So to keep us in this electrorhythmasynthic funk we got going on here, I decided to take on a review from some of the recommendations that I've been receiving. Now before I get into the artist himself, I must say - this is exactly what I've been looking for, from both a music and recommendation standpoint. First of all, this guy grooves. He is just off the beaten path, but is still progressing enough so that his music is actually reachable for his fans. His style is very well rounded, and combines some pretty amazing music culture from the past with the new technology of music's future. An audio adventure through the ages, if you will. This is exactly the stuff I want to share, and I truly appreciate the recommendations from people. I had been first introduced to this artist about a month ago during my finals but after receiving a few other recent recommendations about him as well, I figured it was necessary to feature him next. So introducing Colorado's own cross-genre, electro-inspired lovechild - Pretty Lights.
Pretty lights is a music project created by Derek Vincent Smith that takes music from all generations and genres, breaks it down, and just like a puzzle, puts it all back together into something it truly never was before. He's a craftsman, and the attention to detail is certainly observable. Now he deals a lot with samples from other artists, which has sadly gathered a bit of a bad reputation when it comes to their use in today's music. Many people feel that it's just a cheap way to just steal from the success and creativity of previous icons, and yes, this can be a valid point. Artists who abuse the sample so that it's impossible to draw the line between what is theirs and what isn't *cough* Kayne West *cough* run the risk of seeming unimaginative and stale. Pretty Lights, on the other hand, takes a very good look at music from the past and finds the best way to seamlessly incorporate it in present day creations.
There is plenty of amazing talent to be admired from the past, and Pretty Light pays homage to it by including samples from more recent icons like The Notorious B.I.G to early legends like Etta James. In the end it's not the sample you use, but how you use it. Pretty Lights has taken some of the more obscure music from previous years, and molded it into something that everyone can enjoy. So to everyone from hip-hop lovers, to jazz listeners, to southern blues singers; I must say that Pretty Lights is a force to be recognized. Smith has plenty of music out there for your to listen to, but I decided to highlight two that I think provide great contrast to each other "Hot Like Sauce" and "Finally Moving".
Ramble on,
AllTheFancyWicker
Alright, so we've had a lot of slow down, relax and reflect, round trip ticket to Chillville songs recently. Now this is all and good, because I'm looking to introduce people to songs they may not have heard before, and certainly a lot of these songs aren't the type to be featured on the radio. However, as I said, I want to constantly add variety to the mix. I love being pensive, sitting and listening to a band and just soaking it all in note for note. It's like reading a good book. But I'm sure we would all agree, life would get pretty boring if it were solely about books. Life needs a little disorder to it sometimes. Sometimes it doesn't have to be about the lyrics or the intent. Sometimes, as human beings, we just need a little rhythm. A solid bass-line and a dancefloor. So after sifting through some of the bands I wanted to feature on this blog, I came across an old favorite of mine, American electropop band - Passion Pit.
Passion Pit has been around only for about a few years, but has seemed to be able to tap into the American pop culture. When their first hit "Sleepyhead" became an online video sensation, they immediately began to to slingshot into the limelight. However, most people that know their music can't actually remember the name of the band. So apparently they have found a very comfortable niche in that limelight, only about an arm and a leg in the spotlight, and the rest still in the shadows. They only have one legitimate album out right now, so I'm curious to see where they will go from here. In fact, they will be touring with Muse this coming Fall 2010, so I can only suspect great things to come. Either way, their style is unmistakably unique and is one of those songs that just gets you going in the morning, or keeps you going at night. Now stomp your feet and nod your head to the synthastic beats of Passion Pit's new single "Little Secrets".
Passion Pit has been around only for about a few years, but has seemed to be able to tap into the American pop culture. When their first hit "Sleepyhead" became an online video sensation, they immediately began to to slingshot into the limelight. However, most people that know their music can't actually remember the name of the band. So apparently they have found a very comfortable niche in that limelight, only about an arm and a leg in the spotlight, and the rest still in the shadows. They only have one legitimate album out right now, so I'm curious to see where they will go from here. In fact, they will be touring with Muse this coming Fall 2010, so I can only suspect great things to come. Either way, their style is unmistakably unique and is one of those songs that just gets you going in the morning, or keeps you going at night. Now stomp your feet and nod your head to the synthastic beats of Passion Pit's new single "Little Secrets".
So in light of the sun (ignore the awful pun) that is pouring through my window as I am typing, I figured it would be suiting to add a good summertime band to kick off the season. I was actually introduced to this group last summer by one of my coworkers (thanks Megan) and will forever associate them with warm weather. Probably because I'd listen to them while driving in my air conditioning-less car in the 90 degree weather, but I digress. Today's band is Portugal. The Man. They are a psychedelic pop band based out of Wasilla, Alaska and they have a really laid back, cool style about them. They are quite the virtuosos on the piano and the mix of high male and female vocals adds an awesome vibe to their music.
