Nearly a year after they released their debut LP, Hello Victor has unveiled their first full-length, “Whatever You Want.” The Kalamazoo band has dusted off the tracks from the LP and coupled them with its brand-new material, making for an unexpectedly fresh album. Hello Victor’s sound on “Whatever You Want” is like the soul of old-timey bayou blues reincarnated in the body of emo-indie, and smoothed over by the catchy sensibility of pop music: think Wilco meets Brand New. The unlikely juxtaposition of country and country-indie against emo and melodramatic pop allows the band to explore limitless creative territory and experiment with sounds and ideas seldom brought to the table in the realm of modern “pop music.”
From the bleary-eyed blues of the opening track “Good Fish” through to its electrified doppleganger, album closer “Gold Fish,” Hello Victor leads us on a self-reflective rollercoaster ride through late adolescence and that awkward time that comes after it: recalling the carefree days of youth, while delving into the frustration, uneasiness and fear that adulthood presents. This notion is perhaps best presented on the album’s second track “Really Me,” which awakens listeners from the twangy opener with vocalist Eric Martin’s jaded proclamation of “Well I missed you for days and days/ but now all I miss is the days that I wasted/ while I was wasted, passed out in cold basements…” and continues to build tension as Martin’s voice rises, eventually releasing into one of the biggest and most memorable choruses on the album.
Bounding into the playful “Is There a Man in That Couch?” --the obligatory pop-sing-a-long and quite possibly the “catchiest” song on the album-- and then powering through the next few tracks, the album continues to roam every corner of indie-pop terrain, reaching an apex in the final moments of the single-y “Put Your Head On Straight,” whose pop-blues guitar riff and kitschy, honky-tonk piano seem less concerned about genre-defying experimentation and more about… well, in a word: fun. From there, it’s a sullen trudge through broken-down ballad “KVK,” which , after the suicidally beautiful verses, erupts into a climactic bridge in which a chorus backs Martin’s emotionally-exhausted lamentations of “I need a break!” while the guitar part soars above it, like a soloist ad-libbing vehement hallelujahs over a gospel choir. The album’s only instrumental track, “1492” features ambient, echoing instrumentation for a foggy, spooky feel, before melting seamlessly into the noir mania of “Mermaids Are Ugly,” which vaguely recalls the percussive-sounding guitar from the verses of “That’s Typical Chelsea.”
From country to indie to emo and back again, “Whatever You Want” is indeed that: a bona fide crowd pleaser. The album’s examination of the harsh realities of life, its throwbacks to times past, and even its good old-fashioned fun make for an interesting journey for the listener, and it seems that Hello Victor is reaching out-- and while the all-over-the-map nature of the album begs the question of whether there’s an end goal to be grasped, or if they’re just grasping at straws, this is an undeniably promising release, lightyears ahead of their own fairly recent debut work-- and, in spite of its complexity, “Whatever You Want” really asks only one question in the end: what’s next?
An alternate version of this review will appear in the August 2010 issue of Recoil Magazine.
Showing posts with label Hello Victor. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hello Victor. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Announcements, etc
Hello everyone.
I thought it might be time for a bit of an update since the Bird Rights feature was my 40th post and, no, that's not a huge number, but it's a little bit of a milestone (kinda). Espect somethin' cool for the 50th ya'll. Just sayin.
I just want to thank all of my readers for coming to the site; those of you who send encouraging words, feedback, etc are very much appreciated. Those of you will less-nice things to say are appreciated as well. It's true what they say: a handful of "haters" and critics (or even just one) makes you stronger and teaches you more than a million fans, even if it hurts at first. (As Nick Flora says, "Everyone's a critic with a sharp tongue/ I, for, one have been stung/ One too many times/ It's hard to fake a smile.") But you just have to keep on truckin'! Controversies in the greater Kzoo music scene, often in the form of blog-bashing, have been going around... whether you're a musician or a writer, just keep it up-- art is art, and criticism is at the heart of being any type of artist. My hope for all artists who are part of Kalamazoo media/ culture continue to love, support, and constructively criticize one another in the hope that we will all find our voices and create some amazing legacies to leave behind, in whatever medium we so choose.
