Alright, time to get the blood flowing again. Here's an old review I never ran of a live show that happened a long time ago but is still worth writing about.
When: July something
Where: Williamsburg Waterfront
Even thought of someone covering Unknown Pleasures makes me seethe. It's my favorite album ever of all time and anyone who thinks they are worthy of going NEAR it has as good as committed blasphemy in my mind. Part of me knows Ian Curtis was just a guy and deifying Joy Division is not exactly rational. But still, on an emotional level, Unknown Pleasures is sacred ground to me, and it's off limits for any mortal.
But, if I were going to pick two bands worthy of attempting to cover the album, Xiu Xiu and Deerhoof would surely not be far down the list. Two of the boldest, most innovative and most sincere bands to emerge in the last decade, Xiu Xiu and Deerhoof might have earned their chance to attempt this show. In some ways, that just raised the stakes, though, because if these bands couldn't pull of the seemingly impossible, it might ruin both for me forever.
But as soon as they started playing, my doubt melted away. The first notes switched on a magnet that pulled me towards the stage with a force I couldn't resist. The album opens with my single favorite song of all time, "Disorder." And as the harshest critic you could probably find, I have to say, they pulled it off.
Throughout the show, the band did justice to Joy Division's first masterpiece. Xiu Xiu's Jamie Stewart certainly embraces the spirit of Ian Curtis in his work, but he doesn't imitate him. Stewart's link to Curtis is not a put-on; he's genuinely a messed up individual with nervous, despairing, captivating energy. He constantly seems on the verge of breaking. That feeling of sickening tension is exactly what makes Joy Division such a riveting listen. It's a hard thing to capture genuinely, and most bands who try (Interpol, Crystal Stilts) come off (to me) as glorified cover bands.
The backing instruments matched Stewart's emotional, edgy performance, staying true to the spirit of the music and not rewriting anything. But despite their loyalty to the structure of each song, they did make the music their own, draping the skeleton of each track with their own layers of noise and sonic experimentation. Some songs, like "Disorder," stayed close to the original on every level, while at other times (e.g. "Day of the Lords," "New Dawn Fades"), the musicians on stage filled in their own interpretation of the original clouds of sound that fill the album.
Unknown Pleasures speaks to me in a way no other album ever has. Xiu Xiu and Deerhoof's performance didn't come close to that level of affecting, but their performance was still powerful and heartfelt. I never thought I'd admit anyone was worthy of playing a show like this but I have to say, it was a great concert that only increased my love for both these bands and for the original album as well.
By the way, Fang Island and Why? opened. Fang Island is a lot of guys playing crazy-ass guitar stuff, some hybrid of post-rock and metal. On each song, the guitars and synth built on one another to make a huge, heavy and surprisingly emotive sound. At times, the band seemed to tug at the heartstrings a little too much - the drama because an overdone trick. But overall, the complex, intertwining lines of guitars and synth were a good listen and the anthemic, booming songs rocked for real. Not really thing I'd write home about, but definitely a talented and enjoyable band.
Why? is pretty rad. Straddling indie rap and indie rock, the band uses big, open hip-hop beats and rhythmic vocals, but with a good deal of singing and rock instrumentation. I was surprised by the number of people in the touring band the extent to which Why?'s sound was created live, rather than with samples and electronics as with most rap acts. To be totally honest, all those musicians kind of made the band less cool. Vocalist Yoni Wolfe's brother Josiah on drums is pretty amazing to watch: he's added a vibraphone (essentially a metal xylophone) to the standard kit, and it's got to take tremendous skill to play melodies on that while also taking care of all the drumming. Yoni Wolfe himself is fun to watch. His songs are humorous and clever but with passion and a fair amount of self-deprecation. His live performance lived up to (but did not surprise) his recorded work - emotional, honest and smart. Still, I wouldn't say seeing Why? live is essential for casual fans. It's just about what you'd expect.
Showing posts with label Joy Division. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Joy Division. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Monday, October 19, 2009
Album: Little Girls - Concepts

Album: Concepts
Paper Bag, 2009
Rating: ******* (7/10)
Little Girls first came to my attention last summer when the mythical "Jasper" saw them live and told me they were the shit. I saw them for myself twice, and it quickly became apparent why they were associated with Mike Sniper's Captured Tracks label early on - Mike Sniper (a.k.a. Blank Dogs) is the only other band around making this type of nervous, lo-fi, gothy post-punk. Like Blank Dogs, Little Girls is mostly a solo project, this one of Josh McIntyre, a high-strung youngster from Toronto whose influences span from no wave to hip-hop.
