First of all, I can't tell you how lucky and privileged I feel when we get music submission from some of my favorite record labels. Today (although I suspect by the time I finish writing this, that it will be Wednesday), we have two releases from two wonderful record labels, Barsuk and Astralwerks. And guess what? They sort of similar-sounding bands, being that they're doing that electronic music.
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PHANTOGRAM
myspace.com ♥ twitter.com
Phantogram, as described on their myspace are: a duo of Sarah D. Barthel and Joshua M. Carter of Saratoga Springs, NY. Their music is a mix of organic and electronic sounds, with swirling guitar, spaced-out synths, and chopped up samples and rhythms.
Originally they were known as Charlie Everywhere, but they changed their name to a possible trademark issue. Although I don't know what that would infringe, it does sound like it's some cheesy Vietnam war movie. They signed with BBE Records in the UK, but on domestic shores, they're with W♥M favorites, Barsuk.
I was hoping for surgarly electronic pop like Mates of State, but Phantogram's debut album, Eyelid Movies, sounds more experimental with their sound-warping and music-bending sound. While this might be fun and interesting live, hearing the cuts and repeats on such tracks like "As Far As I Can See" made it sound like my CD was skipping. I guess maybe it didn't translate for me.
Where they absolutely shine is when Barthel takes vocals, turning about half of their songs into dream/indiepop. Songs like "All Dried Up", "When I'm Small", and "Mouthful Of Diamonds" really stands out for me, and I think that's the direction they should be heading in. I can see them being compared to Zero 7 (when they have Sia or some girl-singer).
If you enjoy dreamy indiepop music, with the occasional warps and quirks, you should add Eyelid Movies to check out. If you're a general fan of Barsuk, then Phantogram will fit the bill. Other Barsuk bands to check out: David Bazan, Death Cab for Cutie, Mates of State, Nada Surf, Ra Ra Riot, Ramona Falls, Rilo Kiley, Say Hi, Smoosh (we just talked about them last Saturday!), Starlight Mints, Chris Walla, and The Wooden Birds.
HOT CHIP
hotchip.co.uk ♥ myspace.com
"Hot chips" as recently explained to me, are what the Aussies calls French fries. So it's no surprise to me that Hot Chip are an electronic band from London.
I have had HC on my radar since their sophomore album, The Warning, which was probably released in 2006. That was pretty much the year that they were getting all the recognitions, even getting nods from the Mercury Prize (hint: they didn't win) and the Grammy (hint: they won).
For some reason, a copy of Made In the Dark, their 2008 album, did made its way to my iTunes, but I never got around to reviewing it.... so it's with much deserved that I'm reviewing their latest album, One Life Stand, out Tuesday, February 9th, on one of my favorite label, Astralwerks. And just to give you an idea, Astralwerks' releases are a "who's who" of amazing music: Kylie Minogue, Empire of the Sun, Bat for Lashes, Beth Orton, Sia, Sebastien Tellier, Kings of Convenience, and Chemical Brothers.
So first off, since I had previous albums to compare them to, and maybe I'm wrong, but they seem a lot more polished than The Warning. That album sounds to me like they were trying to be Röyksopp and LCD Soundsystem, while it sounds to me that their latest effort, One Life Stand, sounds more "pop". As if they're taking their cues from Death Cab for Cutie and Postal Service.
While it's expected that electronic-dance bands are going to be some digital manipulation of vocals, but I really feel that autotune is like "doping" in sports. I didn't "I Feel Better" for that reason, but all is forgiven, because the rest of the album doesn't use autotune.
My favorite song on this album is "Thieves in the Night", but I see that they've decided to go with "One Life Stand", probably because it's the title track. The "emo" song on the album is "Brothers", which I suspect is really about singer Alexis Taylor's baby brother, rather than the song being completely fiction.
Unfortunately, I feel that older music fans might be discourage from picking up Hot Chip, for looking like they're music for young hip people. So attending live shows might be awkward. You know what I'm talking about, being the only 30+ person in a sea of 16-20 fans. Well, you can always secretly buy their album (and might I suggest getting the One Life Stand [the Deluxe Edition] instead of the regular edition?).
>>>
PHANTOGRAM
myspace.com ♥ twitter.com
Phantogram, as described on their myspace are: a duo of Sarah D. Barthel and Joshua M. Carter of Saratoga Springs, NY. Their music is a mix of organic and electronic sounds, with swirling guitar, spaced-out synths, and chopped up samples and rhythms.
Originally they were known as Charlie Everywhere, but they changed their name to a possible trademark issue. Although I don't know what that would infringe, it does sound like it's some cheesy Vietnam war movie. They signed with BBE Records in the UK, but on domestic shores, they're with W♥M favorites, Barsuk.
