Tag: Music

First Listen: Jónsi – Go

Today, we’re continuing yesterday’s Icelandic theme with NPR’s first look at the new Jónsi album Go.  Jónsi is, of course, Jon Thor Birgisson, the singer from Sigur Rós.  I’ve long loved and admired Sigur Rós’ towering, immersive soundscapes.  Sonic architecture that can hit with the fury of a primal scream – or a gentle breeze – and leave you profoundly changed just the same.  And so, for obvious reasons, I’ve been eagerly awaiting Go‘s release.

And man, does it ever live up to expectations!  The first two tracks – “Go Do” and “Animal Arithmetic” are so joyful, and so playful, that I almost had to make sure I was playing the right album.  Of course, by the time the album’s gorgeous third track – “Tornado” – rolls around, everything becomes perfectly clear.  Jónsi’s voice continues to soar here, as it does throughout the album – occasionally diving and weaving through brass, woodwinds, chimes, and assorted other bits of orchestral ephemera.  The album has such an enthusiasm, and an intensity of purpose, that it’s almost impossible to imagine it stripped down to anything less than a philharmonic.

On a side note, and as a long time fan, it’s really exciting to hear so much English on Go.  (Granted, I have a degree in Old Norse, and have studied Icelandic, but still…)  I do love me some Hopelandic, but I find Jónsi’s choice here to be quite daring.

If you’ve been on the fence about Sigur Rós, or haven’t really connected with their music, I strongly encourage you to try Go.  It’s epic, exuberant, and beautiful (especially the album’s crisp, penultimate track: “Grow till Tall”).  If it doesn’t brighten your day, then I’d urge you to kindly stay away from Whoville.

Follow me to listen to the album…

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Ólöf Arnalds: Við Og Við

On my recent trip to France, I decided to pass the time reading the French edition of Rolling Stone.  In its April issue, a review for Ólöf Arnalds‘ Við Og Við grabbed my attention with this description: “Imaginez une soirée au coin du feu, dans un salon cosy, en plein cœur de l’hiver” (Imagine an evening by the fireside, in a cozy lounge, in the heart of Winter…)  Few things have been so evocative to my imagination, as settings like this, and so I pulled out my trusty iPod touch…and I was immediately transported.

I have long enjoyed the dramatic splendor of Icelandic artists like Bjork, Sigur Rós, and Amiina.  Ólöf’ is a touring musician with Icelandic stalwarts Múm, and she also worked on this album (as well as her anticipated second album Ókídóki – out sometime this Spring ) with Kjartann Sveinsson of Sigur Rós. Her music is a perfect complement to these.  Featuring simple arrangements, traditional instruments (with a few unusual additions like the ukulele), and a lilting, sprightly voice (what Rolling Stone called: “…la musique pour les elfes…), her music exudes calmness and gentility.  And yet, in spite of this, it’s not ephemeral.  There’s a love of craft, and a seriousness of purpose, that curls about these sounds.  It is, as Rolling Stone concluded, “bewitching.”

Have a listen to her song Klara, and then check out some wonderful videos after the cut.  You can also hear more of her music at her myspace page.

[audio:https://www.shh-listen.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Olof_Arnalds-Klara.mp3|titles=Klara]  Ólöf Arnalds – Klara

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Other Stuff You Might Like: Wolfgang’s Concert Vault

I’ve never forgotten my first experience with buying music for myself.  There was something magical about being able to pick anything I wanted, and then bring it home to enjoy over and over again.  But after a while, as it does for many, my obsession with a number of bands had begun to run out of things to feed it.  The radio gave no new songs, and the record store had long since been cleaned out.  Dark days, indeed.

Enter bootlegs.  For those of us who had a great local record store with a side section, a well-connected friend, or even knew an avid enthusiast of tape-trading websites, nothing was more special than your first listen to something that only a select few could ever hear again.  Want to hear that 1978 Winterland Ballroom gig where the Sex Pistols broke up?  (You shouldn’t, it’s awful, but let’s just say…)  You’d better know someone.  Bootlegs revealed a world of mystery and splendor, and showed a band as it really is/was… not just how the studio wanted you to think of them.

Nowadays, this is old hat.  We have any number of online video/audio services, and the ability to record something is in almost every pocket.  Heck, I’ve even done it myself.  The experience has definitely changed for new bands and today’s fans.  But if you want that good, old stuff, then you still have to be able to find it.

This is where Wolfgang’s Concert Vault comes in.  The site has thousands of performances from the ’50s to today.  There are interviews with artists, the ability to make customized playlists (and save them), and even some nifty background information about shows and artists.  I first found the site through its iPhone app, and I’ve loved spending time digging through the archives.  You do have to sign up for a free account (make sure to set those communication preferences), but it’s well worth a look.

After the jump, you can find some great free samples:

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Wye Oak: My Neighbor / My Creator EP

From Stereogum comes word about Maryland’s Wye Oak and their forthcoming My Neighbor/My Creator EP.   Included in the announcement is a free download of the EP’s fourth track: “I Hope You Die.”  The song is a sparse, hypnotic demonstration of shoegaze splendor, filled with dreamy vocals and enough reverb to keep a Pong machine working for ages. But the track also expresses a hidden depth, as Merge and Stereogum note, soon blossoming with saxophones and keyboards.  (And hey, if you one more reason to like them, my girlfriend just wandered into the room and said: “Hey, what’s that music?  I really like that…”  She never does this – for what it’s worth…) But rather than pepper you with adjectives, I’ll let you have a listen for yourself.  Grab some headphones and strap in for something swoony and awesome…

The album is currently out only on the Merge Records site, and will be available electronically, everywhere on April 20th, and then everywhere on June 8th.   Follow me:

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Pomplamoose: Tribute to Famous People

My good friend Chris of Geek Force Five first turned me on to Pomplamoose, and I’ve really come to dig their quirky, creative covers of various popular songs.  Pomplamoose is a collaboration between Nataly Dawn and Jack Conte who, together, represent the astounding power of retro love, musical innovation, and YouTube.  They approach all of their videos – which show you every thing that’s actually being heard, without trickery – with a sense of humor that tells you that, in another life (or perhaps in this one), they would be karaoke legends to tell your grandchildren about.  But more than this, their immense popularity on YouTube seems to speak to a wave of nostalgia and the re-emergence of pop as a force in our society.  Whatever your take, you’re sure to be amazed.

You can hear some of their songs on their myspace page (as well buy t-shirts and find links to their stuff on iTunes), but the best way to experience their music is by watching their videos, and seeing that goofy – at times, almost embarrassed – playfulness in their studio/apartment.  Here’s a free cover of Mrs. Robinson, and a couple of videos.  Enjoy!

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