Live: Grizzly Bear 2/22/07

I’m sure many of you have heard about the end of Arthur Magazine which, to me, is a very big loss for indie music. Check out my column today in the Daily Bruin to read my farewell to what, for five years, was the best magazine out there.

Also, as you can see, Paper Stereo has had somewhat of a makeover and added more space for articles and pictures. Hope you enjoy the new look! To celebrate, here’s some concert photos from Grizzly Bear, live at Kerckhoff Grand Salon in Los Angeles.










Download:
Grizzly Bear - Little Brother [mp3]
Grizzly Bear - Plans [mp3]

- Dominick Duhamel -

Album Review: Sondre Lerche

“Phantom Punch”
Astralwerks; 2007
8/10

Sondre Lerche is a man, not a band. That’s what I find myself saying a lot of times when I introduce his music to others. It’s an easy mistake though—I made it too. And how do you pronounce his name? I don’t really know, and sadly wikipedia doesn’t help either. It’s one of the few times the site has let me down.

But what I do know is that Sondre Lerche and his band’s (called The Faces Down) newest album, “Phantom Punch”, is pretty amazing on several levels. A far cry from Sondre’s previous album, the very jazzy “Duper Sessions”, “Phantom Punch” is almost at the opposite side of the rock-jazz spectrum. It’s full of raw, simple, almost primitive rocks songs, and all of them are extremely solid. There are the sweet melodies and neat motifs of “Airport Taxi Reception,” the wonderful chorus of “Say It All” that knocks you right off balance, and the very cool disco waltz-iness of the title track.

What’s especially nice is that, even though Sondre was going for a much grittier, rawer sound, he still kept his pristine vocals. If he had dirtied up the vocals a little bit, I can’t see myself finding the album as pleasant. The vocals have been the one constant through the last couple of albums, and they are easily one of strongest qualities of each. “Tragic Mirror” and “After All,” the two furthest stripped down version in their arrangements, prove my point and show how captivating Sondre’s voice can be.

And almost equally as important is The Face Down’s participation in the album. Since this is a full-blown rock album, the band can easily give themselves chances to shine, and they do. It seems like in every song there are neat little ideas that can’t be described with anything less than awesome. The drum part during the solo of “The Tape” is just so sweet and very precise, while “After All” features great performances all around to create just a nice, balanced layer of music. And even though the title is easily one of the coolest, the triplets inserted into the verses of “John, Let Me Go” is what truly captured my attention. They may be minor details, but without them, these songs would lose a lot of memorability.

The only little downfalls here and there are only minor as well. The verse to “Well Well Well,” don’t have the same edge to them as all the other songs (though the chorus is great), and of course the lyrics can always use a little work. But considering English is not Sondre’s primary language, I can’t fault him for only-sometimes-clumsy lyrics (i.e. How do you conjugate yourself?)

Then, the album ends with the confusing ballad “Happy Birthday Girl”. It’s unlike the rest of the album is almost every way. For starters, its seven minute-plus song mark is about four minutes above the album average. Then there’s the fact it’s just plain awkward. I love it, it still contains great vocals and very nice build in tension, but I can’t say it’s for everyone. It features some just plain weird chords, progressions, and notes. Regardless of what one may think of that song, though, “Phantom Punch: is a very solid album. It’s worth picking up, as it will certainly be stuck in you iPod/car for a good month, at least.

Download:
Sondre Lerche - Say It All
Sondre Lerche - Phantom Punch
Sondre Lerche - John, Let Me Go

- John Higgins -

Preview: Sunday at Coachella

The final installment, for Coachella’s final and most anticipated day. Tickets for Sunday are going for over three hundred dollars each on eBay; there are some great acts playing, but it’s up to you to decide if it’s worth totally emptying your wallet. Be sure to check out Part 1 and Part 2 of our Coachella coverage.

Rage Against the Machine - Maria [mp3]
I probably don’t need to tell you about this one, their “one and only” reunion show. We all know that’s not true. As soon as Coachella is done, RATM will probably have a slew of new tour dates for us and plans to do another album that will probably suck. But there’s still a chance that this will be the only chance to see them and, politically speaking, the moment couldn’t be more ripe. Zach de la Rocha’s gonna have alot to say, that’s for sure. And then maybe he’ll play some of the music that defined our earlier years as music fanatics.

