posted by Leigh on March 20, 2010
Photo by Leigh Celent
My first SXSW experience had me feeling a bit overwhelmed at the outset, so I decided just to take each afternoon, and each evening, one at a time. Seeing the same band twice seemed originally out of the question, until I saw The Antlers.
In case you missed their 2009 album Hospice, thematically devoted to losing someone to cancer, make up for it now. The Brooklyn trio’s almost introverted performance showcases a serious band creating songs about a serious topic. They balance their attention among their instruments and the audience in just the right ratio to usurp the crowd’s attention and keep the chain of energy palpable. Take the road back to 2009 with the even-better-performed-live track Two, while we wait for The Antlers’ next album.
The Antlers – Two (Downloaded 420 times)
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» Meaningless labels: Add new tag • Amazing Voice • Catchy • Male vocal
(14 votes)
Loading ...posted by Chris on September 13, 2009
{photograph by Hannah Dornford}
Manuel Da Costa is a UK based singer songwriter who’s blend of indie acoustic post rock make for a great combination. His influences come from the likes of Travis, Sigur Rós and Guillemots. Working upon those influences Manuel has created a unique combination of sounds on his debut album ‘The Ghost Of Last Summer’.
Standout tracks from the album include ‘Once Bitten Twice Shy’, although a less acoustic track than most on the album the heavier sound works well and accompanies Da Costa’s voice superbly, ‘Postcard From Nanchang’, an instrumental number which has an oriental flavour to it and ‘Sandcastles’ which features Grace Turner on backing vocals.
‘The Ghost Of Summer Last’ has been self released by Manuel and is available now. There is also a new EP in the works which will feature a track titled ‘Angel Suit’ which you can listen to on Manuel Da Costa’s MySpace page.
Manuel da Costa – Sandcastles (Downloaded 433 times)
Manuel da Costa – Once Bitten Twice Shy (Downloaded 385 times)
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» Meaningless labels: Add new tag • Brit-Pop • Catchy • Male vocal
(20 votes) Loading ...posted by Emily on March 25, 2009
These guys started up in Guided By Voices-era Dayton, and now hang their hats in Athens, OH–land of the beloved (bygone?) Burrito Buggy. So, there are some cool things about Ohio other than GBV. I mean, burritos…in the heartland! What a wondrous thing. And now Ohio–Harbinger of Greatness–brings us Southeast Engine. What’s next, electing an awesome president? (Oh, right. Check that off the list, too.) That’s it, I’m moving to Ohio. And voting thrice. On the way, I’ll come to terms with gravity, feeling the traction of rubber pushing road behind, grounded but moving forward evenly like this track, spare like farmers’ fields, the space between fenceposts. It will probably be overcast, with dogs in passing yards. I will definitely be wearing my favorite jeans, faded but just right.
For a faster, funner, more jangly listen, check out Black Gold, off the band’s latest, From the Forest to the Sea.
They’re playing SXSW this year as well, so keep an eye out for some good live tracks on one of these sites:
Myspace || Official site || Upcoming shows
Southeast Engine – Black Gold (Downloaded 203 times)
Southeast Engine – Coming To Terms With Gravity (Downloaded 259 times)
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» Meaningless labels: Add new tag • Catchy • Clever Lyrics • Male vocal
(4 votes) Loading ...So true. Honesty and everything recognized.
posted by Josh on March 16, 2009
I must confess that I, like most other middle-aged post-punk men I know, am totally and utterly devoted to Emily Haines (previously reviewed) and her band Metric. It is with this lack of objectivity I proclaim my great joy at finally hearing the new Metric songs. “Help I’m alive” starts – as it should – with bass response rattling stadium ready low-end power. This band is capable of being U2 sized in an era with NONE of the advantages of radio or MTV play that bands like the Police and U2 used to reach the top. Oddly, the lyrics are filled with self-doubt, almost as if Emily is asking the listener a question before she walks on stage and faces the critics and public for the first time for the new release. At the same time the music is redemptive, powerful and triumphant. It seems Metric is proclaiming that no matter what happens, no matter how excited or fearful they are, the band will stare down its insecurities with a power-chord and a killer pop hook.
The second single is “Gimme Sympathy” which asks the oldest question in rock fandom, “Beatles or Rolling Stones.” Despite a great chorus, “Gimme” seems less significant. Ultimately, the lyrics seem to answer the question favoring the fab five while titling the song in homage to the Stones. If you hear these tracks and cannot wait to hear the rest of the album, check out the band’s myspace…In the meantime, this is a great appetizer to what is sure to be one of the good time albums of the year.
Myspace || Official site || Tour dates
Metric – Help I’m Alive (Downloaded 264 times)
Metric – Gimme Sympathy (Downloaded 246 times)
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» Meaningless labels: Add new tag • Amazing Voice • Catchy • Dark • Downbeat • Female vocal
(16 votes) Loading ...
August 16th, 2011 at 12:16 pm
Yup, that’ll do it. You have my appreciation.