Teen Dream

Beach House
Teen Dream
9.0 out of 10

Again we come to another band I am late to liking. Pitchfork.com has been touting them ever since their first two cds, however, I just thought they sounded like a garage band Mazzy Star. After seeing them open for Grizzly Bear last year I was intoxicated by their hypnotic sound. They are still using a minimal amount of instrumentation, Victoria Legrand on keyboards and vocals and Alex Scally on guitar and programming. But they are supplementing the fragile nature of their sound with bigger sounding drums in addition to the dime store drum machine they normally use, and a more dense and swirling mix.

There are criticisms of the cd; the songs can seem to blur together and as my esteemed friend Kurt says, they are just boring. Kurt and I differ on several musical fronts, so his criticism is only a subjective quibble, as for the blurring comments, I don't really have a problem when the template is so strong. their music on Teen Dream is so strong and so stellar, I just feel it is more of a song cycle than a series of distinct songs.

There are so many strong songs, it is hard to discuss the cd without mentioning them all, but I will limit it to the songs that have the most meaning to me.

The first song that struck me (and that I thought would be one of favorite songs of the year) was "Walk In The Park" a devastating song about a relationship ending.



With the haunting lyrics:

"In a matter of time it, would slip from my mind
In and out of my life, you would slip from my mind
In a matter of time"

Another great track is "Norway" about a woman in love with a man who only wants her physically.



While the narrator is hurt, she is wiser from the experience:

"Where you thinking that you gotta run to now
With the beating of a tiny heart?
Hang on to the things that you're supposed to say
Millions of stars, they open to your fate"

And probably my favorite track is the stunning "10 Mile Stereo" which starts with a minimal, repetitive guitar refrain and builds into an almost orchestral fury.

"t can't be gone, we're still right here
It took so long, can't say we saw it all
Wings parallel, we stood so long we fell
Bright pyramids at night
they carry us on forever"



Most of the songs, like "10 Mile Stereo" seem to focus on young narrators experiencing first love, which for the most part doesn't end happily but always gives the person a little more maturity to withstand the pains that will only get stronger with age.

Teen Dream is a stunningly confident album by a band that I didn't think had it in them. I can definitely understand why Grizzly Bear chose them to open for them on their last tour. While the songs and music are not similar, they are both bands that have grown immensely with each new release. Both are playing Coachella this year and I will be eagerly seeking both of them out.

Heligoland

Massive Attack
Heligoland
8.2 out of 10

It's been almost 7 years since Massive Attack's last full release 100th Window and that release was technically a 3D solo album, due to the complete departure of Mushroom (because of artistic differences) and the temporary departure of Daddy G (to raise a family). 100th Window found 3D in a bit of a holding pattern, not transcending the brilliance of Mezzanine, but not replicating it either. Most of the tracks seemed to meander with no direction and I wondered if Massive Attack would ever be able to regain their footing. Now with 3D and Daddy G back in the Massive Attack fold together, they have released Heligoland, and it is interesting listen, owing to the wane in the popularity of trip-hop and the rise of genres such as dubstep.

Heligoland is not a leap forward as most of Massive Attack cds have been. This isn't the brilliant trip-hop manifesto that Blue Lines heralded, nor is it the tense, paranoid futurescape that Mezzanine portended. But neither is it the unsure Protection or the stilted 100th Window. It is clearly a work by a band unsure of where it wants to go, however, the majority of the release holds up to Massive Attack's best material and thus is the reason why I have scored it as high as I have.

One of the most striking things about Heligoland is how organic it sounds. Mezzanine and 100th Window were highly produced, utilizing start of the art electronics and effects, whereas here, Massive Attack use more traditional sounding drums, pianos, strings and woodwinds. This forms a more natural backbone for the tight production.

The cd begins with the stately "Pray for Rain" with TV on the Radio's Tunde Adebimpe on vocals which showcases this new organic sound with dark, ominous piano fills, and almost military sounding percussion:



Massive Attack are known for their exquisite taste in using outside vocalists on their releases. While there is nothing here that transcends the brilliance of their collaborations with Shara Nelson, Tracey Thorn, and Elizabeth Frazer, the almost loose quality of the collaborations ends up feeling very cohesive and family-like.

My favorite collaborations are with Mazzy Star's Hope Sandoval on the gorgeous and haunting "Paradise Circus":



The abstract, beat-laden "Flat of the Blade" with Guy Garvey of Elbow.