Manu Chao - Mentira [mp3]
Probably the best French Latin folk singer I know of. In fact, probably the only. Regardless, Manu Chao is freakin’ sweet. Some of you may also know him from his apperance and production on Amadou and Mariam’s last album, "Dimance À Bamako". Fluid, cheeky, and French. I’m going to go ahead and call him the Tom Waits of the Basque people. Interpret that as you will.

The Roots - Don’t Feel Right [mp3]
Black Thought and ?uestlove are back with a vengeance. “Game Theory” brought the boys back from obscurity. They’re one of the hip-hop groups well-versed with performing live, especially since they actually play instruments. Plus ?uestlove has a sweet afro. Hell, I’m going just to have a look at it.

Explosions in the Sky - The Birth and Death of Day [mp3]
Post-rock is epic live. That’s about all I have to say, other than EITS’s new album is pretty fucking awesome. Perfect for an out-of-body experience.

Konono No. 1 - Masikulu [mp3]
Likembés run through amplifier’s made of car parts? Trance-like African beats infused with jazz and world influences? A percussion section made of junkyard relics? A group with at least fifteen members? How do you say no?

Lily Allen - Everything’s Just Wonderful [mp3]
Whether you’re going for her music, her cheeky lyrics, or her looks, you’re going for the right reason. Lily’s experienced a surprisingly small amount of backlash for the hype she got last year and I’m willing to bet that seeing her twirl around in one of those amazing airy dresses in the Coachella heat will be about as surreal as it gets.

Lupe Fiasco - The Cool [mp3]
The kid’s new on the block with one of the best hip-hop albums of 2006 already under his belt and its an exciting point in his career to see him. Don’t act like you don’t know all the words to “Kick, Push”. But don’t worry—everyone else will know them too so, even if you’re white, you can rap along if you want.

Grizzly Bear - On A Neck, On A Spit [mp3]
Don’t be fooled by how they sound on their album, apparently Grizzly Bear can be pretty ferocious live. “Yellow House” was one of last year’s musical highlights and these guys are more than worth the trouble of arriving early. I’m not even going to bother making a joke about them mauling your ears with sweet power-psych-folk.

- Dominick Duhamel -

Preview: Saturday at Coachella

For those of you who just want to go to one day of Coachella, Saturday is the day. Just check out some of the great bands that are playing. Also, be sure to check out Part 1 of our three-part Coachella preview.

The Red Hot Chili Peppers - Mellowship Slinky in B Major [mp3]
I saw these guys over the summer and, for old dudes, they still put on a hell of a show. Reasons to go: one, they still play their old stuff live, two, John Frusciante is a ridiculous guitar player, and three, there’s always the off chance that they come out wearing nothing but socks.

The Acrade Fire - Black Mirror [mp3]
Apparently these dudes were a highlight from a Coachella past and I’ve heard some murmurs among people I know claiming they’re “one of the best live bands ever”. I haven’t seem them personally yet but I’m expecting a lot and I don’t think I’ll be let down. Also, some of the stuff off their new album is pretty ballin.

The Decemberists - Odalisque [mp3]
I’m one of the two people I know (out of like a hundred) who don’t like the new album. If you’re one of the ninety-eight, you can look forward to a bunch of lifeless, proggy bullshit or if you’re like me you can look forward to some classic Decemberists songs. And, no matter what camp you’re in, there won’t be more clever stage banter at all of Coachella.

The Good, the Bad & the Queen - History Song [mp3]
Damon Albarn saves the world from more boring Britpop bullshit! Assembles what is possibly the best supergroup ever! Releases dynamite album! Takes Coachella by storm! Teaches all those British youngsters that you don’t have to sound like the Beatles to be good!

