Typhoon, A New Kind Of House

I first heard Typhoon about a month ago. Given that this twelve person band from Portland, OR has been playing and recording since 2005, I was surprised that I was not familiar with their music already. In March they released this wonderful EP, A New Kind Of House. Musically and lyrically, these five richly textured songs are really well conceived and realized. There are new things to discover in these songs with each listen which makes listening to these songs a lot of fun. This past weekend, the band played live at the Sasquatch Festival. You can hear their great performance here.

Summer Home   

ON ROTATION

Bahamas, Pink Strat

Recording under the moniker Bahamas, Canadian singer-songwriter, Afie Jurvanen, released this album in Canada back in 2009. The album is being re-released in the States today. Jurvanen is a well seasoned musician who played guitar and piano in support of Feist for some time. Stepping out on his own, he shows that he is a special artist, who's easy natured songs radiate a genuineness that is missing from so much music today. I just love the collection of songs on Pink Strat. This is definitely one of my must-haves of the year. 

Already Yours   

Foster The People,  Torches
Earlier in the year, Foster The People put out a 3 song EP which included the song Pumped Up Kicks. The song immediately became one of my favorite songs of the year, which at the time seemed premature. But almost half way through the year the song is still a standout for me. Now with their full LP in hand, I have ten great songs to enjoy. Great beats and rhythms keep these songs movin' and grovin'. Foster The People equals great synth-dance-rock music. 
Pumped Up Kicks   

Metronomy,  The English Riviera
British synth-pop band Metronomy has evolved nicely over three albums and musically takes a great step forward on The English Riviera. Less electronics and more live instruments bring warmth to these songs that was missing on earlier albums. Laid back rhythms and bass lines also create a nice, relaxed overall feel to the album. While a few songs revert back to a more angular sound that can be heard on earlier albums, they still fit in with the overall feel of the album. This one will be in my listening rotation for a while.
The Look   

Sounding Out: Exray's

I was really intrigued listening to Exray’s self-titled release. Jon Bernson & Michael Falsetto-Mapp, the duo behind Exray’s, are boundary-pushing musicians who are not afraid to challenge themselves and listeners regarding what constitutes aesthetically pleasing music. On their new album, the two use hi-fi and lo-fi instruments and electronics to take a collection of new songs, with catchy pop frameworks, and transform them into sonically off-kilter soundscapes.

What I appreciate about Exray’s, is that there are so many layers to pull back as you dig into this collection of songs. Thematically, they are quite diverse and deciphering what was intended with each song can be a bit challenging. Jon has said that he creates songs in groups that are supposed to reflect off of one another. Given this, I was curious about his approach to this collection.

“Michael and I have made a lot of records and done a lot of recording, but these two albums are the first for Exray's. We're into a lot of different music, so we experimented a lot, and tried many different ways of putting the songs together. We brought in a bunch of friends to contribute on various tracks on the record, and none of them come from one particular genre or scene, so I guess that accounts for the diversity of the songs and sounds.”

Hesitation   

I love the idea of approaching music as an experiment. I asked Jon if there is a conscious starting point from which he and Michael work to form songs.

“Most of the time, I have the songs written before we start recording, so the basic form is already in place. That said, we approach the recording process with open minds and allow the songs to change as we track and arrange them. We like to experiment and push songs ‘til we've gone too far and then pull back, kind of young soul type of stuff, you don't know your limits, or your place in the world, so push until something pushes back.”

While the music is quite diverse and boundary pushing, Jon said the there is a common thread running through the lyrics to these songs. “They are based on my personal life. I wrote a play that strings the characters and events in the songs together, but decided not to release the writing because I felt it would distract me and the listeners from the music. I'm still happy with that decision, just keeping it surreal.”

In an interview, Jon had said that John Coltrane’s ‘A Love Supreme’ was the most influential album in his life. He had said, "It is so immediate, emotive, challenging and endless. The album longs for a world far beyond the world of music." I asked Jon if there were albums in other genres that have had a similar impact on him and his music? And if so, was it for the same reasons or something else?

“Probably every album I've heard has an influence. Sometimes the ones I hate have as much sway as the ones I love.” He said that it's nice to have something to strive for and something to strive against. “Erik Satie's Gymnopedies, and Steve Reich's 'Different Trains' are two records that I'll probably listen to for the rest of my life. Obviously Exray's music doesn't bear any resemblance, but I think at this point, I'm just making music that I'm capable of making with the inspiration and tools on hand. My influences may sound kind of high brow, but the reality of how I make music is really just practical in a way."

You Forgot   

Exray's is a second run of sorts for Jon and Michael. Previously, they recorded under the name Ray's Vast Basement. I asked Jon why they stopped recording under Ray’s Vast Basement. "I kicked myself out of the band and then Michael's contract was up so we started a new band with a different vibe. Everyone's on better terms this way," he said.

Beyond Exray's Jon is a very busy man. Besides being a founder of Howells Transmitter, a record label and arts collaborative, Jon runs the Urban Music Program in San Fransisco. The program is a non-profit that is dedicated to teaching music to kids in the Sunset Neighborhood community of the city.

