Tenderoni

Bloc Party front man Kele Okereke will make his solo-debut June 21 when he releases The Boxer. Its expected that this album will have a heavy electroic influence ala the eccentric Bloc Party track "Flux". Our first taste from the new album was made available earlier this week. The track entitled "Tenderoni" has a heavy electronic surge reminiscent of something that I can't place my finger on. If the track title sounds somewhat familiar it should. Teneroni is also that name of a track by 80's inspired Canadian dance duo Chromeo who incidently also have an new album on its way this summer. Oh and incase you were wondering as I was:

Tenderoni - a slang terminology used to describe one's younger male or female love interest or someone too young to talk to or become involved with, Pretty Young Thing or P.Y.T.

Kele - Tenderoni


Chromeo - Tenderoni


Chromeo - Night by Night

Leaks

Its been a fun week for internet music geeks as several forthcoming spring albums have made their premature release on the web.

I had been eagerly anticipating the new Foals album since I got my first taste of lead track "Spanish Sahara". Foals have migrated away from their manic math-rock choppiness that was indicative of their 2008 debut Antidotes and instead have adopted a dancier poppier vibe. Total Life Forever is certainly a more mature sounding record with more harmonies and drawn out grooves. Definitely will have this one on heavy rotation over the summer.

Crystal Castles moved up the official release of their sophomore album to coincide with its leak earlier this week on the web. On their new self-titled album (their debut was also self-titled) Crystal Castles continue their unique brand of static and scream but with a decidedly more subdued approach than previous efforts (listen for the Sigur Ros sample). At the typical pop-length of four minutes, Crystal Castles waste no time forcing their Atari-inspired dance impulses right in your face, but do so with a more sophisticated approach.

The new Broken Social Scene also made a premature appearance to internet music fans this week. Lead track "World Sick" is a great album opener and leads to two more strong tracks that get the listener primed for a hooky rock album. However after this the album falls somewhat flat. As Hear You Now reported earlier, Forgiveness Rock Record was recorded with a relatively slim six core members but would feature "guest" appearances from the typical cast of collaborators. While Emily Hanes and Amy Milan each get lead duty on one track each, Feist is relegated to backing vocals on one of Drew's many all-too similarly sounding tracks and Jason Collett is absent, guitar-riff or otherwise, from the album completely.

Broken Social Scene has always been a bit of an enigma for me. They have some absolutely phenomenal songs and some absolutely awful ones. I suppose that’s what you get when you have an ever-changing cast of members. Tracks like "Sweetest Kill" would sound terrific on any summer mix tape, however, the album as a whole sounds a bit too much like a BSS Present Kevin Drew Sophomore album than a true full BSS-ensembled effort. Its kind of funny that they name the album what they did. Almost as if they are apologizing for not giving us something better, especially after waiting for over five years.

Band of Horses are also out prematurely with new album Infinite Arms. Upon first listen the album seems a little more emotive and melodic than 2007's disappointing Cease to Begin. This album certainly has its slower numbers but not of the coma-inducing variety that seemingly made up the majority of their previous release. The biggest redeeming quality of the band has always been Ben Bridwell's voice. Infinite Arms has got that easy-going lazy summer feel to it, but it will be interesting to see if this one sticks with so many other great sounding albums for it to compete with.

Foals - Spanish Sahara


Crystal Castles - Celistica


Broken Social Scene - World Sick


Band of Horses - Compliments

Compliments from Band of Horses on Vimeo.

Friday Thoughts and Music

I have been listening to the new MGMT album a few times over the last couple of weeks. Not sure what to think just yet. In Congratulations, MGMT have veered wildly away from the bar-ready pop numbers that highlighted their debut and instead have produced an interospective art-rock album, more suitable for listening to on quiet spring afternoons. I still hear a lot of people tell me that they like MGMT. Do they really, or do they just like 'Kids' and 'Electric Feel' from that one time they heard them when they were out at the bar?

In totally unrelated news, I am really digging 'Harmonix' by Surfer Blood. So much so that I can't get past it and give the rest of the album a proper listen. It kind of reminds me of Arcade Fire`s 'Neighborhood #2 (Laika)' which reminds me that Arcade Fire are releasing a new album soon, which makes me happy.

MGMT - Congratulations Edit: Link Removed
Surfer Blood - Harmonix  Edit: Link Removed
Arcade Fire - Neighborhood #2 (Laika)  Edit: Link Removed

Music for a Saturday Night

Neon Indian - Sleep Paralysist


Lady Gaga - Telephone (Passion Pit Remix)


Tegan and Sara - Alligator (Kevin St. Croix Remix)

What's with Ben Gibbard?

Is Ben Gibbard on drugs? I just watched a concert of Death Cab for Cutie on TV and it reminded me of Pemberton Festival two years ago, when Death Cab came on to the stage and my brother and I looked at each other and wondered who the skinny-looking guy on the left was. Turns out it was newer skinnier version of Ben Gibbard. What's more is during the conert I watched today, Ben was definately tapping his foot double time to the beat during their encore of "Transatlanticism", like he was hearing a beat that wasn't there. "Is he on speed?" we asked each other. We used to joke that we wanted to be close enough to the stage to poke Ben in his chubby belly and how he looks just like Colin Meloy. Now we joke that he looks like he's on drugs and looks like younger, nerdier version of Neil Young.