Without further ado, a couple exciting news tidbits:
[NOISE! Convention]
When I first launched TVJ, I had an idea to have a big show with some of my favorite local bands to promote the site. That never occurred, since I have no idea how to go about booking a show... alas, the intervention of Fate brought two lovely young men into my life with their lovely new site, Kalamazoo NOISE!. As a contributing writer for KN, I'm pleased to announce that we will be hosting a HUGE bash, coined "NOISE! Convention." I believe I've briefly mentioned it previously, but I wanted to reiterate: this is a HUGE-ASS SHOW (16 bands will be playing) to which you and ALL of your friends are more than invited!! (Check out the Facebook invite here.... go ahead, RSVP, you know you wanna.) This is, no doubt, better than anything I could've cooked up. I am SO excited for this and I hope all of you guys will be there. It's going to be amazing. Here are the deets:
What? Quite possibly the most incredible show of all time. Ever.
Who? The Hex Bombs, Ghosts of the Great Lakes, Ender, Hello Victor, Please Promise, Branden Mann and the Reprimand, Elm Street Riot, Brena, Trixy Disco, The Sedgwyck Agent, Sara Never Loved Me, Dead Scene Radio, The Post Addition, Crash City Saints, Dunktank, and Kathryn Tapper. And me of course (and the other KN! boys and gal). And most importantly, YOU!
When? April 29th... the last day of exams for all you WMU folks!!! What a killer way to unwind!
Where? Both stages of The Strutt at the corner of Stadium and Academy.
To date, we've got exactly 400 confirmed guests on Facebook... just sayin', all the cool kids will be there. No pressure or anything. Come on out! Bring your friends! This will be a night none of us will forget! Please be sure to introduce yourself... I can't wait to see your beautiful faces!
[Upcoming Publications]
RECOIL: Check out the April '10 issue for an article by "yours truly" (I hate when people say that) which will hit newsstands (not so much newsstands as countertops in various music-peopley places like Fourth Coast, Guitar Center, and many other places in the greater Kalamazoo/ Grand Rapids area) April 1st... no foolin'!
REVUE: I've got a pending article for this which may or may not run. Long story...
KALAMAZOO NOISE!: As always, keep checkin'.
[Cool Upcoming Stuff]
April 7th at The Strutt: Koji, Ender, and Kevin Devine. AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING. Also be on the lookout for my coverage of this show via KN!
If you're not excited right now, check your pulse homey. For reallz.
XOXO
--Meg Alexander (thevolumejunkie)
PS: Don't forget to add me on Facebook and MySpace for any and all blog updates and other related matters. Big hugs to all of you who have already :) Later days!
I thought it might be time for a bit of an update since the Bird Rights feature was my 40th post and, no, that's not a huge number, but it's a little bit of a milestone (kinda). Espect somethin' cool for the 50th ya'll. Just sayin.
I just want to thank all of my readers for coming to the site; those of you who send encouraging words, feedback, etc are very much appreciated. Those of you will less-nice things to say are appreciated as well. It's true what they say: a handful of "haters" and critics (or even just one) makes you stronger and teaches you more than a million fans, even if it hurts at first. (As Nick Flora says, "Everyone's a critic with a sharp tongue/ I, for, one have been stung/ One too many times/ It's hard to fake a smile.") But you just have to keep on truckin'! Controversies in the greater Kzoo music scene, often in the form of blog-bashing, have been going around... whether you're a musician or a writer, just keep it up-- art is art, and criticism is at the heart of being any type of artist. My hope for all artists who are part of Kalamazoo media/ culture continue to love, support, and constructively criticize one another in the hope that we will all find our voices and create some amazing legacies to leave behind, in whatever medium we so choose.
Without further ado, a couple exciting news tidbits:
[NOISE! Convention]
When I first launched TVJ, I had an idea to have a big show with some of my favorite local bands to promote the site. That never occurred, since I have no idea how to go about booking a show... alas, the intervention of Fate brought two lovely young men into my life with their lovely new site, Kalamazoo NOISE!. As a contributing writer for KN, I'm pleased to announce that we will be hosting a HUGE bash, coined "NOISE! Convention." I believe I've briefly mentioned it previously, but I wanted to reiterate: this is a HUGE-ASS SHOW (16 bands will be playing) to which you and ALL of your friends are more than invited!! (Check out the Facebook invite here.... go ahead, RSVP, you know you wanna.) This is, no doubt, better than anything I could've cooked up. I am SO excited for this and I hope all of you guys will be there. It's going to be amazing. Here are the deets:
What? Quite possibly the most incredible show of all time. Ever.
Who? The Hex Bombs, Ghosts of the Great Lakes, Ender, Hello Victor, Please Promise, Branden Mann and the Reprimand, Elm Street Riot, Brena, Trixy Disco, The Sedgwyck Agent, Sara Never Loved Me, Dead Scene Radio, The Post Addition, Crash City Saints, Dunktank, and Kathryn Tapper. And me of course (and the other KN! boys and gal). And most importantly, YOU!
