Another
two weeks gone by, another musical dispatch from yours truly. This week I'm
heading back to what this column was originally built for, to rifle through
the multitude of music related blogs (new and old) on this fine internet of
ours, sift through their wares, and come back with the tracks I think you
should enjoy, the tracks I think are over-hyped hogwash, and the tracks I'm
shocked aren't getting more love.
Why
Do I Like It:
If you're not already checking Raven Sings The Blues every
single morning for your daily dose of all things scuzzy,
well, you're doing yourself no favor. The unnamed
proprietor of this site does a damn snappy job digging up
gems new and old that often times stray far from the beaten
path.
Blank Its, not surprisingly a Seattle band, are a bundle of
distortion drowned, girl-voiced scuzz-pop that gets me in
the mind set of Times New Viking. It's not the most
pleasant on the ears, but there's something about the
intensity and the drive of this gnarly little blast that
just has me flailing about in a fist-pumping dervish.
:Blank
Its - Windows Are Dirty:
Who/What:
The Pains of Being Pure at Heart - Young Adult Friction
Where'd I Find It:
Aquarium Drunkard
Why
Do I Like It:
Strangely enough, this extremely hyped band shares a bit of
the sort of rough around the edges pop sound of Blank Its.
Sure, this is a buffed-to-a-sheen version of Blank Its
energy over pleasing sound, but still, this is shoegaze
mixed with noise, and I enjoy it, quite a bit. I'm usually
swayed in a negative direction when people are soiling their
pants in anticipation of a band no one's ever heard of. But
this go around the hype is deserved - The Pains of Being
Pure at Heart are dirty sunshine, a blast of honest pop
music in these dark days.
:The
Pains Of Being Pure At Heart - Young Adult Friction:
THE BAD
Who/What:
Black Dice - Glazin'
Why
Don't I Like It:
I just don't get it. I don't understand the sort of noisy,
electronica mash-up Black Dice have been slangin' all these
years. I try, lord how I try, but for whatever reason it
just doesn't click. Yell at me, tell me I'm not open
enough, but when it comes to Black Dice I just don't
understand the allure.
And of course, as it is with all bands I don't get, they
release a new single and every progressive minded blog on
the internet is shouting it's praises, no matter how
indiscernible the blasted thing is. Well, I'm throwing my
vote in the "I don't get it, and screw you if it bothers
you" jar.
:Black
Dice - Glazin:
THE MISUNDERSTOOD
Who/What:
Phosphorescent - It's Not Supposed To Be That Way
Why
Everyone Should Be Listening To It:
I'll be honest, I'm pretty sure most discerning music
listeners are listening to this album/song right
now. This is Matt Houck's ode to the oddball gems that
litter Willie Nelson's long and beautiful discography and
holy crap if it isn't just one absolute treasure of a song
after another. Houck brings a sadness to Nelson's lyrics
about love and living, that alters the feeling of the songs
while still paying respect to the originals. If you aren't
listening yet, get on that.
:Phosphorescent
- It's Not Suppose To Be That Way:
There we go. Would love for people to comment on the new
format. You know, if you have a second.
As always, thanks for reading.
Noah Sanders is the blog/news editor at Light In The
Attic and a contributor at Sound On The Sound and
the KEXP blog. He also has his own
Criterion-based film site, Criterion Quest.
If you'd like to contact Noah in regards to his
writings here at Side One: Track One then please do
so
here.
- Noah Sanders
-
Unless
otherwise expressly stated, all text in this blog and any
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John Laird under a
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