Blonde Redhead - Misery Is A Butterfly [mp3]
I hadn’t heard any of Blonde Redhead’s music until I saw them last fall at the L.A. Weekly Detour Festival and not only do they put on a great live show, but they sound pretty great on record as well. The trio has a strange, vague allure about them and, mixed with the nearly-hallucinogenic Coachella heat, I’m willing to bet something pretty fantastic is going to take place. Be there.

The Black Keys - Strange Desire [mp3]
Can anyone say best garage band blues-rock duo ever? Plus, the last time I saw Dan Auerbach, he had a beard. The man’s pretty convincing when he has a beard, let me tell you.

Peter Bjorn & John - Let’s Call It Off [mp3]
Sweden takes over America! Broadcasts sweet melodies and superb songwriting skills across Indio Polo Fields in the middle of nowhere! Connives Dominick into writing a second newspaper-headline-style summary in one post! Damn!

Ghostface Killah - R.A.G.U. (Feat. Raekwon) [mp3]
If you haven’t been listening to Ghostface, you’re wrong. I have my fingers crossed that Amy Winehouse (who sings on one of the songs on “More Fish” and is performing at Coachella on Friday) will come onstage with him. Wouldn’t that be something? Wouldn’t it?

Andrew Bird - Heretics [mp3]
Other than the Jesus and Mary Chain, Andrew Bird is probably the artist I’m most excited about seeing. I’m not sure why he’s one of the tiny names on the second to last line of Saturday. His new album is ace and was apparently an attempt to harness the energy of his live shows—if that’s the case, it’s gonna be some good shit. And a legitimate reason to get there early.

- Dominick Duhamel -

Preview: Friday at Coachella

For those of you who (a) have your Coachella tickets and need guidance as to who to see and who to get amped about or (b) don’t have your Coachella tickets and need to decide whether or not spending several hundred dollars more on eBay is worth it, we’re doing previews of each day of Coachella. Parts two and three will be posted on Wednesday and Friday, respectively.

The Jesus and Mary Chain - Something’s Wrong [mp3]
Those of you who think that the Rage Against the Machine reunion will be the most exciting event at Coachella are sadly mistaken—The Jesus and Mary Chain have been broken up longer and were better when they were together than Zach de la Rocha and company. The band’s 1985 debut album, “Psychocandy”, is, like, totally awsome.

Interpol - Obstacle 1 [mp3]
I don’t really like to quote Pitchfork, but calling Interpol “a seminal artifact from cool’s last days” was spot on. They’ve put out two nearly-flawless, badass albums (I’m disregarding the EPs, which are mostly just a waste of time) and have a new one coming out—so we can assume they’ll play the new stuff live, right? And we can assume the new stuff is awesome, right? Right.

Sonic Youth - Hey Joni [mp3]
There is no other band (that comes readily to mind, at least) that has stayed together as long as Sonic Youth that still makes music worth listening to. Thurston and Kim are the classiest people ever and, if you haven’t seen them before, its time to show your appreciation for an innovative band that, despite its relentless output, may not be around too much longer.

Rufus Wainwright - One Man Guy [mp3]
His albums may be a bit uniform, but Wainwright’s a stage veteran and puts on a great show. He’s one of the few mellower acts this year at Coachella, and will be a nice interlude between some of the louder, more intense bands.

Gogol Bordello - I Would Never Wanna Be Young Again [mp3]
Ukranian gypsy punk from that guy who was in “Everything is Illuminated”? Sign me up! People’s opinions about this band may be mixed but I’m willing to bet their live show is insane, kinda like a “Fiddler on the Roof” punk opera meets hallucinogenic drugs. Or something along those lines.

Busdriver - Unemployed Black Astronaut [mp3]
Busdriver sounds like the black son of Doseone and Aesop Rock genetically engineered to be the best rapper ever until he gets caught up in the downward spiral of a cocaine addiction and comes out the other side eight years later slightly less talented but wiser and more honest for it. Or if John Frusciante painted his skin black, read too much T.S. Eliot, and in his youth hung out in the ghetto taking acid instead of following around the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Either way, it’s pretty damn good stuff.

