Yeasayer, Bloc Party, Ariel Pink's
Haunted Graffiti, Allah-Las, Leisure Birds...
Hey everybody! Welcome to the third
edition of Songs Of The Week. Yet again, we've enlisted MinneSarah &
TCDroogsma to break down The Current's free Song Of The Day podcast
for last week. We highly recommend you click here to go to The
Current's site and download the podcast yourself.
Break it down for us, kids.
Yeasayer –
Longevity (from the album Fragrant World)
MinneSarah:
I'm not very familiar with Yeasayer, so
reviewing this song may hit on some obvious defining style trademarks
that may translate to all of their songs - like, the singer really
likes Michael Jackson, their songs seem to be projected onto a canvas
of synthy beats, and the rest of the band appears to enjoy dancing on
the Science Museum's musical stairs. Bear with me. This song has a
lulling tempo for being a pure pop song, which reminds me of the
ocean, which they reference in the lyrics - smart. The lyrics
are pretty positive, if you need a kick in the ass to start doing
stuff (which, let's be honest, who doesn't). They bust out the
strings and end with pure drums, which kept the song interesting
through the waves of lyrical delivery.
TCDroogsma:
I was really sold on Yeasayer a couple years ago on the strength of
their singles “Ambling Alp” and “O.N.E.” Both those songs
were glorious messes of keyboards, hooks, and interesting lyrics.
“Longevity,” however, possesses none of those. I listened to
this song a half dozen times this week trying to will it to stick in
my head. It just wasn't happening. Despite my best efforts, this
track sounds like a throwaway from an Of Montreal record.
Final Score: MinneSarah - 3/5
TCDroogsma - 2/5
Bloc Party –
Octopus (from the album Four)
(Ed. Note: Check that 'Pro Kings' shirt Kele's wearing. He's like bizarro P.O.S.)
MinneSarah:
Yay! Bloc Party is back! I've
already packed up Kele's solo stuff and am already on to this new
album. Kudos to them for releasing "Octopus" as their first
single, as this song does a good job of bridging the gap between what
we were all expecting and the rest of their new album, Four (which is
good, I'm just gonna need a few more listens). This song has
super high energy, amped up vocals, fast drums, and what I can best
classify as "laser guitar." I couldn't stop shakin'
it like I just drank some five hour energy. Fans of Bloc Party
who long for 2005, this is a fresh take on what you have longed to
hear.
TCDroogsma:
Oh shit! New Bloc Party! Oh shit! This, um, isn't really going
anywhere. Maybe once the chorus hits. Wait, that was the chorus?
Well, at least the bridge will kill. That was the bridge? Sigh...
You know what's funny? This isn't actually a bad song. All the Bloc
Party elements are there. Kinda glitchy, kinda indie, kinda
catchy... And yet, none of those elements jumps out. It's Bloc Party
by numbers. If they took this song and either turned the guitars
well up or made Kele Okereke's vocals louder/more passionate this
would be a great single. As it stands it's just kind of meh. I'll
bet it kills live though.
Final Score: MinneSarah - 4/5
TCDroogsma - 3/5
Ariel Pink's
Haunted Graffiti – Only In My Dreams (from the album Mature Themes)
MinneSarah:
This song has a very sixties,
California coast vibe. I was ready to dismiss it as a little
plain, dopey, and tiny bit cloying. I like his vocals, except
when he lowers it down and tries to get all Magnetic Fields - not
cool, Ariel. However simple and dopey this ballad to an
imaginary girl may be, at least he shows a little arrogance by
claiming "if only in my dreams, you're the luckiest girl. In
the world there is no other girl, luckier." Way to sell it
dude, I'm now somewhat convinced.
TCDroogsma:
Damn! My first instinct when it comes to Ariel Pink is to try to
find a way to tear them down solely because of the amount of hipster
cocksucking that comes along with this band. I just couldn't do it
this time.
“Only In My Dreams” is an immaculate single. It's
head is clearly in the 60's, but somehow that's not a bad thing. The
verse has great hooks, the chorus has an even better hook (that
baritone “you're the luckiest girl” bit is genius) and the kind
of jangly guitars that sound like what the Yardbirds would sound like
if they weren't awful. Plus, who can't relate to lyrics like, “If
only in my dreams, you'll be right there next to me.” Just a
lovely song.
Final Score: MinneSarah - 2/5
TCDroogsma - 4/5
Allah-Las –
Don't You Forget It (from the album Allah-Las)
MinneSarah:
You'd think it wouldn't be a good sign
when picking these songs back up to review, I seemed to have ignored
the advice of the song and forgotten which track was "Don't you
forget it." That aside, while listening to it, this song is
pretty retro and chill and also has a high hater ranking! When
the singer croons, "I think I found a girl I can talk to...yeah
I found a girl that just might replace you," I couldn't help but
maybe think he was talking about an adorable cat - it's never made
clear, so let's go with that theory. This is a psychedelic
sounding, California ballad...but not in a bad way. It's
actually pretty darn catchy.
TCDroogsma:
Ugh... This is what happens when your head is too deep into the 60's.
As bands like The Black Lips and, evidently, Ariel Pink, have
proven, those no shame in stealing from the 60's if you put your own
twist on it. This song sounds like The Rolling Stones when they go
on autopilot. Keith Richards could write this in his sleep. I can't
deny that it's kinda catchy, but Jesus Christ, we've all heard this a
thousand times. Even the pseudo-asshole lyrics play as a pretty bad
kiss off.
Final Score: MinneSarah - 3/5
TCDroogsma - 2/5
Leisure Birds –
Egyptian Ring (from the album Globe Master)
MinneSarah:
More is more! This song is
chocked full of sound elements, and I have to give them credit for
keeping it all together. The only thing that is Egyptian about
this song is the band's liberal use of dissonants - and on
the synthesizer/electric organ no less! This tactic always has
the risk of turning out like video game music, but hell, I'd play
this game. The vocals deliberately fade a little, but when the lyrics
are indiscernible, they still carry through the song like a
haunting melody.
TCDroogsma:
Another song bleeding 60's vibes?!? Hat trick! Sadly, this is the
worst of the three. Let's just say that anytime the organ is
responsible for the hook, you're probably fucking up. If you ever
had a Doors phase in high school, you probably won't hate this. I
had a Descendents phase in high school. I hate this.
Final Score: MinneSarah - 3/5
TCDroogsma - 0/5
Well, there you
have it, everybody. All the scruffy, bearded white people we're legally allowed to put on a blog. Thanks for stopping by and checking this one
out. We'll be back next week with installment #4
As always, the
views here are solely those of the contributors. Neither Newest
Industry or any of its contributors are in any way affiliated with
the artists, The Current, or MPR.
For more of
MinneSarah, you can follow her on Twitter (@MinneSarah) and on
Instagram as MinneSarah. She's very similar to a desert cat. Think
about it.
For more of
TCDroogsma, you can follow him on Twitter (@MinneSarah), Instagram as
TCDroogsma, and over on his own blog Caffeine & Obscenities.
Although he's in no way affiliated with The Current, he'd like to be
affiliated with their currency. Get at him, MPR.
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