When? April 29th... the last day of exams for all you WMU folks!!! What a killer way to unwind!
Where? Both stages of The Strutt at the corner of Stadium and Academy.
To date, we've got exactly 400 confirmed guests on Facebook... just sayin', all the cool kids will be there. No pressure or anything. Come on out! Bring your friends! This will be a night none of us will forget! Please be sure to introduce yourself... I can't wait to see your beautiful faces!
[Upcoming Publications]
RECOIL: Check out the April '10 issue for an article by "yours truly" (I hate when people say that) which will hit newsstands (not so much newsstands as countertops in various music-peopley places like Fourth Coast, Guitar Center, and many other places in the greater Kalamazoo/ Grand Rapids area) April 1st... no foolin'!
REVUE: I've got a pending article for this which may or may not run. Long story...
KALAMAZOO NOISE!: As always, keep checkin'.
[Cool Upcoming Stuff]
April 7th at The Strutt: Koji, Ender, and Kevin Devine. AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING. Also be on the lookout for my coverage of this show via KN!
If you're not excited right now, check your pulse homey. For reallz.
XOXO
--Meg Alexander (thevolumejunkie)
PS: Don't forget to add me on Facebook and MySpace for any and all blog updates and other related matters. Big hugs to all of you who have already :) Later days!
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Top 10 Things I'm Excited About
If there's one thing I love doing, it's making Top-10 lists. You might remember a minor overuse of them during Hip-Hop Week, but it's been months and I think it's ok now...
[10. The Sedgwyck Agents and Your Best Friend: Papa Pete's 3/5/10]
The first time I heard about Your Best Friend, the conversation literally went like this:
Much-cooler friend: What are you doing tonight?
Meg: Aw, I don't know.
MCF: Your Best Friend is playing a show at Corner Bar!
M: ...my best friend? .......who........?
MCF: NO, have you ever heard of the band, YOUR BEST FRIEND?!
She was/is way cooler than me, but now I know! Anyway, the Detroit-area band Your Best Friend will be bringing the hotness to Papa Pete's on March 5th! I saw YBF at Papa's last summer, I believe, with Ghosts of the Great Lakes and others. And, though those were my pre-blogging days (can you imagine? I can't), I still feel that I may tell you that they rocked my fucking face off.
For the record, I once had a similar conversation about Something Corporate ("Do you listen to Something Corporate?" "I listen to a lot of corporate music"); I swear to God that happened. Anyway...
Opening for Your Best Friend will be Kalamazoo's own Sedgwyck Agents. These masters of garage-grunge, also chock full of face-rocking goodness, mash heavily-distorted guitars, riotous cymbal-crashing fury and snarling, Johnny Rottenesque vocals: the kind of music you jacked up way, way too loud when you were an angsty high-school asshole (no worries, I've been there). Your parents' worst nightmare... but (ugh oh) your best friend.
Check this show out. Promise.
Also, look for my upcoming feature on Sedgwyck on Kalamazoo NOISE! for whom I will soon be a contributing writer. These guys rock-- bookmark this page to keep in the loop about Kalamazoo and southwest Michigan shows, as well as check out band profiles, etc, etc, etc.
[9. Ghosts of the Great Lakes' new full length "Erasing You"]
That's right, the band who once likened their sound to "shiny dirt" are releasing their sophomore effort. With a revamped lineup, Ghosts promise that "We are not fucking around in the least on this album." (from their blog); and vow additionally that it will "be loud." And while they brought the pain on their last release "The Death of the Party," which was favorably reviewed by Recoil, Revue and others, it will be interesting to see what they come up with this time around, having taken a minor hiatus from playing live shows and generally been off the proverbial radar.
And in case you've been curious about what they've been up to, they've released the a track list from the upcoming album on their blog. Though I can't see a reason to do this other than just liking the songs' titles a lot, they are officially... released. With promises that we will finally hear the music behind the titles in... June.
Anti-climactic, much?
Regardless, given the endlessly creative take on modern rock with which Ghosts have made a name for themselves in the Kalamazoo scene, I'm stoked for their next release.
See ya in a few months, guys!
[8. Elm Street Riot (formerly Bermuda Groove)]
Elm Street are sort of the new kids on the block of Kalamazoo indie-rock, blending classic 90s alt rock and gritty garage-blues with an indie perspective (think Cage the Elephant, the Black Keys and Ryan Adams' more "rock" stuff).
