Something Like Sound

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)

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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When I first heard Alkaline Trio it was 2004 and my high school romance with punk rock was in full bloom. My friends and I would drive around town listening to the Good Mourning, singing along to the morose, yet upbeat, songs. In those days other groups were producing rock-operas transforming the ambiguous emo genre, while Alkaline Trio was always there, writing songs about cannibals, cemeteries and a whole slew of darker subjects. Six years since those glory days and Alkaline Trio is still there, writing more upbeat punk tunes about love as an addiction.

This Addiction opens with the title track and immediately submerges the listener in classic Alkaline Trio sound. Fast guitars and drums back Matt Skiba’s distinct voice throughout the first few tracks.While this formula has worked for Alkaline Trio for the last decade or so, it carries the danger of getting old. However, there are a few fresh spots that make the record as a whole quite enjoyable.

Personally, I appreciated the horn part on “Lead Poisoning;” it reminded me of good ska music from the late 90’s. Also, the synth lead on “Eating Me Alive” has a great 80’s new wave feel (without the bad hair and day-glo outfits). Overall there are a number of other tracks that stand out (“Piss and Vinegar” reminds me why I got in to Alkaline Trio in the first place).

This Addiction hits shelves today and is available in a special edition that has a DVD. Also, Alkaline Trio will be playing a sold-out show at the Gothic on Thursday, Something Like Sound will be there to cover the concert. Watch the video for the title track “This Addiction” below.

There has been a trend in local music that has been rising from the underground in the past few months. From Savoy playing at the Monolith Festival to Pretty Lights selling out venues, electronic dance music has found a home in Denver. While not every project is a MSTRKRFT clone or a Justice emulator, there are some quality beats coming out of the city. Here are a few that have flown into our radar.

Pretty Lights - NYE 2009 (Live At The Vic Theatre): This live recording from Pretty Lights’ recent New Year’s Eve set in Chicago might not fully capture the excitement of counting down the end of 2009, but it certainly offers some memorable takes on some classic dance tunes.

Savoy – Automatic: As the follow-up to the Savoy EP, the full-length Automatic explores more of Savoy’s brand of electronic dance music. While their song structures are more straightforward than their mashup-artist counterparts, Savoy still manages to set bodies in motion.

Boom Ninja – Boom Nina EP: While most of the music on the Denver-electro-scene is fairly underground, I would wager that many out there have not heard Boom Ninja. Keep your eyes peeled for this newcomer and stay occupied by listening to “Blow Shit Up”… it’s like listening to an NES on acid.

Empty beds. This was the first thing I noticed about Beautiful Empty when it came in the mail. The album art depicts beds: empty, slept in, sheets all askew. As the opening track “Can You Hear Me” began to roll out of my desktop speakers, dreamy sounds and words filled my ears. John Common begins by taking stock of the situation. “Woke up alone, where’d you go?” he asks. His bed is empty, it is a strange beauty. Beautiful… empty.

Before diving headlong into a full review of the debut album from John Common & Blinding Flashes of Light, a little background might be useful. John Common is one of those characters on the Denver music scene who appears restless. His previous projects are numerous and varied; from art and film exhibits to a kazoo orchestra, Common has always been dabbling in one thing or another. When he set to work creating Beautiful Empty he decided to not just go alone, but instead gathered a top-notch band to see the vision through.

The result is a stunning collection of songs. Beautiful Empty is split into two parts, “Side A” and “Side B” (maybe someday it will be released on vinyl?), each with a unique flavor. “Good Heart” is a simple piano ballad from the first half of the record that displays a beautiful simplicity while “In My Neighborhood” is a sunny number that takes full advantage of the unique sound of a Rhodes keyboard.

On the B-side there’s “Love Is A Shark.” I still don’t quite know what to think about this song. On one hand it’s the kind of metaphor that makes me smile, but on the other hand it is one of the oddest comparisons I’ve ever heard.

“Thinking ‘bout God” closes the record out with a reflective song that ebbs and flows with piano, strings, and keyboards. It’s the kind of song that I can imagine as a slow-dance that plays off into the night.

Beautiful Empty is available digitally on iTunes, physically at Twist & Shout, and on CDbaby.com (where $2 from each record sale will go to relief efforts in Haiti until Feb. 9).

Listen to “In My Neighborhood” here

Vampire Weekend is one of those groups that has managed to jump from relative obscurity to national success seemingly overnight. Their debut, self-titled, record had appealed to the preppier side of the indie-music scene while utilizing African rhythms in a way that caused many to draw comparisons to Paul Simon’s classic album Graceland. When their sophomore effort Contra debuted at #1 on the Billboard charts a few weeks ago, more than a few heads began to turn.

As someone who thoroughly enjoyed their debut, I was a little dubious of the hype surrounding the new record. The tracks “Horchata” and “Cousins” surfaced several months in advance of the official release and I was worried that the group had sacrificed their warm, poppy sound for an over-produced record.

Upon repeated listening, Contra begins to grow on the listener. Rather than rejecting the slight change in sound-direction that Vampire Weekend has taken, I have begun to embrace it and actually find the new release quite enjoyable.

“California English” stands out as a song that showcases the group’s new sound while hearkening back to their roots. Upbeat drumming and bright guitars back singer Ezra Koenig’s vocals (which may or may not have some tinges of auto-tune).

There are other gems on the record, including the danceable “Run” and the frantic “Cousins.” As a whole, Contra is an entertaining listen, although some of the later songs all run together, this caused me to zone out a bit while listening.

When compared to the other records that are currently on the top of the Billboard charts, Contra is a refreshing chart-topper. Vampire Weekend has managed to create a record that has broad appeal while still falling largely under the “indie” subgenre. While it might not suite the most elitist music snobs, it certainly has the rest of us singing along.

