So since I buy music like an addict, I decided to do my top ten of every month, which will probably be an eclectic compilation of everything indie, alternative, electronic, etc. The picture I choose will be of my favorite cover of all the selections.
1. "How Soon Is Now?"/The Smiths: whoa, poetry much? I can understand now why they were so revolutionary. The Smiths took melancholic, poetic, and deep and meaningful lyrics and made them accessible and (marginally) commercial and oddly satisfying. Honestly, they're so famous I feel stupid saying anything else.
2. "Float On"/Modest Mouse: Interestingly, guitarist Marr of the Smiths guested We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank, which probably explains the best part of the song: the freakin' guitar. Just listen to that thing, it's so addictive and laid-back yet amazing at the same time. Coupled with the lyrics and unmistakable vocals by Isaac Brock, it's one of the catchiest things I've heard all year. Seriously, I don't know why I was so resistant to Modest Mouse for so long.
3. "We Can No Longer Cheat You"/The Cribs: Wait, Johnny Marr's in The Cribs, too? He's everywhere, he's like God, I swear I didn't know Marr was clairvoyant and all-powerful until I started this review.
Okay, it's now time to acknowledge Johnny Marr's Omnipotence.
Obviously my personal preference becomes obvious when I pick three random bands and they all have a guitarist in common. Anyway, onto the song.
50% of the time, The Cribs sound like Franz Ferdinand-wannabes, and the other 50% they strike it rich with a nice sound that lands between lush and tight garage rock. They have respectable, catchy tunes without being meaningless (Franz) or deep and pretentiously apathetic (The Strokes). I particularly enjoy the tight harmonies of the chorus, and the often-trod but still compelling subject matter. Really, just a good solid melody.
4. "Do the Right Thing"/The Dudes: What a heart-felt little gem; I must say I hadn't heard of the The Dudes before now so I don't have a wide frame of reference, but this is a smart piece of indie rock infused with pop sensibility. It really shines on the production end, and the lyrics are endearing and smart. Also gotta hand it to Dan Vacon for having a truly wonderful voice; you can hear him pushing himself, especially on the chorus, and yet there's no breaking and it sounds smooth as honey.
And how can you not love these purely slam opening lines?
my bedroom's worse than the Catholic Church, I let anyone in
and now my carnal sins have gotten to be so boring.
my heart's wide open, I sure was hoping you could close it down,
now it seems I'm finding out that loving you girl can be so frightening,
you strike me, like gas and lightning, love me, don't just spend the night,
you can count on me to do the right thing
You steal my nerve and you strike me
Love like lightning
5. "Northwestern Girls"/Say Hi: Well, after a disappointing name change, Say Hi to Your Mom has matured significantly since I listened to '06's Impeccable Blahs. That EP suffered from lyrical content (it was basically all very creepy songs about vampires), and I'm glad to say that if, at least not terribly sophisticated, "Northern Girls" is at least about a neutral and tolerable subject (that is, the female gender in reference to geographic positions, ala Beach Boys). It's catchy, low-key indie with appropriately wounded lyrics and a pounding drum and bassline; they're busy finding their sound, and making good progress along the way (I haven't had a chance to listen to Oohs & Ahhs yet). One thing they do need to learn is how to let the guitar rip; the last thirty seconds of the song have had such a buildup, and then they rely on percussion and bass and it doesn't do their vision justice, I can tell. I'm looking forward to how Say Hi (LAME name change) is going to mature.
6. "About to Walk"/Throw Me the Statue-Throw Me the Statue has certainly grabbed attention with Moonbeams; they're mainly impressive because of such a wide range of instruments and experimental sounds, put together into melodies that are both aesthetically pleasing and catchy. It's no wonder, then that they've opened for Cake, a band both plagued and renowned for a funkiness that never seems to evolve at all. Throw Me the Statue has already proved their worth beyond a band like Cake by demonstrating a creative versatility, poetic lyracism, and talent for mixed melodies.
Oh yeah, the song? I enjoy the ukulele-like sound that plays. I said everything else up ^ there
7. "No You Girls"/Franz Ferdinand: Yay, another solid effort from my favorite party-boy bisexual junkies! Franz Ferdinand just knows how to rock them melodies; if I ever hear any type of serious effort from them on the part of lyrics, I'll fall over in surprise, and I probably won't be impressed. The whole point of Franz is utter cockiness combined with a tinge of insecurity- and of course where would they be without their incessant party-worshipping?. It's the same buzzy guitars, the late nights where you forget yourself and then wake up and feel your youth sapping away and then go out to party again to forget that fact, and jarring and clever tempo-changes we've come to know and love. "No You Girls" is a seriously catchy effort from their newest album.
8. "Elevation"/Television: More early punk movement, except listening to this song is like listening to a more sophisticated, decommercialized version of the Eagles. Reminsicent of Echo & the Bunnymen, "Elevation" is a haunting effort in guitar line melody changes, and for the better. For all that the song seems to lack a pattern, it's less punk more rock as the guitars are skillfully layered on, and it's captivating. There's no shiny, spiffy production- this sound is raw and satisfying.
9. "Summer Romance"/The Redwalls: Guilty pleasure of the month, this song's simplicity reeled me in. I'm a sucker for well-done romantic confessions, and that's exactly what cutie-pie Logan Baren does as he yells out, "Darling, please don't let me say goodbye!"
Yes, they're shameless whores for '60's and '70's rock, but hey they started as a cover band of that exact time period (as British invasion specialists). Just because they're recycled material doesn't mean they're not good. I like recycling if it's done with some talent. Besides, I have a feeling that they're branching out slowly, slowly into their own territory.
10. "Confines of Gravity"/PlayRadioPlay!: Yup, another semi-guilty pleasure. But it's been a while since I've heard such a good drug song (and such an obvious one-jeez, it practically hammers you over the head), and in this case the analogy actually works and turns out to be sufficiently disorienting and powerful at the same time.
I wanna be an astronaut and get high
break the barriers of sound into the sky
Just wanna be free
from the confines of gravity
Daniel Hunter's voice walks the fine line between soothing and grating, but I think it comes out for the better, especially layered over his synth/electronic beats that are both inviting and clever. There's talent in this simplicity, and the basic message comes through unhindered and with clarity.
Well, that's it. Have a good month. And remember:
JOHNNY MARR IS WATCHING YOU
-elln
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