It is with great embarrassment that I admit that I have totally been sleeping on Philly’s The National Rifle. For months I have been hearing many murmurs about the ecstatic energy this band draws on to deliver their memorable sets but scheduling didn’t allow for me to catch their live set. that all changed last week when I took a break from shifting apartments to go to TNR’s EP Release Party at Kungfu Necktie. I guess it isn’t fair to call TNR a Philly band when – after years of touring- they’ve managed to amass quite the national following but, it was Philly that showed up in droves to their sold out gig. In turn the foursome put on a show to make their fans proud.
In their earlier work TNR drew a lot from the crowd, writing songs with chantable lyrics and undeniably hip shaking rhythms; and it worked. They are widely known for being the band that starts the party and keeps it going until the last note dies off. However as the group has matured as a band and individuals so to has their sound – which is only appropriate considering they’ve been playing together in various permutations for years- and their newest CD Vanity Press demonstrates the evolution of their sound wonderfully. They haven’t totally abandoned the impossibly catchy tunes they’ve just refined them a little more expanding lyrically and deepening musically. It is a good step towards a much anticipated LP (which is a goal sadly still sitting pretty far out on the horizon).
Photo Courtesy of 215 Magazine
Their set at Kungfu Necktie shared the same relevance as the EP. You could see why they had sold out the night, this is a group devoted to the art of the live show. They’re fun, they put absolutely everything out there and feed off the energy the crowd serves back. The whole room rang with shouted choruses as they worked their way through their standards and people let their hip show their approval of the new material. I had a particular soft spot for the deft percussion and measured chaos of “In The Weeds.” Lead singer Hugh really pushes the edges of his vocals to give the lyrical heft the song demands and drummer Buddy adds some crazy shine to the piece, making it one of their most engaging.
The evolution of their music was apparent on songs like “Jazz History Of The World” which transpired like the smart, character driven indie pop song that it is. Keyboardist Linnea was particularly in her groove on this piece as she gave support to Hugh’s lead vocals. As their set came to a close the whirrs and clicks of their arrangements fit better and better. The National Rifle is building a collection of material dedicated to their crowd loving sets but suggestive of greater musical potential. They’re on the road now and once you pick up your copy of Vanity Press I suggest you find out when they’ll be in a town near you so you get the full TNR effect.
[MP3] In The Weeds
I’m digging on this video a lot right now. Minor’s distinct arrangements are matched with this heavily stylized video that is a little bit creepy a little bit befuddling and entirely engaging. Minor writes indie ballads of the minstrel variety that tell curious stories in unusual terms using unexpected phrasing; usually drawing a very particular mental image. Executing them visually must be a wonderful exercise in creative thinking. In the case of “The Trap” I think he did a pretty great job of matching the story you see with the story he is telling. Minor will be in Philly on September 16th at Northstar Bar.
This video is just straight up odd but is such a fun way I could resist sharing it. Let’s Say We Did’s unabashedly catchy guitar riffs and up beat lyrics would have made “Straight Back To You” a perfect theme song for a 90′s television show. Paired instead with a cross dressed man riding a tractor it takes on a whole new character. Well done guys.
It is fairly easy to make a case for Mark Ronson’s brilliance both as a producer and music maker. He has championed the return of 50′s era soul/R&B to pop music while also pushing it to become something new and refreshing. This new track – featuring Philly’s own Spank Rock- suggests he is now looking to incorporate a little of the disco era funk to his sound. The video wears it’s retro cool vibe with a wink and I totally love it.
I’m still here folks and I truly appreciate your patience. I’m crazy busy with moving into a new apartment this week plus a slew of other work, life and family things that just can’t be ignored. Strangely enough I’m listening to more music (new and old) than I have in a long long while which of course makes me want to stop and write – well I think carrying my entire home six flights down and one flight up in 95 degree heat also contributes greatly to my desire to just stop and do nothing but write. Anyways I’m going to take a day or two more to settle in but then I’ll right back at it.