Concepts is a spooky album that does well capturing the band's tense energy - and it's this tense energy that sets the band apart from its peers and makes it worthy of note. On the opening track, "Youth Tunes," the vocals are almost completely inaudible, warning us that McIntyre will be speaking from a dark and distant place. The vocals never really come above the surface on the whole album, so though the press release says the album is about coming of age, the listener's only real clues are the song titles.
Following "Youth Tunes," the ominous mix continues with the atonal, reverbed vocals of "Seeing." "Tambourine" is the first semi-accessible song, with a great riff and vocals, but we don't leave the minor scales until "Imaginary Friends," a tune that manages to be simultaneously upbeat and sinister. The tightly wound, repetitive "Venom" is something of a mess, with the instruments and vocals seemingly fighting for control of the rhythm. [Update: it just occured to me that I should have indicated that comment on "Venom" is a compliment. (11/6)]
However, there are some questions of originality. The dramatic melodies of "Salt Swimmers" and "Thrills" are distinctly familiar - I'm almost positive I've heard the latter in some sort of musical theater or soundtrack. This may be more reference than accident, showing a refusal to be held back from dramatics by any typical indie rock sense of self-consciousness. It's a bold move, but I'm dubious that this was the best way for the band to display their lack of self-awareness.
Moreover, the Joy Division influences are undeniable, and at times a little overboard. "Concepts" has almost the same bass riff as "Disorder" and "Last Call" also borrows more than a few notes from Bernard Summer and Peter Hook. The similarities don't ruin the music, by any stretch, but it is a bit disappointing if you're looking for something new.
The songwriting in general leaves a bit to be desired. Repetition is clearly a part of Little Girls' craft, as is their anticlimactic composition, but the songs sometimes stagnate too much, crossing that thin line from expressing a dark ennui to being, well, a little boring. I appreciate short, simple songs, instead of cramming a million ideas into a single track, but here it sounds a little underdeveloped.
Still, all in all, Concepts is an electrifying album and shows a band with great promise. The uneasy darkness of all eleven tracks demonstrates McIntyre's rare ability to translate emotion into sound, making an indescribable anxiety palpable in the music. However, the band is young and this album wants for maturity in many instances. Of course, the rawness adds to the excitement in a way, but it also frustrates. The unsophisticated songwriting makes this album seem far more trifling than it actually is. However, McIntyre's sharp sense of pop, his innovative ideas about sound, and most of all, his sincerity are unmistakable. He's the real deal.
"Growing" makes a warm closer, as though the tensions of the album have found a little peace. But despite the major key, it's not a happy peace. It's a lullaby for the darkest of hearts, a resignation without resolution and a testament to the secrets told, if never explained, on the previous ten tracks of the record.
Labels:
albums,
ambient pop,
art rock,
Blank Dogs,
dark wave,
goth,
Jasper,
Joy Division,
Little Girls,
lo-fi,
new wave,
no wave,
noise pop,
pop,
post punk
Friday, February 13, 2009
Radio Flyer's Recommendations for Valentine's Day Blues
Hi everyone,
Sorry if you've been trying to avoid the fact that Valentine's Day is this Saturday - but you were bound to be reminded somehow, and how better than Radio Flyer Review's Valentine's Day recommendations? I have identified which recommendations fit with which circumstances and have included a key so you can figure out which music will match your situation. If you're planning to have a happy Valentine's Day with your significant other, sorry, but this list is not for you.
Key:
In no particular order:
1. Rid Of Me by PJ Harvey #
Break-up albums don't come angrier than PJ Harvey's masterpiece. Every line of every song is pretty much another kick in the face whoever it was who pissed her off. There's something darkly empowering about the album, but it never once feels good. Of course, the title track takes the cake: "I'm gonna twist your head off, see? / Till you say don't you wish you never never met her."
2. "In My Life" by the Brian Jonestown Massacre #
This has got to be my favorite bitter break-up song in the indie rock canon. "I'm gonna take you out / I'm gonna make you cry," etc. Word of advice: never break up with Anton Newcombe.
