Warpaint combines hypnotic, surreal vocals with a backing sound somewhere between psychedelic and shoegaze. It would be calming were it not for the anxious tension in the instrumentation, continually pressing forward. They use it well, beginning “Stars” with a simple minimalistic guitar.
Read More »Warpaint: Stars [Video] 
Some of the best music videos assault the norm with demented and disturbing scenarios. Take that UNKLE song from a few years back with Thom Yorke at the vocal helm, “Rabbit In Your Headlights”. That was downright phenomenal. And “Silent Shout” from The Knife was pretty amazing as well. The latest to pair insanity with audio greatness is Little Girls, whose video for “Youth Tunes” is, above all, creepy. But in madness there is often genius. Just look at painters (Van Gogh) and authors (Pirsig). There have been a fair share of musicians that fit the mold as well. Every so often, someone like Little Girls comes along that channels their bizarre psychosis into something utterly superior to the potential contrary. “Youth Tunes” is that superiority. Read More »Little Girls: Youth Tunes [Video]
Grand Archives‘ latest LP, Keep In Mind Frankenstein, follows their self-titled debut in the creation of masterful harmonies backed by pleasant melodies. “Oslo Novelist” is the second track released off the album for free public consumption (following “Silver Among The Gold”) and the first to be put to video. The storyline consists of a novelist in space who loses his writing and follows his attempts to get the papers back. It’s a fun one that works well with the luscious melodies Grand Archives creates. Read More »Grand Archives: Oslo Novelist [Video]
On “Orange Is Green”, Sweden’s Mono Stereo mixes psychedelic pop with shoegaze for a truly epic sound; it even dabbles a little in prog. The black-and-white mixed with color fit for early music videos is a mixed throwback of influences, from 60s and 70s pop to the mid 90s indie rock shoegaze. Mono Stereo’s ability to create monumental pop heights spiraling with sound allow songs like “Orange Is Green” to genuinely shine. And, as “Orange Is Green” can off their debut EP, out next month, they’re doing it early. My guess is that we can expect great things from these guys. Let’s hope they keep it up. Read More »Mono Stereo: Orange Is Green [Video]
Pop music can often be a downer. As Nick Hornby wrote in the opening of Hi Fidelity: “Was I miserable because I listened to pop music, or did I listen to pop music because I’m miserable. (End paraphrase.) It’s a classic chicken-and-egg question, the inevitable stumper of “Which came first?” But – and there’s always that but – music exists of another sort; music that’s upbeat and lively and enjoyable despite lacking that sad undertone. And Fruit Bats are such a band – their video for the title track off their recent LP, The Ruminant Band, follows suit. Read More »Fruit Bats: The Ruminant Band [Video]
Bearcraft‘s electro dance has a pop edge to it that would go well with your standard electro-pop group, were it not for its sheer upbeat nature. In “The Werewolf”, the title track off Bearcraft’s debut digital single, front-man Dicky Moore molds the perfect underground techno-pop dance tune. Featuring the original “radio edit” track, a remix, an alternate version, and a fourth tune called The Omega Point, The Werewolf sees Bearcraft as a burgeoning force ready to be discovered. Read More »Bearcraft: The Werewolf [Video]
El Perro Del Mar‘s video for “Change Of Heart” is an easy contender for video of the year, and it takes only a few seconds to come to that conclusion. Filmed in a single take, the video features two men who look to be contenders for Rocky Horror Picture Show 2010: Rocky Cloned. The acrobatics they perform are pretty astounding, and would be so whether they were scantily clad and covered in gold paint or not. Read More »El Perro Del Mar: Change Of Heart [Video]
So we meet again after several years / after several years of separation begins Kings Of Convenience‘s new single “Boat Behind”, and it’s the most fitting opening as the band has been on hiatus for about half a decade. As we hit the rainy fall season, “Boat Behind” is the perfect video to induce a nostalgic state, draped with sunny days and open sunroofs and hitchhiking girls. And as one of my all-time favorite bands, coupled with its glorious ending, “Boat Behind” is among the best music videos of the year. Read More »Kings Of Convenience: Boat Behind [Video]
Tim Williams‘ lovable pop is borderline contemporary, but only to the point of it being accessible to a wider audience than your standard indie pop band. Careful Love, his new album out this week on Dovecote Records, won’t likely be on your parent’s pre-set station on their car radio, but you might find common ground if you pop the CD in while sharing a ride with them. Then again, you could probably say the same about indie sensation Telekinesis. But the two artists share a little more than that. Read More »Tim Williams: I Hit Another Wall [Video]
Oh I like this. Frightened Rabbit is slated to release a new single in mid-November on FatCat Records, and “Swim Until You Can’t See Land” is the a-side. Its a deep and powerful song, filled with a fair share of repetition and immense emotion – yet the song is wholeheartedly upbeat. The focus is Scott Hutchinson and his deep melodic vocals; the dark performance hall and flashlight-lighting provide an excellent effect. You might miss it the first listen, but “Swim Until You Can’t See Land” has a stunning string arrangement by label-mates Hauschka. Read More »Frightened Rabbit: Swim Until You Can’t See Land [Video]