When I saw them in the fall at the Strutt as Bermuda Groove, I was confused and almost disappointed that they weren't more like this, given their name. But, I kicked back and enjoyed the set; they're kind of like seeing the first high school garage band you were really impressed by; like, "oh, you can be THAT cool and sound like that?! That's really good!"
Anyway, it's still in the early days of Elm Street Riot's tenure on the Kzoo scene, but I'm expecting to hear MUCH more from these guys in the coming months. In the meantime, you can check out their EP here and rock steady; during which time, please be advised that Elm Street "is sure to make your ears bleed in the best possible way."
[7. Trixy Disco] (what is "Dutch Pop?")
Another new band I've happened upon since selling out to MySpace: Trixy Disco. With a name like "Trixy Disco," a MySpace wallpapered in mosquitoes, and (most of all) their funky, experimental hard-rock sound, I was instantly intrigued. Though they only have one song up on MySpace, the headbanging "C'mon Sunshine," their sound has a presence and a uniqueness that you can't fake-- or ignore.
It might be a little premature but I'm expecting fantastic things from this band... they will be rockin' out the dungeon that is Corner Bar on March 19th, so I guess we'll see?
[6. Their Teeth Will Be Of Lions CD Release Show 4/17/10]
What the band rightly calls a "strange collaboration of talent and compassion" on their own MySpace is Kalamazoo's indie tour de force Their Teeth Will Be Of Lions. Taking us on an experimental-indie roller coaster ride of sound since their first release "Everyone Made it Out Alive.. Almost!" and through the darker "The Death... The Reincarnation... And The Unfamiliar Tales Of:" the band brings us their third album, "True Stories Are Harder To Make Up" in April.
Preferring their dance-y first album to the more brooding sophomore effort, I felt that their original B52s-meets-Rocky-Horror-Picture-Show antics suited the quirky seven-piece a little better than what they've been coming up with lately;. for example, "We Plunge Our Hands Deep Into The Sand:" an almost-harmonizing a cappella intro, leading into bass-driven indie, festooned with Sci-Fi synth and overdubbed with an excerpt from Obama's presidential acceptance speech... A little much? I think so.
However, while I don't know quite what to expect from the third-- a bridge between ridiculous-but-fun and serious-but-overbearing? or a third direction we don't even see coming?-- I'm sure that the CD release show will be worth catching. While naysayers can say what they will about Teeth's recorded work, there is no denying that they have always put on one of the most fun shows in town. And, alongside a killer lineup of some of the area's best bands-- The Skies Revolt (Grand Rapids), Hello Victor, Ghosts of the Great Lakes, Spacelift, and Toro and the National Guard-- this show is guaranteed to be killer.
[5. Reggae Dancehall Xplosion 2010]
What do you get when you mix the resurrection of one of Kalamazoo's greatest venues of all time (the Kraftbrau... nowadays "Old Dog Tavern") and the amazing island-inspired world-beat dance music spun by WIDR's Selector Jonathon/ "Dread I Sound?" That's right: a "Reggae Dancehall Xplosion" the likes of which this town has never seen. Spinning a combination of "roots music, afro-beat, dub, nyahbinghi, rock-steady, dub-step, one-drop, dancehall, rockers, acoustic, dubtronic, lovers, tropical, soca, steel pan, modern roots, calypso and the occasional non-reggae African-based music" (from the Reggae Revolution MySpace), Dread I Sound and DJ Assane (who I mysteriously cannot find anywhere on the internet, and consequently cannot provide you with a link; sorry) revive a long-lost art: the reggae dance party.
You might remember Dread I Sound from Bob Marley Birthday Bash this year; and, in true irie spirit, he has generously sent me playlists of his radio show, which I am thrilled to say IS AMAZING. Alongside super obscure reggae-oriented acts from all over the world (not just the Caribbean, but as far-flung as Sardinia, Italy, Sweden, the UK, France, and Belgium; and even the US and Canada... who knew?) are names you'll recognize from mainstream radio and probably your own music collection... Sean Paul, Matisyahu, Peter Tosh, Burning Spear, Rancid (?! what are you doing here, Rancid?) and more.
And, well, it's not spring yet. So if you need a break, hit up Old Dog Tavern, crack open a Red Stripe and post. Dread I Sound has a gift for turning what is often misunderstood as a very homogeneous genre and turning it into a truly diverse and amazing tessellation of styles, cultures, and sounds. Interested? You bet your ass you are. Check out the next Reggae Dancehall Xplosion on March 18th; until then, Reggae Revolution is on WIDR (89.1 FM) Tuesday nights from 10-midnight.
