The Dillinger Escape Plan - Option Paralysis

I've always thought that the marketing on films was suspect at best, but it seems that music isn't immune from the marketers deceitful ways either. "...all killer, no filler..." - Revolver, goes the lovely little soundbite for 'Option Paralysis'. I can sense that you know what's coming even now. Yep, it's the complete opposite. 

I've got one more album by The Dillinger Escape Plan and it had its fair share of filler, but it did have at least one killer song ('Black Bubblegum'). 'Option Paralysis' has no great tracks and is severely average. As I played it through the first time, I was a tad disappointed although I gave it a chance with multiple listenings; something may have jumped out at me over time. (This happened on the also very average album 'Axe to Fall' by Converge, which managed to come good with the brilliant 'Wretched World'.) Yet the best this album can offer is 'Widower' with its mixture of the usual shouty stuff and a twinkly piano that occasionally delves into atonal horror film territory. It's got a pretty powerful ending as well, yet it's cut way too short. 

Apart from that, there's nothing new here. Some groups manage to get by on releasing albums with just one great track, and it's enough of a reason to buy the next album (Buffalo Tom, R.E.M for instance). I'm not entirely sure that I can be bothered to buy another by The Dillinger Escape Plan. I'd probably have to have a listen first. On the plus side a couple of them have got cracking beards, so that may be enough to warrant another purchase.

evlkeith=

Eels - Tomorrow Morning

Mark Oliver Everett unleashes another album from his creative cellar and as usual it’s the trademark Eels sound tweaked ever so slightly to provide a unique atmosphere to proceedings. If anything it’s marginally less accessible than standard. The songs still have that DIY feel, the voice is increasingly gravelly, but the instrumentation flirts with electronica and the occasional burst of a drum machine. It reminds me a great deal of REM’s underrated ‘Up’ album with the production and themes applied to Eels Man rather than Stipe.

This is Everett in introspective mood, but with none of the full scale depression. It’s jaunty, upbeat and catchy at times, but the electronic elements are sometimes at odds with his organic snaggle toothed tonsils. Unusually for an Eels album some of the tracks descend into irritating territory with ‘I’m a hummingbird’ and ‘Baby Loves Me’ the guiltiest offenders. Fear not however, this is nothing like MC Honky. It’s more like a cross between the out-takes album Useless Trinkets, Beautiful Freak and Blinking Lights which sounds great in theory, but is ultimately a little underwhelming.

Everyone knows that bonus discs are always rubbish, but in this case it pulls the whole show around. The pick of the tracks are featured on the Bonus EP with ‘Let’s Ruin Julie's Birthday’, ‘Swimming Lesson’ and especially ‘For You’, all absolute crackers. From the main disc, only ‘Spectacular Girl’ will pass the test of time, and if I’m being generous ‘This is where it gets good’.

It’s a step up from Hombre Lobo, but don’t expect a classic Eels album. It’s chirpy, semi-electronic fun and if you’re an Eels fan it does what it says on the tin. If you don’t already love him, (and let’s face it who does?) don’t expect a Road to Damascus moment from ‘Tomorrow Morning’.

 

 

Broken Bells – Broken Bells LP

This is the unlikely collaboration of the Shins frontman James Mercer and electronic producer Danger Mouse. It’s a quality little offering that breaks Mercer out of his comfort zone with different styles, song structures and instrumentation. It’s a strange juxtaposition, but ultimately it works with a quirkiness and grace all of its own.

It’s not quite up there with the Postal Service album, but it’s a brave move from Mercer to attempt something different when he is so comfortable within his Shins persona. It’s doubtful that Mark Oliver Everett, Morrissey or Bob Mould would even think of electronic collaborations, although maybe that’s harsh on Everett with his MC Honky project. Who the hell would you pair up with Morrissey though? Trentmoller would do it for me, but I doubt Mozzer would agree.

The pick of the tracks are the meandering ‘The High Road’, the Shins-like plodding of ‘Vaporize’ and the high pitched Shins meets the Scissor Sisters stomp of ‘The Ghost Inside’. Best by a long way however, is the stylish electronic pulsing anthem of ‘Mongrel Heart’ with a half time homage to Ennio Morricone. Difficult to imagine, but a work of genius.

If you like the Shins you’ll probably like Broken Bells. If you don’t like the Shins this won’t change your mind, but it probably has more chance than Mercer’s more standard offerings. Well worth a spin if you’re ambivalent.