At first listen, bands like the Pixies and Radiohead may come to mind, and if so, you are spot on. Portugal The Man's first few albums were actually produced by those bands' famed producer Paul Q. Kolderie. Although, their influences range vast beyond their immediately comparable brother bands and have noticeable tinges of John Lennon to MGMT. Included below are two very summery songs of theirs "The Sun" and "Everyone Is Golden", though if you are looking for any of their darker material, it's surely out there as well. So you know what to do, grab the boombox, lay out on the pavement, and let your mind and body sizzle to the summer-time tunes.
Ramble on,
AllTheFancyWicker
At first listen, bands like the Pixies and Radiohead may come to mind, and if so, you are spot on. Portugal The Man's first few albums were actually produced by those bands' famed producer Paul Q. Kolderie. Although, their influences range vast beyond their immediately comparable brother bands and have noticeable tinges of John Lennon to MGMT. Included below are two very summery songs of theirs "The Sun" and "Everyone Is Golden", though if you are looking for any of their darker material, it's surely out there as well. So you know what to do, grab the boombox, lay out on the pavement, and let your mind and body sizzle to the summer-time tunes.
Ramble on,
AllTheFancyWicker
So here is the second installment of "Attack of the Swedes" here at The Mainstream Underground. Take a moment also to realize that this may be the only time ever that the words "attack" and "Swedes" will be used in the same name. Regardless, I'd like to swing the groove around a bit to fulfill the requests I've received for a push on the folk scene and I figured there was no better way to do that than to bring up the one and only Kristian Matsson, or as he has so modestly dubbed himself, The Tallest Man on Earth.
Matsson has a voice that is hit or miss for people, I can tell you that right now. He will be considered alongside the likes of Neil Young and Bob Dylan as the guy with "that freakin' weird voice". But there's a reason why voices like this catch on. It's because they are different. It's all in their phrasing, every word serves a specific purpose. We have heard so many voices come through the mainstream music machine, and yes some of those artists can hold their heads high for having created something unique in the process. However, a good amount of the music we hear that makes it to the top hits radio stations is basically different dough in the same cookie cutter. The mix may be different, but its boundaries are usually the same as all the others. Not to say this is bad, but it certainly doesn't maintain the purity of an artist's creativity. It's creativity from concentrate, and serves a family of 4.
The Tallest Man on Earth breaks the mold. He has the spirit of a travelling troubadour, in touch with the world around him, all folksy and free. Every time I listen to him I want to drop all of my material possessions, even if just for the day, and run off into the wilderness. He's just one of those voices that makes you think of things in a different way. Core values seem to take one step closer to the center stage. Peace of mind, not piece of shit car. Intimacy, not currency. Pure love, not dirty laundry. So strap on those overalls, take a puff of that ol' corn cob pipe, and take a walk in the over-sized shoes of The Tallest Man on Earth.
Matsson has a voice that is hit or miss for people, I can tell you that right now. He will be considered alongside the likes of Neil Young and Bob Dylan as the guy with "that freakin' weird voice". But there's a reason why voices like this catch on. It's because they are different. It's all in their phrasing, every word serves a specific purpose. We have heard so many voices come through the mainstream music machine, and yes some of those artists can hold their heads high for having created something unique in the process. However, a good amount of the music we hear that makes it to the top hits radio stations is basically different dough in the same cookie cutter. The mix may be different, but its boundaries are usually the same as all the others. Not to say this is bad, but it certainly doesn't maintain the purity of an artist's creativity. It's creativity from concentrate, and serves a family of 4.
The Tallest Man on Earth breaks the mold. He has the spirit of a travelling troubadour, in touch with the world around him, all folksy and free. Every time I listen to him I want to drop all of my material possessions, even if just for the day, and run off into the wilderness. He's just one of those voices that makes you think of things in a different way. Core values seem to take one step closer to the center stage. Peace of mind, not piece of shit car. Intimacy, not currency. Pure love, not dirty laundry. So strap on those overalls, take a puff of that ol' corn cob pipe, and take a walk in the over-sized shoes of The Tallest Man on Earth.
Alright, so for today I have decided to give a little credit to a group of people who rarely receive it - the Swedes. People from Sweden tend to have an uncanny ability to drift under the radar unnoticed, which to be honest truly isn't a bad trait to begin with. Take notes America. Either way, I was recently recommended two very good artists and low and behold, after a little research, I came to find they both hail from the chilly spires of Sweden. So let's start with the first one, Miike Snow. Now don't let the name fool you, as it's actually a group of guys (Andrew Wyatt, Christian Karlsson, and Pontus Winnberg) who collaborate together. They've openly admitted that they never had much of a plan or direction for the music, they simply messed around a bit and put out what they thought might pass. Well, now they are receiving much more attention than they ever thought possible, simply because their music clicks.