[4. Dead Scene Radio's Full-Length; release date TBD]
Wellllllll if you read my last post (was that the last one? damn) you already know how I feel about Dead Scene Radio.
You know then, indeed that we are expecting a full-length from them coming up, the details of which should be released any time now now.
What they do have up is this video, which, even without vocals, sounds killer and falls squarely within their tried-and-true indie/pop paradigm, and resembles the rest of their music: laden with upbeat, electric instrumentation, bright melodies and subtle vocal harmonies.
Anyway, I'm going to try to set up an interview with these guys and see if we can get in the loop. In the meantime, check out their current stuff if you haven't: a feel-good blend of old-school Beach Boys/ Buddy Holly pop/rock and roll plus indie rock.
[3. Hello Victor: full-length due out in June 2010]
You might remember one of my very first local reviews, Hello Victor's EP, "1623" last fall.
After my mostly-favorable review of their EP, I saw them play a few times-- most recently over Christmas Break, I think-- and now can say that I thoroughly believe in this band. With an increasingly-killer live show to amplify their already impressive studio work (available on MySpace and anjuno), Hello Victor is building suspense for their first full-length, due out this summer, releasing a song or two at their recent shows but keeping fairly quiet about what they're up to in the studio.
During an unofficial interview with Hello Victor, I learned that they have been keeping quite busy; with a new management deal and studio options being discussed, the band seems to hope to live up to the buzz that their EP and live shows have generated, continue playing live shows (including a slew of Kalamazoo-area dates and a show in Chicago) in the coming months. With moderate lineup changes (including adding members of the now-defunct Kzoo indie gem The Rock and the Hive) and a notable feeling of newfound assurance in their music, Hello Victor is looking pretty good these days.
[2. Mustard Plug at Papa Pete's 3/16/10]
AHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My favorite local(ish) band EVER and one of my all-time faves, MUSTARD PLUG, is playing at Papa Pete's in a mere TWO WEEKS!
I've seen this band I think around nine times (I lost track at seven) and they have never, never disappointed me. I checked them out for the first time when I was 15, at State Theatre. I think it was the first concert I ever went to. It was summer. I wore sandals. It was painful. I had an awesome time.
One thing I love about Mustard Plug's shows: consistency. They are consistently the most fun shows I see. Despite having serious ska chops and being a mainstay in the national ska scene-- and, now an internationally-performing band-- these guys are mindblowingly down-to-earth, allowing for an anything-goes atmosphere at their shows. I'm talking skanking, crowdsurfing, stagedancing and any other beer- /Beer- fueled shenanigans you can imagine, an elbows-and-knees melee over soaring requiems of 2 Tone chaos.
I can promise you that THIS WILL BE THE SHOW of the season in Kalamazoo. Except for...
[1. Fruit Bats 3/5/10 @ the Strutt]
At last, Fruit Bats are making their triumphant return to Kalamazoo after Barking Tuna 2009.
If you didn't catch my Barking Tuna coverage last fall, here's a synopsis: despite having played an amazing show at State Theatre on Night Three, the Fruit Bats received little attention in Kalamazoo, even from a city with what I observe as a pretty indie-centered music scene.
But still, it seems like people are fairly excited about this show; in a rare move, The Strutt is pre-selling tickets (they are $10 in advance, $12 at the door, I believe.). I know I am.
With a delightful, Shins-rendered style of indie-pop, Fruit Bats (currently on the music snobs' Most Infamous Label: SubPop) exemplify everything that is great about indie: intricate-but-accessible, tone-conscious guitar parts, weaving flowing harmonies with cerebral lyrics and the occasional piano jam. Frontman and principal songwriter Eric Johnson has an incredible combination of the characteristic indie sensibility with roots in classic rock; think Jeffy Tweedy meets Loud Reed meets the Beatles' "Let It Be" (Phil Spector style or "Naked," you decide) times indie, minus whining; to the tenth power.
Also, check out their blog; their latest chronicles a session with Sean and my boys over at Day Trotter!
[10. The Sedgwyck Agents and Your Best Friend: Papa Pete's 3/5/10]
The first time I heard about Your Best Friend, the conversation literally went like this:
Much-cooler friend: What are you doing tonight?
Meg: Aw, I don't know.
MCF: Your Best Friend is playing a show at Corner Bar!
M: ...my best friend? .......who........?
MCF: NO, have you ever heard of the band, YOUR BEST FRIEND?!
