Top Ten List for February 2012
Boy, it’s hard to generate these lists. I don’t know how people do this weekly. My cap is off to all the regular bloggers here at BTO. I’ve decided to aim for a monthly list. I find myself listening to individual songs most of the time, like Deep Cut’s remix of a Velochrome song, or having The Horrors on constant repeat.
Frankie Rose – Interstellar
Frankie Rose is a former member of The Dum Dum Girls and Vivian Girls and you can certainly hear bits and pieces of that girl group sound with tons of reverb, but this new release moves beyond that into new territory. The album is expansive, cloud-riding music, like you’re inside of an amazing dream that you want to go on forever.
The Black Ryder – Buy the Ticket, Take the Ride
My friend turned me on to this Australian group, who apparently have only created this one album. It is easy to apply the shoegaze tag to them, especially on the beautiful “Let it Go”, which veers into Ride and Swervedriver territory. But then you are met with “All That We See”, which could be a Dean and Britta or Trespassers William outtake. The band has worked with such luminaries as Brian Jonestown Massacre and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, but they’ve created a unique sound. Well worth seeking this one out, even if it was released a few years back.
Apparat – The Devil’s Walk
I’ve flirted with this release for many months, and after hearing “Black Water” on the CW, it cemented my interest in Sascha Ring’s work. This Berlin based musician has dabbled in electronic music and has more recently delved into ambient soundscapes. His music does not disappoint, with its watery layers of sonic gauze and ripples of gentle piano washes. He reminds me a bit of Benoit Pioulard, which is fine with me.
Porcelain Raft – Strange Weekend
I first heard this Italian musician’s lovely “Drifting In and Out” on a Drowned in Sound Spotify playlist, and thought it was a woman singing. But the globe-trotting Mauro Remiddi merely sings higher than most. He uses ideas from the dream pop and shoegaze playbooks, but marries it with electronic beats to form something unique.
Velochrome – Self-Titled
Mat Flint from Deep Cut turned me on to this band through the Deep Cut remix of “The Gap in Your Head”, and I sought out other tunes by them. I was able to buy their EP off their Bandcamp page. You can expect swirling psychedelia of the first order. The remix has an ominous base line that totally anchors the song to the here and now, but keyboards and guitar send you right into orbit. And that goes double for this EP, which hits all the right targets with this listener. I don’t think I will ever get tired of shimmering shoegaze and dream pop when it’s done this well.
Nada Surf – The Stars Are Indifferent to Astronomy
This band has its detractors, but you won’t find that here. I don’t care what’s been done before, all that matters is the now. Matthew Caws could sing from the phone book, and I’d be on board with his gorgeous voice. Amazing harmonies. lyrics that a middle aged person like me can relate to, and a stellar group of musicians is all that I need. “Waiting for Something” is the anthem of my life, because that is how I always feel. And in this case, I’m waiting to see them in Boston this April on Good Friday.
School of Seven Bells – Ghostory
I’ve streamed the upcoming release from this Brooklyn collective, and while some of it is too glossy for my tastes, other parts such as “The Night” are wonderful.
The Blurries – Paper Cuts
I admit that I am a big sucker for well done jangle and power pop, and this Texas group delivers in spades. They cross the boundaries between chamber pop and remind me of favorites such as Shoes The Records, and Nada Surf in good ways. Simply stunning.
A Sunny Day in Glasgow – Autumn, Again
I missed out on this 2010 album from this sprightly Philadelphia ensemble, who’ve had numerous lineup changes. Judging from the wonderful “Drink Drank Drunk”, it hasn’t slowed them down a bit. I love the spiraling harmonies and woozy backdrop of their sound. Look for a new album from them in the near future.
Highspire – Sleight of Hand for the Down and Out – Rarities and Unreleased 1999-2011
Highspire is the sort of group whose outtakes or unreleased material could be A-side material for most other acts. “Skies You Climb” starts off with the chords from Ride’s “Vapour Trail” and veers off into uncharted territory. Then there is the lovely cover of Slowdive’s “Dagger”, which I return to repeatedly. These guys evoke many longtime favorite artists, yet they stand in their own light and deserve far more recognition than they’ve gotten to date. This is well worth picking up if you like any of the aforementioned bands, or follow The Morning After Girls.
