What is it? Okkervil River's critically acclaimed 'Black Sheep Boy' combines elements of Lo-fi, folk and indie to deliver an intense and emotion-packed lyrical experience.
Why should you listen? You've got to work at this one and give it a fair few listens before you make any judgements. Get used to the forceful vocal delivery and the complexity of the songwriting and the next thing you know it's in your head and you can't get rid of it. The album is distinct for it's heartfelt passion and the quality of the lyrics which evoke a strange sense of melancholy, but never stray into depressing territory. There's a whole range of instruments on offer with production that is seriously lo-fi with similarities to a beefed up version of Bright Eyes with a side order of slide guitar. Ultimately, it's quality collection of dark, folky little gems! What's it like? It's like Morrissey's folky, alt-country cousin has come to visit from Austin, Texas. What's the best song? 'Black' is a lyrical onslaught, but with a catchy sing-a-long chorus, well as near as you'll get anyway. Who does it sound like? Bright Eyes, Tindersticks, Neutral Milk Hotel, Sufjan Stevens.
I love Grandaddy's quirky take on American Lo-Fi, but this song is included for different reasons altogether. If I was picking one of their songs on merit it would have come from the science fiction meanderings of the Sophtware Slump like 'Miner at the Dial-a-view' or the eerily beautiful tale of office based team building exercises that is 'The Group Who Couldn't Say' from Sumday. But ultimately the selection is 'El Caminos in the West' and here's why... There are very few times in your life when you are truly happy and you actually recognise the feeling at the time, but in about 2003 I experienced that brief sense of euphoria and Grandaddy was the soundtrack. It was the school holidays and I'd taken Daughter of Doccortex to Roundhay Park in Leeds for the day to visit Tropical World. On the way back we got lost somewhere on the outskirts of Leeds. My usual reaction in these situations is not pleasant, but at that very moment Mark and Lard played 'El Caminos in the West' on the radio, (the tape player was broken.) And in the sunshine, after a lovely day, accompanied by a beautiful daughter, lost in a northern town and listening to sub-standard hi-fi equipment, I experienced the heady sensation of happiness. I'm not sure why, but I could almost reach out an touch it. I can relive the moment whenever I hear this song and that's reason enough to launch Grandaddy into the top 20.
This is my second dose of Guided by Voices' brand of ameican indie rock medicine and a most welcome and invigorating tonic it is too. Robert Pollard's prolific bunch of lo-fi superstars have made 20+ albums so there's plenty to go at if you appreciate the GBV template. Bizarrly, I started with 2004's Half Life of the Decomposed, then just picked Do the Collapse at random; that's just the kind of guy I am.
This is a more commercial group of songs, but is nonetheless still quirky, original and at times beautiful. Every track is a winner really, but special mentions go to the anthemic 'Hold on Hope', the folk tinged weirdness of 'Dragon's Awake' and the sing-a-long wholesomeness of 'Strumpet Eye'.
If you're looking for influences; there's a touch of the Flaming Lips, a smattering of Sebadoh, a resemblance to Death Cab and maybe a little Sunset Rubdown, with the whole thing coated in a sugary shell of quirk-folk. The lyrics are unique and interesting and well worth the effort of some careful digestion.
Overall, a great album with a host of catchy, anthemic and unusual songs, but all in the unique style of GBV. Role on the other 18+ albums if they're all as good as this. I'll let you know.
Is Lo-Fi a genre or a state of mind? Well it has it's own section on Amazon, so clearly it must be a genre, but it's so much more than a style of music. Lo-Fi artists have limited similarities in their style of music other than it's indie-ness, but all record on old or purposely sub-standard equipment to gain that sense of chin stroking authenticity so often missing on modern pop songs. It's more of an attitude and a throwback to the days when independent music was truly independent and not owned by Simon Cowell. The following chart lists my current top 10 Lo-Fi artists; go dig them out and enjoy...