Be sure to check out Strangers In Stereo if you’re in need of some good reading, I’ll be posting my thoughts on Sufjan Stevens’ new EP on Friday.
[MP3] Home – Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
[MP3] Homeward Bound (Simon & Garfunkle Cover) -Reid Jamieson
[MP3] Go Forward – La Strada
Jukebox The Ghost has a new -and fantastic I might add- album about to drop and to prime your attention they asked Freelance Whales to take the first single “Empire” for a spin. What they got was a much spacier version of their pop track. Both takes are awesome in their own way and they’re kind enough to let you pick your fav.
[MP3] Empire
[MP3] Empire (Freelance Whales Remix)
This is a nice smooth jam for the end of summer. The popping back beat keeps it moving as Theophilus London’s voice run flawlessly on top. Maximum Balloon is the new side project from TV On The Radio’s Dave Sitek and his new album feature a sweet assortment of guest vocalists (Karen O, David Byrne and Holly Miranda) complimenting his tight sonic productions. Definitely worth you looking in to.
[MP3] Groove Me (feat. Theophilus London) (Jneiro Jarel Remix)- Maximum Balloon
I’ve already given some love to the playful video Chromeo put together for “Don’t Turn The Lights On” and now this great remix from Christian Martin. He knocks it about just so to produce a trippier take on the original. I also appreciate that he included a little bit of the silliness in the simplicity of his version.
[MP3] Don’t Turn The Lights On (Christian Martin Remix) – Chromeo
Frightened Rabbit taped a last minute show they decided to do in San Francisco a while back and Revision3 did a lovely job editing it together. I thoroughly enjoyed the video and thought I’d share.
Upon first hearing Tu Fawning’s “The Felt Sense” there was an immediate sense of familiarity. The unrelenting boom of the percussion and lead singer’s Corinna Repp’s voice is both striking yet comforting. The layers of sound the group piles on to each of their songs are always placed with intention giving their music a wonderful texture. This isn’t entirely surprising considering all four members are veteran multi-instrumentalists capable of playing with the whole sound of the song at the forefront of their individual contributions. The Portland based group will be opening for Menomena which personally creates one of the most delectable bills on the road this fall.
[MP3] The Felt Sense
Gentle Guest comes from an entirely different angle. The Eau Claire WI group plays raucous carney folk, almost gypsy music. The four fellas who make up the band spin tales of false folk heros, nonsensical mischief and every once in a while tender ballad. This is the kind of band that celebrated the release of their most excellent new album Cast Off Your Human Form with a pub crawl. Their enthusiasm and recklessness- whether is pe by banjo, fiddle or guitar- infuses their music with the a pure Midwestern charm few bands wear with greater pride. Get into them.
[MP3] Judgement
I first nibbled at the awesomeness that is Sweden’s Jenny Wilson a few weeks ago when I posted her video for “Like A Fading Rainbow.” She is another example of the wealth of talent pouring out of Sweden that the US is very slowly delving in to. Her voice is smooth but distinct, like a cross between broadway stage trained and soul singer, and this new track simply solidifies her unique place amongst the lady vocalists vying for attention. I really appreciate the gentle assertiveness in her inflections and can’t resist the Annie Lennox comparisons. Her self produced album Hardships! comes out today and I can’t recommend it more highly. I know touring is in the works for Ms. Wilson but no word yet on whether Philly is in the cards. I’ll keep you posted, in the mean time devour this great track.