 

 

 

The Fall – Your Future Our Clutter

Another year, another Fall album and this time it’s 2010’s non too shabby offering ‘Your Future Our Clutter.’ Don’t worry, there’s nearly thirty to go at and I’m not even at half way.

This is the Fall in straightforward rock mode. It appeals to the Fall fan’s lowest common denominator and harks back to the simpler pleasures of the late eighties. Mark E Smith is his usual ranty self with some lovely lyrical touches thrown in for good measure and surely he must be immortal? He must have found the fountain of youth, or at least middle age, as he seems to be stuck in a  perpetual half life somewhere between teenage attitude and old aged pensioner bodywork.

The pick of the tracks are the pounding opener of ‘O.F.Y.C. Showcase’, the twangy insistence of ‘Cowboy George’ and the jolly singalong of ‘Funnel of Love’. Best of all is the two part rock out of ‘Bury’ which has got to be part of the all time Fall top ten. It’s the perfect example of clashing guitars meeting ambiguous northern lyrics and delivery.

If you didn’t have a sneaky admiration for the Fall before, this is not going to change your mind. But if you used to enjoy a bit of Mark E Smith and lost the habit, then this is as good a place to jump back on the horse as any.

 

 

First Aid Kit - The Big Black and the Blue

The Soderberg sisters are not the most original talents in the world of popular music. They serve up a timeless take on female vocal folk that pushes no boundaries and blurs no genres. The fact is their folk music is so perfect and pure that no-one cares. This is folk music filtered through Scandinavian rock formations and served from expensive New York water coolers.

For artistes of such a tender age this is an accomplished and mature album. It sounds like generic Americana, but spiked with a shot of  akvavit and served with a cherry on a stick. The girls voices mesh with a synergy not seen since Agnetha and Anni-frid were warbling their way to international super-stardom, but sadly the girls are possibly headed for folky rather than mainstream success.

Every track is a slow burning winner, but if pressed I'd say 'Ghost Town', 'Heavy Storm' and 'Sailor Song' are all worthy of special attention. Best of all is the eerie melancholy of  'Winter is All Over You'; a gorgeous juxtaposition of crystal vocals and profound lyricism, and one of my favourite tracks of last year.

I can't wait to hear more of what First Aid Kit have to offer. Fans of folk will love their approach, but music lovers in general cannot help but be moved by the passion, purity and confidence inherent in these songs. A sure-fire winner; go and search them out immediately.

 

 

First Aid Kit - Our Own Pretty Ways

Pick of the Week 24 - First Aid Kit

Another Swedish combo, and this time it's the delicious timeless folk of the Soderberg sisters aka First Aid Kit. It's nothing particularly innovative, but done with such gusto, enthusiasm and innocence, it's virtually impossible not to fall for their passionate harmonies. This is no fluke either as their LP that I've been listening to recently is literally packed with songs of similar quality and intensity.

The video is another matter altogether. Initially I felt cheated that Eric was allowed to leave and go for his breakfast without properly bonding with the girls and possibly forming a lifelong relationship. After repeated viewing however, I've started to think he may just be a bad actor and all that cute awkwardness actually stems from the fact that he's a New York waiter with limited thespian talent. Who knows? But the whole episode definitely provokes more questions than answers. Although I doubt anyone else in the whole world is interested.

 

Warpaint - The Fool LP

One of the surprises of the year at the 'Into the Valley...' offices is how well Warpaint did in terms of hits when selected as Pick of the Week. There seems no reason why the Los Angeles combo should have risen to become our second most successful post in the history of the blog. So can their debut album 'The Fool' shed any light on their apparent success?

The answer is a resounding no. It's not in anyway catchy or particularly engaging. It should rank up there with PJ Harvey in the dirge stakes, but somehow it isn't a struggle to listen to. In fact it's a relatively enjoyable experience, but I'm not intelligent enough to know why. There's base, drums, guitar, singing and an odd slice of piano; back to basics indie with no frills or affectations. It's possibly more Evlkeith's cup of tea than mine and those intertwined harmonies and complex baselines would probably appeal to the muso in him.

All the tracks blend into one which again is not a criticism, but none are particularly memorable as my favourites. 'Set you arms down' is a typical balance of delicate voice, precise base and then layering in the drums and soaring guitars, with 'Shadows' and 'Baby' following a similar formula. Only 'Undertow' deviates and sounds a little like Nirvana at times.