And "Saturday Comes Slow" with one of Damon Albarn's most beautiful vocals:



Heligoland is a slow burning cd that takes time to get it's claws into you. While it will not be my favorite Massive Attack cd, it has slowly risen to a high place in their canon for me. Though it feels like a stop-gap cd before they decide what direction to take next, there is enough creativity and newness to allow it to breathe and feel more forward-moving.

Non Sequiturs

New year and jobs are nowhere to be found. Had two projects get cancelled on me, so scrambling to find something. Last year, I only was out of work for maybe a week or five days at the most, while this year, I have only worked about 5 days. Tired of all this, but nothing much I can do except keep looking. Never thought I would be turning 40 and having to stress out about a job.

Speaking of turning 40, the big event happens on Tuesday. I am not upset about turning 40; in actuality, I really couldn't care less. I think I look great for my age, I am in the best shape I have ever been in my life, and I am surrounded my people who love and care for me. What else could I ask for? Well, a job would help ;)

LOST is back on for its final season and Tuesday's premiere was phenomenal. They keep taking it in directions I don't expect, and I love it.

My Coachella tickets arrived today and I have already booked a cheap flight to Palm Springs, so the trip is starting to come together. I have never been so excited for a trip. Great location, great friends, and great music.

Why do some women feel the need to carry a purse that is the size of a suitcase? What could you possibly need to carry in that thing?

I've embraced my inner bear/otter and have stopped manscaping. I forgot how hairy I can get.

It amazes me how people come into your life for a certain period of time and you feel you will always be friends with them, and then they disappear forever. I was in a nice group of guys over a year ago that seemed to be indestructible. Something happened between 3 of the guys and nothing has been the same. I rarely see any of them anymore. It's sad I guess, but I guess people are in your life for a purpose, and if that purpose is met, there is no longer a need for them. Sorry if that sounds cynical.

Lyrics Rattling Around My Head:

"You go for a walk in the park 'cause you don't need anything
Your hand that you sometimes hold doesn't do anything
The face that you see in the door isn't standing there anymore

In a matter of time, it would slip from my mind
In and out of my life, you would slip from my mind
In a matter of time"

Beach House
"Walk In The Park"

"Love is like a sin, my love,
For the ones that feel it the most
Look at her with her eyes like a flame
She will love you like a fly will never love you again"

Massive Attack
"Paradise Circus"

"Doubt, in it all for me
I've hit the wall, all that's left for you is doubt
Better you than me, I've so far to fall
All that's left for you is doubt
In it all for me, I've hit the wall that's left for you is doubt
Better you than me, I've so far to fall, but I can't change now"

Delphic
"Doubt"

Appealing Things


The Coachella lineup
The Terrys
My new cast iron dutch oven

Annoying Things


No job
Projects canceling at the last minute
Recruiters who do not return emails or phone calls

Coachella 2010 Lineup!

Finally the 2010 Coachella Lineup has been announced. This year I am going with my friends Kurt, Dan and Mikey and a couple of other friends of theirs. This is my 40th birthday gift to myself. The rumor mill was churning for months and most of the rumors were true, and there were several other surprises that are very exciting.

For me, the acts I am most excited to see are the following (in no particular order):

Friday:

LCD Soundsystem
Vampire Weekend
Grizzly Bear
Public Image Ltd (no Jah Wobble and Keith Levene though)
Specials
Echo and the Bunnymen
Fever Ray
Grace Jones!!!
La Roux
Yeahsayer
White Rabbits

Saturday:

Muse
Devo
Hot Chip
Dirty Projectors
The xx
Mew
Flying Lotus
Girls

Sunday:

Gorillaz
Pavement
Thom Yorke
Phoenix
Orbital
Sly and the Family Stone!!!!
De La Soul
Gary Numan!!!!
Deerhunter
Yo La Tengo
The Big Pink
Rusko
Florence and the Machine
Miike Snow
Ceu
Delphic!!!

Friday and Sunday are going to be complicated owing to the large number of bands I want to see. I might have to make some last minute executive decisions. I am just hoping that most of the bands are not playing at the same time.

I haven't been this excited for a trip in ages. I will definitely be doing lots of posts and pics from the festival so stay tuned for April 16-18!

