As summer is about to roll in, the summer singles are starting to be released, the festival season is in swing, and we are ready for party music. Hope you enjoy these videos.
Goldfrapp’s “Alive” from their MySpace video page.
Alive
GOLDFRAPP | MySpace Music Videos
Ok Go’s “End Love” from their YouTube Channel: OkGo.
Vampire Weekend’s “Holiday” from the XLRecordings YouTube Channel.
The XX’s “Island” from the youngturksrecords YouTube Channel.
Field Music’s “Let’s Write a Book” from the mattmemphis YouTube Channel.
Trentemoller’s “Sycamore Feeling” from the SenPromotions YouTube Channel.
The Courteeners’ “Take Over the World” from the TheCourteenersVEVO YouTube Channel.
The Hundred in the Hands’ “Tom Tom” from the WarpRecords YouTube Channel.
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Showing posts with label Vampire Weekend. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Vampire Weekend. Show all posts
18 June 2010
12 January 2010
Vampire Weekend: “Contra”
Vampire Weekend, hailing from New York, combines, amongst things, an indie rock sound with elements of African popular music. As a result, it is hard to really put a finger on a label for them, which is a good thing, though worldbeat has been thrown around. For those that have not had the pleasure of listening to the amazing rhythm and overall sound of African music, this will be a great experience. “Contra” (12 January 2010 in the USA, though available on iTunes with bonus tracks since 8 January 2010) is the band’s sophomore effort. The band is composed of Chris Baio bass guitar and backing vocals, Rostam Batmanglij keyboards, guitar, and backing vocals, Ezra Koenig on lead vocals and guitar, and Chris Tomson drums and percussion. But the band is greater than its member; together what is on offer is strong music, with an international flair, and amazing craftsmanship.
The band’s second album does not disappoint in the slightest bit. In fact, you would have to be insane to even consider this to be a sophomore slump. The melodic instruments are complimented by the soft soothing voice of Koenig and mystifying backing vocals that give the album a unique feel. The album is filled with an array of instruments that mesh together in a melodic storm. The first track of the album is “Horchata” and from the very beginning, the song is very upbeat and the lyrics are ambiguous, allowing the listener to make his/her own conclusion. Every song has its own unique rhythm and overall sound, except for Koenig’s voice. Add this to my favorite sounds on the album, which come in short bursts, that give a Caribbean feel that make you feel like you’re just another person on a beach somewhere or in a Caribbean paradise with no worries.
The album manages to smoothly transition from track to track, making time fly as you listen to the mesh of sounds that work so well. It’s amazing. Nothing in the album feels rushed and the songs are able to calm any listener and just put the mind in a state of calm bliss. As the songs are not emotionally draining, they are a thrill to listen to repeatedly. Although the overall tone changes from song to song, there is this sense of intensity that each song exudes, demanding attention. There are straightforward tracks like “Holiday” about simply wanting a holiday, but as you listen to carefully to each song and the guitar and rhythm of the drums, it feels like you are on an actual holiday. Yet, the album isn’t all about simple lyrics that are meant only to numb your mind. One of the songs I find myself listening to on repeat is “Giving Up the Gun,” which is slower then what I would consider a party song such as “California English.” “Giving Up the Gun” has a very strong presence and lyrics that will cause much thought and provocation not because of its complexity, but simply because of the actual topic the lyrics are discussing. While I believe that there is one song that will capture the attention of the listener from child to adult, this specific song was the one that hit me the hardest. With a quiet intensity the backing repeats as the singer begins to reflect on someone’s life. My favorite lines in the song are “When I was seventeen I had wrists like steel and I felt complete, now my body fades behind the brass charades and I’m obsolete.”
While I have had some experiences with some albums that try to take advantage of youthful situations, the songs in the album seem very honest and pure. For example, the song “Run” does not wallow in talking about love and internal bliss, but rather what is narrated is that he is willing to run with the person. The sound of his bliss when saying running and emphasizing “you” makes it more personal and touching. Then there’s the song “Cousins,” which is the albums lead single. This song is simply a hectic energetic ball of musical bliss. The fast paced guitar and drums topped by Koenig’s overly-excited voice gets the listener pumped without even knowing what is being said half of the time because of the overall speed of the lyrics.
I would love to discuss each song but I feel as though I should leave some surprises. And believe me, they are worth it. After your first listen, you will be arguing with yourself just what song is your favorite. The album has a great allure that makes it difficult to skip any track. It is overall a great album and sets a high standard for what is going to be released this year. The songs will not disappoint, as your emotions will be running wild, as one moment you’re dancing, and the next you’re slipping into a tranquil state of mind. Great voice, great arrangements, great experience, a great album – “Contra” is not an album you should miss!
Track Listing:
1. Horchata
2. White Sky
3. Holiday
4. California English
5. Taxi Cab
6. Run
7. Cousins
8. Giving Up the Gun
9. Dipolmat’s Son
10. I Think Ur a Contra
11. Giant – iTunes bonus track
12. California English, Part 2 – iTunes bonus track
Keep up with Vampire Weekend at their homepage, MySpace, and Facebook. Read more ...
