#4
TV on the Radio - Dear Science
This band usually annoys me. There I said it. I know that my indie cred may be damaged with the statement but there are reasons. Often, indie acts feature vocals that are not quite pretty, smooth, or even always in tune. Falsetto is also a big player. Usually TV on the Radio takes this notion to the extreme. A falsetto harmony line is mixed to be as loud or louder than the normal melody line so I, being a fan of easy on the ears and sing along vocal delivery, have a problem with their sound.
Dear Science is different. Instead of setting themselves apart with strange lyrics delivered in a strange style, they let their excellent and creative musical arrangements do the work. Only then is the unique, but thankfully, toned down vocal delivery added as a complement. Additionally, the lyrics have meaning. Even though they are more politically charged than most, at least they are not just incoherent rambles.
Bluesy guitar riffs, steady and creative drumming (electric loops and acoustic drums), and great bass guitar lines fill the album with sounds that cannot be absorbed in one sitting. This album deserves good speakers or headphones and your dedicated time over several listens.
The blues feel is ever apparent in Crying. The syncopated and muted guitar strum is a great sound and not unique to this song. The tune builds to the end where horns are added at just the right time. Even the ending is fitting with an electronic tinkering to take you to the fade.
The lyrical rap-delivery of Dancing Choose is frenetic and fun. A mixture of drums, guitar, and horns combines to give the song a foundation that is a great listen. The depth of the lyrics also add to the songs appeal.
The best example of a matured and complete sound is Golden Age. All of the above could be said again but this song is as approachable as any song ever recorded by TV on the Radio. Even though lead singer Tunde Adebimpe’s trademark falsetto permeates the song, it does not distract in this case.
Even if you are not a fan of the band, one listen to Dear Science may change your mind.
“He’s a WHAT? He’s a WHAT? He’s a newspaper man
And he gets his best ideas from a newspaper stand;
From his boots to his pants to his comments and his rants
He knows that any little article will do!
Though he expresses some confusion ’bout his part in the plan,
and he can’t understand that he’s not in command;
The decisions underwritten by the cash in his hand
Bought a sweater for His weimariner too
Now I’m no madman, but that’s insanity
Feast before famine, and more before family
Goes and shows up with more bowls and more
Cups and the riot for the last hot meal erupts
Corrupts his hard drive through the leanest months
Shells out the hard cash for the sickest stunts;
on aftershave, on gasoline
he flips the page and turns the scene”
#3
Foals - Antidotes
New to the music scene for 2008 is a London band called Foals. Their arrival is a force to be reckoned with. If you are surprised by the inclusion of this record on my list, or it’s placement so high, please waste no time affiliating yourself with this band and this album to see if you agree. I know some of you may not have this album (don’t tell the RIAA but) I will send it to you…listen to it then come back and read my comments.
The sound of the Foals is a runaway train. Machine gun guitars are ever present. High-on-the-neck guitar melody tags create hooks that are simple but creative. Repeating vocal lines are evident throughout the songs which will find you singing along with the nonsensical phrases. Finally, the creative drumming is the best of any album on my list.
Yannis Philippakis is the lead vocalist and the brains behind the band, the one who masterminded the line up and the sound. The excellent and creative drummer is Jack Bevan. Jimmy Smith on guitar, Edwin Congreave on keyboard, and Walter Gervers on bass round out the band.
Antidotes was produced by David Andrew Sitek who happens to be the producer of the aforementioned Dear Science and member of TV on the Radio. This fact, I am sure, lends greatly to the album’s appeal.
The opener is The French Open. It fades in with an eerie horn sound that abruptly yields to a backbeat of guitar strums and drums. Oh, the drums. Listen closely to the high-hat work and snare hits and I dare you to emulate it even with your fingers on your steering wheel. The lyrics in this one are just another part of the musical sound and they make no apologies for this because none is needed.
Red Socks Pugie is an odly named song that odly and symbolically references blossoming love. The song complements the theme by starting low but with a tripping backbeat, dropping to a quiet guitar pick, then exploding musically with a locomotive chug along with the lyric, “these heart swells up which makes us explode.”
