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Published
August 12th, 2008
in
2008 Releases, Concerts, MP3s, Music, New Music, News, San Francisco |
1 Comment »
So, exciting times around these parts. Not only are 5 bajillion cool bands playing at Outside Lands a mere nine days from now, but we’re also breaking out of our little shell and throwing a party to celebrate the release of Cousin Chris‘ debut album Moon Paper. We’re inviting all our readers and fellow bloggers to join us next Thursday, Aug. 21 at House of Shields downtown (New Montgomery b/w Market and Mission) between 6PM and 10PM to celebrate the release of a great album and prime the pump for a great weekend ahead.
For those who don’t know, Chris Schreiber, aka, Cousin Chris, is a local boy who wrote, sang and played every instrument on Moon Paper. Rooted heavily in a blues (but not at all derivative), bathed in slide guitar and accented with his unique voice, Moon Paper carves out an original sound that, while minimalist, is still compelling and – most importantly – interesting. The album was recorded at John Vanderslice’s Tiny Telephone studios where bands like Death Cab for Cutie, Spoon, Nada Surf and Mike Watt have all recorded. Cousin Chris sat down with me for a chat, which you’ll find – along with a sample of his music – after the jump.
And don’t forget to come out to House of Shields next Thursday and support a local musician (and bloggers!).
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Published
July 8th, 2008
in
MP3s, Music, Video |
4 Comments »
Critic Simon Reynolds is generally credited as the first to use the term “post rock” in his review of Bark Psychosis’ album Hex in the March 1994 issue of Mojo magazine. As the almighty Wikipedia states, he used the term to describe music “using rock instrumentation for non-rock purposes, using guitars as facilitators of timbre and textures rather than riffs and power chords.” Since then, the genre has come into its own, remaining decidedly outside the mainstream. Simply stated, it’s music for music nerds.
I’d like to think that I can definitely tell you what is post rock and what is not (kind of like the rap vs. hip hop debate). But once I start to write a definition worthy of the dictionary, it gets a little tough. The term can mean any number of things depending on who you talk to. Is it a stand-alone genre or an umbrella term used to describe art rock, math rock and atmospheric rock? Is there singing or is it purely instrumental? How many computers should we allow before we cry foul and deem it electronica?
The point of this three-part series on post rock is to try to finally bring a little clarity to one of music’s most neglected genres. Let’s set the record straight right here, right now. Either that, or let’s get into a nasty debate.
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Published
June 30th, 2008
in
MP3s, Music, Panther Picks |
3 Comments »
I know you’re upset. I’m one day late. But after spending days and nights arguing the definition of a mix with the Stranger, I came to the conclusion that, alas, Meow Mix was not a mix. This is partially my fault - I never really intended it to be a mix, but rather a collection of some songs I’ve been listening to in the past week. And if I’m lucky maybe there a couple of bands in there that you’ve never heard of before. After all, that’s the only reason to come back, right? From this day forward, I declare Meow Mix to be Meow Picks.
This week’s episode includes The Bar-Kays “Soul Finger,” a track off the funktastic Superbad soundtrack, and Lykke Li’s “Dance Dance Dance” (because people need to be reminded how good her music is after this). The Ruby Suns “Kenya Dig It?” caught my attention because of the fact that it sounds like it belongs in an Animal Collective or Panda Bear album. And finally, I need to give a special thanks to ipickmynose who posted Iver’s “Skinny Love” a few weeks ago and reminded me of how much I love that song. Ennnnnnjoy.
MP3s:
Bon Iver - Skinny Love
The Black Keys - Psychotic Girl
Lykke Li - Dance Dance Dance
The Ruby Suns - Kenya Dig It?
Sigur Ros - Festival [Box.net]
Brendan Canning - Chameleon
The Bar-Kays - Soul Finger
Atlas Sound - River Card
Published
June 17th, 2008
in
2008 Releases, Music, New Music |
No Comments »
Yes, I realize this is old news. Starting last week you could stream Sigur Ros’ new album, Meo suo i eyrum vio spilum endalaust (With a Buzz in Our Ears We Play Endlessly), from their official website, eighteen seconds before sunrise. But why would you do that when you could listen to it right here, right now on Stranger Dance?
I have to hand it to you Sigur Ros, making your new album stream embeddable = genius. Making it a strange, elvish-sized play button = Icelandic.
Published
June 3rd, 2008
in
2008 Releases, MP3s, Music, New Music, News |
No Comments »
What does it all mean? Why is Sigur Ros suddenly naming songs in English? Does that count as English? Is another album coming out? I wouldn’t mind it considering the whole Heima and Hvarf- Heim DVD+CD thing was filled mostly with acoustic versions of, alas, nothing new. Okay, I admit that the documentary did balance my soul with scenes of that elvish kingdom they call Iceland.
Enjoy this freebie from the post-rock gods.
UPDATE: There is a new album - Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust - available for stream on June 9th! My Old Kentucky Blog has the story and some tour info.
MP3:
Sigur Ros - Gobbledigook
Published
December 21st, 2007
in
2007 Releases, Best albums of 2007, Music |
No Comments »
So, apparently you can’t start a music blog without having a top ten list of the past year’s best albums. Even if it’s about a month too late. That’s what Editor-in-Chief The Stranger claims… but relax, the Vague Panther’s list is clearly the best.
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