Carl Sandburg Visits Me In A Dream

The anticipation of a sophomore release is always a tense time for a band and its fans. This was certainly the case for Montreal’s “something-tet,” Arcade Fire. AF’s 2004 release, Funeral, was touted by critics and major indie blogs. New York’s The Village Voice ended up ranking the band 6th on their annual Pop and Jazz List, Time Magazine gave them a cover spot, and most recently, SNL featured the band on a February episode hosted by Rainn Wilson. Here’s my brief take on how the album stacks up by itself and, unavoidably, in relation to Funeral.

The band kept the overall sound and image the same. Just as Funeral was loosely based around the deaths of several relatives of band members, Neon Bible expresses a certain amount of religious uncertainty: “Lord, would you send me a sign, / ’cause I just gotta know if I’m wastin’ my time!” Win Butler preaches in (Antichrist Television Blues).

I really feel like I’m listening to an AF album when I get to track four, “Intervention.” Outlined with pipe organ chords, the band creates the illusion that we are hearing the song from a distance until the bass and drums enter 1:40 in (Reminds me structurally of “Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels)” and “In the Backseat” from Funeral). The subject matter is a realist critique on human relationships. Musically, it ends with a sense of triumph, complete with a string arrangement, but the vocals reveal mere acceptance: “Hear the soldier groan, “We’ll go at it alone.”

Some other favorites include: “No Cars Go,” a remastered version of a track from the EP the band released before Funeral, “Black Wave/Bad Vibrations,” and my favorite, “Windowsill” (Give it a listen!). The album picks up nicely where Funeral Left off, giving a more varied and complete collection of songs. In terms of lyrics, yes! The lyrics are on the darker side, but often with a sense of hope and sincere curiosity. Funeral had a better collection of complex and beautiful orchestrations, but Neon Bible is certain to make an excellent live translation and create even more hype for the next release, assuming the mammoth-sized band stays intact.

Go and buy Neon Bible.
Patrick

I’ve been meaning to post about French electropop collective Air’s newest album Pocket Symphony, but I just never really got around to it. So here it goes.

I consider Air to be pioneers–they have paved the way for bands that blur the line between electronica and rock and pop (see Zero 7, etc.). For some reason, Air has that ability to just strike a mood within the listener, better than any band I can think of as I write this post. Surround sound most definitely enhances the quality of Air’s songs, as I find that they have been crafter to envelope you, dare I say, to suffocate you with their sweet and eerie grooves.

Pocket Symphony is really just an extension of the “Air sound”. Great pumping basslines, soothing power chords, and of course, the ocean. I haven’t figured out why, but they always seem to incorporate water sounds into their songs. But I digress. Equal parts instrumental and vocal, Pocket Symphony certainly gives the feel of grandiose arrangements (indeed like a pocket symphony). The album strays less from the longer, drawn out and rather redundant (not necessarily bad) songs that appear on Moon Safari or Talkie Walkie. These are complex, intricate rhythms that trap you in an icy cave of synths and chilling pianos. Songs like “Redhead Girl” and “The Mayfair Song” have that bigness to them that really gives the album shape, and tracks such as “Mer du Japon” deliver that electropop, laid back Air groove that I so adore.

Side note: Air also wrote the music for Charolotte Gainsbourg’s 5:55, which I posted about earlier.

Jean-Beniot Dunckel (1/2 of Air) recently released a solo album simply called Darkel. I ‘m not signing my approval on this one.

Okay, go and buy Pocket Symphony because you will be happy you did. And check out their myspace.

Listen to “Mer du Japon” (4.8/5)
Listen to “Redhead Girl” (4.6/5)
BONUS:
Listen to “La Femme D’Argent” (5/5)

Lighten up, kids, grab a banana. Today, we’re talking about DIY (that’s Do it Yourself for all those abbreviation impaired) artist Emil Svanängen (I love the Swedes!) who goes by the name of Loney, Dear. Svanangen works out of a “very modest home studio setup, using a minidisc mic and a set of headphones to avoid disturbing his neighbors” (from his myspace). The result is a Postal Service-lite, featuring songs that range from achingly sweet to the folk-anthem-like arrangements. In his most recent release, Loney, Noir, Emil blends a delicate, fragile voice that manages to just float over the melodies. Upon multiple listens, I am struck by the lack of abrasiveness in the album–not to be mistaken for overproduction (it’s certainly more on the lo-fi side). The songs have this easy-like-Sunday-morning feel to them, much like those of the Postal Service, but there’s also a certain workmen’s quality to them. This is what music would sound like if a coal miner and a corporate secretary got together and hatched an album.

If that doesn’t do it for you, then maybe you just need to check out a few of the tracks. My personal favorite “I Am John” begins as a cute na-na-na lullaby that develops into a full-fledge electrofolk song that just seeps into the cavities of your body (maybe too much imagery there). And when the horns delicately come in, it’s just magnificent. Have a listen to “And I Won’t Cause Anything At All” and you’ll understand why I’m comparing him to TPS. [side note: Speaking of which, aren't those two due out for a new album soon? (Foreshadowing: Dntel)]

As you know, I’m encouraging a purchase here: Loney, Noir
Listen to “I Am John” (4.8/5)
Listen to “And I Won’t Cause Anything At All” (4.4/5)

That’s right, my friends. Carl Sandburg Visits Me in A Dream has turned 5,000 unique visitors! And in celebration of this oh-so-momentous occasion, I figure its time to honor my loyal readers with a mix I call “The 5000″. I’d love feedback on the mix…and feel free to make the above image the artwork associated with the mix (I spent all 5 minutes on it but won’t be offended if you don’t use it).

The 5000 (a.k.a CSVMAD Volume 5)
[Directions: Click on the link. Download the file. Click on archive.m3u file and everything will be added to your library.]

