Just in...Radiohead: The King of Limbs

    Everytime Radiohead releases an album, it is an epic event. Four years ago, their last studio release, In Rainbows had everyone talking because of its pay-what-you-want internet download release. This time the progressive nature of its release is not as impactive, but something can still be said about how only rumors existed about a new Radiohead album until Valentines Day, when they suddenly dropped the information bomb that a new album would be coming out in five days! Plus, they released The King of Limbs for digital download ($9 or $14 depending on format, mp3 or wav) a mere five (actually they bumped it up a day to four!) days after it was exposed. The other format available for purchase is $48-$53 the world's first/only "newspaper album" consisting of two clear 10" vinyls, a physical CD copy, digital mp3 or wav download, many large pieces of artwork and 625 smaller ones all included in a oxo-degradable plastic case set to ship May 9th if pre-ordered and June 1st for general sales. A CD will be available for general sale on March 28.
    The title of The King of Limbs was apparently taken from the name of a 1,000 year old oak tree in Wiltshire's Savernake Forest, nearby where they had done some recording for In Rainbows. An alleged picture of the famed tree is here. The artwork for The King of Limbs, on the other hand, is inspired by Another interesting side note, pertaining to In Rainbows, is that most of the song creation for In Rainbows was done in concert and finishing touches were put on songs during tours. Adversely, the only song heard prior to the release of The King of Limbs, "Lotus Flower", was performed as if it was Thom Yorke's solo material. A dance created for "Lotus Flower" can be seen in this music video, along with a guide to the dance steps published in the French magazine Brain Magazine here.
    Describing or writing about Radiohead's music is not an easy task, especially this latest effort. Yet, effort makes it feel like it fell short or something. But, let me assure you it has not; rather, the only criticism that could be given is that it is too short, a mere eight tracks totaling 37 minutes. Regardless, each song has a remarkable amount of depth that one can sink their teeth, or ears, into. First, let me caution you. Do not judge this album upon first listen, give it time to grow on you and expand, much like one of the tracks, it is  a "Lotus Flower". So, give it time, like the first track, to "Bloom". Yorke's first words are fitting: "Open your mouth wide/The universe will sigh". It takes time for intricate art like this to settle on the palate. Now, not true of every song on The King of Limbs. Some songs struck me most instantaneously as jaw-droppingly great: "Bloom", "Morning Mr. Magpie", Separator", "Lotus Flower"; and I knew at once that "Give Up the Ghost" was just plain gorgeous--much like "We Suck Young Blood" from Hail to the Thief (2003). Also, part of the warning, the better quality sound you have the better. This album deserves, or at least requires, excellent headphone sound or paying the full $14 for CD quality sound over mp3. If I had more money, I probably would have done so myself.
    I would like to go in depth more than I have lately on each track:
(1) "Bloom" sets a great beat, with looped drums and piano twinkles back and forth, while Yorke's vocals ooze with eeriness until brass and strings (most likely synthesized) change the atmosphere temporarily, with rising notes to emphasize a blooming effect. The sound really washes into itself, then dies down to the loops and leaves the listener with a nice bass exit.
(2) "Morning Mr. Magpie" is perhaps my favorite, and easily the catchiest tune, in my opinion. It contains probably the most complete melodic element, while other songs are more or less fragments of ideas, that it could be said never blossom fully. I love the bass in this track, the emotion of the singing and the electronic ambient sounds that bring me back to Amnesiac (2001) or Hail to the Thief. The driving nature of the guitar rhythm and bass line is excellently done too, very intricate and tricky to pull off well I'm sure, which they have.
(3) "Little by Little" did not strike me as so amazing at first, but now it is becoming one of my favorites. At first I thought it had this weird rhythm section thing going and sounded a little off kilter, but it settles nicely, and the guitars interweaving back and forth in the stereo sound is really well done. I also like the sitar-like sound in the back ground looped throughout. There is some great poly-rhythm going on too, especially where Yorke sings "A job that's killing you" and the hemiola occurs.
(4) "Feral" is a unique track to be sure. I've seen one site take a poll, and this track was their least favorite, which I definitely do not agree with. Yes, the vocals are indiscernible, but that is what makes it so unique and interesting to explore. It is almost as if Yorke is just sighing and breathing out air exclamations. The beat is driving and the bass entering tops it off, with such a deep menacing sound. Overall, the song contains so much tension it feels like it wants to burst at any moment, until the end when the bass and electronic loops fade out.
(5) "Lotus Flower" contains heavy drum beats and more deep bass, while the vocals are so carefree and almost ethereal in comparison. Half way through, synthesizers add great depth of harmony and the song really becomes quite beautiful.
(6) "Codex" unlike "Feral" is making waves among Radiohead fans as their favorite song, which I actually do not agree with. It is the most acoustic song, if you can call it that, because of mostly consisting of piano chords and Yorke singing. The effect of the piano chords opening and closing up and down is very cool though, almost like a wind chime would. But, the minimal melody, true warmth of the song and nice string spot towards the end are not enough for me to really love "Codex", and I find it my least favorite on the album actually.
(7) "Give Up the Ghost" is really quite beautiful. Yorke's vocal melody sprouts over an acoustic folk-esque guitar and layered falsetto vocal harmonies. The song just keeps building with more and more Yorke's over Yorke's and it cacophonies a bit, but it is pleasant nonetheless.
(8) "Separator" has such a positive sound. An excellent beat lays it down and the melody lays within the framework beautifully. After the guitar enters with the embellished line it almost makes you think that you are listening to Coldplay, something from Parachutes perhaps. An excellent ending song.
    I cannot say how thrilled I am to have another Radiohead album to listen to, and The King of Limbs definitely does not disappoint. Now let us just hope that the rumors and conspiracy theories that after four years of recording with only eight tracks to show for it, there is more material that will surface shortly--in the form of another LP, whatever, who cares, as long as we get more! Yep, that's pretty much how I feel about Radiohead, and love their music so much; definitely one of my favorite bands, and clearly the greatest British rock band since the Beatles. Please go here to enjoy the entire album streamed by the band or just enjoy my favorite track, "Morning Mr. Magpie" in the MixPod.

