la is a niceeeeeeeee place to live

To finally arrive in LA and flip on this great video of what's happening around these parts and see clips of a performance by my current obsession Nite Jewel is, well, a pretty rad thing. 

merriweather post pavilion

The high acclaim that Animal Collective's new record, Merriweather Post Pavilion seems to be garnering is totally and completely legitimate. I felt like such a good consumer waiting until this morning to go cop the vinyl and download the tracks. And boy, was it worth it. Although I'd heard most of the tracks before in a more raw format, the way in which the album was recorded is extremely different than anything else these guys have put out. The low tones and instrumentation almost doesn't sound like the same band. Hell, the vocals even sound almost like another group. Not that I don't believe it's either Avey Tare or Panda Bear, I just think that the modulations and effects placed on their singing was a surprise, albeit a welcome one. Case in point, standout "My Girls." Panda's vocals are tweaked just so slightly to comfort but also to  cement the fact that this band is going places and we're simply along for the ride. Their talent is unrivaled and their musical explorations light-years beyond everything else. Though it has undergone a name change, I've always loved "My Girls" and I'm glad to see that everyone else does too. One of the most welcome tracks for me has been "Bluish" in its engulfing synths and hazy dual vocals. If not the first, it's certainly the best love song Animal Collective have ever written. The duality of singing duties, both on this song and on the album itself, suggests both a certain cohesion and comfort that contribute to Merriweather Post Pavilion's insanely mature sound. Saying that this record is accessible doesn't appear to be far off the mark. Not that other releases have been drone and endless repetition (though some in fact, have), it appears that MMP has seen one of the most imaginative bands pull a 180 on everybody, including themselves. What was once a band experimenting with the power of a 4-track and beauty of banging the shit out of drums or whatever happens to be available, Animal Collective are anything but a one-trick pony. The music is to say nothing of the lyrics, which have a painstaking way of finding surreality in the mundane. Perhaps its the coolness with which they sing, but both Avey Tare and Panda Bear are never kitsch but always relevant and encompassing. The future is yours, Animal Collective. You're the fearless leader of galaxies left unexplored. All I ask is that you keep us informed of your travels.

Also, be sure to check the Frankie Knuckles/Animal Collective track by xxxchange that sheds a little light on the songs original brilliance. It will only further blow your mind. 

here we go magic

Getting love from here, here and here, it would appear that Here We Go Magic are off to a pretty promising start. Having only existed for a few months, this new Brooklyn band is minimal, straight-forward and led by Luke Temple. Their simple melodies are catchy and appear to carry the torch from the past year of the slew of lo-fi, DIY releases that lit the indie world on fire. I highly recommend "Tunnelvision," (via the FADER) but I would also say that stopping by their myspace for two other goodies is nowhere near a waste of your time. 

stuck on repeat: nite jewel - "what did he say"

I admit blogging defeat in not having hopped on the Nite Jewel train sooner. Based in L.A., and from what I can gather the work of one girl who may or may not be named Emily Jane, Nite Jewel sounds like Italians Do It Better spearheads Chromatics and Glass Candy, although with a little more art spunk. Her single "What Did He Say," was not too shockingly released on said label sometime this year. Check out her myspace to hear the song, amongst others. Dancing, thankfully, doesn't seem like it'll much become a thing of the past in 2009.

new music: kase

Yesterday, as I was trying to wipe away the after-holiday trance of having had too much sleep and indulged in a few too many bad addictions, I realized that the music world had once again resumed its normal state of affairs. Phew. So, it was back to the regs and as I was reading The FADER, I found out about yet another overly suave way that  is sure to keep the French on all of our tongues for a little while longer. It seems that some of the Ed Bangers have started a blog called Cool Cats Le Blog. And it's all there folks. So Me design: check. Pictures of good looking French people laughing: check. New electro findings: check. Said finding is via the London Emcee Kase, who writes glitchy British rap tracks about dope clothes, going to clubs and being the king of electro. Getting 2009 started on a note of self-assurance, I like it. 

ps - seattle friends, check out that sweatshirt!