3. Country Music ** (and sometimes #, +)
The entire genre of country music (well, at least all of it that isn't completely crap) is made for this situation. It's hard to go wrong, but if you really have no idea where to start, I'd suggest going back to the classics, either the genre's leading ladies (Emmylou Harris, Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt) or even back to Mr. Johnny Cash himself. But really, just about anything from the genre will do.
4. "Fuck You (An Ode To No One)" by the Smashing Pumpkins and "Violet" by Hole #
Pumpkins' leader Billy Corgan was once romantically involved with Hole's Courtney Love, and rumor has it, they wrote these songs to/about one another, obviously post break-up. Seems like there may have been some hard feelings.
5. No Shouts, No Calls by Electrelane *
I know, I know - will you shut up about Electrelane already!? The answer is no, I won't. I love this band and I can think of very few lyricists who capture heart-break as honestly and accurately as Verity Susman. If this album isn't enough for you, also try "Birds" off The Power Out ("It's not that I can't go on without you / Got a lot of things to do / I'm busy, busy all the time / Still I can't stop thinking about you")
6. "Good Arms vs. Bad Arms" by Frightened Rabbit **
Hands down, the best crying-in-your-beer song of 2008. Key lyric: "I'm not ready to see you this happy"
7. Pre-war blues *,#,+
There's something very cathartic about hearing someone 80 years go saying exactly what you're thinking now, and particularly saying it on a crackly old recording over some nice guitar lines. There's a lot to chose from here, but here are some recommendations:
8a. Disintegration by the Cure *
This is an obvious choice, but still merits mentioning. One of the greatest break-up albums ever, this is perfect for crying your eyes out to for hours on end. Track picks: "Pictures of You" and "Disintegration"
8b. "Doing the Unstuck" by the Cure +
This isn't exactly a happy song, to say the least, but in a way, it can be helpful to have a I'm-Getting-Over-It song from someone you know feels just as miserable and hopeless as you (in this case, Robert Smith). Yes, it's sarcastic, but there's something empowering about it anyway.
9. Late 90's American indie pop *,#
For some reason, at least in the US, the late 90's were a great era for honest, direct lyrics. Some examples to get you started:
10. "I Don't Wanna Walk Around With You" by the Ramones +
It doesn't get more direct than this.
Last resort...
Now, I happen to know a lot of people going through a really hard time right now, be it the stupid holiday this weekend, the economy, or just a string of bad luck. Now, I really hope none of you reading this are bad off enough to take these recommendations, but sometimes you just need music that's as low and messed up as you feel. So just in case...
For the very, very sad: Things We Lost In The Fire by Low
For the very, very angry: I'll Sleep When You're Dead by El-P or Broken by Nine Inch Nails (cliches exist for a reason!)
For the utterly miserable: Still by Joy Division or Spiderland by Slint
Sorry if you've been trying to avoid the fact that Valentine's Day is this Saturday - but you were bound to be reminded somehow, and how better than Radio Flyer Review's Valentine's Day recommendations? I have identified which recommendations fit with which circumstances and have included a key so you can figure out which music will match your situation. If you're planning to have a happy Valentine's Day with your significant other, sorry, but this list is not for you.
Key:
* | Music for the broken-hearted |
** | Crying in your beer music (a specific subdivision of music for the broken-hearted) |
# | Music for the angry and bitter |
+ | Music to make you feel good about being independent (I don't have much of this because I really don't own or listen to much music to make anyone feel good about anything, but I tried...) |
In no particular order:
1. Rid Of Me by PJ Harvey #
Break-up albums don't come angrier than PJ Harvey's masterpiece. Every line of every song is pretty much another kick in the face whoever it was who pissed her off. There's something darkly empowering about the album, but it never once feels good. Of course, the title track takes the cake: "I'm gonna twist your head off, see? / Till you say don't you wish you never never met her."
2. "In My Life" by the Brian Jonestown Massacre #
This has got to be my favorite bitter break-up song in the indie rock canon. "I'm gonna take you out / I'm gonna make you cry," etc. Word of advice: never break up with Anton Newcombe.
