If any band knows how to emerge into the music scene with a firecracker of an album, it's Delta Spirit. Their debut album, Ode To Sunshine, left its mark on the music scene with the clever use of trashcan lids, a piano, tambourines and pure rock-and-roll. Now with the release of their second full-length, History From Below on Rounder Records, the band seems to be nipping the heels of an even bigger success than before.
Holding true to their blues-infused rock, the boys open the album with a catchy tune titled"911", a sing-a-long southern anthem for those who enjoy a giving 'the man' a swift kick in the teeth. Other times, the listener finds themselves amidst cleverly written lyrics and stories with songs like "Bushwick Blues" and "Vivian" - two songs that present personal tales of lost loves. Although the latter is undoubtedly more heart-breaking - it was written about lead singer Matt Vasquez's own grandmother - the former is one we can relate so easily to our own heartbreak and reminders of 'the one who got away'. With pounding drum parts on "St. Francis" reminding us why we fell in love with Delta Spirit in the first place, slower songs such as "Ransom Man" and "Scarecrow" prove that the band is improving in all the right ways.
One thing that can be said for this album is that the cohesive blending on the album is something worth mentioning. Still, each track carries itself with a strong personality, ensuring an experience within each song without ever becoming boring or forced. Perhaps growing up doesn't always have to slow us down. With an album that truly delivers both fun songs to dance to, and songs to croon to, it is clear that the boys have found a way to skip past a sophomore slump. The healthy, stable maturity of the band proves that History From Below is undoubtedly a grand slam from start to finish.
Vasquez is currently finishing up a North American tour with band mates Jon Jameson, Kelly Winrich and Brandon Young (check their personal blog for more details). The band will also tour parts of Europe this September.
In recent weeks, Arcade Fire have kept fans and music bloggers on the edge of their seats, anticipating news of an album release and tour dates.
With news that a 12'' single, including "Month of May" and "The Suburbs" has finally been released, it takes a moment for the initial excitement to subside After listening to the online stream, it is hard to decide where this album will fall in line in the Arcade Fire discography. Although it is difficult to peg an entire album off of two songs, it is still enough to get the curiosity and critiques flying.
With "Month of May", it's easy to see that the band hasn't lost their touch. The fast, monotonous drumming is accompanied by the signature fast-spoken male/female vocals. At first, the lyrics seem a bit superficial and forced; why on earth would this band, who always seem to have something brilliant to say, write about writing an album in the month of May? It takes a few spins to realize that, upon further listening, there is a lot more to the lyrics than simply talking about writing an album - it almost seems to be a confession that it took more effort to write this album than the previous two. If this is true, things could get interesting once the entire album is finished. Next up, the straight-forward single "The Suburbs" tells even more tales of a tortured soul, worrying about the effects that the world and people have on one another. With a quick tempo, the song begins an upbeat one before lyrics lead into a darker place. The tortured vocals seem to encompass your attention by enveloping you with a sense of being lost and disappointed, much like a teenager in... well, suburbia.
All in all, it is hard to imagine topping either of their previous albums. Still, the more I hear "Month of May" and "The Suburbs", the more I am impressed by the direction the band has taken. Could Arcade Fire be writing an album full of anthems for all those chasing their youth? Will they prove that even the most talented artists cannot stop time? Whether we will be solving riddles to relate with the lyrics, I can't say. However, I can say that The Suburbs is already at the top of my "Most Anticipated" list; as if it were ever questionable. Sure, I still have a few reservations as to what this album will provide, but I am certain that I won't be let down. I can't yet tell if this one will take some time to grow on me, but quite frankly, each time these songs start over, my fears subside a little more.
For those of you living under a rock, the band has graciously provided a place to stream the singles online. (In true Arcade Fire style, the vinyl and lyrics are even interactive.) The Suburbs will be released August 2 in the U.K. and August 3 in the U.S. & Canada. Pre-orders can be made from the band's website.
June 28 - Helsinki, Finland @ The Senate Square 30 - Rättvik, Sweden @ Dalhalla
July 2 - Arendal, Norway @ Hove Festival 4 - Werchter, Belgium @ Rock Werchter 9 - Dublin, Ireland @ Oxegen 13 - Ottawa, Canada @ Ottawa Bluesfest 31 - Montréal, Canada @ Osheaga Festival
August 8 - Chicago, USA @ Lollapalooza 14 - Toronto, Canada @ Olympic Island 27 - Leeds, UK @ Leeds Festival 28 - Reading, UK @ Reading Festival 29 - Domaine National de Saint-Cloud, France @ Rock en Seine 31 - Berlin, Germany @ Tempodrom
Since I last left you in September, I've attempted quite a few blog posts. Alongside attempts for an album review of Brand New's Daisy, I tried to review for fun.'s Aim and Ignite, as well as my Top 15 of 2009!
Sadly, none of those posts made it to the daylight of the interweb due to lack of time and inability to put effort into editing and completing the posts. I want to ensure that everything that is published to this blog is a quality read for whoever might be looking at this. I apologize profusely for this, but it was so difficult for me to keep up with everything I had going on at school. In the last year I've been in 5 writing classes, as well as my working as a contributing writer for my college newspaper! It has been quite an insane adventure, but well worth my time and effort. Although music journalism is my future career of choice, I am hoping to finish college in four years so I can get out in the world and do what I love to do. Hopefully you understand.