Watch the video for “Cousins” here

While most of us were taking a break for the last few weeks Zach Tipton (aka I Am The Dot) has produced yet another EP! (that’s now 3 EPs and a handful of singles released within the last year). The latest, titled Winter, is a collaborative work with Nevada-based instrumental artist Boneless. Each track combines sonic sound-scapes with Tipton’s reverb-drenched vocals in such a way that remind the listener of wintertime, a flowing, cold, time of the year.

As with most I Am The Dot releases, this one is available for free download via this website. So check it out, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Also mark your calendars for February 19th, when I Am The Dot will make its live debut at the Hi-Dive (also playing that night are Young Coyotes, American Tomahawk, and The Pirate Signal).

There are many ways I could go about starting this review. Perhaps one would be to talk about how Vices I Admire made the move from Fort Collins to Denver around the same time I did. While they kept making music and recording a new record, I decided to start writing about music. Maybe I could start by drawing comparisons to other bands, there are a few to be made here. Vices newest record The Politics of Apathy is a bit like a roughed up version of Incubus with a little bit more attitude. Or, perhaps, I should start by saying this: Vices I Admire have recorded a record that has “in your face” guitar-rock sound, but also realizes that simply blasting people away with rock is not enough.

This record comes kicking right out of the gates. “Keep Killin’ Me” has the kind of driving guitars and catchy choruses that will get anyone moving. The closest thing to a single on the record is track #2, “Heartbreaker.” This song ebbs and flows, while focusing on a central guitar riff. While the rest of the record maintains a similar level of “rock-ness,” not every song is intended to be a head-banger. “Denouement: An Intermezzo” starts the second half of Politics with a simple mix of piano and vocals. However, no momentum is lost from the piano intermission. Even the last track “Monster” keeps high spirits in a Zebrahead-esque manner.

Perhaps one of the best aspects of this record is that Vices I Admire is offering it as a free download via their website. However, that’s not all! (I’m starting to sound like an infomercial pitchman, dang). They’re giving the physical-copy CD a proper release with a show at the Bluebird on January 1. The show is only $5 with a discount ticket available on www.vicesiadmire.com

Listen to Heartbreaker right here

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As the decade draws to a close, music reviewers have taken to making lists of the best and most influential albums of the 00’s. With this in mind, rather than reviewing a new release this week I thought it would be fitting to talk about one of my personal favorites, Wilco’s 2002 record Yankee Hotel Foxtrot.

Recorded at a time when Wilco was on the verge of going big, Foxtrot almost didn’t happen. The arduous experience of recording and dealing with record labels and line-up changes was documented in a feature-length documentary from Sam Jones titled I Am Trying To Break Your Heart. Eventually, however, the record saw the light of day and has remained a staple in the Wilco catalogue.

From the opening track, “I Am Trying To Break Your Heart,” Jeff Tweedy & Co. set the foundations for the entire record. A combination of Wilco’s “wall of sound” recording techniques and Tweedy’s subtle, yet strong, vocals establish the overriding themes that carry throughout the rest of the album.

From the start Foxtrot ebbs and flows. While “Kamera” is an upbeat pop song, “Radio Cures” quickly drops down to more introspective lyrics and melodies, picking back up on the single “War on War.” I could continue giving play-by-plays of each track, but that would be long and wordy, so here are the highlights.

“Ashes of American Flags” is a great slow burner, “Heavy Metal Drummer” will inevitably get stuck in your head (it is just that catchy), and the closer “Reservations” is hauntingly beautiful (it will give you goose-bumps).

Perhaps what sets Yankee Hotel Foxtrot apart from most albums made during the last 10 years is that it has incredible replay value. Each time I listen to this record I find something new that I had not noticed on previous listening. Furthermore, the lyrical themes have remained relevant and possess a rare timelessness.

Watch the opening credits to the film I Am Trying To Break Your Heart below.

I once worked retail. Anyone who has done likewise (or who has simply spent a lot of time in shopping malls any time between Thanksgiving and New Year’s) knows the terror that is overplayed Christmas music. Fear not! There are alternatives for people who want some holiday cheer without consuming the thick-sugary-syrup that seeps out of shopping-mall stereos.

Sufjan Stevens: Songs For Christmas (Volumes I-V): For several years Stevens has been quietly recording and releasing Christmas EPs full of traditional and original songs. His recordings of songs such as “Lo How A Rose e’re Blooming” and “O Holy Night” remind the listener about the classic hymns that have all but gone by the wayside. However, Stevens’s original works are the real highlights of this box set (which comes with stickers and goodies). “Sister Winter” and “That Was The Worst Christmas Ever!” hearken back to the soft sounds of his Michigan record, while “Get Behind Me, Santa!” and “Christmas in July” are slightly more joyful.

While this box-set came out a couple years back, Stevens hasn’t quit making these holiday records. Last year Songs For Christmas Volume VIII: Astral Inter Planet Space Captain Christmas Infinity Voyage leaked. While this EP has more experimental sounds (in the vein of Enjoy Your Rabbit), it also contains what may be my favorite Christmas song of all time, “Christmas In The Room.”

MxPx: Punk Rawk Christmas: The “Left-Coast Punks” of MxPx have been releasing a new Christmas track every year for about the last decade. This year they finally decided to put them all together into a full-length record. This may be one of the few places you get a holiday song about zombies (as heard on “Christmas Night of the Living Dead”).

Julian Koster: The Singing Saw At Christmastime: Julian Koster may be one of the few musicians capable of cutting down a Christmas tree with his instrument. The former Neutral Milk Hotel singing saw player released his take on the standards last year. This may be one of the oddest records (Christmas or not) out there, but it certainly has a unique charm.