I was hoping for surgarly electronic pop like Mates of State, but Phantogram's debut album, Eyelid Movies, sounds more experimental with their sound-warping and music-bending sound. While this might be fun and interesting live, hearing the cuts and repeats on such tracks like "As Far As I Can See" made it sound like my CD was skipping. I guess maybe it didn't translate for me.
Where they absolutely shine is when Barthel takes vocals, turning about half of their songs into dream/indiepop. Songs like "All Dried Up", "When I'm Small", and "Mouthful Of Diamonds" really stands out for me, and I think that's the direction they should be heading in. I can see them being compared to Zero 7 (when they have Sia or some girl-singer).
If you enjoy dreamy indiepop music, with the occasional warps and quirks, you should add Eyelid Movies to check out. If you're a general fan of Barsuk, then Phantogram will fit the bill. Other Barsuk bands to check out: David Bazan, Death Cab for Cutie, Mates of State, Nada Surf, Ra Ra Riot, Ramona Falls, Rilo Kiley, Say Hi, Smoosh (we just talked about them last Saturday!), Starlight Mints, Chris Walla, and The Wooden Birds.
![]() Tour Dates 02/12/10 Academy Glasgow, Scotland
02/13/10 Picture H Edinburgh, Scotland 02/15/10 Rock City Nottingham 02/16/10 Academy Leeds 02/18/10 o2 Academy Newcastle 02/19/10 o2 Academy Manchester 02/22/10 o2 Academy Bournemouth 02/23/10 o2 Academy Bristol 02/24/10 UEA Norwich 02/26/10 o2 Academy London 02/27/10 o2 Academy London 03/06/10 Off Festival Holland 03/07/10 AB Club Brussels 03/08/10 Bataclan Paris 03/10/10 Live Music Hall Cologne 03/11/10 Uebel + Gefaehrlich Hamburg 03/12/10 Astra Berlin 03/14/10 Mousontrum Frankfurt 03/15/10 Cooperative de Mai Ferrand 03/16/10 Bikini Tolouse 03/18/10 Magazzini Generali Milan 04/16/10 Fox Theatre Oakland 04/17/10 Coachella Indio 04/19/10 Riviera Chicago 04/22/10 Terminal 5 NY 04/23/10 Terminal 5 NY 04/24/10 9.30 Club WA 04/25/10 Theatre of the Living Arts Phila Discography
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hotchip.co.uk ♥ myspace.com
"Hot chips" as recently explained to me, are what the Aussies calls French fries. So it's no surprise to me that Hot Chip are an electronic band from London.
I have had HC on my radar since their sophomore album, The Warning, which was probably released in 2006. That was pretty much the year that they were getting all the recognitions, even getting nods from the Mercury Prize (hint: they didn't win) and the Grammy (hint: they won).
For some reason, a copy of Made In the Dark, their 2008 album, did made its way to my iTunes, but I never got around to reviewing it.... so it's with much deserved that I'm reviewing their latest album, One Life Stand, out Tuesday, February 9th, on one of my favorite label, Astralwerks. And just to give you an idea, Astralwerks' releases are a "who's who" of amazing music: Kylie Minogue, Empire of the Sun, Bat for Lashes, Beth Orton, Sia, Sebastien Tellier, Kings of Convenience, and Chemical Brothers.
So first off, since I had previous albums to compare them to, and maybe I'm wrong, but they seem a lot more polished than The Warning. That album sounds to me like they were trying to be Röyksopp and LCD Soundsystem, while it sounds to me that their latest effort, One Life Stand, sounds more "pop". As if they're taking their cues from Death Cab for Cutie and Postal Service.
While it's expected that electronic-dance bands are going to be some digital manipulation of vocals, but I really feel that autotune is like "doping" in sports. I didn't "I Feel Better" for that reason, but all is forgiven, because the rest of the album doesn't use autotune.
My favorite song on this album is "Thieves in the Night", but I see that they've decided to go with "One Life Stand", probably because it's the title track. The "emo" song on the album is "Brothers", which I suspect is really about singer Alexis Taylor's baby brother, rather than the song being completely fiction.
Unfortunately, I feel that older music fans might be discourage from picking up Hot Chip, for looking like they're music for young hip people. So attending live shows might be awkward. You know what I'm talking about, being the only 30+ person in a sea of 16-20 fans. Well, you can always secretly buy their album (and might I suggest getting the One Life Stand [the Deluxe Edition] instead of the regular edition?).
02/10/2010 01:14:00♥ vu (
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