The Giant Panther

Ok, I know this is supposed to be a music blog, but I just found the best clip of all time. If you grew up in the Boston area in the 80s, you know exactly what I'm talking about, the PSA for school lunches, Chow Daddy!

I'm a bit late posting on this album, because I was too busy not having a blog when it was released. Denmark's Figurines have been compared to Built to Spill and Modest Mouse, so I'm not going to do that. Although the vocals do sound very similar. "Skeletons" does at time have it's Built to Spill moments, but it's the organic non-rockers like "Ghost Town" and "Back In The Day" that impress me the most on this album. This is a tough album to sample based on a few tracks. Figurines really are an indie sponge, soaking up influences from a great number of different bands, and he really does happen to sound just like Isaac Brock. OK, I'm not comparing them to Modest Mouse anymore.

The album opens unconventionally with "Race You" (video below is the actual take from the album), a beautiful piano ballad full of longing and anger: "Don't call if you need a friend", that certainly doesn't set the tone of the album, but I'm glad it's not tucked in the middle of the album, where songs like this tend to get lost. Putting it first almost says "Hey sizzlechest, listen to this song and pay attention."

The second track, "The Wonder" is probably how the album was slated to start, but somebody snuck "Race You" in at the last minute. It's a pretty standard pop- rock tune, not the most impressive track on the album

As "Skeleton" progresses, you start to realize this isn't just a "Sounds like Modest Mouse and can write a catchy song" band. Other early highlights are "Silver Ponds"and "Rivalry".
The ninth track"Ghost Town", is Figurines take on "Love the one your with", and has hints of an Uncle Tupelo banjo sing along.

MP3: Figurines - Ghost Town

If my favorite song on this album isn't "Race You", it's probably "Back In The Day", a hollow Western accompanied by an acoustic guitar and cymbal. Sometimes less is more, and this song highlights lead singer Christian Hjelm's talent writing melodys.

Definitely one of 2006's early best, and cool cover art to boot. Grab two more tracks from Figurines website here.

Figurines Website
Buy Skeleton

Video: Figurines - "Race You"

Since I just added a nifty tourfilter button in my sidebar that will post all my favorite upcoming shows in the Boston area, (thanks Chris!), I'm going to feature a few bands that are coming to Beantown this summer.

I've finally recovered from my 4th of July vacation. Ten burgers, a few firework close-calls, and a good number of missed spots with the sun screen later, I'm ready to tell you about Aloha. They've been around for a a few years, each album in my opinion getting better and better. Their excellent latest release, "Some Echoes", doesn't have quite as many vibraphone breakdowns as some of their older stuff, but adds some nice organ layers. It's also the closest thing to love songs I've heard from them, where the past releases, "Sugar" and "Here Comes Everyone" were a little more on the serious side. Definitely pick this album up. Aloha is playing TT The Bears in Cambridge, MA on August 24. Get tix here.

MP3: Aloha - Your Eyes

MP3: Aloha - Between the Walls
Aloha's Myspace Page
Buy "Some Echoes"

"Let Your Head Hang Low" was the first Aloha tune I heard, I remember thinking how different this was than anything else I was listening to:

Bonus MP3: Aloha - Let Your Head Hang Low
Buy "Sugar"

It's casual Friday at work today, but I think I dressed a little too casual, as my shirt was on inside-out. Still better than my fly down, but not by much. I thought that girl at Dunkin' Donuts was just admiring my ruggish good looks. Here's some Friday music to start your long weekend.

MP3: Midlake - Head Home
Midlake's Website
Buy "Trials Of Van Occupanther" (Presale - Out On July 25)

In all of my years of posting (3/365ths), have I ever implored you to buy an album? Well I'm imploring now. So far, this is my favorite album of 2006, and I'm guessing on Jan 1st of 2007 it still will be. Original songwriting, Crosby-esque harmony, rich instrumentation. I'm trying to avoid slapping a decade label on every song I post, but this definitely brings back a 1970s feel (think Seals and Crofts but less facial hair.) "Bring me a day full of honest work, and a roof that never leaks, I'll be satisfied." Buy this album.

MP3: Beirut - Scenic World
Beirut's Website
Buy "Gulag Orkestar"

I missed Beirut at the Lily Pad last weekend, but Ryspace.com has a set from June 17 at Soundfix. Beirut's website says they are playing again in Boston on August 26th, but no word on where yet. Brooklyn Vegan has a great interview with Zach. This album has it all: 20 year old Zach Condon's vibrato, uke, trumpet, accordian, an old casio keyboard playing its heart out.

MP3: The Long Winters - Pushover
The Long Winters Website
Buy "Putting the Days to Bed" - July 25

Ok, so I've posted on two albums you can't have until July 25th. I've only heard a few songs from "Putting the Days to Bed", but I'm looking forward to this album. I had to put something upbeat in here. More tunes to download here.

Have a good fourth, and if you're partaking in any pyrotechnics, make sure you're in a nice, open space, with plenty of room to get the hell out of the way if something goes wrong (the 18th hole for example).

I've spent two days trying to think of what to post first, and I've got nothing. Here's what I've been listening to this morning, there's a little bit of 80s in all of us..

MP3: Hot Chip - No Fit State

Hot Chip's Website
Buy "The Warning"

Hot Chip immediately reminds me of the Beta Band, which should be considered high praise. And no, not just because they are English and use electronic instruments. A good number of these songs have that same familiar drone progression that brings me back to my favorite Beta Band tunes. Why did they break up? I even hear a little Duran Duran in here somewhere. That's not to say this album doesn't have it's own sound. There is lot going on, and "The Warning" offers a good variety of tracks, some that belong in a club, and some on your headphones when you can really pay attention. Bobblehead, this definitely belongs on your invisible IPod!

MP3: Office - Q&A

Office Website
Buy "Q&A" From Itunes

If you saw my playcount on this tune, you would puke on your keyboard. Solid, upbeat album, front to back. Is there a Magical Mystery breakdown in the middle? How do I explain this track? I don't, you have to listen to it, over and over.

MP3: Zero 7 - Futures (w/ Jose Gonzalez)

Zero 7 Website
Buy "The Garden"

I have to admit, I'm a sucker for anything Jose Gonzalez. But that's another post for another day. The appearance of Jose on several tracks on "The Garden" is what initially attracted me to this album. After a further listen, it's a good album to put on during dinner, but tends to lose my attention. A little Euro-popish, but enjoyable. P.S. that's not your music player skipping 2 and a half minutes in, it's just being "artsy".

MP3: The Knife - Heartbeats

The Knife Website
Buy "Deep Cuts" from Itunes

Ok, a Jose Gonzalez post inevitably leads me to mention one of my favorite songs recently, "Heartbeats". I initially heard Jose's version, which lead me to the original, by Swedish electronic indie band, The Knife, which lead me to their excellent album "Deep Cuts". I love the simplicity in the lyrics of "Heartbeats", and Karin Dreijer Andersson is as ballsy a vocalist as Cyndi Lauper (I told you there's a little bit of 80s in all of us.)

Bonus: Hot Chip's "And I Was A Boy From School Video