It's nothing excessively fancy. It could probably be best described as tech pop with maybe a touch of funk. But it's how they create this combination that sets it aside from others. In the song below, "Black and Blue", the classical piano meets with it's arch rival - the synthesizer. But instead of a competitive battle of crunch and crash, they used these sounds to complement each other. The light and airy sound of the veteran classical piano seems to mesh perfectly with the free spirited tones of the bass synth, and together these two drastically different sounds just magically click. Voice over some soulful harmonies and you have yourself a rough definition of what Miike Snow has created. So as I said, don those retro earmuff headphones and a comfy leather chair, let yourself sink in a bit, and enjoy!
Ramble on,
AllTheFancyWicker
It's nothing excessively fancy. It could probably be best described as tech pop with maybe a touch of funk. But it's how they create this combination that sets it aside from others. In the song below, "Black and Blue", the classical piano meets with it's arch rival - the synthesizer. But instead of a competitive battle of crunch and crash, they used these sounds to complement each other. The light and airy sound of the veteran classical piano seems to mesh perfectly with the free spirited tones of the bass synth, and together these two drastically different sounds just magically click. Voice over some soulful harmonies and you have yourself a rough definition of what Miike Snow has created. So as I said, don those retro earmuff headphones and a comfy leather chair, let yourself sink in a bit, and enjoy!
Ramble on,
AllTheFancyWicker
So after a late night at the bars in Portsmouth, I found myself at Joe's New York Pizza with a few friends for a couple of slices before heading back home. Mid-bite of my pepperoni pizza, I noticed my feet tapping to the beat of a song blaring over their sound system. My friend Chris and I looked at each other for a second and we realized that we were both thinking the same exact thing - this song is freaking awesome. It's very simple. A crunchy back beat with some synth and a repetitive chorus, all layered on top of each other to create a experimental electronica sandwich that would leave anyone's hunger satisfied. So, needless to say it was now stuck in my head, and after asking the cashier at the counter, we came to find that the musical masterminds behind the sound were none other than Hi Tiger, a side project for the Portsmouth based band Neon Coyote.
These guys have been dipping their hands into the world of experimental and mixes for the past few years, with work ranging from intense binary mashes to surf-vibe flow. Their music has a very cool "take it or leave it" aura about it, and they are clearly not looking to create anything that could be considered conventional. If it's not for you, chances are they probably know that, and also probably don't care very much either. They are creating, and whatever comes of it is always up for interpretation. Either way, I give these guys props for representing the Portsmouth area and wish them luck in the future. Now pull up a beach chair, sip on something refreshingly ice cold, and let your mind wander to the musical mayhem of "Dance Around" by Hi Tiger.
These guys have been dipping their hands into the world of experimental and mixes for the past few years, with work ranging from intense binary mashes to surf-vibe flow. Their music has a very cool "take it or leave it" aura about it, and they are clearly not looking to create anything that could be considered conventional. If it's not for you, chances are they probably know that, and also probably don't care very much either. They are creating, and whatever comes of it is always up for interpretation. Either way, I give these guys props for representing the Portsmouth area and wish them luck in the future. Now pull up a beach chair, sip on something refreshingly ice cold, and let your mind wander to the musical mayhem of "Dance Around" by Hi Tiger.
Alright, this post will be the last for today. I'm sure anyone who has read this already has seen all three posts have been throughout today. Let the record show that I do have a life, but I figured it would be nice to at least get a good few posts on here for people, you know? No really. Really. I DO have friends. Or at least hobbies. That's beside the point.
Introducing, The New Pornographers! They are another Canadian band (I do love a good Canuck, apparently) formed by Carl Newman, Dan Bejar, and the talented singer/songwriter Neko Case. Now besides the fact that their name is pretty awesome, they also have come together to create yet another cool and versatile sound. They cover everything from power pop to your classic indie shuffle. Regardless, their music tends to always at least have an upbeat rhythm, which makes for a great walking pace. If you are looking to walk somewhere fast, pop on some New Pornographers, and you are there! I swear, it's like time travel. I should probably look into that actually...either way, the song below is "Your Hands (Together)" off their album Together. Listen up, dial it down, and enjoy some awesome aerial acrobatics in the process.
Ramble on,
AllTheFancyWicker
Introducing, The New Pornographers! They are another Canadian band (I do love a good Canuck, apparently) formed by Carl Newman, Dan Bejar, and the talented singer/songwriter Neko Case. Now besides the fact that their name is pretty awesome, they also have come together to create yet another cool and versatile sound. They cover everything from power pop to your classic indie shuffle. Regardless, their music tends to always at least have an upbeat rhythm, which makes for a great walking pace. If you are looking to walk somewhere fast, pop on some New Pornographers, and you are there! I swear, it's like time travel. I should probably look into that actually...either way, the song below is "Your Hands (Together)" off their album Together. Listen up, dial it down, and enjoy some awesome aerial acrobatics in the process.
Ramble on,
AllTheFancyWicker
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