The band’s second album does not disappoint in the slightest bit. In fact, you would have to be insane to even consider this to be a sophomore slump. The melodic instruments are complimented by the soft soothing voice of Koenig and mystifying backing vocals that give the album a unique feel. The album is filled with an array of instruments that mesh together in a melodic storm. The first track of the album is “Horchata” and from the very beginning, the song is very upbeat and the lyrics are ambiguous, allowing the listener to make his/her own conclusion. Every song has its own unique rhythm and overall sound, except for Koenig’s voice. Add this to my favorite sounds on the album, which come in short bursts, that give a Caribbean feel that make you feel like you’re just another person on a beach somewhere or in a Caribbean paradise with no worries.
The album manages to smoothly transition from track to track, making time fly as you listen to the mesh of sounds that work so well. It’s amazing. Nothing in the album feels rushed and the songs are able to calm any listener and just put the mind in a state of calm bliss. As the songs are not emotionally draining, they are a thrill to listen to repeatedly. Although the overall tone changes from song to song, there is this sense of intensity that each song exudes, demanding attention. There are straightforward tracks like “Holiday” about simply wanting a holiday, but as you listen to carefully to each song and the guitar and rhythm of the drums, it feels like you are on an actual holiday. Yet, the album isn’t all about simple lyrics that are meant only to numb your mind. One of the songs I find myself listening to on repeat is “Giving Up the Gun,” which is slower then what I would consider a party song such as “California English.” “Giving Up the Gun” has a very strong presence and lyrics that will cause much thought and provocation not because of its complexity, but simply because of the actual topic the lyrics are discussing. While I believe that there is one song that will capture the attention of the listener from child to adult, this specific song was the one that hit me the hardest. With a quiet intensity the backing repeats as the singer begins to reflect on someone’s life. My favorite lines in the song are “When I was seventeen I had wrists like steel and I felt complete, now my body fades behind the brass charades and I’m obsolete.”
While I have had some experiences with some albums that try to take advantage of youthful situations, the songs in the album seem very honest and pure. For example, the song “Run” does not wallow in talking about love and internal bliss, but rather what is narrated is that he is willing to run with the person. The sound of his bliss when saying running and emphasizing “you” makes it more personal and touching. Then there’s the song “Cousins,” which is the albums lead single. This song is simply a hectic energetic ball of musical bliss. The fast paced guitar and drums topped by Koenig’s overly-excited voice gets the listener pumped without even knowing what is being said half of the time because of the overall speed of the lyrics.
I would love to discuss each song but I feel as though I should leave some surprises. And believe me, they are worth it. After your first listen, you will be arguing with yourself just what song is your favorite. The album has a great allure that makes it difficult to skip any track. It is overall a great album and sets a high standard for what is going to be released this year. The songs will not disappoint, as your emotions will be running wild, as one moment you’re dancing, and the next you’re slipping into a tranquil state of mind. Great voice, great arrangements, great experience, a great album – “Contra” is not an album you should miss!
Track Listing:
1. Horchata
2. White Sky
3. Holiday
4. California English
5. Taxi Cab
6. Run
7. Cousins
8. Giving Up the Gun
9. Dipolmat’s Son
10. I Think Ur a Contra
11. Giant – iTunes bonus track
12. California English, Part 2 – iTunes bonus track
Keep up with Vampire Weekend at their homepage, MySpace, and Facebook. Read more ...
20 December 2009
Videos During a Blizzard
Okay, if you are in the greater New York City area, you are covered by snow by now. So here I was, at home, canceled plans and bored, when SDM gets online, whom I have not talked to in weeks. We quickly started catching up and one thing led to another and we were beaming back and forth YouTube and MySpace Videos links. That is when Juju got online, screamed at both of us, told SDM to get back to writing, and I decided to collect some of the videos we shared back and forth for a post. These are the newer videos we shared, as I plan to sneak back online in the next day or two to post the older videos.
So here are videos to watch during a blizzard. Hope you enjoy them.
Vampire Weekend’s “Cousins” from the XLRecordings YouTube Channel.
Joan of Arc’s “Flowers” from the PolyvinylRecords YouTube Channel.
Depeche Mode’s “Fragile Tension” from their MySpace Videos page.
Depeche Mode - Fragile Tension (music video)
Depeche Mode | MySpace Music Videos
Wolf Gang’s “The King and All His Men” from their YouTube Channel: wolfgangvideos.
Chromeo’s “Night By Night” from the OfficialGLS YouTube Channel.
Chew Lips’ “Trapcode Form” from their YouTube Channel: chewlipstheband.
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So here are videos to watch during a blizzard. Hope you enjoy them.
Vampire Weekend’s “Cousins” from the XLRecordings YouTube Channel.
Joan of Arc’s “Flowers” from the PolyvinylRecords YouTube Channel.
Depeche Mode’s “Fragile Tension” from their MySpace Videos page.
Depeche Mode - Fragile Tension (music video)
Depeche Mode | MySpace Music Videos
Wolf Gang’s “The King and All His Men” from their YouTube Channel: wolfgangvideos.
Chromeo’s “Night By Night” from the OfficialGLS YouTube Channel.
Chew Lips’ “Trapcode Form” from their YouTube Channel: chewlipstheband.
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