Author Archives: charlie

Geographer’s “Life of Crime”

Posted on December 21, 2011 | Leave a comment

It’s always a shame when newer bands try to redefine themselves before their original sound is played out. Luckily, Geographer seems to have avoided this trap. The first track off their upcoming new album, Myth, would turn anyone to a life of crime to get an early listen to the rest of the album. “Life of Crime” has the expected full range of vocals from Michael Deni, a legato bass line and a pretty depressing lyrical topic over cheerful synths. Check for the rest of Myth in February. In the meantime, throw “Life of Crime” in the with rest of their material, let the playlist simmer for a day or two, and then enjoy for up to two months.

Geographer – Life of Crime (download)

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Portland Snapshot and Blind Pilot at Crystal Ballroom 11/23/11

Posted on November 24, 2011 | Leave a comment

Pine State Biscuits: Cardiac Arrest with a side of Interpol (Photo courtesy of globalfoodie.com)

It’s hard to tell how many cities are in the running for the title of music capital of America, but Portland is one of them. To an outsider just stopping by, the city is a home to easy-going audiophiles and a great place to stay for music pilgrims. Imagine learning French from a textbook for years before finally visiting Paris – the cultural comfort from Portland’s soundtrack was the same.

Pine State Biscuits kicked off the musical welcoming by playing Interpol‘s “Evil”. It was then apparent that this wasn’t just the local indie radio station; one employee asked another, “Did you just put on this one track?” which was answered with “Nah, I threw on the whole album.”

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Posted in Rando, Shows

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Trophy Wife’s Bruxism EP

Posted on November 4, 2011 | Leave a comment

Before the release of the five-track EP, Bruxism, UK band Trophy Wife had been basking in the glow of their phenomenal debut single, “Microlite”. Released a year ago, the track is full of delightful melodies and a perfect balance between vocals and instruments. Although a couple other tracks have been released since, it took a larger release to understand what Trophy Wife was capable of.

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Posted in Albums, New Artists, New Releases

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Treasure Island 2011 Preview: Explosions in the Sky

Posted on October 15, 2011 | Leave a comment

Yeah, like this, but plural (Photo courtesy of nlhs.com)

At Lollapalooza 2008, Brand New put on an awesome show at the peak of their popularity. What the heck does a punk rock band’s performance in Chicago three years ago have to do with a post rock band’s performance tomorrow in San Francisco? Throughout Brand New’s set, lead singer Jesse Lacey insisted that no one should be watching them, as Explosions in the Sky was simultaneously performing on the other side of Lollapalooza. Lacey isn’t the first or last person to suggest that nothing, including his own band, tops the experience of Explosions in the Sky live.

With over a decade of great material, they can’t go wrong with their set list, but expect some tracks from their latest album, Take Care, Take Care, Take Care, including the fantastic “Let Me Back In”. If the guitar in the beautiful middle section doesn’t do convince you to see them tomorrow, listen for the soothing piano and magnificent crescendo and emotional melody in “So Long, Lonesome”. There is something for everyone except logophiles.

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Posted in Festivals, Shows

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The New Division’s “Shadows”

Posted on September 26, 2011 | Leave a comment

The skull is a dead give away that this is a dark album (Photo courtesy of thenewdivision.net)

Finally, a break from bright, psychedelic album art and high-pitched, synth-heavy synthpop. The New Division‘s first LP release, Shadows, offers us something totally different, with grayscale, morbid album art and low-pitched, synth-heavy synthpop.

Ok, so it’s not the next Kid A, but the significant change in mood is something worth noticing here. With songs like “Violent”, “Opium“, and “LA Noire”, The New Division are admitting that life in Southern California still has some darker parts. The result musically is slower beats entwined with minor melodies still possessing the flare of their previous releases.

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