- Dominick Duhamel -

Track Review: Bodies of Water

I’m happy to announce that this is our HUNDREDTH POST! Thanks to everyone who reads Paper Stereo and thanks especially to everyone that helps me out with the writing: John, Austin, Stacey, Matt, Ryan, Felix, Charlie, Sarah—you guys are fucking awesome. Here’s a song that we can all celebrate to.


“These Are The Eyes”
from untitled forthcoming album
8.5/10

What was the last song you heard that made you rejoice? I’m talking about the kind of track that makes you want to stand up, stamp your feet, wave your arms, and make like a Southern Baptist in the church of James Brown.

My answer to this question: fifteen minutes ago, when I first listen to the new Bodies of Water track, “These Are The Eyes”. Los Angeles’ Bodies of Water are only two guys and two girls, but they manage to sound like an entire, inspired chorus; and while the notes may not always be pitch perfect, what they lack in precision they make up for in wild and earnest energy.

The track starts of with its hair-raising chorus before kicking it down a few notches and starting a buildup that will last the entire remainder of the four minute, fifteen second track. There’s a quick, pause before voices begin to dart in and out like thieves, stealing your preconceptions about amazing harmonies (which, by the way, is one of the lamest but most truthful things I’ve ever written). Several measures down, there’s vocal harmonies that sounds like a sample-less Panda Bear on acid before returning to the original, epic chorus.

The band has so far released only EP, which is very difficult to find. According to their website, they’re coming out with a full-length sometime during the spring, and this track will be on it; needless to say, this is a very exciting time period for an exciting new band, and I urge you to check them out and see them live if possible (they’re playing the Echo in LA and SXSW if you can get to either); this is the kind of band you can get behind. For more info, check out their website.

Because if music is your religion, this would be the band playing at all the services. In fact, listening to them is almost a service in itself.

Download:
Bodies of Water - These Are The Eyes

- Dominick Duhamel -

Track Review: Bloc Party

“I Still Remember”
from “A Weekend in the City”
2/10

A couple of weeks ago, I was pretty excited for “A Weekend in the City”, Bloc Party’s sophomore album. Their first album, “Silent Alarm”, was an all around solid indie/dance rock record and one of the nice surprises of 2005. The production was a little on the thin side, but I believe it added to the band’s overall sound, as the songs could’ve easily gotten pushed into the “overproduced” category. Also, the band just kept releasing strong singles one after another with “Helicopter,” “Banquet,” and “Pioneers.”

Bloc Party’s first single, “I Still Remember” in the US for A Weekend in the City, though, sucks. A lot. First of all, it does not even come close to reaching the tempos or energy of any of the songs from the previous album. And why does it start out with just ambience? And then a weak guitar intro that could easily be mistaken as a Coldplay riff? In no way should this be a single, it lacks any energy whatsoever and does not make people excited and want to hear more from this band. So far, there are already three horrible decisions with this song, and I’ve only gotten twenty seconds into it.

With the slower tempo, most of the instruments have loosened up significantly, especially the drummer. This is a little disheartening, as I had loved the rhythmic precision and overall tightness of the entire band all throughout "Silent Alarm". Oh well, at least the vocals make up for it, right? No. Kele Okereke is singing like he’s tired and wants to go to bed. He is just sitting and laying back on the notes and words, while he really should be pushing the song forward when no one else will. And the lyrics? Really really sappy and cheesy.

Nothing much goes right in this song, from all the forgettable guitar parts to the plain and uninspired performance from the drummer and all around. Even the production is off; it seems like they’re trying to polish their sound too much, and it comes out a little like The Killers. It really is a shame, as this is not how I wanted to feel just before the release of “A Weekend in the City”. I refuse to buy it now, and I’ll have to be pretty impressed with the rest of the material before I think about buying. And judging by “The Prayer” (The UK single), those chances aren’t likely.

Download:
Bloc Party - I Still Remember

- John Higgins -

Album Review: Clap Your Hands Say Yeah

Now that my computer's finally up and running again, we're going to start posting regularly again. Thank you for having patience. --Dominick


“Some Loud Thunder”
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah; 2007
7.5/10

“Eh” is what one would say after tasting a fine wine immediately after opening the bottle, and “eh” is what bloggers and music critics have been spitting out all over the web after a premature taste of Clap Your Hands Say Yeah’s newest album, “Some Loud Thunder”.