One Night in May

One upcoming night in May presents itself with a bit of a predicament. Its been some time since I have purchased tickets to any live shows and wouldn't you have it, two very likeable artist will play on the same night in Vancouver.

Shout Out Louds are an indie-pop band from Sweden. Earlier this year, they released their third album entitled Work. While not as strong as their sophomore release, Shout Out Louds fall back on hooky riffs and symphonic harmonies. Extremely pleasant to listen to, their live show would certainly be one to go and chill out at and leave feeling warm and nostalgic on a late spring evening.

On the contrary, experimental electronic duo, Fuck Buttons, will be swinging through town that very same night. It's been some time since I have seen a live electronic performance. Fuck Buttons are a synthy euphoric emotional jouney. One can only imagine what their live performance might sounds like.

Sounds like I will have a decision to make.

Shout Out Louds - Please Please Please


Fuck Buttons - The Lisbon Maru

A Friday Mixtape

A reflection for the week that was.

Dead Man's Bones - Pa Pa Power


Japandroids - Wet Hair


Gorillaz - Rhinestone Eyes

Plastic Beach

The new Gorillaz album, Plastic Beach was released March 9. The badass video for the track "Stylo" was made available today. The semi-animated video features a car-chase with none other than the original badass himself Bruce Willis.

Forthcoming

Wow 2010. So much good music already, so much more to look forward to. 2010 is easily becoming the year of indie music. Here is a select list of artists coming out with new albums in Q2.

Broken Socail Scene - Forgiveness Rock Record (May 4th)

As reported here, Broken Social Scene return with a relatively slim core-five members. A revolving door however it would seem, this listener has learned that Feist, Emily Haines, Jason Collett and Amy Millan will all make appearances on the album. "World Sick" is
the first preview we have of the new album.

01 World Sick
02 Chase Scene
03 Texico Bitches
04 Forced to Love
05 All to All
06 Art House Director
07 Highway Slipper Jam
08 Ungrateful Little Father
09 Meet Me in the Basement
10 Sentimental X’s
11 Sweetest Kill
12 Romance to the Grave
13 Water in Hell
14 Me and My Hand

Broken Social Scene - World Sick Edit: Link removed


Foals - Total Life Forever (May 10th)

An early favourite for album of the year based solely on the strength of first single "Spanish Sahara" Foals return in 2010 with Total Life Forever. A complete 180 from their math-rock mania that was 2008's Antidotes, "Spanish Sahara" is a slow burner with a progressive build that borrows heavily from electronic influence.

Foals - Spanish Sahara  Edit: Link removed

Band or Horses - Infinite Arms (May 18th)

Americana folk rock band, Band of Horses release their third album Infinate Arms. Co-founded in 2004 by Mat Brooke and frontman Ben Bridwell, the group has seen a continuous turn-over in group members in their relatively short lifespan. After 2006's triumphant Everything All the Time, song collaborator Mat Brooke left the group and the remaining members reloacted to South Carolina. 2007's Cease to Begin surely has its highlights but was missing the punch that found their debut album so listenable.

2010's Infinite Arms was written and recorded by 2009's touring band and based on their July performance in Vancouver, one might find this album a little too heavy on the twang.


Wintersleep - New Inheritors (May 18th)

East-coast Canadian rockers, Wintersleep return with their fourth studio album. Building momentum with each successive release, the hibernating quintent hope to build on 2007's break through single "Weighty Ghost." No sneak preivews from the new disc have been leaked as of yet, however, lead singer Paul Murphy teams up with his brother and lends his grating yet very listenable voice to side project Postdata.

Postdata - In Chemicals  Edit: Link removed


Nada Surf - If I had a hi-fi (June 8th)

Perhaps one of the most unexpected projects of the year, Nada Surf are set to release an album of covers. The album will be made available to concert goers commencing March 25 and then will be released physically to mass consumption on June 8th. I am digging cool faux-retro album cover.

01 Electrocution – Bill Fox
02 Enjoy the Silence - Depeche Mode
03 Love Goes On – The Go-Betweens
04 Janine - Arthur Russell
05 You Were So Warm – Dwight Twilley
06 Love and Anger – Kate Bush
07 The Agony of Laffitte – Spoon
08 Bye Bye Beaute – Coralie Clement
09 Question – Moody Blues
10 Bright Side – Soft Pack
11 Evolution – Mercromina
12 I Remembered What I Was Going to Say – The Silly Pillows

Nada Surf - Electrocution (Bill Fox).  Edit: Link removed


Stars - The Five Ghosts (June 22)

The Montreal-based group will release its fifth album, The Five Ghosts, on June 22 on their own Soft Revolution Records. Ghosts was produced by Tom McFall, who also worked on the band’s 2005 album Set Yourself On Fire.

01 Dead Hearts
02 Wasted Daylight
03 I Died So I Could Haunt You
04 Fixed
05 We Don't Want Your Body
06 He Dreams He's Awake
07 Never Been Good With Change
08 The Passenger
09 The Last Song Ever Written
10 How Much More
11 Winter Bones

Waving Flag

The 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics closed today. The next big world event will be the 2010 World Cup of Soccer to be held this summer in South Africa.