tUnE-yArDs - w h o k i l l

I had a great time last night...well, it didn't end all that great, but still fun. I can still taste whiskey in my nose and in the back of my throat. I haven't been that drunk in a long time.



Today's album: tUnE-yArDs - w h o k i l l (4AD 2011)
Genre: Indie pop
Running time: 10 tracks, 42:16
In a nutshell: Fun, politically-conscious hispter music

1. My Country - 3:42
   
2. Es-So - 3:31
   
3. Gangsta - 4:00
   
4. Powa - 5:51
   
5. Riotriot - 4:15
   
6. Bizness - 4:25
   
7. Doorstep - 4:18
   
8. You Yes You - 3:15
   
9. Wolly Wolly Gang - 6:09
   
10. Killa - 3:12

When I first heard this album, I just assumed that front-woman Merrill Garbus was black. Her vocals sound like a more powerful and versatile Macy Gray, while her band plays an eclectic mix of soul, jazz, R&B and hip-hop. The politics of the album also gave me the impression of blackness. The lyrics explore sexual identity, ghetto violence, economic inequality...all themes that the African-American perspective has always been able to speak to most eloquently in my opinion. The fact that Garbus isn't black seems somewhat encouraging to me. She is engaging with ideas that are perhaps becoming more universal, and in the process is forging a new consciousness that can easily be shared. Does this sound a bit pretentious? It's not really. The ideas and music might be challenging, but they never become inaccessible. More than anything, this album is fun. I think Garbus is going to be prominent figure in music in the years to come because of her ability to make cultural and political transcendence an accessible and thoroughly enjoyable experience.

Teebs - Ardour

It's good to be back. I need to find a job though. Is it just me, or do most people find entry-level stuff by pulling strings within their social network? Keep your eyes and ears open for me, please! Blogging is fun, but it's not going to pay down my credit card bill. Enough about my shitty life, let's talk music.


Today's album: Teebs - Ardour (Brainfeeder 2010)
Genre: Electronica, glitch, downtempo
Running time: 18 tracks, 51:38
In a nutshell: Beep boop click swoosh

1. You've Changed - 2:11
   
2. Bound Ball - 2:06
   
3. Double Fifths - 2:11
   
4. While You Doooo - 1:31
   
5. Moments - 2:33
   
6. Burner - 3:12
   
7. Wind Loop - 3:14
   
8. Lakeshor Ave. - 1:45
   
9. Arthur's Birds - 5:17
   
10. Gordon - 3:26
    
11. Bern Rhythm - 2:35
12. Felt Tip - 2:59
13. King Bathtub - 2:55
14. My Whole Life - 3:11
15. Long Distance ft. Gaby Hernandez - 2:53
16. Why Like - 2:57
17. Humming Birds - 4:38
18. Autumn Antique - 1:58

Teebs is another electronic artist from the L.A. school, which is home to artists such as Baths and Flying Lotus, but unlike his colleagues he actually got his start as a visual artist. I think that really comes across in his music; he really has a knack for using arranging abstract textures and sounds in a way that invokes natural beauty. And take my word for it, this is a fucking beautiful album. Oftentimes electronica and hip-hop seem like they belong in urban settings, with flashing lights and bustling crowds, whereas Ardour sounds like it belongs out amongst the mountains and forests. Take for example, the gurgling water effect on Gordon, the humming windchimes on Burner, or the bird-like squeals on Bern Rhythm. But this isn't to say that this music is necessarily ambient. The beats are still there, pushing the songs forward and keeping the listener engaged. The pacing of the album is important too. The more hushed moments are relatively short, and serve to highlight specific sounds or textures for the listener, showcasing them before moving forward again. It's like walking through the woods and stopping to sniff at flower or watch a bird soar by overhead. You don't stop long enough to get restless, nor do you feel like you're being rushed forward. The result is a beautiful listening experience, highly recommended.

Benoît Pioulard - Précis

Nathan totally called me on my shit the other day. Every time I tell people that I'm starting this blog back up, I end up neglecting it. This time I'm not making any promises, although I might actually be more willing to post more now that I'm done with school. We'll see.




Today's album: Benoît Pioulard - Précis (Kranky 2006)
Genre: Psych-folk, Shoegaze
Running time: 15 tracks, 36:59
In a nutshell: Hazy textured autumnal folk

1. La Guerre de Sept Ans - 3:08
   
2. Together and Down - 3:08
   
3. Ext. Leslie Park - 2:42
   
4. Triggering Back - 2:30
   
5. Moth Wings - 1:16
   
6. Alan and Dawn - 2:50
   
7. Corpus Chant - 1:43
   
8. Palimend - 3:04
   
9. Coup de Foudre - 1:32
   
10. Hirondelle - 2:22
    
11. Needle & Thread - 2:43
12. R Coloring - 0:39
13. Sous la Plage - 2:59
14. Patter - 2:58
15. Ash Into Sky - 3:18
    

It rained yesterday. Wasn't that weird? Totally out of the blue (not literally, the sky had actually turned a weird pinkish purple hue), just a tiny sprinkle that lasted a few precious moments. Seemed out of place, didn't it? So does this album. Pioulard's hazy mix of finger picked guitars, organic percussion, and foggy electronics is perfect for the cooler months. But like yesterday's short-lived sprinkle, this album is actually a refreshing break from the heavy heat of the summer. There isn't a lot here to get excited about, nothing to work up a sweat to. The tracks on the album tend to blur into one pleasantly cool mess. There aren't really any particular moments that are really worth mentioning; it's the aesthetic as a whole that you have to either take or leave. Most likely you are going to take it. Pioulard's hushed vocals and gently flowing compositions are just so lazy and relaxing, you probably won't be very motivated to turn it off.