The Señors of Marseille - Tubular (2010)

As must be the case to some degree with most everyone, the music I get to enjoy and in the position to absorb the best various with environment and routine. Having been at alternative times stuck in natural ruts as far as listening is concerned, perhaps from having to drive a car with a loud motor, terrible speak systems at workplaces, or only being able to use headphones due to roommates (or lack of a proper room altogether). In most cases this shoved me right into the reverberating embrace of lo-fidelity rock that will wash away the defecting noises of life with a loud, bass-filled dissonance of its own.

However, again a revolution in circumstances has taken place. Now I've broken all my earbuds and a job where there isn't a speaker system of any kind. Not complaining, it isn't the worst things that may happen. Yet what's neat is that know that I've need to compartmentalize my music listen to lunch breaks with over-ear headphones and relaxing after work I find myself processing the music differently. The change mostly consist of me sitting on my ass while I really take the music in, instead of the method wherein I'd listen to it during any manner of tasks repeatedly, allowing it to be absorbed a series of deeper comprehension. Rather it's now like watching a film in a theater, where I devote a much more generous portion of my attention to the singular occupation of enjoying music. 

All this is to say that some of the music we're getting sent really steps up to this more immersive listening, among which the Señors of Marseille should be included. They can still be considered lo-fi, but a good set of speakers and a keen ear are rewarding to catch all the various catchy hooks and beats employed in their infectious rock. I'll defy you not to love the shimmering intro to "Never Stops" or adore the rhythmic piano, strings, handclaps and vocals of "Heart'n'Soul." Certainly didn't shy away from instruments in this album. A whole range influences shine through from jazz to new wave to pop but never take over.... This is an edited post to removed the less than legit link deferring to a bandcamp page for $7, at least at my last look-see. Also, this shit hold up like a few other things.

To be had here:

The Señors of Marseille - Tubular

Each Other - Taking Trips (2012)

Out of Montreal comes Prison Art's new release, Taking Trips by Each Other. I'm gonna be straightforward about this, I really liked this album as soon as I heard it. The jangley guitar, harmonic singing and psychedelic vibes are all done excellently. Sorta sounds like something between Ganglians, Le Loup and Spectrals. However, I can't help be think of them as sharing a mindset with Beat Happening or Half Japanese, even if their style is different. All six tracks are good, and some of them like "Freak Heat" and "Steam Scene" are particularly captivating. I must have listened to Taking Trips like four times the day I got it. So yeah, digital copies are free, cassettes for $5.

To be had here:
Each Other - Taking Trips

Beulah

I must admit, Beulah is most likely the closest thing I have ever had to a favorite band, though even that title I wouldn't grant them fully. However, I do know I enjoy everything done by these gentlemen. The San Franciscan group was part of the Elephant 6 collective, but only by the virtue that Robert Schneider (of Apples in Stereo, Ulysses, etc.) recorded their early material including their first album, Handsome Western States. Once Elephant 6, forever so is the rules the game though. Handsome Western States is a delightful album, for all its roughness and somewhat lacking nature when compared to the band's later attempts.

The second release, When Your Heartstrings Break, is truly incredible with the addition of horns and strings, more liberal use of piano, and more developed lyrics. I to this day frequently find reason to listen to the entire album through, which is never a disappointment. Even so, the final track "If We Can Land on the Moon, Surely I Can Win Your Heart" will hold a special place for me. The fact that much Beulah's music is upbeat but has less-than-joyful lyrics has been said to be a manifest of founding member and singer Miles Kurosky's bipolar disorder.

Next was The Coast Is Never Clear, which is disputably their best album. The opener "Hello Resolven" has temped me to still a child just to name it that and then return it to a life surely full of glory. Perhaps the most stand out tracks of the band's carry can be heard to with "A Good Man Is Easy to Kill" "Silver Lining" and the single "Popular Mechanics for Lovers"(and for non-Magnetic Fields fans, has a jesting reference to Stephin Merritt). Personally, as time as passed, I find the melodic lyrics and sounding horns of "I'll Be Your Lampshade" be very laudable in their own right.
The final album before the band's break up in 2004 was Yoko. When this shit was made, nearly everyone in the band had a bunch in their panties to has the least. Kurosky broke with his girlfriend and three others was amid divorces. Thus this is the most gloomy sounding release the band would ever make. The music is still excellently composed nonetheless, with brilliant tracks like "Landslide Baby" and "My Side Of The City" to be heard here. The sadden tone of the band can be felt in even the naming of other songs, like "Me And Jesus Don't Talk Anymore" and "Don't Forget To Breathe." Yet, something remarkable, even when singing about shitty girlfriends or anything else that would make a band into something depressingly emotional or terrible at trying to be so, Beulah never fell victim to such mistakes. The songs possess a cheerfulness straight through the depression and the lyrics are proudly sung with beauty. Overall, an incredible career for an indie pop band, producing four wonderful albums, a feat many couldn't dream to achieve. Although I'm weary to proclaim favorites, I will never tired of listening to them.

To be had here:





Handsome Western States (1997)

When Your Heartstrings Break (1999)

The Coast Is Never Clear (2001)












Yoko (2003)

My Bloody Valentine - Sunny Sundae Smile EP (1987)

Sunny Sundae Smile is a what I would consider to be a quintessential 80's pop record, and one of my favorite MBV releases. SSS is the fourth EP to be released by the group since 1984, and is the last to feature vocalist David Conway. Beautifully fuzzed out jangly guitars, driving basslines, and that good ol' Colm O'Ciosoig rhythm section make this album yet another perfect example of why Kevin Shields rules pretty hard. It doesn't get much better than this.

Four tracks, 9 minutes long.
My Bloody Valentine - Sunny Sundae Smile EP (1987)11.9MB