Published on March 26, 2008
in music.
The Raconteurs (Jack White, Brendan Benson, Jack Lawrence and Patrick Keeler) have somewhat unexpectedly dropped their sophomore release having announced it only a week in advance. It’s called “Consolers of the Lonely” and the first video “Salute Your Solution” (below) has magically appeared as well.
Their statement read: “We wanted to explore the idea of releasing an album everywhere at once and THEN marketing and promoting it thereafter. The Raconteurs would rather this release not be defined by it’s first weeks sales, pre-release promotion, or by someone defining it FOR YOU before you get to hear it.
Well, besides it being a huge push in terms of getting the album on the shelves on time and with such (presumably) short notice, it seems that the industry is changing towards coming up with new marketing tricks and then exploiting/exploring them rather than making better music. From Radiohead to Trent Reznor releasing their material on their own to Madonna signing with Live Nation and Muse hinting at dropping the album format at all. Could it be the case that for some (like The Raconteurs) it’s more interesting to look for new ways of distribution, rather than exploring and improving their musical side of things?
Or is it really getting harder for star-musicians to survive (earn as before with as little effort as possible) as the casual listeners don’t have to wait upon the press to lead them, but can make their own decisions by using myspace, youtube, last.fm or the blogosphere. I think it’s the case that superstardom really is becoming a thing of the past as everyone is a bit more equal nowadays. Downplaying the exclusive contract system (advance cash) of the music industry and emphasizing online possibilities (you have to earn it first) does seem to make a difference - we all have to extend ourselves more to find what we like as the possibilities expand. And bands like The Raconteurs are willing to take an extra step to gain some attention.
Tags:
marketing,
music industry,
rock,
the raconteurs,
web
The Omahan indiepopsters “Tilly and the Wall“ that have been using tap dancing for rhythm have released a one-off single that will not be featured on their upcoming album “O” released in June, although the bonus track “Cacophony” will. Along with the video, “Beat Control“ is light-hearted and essentially a very catchy underground pop single, and it doesn’t even feature tap dancing to make it more special. They’ve been remixed by CSS as well.
Tags:
indiepop,
tilly and the wall
The single “Machine Gun” will be out on 14th of April, and the anticipated album “Third” on 28th of April. “Machine Gun” is Portishead shifting from ambience to more rhythm driven music with Beth Gibbons sounding like she hasn’t still found the light of day.
Tags:
beth gibbons,
portishead,
third,
trip-hop
The legendary Massive Attack who started trip hop before “trip hop” even existed have finally returned after a lengthy wait that seems like a test of endurance for some fans, but is actually quite a normal step between albums for them. Their fifth studio album is likely to to be named “Weather Underground” and along with the release, the (what has now remained) duo will embark on a tour which they’ll kick off on 9th of June in Estonia. Unfortunately they’ll be performing in our favourite venue “Saku Suurhall” (why not “Rock Cafe”?) which will mean that it will most likely be quite empty and thin-sounding. But nevertheless great news for us. Actually, I must confess: I haven’t listened to them for more than a few years now. Some mandatory catching up is in order then.
This is probably my favourite and it features Tricky, who once was a member and used the song for his debut album as “Overcome” as well.
Tags:
karmacoma,
massive attack,
tricky,
trip-hop
One of my favourite albums of 2005 was Kelley Polar’s underdog debut “Love Songs of the Hanging Gardens” produced by Morgan Geist of Metro Area (for which he provided strings). A former student of Juilliard (discontinued) and a viola enthusiast has taken a liking towards disco since the age of three when he was in the influence of his sister. Now, in the year 2008 Kelley has followed with a selfproduced synth-filled and strings attached ultimately romantic space pop album “I Need You to Hold On While the Sky Is Falling“.
It’s hard to find such warmth in synthpop that matches the combination of Polar’s mellow voice, punctual strings and soft synthetic beats. Again mixed by Geist, “I Need You…” doesn’t sound too different from his debut but adds more layers and is generally a bit sadder but fuller sounding. Female voices can be heard as well, bu at times it seems that the overall singing could be improved upon, although it has a distinct singing-when-nobody’s-watching feel to it. If you like Junior Boys and disco, 80’s and synthpop this is for you.
Rating: 
Below: video for “Chrysanthemum” from the new album and footage from Polar’s earlier live shows with “Black Hole” in the background from his debut.
Listen more: “Rosenband“
Tags:
disco,
environ,
kelley polar,
metro area,
strings,
synthpop
Published on March 13, 2008
in music.
Mida kujutab endast üks korralik modernsust kehastav koduperenaine/vallaline naine kui ta üksi on? Ängi annab edasi Roisin Murphy uus video singlile “You Know Me Better”, kus ta madonnalikult korduvalt ümber kehastub, siiski efektsemalt. Kuigi lugu on ise selline diskokas, on video üsna aeglane. Ja miskipärast sobivad eri tempod ideaalselt; video tabaks justkui mingit allhoovust. Kostüümivalik särab samuti. Roisin ei paista mööda panevat (või on asi ainult minus).
Tags:
disco,
electropop,
roisin murphy
Uueks M.I.A.-ks tituleeritud Santogold (nad on sõbrad ja käivad vabalt läbi samade produtsentidega: Diplo ja Switch ei jäta vist külmaks), kes heaks kiidetud nii Björki, BBC kui ka enamiku muusikakriitikute ja mitmete tuntud blogide poolt, on laulule “L.E.S. Artistes” videoga hakkama saanud. Õnnestunult! Tegemist isiklikku laadi iseseisvusest rääkiva Brooklynipärase urban-electroballaadiga, mis ka ehedalt videole talletatud. Nüüd jääb järgi vaid seda äärmiselt oodatud albumit oodata.
Tags:
björk,
brooklyn,
dub,
electro,
feminism,
m.i.a.,
santogold
Published on March 3, 2008
in music.
Hetkel järgmise suure asja haibi keskel ujuv The Ting Tings tuli BBC küsitluses Sound of 2008 kolmandaks. Räägitakse veel ka nende Glastonbury esinemisest ja esinesid juba Later on Jools Hollandi saateski. Seega ei tohiks enam midagi küll nende jaoks halvasti minna. Täna tuligi välja nende uus singel ‘Great DJ’ ja seoses sellega ka video. Peale kahtlematult meeldejäävate palade, näevad nad minu meelest ka väga head välja. Enjoy.
Tags:
garage pop,
indiepop,
ting tings
