Recent albums, tracks and shows to recommend
Going to be a busy week so throwing up this quick post and that’s probably all she wrote until after the holiday.
Below are a few recommended albums that I’ve recently picked up and a couple of gigs happening in Boston that are worth mentioning. Let me know if you’ve got anything to add in the comments.
Recommended Albums
Quiet Village - “Silent Movie”
- Label: iK7
- Sound: Chilled out electronic inspired by vintage movie soundtracks and the balearic movement. Great for a relaxing Sunday drive.
- Favorite Song: “Pacific Rhythm”
- MP3 Download: “Circus of Horror”
- Listen: http://www.myspace.com/quietvillage
- Purchase: (Amazon MP3) (eMusic)
Jason Collett - “Here’s To Being Here”
- Label: Arts & Crafts
- Sound: Americana rock w/ BC rock revival influence. For those who don’t know, Jason is a member of the ever so popular Vancouver based indie rock mega group, Broken Social Scene.
- Favorite Song: “Out of Time”
- Listen: http://www.myspace.com/jasoncollettofficial
- Purchase: (Amazon MP3) (eMusic)
Lyres - “Lyres Lyres”
- Label: Ace of Hearts
- Sound: Garage rock at it’s finest. You would find them hanging out with Boston bands such as Mission of Burma and Neighborhoods around the mid-80’s. Started in 1979 and has in some way shape or form stayed in tact off and on ever since. The main man behind the project is Jeff “Mono Man” Connelly (former member of DMZ).
- Favorite Song: “How Do You Know”
- MP3 Download: “How Do You Know”
- Listen: http://www.myspace.com/thelyres
- Purchase: (eMusic) (Amazon)
Recommended Boston Gigs:
Wednesday night there is a show at the Middle East Downstairs. Headlining the show is Subtle and opening are Black Moth Super Rainbow and The Republic Tigers. The headliner and the second opener, Black Moth Super Rainbow, are worth checking out. Althought I’m not sure how BMSR will translate at the Middle East Downstairs. I see them being more of like an ICA or Museum of Fine Arts show where you sit down and let their onslaught of crazy sounds and melodies take over your thought process. I know nothing about the other band besides the fact that they were featured in the Boston Metro this morning. That isn’t always a good thing.
Subtle have collaborated with one of the square’s favorites, TV on the Radio. The music mixes the exotic rapping and vocal style of Doesone with electronic/instrumental minglings of Alexander Kort, Jordon Dalrymple, Jeffrey ‘Jel’ Logan, Marty Dowers. Another collaborator and original member, Dax Pierson, adds an emotional element to the ever evolving Sublte sound by experimenting with voice recordings and harmonica even though a car accident while on tour in 2005 confined him to a wheelchair as a quadriplegic. He no longer tours with the band but still contributes his voice recording and synth experiments to their albums. Doesone, real name Adam Drucker, and Jeff Logan are founding members of the label Anticon. However, Subtle is on Lex Records. This crew also has strong ties with Amoeba records in the Bay Area so yeah, you can say these guys are pretty well connected in the indie scene. But they also have strong ties in the hip-hope world as well.
- Location: Middle East Downstairs - corner of Brookline St. and Mass Ave. in Cambridge, MA.
- Cost: $12
- Details: 18+
On Friday don’t miss the Solid! night at Zuzu where DJ Die Young and and Baltimoroder will be laying it down for the Basstown faithful.
- Location: Zuzu - right next to Middle East Downstairs on the corner of Brookline St. and Mass Ave. in Cambridge, MA.
- Cost: Free
- Details: Bring your dance shoes / 21+
Hearthrob Approved Track Download:
Recent track download recommended by the boys of Hearthrob comes from The Presets. It’s a track called “This Boy’s In Love” and below is both the original and a remix by LifeLike. Keep your ears out for this one during their sets.
Listen
- Original
- Remix:
Download
Quite Village - “Circus of Horror”
The two gentlemen behind Quite Village are Matt Edwards and Joel Martin. In the electrnoic world Matt is known for his label ReKid / Radio Slave. Both Matt and Joel appear to be pretty well known in the electronic scene but their new upcoming album, Silent Movie, due out May 12th on iK7 records in the states appears to be in a genre all on its own. With all the genre bending going on these days, this is not a rare occurrence.
I have yet to hear the new album but the one song, “Circus of Horror”, is available for download so I’ve had some time away from the computer to soak it in. From an instrument standpoint, everything but the kitchen sink is basically thrown into the mix - flute, guitar, bass, chorus, horror film screams, sirens, strings. The glue of the song is a deep, thick guitar riff that opens up the track. Joel and Matt continue to layer this riff with the plethora of sounds from the instruments mentioned above. Adding a scream and siren here and there.
One true testament of a great song is the feeling associated with every listen. If a song can create certain sensations that never seem to die off with each listen, you know you’ve got something. With “Circus of Horror” the feeling is both of vintage horror and James Bond cool. I’m not a die hard fan of vintage flics but I do find them intriguing and the 1960’s era movie soundtracks basically blow away any modern day attempts. It’s clear that Matt and Joel are fans of the vintage flics. In fact, one of their inspirations was Italian film soundtracks along with acid rock, soul, orchestral music and even their own electronic influences. The album title itself came from the inspiration of Martin Denny’s Exotic Sounds album.
What is Martin Denny doing these days? Lives in Honolulu, HI and has his band, Martin Denny Combo. Give them a listen on their myspace page and you’ll understand where Matt and Joel are coming from.
Blair over at Music for Robots gets the credit for introducing me to Quite Village. And according to Blair who’s listened to the full album it’s full of masterpieces like “Circus of Horror”. And according to Pitchfork, it’s a stoners dream record. Either way, stoner tunes or more freaky vintage chill outs, I’m in line on May 12th to get my copy.
Download: “Circus of Horror”
Visit their official website - http://www.quietvillage-silentmovie.com/ and:
- See tracklist
- Sign up for updates
- Stream five tracks from album
- Watch an interview with Matt and Joel
Catch Quite Village on tour this summer:
- London - Stag & Dagger: 5/15
- Montreal - Mutek Festival: 5/28 - 6/1
- Barcelona - Sonar Festival: 6/19 - 6/21
