posted by Grace on January 31, 2009
The Canadian three-piece Born Ruffians is taking a stripped-down approach to contemporary pop music. In a music scene where synthed out vocals and echo effects dominate, the 2008 release of the band’s first full length album, Red, Yellow & Blue, is a fresh example that the good ol’ guitar, bass, and drums trio can still rock the (too tight) pants off of any indie listener.
With a raw sound the band describes as “the best we could come up with,” playful lyrics and “plenty of hootin’ and hollerin,” BRs definitely deliver a fun and upbeat listening experience. My personal favorite track, I Need a Life, is a great example of the trio’s genuine sound; without all the bells and whistles attached to many indie groups these days. The dudes of Born Ruffians have successfully managed to create a unique and catchy sound without taking themselves too seriously; refreshing, isn’t it?
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Born Ruffians - Barnacle Goose
» Downloading a track? Please rate it. Then right-click the title & “save as”
» Meaningless labels: Catchy • Danceable • Male vocal • Poppy
(23 votes)
Loading ...posted by Leigh on January 29, 2009
One of my favorite albums from 2007 was Bon Iver’s ‘For Emma, Forever Ago.’ So I had high expectations for the EP ‘Blood Bank’ released earlier this year and I was not disappointed; Bon Iver, aka Justin Vernon, maintains his moody and stormy style, giving rise to all-or-nothing emotional verse, with the occasional up-tempo beat thrown in for good measure.
The title track, ‘Blood Bank,’ is simplistic in structure, which at first may seem to correspond to the simple narrative approach of the lyrics. The lyrics, however, are much richer and more interpretative than the minimalist structure in which they are embedded. They flow with ease into the finale of the song, a crescendo of instrumentation that gives us space to absorb what we just heard. Bon Iver has started the year off right with ‘Blood Bank.’
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» Downloading a track? Please rate it. Then right-click the title & “save as”
» Meaningless labels: Folk • Male vocal • Twee
(13 votes) Loading ...posted by Andy on January 27, 2009
Here at Indieball, we love the Strokes. Unfortunately, the band began its unofficial hiatus in 2006 and has been A.W.O.L. ever since. (Apparently fame, fortune and groupies were major turn-offs). Luckily, most of the Strokes have started side projects: Albert Hammond, Jr. has embarked on a solo career while Fabrizio Moretti founded the indie-fav, Little Joy, previously featured on the site. Today’s subject Nikolai Fraiture started up a folk-rock group, which he called Nickel Eye. Clever, eh?
In “Back From Exile,” Fraiture seems to proclaim his return to music with the line “Hello motherfuckers, I’m back from exile,” accentuated only by a few strums of the guitar. While it’s not exactly catchy, you will definitely find yourself thinking “Hello motherfuckers, I’m back…” several times throughout the day. On the other hand, “Providence, RI” makes up for what “Back From Exile” lacks in catchiness. The way the song flows, I find the verses to be more interesting than the bland chorus of “all of my troubles won’t matter to me.”
Nickel Eye is currently touring with Low vs Diamond, another great band. If they’re headed your way go check them out!
» To download, right-click title & “save as”
» Meaningless labels: Acoustic • Folk • Male vocal
(8 votes) Loading ...was just listening to the album today. nice.
posted by Tina on January 25, 2009
Like Fleet Foxes but want more backbeat? Try Okkervil River. You’ll find the band somewhere between alt-country and indie rock; a little too fast to be alt-country but with that slight southern twang. “Lost Coastline” is trademark Okkervil River, with a driving beat, catchy hooks, and dueling vocals. And not to get too Current Events or anything, but along with some solid La Las and hand claps, the track’s lyrics seem to foreshadow our national malaise:
We sail out on orders from him, but we find
the maps he sent to us don’t mention lost coastlines.
Where nothing we’ve actually seen has been mapped or outlined
For we don’t recognize the names upon these signs.
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Okkervil River - Lost Coastlines
» Downloading a track? Please rate it. Then right-click the title & “save as”
» Meaningless labels: Catchy • Male vocal • Poppy
(16 votes) Loading ...This is a good song, but it is not the best on this album, which is really great. Try “Pop Lie” or “Calling and Not Calling My Ex” for other great songs by them. Also, they are awesome live.
posted by Emily on January 24, 2009
All Girl Summer Fun Band’s ‘You’re Not the One for Me’ conjures 70’s roller skates with pom-pom socks on suburban sidewalks. Through an 8 millimeter lens. The song has a sort of retro, just-like-it-never-was-quality. It’s poppy fun, twee-with-an-edge; three chords accompanied by three harmonizing girls. On K Records, these more-Portland-than-Portland ladies make handbags, design tee-shirts, and teach at a rock camp for girls. (Even volunteering is cool in Portland.) But who can think about social responsibility when you’re tapping your toes and trying to harmonize and then stop trying to harmonize immediately because you never really learned how to sing in harmony or how to sing at all? Best to just get up and dance like a Peanuts character. Or nod along and dream of warm evenings and ice cold colas. Or how to better your community. Because, really, if you’re not part of the solution, you’re lazy.
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AGSFB - You’re Not the One for Me
» Downloading a track? Please rate it. Then right-click the title & “save as”
» Meaningless labels: Catchy • Female vocal • Poppy • Sugar • Twee
(8 votes) Loading ...
January 31st, 2009 at 6:02 pm
EXCELLENT reveiw. Everything written is spot on.