She was/is way cooler than me, but now I know! Anyway, the Detroit-area band Your Best Friend will be bringing the hotness to Papa Pete's on March 5th! I saw YBF at Papa's last summer, I believe, with Ghosts of the Great Lakes and others. And, though those were my pre-blogging days (can you imagine? I can't), I still feel that I may tell you that they rocked my fucking face off.
For the record, I once had a similar conversation about Something Corporate ("Do you listen to Something Corporate?" "I listen to a lot of corporate music"); I swear to God that happened. Anyway...
Opening for Your Best Friend will be Kalamazoo's own Sedgwyck Agents. These masters of garage-grunge, also chock full of face-rocking goodness, mash heavily-distorted guitars, riotous cymbal-crashing fury and snarling, Johnny Rottenesque vocals: the kind of music you jacked up way, way too loud when you were an angsty high-school asshole (no worries, I've been there). Your parents' worst nightmare... but (ugh oh) your best friend.
Check this show out. Promise.
Also, look for my upcoming feature on Sedgwyck on Kalamazoo NOISE! for whom I will soon be a contributing writer. These guys rock-- bookmark this page to keep in the loop about Kalamazoo and southwest Michigan shows, as well as check out band profiles, etc, etc, etc.
[9. Ghosts of the Great Lakes' new full length "Erasing You"]
That's right, the band who once likened their sound to "shiny dirt" are releasing their sophomore effort. With a revamped lineup, Ghosts promise that "We are not fucking around in the least on this album." (from their blog); and vow additionally that it will "be loud." And while they brought the pain on their last release "The Death of the Party," which was favorably reviewed by Recoil, Revue and others, it will be interesting to see what they come up with this time around, having taken a minor hiatus from playing live shows and generally been off the proverbial radar.
And in case you've been curious about what they've been up to, they've released the a track list from the upcoming album on their blog. Though I can't see a reason to do this other than just liking the songs' titles a lot, they are officially... released. With promises that we will finally hear the music behind the titles in... June.
Anti-climactic, much?
Regardless, given the endlessly creative take on modern rock with which Ghosts have made a name for themselves in the Kalamazoo scene, I'm stoked for their next release.
See ya in a few months, guys!
[8. Elm Street Riot (formerly Bermuda Groove)]
Elm Street are sort of the new kids on the block of Kalamazoo indie-rock, blending classic 90s alt rock and gritty garage-blues with an indie perspective (think Cage the Elephant, the Black Keys and Ryan Adams' more "rock" stuff).
When I saw them in the fall at the Strutt as Bermuda Groove, I was confused and almost disappointed that they weren't more like this, given their name. But, I kicked back and enjoyed the set; they're kind of like seeing the first high school garage band you were really impressed by; like, "oh, you can be THAT cool and sound like that?! That's really good!"
Anyway, it's still in the early days of Elm Street Riot's tenure on the Kzoo scene, but I'm expecting to hear MUCH more from these guys in the coming months. In the meantime, you can check out their EP here and rock steady; during which time, please be advised that Elm Street "is sure to make your ears bleed in the best possible way."
[7. Trixy Disco] (what is "Dutch Pop?")
Another new band I've happened upon since selling out to MySpace: Trixy Disco. With a name like "Trixy Disco," a MySpace wallpapered in mosquitoes, and (most of all) their funky, experimental hard-rock sound, I was instantly intrigued. Though they only have one song up on MySpace, the headbanging "C'mon Sunshine," their sound has a presence and a uniqueness that you can't fake-- or ignore.
It might be a little premature but I'm expecting fantastic things from this band... they will be rockin' out the dungeon that is Corner Bar on March 19th, so I guess we'll see?
[6. Their Teeth Will Be Of Lions CD Release Show 4/17/10]
What the band rightly calls a "strange collaboration of talent and compassion" on their own MySpace is Kalamazoo's indie tour de force Their Teeth Will Be Of Lions. Taking us on an experimental-indie roller coaster ride of sound since their first release "Everyone Made it Out Alive.. Almost!" and through the darker "The Death... The Reincarnation... And The Unfamiliar Tales Of:" the band brings us their third album, "True Stories Are Harder To Make Up" in April.
Preferring their dance-y first album to the more brooding sophomore effort, I felt that their original B52s-meets-Rocky-Horror-Picture-Show antics suited the quirky seven-piece a little better than what they've been coming up with lately;. for example, "We Plunge Our Hands Deep Into The Sand:" an almost-harmonizing a cappella intro, leading into bass-driven indie, festooned with Sci-Fi synth and overdubbed with an excerpt from Obama's presidential acceptance speech... A little much? I think so.