Evidently, most people’s expectations of perfection from CYHSY proved unsatisfactory following the first few listens. Many have quickly shrugged off the album as a poor sophomore effort, hastily put together, resulting in a simple mess of good ideas. The album seems to incorporate too many eccentric, electronic effects that are sporadic and seem to lack any rhyme or reason.

Connoisseurs know that any good wine must be given time to aerate, thereby opening the aromas and softening the underlying flavor. Likewise, an overall appreciation for “Some Loud Thunder” will just take some time to acquire a true taste of the album’s magnificence.

Part of attaining that “true taste” will require the listener to hear the album the way lead singer Alec Ounsworth intended it to be heard. In an interview with The Independent, Ounsworth illustrated his love for vinyl music and said, “I just listened to the new record on vinyl for the first time, and it sounds great. Here everybody is listening to the record on computer, which I would never do with anything, so I’m listening to it the way it should be, getting the correct impression.”

The album commences with an unusual choice for an opener and title track “Some Loud Thunder.” The song is an unhealthy mix of lyrical madness, unorthodox vocal yelps and a seemingly racing musical composition that clocks in at about two minutes and forty five seconds.

As weird as it is, “Some Loud Thunder” sets an appropriate prelude for the entire album, giving the listener a telling sample of the musical madness that can be expected.

“Mama, Won’t You Keep Them Castles in the Air and Burning?” begins as another unconventional song that seems to dive into the pop-based rhythmic format that made Clap Your Hands Say Yeah so popular.

A seemingly odd choice for one of the two singles (posted on the band’s web site prior to the album’s release), “Love Song No. 7” still effectively captures the essence of the album. The ghostly howling of Ounsworth is complemented in a quirky beauty by omnipresent piano riffs. The entwined tambourine, synthesizer licks and accordion allow for layers to support the song’s overall detached dynamic that is repeated throughout the album.

“Goodbye to Mother and the Cove” showcases Dave Fridmann’s producing efforts. Famous for his work with the Flaming Lips, his genius is demonstrated with quality layering and altering percussion selections.

Based in New York and Philadelphia, the quintet has received high acclaim for promoting and selling most of their music via MySpace. The band (whose members include Alec Ounsworth, Robbie Guertin, Lee Sargent, Tyler Sargent and Sean Greenhalgh) signed with Wichita in the UK, but still remain independent in the U.S., a major feat considering the vacuum of control by media conglomerates. “Some Loud Thunder” was released January 30.

Download:
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - Some Loud Thunder
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - Mama, Won’t You Keep…
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - Underwater (You and Me)

- Charlie Berens -

Track Review: Panda Bear

“Comfy in Nautica”
from “Person Pitch”
7/10

Side projects often sound like their “father” band. This holds true with Noah Lennox, AKA Panda Bear, whose song “Comfy in Nautica” could be mistaken for a new Animal Collective song. But alas, it’s just one member of the four. And it’s not bad.

“Comfy in Nautica” starts with lo-fi train tracks that get lost in the beat – short harmonized ahhs, steady quarter note handclaps, stomps, and a synthetic noise-roar. Vocals appear from the beat, soaked in church-like reverb, making “Comfy in Nautica” a modern day indie-experimental Brian Wilson take on the centuries-old concept of the church hymn. Lennox’s melodies and powerfully reverberated voice shine above the simple background psychedelia. I can’t understand most of the lyrics – except the wonderfully optimistic “try to remember always / always to have a good time” – but I find myself making up nonsense to the rest as I sing the unforgettable melody unconsciously throughout the day.

Panda Bear’s double role in animal-themed bands is apparent both in name and song. Comfy in Nautica’s steady, repetitive non-drum beat and song structure recalls Animal Collective to a T. It’s just as good. And like Animal Collective, this track by Panda Bear is just weird enough to stay alive and interesting for four minutes. After a mostly static first three minutes, the beat is overcome by quiet samples, which morph into a low drone. The song is finished.

Download:
Panda Bear - Comfy In Nautica

- Austin Bauer -