3. Country Music ** (and sometimes #, +)
The entire genre of country music (well, at least all of it that isn't completely crap) is made for this situation. It's hard to go wrong, but if you really have no idea where to start, I'd suggest going back to the classics, either the genre's leading ladies (Emmylou Harris, Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt) or even back to Mr. Johnny Cash himself. But really, just about anything from the genre will do.
4. "Fuck You (An Ode To No One)" by the Smashing Pumpkins and "Violet" by Hole #
Pumpkins' leader Billy Corgan was once romantically involved with Hole's Courtney Love, and rumor has it, they wrote these songs to/about one another, obviously post break-up. Seems like there may have been some hard feelings.
5. No Shouts, No Calls by Electrelane *
I know, I know - will you shut up about Electrelane already!? The answer is no, I won't. I love this band and I can think of very few lyricists who capture heart-break as honestly and accurately as Verity Susman. If this album isn't enough for you, also try "Birds" off The Power Out ("It's not that I can't go on without you / Got a lot of things to do / I'm busy, busy all the time / Still I can't stop thinking about you")
6. "Good Arms vs. Bad Arms" by Frightened Rabbit **
Hands down, the best crying-in-your-beer song of 2008. Key lyric: "I'm not ready to see you this happy"
7. Pre-war blues *,#,+
There's something very cathartic about hearing someone 80 years go saying exactly what you're thinking now, and particularly saying it on a crackly old recording over some nice guitar lines. There's a lot to chose from here, but here are some recommendations:
> J. T. Smith - "Howling Wolf Blues" (*) or "Heart Bleeding Blues" (*,#) | |
> Lucille Bogan - "You Got To Die Some Day" (#) or "Lonesome Midnight Blues" (*) | |
> Martha Copland - "I Ain't Your Hen Mr. Fly Rooster" (+) | |
> Robert Johnson - "Love In Vain" (*) |
8a. Disintegration by the Cure *
This is an obvious choice, but still merits mentioning. One of the greatest break-up albums ever, this is perfect for crying your eyes out to for hours on end. Track picks: "Pictures of You" and "Disintegration"
8b. "Doing the Unstuck" by the Cure +
This isn't exactly a happy song, to say the least, but in a way, it can be helpful to have a I'm-Getting-Over-It song from someone you know feels just as miserable and hopeless as you (in this case, Robert Smith). Yes, it's sarcastic, but there's something empowering about it anyway.
9. Late 90's American indie pop *,#
For some reason, at least in the US, the late 90's were a great era for honest, direct lyrics. Some examples to get you started:
> Magnetic Fields: "I Don't Believe In The Sun" (*) or "I Don't Want To Get Over You" (*) | |
> Quasi: "I Never Want To See You Again" (*,#) | |
> Elliot Smith: "Somebody That I Used To Know" (#) or "Everything Reminds Me Of Her" (*) (OK, these weren't technically released in the 90's, but what's a couples months' difference?) |
10. "I Don't Wanna Walk Around With You" by the Ramones +
It doesn't get more direct than this.
Last resort...
Now, I happen to know a lot of people going through a really hard time right now, be it the stupid holiday this weekend, the economy, or just a string of bad luck. Now, I really hope none of you reading this are bad off enough to take these recommendations, but sometimes you just need music that's as low and messed up as you feel. So just in case...
For the very, very sad: Things We Lost In The Fire by Low
For the very, very angry: I'll Sleep When You're Dead by El-P or Broken by Nine Inch Nails (cliches exist for a reason!)
For the utterly miserable: Still by Joy Division or Spiderland by Slint
Labels:
alternative rock,
BJM,
blues,
country,
Cure,
El-P,
Electrelane,
Frightened Rabbit,
Hole,
indie pop,
Joy Division,
Lists,
Low,
NIN,
PJ Harvey,
pop,
punk,
Ramones,
Slint,
Smashing Pumpkins
Monday, December 15, 2008
Radio Flyer's Desert Island List
I've been working really hard over the last few weeks to get caught up on all the notable music of 2008 so I can give you a kick-ass Best of 2008 list (oh, do I love lists!) but I have a lot I still need to get through. So, to speed things along, I cleared everything off my 4GB iPod, and filled it with all the 2008 albums I have. I had 1 GB left over and a few minutes to fill it with all of the "old" music I didn't want to leave home without.
