It's the last Friday of Spring Break. I'm at home. The NCAA tournament is in full swing. There's a case of Miller Lite in the fridge.
And I'm feeling a little dancey.
M83 - "Graveyard Girl" and Couleurs"
Anthony Gonzalez talks on his Myspace about wanting to record an album that reflected growing up in the 80s, hanging with friends, experimenting with drugs, and listening to Cocteau Twins.
"Graveyard Girl" is the first single from the 4/15 release Saturdays=Youth (Don't you just love that title?).
The lyrics speak of a young girl, you guessed it, roaming a cemetery at night and wanting to "be a part of it." The spoken word segment midway through the song sums up its themes: "I'm fifteen years old and I feel like it's too late to live. Don't you?" The transition leading into the eight-minute "Couleurs" is flawless. And while the latter track takes the album into much more ambient territory, it's a welcome change for this listener, whose favorite M83 album is still Dead Cities, Red Seas, & Lost Ghosts.
The Honeydrips - "Trying Something New" and "Fall From a Height"
I'd been hearing about The Honeydrips ever since their Jan. 10 release -- particularly on P4K, which gave Here Comes the Future a respectable 8.4. (I found the following comment in Marc Hogan's review somewhat of a challenge: "As with the Field Mice, the Honeydrips will be anathema to some, especially those who conflate bravery with balls, the avant-garde with equipment-measuring, or sex with conquest.")
Well, dear reader, do you equate bravery with balls? Do you?
Friday, March 21, 2008
First Listen Friday: M83, The Honeydrips
Friday, February 29, 2008
First Listen Friday:
The Boy Least Likely To, Peter Morén,
El Perro Del Mar
It's Friday, which means I'm going to pull myself out from under this slew of '90s albums I've been discovering lately and bring you something new.
This week's list reeks of Femme Fatale favorites.
Enjoy.
(Note: Because all of these songs are so new, I'm only able to stream one of them for you here. For the others I've provided MySpace links, which shouldn't give you any trouble.)
El Perro del Mar - "Glory to the World"
El Perro del Mar's eponymous debut LP was a delightful little exercise in self-loathing. Its charm came from its glumness, peppered by phrases like "This loneliness ain't pretty no more," or "All the feelings you got from me is like for a dog," or the hauntingly simple "I don't understand pppeeeoopppllleee."
Which is why I was so surprised when I heard this song from EPDM's upcoming release, From the Valley to the Stars. Sarah's not exactly bouncing off the walls in this one, but it feels like it.
Still not happy enough for you? Check out this track from the upcoming Boy Least Likely To album (slated for sometime this summer).
Remember those adorable animals from their debut album cover? On this song they've dropped the twee-as-fuck act to try out for the Animal Collective. That's taking it a little far, but if this song is a sign of things to come from the band, sign me up.
Hear it Here.
Peter Morén - "El Petit Coeur" and "I Don't Gaze at the Sky"
Ever wonder what might happen if you split up Peter Bjorn and John (other than getting Peter, Bjorn, and John)? Well wonder no more. One-third of the Swedish pop duo will release his first solo album The Last Tycoon April 8.
I adore the PB&J poppiness and hate to see it go. Still, it's intriguing to consider the new direction Peter is exploring on what appears to be largely a folk album.
Hear it Here.
That's all for this week. Enjoy your weekend, everyone. Now I gotta get back to this Mercury Rev.
Friday, February 22, 2008
First Listen Friday:
Panther, Hills Like White Elephants
I don't know about you, but I'm really enjoying our First Listen Friday feature. I think its fun to see what the staff is listening to each week, hopefully you do too. After the jump, listen to some new-ish music from Panther, which Jenna selected, and Hills Like White Elephants, which I'm currently adoring.