10. Iron and Wine
Folky, camp acoustic complexity characterise the work of Samuel Beam (aka Iron and Wine). I have to say I'm not completely convinced by his offerings and I have to be in the right mood, but a big bushy beard is always a great thing to have in the Lo-Fi scene. 'Our Endless Numbered Days' is an excellent starting point.
9. The Olivia Tremor Control
One of the original members of the Elephant 6 collective, Olivia Tremor Control provide off the wall, Lo-Fi indie to the masses. Although Jeff Mangum was a member, the band favoured the more experimental approach of Bill Doss and Will Cullen Hart in producing the semi-classic album 'Dusk at Cubist Castle.' You've really got to be in the right kind of mood to enjoy this, but interesting and different nonetheless. Or rubbish, depending on your perspective.
8. Modest Mouse
There's a touch of the Talking Heads about Modest Mouse and they're definitely an acquired taste, but well worth the effort. Fronted by Isaac Brock, the band recently collaborated with former Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr but it's their 2004 album 'Good News for People Who Love Bad News' that really does the business. It's funky, spikey, folky, and has a great album cover.
7. Sebadoh
Eric Gaffney and the bass player from Dinosaur Jnr Lou Barlow combined to form seminal Lo-Fi pioneers Sebadoh as long ago as 1996. Their particular brand of mellow vocal indie rock sounds as fresh today as it did in the last century. For Festive Fifty fans check out the video for 'Rebound' which reached number 14 in 1994.
6. Pavement
Indie stalwarts Pavement stayed true to their Lo-Fi values by staying with independent labels throughout their career. The sound is quirky american indie with a touch of alt-country thrown in now and again. Slanted and Enchanted was a more grungy offering but I always favour 1994's excellent 'Crooked Rain Crooked Rain' LP which is polished and confident but retains the spirit of Lo-Fi.
5. Guided by Voices
The prolific Robert Pollard is the man behind Lo-Fi behemoths Guided by Voices. Masters of the two minute, four track pop song GBV operate across a range of genres, but always with that independent edge. At present I'm accumulating their LP's but my favourite so far was their final offering 'Half Smiles of the Decomposed'; a folk rock journey with 'camp' acoustic tendencies.
4. Okkervil River
Great lyrics, folky overtones and a dark, dark atmosphere characterise the work of Okkervil River. Again it's an acquired taste but the bleak passion soon wins you over and the songs are stuck in your brain. 'Black Sheep Boy' is an absolute classic and is up for review on Into the Valley... in the near future.
3. Beck
Where would the world be without Beck Hansen? It all seemed liked one hit wonder territory when 'Loser' was released, but the album 'Odelay' launched him into the stratosphere of Lo-Fi artists. Undoubtedly a talented and important artist, Beck can just once in a while produce a song that is pure genius. I have to say I prefer 2005's 'Guero' for some reason.
2. The Shins
It's hard to say what the Shins sound like. It's a unique mix of indie, folk, rock and idiosyncratic lyrics and vocal delivery. On first listen the sound can be a little under-whelming but it gnaws away at your subconscious with layers of complexity and soon you're hooked. 'Chutes Too Narrow' is jam packed with quality numbers and is the best entry level LP.
1. Neutral Milk Hotel
'In The Aeroplane over the Sea' is my favourite album in this and possibly any other genre. Jeff Mangum's voice is near un-listenable on the first few plays of the album and has a certain finger in the ear, folky tinge to it, but allow time to absorb the melodies and lyrics and you'll be convinced. Apparently a concept album based on the life of Anne Frank the lyrics are dark, powerful and most of the time incomprehensible, but are balanced by a varied and eclectic range of instrumentation. It's sold enough copies now to be anything but obscure, however it's an album everyone should own; admittedly 95% of them will hate it, but they need to hear it anyway. Warning; remove all fine crystal glass from your house when listening to this as when Magnum goes for the high notes it could turn nasty. Enjoy!