Videos of the Week

Here are the latest videos that are drawing my attention:



After 10 years, Sade have returned with a new album and a wonderful lead single. The best thing about Sade is that they don't chase trends; they do what they do best, put together meaningful songs.



Single from Three Trapped Tigers. Sound is slightly reminiscent of Aphex Twin, but is still memorable. The images in the video are taken from a typically bizarre Japanese program. Must be the wasabi that makes them think up this stuff.



Just like Sade, Maxwell makes music for himself and not by committee or focus group. He stayed away from the music industry for 8 years in order to just enjoy life. I envy that. Here is one of the first singles from his latest cd.



Amazing dubstep from Kode 9 featuring Spaceape. I never really watched the video all the way through until a friend commented on how disturbing it was. I was completely unaware of the violence. Makes for a disturbing viewing.



Speaking of disturbing, this is the latest single from Massive Attack. The video has to be seen to be believed.



New single from Engineers after a protracted dispute with their label. The cd is fantastic and has a very old school Slowdive, shoegazer feel. Highly recommended.



One of my favorite singles from last year. An amazing song with a very positive message.



Interesting video from Tune-Yards showing how a song is built live using a loopstation. Makes me want to get one.



Awesome glitchy dubstep from Darkstar. Another one of my favorite singles from last year. Amazing use of texture.



Wild Beasts were a phenomenal discovery last year. This was my favorite song of their cd. I hope to get to see them live soon.



Another band that keeps putting out strong releases year after year. I didn't even get this cd until the last few weeks of 2009, but it has become a favorite.



The production duo of Bloodshy and Avant put together their own alternative band, Miike Snow, and have beguiled me. This is one of my favorite songs off their debut cd.



Memory Tapes was my favorite electronic act of last year. There is so much going on in this song, and yet it still seems minimal.



Brett Anderson of Suede just released his new cd which sounds like he has been listening to a lot of Talk Talk. While the music is more organic, the voice remains the same.

Non Sequiturs

New year, new non sequiturs. Was all prepped for a great start to the year, until I found out my new insurance plan doesn't have separate prescription coverage so it is all lumped in together. So, with a $2000 deductible and then a 70/30% split for the next $3000, it looks like I will pay $5000 out of pocket until the plan covers 100%. Looks like it will be a belt-tightening year. I'm hitting 40 in 35 days, and I am hoping that will be the start of something new and positive. I can't handle anymore bad news or bad luck.

I am in between projects at the moment, and while this normally would send me into a stress induced tailspin, I am trying to be more zen about it and just going to enjoy the time off. I have plans this week to see several movies: Broken Embraces, A Single Man, and An Education. I haven't seen this many movies in ages. Just saw Broken Embraces and it was phenomenal. Almodovar does it again.

Very cold here this week, lows in the teens and highs in the 20s. Not used to it being this cold for such a long period of time. We usually have a few days of it each winter, but this has been going on for a couple of weeks and it is scheduled to be even colder this weekend with a possible hit of snow on Friday. On a positive note, the sun has been out strong.

Lyrics Rattling Around My Head

"Now it's the funeral I become a serial killer of us all
no I, dont wanna get thrown in your ocean
dont try, you know that we already know you
it's over

at your own burial, dont forget to cry"

Miike Snow
"Burial"

"What you want is just outside your reach
You keep on searchin'
You're walking down that Pensacola beach
You keep repeatin'
While you're waiting for that sound
Apparatus to the ground
You're stealing from the lost and found
But what you find
ain't what you had in mind
Until you find your Rolex in the sand
You won't be stopping
Until that solid gold is in your hand
You won't be happy
Nah, call your office on the phone
You can't say you won't be coming home
You fell into vacations"

Real Estate
"Beach Comber"

"I've lost the use of my heart
But I'm still alive
Still looking for the life
The endless pool on the other side
It's a wild wild west
I'm doing my best"

Sade
"Soldier of Love"

Appealing Things

Hope
Wii Tennis
True Blood
Julie and Julia

Annoying Things

Crappy healthcare insurance

Happy New Year!

First post of the New Year and unfortunately I don't have much to say. 2009 was a interesting year for a variety of reasons and I for one am not sad to see it go. But on the positive side of things, without its trials and tribulations I would not be who I am today.

So here is to a brand new year and a new decade (ok, technically the new decade does not start until next year, but I am not going to get into a long argument over numbers), and the last days of my 30s. 36 days left until I hit the big 4-0!