MGMT - Congratulations

MGMT

Congratulations

Columbia

Released: Monday 27 September 2010

Congratulations is a song from MGMT's new album, of the same name, a record which has a lot of work to do in order to live up to their previous mark-making album, Oracular Spectacular. So I'll try not to size this track up against tracks, such as 'Kids' from OS. The psychedelia of Oracular Spectacular is still there, however, but with a bigger budget and more fine-tuned musical abilities, Congratulations makes a technical improvement.

In Congratulations, we hear exotic, beach-borne sounds from instruments, like steel drums and xylophones. It is a chill-out track and Andrew Vanwyngarden's voice is reminiscent of Marc Bolan in the seventies. It is not just Vanwyngarden's (did he make up this name to confuse journalists?) voice that has that funky seventies flavour. I guess it is the lack of artificial sounds. You do not hear electronic keyboards, just a strumming guitar, a set of drums and a voice. Considering MGMT are releasing this track as a single we can conclude that this 'stripped-back' sound is something that MGMT are planning on using as they develop their song writing talents.

Congratulaions is maybe an offering that fans of MGMT will be a bit underwhelmed by as it is not as radical as some of the songs from Oracular Spectacular, however good music is good music, and Congratulations is a quality song.

Maps & Atlases - Solid Ground

Maps & Atlases

Solid Ground

FatCat

Released: Monday 20 September 2010

Maps & Atlases go by the pigeon-holes, progressive music and art rock but, on the planet where I live, between these receptive ears, they go by the description of: AWESOME.

In their single, 'Solid Ground', released by FatCat, singer, David Davidson's voice is something to take note of and not a note he sings falls in to the recycle bin of flat or unnecessary harmonies. I could listen to his voice in this form all day and night. Just put this song on repeat and you will not see it as wasted listening time, I promise.

Maps & Atlases' first full-length LP came to the US and online this summer, June 29, 2010 and it is to be released in the UK and Europe on October 4 (I will be bringing you a review of this). The album is seen as a more musically mature piece than the EPs M&As had released prior to it. Maybe Solid Ground is not particularly rebellious but for the honest and beautiful-sounding track it is, Solid Ground is perfect.

YOU! To Disappear re-appears

YOU! To Disappear

Amazing! I reviewed this song for Soundblab.com a month or so ago but I only realised a small fraction of its greatness. This is a must-listen, people. While I'm here I'd like to mention that Brandon Flowers' new album, 'Flamingo', is really very good. I might write a full review soon. Will have a review of Maps & Atlases' single, 'Solid Ground' tomorrow night as well. Peeeeace!

J-Level - A Symphony of Psychedels

J-Level

A Symphony of Psychedels

Thirteen [rec]

Released: Monday 6 September 2010 (original source)

A Symphony of Psychedels is the second full-length offering from J-Level, a so-called electronic music artist from London who has also spent time honing his DJ'ing skills in Leeds.

As you might expect from a predominantly electro album; each of its eight tracks exceed six minutes in length, yes six minutes, and yet, each track seems to run in through one ear and out of the other in the time it takes to say 'J-Level'. However, that is not due to boredom setting in. It is just that the tracks on the album are so relaxingly atmospheric that they put you under a spell as deeply as any narcotic or alcohol might (if you were that way inclined).

It is not a surprise to find that J-Level is a fan of Regina Spektor when you listen to possibly the most commercial track on the album, 'Velocity Structure remix feat. Caz'. As much as J-Level is predominantly a DJ, he seems to understand the possibilities that are opened up when you add a simple melodic voice to an otherwise mechanic track. Female vocalist, Caz, helps to soften the occasionally pointy, robotic nature of the album, of which effect can be noticed most starkly on Velocity Structure.

A Symphony of Psychedels would be a perfect soundtrack to a tense, platform videogame with its somewhat retro-futuristic sound. And in this sense, the sound of the album takes advantage of something that is very current and popular. J-Level uses some equally timely and interesting samples in his album, such as in 'The Place Of The Way', which includes parts of a speech by an American president, possibly JFK. It gives A Symphony of Psychedels an authentic and quality feeling. It also adds originality which can be severely lacking in other modern music.

A Symphony of Psychedels is a rolling hillscape of pockets of different sounds from varying origins. Haunting female voices, (those of Emma Green and Caz) whistle through its musical heather plants and metallic raindrops tap beats on corrugated out-houses. It is an electronic album about as natural as an electronic album could be. It is a great entry-level album to get in to electronic music, so give it a play.

The Heebie Jeebies - Misery Guts

The Heebie Jeebies

Misery Guts

Everything On Toast & Blame Television

Released: Monday 6 September 2010 (original source)

Misery Guts video

I first had the pleasure of hearing Misery Guts by The Heebie Jeebies on the video for the song. It is mad to say the least. Okay, the production values do seem fairly low-budget, especially the video but, just like when someone goes to the effort and has the creativity to make you a card for your birthday, a makeshift video always deserves credit, unless it is awful or offensive, or both...

A bit about the band then - They are from Rotherham and are made up of Owen Adams on vox and the guitar, Thomas Barnett Membranophone (a musical snob's drum) and Del Hoyle on the Bass guitar and backing vox. They were apparently 'talent spotted' by Vogue, whatever that means and have been recommended by the likes of the Steel City's very own Richard Hawley as well as Jarvis Cocker.

Owen Adams sounds a lot like Pete Doherty when he sings and so you can probably guess that when Misery Guts really gets going, it would not sound out-of-place on The Libertines' eponymously named album, 'The Libertines'.

I would suggest avoiding the video before you have listened to Misery Guts, because it is an acquired taste. You might have seen The Heebie Jeebies on their recent tour which finished on the 4^th of September in Dundee and I imagine The Heebie Jeebies are a band who would be best-appreciated seen live. However, there is enough invention and juice in The Heebie Jeebies' debut single, Misery Guts to offer hope that their soon-to-arrive debut album will deliver something interesting.