Ypsilanti, Michigan, usually has trouble measuring up to its neighbor to the north, Ann Arbor. The bar and restaurant scene is less vibrant, the clubs a bit dirtier, and Eastern Michigan University is no U of M, period. The brightest spot, perhaps, is Materials Unlimited, a salvage shop extrordinaire, filled with eclecticism and rare gems. And so, the analogy should be obvious — the music of former Ypsi-kid Shara Worden, a.k.a. My Brightest Diamond, is like something out of the finest architectural antique shop. Her stylized and orchestrated pop experiments are structured compositions, full of nuance, and her voice reflects he Pentecostal church choir childhood. Too bad for Ypsilanti she moved to New York. Her debut ablum on Asthmatic Kitty, Bring Me The Workhorse, comes out August 22nd.
Karl Blau
This guy doesn’t mess around. Guitar, flute, sax, drums—you name it, Karl Blau’s played it, whether it’s on his K Records debut, Beneath the Waves, or for Mirah, The Microphones and Laura Veirs. The album title is aptly named because listening to Blau gives you the same serenity effect as lying on the beach listening to the soothing sound of the waves crash against one another. But just as you think you’re listening to a straight-forward pop song comes songs like “Into the Nada,” which is full of Spanish-influenced melodies. Come to think of it, messing around is exactly what Karl Blau does…
Holy Shit
I remember as a kid, when I’d get caught cussing, I’d defend myself by saying “but I was just quoting someone…” So I’m just quoting when I say, “HOLY SHIT!” I mean, that’s the group’s name—how can I talk about them without saying it. As in, “HOLY SHIT” this is a match made in heaven for a goofy pop sucker like myself: Matt Fishbeck of the now-defunct LA indie pop group the Push Kings and the one and only Ariel Pink. Matt sings like a dream, while Ariel is able to leave his unmistakable sound through beats, bass, and other various vocal “enhancements.” The result is something the band would call “special” (this time I’m putting it quotes because I am in fact quoting). “HOLY SHIT” they’re right…
Saxon Shore
This is a guest post from 3hive junkie Amber North:
I caught these guys a few weeks ago in little Bowling Green, Kentucky where I attended college. I was confused because we never got any good bands to play there, but somehow, miraculously, Saxon Shore made it to town. It was beautiful, loud and instrumental. Can’t go wrong with that. Made me not feel so bad about missing Mogwai back in March, and that’s saying a lot. Â
Balún
The emerging theme from the last two days is unintentional: more electronic treats from Latin America. Today it’s Balún—Puerto Rico’s answer to Múm. You had no idea Puerto Rico had an answer to Múm, did you? I certainly didn’t. Consider ourselves clued in. Balún’s songs tend toward the cinematic: gentle textures unfolding into soft rhythms and child-like vocals. These downloads are from the past couple years, but they do have a new album coming out in June on Brilliante Records out of Chicago. The video below is their first from that release, Something Comes Our Way. Oh, and Sam, let’s hear you work this phrase into conversation, “hay una piscina en la nube (there’s a swimming pool in the cloud).”
Amiina
Currently on tour with Sigur Ros, this quartet of Icelandic, multi-instrumental women have their own kind of big. They play on Takk (Sigur Ros’ latest, like you didn’t know) but they drop some serious experimental in their own set. Polyrhythmic, soft and still textured, it’s like the quiet on a sunny Saturday afternoon in autumn, about 4 pm, before the party starts.
The track linked to here is off their 2005 EP AnimaminA.
Grizzly Bear
Sorry for stepping into my own head a little to describe Brooklyn’s Grizzly Bear, but it occurred to me that the pop-ish noise at which they excel is the polar opposite of the explosions you hear coming from Parts & Labor, another Brooklyn band (borough represent, yo). Where P&L is controlled chaos at light speed, GB is a molasses meltdown. “Don’t Ask” has a subtle hint of the Dream Academy’s “Life in a Northern Town,” and the rest is pretty noise made with pretty instruments. Also check out their Gentle Ben-esque website and listen to “Deep Sea Diver,” which, ahem, isn’t available as an MP3 download…yet.
About
Jason Forrest (aka Donna Summer) has a record label called, subtly enough, Cock Rock Disco. Said label will be releasing the full-length debut of Amsterdam’s Rutger Hoedemaekers (aka About). About is all about “shredded pop,” as the sticker on my review copy describes it. It is, in fact, more shredded in places (e.g., “Think Niles Drink”) and more pop in others (e.g., “Strike You As the Enemy”). But sometimes About get the balance just right, which they do on a track not currently available for free and legal download (i.e., “Nogato”). Hmm, if only I could share it with you. If only… You know, you really should sign up for our mailing list. Just felt like saying that. Oh, and check the neat stop-motion video for “Think Niles Drink”. And sign up for the mailing list (lower right corner of the screen, btw). Just felt like saying it again.
DJ Enso
While Enso and I have a couple things in common (a penchant for slip-on shoes and Russian philosopher Mikhail Bakhtin) the present disconnect between my life and life reflected in “High Spirits” is comical. While plenty of you are likely “up in the club / hold[ing] your drinks high” this evening (it’s currently Saturday night), I’m sitting at home in a pair of slippers sipping chocolate soy milk. That doesn’t keep me from knowing a hot party track when I hear one. Slip “High Spirits” into your party playlist and you’ll have ’em eating out of your hand at the next mixer.
Barr
Just thought I’d take a sharp turn after all the pop posts of late… Brendan Fowler has been called a “motivational rapper” by some. I wouldn’t call his work “motivational” or “rap” — but I think I agree with the sentiment. I mean, the guy’s doing his thing and no one else’s. And I guess that in itself is motivational. As for the rap thing, Brendan (or Barr) spews disjointed, autobiographical streams of consciousness over basic drum beats — kind of like a more self-aware Wesley Willis, or an introspective King Missile. So it ain’t singing and it’s somewhat rhythmic, but to call it rap… All I know is it’s far more entertaining than most spoken word I’ve ever heard. So I guess there’s my pocket description: “better than spoken word” — have at it.
Is All for Updated [MP3, 3.8MB, 192kbps]
A Call [MP3, 2.5MB, 160kbps]
Lights Out [MP3, 3.2MB, 160kbps]