posted by Patrick on February 19, 2012
Washington, D.C. was once a hotbed of indie music. Fugazi, Dismemberment Plan, Shudder To Think, and Jawbox are from the District. Henry Rollins and Dave Grohl grew up here, and Dischord Records is still chugging away. But as yuppification marched through D.C. like Sherman through Atlanta, the city started to price itself out of the indie scene. New bands sought cheaper rents and beer in Baltimore, while the old standard bearers got … old. So although I live here and love it, it’s been slim pickings for District-based music blogs.
Here’s hoping Pree is the start of something new. Formed by May Tabol, previously of D.C.’s Le Loup, Pree defies obvious labels. The band’s most recent E.P., “Folly,” includes lyrical, catchy folk like ‘Lemon Tree,’ and the more dischordant and psychedelic ‘Songs of Promise.’ A third track, ‘Fresh Paint’ is slowed-down bluegrass with a ghostly, warbling chorus in the background. Most of the band’s music combines high-register vocals with darker lyrics and weird sound effects. It’s an odd mix, but it works. Listen closely to the lyrics of ‘Lemon Tree’ and you’ll see how a band can subvert expectations, layering dark-dream ideas over sing-song sounds. Pree’s music is addictive and strangely fascinating, not unlike their hometown. As I said, here’s hoping for more of the same.
Pree – Lemon Tree (Downloaded 257 times)
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» Meaningless labels: Americana • Beautiful Lyrics • Catchy • Clever Lyrics • Female vocal • Folk • Psychedelic • Twee
(12 votes)
Loading ...posted by Susanna on February 10, 2012
I’ve never been more surprised at a concert than when I saw Ingrid Michaelson for the first time last year. Songs like “The Way I Am” and “You and I” are so innocent and sweet that Michaelson’s onstage person, filled with dark humor and hilarious antics, is quite shocking. Her cover of Radiohead’s “Creep,” below, reveals that darker side that not many people know exists. Further investigation of Michaelson’s lyrics shows that she isn’t all sugar and sunshine, as she first appears:
“But I would rather feel the sting
Than never to have felt a thing
I’ll always know you were the one
To rip me from the ground
It’s all because of you that I’m through”
Michaelson’s voice is impossible to deny, whether she is singing a pleading ballad like “I’m Through” or an angst-filled anthem like “Palm of Your Hand.” An incredible voice is easy to listen to while skimming over the lyrics, but Michaelson’s words deserve just as much attention as the way she presents them. They are deep and thoughtful, full of pain and fear of not feeling.
“I thought I knew the answer was you
But now I know it’s always me.”
When I first listened to Michaelson’s fifth release, Human Again, I’ll admit I was underwhelmed. I got caught up in looking for instant hits like “Be OK” that reel you in with cheery harmonies and bubbly ukelele. But the album requires deeper insight. It begs for you to listen to what Michaelson is trying to say. Once I opened myself up to the lyrics, I was overcome with appreciation for her album and her songwriting in general. This is a darker album, but the emotion behind it is so real and moving that I feel like the world is finally getting a piece of the real Ingrid Michaelson.
Ingrid Michaelson – Creep (Downloaded 315 times)
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» Meaningless labels: Amazing Voice • Beautiful Lyrics • Cover • Dark • Female vocal
(22 votes) Loading ...posted by Loren on January 17, 2012
Whatever his stage name may be it is undeniably so that Archy Marshall is talented for his age. At only 17, he’s seeing gigs at festivals more often than American rated-R movies. But that is rather insignificant for a guy who hails from the old empire, a native of gloomy city blues we all know as London. His delicate, beachcomber windowsill tunes reminisce over the tired lyrical themes of love and hurt, pain and pleasure. But the difference in his delivery of cliché antics about being “beaten down” by a girl is the man himself. This isn’t a band or symphony of coupled ideas; this is simply a guy with a guitar who stands alone, his own isolated silhouette. The depth of his voice and the direction of his words suggest that despite being young, he is rather experienced at life in a hauntingly beautiful way. His voice and his echoed message sound distant, channeled from another room in another land. He is a young lad from South London, but what he is manufacturing transcends international stigmas. The Brits are known for their pop sensibility and catchy gigs, but Zoo Kid/King Krule undercuts the stereotypes with dark new wave and sometimes dubstep infused melodies. I am engulfed in his London fog ballads because they are captivating and a mellow drug addiction in themselves. Although his earlier songs fall under the moniker Zoo Kid, Marshall has since flipped the title to a more childlike King Krule (supposedly a Donkey Kong reference). Despite the implications, King Krule is a must listen.
(Side note: try and be patient with the beginning of the songs, Zoo Kid likes to ease you into it)
Zoo Kid/King Krule – Out Getting Ribs (Downloaded 359 times)
Zoo Kid/King Krule – Ocean Bed (Downloaded 364 times)
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» Meaningless labels: Beautiful Lyrics • Dark • Downbeat • Male vocal
(18 votes) Loading ...King Krule Mini Doc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adnFPtP3Peg&list=UUEQkj_v4HlSD3C4__gE-GlQ&index=2&feature=plcp
posted by Alex on December 1, 2011
Since I started writing for Indieball, there have been two artists I have always dreamed about reviewing: Modest Mouse and Andrew Bird. I’ve waited tirelessly for either artist to release a new album, but both have been complete slackers. However, after much anticipation, my dream has finally come true. Boredom and serious Internet stalking led me to a review of a recently released film called Norman. The film looked cheesy and cliche, but I was an instant fan of the film’s soundtrack, orchestrated entirely by Andrew Bird himself. It appears Bird has finally taken his musical talents to the big screen. The 17-track album is mostly instrumental and features Andrew Bird’s classic mix of traditional folk instruments and violin. “Night Sky” is the only vocal track on the album, which is a shame; Bird’s vocals are absolutely beautiful, and he even throws in his famous whistling.
So, for all you Andrew Bird fans out there, let this single tide you over until the release of his new album sometime in 2012. Expect a review when that glorious day comes.
Andrew Bird – Night Sky (Downloaded 444 times)
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» Meaningless labels: Amazing Voice • Beautiful Lyrics • Film • Folky • Male vocal
(12 votes) Loading ...Wow thank you for finding this!! So excited for a new album.
“night sky” is not the only vocal track by bird on this album. “arcs and coulombs” is with vocals too.
February 22nd, 2012 at 2:25 am
I LOVE Ingrid Michaelson! I saw her this sumemr in Des Moines when she was there with Jason Reeves. I downloaded a few of her albums and I’m hooked on her music. My favorite favorite songs are Keep Breathing and The Hat, although like every other song she sings are so good too