A bit of an out of the blue pairing, it turns out the Messrs Maximo Park and Field Music have created a whole album together, which will be released by Memphis Industries called 'Frozen By Sight'. Originating from a festival commission, the song titles point to a travel-themed album (Santa Monica, Budapest, Perth to Bunbury for example) and this is the first track, which continues that theme. I reckon it's got a bit of a 70s soundtrack vibe, with its use of a string quartet and a rather jazzy double bass - see what you think.
You can pre-order the album here and get instant downloads of three of the tracks.
Showing posts with label strings. Show all posts
Showing posts with label strings. Show all posts
Friday, 15 August 2014
Saturday, 31 May 2014
Recommended music: 'Black Hours' by Hamilton Leithauser
'Black Hours' is the first solo album by Leithauser, who's also the lead singer of The 'currently on hiatus' Walkmen. At this point I should declare that I've never (not knowingly at least) listened to a track by The Walkmen, so there'll be no comparisons between their output and his solo stuff in this review.
This is a rare record (for many reasons), and a singularly brilliant one. What's rare about it? For a start, you can get a really good sense of the atmosphere of the album just by looking at the cover. If you saw it in isolation in the rack in the record store you might think that it was something from the late 50s or early 60s, and some of the songs here easily match that description. Take a listen to 'I Retired' which best fits that bill, and try to remember the last time you heard a brand new do-wop record.
Musically you sense that it's one of those albums that sounds exactly like its creator imagined it would. The production is crisp and clear, but not so sharp as to destroy the atmosphere. There are some great touches throughout, including some great congas in the background and some soaring string flourishes. '11 O'clock Friday Night' is one of my favourites on the record - again it doesn't sound much like anything else that's around at the moment and is all the better for that.
By the way, while we're talking about production and atmosphere, this a record that cries out to be listened to on vinyl. The pops and crackles add to the whole 'aged' feel of the thing, not to mention the inner sleeves with full lyrics and, if you get the deluxe version, a second disc with four bonus tracks that all live up to the standard of the main album. And what of the lyrics themselves? Songs about love and heartbreak, about giving up but not giving in, about making it on your own but having people to turn to when you need to, all delivered in Leithauser's beautifully strong voice, which croons and cajoles the melodies through your ears and into your heart. If you've heard a more brutally honest line than "Do you ever wonder why I song these love songs, when I have no love at all" this year I'll be surprised.
To summarise, buy the vinyl, dim the lights, pour yourself a glass of bourbon and lose yourself in these Black Hours. You'll thank me and Mr Leithauser later.
This is a rare record (for many reasons), and a singularly brilliant one. What's rare about it? For a start, you can get a really good sense of the atmosphere of the album just by looking at the cover. If you saw it in isolation in the rack in the record store you might think that it was something from the late 50s or early 60s, and some of the songs here easily match that description. Take a listen to 'I Retired' which best fits that bill, and try to remember the last time you heard a brand new do-wop record.
Musically you sense that it's one of those albums that sounds exactly like its creator imagined it would. The production is crisp and clear, but not so sharp as to destroy the atmosphere. There are some great touches throughout, including some great congas in the background and some soaring string flourishes. '11 O'clock Friday Night' is one of my favourites on the record - again it doesn't sound much like anything else that's around at the moment and is all the better for that.
By the way, while we're talking about production and atmosphere, this a record that cries out to be listened to on vinyl. The pops and crackles add to the whole 'aged' feel of the thing, not to mention the inner sleeves with full lyrics and, if you get the deluxe version, a second disc with four bonus tracks that all live up to the standard of the main album. And what of the lyrics themselves? Songs about love and heartbreak, about giving up but not giving in, about making it on your own but having people to turn to when you need to, all delivered in Leithauser's beautifully strong voice, which croons and cajoles the melodies through your ears and into your heart. If you've heard a more brutally honest line than "Do you ever wonder why I song these love songs, when I have no love at all" this year I'll be surprised.
To summarise, buy the vinyl, dim the lights, pour yourself a glass of bourbon and lose yourself in these Black Hours. You'll thank me and Mr Leithauser later.
Monday, 21 April 2014
Track of the Day: 'Life Among The Savages' by Papercuts
This brilliant track is new on Memphis Industries by Papercuts a.k.a. Jason Quever. It's a gloriously cinematic sweep of strings and heartfelt, gentle vocals that will pull on your heartstrings. Recorded on 16-track reel to reel in his home studio, you can feel the San Francicso sunset permeating the track. Listen and download below.
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