Given the many hats that Jon wears, I ask him what expectations he and Michael have for Exray's, long term. He joked that he is investing in software that will continue to make the music he would have made after he's gone. "In order for this to work, I'll need to provide my imaginary staff with a decent catalogue so they have enough work to receive benefits. As for shorter long term, we plan on making about 33 more records, including another EP this year followed by our follow up LP."

While Jon's answer was not serious, I thought that it was the perfect ending to our conversation. Exray's will continue to push on what is possible until they can't.

ON ROTATION

The Head And The Heart, The Head And The Heart

It might seem hard to believe that a band that has been together for a little more than a year, can have gained such a large following, selling out shows where ever they go...until you hear their music. Simply put, The Head And The Heart make wonderful neo-folk music that is full of life and energy and warmth, it just radiates. There is also this wonderful authenticity to their songwriting and their performances that makes you feel like each one of these songs is the most important one they have ever done. This is an excellent debut album through and through. 

Down In The Valley   

The Donkeys,  Born With Stripes
There is something about The Donkeys that I really like. I just can't figure out exactly what it is...I guess that I would equate them to comfort food. It is not the fanciest or the most exotic or even the most flavorful, but it just always tastes good and right. And the Donkeys' music is a lot like that; Nothing fancy, but really satisfying. The band has this great late '60's, early '70's psychedelic rock sound that makes these songs feel so familiar to me. Songs such as New Blue Stockings and Ceiling Tan stand out for this reason, but songs that sound a bit more contemporary, like Don't know Who We Are, are just great. 
Don't Know Who We Are   

The Antlers, Burst Apart

Photo By Shervin Lainez 

Back in 2009, The Antlers released their amazing album, Hospice. It was a concept album that told the story of someone who was very sick and at the end of their life. It was a deeply personal album for Peter Silberman, the creative force behind The Antlers. It was dark and haunting and beautiful and I was so drawn into the story from both a lyrical and musical perspective.

After almost three years, Silberman and The Antlers are back with Burst Apart. While the album is not another album that draws in the listener with a linear storyline or concept, it is another amazing collection of songs.

Relationships don’t seem to come easy to Silberman. Being loved and or not being loved haunts him and he struggles through these songs to make sense of what he wants or needs. In French Kiss he sings “Everyone I loved kept me tangled in my heart, You’ll tie that knot a bit too loose, not enough to tease apart….Come on. Everyone I hold, holds me strangled, sweet and smart. I’m not a puppy you take home, don’t bother trying to fix my heart.”

Burst Apart

Silberman has a dynamic voice that can pack an emotional punch especially when he goes up into his falsetto range. His vocals along with his gorgeous and lush guitar work carry and convey the weight of his words and feelings. 

Every Night My Teeth Are Falling Out   

As the album progresses, Silberman shows glimmers and signs of a man who realizes that he may not be able stand alone. Whether he wants to or not is an entirely different matter. As the album comes to a close with Putting The Dog To Sleep, he is putting himself in someone else’s care, like a wounded animal that needs someone to care for it. He sings, “Well my trust in you is a dog with a broken leg, Tendons too torn to beg for you to let me back in. You said, “I can’t prove to you you’re not gonna die alone, But trust me to take you home, To clean up that blood all over your paws.” Silberman response to them both with “Put your trust in me, I’m not going to die alone….I don’t think so….”

Parentheses   

Happy endings are nice, but not always real or realistic. While this is certainly the case within world that Silberman writes about, but it not the case when it comes to the band's music. Like on Hospice, The Antlers’ music on Burst Apart is richly textured and can soar in a way that many bands can only aspire to achieve. In this respect, this is another very happy ending for The Antlers creatively.

FLEET FOXES, HELPLESSNESS BLUES

Fleet Foxes, Helplessness Blues

Fleet Foxes are finally back with a follow up to their self titled debut album, one that sold over a million copies world wide. I Liked Fleet Foxes. I really like Helplessness Blues. The band's music, often described as neo-folk or folk-rock, centers on richly textured songs that feature beautiful, choral-like harmonies (Think Simon and Garfunkel) that have a certain Ethereal quality to them. On Helplessness Blues, songs are more focused, lyrics are more personal and poetic, and the harmonies reach new heights.  

Helplessness Blues   

TV ON THE RADIO, NINE TYPES OF LIGHT

 

I have been a big fan of TV On The Radio for many years. Blending musical styles that range from hip-hop and soul to rock and psychedelic jazz, the band has created a unique sound that has pushed musical boundaries and has always sounded fresh and exciting. This was perfectly illustrated on their amazing 2008 release, Dear Science. On their new release, Nine Types Of Light, the band has pulled back on their boundary pushing ways a bit and seem to be using self imposed restraints. I would be concerned about this, if the album was a miss, but it is not. It is another great album that shows that sometimes restraint is the missing ingredient.
Will Do