Godspeed You! Black Emperor – Alleujah! Don’t Bend, Ascend

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            It was early yesterday when I read the statement that Godspeed You! Black Emperor posted in response to winning the Polaris Music Prize.

“3 quick bullet-points that almost anybody could agree on maybe-

-Holding a gala during a time of austerity and normalized decline is a weird thing to do.

-Organizing a gala just so musicians can compete against each other for a novelty-sized cheque doesn’t serve the cause of righteous music at all.

-Asking the Toyota motor company to help cover the tab for that gala, during a summer where the melting northern ice caps are live-streaming on the internet, IS FUCKING INSANE, and comes across as tone-deaf to the current horrifying malaise.”

I instantly have a ton more respect for a band I already respected.  Not because they dissed the people that gave them a 30,000 dollar prize for their album Don’t Bend, Ascend, but because they did it so well.  If you read the whole statement from the band (which will be posted below) it is almost impossible to restrain laughter.  A band that is characterized by their dark post rock sound and soundtrack-ish vibe has a hell of a sense of humor and phrasing. 

It was partly due to the sentiments expressed in the statement that made me think I want to listen to Godspeed You! Black Emperor again, like right away.  I remember listening to their new album when it came out, but it was more background music than it was a focused listen.  After a more focused second listen and a (guilt worthy) lack of attention to anything else, I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed Don’t Bend, Ascend.  It was well put together on so many levels.  Definitely not for the faint of heart, since the whole album has their signature shoe-gazey, melancholy, not-quite-angry-but-festering feel and gets really dark at times (actually for most of the record, but to varying degrees).  Almost in defiance of these qualities, Don’t Bend, Ascend seems to serve a greater purpose in general. A completely feel based experience, the string arrangements have qualities that can only be compared to Explosions in the Sky at their absolute best, and Moving Mountains at their most melodic, which is ironic because I am almost positive that the latter was heavily influenced by Explosions and Godspeed You!

This record is also incredibly in depth and stripped down all at the same time, showing a musical prowess that is award worthy, especially the bagpipe introduction and use of the texture as an ambient layer the whole way through Mladic (but don’t tell Godspeed You! Black Emperor that, I don’t want an internet smack-down because of my praise…Don’t worry Godspeed You! I won’t be offering you a prize check).  What I will offer is this; a thank you on behalf of America for being so damn entertaining on your albums and so wonderfully aloof in your off stage antics.  Here is hoping you get more awards with money attached so you can rip the “culture-money” backers to shreds once again. 

Buy Alleujah! Don't Bend Ascend
Godspeed You! Black Emperor On Their Polaris Award

The Reflektors – Reflektor 12”

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(SPOILER ALERT) The Arcade Fire got us good… They released the single “Reflektor” from their upcoming album under the name The Reflektors on a limited edition 12 inch single.  I won’t waste precious internet-space speculating why they did this, but for the sake of this blog I will be referring to them as The Arcade Fire.  That being said, the song is great.  All seven minutes and thirty three seconds of it is pure gold.  It is also a huge departure from their previous albums.  Starting with a similar feel to Daft Punk’s “Get Lucky” but then getting decidedly darker tonally, this dance-ier incarnation of the band works on a whole different level and still has everything that makes The Arcade Fire so awesome.  Interesting form, great sounds, catchy but intellectual vocals, and well arranged instrumentals.  The count down till October 29^th when their full length is released is underway, but if you are like me and can’t wait for a preview of what is to come (maybe), stop in and pick up “The Reflektors” single on vinyl.  They were kind enough to throw in the instrumental to the song on the B side, and a digital download code.   Get them while they last, because unlike Garth “Chris Gains” Brooks' “Greatest Hits”, this limited edition won’t keep popping up in bargain bins and Goodwill’s across America for the next decade.  

Come in and pick up your copy of REFLEKTOR...SUPPLIES ARE LIMITED!!

Man Man – On Oni Pond

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            I’ll be honest, up til this morning I hadn’t listened to Man Man.  I had heard of the band, but it was something I just hadn’t made time for.  Yesterday we received an advanced copy of On Oni Pond , and this morning I put it on when I was by myself and able to give it a majority of my attention.  To start out with, within the first 3 minutes, it encompassed a lot of elements I value in music.  A well placed instrumental introduction that didn’t last too long lead into a really strong and obviously thought out first song.  The vocals were the right amount of interesting, characteristic and polished to be just what the band needed.  Not knowing this band’s history or body of work, this album took me by complete surprise.  However I now have something new and interesting that I will be playing for months to catch all the subtleties that were tastefully worked into the album.

On Oni Pond is an album that you listen to in it’s entirety.  I enjoyed the first full listen however now I find myself wanting to go back and sit down and really listen to all the textures.  This album sounds like it took months to perfect, just based on the tones and textural elements.  If you like Portugal the Man, Cursive, or Foxy Shazam then Man Man’s On Oni Pond is a must.

For your listening pleasure, treat your ears to Sparks from On Oni Pond

Make Man Man Yours!!! 

Cursive - I am Gemini

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          On their seventh studio album I Am Gemini (released 02/21/12) Cursive sounds just as verbose and melancholy as they did with The Ugly Organ.  That isn’t a veiled criticism, as a matter of fact it is a huge compliment.  Over the years, Cursive has taken on many faces, worn many masks, and written about a litany of concepts.  This newest album is no exception.  Written around the concept of twins separated at birth, this is the heaviest Cursive album that I’ve heard in years.  Tim Kasher (singer/songwriter) sounds younger by some strange miracle as well.  It is wonderful to hear so much energy from a band that has been around for 18 years. 

            There is a step up in terms of production as well.  Cursive has always released interesting sounding albums, but the songs on I Am Gemini sound huge and still retain the strange sonic textures that have come to define the band as much as their songwriting. 

            Right away “This House Alive” (the first track on the album) starts out strong.  Throwing in minor 2nds as interjections to the otherwise relatively major chord progression.  As the album goes on we hear the friction and tension that these interjections provide start to be a characteristic of Kasher’s voice.  Towards the end of the album there is almost a low baritone crooning more akin to The National (although it would not shock me to find out that The National was influenced by Cursive’s vocal style).  At the end of the album, my one complaint is that I wish it lasted longer.  Hopefully Kasher and company follow up this album soon.

Listen to “This House Alive”

Get your copy of I Am Gemini on Vinyl!!