[MP3] Hardships (Gospel version)
Are you a teen looking for an album to soundtrack your angsty moments of self loathing or a twenty something scenester wanting new fodder to fill your iPod so you don’t have to really interact with others en route to work in the morning; hell, if you’re a little older and in need of new music of the John Hughes soundtrack ilk then look no further than Film School. Their new album Fission is well executed shoegaze at it’s best. It is fuzzy and full at it’s emotional peaks and neat and peppy during it’s happier moments demonstrating the richness imparted by a genuinely dynamic shoegaze album. The LA group has been running the rounds opening for everyone from The National to British Sea Power but now it is their time to shine with the release of their fourth studio album new Tuesday. The twelve tracks on Fission range in energy level but never falter in the execution of the harmonies, reverb heavy instrumentations or engaging percussion. They’re about to start on tour with The Depreciation Guild -including a stop in Philly on Sept 29th at Johnny Brenda’s – then a few dates with Love Like Fire. You know what you’ve gotta do…
[MP3] Heart Full Of Pentagons
A few of my fellow SiS bloggers and I have put together a proposal for a panel at next year’s SXSW music conference. What are we proposing to talk about you wonder? Well, as bloggers we are acutely attuned to the way people are discovering music, we often find ourselves getting creative with the ways we find the under heard -and deserving- musicians out there so we can in turn become the conduit for discovery for our readers and each other. Even more often we find ourselves discussing our approaches and perspectives of the state of musical discovery. So, we thought we’d open the discussion to a public audience and share how we find music, how our experiences (personal and professional) influence our perspective and where we feel “musical discovery” is headed. Among us we have social media consultants, promoters, ex-pr and radio presenters – all rabid music lovers – so I assure you it will be a very interesting discussion. But first we need you to vote so our panel is selected for the 2011 SXSX music conference. If you’re so inclined we’d surely appreciate your support simply click below to be taken to our panel page. If you have any questions about our panel or ideas you would hope are voiced if we are selected please don’t hesitate to drop a comment.
Hold Your Horses came to my attention by one of the bookers at Danger Danger Gallery – one of Philly’s best DIY venues- and after seeing this video I’m super bummed I missed seeing the French band’s stop in Philly a few weeks ago. This is one of the coolest premises for a music video I have seen in a long while, the group recreates classic paintings while performing the totally addictive track “70 Million.” The art major in me had a lot of fun trying to place the inspiration for each of the poses. Even if you don’t know your art history its a fully enjoyable video.
[mp3] 70 million
Wild Nothing – Chinatown from Jack Tatum on Vimeo.
The Red Balloon was one of my favorite movies as a child and I absolutely adore that Wild Nothing gave their video for Chinatown the same French 70′s vibe. The dream pop group’s music is heavily rooted in a nostalgic sound; lo fi guitars drenched in echoey vocals is their hallmark. Their strength lies in their humble approach, they’re not trying to psyche it out or give it a coating of synth, they’re simply trying to craft the same quality music of their musical fore bearers. The group will be opening for Stars on their fall tour, including a stop in Philly on September 30th.
[MP3] Golden Haze
And finally, this has nothing to do with music but it is incredibly delightful. I introduce to you, Marcel the shell.
MARCEL THE SHELL WITH SHOES ON from Dean Fleischer-Camp on Vimeo.
The Fools Gold kids push Philly’s Free Energy “Bang Pop” in tropically spaced out directions with this remix. Yeah, I’m fully aware that is a strange way to classify their take on the otherwise entirely delectable pop tune but you listen to it and let me know a better way to describe the awesomeness that goes on here.
[MP3] Bang Pop (Fools Gold Remix)- Free Energy
This one is totally not the usual fodder for a remix rehash but it popped up while reviewing this week’s fresh remixes and I couldn’t resist popping it in here. I guess a variety of takes on Kyle Andrew’s track “You Make Me Smile” a confection of a ditty, have tracked Holiday Inn’s summer campaign which I can only manage is pretty effective since this is damn happy music that’s been roughed up a bit. It’s like the shabby chic take on remixes.
[MP3] You Always Make Me Smile (remix)
This remix, from the deft touch of Skinny Friedman, takes the breathy synth laden original and fancies it up just enough to make it the prime track to play as you’re winding down your dance party. I ha-luv the original -a truth acquired only after seeing it performed live- but Skinny’s spin is easy on the ear right off the bat. Just occurred to me it would also make a great driving track, lyrics you can sing along to with the beat to keep you awake. A win on many levels!