For an update, I'll throw out that I am fresh out of my Spring semester and ready to take my Summer vacation head-on. I am hopeful that I will receive the chance to internship this summer with the music section of Houston Press, a major publication in my city. It would be the perfect opportunity for me! Aside from that, I'm planning on catching many shows this summer, so I will be adding a lot more suggestions, show reviews and (hopefully) a few more album reviews and interviews with bands. I have also been hired by Warner Bros. record label to work for Houston's Warped Tour, so I am very excited about that.
Hopefully this blog post will be the first of many this summer. I really want to get my voice out there and share my ideas. Stay tuned!
Oh, and for the record, here's my list for the Top 15 Albums of '09 - 4 months late:
1. Tegan and Sara - Sainthood 2.1. fun. - Aim and Ignite 2.2. Cursive - Mama, I'm Swollen 3. Matt and Kim - Grand 4. Portugal. The Man - The Satanic Satanist 5. Modest Mouse - No One's First and You're Next 6. Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavilion 7. P.O.S. - Never Better 8. Coconut Records - Davy 9. Pains Of Being Pure At Heart - S/T 10. Brand New - Daisy 11. WHY? - Eskimo Snow 12. The Dodos - Time To Die 13. Sunset Rubdown - Dragonslayer 14. Dan Auerbach - Keep It Hid 15. Andrew Jackson Jihad - Can't Maintain
After the 2007 release of The Con, twin sisters Tegan and Sara found themselves on the cusp of a 10-year anniversary as a band, as well as the foreboding question, "What now?" Luckily for fans, the sisters took to recording a new album after touring extensively in support of their latest and most raved effort. What they didn't expect was to find themselves experiencing something they had never done before as sisters or a band - writing together.
Although none of the songs written together made the final cut for this year's Sainthood, their sixth album proves that the Quin sisters are more like a fine wine - something that becomes better with age. It also seems that the exercise brought both sisters even closer with one another, as opening song "Arrow" seems to showcase both sisters over simple synthesizers and rhythmic drumming. It only takes two songs to realize that before, the two seemed to prefer solo performances; now, they seem to have found a collective voice that enhances both their ability to write an perform separate as well as together. In many ways, it almost seems that whatever infamous sibling rivalries and arguments have dissolved in the production of this album. The synth and drum combo seems to prevail until the third track, where AFI bassist, Hunter Burgan's influence can be heard on "Hell". The song surfaces strong with guitar parts that sound more like they were written for Alkaline Trio and the song instantly picks the album up with a rhythm that will have you dancing and singing along in no time. However, the clever use of timing on many songs seem to highlight the album at precisely the right moments. Drummer Johnny Andrews battles for the listener's attention in "On Directing" before providing the perfectly paralleled performance on "Night Watch" that focuses the song so well, it's hard to pull oneself away. Still, one of the most fascinating parts of the album is not the unique vocals or technique, but the twins' brilliant infusion of their influences. On "Alligator", it is easy to find hints of Michael Jackson, while "Northshore" sounds like a more feminine, modern version of 1980's punk with the help of bassist Shaun Huberts and guitarist Ted Gowans.
Whether the two are writing about heartbreak ("The Cure"), falling in love ("Sentimental Tune") or a song that will most likely become an anthem for youth everywhere ("Someday"), they know how to write. Damn well. Their honest vulnerability creates a world all on its own, creating a safe haven for those who are finding fear in the most humane ways. And for all of this, it is safe to say that Tegan and Sara have found a way to outshine themselves yet again, releasing their best album to date.
The two will tour Canada this month before traveling across the United States this spring. Sainthood is out now on Sire Records.
January 5 - Vancouver @ Orpheum Theatre 6 -Vancouver @ Orpheum Theatre 7 - Kelowna @ Community Theatre 8 - Calgary @ South Jubilee Auditorium 9 - Calgary @ South Jubilee Auditorium 11 - Edmonton @ North Jubilee Auditorium 12 - Edmonton @ North Jubilee Auditorium 13 - Saskatoon @ TCU Place 14 - Winnipeg @ The Burton Cummings Theatre 15 - Winnipeg @ Burton Cummings Theatre 18 - Montreal @ Place Des Arts 19 - Toronto @ Massey Hall 20 - Toronto @ The Kool Haus 22 - Ottawa @ The Bronson Centre 23 - Ottawa @ The Bronson Centre 25 - Quebec City @ Imperial De Quebec 26 - Fredericton @ The Playhouse 27 - Halifax @ The Rebecca Cohn Auditorium
February12 - Northampton, MA @ Calvin Theater 13 - Boston, MA @ The Orpheum 16 - Philadelphia, PA @ Tower Theater (Upper Darby) 17 - Washington, DC @ Warner Theater 18 - Richmond, VA @ The National 20 - Tampa, FL @ Tampa Theater 21 - Miami, FL @ Sunset Cove 23 - Atlanta, GA @ Variety Playhouse 24 - New Orleans, LA @ Tipitina’s 25 - Dallas, TX @ Palladium 26 - Austin, TX @ Bass Concert Hall 27 - Houston, TX @ The Warehouse
March 2 - Vegas, NV @ House of Blues 3 - San Diego, CA @ Copley Symphony Hall 5 - Oakland, CA @ Fox Theater 24 - Minneapolis, MN @ The Orpheum 25 - Milwaukee, WI @ The Riverside 26 - Chicago IL @ The Aragon 27 - Detroit, MI @ Royal Oak Theater 28 - Cleveland, OH @ Lakewood Civic 30 - Columbus, OH @ Promo West Pavilion
April 2 - St. Louis, MO - The Pageant 3 - Kansas City, MO @ Uptown Theater 4 - Denver, CO @ The Ogden 6 - Salt Lake City, UT @ In The Venue 8 - Portland, OR @ Keller Auditorium