1. 3rd Cup: Yahu (featuring Matisyahu)–So Called
2. Downtime –Backyard Tire Fire
3. Better Off–Let’s Go Sailing
4. The Bomb–New Young Pony Club
5. Relax [Take It Easy]–Mika
6. Shadows–Honeycut
7. Somewhere–Thief
8. Alone–Tennis Hero
9. I Like That–Air Traffic
10. Say Hello (feat. Sufjan Stevens)–Rosie Thomas
11. All In Good Time–Ron Sexsmith
12. You Might Walk Away–Jesse Sykes & The Sweet Hereafter
13. Paris is On–Paul Brill
14. San Francisco–Steve Tannen

So this post is going to address some changes to the blog and some other noteworthy events this week.

1) As I’m sure you might have heard, Wilco streamed their upcoming release Sky Blue Sky this weekend, and I had a change to listen to it. The album isn’t due out until May 15th, so I’m hesitant to fully talk about the album right now, so I’m gonna wait. What I am going to tell you is that it’s more of the same from them–and that’s a damn good thing. More great solos, more great Jeff Tweedy vocals, more jangly guitars, more pumping basslines, more awesomeness. Believe the hype….Some of the tracks have been leaked on the net, and one has been provided by Wilco’s official website…Make sure to pre-order when the option becomes available.
Listen to “What Light” (4/5).
Listen to “Impossible Germany” (4.8/5)

2) If I’m ever going to have a party, I am definitely inviting this guy: It’s just like a mini mall.

3) Notice some changes on the left. I’ve included some upcoming chicago shows via chicago.tourfilter.com. It’s by no means comprehensive..the website is not so good as it relies on the user (me) to put down all the artists that I like, and I just haven’t been on top of it as much [thanks to Chris for this correction]. However, if I haven’t already told you, check out iConcertCal. It’s [expletive] awesome, and you’ll never miss a show, because it works with the artists in your iTunes as opposed to a 3rd party source.
Also take notice of the link to my last.fm so you can really see what I’m listening to now (Impossible Germany actually). Kinda creepy but fun.

4) Also be sure to check out: I Find Art in Gibberish. A fan of the CSV is a friend of the CSV, so be sure to read his weblog.

And with that, toodles. Wish me luck with finals–Organic Chemistry’s got nothing on me.

That would be the term to describe Willy Mason’s sophomore album If the Ocean Gets Rough. Mason’s the kind of singer-songwriter that brings to mind Nick Drake, Mark Knopfler and consequently Alexi Murdoch. Wise beyond his years, with a deep brooding voice that reassures that no matter what may happen, things are going to work out (That’s what Nick Drake was really saying, right?).

Anyhow, Mason has spent most his life living in Martha’s Vineyard, but for some reason, he hasn’t made his break in the US. He is, however, pretty darn popular across the ocean. Mason, who is only 22 (!!), released his debut Where the Humans Eat at the ripe age of 19 to critical acclaim. And due out in the US March 8th, If the Ocean Gets Rough is looking to be even better. Upon listening to the album on repeat the past couple of days, I become more enamored with it after each listen. Mason blends sincere, witty, and introspective lyrics with a laid-back-guitar-and-drums approach to accomplish a rather unique sound. His voice, as I said before, is a near carbon copy of Mark Knopfler, and it is perfectly suited for the music he’s making. It’s so refreshing to find artists that pay attention to detail, who seem intent on delivering a product that not only sounds good but also has something important to say.

On “When the River Moves On”, Mason sings a folksy tune over a bluesy bassline with an impressive choir backing him up on the chorus. And the clever lyrics continue to impress me: “we grew up in the same wood / we fished the same pond / if ever our lines tangled / we’d cut ‘em before dawn”. Another highlight is “Save Myself”, which features a pretty catchy guitar line with an infectious “Save Myself” crying from the background. And then the drums and the piano come in and just turn this song into an all out aural banquet. It’s delicious.

Check out his website, it’s pretty cool. At least go and buy If the Ocean Gets Rough.
Listen to “When the River Moves On” (4.5/5)
Listen to “Save Myself” (4.7/5)

Alright, alright. So I’m not sure what the reaction is going to be like to this post. I want to tell y’all about another singer/songwriter who is huge-to say the least-in the UK. It always seems like any UK artist I hear about is always “huge overseas”. But that’s beside the point.

Mika’s debut Life in Cartoon Motion (release date: March 27 in the US) has gotten mixed reviews so far on this side of the pond, and I figured I’d give my two cents. The first thing that comes to mind upon hearing Mika (pronounced Mee-Ka) is Elton John meets Freddie Mercury. Yea, let’s go with that. Mika has got an incredible voice range, as seen in the song “Grace Kelly” which features him singing in 3 different octaves. And he loves the falsetto.

But as for the actual music itself, Mika’s songwriting spreads the gamut from humor to social commentary. His songs are fun and jumpy, and dare I say, radio friendly. But overlook the overproduction of the album–concentrate on the fact that this guy is way too talented to be disregarded as Top 40 “rubbish”. Upon listening to “Stuck in the Middle”, I’m reminded of “Crocodile Rock”-era Elton John or even a “You Rock my World”-esque Michael Jackson. Pounding piano beats with willowing cheerful vocals does it every time for me I guess. I’m a sucker. And if you’re looking for some good ol’ fun, try “Big Girl You are Beautiful” which is about exactly what you’re thinking.

I’m not going to say that this album is extraordinary, but it is certainly noteworthy. And as I mentioned before, it would be a shame to throw away an album just because it’s popular. So join in on the fun and go get a copy of Life in Cartoon Motion.

Listen to “Stuck in the Middle” (4.7/5)
Listen to “Grace Kelly” (4.2/5) It’s worth it for listening to his range.