Minus the Bear: Omni

    I feel like a post about a band like Minus the Bear is a little different for me. Either I am becoming more eclectic in my taste, or Minus the Bear is really really quite good. Straightforward, they are pure rock and roll, none of that indie taste that usually attracts me. Yes, they qualify as indie, but just do not possess that typical indie sound to me. Regardless, I think it is how they borrow from dance, post-rock, math rock, progressive and experiment with different sound combinations that draws my interest. Perhaps I just want to see what kind of response this band will receive from my few readers. I try and find bands that not only please my ears (that is a must!), but yours (which admittedly comes of second importance).
    On to the point of this post, Minus the Bear, from Seattle, came together in 2001. The name comes with a story, too difficult to explain, so the short of it is that it comes from an inside joke about a television show called B. J. and the Bear. Minus the Bear has released a bit over a handful of EPs, a remix LP and four full length LPs, the latest being Omni on May 4, 2010 through Dangerbird Records. Apparently, Omni was recorded like a live show, straight through tracks, instead of piece by piece, layer by layer. I gotta give them props for that, because it is clean and contains a real sense of energy--probably as a result of such a process. This also means, probably, that a live show would sound very similar to their album. I do not go to a lot of live shows, partially for financial reasons and I prefer to keep my hearing well into my old age, but also because most bands do not sound as good live; acoustically, intonation is often off and balance is a wreck. I guess some bands are probably better live than on album, but that could only be if they needed a lot of noise to cover up something lacking, or their recording quality is poor. Yes, I'm a snob (jk!).
    What I like about Minus the Bear: their guitars are not just rhythm guitars, they play only what is needed and it adds a cool picky tangy sound. Both guitars go back and forth nicely, complimenting each other. Overall, quick nifty guitar riffs are what remind me of math rock, almost shoe gazing really, along with the angular hemiola rhythmic feel. Probably the most well known track you may have heard on the radio is "My Time", the opener, and is the most electronified, with almost 8-bit or 16-bit Nintendo sounds. I especially like the track "Into the Mirror" about half way through, how it goes straight into "Animal Backwards"; which picks up sort of the same tune, but with an electronic dance feel, almost like it is remixing itself. More on the harder side is "Secret Country", which shows almost a progressive rock side nicely. Then there is also a sort of ostinato continuity (through repeated rhythms and guitar chords), subdued chords (last track "Fooled by the Night") or hard jam (end of "Dayglow Vista Rd."), which in their own way minimally represent the post-rock idea.
    Check out "Dayglow Vista Rd." in the MixPod or check out the whole album on their MySpace here. Enjoy!

