October 30, 2009
October 9, 2009
What A Treat...Phoenix
A treat! This is a treat because I get to express my opinions on a package of perfection for those who haven't yet experienced this musical Mona Lisa, Phoenix's new album, Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix. The gift on having to be obliged to replay this album over and over again for specific review-related purposes, is also, absolutely great. Quite simply, Phoenix have had me on my knees since the first taste of their fourth LP. The only way to describe such an album is to go through every song, so be patient and then, be humbled.
Lisztomania: Officially bringing 'groovy' back into music. A healthy combination of moods over the decades, but a fresh attitude for music, thankfully.
1901: The party song for summer. Everyone, from any era or scene or whatever, can all share in this brilliant 21st century piece of art. This song will get you distracted for sure.
Fences: What is this craziness? This song has the potential to unite musically-racist and lost souls alike, as well as bring world peace. This expertise is difficult to comprehend.
Love Like a Sunset, Parts I & II: Epic, in the true form of the word. These two songs are basically twins - you can't play any of these songs without playing the first and then listening to the second - these two are family. These two creations are the recordings of the evolution of the life that is Love Like a Sunset.
Lasso: Phoenix have given their interpretation of 'cool' on this album in the form of Lasso. That is all that I will say.
Rome: Extraordinary! Think of watching a film, a romantic-drama, it secretly sums up your life up until now, it is your identification. This is it! Rome, Rome, Rome, Rome, Rome...
Countdown: The door to the magical imagination that we will call 'the consciousness of Phoenix'. We are yet again invited to lose ourselves in the structure of their sound.
Girlfriend: Here is a truly magnificent blend of a melancholy mood and the groove that has been mentioned before. An excellent experiment that will get your nostalgia going again.
Armistice: You're compelled to salute the french men of Phoenix after listening to Armistice, the album's last song. It is fantastic farewell and just a reminder of the prime quality of songwriting.
So, perhaps this does not do the best job of describing the songs themselves, but in this recording every song is as important as the next - it is the feeling after listening to Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix that I am trying to get across, if I may. It's more of a deductive method. Phoenix have set the standard, in my opinion. The album is a story. Now, it is time to for it to be retold and then, time to retell it.
October 6, 2009
BON IVER.
Justin Vernon; a multi talented musician with a somewhat emotional edge, never a bad combination for an indie-rock singer/songwriter.
From the exceptionally cold Wisconsin (Northern USA) which he claims, "inspires him", Vernon entered into numerous musical ventures, including bands he and his friends formed that went by names like Mount Vernon, DeYarmond Edison and The Rosebuds. Vernon eventually settled on Bon Iver whilst recording what would become the band's first album in a remote mountain cabin, he got the name from watching the TV series "Northern Exposure" and used the French words "bon hiver" which literally means 'good winter'. After breaking up with his band and his girlfriend as well as suffering from mononucleosis, Vernon decided to recover by spending 3 months in a remote cabin in the freezing mountains of Northern USA. With very basic recording equipment, Vernon recorded the album completely himself.
The album, entitled 'For Emma, Forever Ago', was originally not meant for release but after such a positive response from friends and family, Vernon and his band decided to release it properly through a label - JagJaguWar which saw even more support shown. All of the songs you hear on the album are as they were recorded in the cabin by Vernon. Vernon expressed his desire to continue to record in this way in the future; perhaps a trend is emerging as many indie rock bands are choosing to have a heavier hand in the recording of their music as technology is making it far simpler to understand without training or experience.
'For Emma, Forever Ago' is unreal, the perfect album to listen to, cover to cover. Ideal for serenading, it also aids chilling and driving. Three is a crowd when Bon Iver is on, two is ideal!
Best tracks; Skinny Love, Blood Bank and Creature Fear.
Bon Iver is so good!
Enjoy!
MusicDesk
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