Panther - "These Two Trees," "Take Yr Cane"
The last time I wrote about Panther I called them my, "guilty pleasure." I've decided to upgrade...now they are simply my pleasure. I never truly felt guilty for listening to them. In fact, I felt as if I might have been given a glimpse into the future of something grand. With their February 19th release of 14 Kt God and the upcoming assortment of tour dates they are likely to grab a few nods from today's most respected critics (i.e. the RangeLife staff). Tour dates include but are not limited to Oklahoma City (3/11/) and Minneapolis (3/28). -JAMM
Hills Like White Elephants - "Heart Like an Airport" [mp3]
I was perusing the internets for some 2008 albums that I may have missed and somehow stumbled upon Hills Like White Elephants. Certainly my attention was initially caught by the bands name - I'm a fan of Hemingway like most burgeoning alcoholics - even more striking, immediately even, was the band's music, which is a healthy mix of Broken Social Scene, Deerhunter, Yo La Tengo, and maybe even some Sonic Youth, early Blonde Redhead, well, you get the idea. A beautifully noisy guitar based band, but one that often fleshes their sound out with lush strings (hence the BSS comparison). Original, no. Worth a listen, yes! Especially when you consider that you can download the album on a donation basis, like In Rainbows (and like In Rainbows, I'm pretty sure free is also an option), from the band's label. But hey, if free isn't convincing enough to give 'er a shot, check out "Heart Like an Airport," I think you'll dig it.
Friday, February 15, 2008
First Listen Friday:
DeVotchKa, Of Montreal, and The Helio Sequence
Friday blah blah Songs blah blah Turn it up blah blah.
My enthusiasm is there, trust me...just not my ability to find clever and thoughtful words. Just listen!
DeVotchKa - "Transliterator"
Off their upcoming album A Mad and Faithful Telling. These guys made waves after being on the Little Miss Sunshine soundtrack. I'm looking forward to this release.
Of Montreal - "Jimmy"
Thanks to Femme Fatale for showing me this one. A M.I.A. cover from her latest Kala. This one is actually an old recycled song as PF explains. Groovin.
The Helio Sequence - "Can't Say No"
These guys are labelmates with Band of Horses and the vocals are telling. Recently released Keep Your Eyes Ahead has gotten a lot of attention on KEXP, the Seattle radio station that I'm completely obsessed with. Hit their live in-studio archives - you won't be disappointed.
Friday, February 8, 2008
First Listen Friday:
Monade, Headlights, Why?
Three more songs to make your countdown to the weekend a little more manageable.
Monade - "Regarde"
What started as a bedroom recording project for Stereolab's Laetitia Sadier has turned into full time band. Fans of Stereolab can rejoice, as Cosmic is probably the closest thing to another great Stereolab album as we're ever going to get. Look for Monade's latest album, Cosmic, in stores on February 19.
Headlights - "Cherry Tulips"
Headlights are a pretty three piece from Champaign, Illinois, but their instinctive pop sensibilities make it seem like they could just as easily have come from Scotland
or Canada. "Cherry Tulips" is a great example, as you can hear them borrowing a little bit from both Arcade Fire and Camera Obscura. The song is bouncy, catchy, and eventually, irresistible. Their upcoming album, Some Racing, Some Stopping, is available this coming Tuesday. Headlights are also touring with Evangelicals, and have several Midwestern stops lined up, so be sure to check them out if they're in a city near you.
Why? - "Good Friday"
Today is going to be a good Friday, I can already tell. The sun is shining, my cat is sitting quietly on my lap, and this new Why? track is kicking my ass. I first heard Why? on KJHK some years ago, thought it was pretty cool, then promptly forgot about them. Then I saw them open for Yo La Tengo in October of 2006. Their sound was incredibly unique, blending off kilter rhythms, half spoken rhyming, and a rag-tag, lo-fi frame of mind. I was impressed, and quickly became a fan. Why?'s new album Alopecia is already building hype on message boards, and with good reason. It sounds like Why? is rapping more and singing less, which probably works best as his singing voice was always the most questionable aspect of Why?'s sound. I can't give out "Good Friday" as an mp3, but it is streaming below, and you'd be crazy not to give it a chance. Yes, it is pretty much a hip-hop tune, but it has crossover appeal. Something tells me Why? is going to have a big year.