I'm almost neutral about 'The Fool'. Some days I really enjoy it and on others I flick through all the tracks. If a female, indie version of dirge rockers Tool appeals then check out Warpaint. They may also be ideal if you prefer mild enjoyment to full scale fun, but in a good way.

 

The Brunettes - Small Town Crew

Pick of the Week 21 - The Brunettes

In downtown, scuzzy South Yorkshire we view New Zealand as a cross between Heaven, Utopia and the Lake District. It's the exact antithesis of Barnsley; it's beautiful, sophisticated and cultured. Maybe we view the place through rose coloured glasses, but the music currently produced in the country hardly shatters this dream.

The Brunettes are like a Southern hemisphere version of Belle and Sebastian with New Zealand accents. I love this song for its melancholy singalongability and their other output is equally quirky, quaint and intelligent. Band mates of occasional collaborator Princess Chelsea, they are clearly destined for underground greatness. Videos with oversized people knocking about in cities are always brilliant too, especially when our heroine has the look of an ever so slightly deranged evil pixie (in a positive way).

See the Beastie Boys 'Intergalactic' for the genre defining giant robots/monsters in a city video.

 

Rebekka Karijord - Wear it like a Crown

Pick of the Week 20 - Rebekka Karijord

There can't be much to do in Norway other than wander around a forest in your best frock with a spooky child in tow. Luckily when Rebekka tinkles on the piano and opens her mouth beautiful sounds are unleashed on the world. As with all Scandinavian folk music there's a crystal clear purity to her compositions, an innocence and an integrity that permeates whichever environment in which you happen to be listening. 'Wear it Like a Crown' is no exception with the trademark haunting vocals, chilled atmosphere and minimal production making it a Nordic treat for anyone in earshot.

Betty and the Werewolves - David Cassidy

Pick of the Week 14: Betty and the Werewolves

It's impossible not to love a band called Betty and the Werewolves. Their particular brand of semi-shouty, indie jangle pop sits somewhere between Heavenly and Huggy Bear, and that can only be a recipe for something spectacular. I've only ever heard this song, but needless to say I'll be checking out their other output in the near future, even if 2010's 'Tea Time Favourites' album looks a bit pricey. Disturbingly, they all look like my history teacher from 1980's middle school with slightly different hairstyles but equally bad posture, obviously not the one with the beard, however I'm willing to overlook this considering how great 'David Cassidy' is. Surely this has been touched by the hand of Amelia Fletcher in some way, shape or form?

I honestly thought I couldn't like the song more, but check out this super lo-lo-fi live performance in a tent! Greatness in the making.

 

Caitlin Rose - Own Side Now LP

Caitlin Rose is the ultimate proof that alt-country music is a wonderful thing. She has a voice that is delicate yet powerful, vulnerable yet confident and combines elements of Jenny Lewis, Karen Carpenter and Larry the Lamb. Her songs are bitter sweet tales of love, loss and redemption and whether you want to or not, you'll be replaying them over and over in your head after just a couple of listens.

It is one of life's greatest injustices that everyone loves that other cowboy staple: jeans, however absolutely nobody apart from me (and cowboys), love a bit of Country and Western music. I hate jeans; they're cheap, uncomfortable and made of horrible blue denim that makes you look like one of Status Quo. My advice is leave them to the cowboys. But the likes of Caitlin Rose deserve a much wider audience. Unfortunately this is probably not going to happen and the masses will continue to skip about in their denims listening to Jessie J, while the in-crowd are wearing sensible trousers and singing along to 'Own Side Now'.

I've listened to some cracking albums this year and this is up there with the best of them. Every song has its merits and tells its own little story. 'Own Side' is undeniably a classic and deservedly ranked highly in my Festive Forty last year, however there's so much more to this collection. 'Shanghai Cigarettes' is a catchy combination of harmonies and twanging guitars and 'For the Rabbits' is an anthemic ballad which is as intriguing lyrically as it is musically. Best of all is the jaw dropping, lo-fi minimal charms of 'Sinful Wishing Well' where Caitlin gives us the full vulnerable vocal delivery that occasionally dips into Larry the Lamb vibrato for maximum emotion. That's not to say the other songs are weaker as the whole thing plays like a greatest hits package.