Hungry Kids of Hungary: Escapades

    We've got something from down under today for ya mate! OK, every Aussie out there would probably appreciate me not trying to impersonate them... Anyway, Hungry Kids of Hungary are from Brisbane, which is in Queensland. The band formed quickly it seems in 2007, but a lot of connection and history between band members exists that predates their formation. Their connection, however, to Hungary by name is a mystery to me (except they called their name "a sham, a horrible sham").
    Story goes that all four, Ryan Strathie, Dean McGrath, Ben Dalton and Kane Mazlin, were separate for a time, while the first three attending different local high schools and Mazlin was in London. They did, however, knew each other through band competitions, and Strathie had been in two different bands with Dalton and Mazlin. So, while Mazlin was in London, he sent Strathie tracks he recorded on his own, and McGrath was writing tunes too; consequently, when Mazlin returned, they formed together and started recording. Three years later, their debut album, Escapades (October 1, 2010), along with two EPs, Hungry Kids of Hungary (2008) and Mega Mountain (2009) is the result. Apparently, they introduced a fifth member, Remy Boccalatte at a/their record label party for Stop Start, an offshoot of EMI in Australia. It is unclear his role, though McGrath cited Remy as "their best friend and touring buddy". Maybe his addition to the band is merely honorary.
    Hungry Kids of Hungary (HkoH for short) has received a lot of playtime and promotion through a popular Australian radio station Triple J, a government-subsidized station whose aim is to provide mostly Australian bred, new music and alternative that appeals to 18-30 year olds. Notably, their single "Scattered Diamonds" has been heard on TV as well, in Grey's Anatomy, Royal Pains, Ugly Betty and The Deep End (and is a lot better song than its inclusion in those types of shows suggest). Queensland has definitely embraced their music too, winning Q Song Awards for a few songs, including "Wrist Watch" garnering Song of the Year for 2010.
    HKoH's style varies into two streams. One, heard in "Wrist Watch", "Scattered Diamonds", "The Vacationer" (their latest single in Jan. of 2011) and perhaps others more subtly, are very upbeat Ala Vampire Weekend, or like a surfer beach band (Australia is known for its surfing!). Then, their other style is a mellower, piano rock without the quick offbeats and syncopation. Overall, the bridge between sounds appears to be a retro pop from the 60s or something. I definitely like their alternative sound, ranging from the more subtle almost lack of distortion, but with dream pop hearty vocals, as in "Eat Your Heart Out", to more obvious grunginess in "China Will Wait" and "Coming Around".
    Well, enjoy the fresh sun, heat and fun this album brings all the way from Australia to this cold winter time of year! The track "The Vacationer" is in the MixPod, or check out a remix of "Scattered Diamonds" at SoundCloud here. I would have left you with "Wrist Watch" but it is so short (too bad!), so if you want to hear that or the rest of the album, go to their Myspace here.

Darwin Deez: Darwin Deez

    Darwin Deez, yes the curly haired guy (a.k.a. Darwin Smith), is an artist I've been listening to a lot since hearing him for the first time about a week ago. So much so that I did not want to wait for my ritualistic weekly (roughly) posting rate date to come around before I pitched Darwin Deez to you. The aforementioned is an indie pop group of rather large membership; perhaps not all those listed on their wikipedia entry here are regular performers. I wonder if some had small parts in this relatively new, it seems, band by helping out with clapping or singing here or there during the recording process of their debut album Darwin Deez, which came out in May of 2010. Listen and you will understand what I mean. You hear very scarce instrumentation: singer with backup vocals, 2 guitars, bass, drum machine? and a lot of clapping. If Darwin plays guitar along with vocals, then that would necessitate four members, five maybe, leaving 2-3 unaccounted for. Well, tangent aside, this is not a post about Agatha Christie or Arthur Conan Doyle, so I'll leave my mysterious curiosity for now to write about more important things.
    In my defense, such light hearted music that contains particularly ironic depth of emotion, requires some incorrigible fun. If you pay close attention to the lyrics, which I am admittedly not good at, you will notice they can be a real downer. Listen especially to "Bad Day" on their MySpace here. It is this fun loving almost hippie pop tune, and yet, it's all about break up and heart break and wishing bad things to happen to those responsible. Next, go to YouTube and watch the music videos for: "Radar Detector", "Constellations", "DNA" and "Up in the Clouds". They are simple and appear to be of low quality production, but they add so much flavor to the serenading and strolling-along-in-the-park quality of the music. It's almost like dream pop without the dreaminess, the lyrics are clear, but the music is only partially lo-fi and as innocent and feel good as can be.
    I actually think the melodic and harmonic quality of the music is surprisingly good. Some of the guitar chord changes are impressively well used and the interlacing of the even simple rhythms between guitars works so well too. Consequently, take the near vocal talent of Sondre Lerche, add a little vampire weekend guitar playing (ya know that sparse but effective baroque pop-ish, very off-beat or arpeggiated rhythmic type), and add the electronica beats of say Discovery. Then, you have Darwin Deez.
    I hope you find his music as catchy and enjoyable to listen to as I have, and enjoy the track "Deap Sea Divers" in the MixPod! It is not the best track, but I love the chorus and you can check out my links to hear the rest (which I recommend!). Also if you want more info, check out this great article, "Darwin Deez: Evolution of a pop star" by British newsgroup, The Independent, here.