However, while I don't know quite what to expect from the third-- a bridge between ridiculous-but-fun and serious-but-overbearing? or a third direction we don't even see coming?-- I'm sure that the CD release show will be worth catching. While naysayers can say what they will about Teeth's recorded work, there is no denying that they have always put on one of the most fun shows in town. And, alongside a killer lineup of some of the area's best bands-- The Skies Revolt (Grand Rapids), Hello Victor, Ghosts of the Great Lakes, Spacelift, and Toro and the National Guard-- this show is guaranteed to be killer.
[5. Reggae Dancehall Xplosion 2010]
What do you get when you mix the resurrection of one of Kalamazoo's greatest venues of all time (the Kraftbrau... nowadays "Old Dog Tavern") and the amazing island-inspired world-beat dance music spun by WIDR's Selector Jonathon/ "Dread I Sound?" That's right: a "Reggae Dancehall Xplosion" the likes of which this town has never seen. Spinning a combination of "roots music, afro-beat, dub, nyahbinghi, rock-steady, dub-step, one-drop, dancehall, rockers, acoustic, dubtronic, lovers, tropical, soca, steel pan, modern roots, calypso and the occasional non-reggae African-based music" (from the Reggae Revolution MySpace), Dread I Sound and DJ Assane (who I mysteriously cannot find anywhere on the internet, and consequently cannot provide you with a link; sorry) revive a long-lost art: the reggae dance party.
You might remember Dread I Sound from Bob Marley Birthday Bash this year; and, in true irie spirit, he has generously sent me playlists of his radio show, which I am thrilled to say IS AMAZING. Alongside super obscure reggae-oriented acts from all over the world (not just the Caribbean, but as far-flung as Sardinia, Italy, Sweden, the UK, France, and Belgium; and even the US and Canada... who knew?) are names you'll recognize from mainstream radio and probably your own music collection... Sean Paul, Matisyahu, Peter Tosh, Burning Spear, Rancid (?! what are you doing here, Rancid?) and more.
And, well, it's not spring yet. So if you need a break, hit up Old Dog Tavern, crack open a Red Stripe and post. Dread I Sound has a gift for turning what is often misunderstood as a very homogeneous genre and turning it into a truly diverse and amazing tessellation of styles, cultures, and sounds. Interested? You bet your ass you are. Check out the next Reggae Dancehall Xplosion on March 18th; until then, Reggae Revolution is on WIDR (89.1 FM) Tuesday nights from 10-midnight.
[4. Dead Scene Radio's Full-Length; release date TBD]
Wellllllll if you read my last post (was that the last one? damn) you already know how I feel about Dead Scene Radio.
You know then, indeed that we are expecting a full-length from them coming up, the details of which should be released any time now now.
What they do have up is this video, which, even without vocals, sounds killer and falls squarely within their tried-and-true indie/pop paradigm, and resembles the rest of their music: laden with upbeat, electric instrumentation, bright melodies and subtle vocal harmonies.
Anyway, I'm going to try to set up an interview with these guys and see if we can get in the loop. In the meantime, check out their current stuff if you haven't: a feel-good blend of old-school Beach Boys/ Buddy Holly pop/rock and roll plus indie rock.
[3. Hello Victor: full-length due out in June 2010]
You might remember one of my very first local reviews, Hello Victor's EP, "1623" last fall.
After my mostly-favorable review of their EP, I saw them play a few times-- most recently over Christmas Break, I think-- and now can say that I thoroughly believe in this band. With an increasingly-killer live show to amplify their already impressive studio work (available on MySpace and anjuno), Hello Victor is building suspense for their first full-length, due out this summer, releasing a song or two at their recent shows but keeping fairly quiet about what they're up to in the studio.
During an unofficial interview with Hello Victor, I learned that they have been keeping quite busy; with a new management deal and studio options being discussed, the band seems to hope to live up to the buzz that their EP and live shows have generated, continue playing live shows (including a slew of Kalamazoo-area dates and a show in Chicago) in the coming months. With moderate lineup changes (including adding members of the now-defunct Kzoo indie gem The Rock and the Hive) and a notable feeling of newfound assurance in their music, Hello Victor is looking pretty good these days.
[2. Mustard Plug at Papa Pete's 3/16/10]
AHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My favorite local(ish) band EVER and one of my all-time faves, MUSTARD PLUG, is playing at Papa Pete's in a mere TWO WEEKS!