So abandon all your misconceptions about modern Country music and give Caitlin a chance. She's a rare talent and one of the most emotive singers in any genre. I love the name too; Caitlin Rose is just such a great C&W moniker for a woman. Nearly as good as Hank Wangford for the gents. Just as a dog is not just for Christmas, Caitlin Rose is not just for cowboys. Recommended.

He is We - Light a Way

Pick of the Week 11 - Light a Way by He is We

I flew on an aeroplane for the first time in forty years a couple of weeks ago. The bookies' favourites for the song that would be stuck in my head as we flew were 'In the Aeorplane over the Sea' (the obvious choice) and 'At the Bottom of Everything' by Bright Eyes (the smart money). Amazingly a rank outsider provided the soundtrack to my voyage into the wide, blue yonder with 'Light a Way' providing some small consolation to the fact that I was hovering 6 miles above France in a pressurised tube.

We'd listened to its sickly sweet charms in the car on the way to East Midlands and I guess it must have just lodged in my subconscious. It's a lo-fi, camp-acoustic bundle of melodic fun from the duo from Tacoma, Washington. They sound completely wholesome, boy and girl next door types who met in a record shop and decided make dreamy indie music together. Wholesomeness is rarely a good thing outside of the world of Shredded Wheat, but in this case it's acceptable due their fiercely down to earth, independent attitude. The plan worked, and considering their whole marketing strategy was based on social networking sites they've done well to secure a deal with Universal Motown Records. A great song to listen to anywhere, but especially at 30,000 feet.

     

Warpaint - Burgandy

Pick of the Week 10 - Burgandy by Warpaint

This is a slow-burning offering from Los Angeles based Warpaint that has really grown on me over the last few months. It's all I've heard from them so far, but I'd be interested in giving their 2010 album, 'The Fool' a listen at some point next year. The song is a smouldering, atmospheric lullaby with a dark, hypnotic quality. Loving the minimal, no frills performance video too!

Angus and Julia Stone – For You

Pick of the Week 9 – Angus and Julia Stone – For You

Sydney based brother and sister combo, Angus and Julia Stone are an awe inspiring combination of acoustic folkiness laced with a splash of something dark and enticing. They make music that is both harmonic and bitter sweet, with ‘For You’ a typically stirring example of their art. Julia’s voice has that sweet and sour quality that I really love. It’s not unlike the vocal equivalent of that northern delicacy, the cheese and jam sandwich, with Ms. Stone combining an unctuous, honey sweetness with just an inkling that she may actually be a witch, (in a good way as always.) I’m beginning to think that Australia is an untapped reservoir of quality music with so many great artists almost unknown in Britain. I’ll be checking out their latest album shortly, but for now enjoy the transient beauty of ‘For You’.

Sleigh Bells - Infinity Guitars

Pick of the Week 8 - Sleigh Bells - Infinity Guitars

I can't take any credit for this one as I read about Sleigh Bells on Have You Met Heather. I haven't been able to get it out of my head since and without it I would never have started my Youtube playlist which is now massive. I know very little about them other than they come from Brooklyn and have released a couple of albums, however I've not been overly convinced by some of their other tracks. Is it worth buying an album? The jury's still out on them, but this is a cracking song with an intriguing video (although the record company blocks it and we'll sadly have to make do with a live version), so make your own minds up.

Trentmoller - Into the Great Wide Yonder

Anders shuns the trademark clicky-scratchy techno and plumps for an altogether more epic approach which ultimately ends up in movie soundtrack territory. If it was a soundtrack to a film it would have to be an arty, European espionage thriller with no sense of humour, set in old East Germany. If it was a soundtrack it would be marginally above average, but not in the same league as the best.

It's not a terrible album, it's just not very interesting. The chilling atmosphere of his previous work is somehow missing and replaced by a more big budget feel that I'm not entirely sure Trentmoller needed. The instrumental tracks are presented in a techno meets Dick Dale style and tumble along going nowhere fast. The songs with vocals are much more engaging, with 'Sycamore Feeling' and 'Even though you're with another Girl' making a valiant attempt to pull things round, but ultimately it is the haunting mellow vocals and atmosphere of 'Neverglade' that turns the album into a positive experience.

Trentmoller is undoubtedly a talent, but if you want to make a soundtrack, then go make a soundtrack for a film. I'm all for experimentation, but in this case Anders may have been better off sticking to the plan.

