Upcoming...Phoenix: Bankrupt!

NOTE: don't miss out on the other post I just did today: Junip: Junip.

    I'm a little miffed at Phoenix for joining the throngs of bands these days who are migrating toward a more "unique" sound, namely that of new wave or synth pop. Oh wait, everyone is doing it, so it's not really unique! Thankfully, they have done so in the name of what they call experimentation, so what they've created is really just a brasher sound and not as clean as we are used to from the Versailles, France indie pop/rock group. Arriving for real on April 23rd on Glassnote Records, Bankrupt! is Phoenix's fifth studio album, and it is really interesting to see where they have come from in terms of sound since their first album, United (2000), though one cannot help but wonder if they are really trying to cater their sound to themselves or the populous at large.
    Many blog posts I've read claim that Bankrupt! isn't much different in sound and format than their previous  two albums, It's Never Been Like That (2006) and Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix (2009), while I beg to differ. They have clearly slowed down their tempos, introduced a lot of Asian inspired sounds and scales (pentatonic, or five note scales, namely), while not actually using Asian instruments--mainly synths, and bolstered up the obnoxious nature for which percussion is obviously capable. One example of this is the single, "Entertainment" (check out the very beginning), and another track, "Drakkar Noir", which does have some interesting meter/tempo changes. Admittedly, I do still hear that typical harpsichord timbre they are famous for, but it isn't used in so much a baroque pop style this time around. It is flourish and background. One song it is used a lot on is the slow build up, "Love Like a Sunset" and "North", type song, "Bankrupt!"--the title track on the album.
    Maybe I'm just suffering from four years of hype leading up to Bankrupt!, but I feel like the result has left my ears bankrupt. Most of this album is a wash of synths and loud percussion. I almost didn't want to write it up at all. If you enjoy it more than me, or it grows on me, do let me know and I'll let you know also. For now, my favorite track on the album would probably be "Burgeois" or "Bankrupt!" just because they are not as brash. They have even an epic-ness to them. Overall, Phoenix lost their energy trying to do something different or artistic, just like The Strokes have been known to do here and there.
    You'll have to listen to this one yourself, don't take my word for it, I am opposedly a cynic when it comes to new wave and all I hear on the radio lately is synth pop. I'm just tired of it and need bands to be themselves, truly. So, listen to the entire album on iTunes, here. You might need to open your own iTunes application to find it if this link doesn't work for you. Or just take a glance into Bankrupt! by listening to the only track I could find streaming from their SoundCloud, "Entertainment", over under the 'Monthly Sample Tracks'. Hope you enjoy more than I did!

Upcoming...Junip: Junip

    Swedish indie rock band, Junip has returned with their 2nd full studio album, self-titled, having announced their intention to do so in December of 2012. Led by solo songwriter/guitarist/vocalist José González, along with drummer/percussionist Elias Araya and Tobias Winterkorn on keyboards, Junip is set to release in the states on April 23rd on the Mute record label. What has seemed like a slow start to their band is perhaps finally coming to fruition. Junip first released an EP's in 2005, Black Refuge (EP), after having formed up originally in 1998, and then disappeared on hiatus for five years before dropping their Rope and Summit (EP, 2010) and their debut LP, Fields (2010). They followed that up with an extension of Fields, their In Every Direction (EP, 2011). Now, only three years (we say that like it's not actually a long time nowadays at least when 3-5 years between releases for a band is pretty normal) after their debut, Junip has made the statement that maybe they intend to stay around this time. They're even making some waves, as their first single, "Line of Fire", was used in the CBS show Elementary, season 1, episode 18, in the background of the final scene.
    There is no band in the world that plays chill music like Junip. And no band in the world that gets into a sweet groove and just goes with it and doesn't even need to change to make me enjoy what I'm hearing. It's like throw down the convertible top and drive through the hot summer evening kind of music. It has influences of jazz and latin/south america perhaps (think Mice Parade), acoustic guitar and tasteful percussion driven rhythmic music with smooth melodies and almost lo-fi deep voiced vocals. Junip is also like a train at times too. It has that driving rhythmic feeling that is chugging along and sits in that feel good groove. A perfect example of this is the first song, "Line of Fire". It has the percussion and the guitar going and going with a repeated rhythmic pattern, while the vocals are complimented by strings and the keyboard. I must say, Junip uses some really well chosen sounds for its keyboards. They're deep, almost string like, like a cross between a guitar and a cello or double bass or something. The second track is another kind of train, maybe lighter, but in the lyrics it says "keep on rolling rolling rolling". Ironic? The very last track on the album, "Said and Done" is probably my favorite, but they're all excellent and this album is one I will truly listen to many times over the course of the year. Look for it in the best of 2013 for sure.
    I must admit, Junip did exactly with this album what I was hoping they would: produce more great music that we already love them for. I feel like tearing the new Phoenix album apart in a separate post because they followed the crowd and just sound all New Wave and Synth Pop-ish. Junip, however, sounds like Junip and has not made any efforts to join the throngs of bands throwing away their unique sound. José had this to say on their website bio about the naming and process of recording Junip: “All the ups and downs were very ‘Junip,’” he adds, “so titling it with our name seemed appropriately iconic. It’s truly a band album.”
    I've linked the track "Line of Fire" under the 'Monthly Sample Tracks', but you probably want to hear it all; so, go to Pitchfork Advanced, here, to listen to Junip in it's entirety before they take down the free stream! Check out their bio, which is proving to be a fantastic insight into the band and Junip on their website, here. I can't write up a whole post with more information than what they're giving there, so definitely do yourself a favor if you're interested in really knowing what is going on. Also, on Mute's website, here, there is a video of "Line of Fire" by Swedish film director Mikel Cee Karlsson, including an explanation of the song/video in deeper detail. Enjoy!