I've seen this band I think around nine times (I lost track at seven) and they have never, never disappointed me. I checked them out for the first time when I was 15, at State Theatre. I think it was the first concert I ever went to. It was summer. I wore sandals. It was painful. I had an awesome time.
One thing I love about Mustard Plug's shows: consistency. They are consistently the most fun shows I see. Despite having serious ska chops and being a mainstay in the national ska scene-- and, now an internationally-performing band-- these guys are mindblowingly down-to-earth, allowing for an anything-goes atmosphere at their shows. I'm talking skanking, crowdsurfing, stagedancing and any other beer- /Beer- fueled shenanigans you can imagine, an elbows-and-knees melee over soaring requiems of 2 Tone chaos.
I can promise you that THIS WILL BE THE SHOW of the season in Kalamazoo. Except for...
[1. Fruit Bats 3/5/10 @ the Strutt]
At last, Fruit Bats are making their triumphant return to Kalamazoo after Barking Tuna 2009.
If you didn't catch my Barking Tuna coverage last fall, here's a synopsis: despite having played an amazing show at State Theatre on Night Three, the Fruit Bats received little attention in Kalamazoo, even from a city with what I observe as a pretty indie-centered music scene.
But still, it seems like people are fairly excited about this show; in a rare move, The Strutt is pre-selling tickets (they are $10 in advance, $12 at the door, I believe.). I know I am.
With a delightful, Shins-rendered style of indie-pop, Fruit Bats (currently on the music snobs' Most Infamous Label: SubPop) exemplify everything that is great about indie: intricate-but-accessible, tone-conscious guitar parts, weaving flowing harmonies with cerebral lyrics and the occasional piano jam. Frontman and principal songwriter Eric Johnson has an incredible combination of the characteristic indie sensibility with roots in classic rock; think Jeffy Tweedy meets Loud Reed meets the Beatles' "Let It Be" (Phil Spector style or "Naked," you decide) times indie, minus whining; to the tenth power.
Also, check out their blog; their latest chronicles a session with Sean and my boys over at Day Trotter!
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Hello Victor: 1623 [EP] (review)
Kalamazoo's short-lived indie band fairvue (2007) has apparently reassembled with a new take on the genre. Their EP, "1623," released online, contains a surprising range of sounds: the Brand New- rendered emo of the band's former incarnation with newfound sophistication. The result is something that comes of as classic indie-emo with a hint of pop sensibility. The EP's opener, "Really Me," is unabashedly radio-conscious, with a memorable riff and an explosive chorus that feels almost too big for the song; led by the confident-sounding guitar and shimmering, cymbal-driven percussion, it is overinflated by the overzealous vocal line; the contrast between the grandeur of the music and the impassioned vocals in this song should be-- and almost are-- appealing, but in this case the two elements seem to compete, and the resulting sound is a little anxious. Similarly, the inexplicably-titled "Beer 30," contains vocals so over-exertive, even listening to it is exhausting.
This band experiments with fusing different genres into their sound, most succesfully on the EP's highlight, "Put Your Head On Straight," a surprisingly unpretentious blend of Hello Victor's own unique brand of indie with near-ironic E Street camp. Overall, the result is a refreshingly present, conscious- sounding record. The EP simply sounds like a young band's first EP should sound: cautious and slightly underdeveloped, but well-meaning and with the grass roots of good things. They seem to be finding a reconciliation between the band's creative past and what sounds like a desire to reinvent themselves. It seems like we can expect good things from Hello Victor: with their already- solid stance within the Kalamazoo music scene, a little direction might be all they need to hone their sound.
Regardless, word on the street is that Hello Victor is/ will be signed to an indie label. So we'll see what happens...
-thejunkie
[Download at http://www.anjuno.com/profile/hellovictor]
This band experiments with fusing different genres into their sound, most succesfully on the EP's highlight, "Put Your Head On Straight," a surprisingly unpretentious blend of Hello Victor's own unique brand of indie with near-ironic E Street camp. Overall, the result is a refreshingly present, conscious- sounding record. The EP simply sounds like a young band's first EP should sound: cautious and slightly underdeveloped, but well-meaning and with the grass roots of good things. They seem to be finding a reconciliation between the band's creative past and what sounds like a desire to reinvent themselves. It seems like we can expect good things from Hello Victor: with their already- solid stance within the Kalamazoo music scene, a little direction might be all they need to hone their sound.
Regardless, word on the street is that Hello Victor is/ will be signed to an indie label. So we'll see what happens...
-thejunkie
[Download at http://www.anjuno.com/profile/hellovictor]
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