Before I go, I'd like to get your opinion on something. As you have probably noticed, I've switched from using Project Playlist to Imeem. Lately, Project Playlist has been giving me a headache, with songs crashing, songs not being recognized after I upload them, and the player just not being recognized from time to time. I've been dicking around with Imeem, and so far I haven't had any problems, but I'm curious to know what you think. Does it work better? Worse? Is it pretty much the same? Let us know what you think about the player, the songs, anything, in the comments section. Happy weekend!
Friday, February 1, 2008
First Listen Friday:
Ghostland Observatory, The Cave Singers, and Yes, VW
This is Femme Fatale, filling in Backdrifter's rough draft of a post. Last night Backdrifter said, "I have this perfect idea for an intro paragraph." It was intended to go something like this...
The Cave Singers live (and sing) in caves, and so do bats, which become vampires, which go on a Vampire Weekend from time to time, perhaps at the Ghostland Observatory? Plus he's right, that G.O. keyboardist totally looks like a blood-sucker.
Enough f*ing around. Just listen to the songs. Please?
Ghostland Observatory - "Heavy Heart"
Backdrifter says, "These guys are apparently nuts in concert. Look at them though, they'd have to be. Is that guy on the left a vampire?"
The Cave Singers - "Seeds of the Night"
Backdrifter says, "This is an older one from a member of the now defunct Pretty Girls Make Graves." Femme Fatale says, "I dig it."
Vampire Weekend - "The Kids Don't Stand a Chance"
Backdrifter had been groovin on this tune this week; concurrently SonicRyan was cooking up a brutal review of the band's debut LP. We'll let you decide for yourselves. Would you take them out for the weekend, or shove them back in the casket?
Backdrifter says, "It kinda sounds like reggae -- well, minus the orchestration."
Friday, January 25, 2008
First Listen Friday:
Tulsa, Thao w/GDSD, and Hot Chip
Man, it's been a long week of work and I'm looking forward to the weekend. Last weekend was jam packed with a trip to Springfield to see the incredible Yo La Tengo, and the work week was filled with stress and overtime. This weekend I vow to take it easy!
Here are some tracks that have got me through.
Tulsa - "Rafter"
The echoing guitars and vocals evoke a nice relaxing mood. I Was Submerged came out late last year from this band out of Boston.
Off of her upcoming album We Brave Bee Stings and All, to be released next week. I've certainly braved some metaphorical bee stings this week.
Hot Chip - "Ready for the Floor"
The soothing voice of Alexis Taylor takes the edge off. The Range Life staff is excited about this upcoming release and there will certainly be more to come from the blog.
Friday, January 18, 2008
First Listen Friday:
The Voom Blooms, SM&J, Elvis Perkins
Here are three more tracks in my second installment of First Listen Friday. Rock out to the first two and slow things down with the third.
The Voom Blooms - "Thoughts of Rena"
These Brit rockers are just getting started. Tons of energy is packed into this song. Listen for the false ending going all "Obstacle 1" with competing guitars backed by wicked bass.
Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks - "Dragonfly Pie"
Elvis Perkins - "While You Were Sleeping"
I've been obsessing over this song for awhile. I heard it again recently and had to add it to First Listen Friday. Is it just me, or does someone playing a saw earn automatic bonus points?
Have a nice listen!
Friday, January 11, 2008
First Listen Friday:
Give These Three a Spin
Released in early 2007, this chill song starts with a simplistic beat and, well, keeps that simplistic beat. A nice listen.
Range Life is at it yet again. In this weekly post I'll share some new music that I've stumbled across recently. Nothing makes desk work go by faster than being able to crank up the headphones to some Internet radio.
Now you can listen, too, with our nifty new audio player. Enjoy!
(Picture: Ravens and Chimes)
The Octopus Project – "I Saw the Bright Shinnies"
This group out of Austin creates a whole universe in this eerie yet uplifting electronic track off their third album.
Low – "Breaker"
Ravens and Chimes – "General Lafayette! You Are Not Alone"
This up-and-coming band from New York is sounding promising. Listen to a few more tracks on their Myspace and you’ll see what I mean. Try “This Is Where We Are.”