And after I finished, I realized I had essentially created my "desert island" list, the music I would take into exile with me if I were only allowed 1 GB (how 21st century is that?!) for the rest of my life. And I think the list is rather different than what it would have been if I had been consciously creating a "desert island" list for others to read. Here's what made the cut:
- Electrelane - The Power Out, The Greater Times
- Guided by Voices - Bee Thousand, Alien Lanes
- Joy Division - Unknown Pleasures and thirteen miscellaneous songs
- My Bloody Valentine - Loveless, Tremolo
- Neutral Milk Hotel - In The Aeroplane Over the Sea and seven miscellaneous songs
- The Pixies - Come On Pilgrim, Doolittle, and eight songs from Surfer Rosa
- Skip James - four miscellaneous songs
- Slint - three songs from Spiderland
- The Smashing Pumpkins - Siamese Dream and fifteen songs from Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness
- Sonic Youth - twenty miscellaneous songs
- Stone Roses - "Don't Stop" and "I Am The Resurrection"
- The Stooges - four miscellaneous songs
- Walt Mink - twenty miscellaneous songs
- Yo La Tengo - thirteen miscellaneous songs
I'm pretty surprised at some of the things on there, like Stone Roses and Yo La Tengo, and I'm also surprised I'm now OK leaving home without the Velvet Underground.
If I had time to weed some of the dud songs out of that list to make more room (or if I actually got 1.2 GB on my desert island), here's what would have been next:
- Big Star - fifteen miscellaneous songs
- Company Flow - six songs from Funcrusher Plus
- Echo & the Bunnymen - "Thorn of Crowns"
- Jawbreaker - nine miscellaneous songs
- Mercury Rev - "Meth of a Rockette's Kick" and "Coney Island Cyclone"
- Minor Threat - three miscellaneous songs
- Mississippi John Hurt - three miscellaneous songs
- Nick Drake - "Road" and "Which Will"
- Ride - "Leave Them All Behind"
- The Velvet Underground - three songs from The Velvet Underground and Nico
Well, there you have it.
And after I finished, I realized I had essentially created my "desert island" list, the music I would take into exile with me if I were only allowed 1 GB (how 21st century is that?!) for the rest of my life. And I think the list is rather different than what it would have been if I had been consciously creating a "desert island" list for others to read. Here's what made the cut:
- Electrelane - The Power Out, The Greater Times
- Guided by Voices - Bee Thousand, Alien Lanes
- Joy Division - Unknown Pleasures and thirteen miscellaneous songs
- My Bloody Valentine - Loveless, Tremolo
- Neutral Milk Hotel - In The Aeroplane Over the Sea and seven miscellaneous songs
- The Pixies - Come On Pilgrim, Doolittle, and eight songs from Surfer Rosa
- Skip James - four miscellaneous songs
- Slint - three songs from Spiderland
- The Smashing Pumpkins - Siamese Dream and fifteen songs from Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness
- Sonic Youth - twenty miscellaneous songs
- Stone Roses - "Don't Stop" and "I Am The Resurrection"
- The Stooges - four miscellaneous songs
- Walt Mink - twenty miscellaneous songs
- Yo La Tengo - thirteen miscellaneous songs
I'm pretty surprised at some of the things on there, like Stone Roses and Yo La Tengo, and I'm also surprised I'm now OK leaving home without the Velvet Underground.
If I had time to weed some of the dud songs out of that list to make more room (or if I actually got 1.2 GB on my desert island), here's what would have been next:
- Big Star - fifteen miscellaneous songs
- Company Flow - six songs from Funcrusher Plus
- Echo & the Bunnymen - "Thorn of Crowns"
- Jawbreaker - nine miscellaneous songs
- Mercury Rev - "Meth of a Rockette's Kick" and "Coney Island Cyclone"
- Minor Threat - three miscellaneous songs
- Mississippi John Hurt - three miscellaneous songs
- Nick Drake - "Road" and "Which Will"
- Ride - "Leave Them All Behind"
- The Velvet Underground - three songs from The Velvet Underground and Nico
Well, there you have it.
Labels:
Big Star,
Co-Flo,
Electrelane,
GBV,
Jawbreaker,
Joy Division,
Lists,
MBV,
Mercury Rev,
Neutral Milk Hotel,
Pixies,
Skip James,
Slint,
Smashing Pumpkins,
Stone Roses,
Stooges,
Walt Mink,
Yo La Tengo
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