted Woodpeckers got things started with their unique style of folksy rock. I personally liked their song “Chumps” with its line “Don’t let your girlfriend wear your socks on her feet.”

Common Anomaly came from Fort Collins to play their first official Denver-venue-gig that night. Their sound was like a dancy wall-of-sound tempered with occasional singing. Every note was syncopated to the dance-beats, requiring each player to keep their parts tight and together. I would highly suggest seeing these guys live if they happen to make their way down to Denver again any time soon.

The dancing continued with The Photo Atlas. Despite some technical difficulties their set drew the crowd in really got things kicked in to high gear. They played mostly newer material (from their recent EP To Silently Provoke The Ghost) but also got a few older numbers in as well. Be sure to catch The Photo Atlas this Thursday at the Marquis for their SXSW sendoff party.

Finally it was time for The Knew. Before the set began, a screening of a documentary about the group from  PhotoRoadies showed the band’s progression up to the release of Pulperia. It all managed to build the energy in the room as The Knew took the stage. Their set was a full-out dance party complete with fog machines, beach balls, and some of the catchiest hooks coming out of Denver.

After the normal set ended the crowd was not quite satisfied. Upon their return to the stage everyone mustered the energy to dance for another 3 songs (there was also a marriage proposal thrown in there too). Overall, The Knew’s performance was one of the best I have seen this year from a local band.

View a full gallery from the show here.

Finally! A fresh interview! I sat down with Zach Tipton to discuss his newest project I Am The Dot before his recent show at the Hi-Dive. Enough with this description, just watch the video.

Mark your calendars, April 27 will see the release of In the Memory of Loss, the debut record from Nathaniel Rateliff and the Wheel on Rounder Records. As a preview, Rateliff & Co. have made the official album version of  “Early Spring Till” available as a free download (see the widget below, it requires signing up for an e-mail list). From what I have seen and heard of this group, In the Memory of Loss has the potential of being one of the best local releases of 2010. While you’re at it, also check out this video of Rateliff from Rod Blackhurst, it is stunningly beautiful.

First order of business: Define “pulpería.” One translation offers this definition, “In America, a grocery store (tienda), where all sorts of provisions and liquors are retailed.” While the newest full-length from Denver-based The Knew may not be Latino grocery-store-music, it is certainly the kind of music that will have you dancing as if you just visited the pulpería to pick up some beer.

Second order of business: Review Pulpería. From the first track, four-on-the-floor drum beats provide the  base for most of the 11 guitar-rock songs. The entire record reminds me of good old surf music (complete with shimmery guitar tone), which mixes well with singer Jacob Hansen’s accessible vocal style. The tracks “Citytown” and “Still On Fire” stand out as two of my personal favorites for their dance-ability and raw energy.

Pulpería will officially be released on Saturday March 6 at the Bluebird Theater (also playing: The Photo Atlas, Common Anomaly, Jonny Woodrose & The Broken Hearted Woodpeckers, and DJ Iridel).

Listen to “Citytown” (via Westword)

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