Agnes Obel - Philharmonics LP 2010

Danish singer/songwriter Agnes Obel provided us with a minimal and atmospheric treat when unleashing Philharmonics into the great wide world of music. The songs are often insular and sound like the soundtrack to some Scandinavian fairytale, but maintaining rich and heart-felt lyrics.

The whole thing hangs together around the beautiful, delicate piano backing and the haunting, lonely voice of Agnes herself. These are songs for a cold winter's evening, slurping a glass of akvavit and munching on some frikadeller. (Look it up food fans.)

All the tracks are of a high quality, but the melancholy 'Avenue', the enchanted 'Philharmonics' and the stark elegance of 'Riverside' are worthy of a special mention.

Agnes has produced an album of rare beauty and hopefully can retain control of her career and musical direction in future releases. You should go out and buy the LP immediately if you don't own it already!



Sa Dingding - Harmony LP 2010

Chinese folk/electronic crossover diva Sa Dingding produced one of my favourite albums of the year in 'Harmony'. An engaging and distinctive global take on electronic music, but incorporating flashes beautiful Chinese instrumentation, possibly the guzheng or the matouqin, (look them up Chinese instrument fans.)

Largely sung in Chinese this collection is haunting, but at the same time harmonic and with a high degree of sing-a-long-ability even if, like me, you understand not a jot of Chinese. Her voice is smooth, crystal clear and you can imagine if she really went for it she could hit notes that only dogs can hear.

It's the kind of album that takes you on a journey into the heart of Mongolia or Tibet and back again. I particularly liked the whispered beauty of 'Yun Yun Nan Nan', the Asian party vibe of 'Xi Carnival' and the multi-layered traditionalism of 'Girl in a Green Dress'. Best of all is the breathless, anthemic genius of 'Hua' which combines cinematic and pop sensibilities in bite-sized chunk of World music perfection.

If you want something different yet accessible, with an intense Chinese flavour and catchy pop hooks, then click the Amazon link below and stick Sa Dingding on the car stereo.

Infected Mushroom Feat. Perry Farrell - Killing Time the Remixes 2010

Remix CD's are always hard work for me as it's like listening to the same track over and over again, and to be honest, this one is no different. But if you like all things Infected Mushroom then this is a tasty little stocking filler.

There's a range of mixes at a variety of bpm's with Paul Oakenfold's lush Perfecto style mix, John '00' Fleming's percussion based workout and a bonkers but brilliant Infected Trance mix; all decent enough offerings. I've got to say, I still prefer the original album mix though, even if  it's slower, chunkier and less trance based, I just like the singalongability of the vocal.

If you're new to the Mushroom's work, I'd buy the 'Legend of the Black Shawarma' LP instead of this if I were you.

Rough Trade - Synth Wave 10 Compilation 2010

I bought two Rough Trade compilations at the same time, one was absolutely rubbish (Psych Folk 10) and one was a work of genius (Synth Wave 10).

The tracks on Synth Wave are not your standard brand of 80's synth pop, but the dirtier, homemade variety peddled by the likes of Crystal Castles. A fair few of the tracks have a distinctly amateur feel and sound like they've been patched together on a decrepit i-mac in some seedy bedsit. What more could you want?

I've literally just realised that the title 'Synth-Wave' refers to a combination of synth pop and new wave genres, which is clever in a geeky kind of way. So if you want your synth pop to be altogether less wholesome than Erasure then check out virtually all the acts on here. Most of them sound like they could do with a nutricious meal, some vitamin pills, a good wash and a thorough checking over at the local STD clinic, but perhaps I'm being a little unfair.

The overall standard is high, but there are several standout tracks on this 20 strong compilation. The Cosmetics 'Black Leather Gloves' is a sleazy homage to black leather gloves (what else?) in synth-wave form,  Terror Bird sound fantasticly homemade on 'Shadows in the Hall' with some of the best off-kilter harmonies you can imagine, and my absolute favourite is the stark old-school synths of Led er Est's 'Scissors' which brings to mind a minimal, darker version of Vince Clark with Ian Curtis on vocals. Needless to say I've bought the Led er Est album and am looking forward to sticking it into the car's cd player with no little glee.

Well done again Rough Trade! Counter Culture is always a treat,but let's hope the Synth Wave series takes off too and we can look forward to s similar scuzzy take on the synth sound on Synth Wave 11.