Just when you have enjoyed the fresh new sound for five songs, the catchiest song on the album comes along. Balloons starts with a picked guitar followed by a build of drums and horns. The catchy chorus of “…fuel called love…” is sure to get stuck in your brain for days. Did I mention that the drumming on this album is great? This song is no exception. Bevan is a force on the skins.
Finally, the first minute of Two Steps Twice layers echoing guitars to perfection…a must listen.
If you are looking for a sugary new musical snack, Antidotes may be just what the doctor ordered.
“In context
She said these terminals once again
Wasp’s nest, these terminals once again
These heart swells these contacts in your hand
Oh, hell no these vessels
Our heart swells up, these vessels
Our heart swells up, which make us explode”
#2
My Morning Jacket - Evil Urges
In 2008, indie mainstay, My Morning Jacket, released their best album to date. With a bit of a rounder and less ethereal sound, Evil Urges transforms the band from a strange but interesting musical sideshow into a main event. Southern American rock is excellent when played by the hands of lead singer/guitarist Jim James, bassist “Two Tone” Tommy, J. Glenn on drums, and Johnny Quaid on second guitar.
An expanded and rounded southern rock sound found its way to Evil Urges after the Kentucky band decided to try to record an album that more closely emulated its live sound. I was afraid, though, that the bands affinity for drawn out musical solos in their live act would mean that the songs had no definite starts and ends. This fear proved unfounded as each track on the record is clear, concise and, dare say, radio friendly. James’ fondness for falsetto, though, makes sure the indie sound remains strongly rooted.
This album fought hard for my music listening time this year and I gave in regularly. Never did I feel that my time was wasted. In fact, if not for my number one album, this would have found the top spot.
The title track Evil Urges starts with an excellent kick and snare beat that is played masterfully by Glenn. The bass line anchors the feel. Even though the song loses a bit of steam when the verse begins, the chorus picks it back up. Where the song really takes off is at 3:00 elapsed. If you have this album, you could do worse than to listen again to the harmonized, fast-paced lead guitars echoing each other during this great break down.
The most unique song is Highly Suspicious. An almost hip-hop beat, complete with thumping bass somehow works with James’ upper-range singing. A growling, “highly suspicious, highly suspicious of you” line sung as the chorus is a smile inducer. James ends the song with a comical and very shrill scream.
I’m Amazed is my favorite song of the entire year. Not only is it simple and strong musically, but the deep meaning can be applied on many levels. I even think it would be cool to write Christian lyrics and turn this into a worship song. The song begins with a straight rock beat and then guitars echo each other in stereo. When the lyric “I’m amazed” starts in full throat, I am amazed.
I heard Smokin’ from Shootin’ as I drove back from my family lake house trip to Arkansas this summer. I had forgotten that I had the new MMJ album on my iPod. When I heard this slow, quiet song build to 16th note snare hits that echo the line, “do you see my smokin’ gun,” I knew I had to hear the rest of the album in full. Obviously, I was not disappointed.
Finally, Touch Me I’m Going To Scream Part 2 is a strong enough song to lead most band’s album but this band saves the song for last. A staccato synthesizer begins the song in an easy way but at 1:30, a four-on-the-floor kick drum and disco high-hat starts the song rolling. When James sings as the chorus, “Oh, this feeling is wonderful, don’t you ever turn it off,” you must agree with the sentiment.
“i’m amazed at the quiet ocean
i’m amazed at your warm devotion
i’m amazed at what the people sayin’
i’m amazed by a divided nation
like the rhythm of the earth i get disrupted
i’m amazed at all that has been
i’m amazed at all that will be
i’m amazed at the tv stations
i’m amazed what they want me to believe
after all is said and done - where is the justice?
i’m amazed at lack of evolution
i’m amazed at the lack of faith
i’m amazed at the love we rejecting
i’m amazed what we accept in its place
like the rhythm of the earth
and the rhythm of the ages
like the rhythm - i get disrupted”
So there you have it: three really strong albums as my 4, 3, and 2. Next, I am excited to bring you my favorite album of the year. Please stay tuned and keep the comments coming, I like to hear what you think.
