Daytrotter a Day #30: H.D. Harmsen & the Electrophones (Released 04.30.13)
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Daytrotter a Day #30: H.D. Harmsen & the Electrophones
So this is it. The final day of my Daytrotter a Day series. It's been fun, both discovering great new bands... and bashing awful ones. Hope you've enjoyed the journey.
Daytrotter a Day #30: H.D. Harmsen & the Electrophones (Released 04.30.13)
Harmsen's nasal voice takes away from his fairly standard pop/rock songs. "Strawberries & Milk" is the best one here because he splits vocal duties with a woman that sounds like Zooey Deschanel. He has a decent band, but I wouldn't bother. You don't have time to read a long review anyway. You only have a few more hours to get a free vinyl when you sign up for Daytrotter!
Daytrotter a Day #30: H.D. Harmsen & the Electrophones (Released 04.30.13)
Daytrotter a Day #29: Story Books
Daytrotter a Day #29: Story Books (Released 04.29.13)
Story Books sound a little like Brett Dennen fronting Coldplay. But even if you hate Coldplay, which I do, you have to admit that they are able to write a hook. Story Books aren't. "Glory & Growth" is the closest they come, but close doesn't cut it when there are thousands of other sessions to try.
Sign up for Daytrotter. What are you waiting for?
Story Books sound a little like Brett Dennen fronting Coldplay. But even if you hate Coldplay, which I do, you have to admit that they are able to write a hook. Story Books aren't. "Glory & Growth" is the closest they come, but close doesn't cut it when there are thousands of other sessions to try.Sign up for Daytrotter. What are you waiting for?
Daytrotter a Day #28: Reptile Youth
Daytrotter a Day #28: Reptile Youth (Released 11.27.12)
The 1980s have become a fashionable cabbage patch for musicians to pluck ideas and sounds from, which is ironic since many consider it the be the most artistically devoid decade of music. While most '80s revival bands are content to just incorporate elements, Danish group, Reptile Youth seem set on actually sounding like they're in the '80s. Listening to "Black Swan," you can easily picture its early-MTV music video, with the band performing in a black box, colorful lights burning halos on the screen, intercut with the lead singer chasing a curly-haired sexpot through the dampened streets of Copenhagen. Sadly, it's the crowning achievement of the session. "Gimme Some Truth" reminds me too much of They Might Be Giants' "Money for Dope," and "Dead End" is laughably bad, with its grandiose biblical lyrics and disco drums. Download "Black Swan" if you love the '80s, but toss the rest.
Relive the '80s and more with an annual Daytrotter membership.
The 1980s have become a fashionable cabbage patch for musicians to pluck ideas and sounds from, which is ironic since many consider it the be the most artistically devoid decade of music. While most '80s revival bands are content to just incorporate elements, Danish group, Reptile Youth seem set on actually sounding like they're in the '80s. Listening to "Black Swan," you can easily picture its early-MTV music video, with the band performing in a black box, colorful lights burning halos on the screen, intercut with the lead singer chasing a curly-haired sexpot through the dampened streets of Copenhagen. Sadly, it's the crowning achievement of the session. "Gimme Some Truth" reminds me too much of They Might Be Giants' "Money for Dope," and "Dead End" is laughably bad, with its grandiose biblical lyrics and disco drums. Download "Black Swan" if you love the '80s, but toss the rest.Relive the '80s and more with an annual Daytrotter membership.
Daytrotter a Day #27: Bryan Cates
Daytrotter a Day #27: Bryan Cates (Released 11.16.10)
According to Sean Moeller's essay, Bryan Cates writes his songs for himself. If it weren't for friends like Band of Horses' Ben Bridwell, who invited Cates to open some shows, we'd probably never hear his work. Aside from one EP, this session is essentially all the Bryan Cates out there. The standout track is "Wait Through the Night," a sweet slice of blue-eyed soul that should satisfy Mayer Hawthorne fans. Cates' melancholy folk tunes are fairly straightforward musically, but I anticipate the lyrics will reveal new depth with repeated listens.
Without Daytrotter, we wouldn't even have some of these songs. Sign up here.
According to Sean Moeller's essay, Bryan Cates writes his songs for himself. If it weren't for friends like Band of Horses' Ben Bridwell, who invited Cates to open some shows, we'd probably never hear his work. Aside from one EP, this session is essentially all the Bryan Cates out there. The standout track is "Wait Through the Night," a sweet slice of blue-eyed soul that should satisfy Mayer Hawthorne fans. Cates' melancholy folk tunes are fairly straightforward musically, but I anticipate the lyrics will reveal new depth with repeated listens.Without Daytrotter, we wouldn't even have some of these songs. Sign up here.
Monday, April 29, 2013
Daytrotter a Day #26: The Ladybug Transistor
Daytrotter a Day #26: The Ladybug Transistor (Released 06.06.07)
I somehow missed this branch of the Elephant Six Collective even though they apparently record in my neighborhood! They're not as experimental as some of their E6 brethren, but they make pleasant enough music. Gary Olson's voice is reminiscent of Jonathan Richman, especially on "NY - San Anton." The country-western guitar and trumpet are nice touches. "Terry" would fit seamlessly on Nightmare of You's Infomaniac. I'd like to check out some of their albums to see if they have a more definitive sound.
If you buy an annual Daytrotter membership, you'll get access to their mobile app, allowing you to stream any session wherever you are.
I somehow missed this branch of the Elephant Six Collective even though they apparently record in my neighborhood! They're not as experimental as some of their E6 brethren, but they make pleasant enough music. Gary Olson's voice is reminiscent of Jonathan Richman, especially on "NY - San Anton." The country-western guitar and trumpet are nice touches. "Terry" would fit seamlessly on Nightmare of You's Infomaniac. I'd like to check out some of their albums to see if they have a more definitive sound.If you buy an annual Daytrotter membership, you'll get access to their mobile app, allowing you to stream any session wherever you are.
Daytrotter a Day #25: Incan Abraham
Daytrotter a Day #25: Incan Abraham (Released 04.23.13)
When "Paper Army" began with an off-putting falsetto (Can we start calling falsetto voices we don't like false-etto?), I was skeptical of Incan Abraham. The rim-heavy tribal drumbeat also reminded me a lot of Local Natives. The next track, "Tuolumne," faired better, coaxed along by a farty keyboard sound until shimmery keys came in at the bridge to clear the air before the big finale. The vocals improve greatly on "Springhouse," where they sing with an assuredness not found on the other tracks. If you were disappointed in Local Natives' electronic shift for Hummingbird, this seems like the median between it and Gorilla Manor.
To buy an annual Daytrotter membership, click here.
Sunday, April 28, 2013
Daytrotter a Day #24: Pat Jordache
Daytrotter a Day #24: Pat Jordache (Released 12.13.11)
At the crossroads of TV on the Radio and Bloc Party is where you'll find Pat Jordache. Unfortunately, he lacks the vocal chops of Tunde Adebimpe or Kele Okereke. It's a shame too. "Radio Generation" is original enough to forge its own subgenre (tropical prog), but the wailing that bookends it distracts from the song's originality.
Sign up for Daytrotter here.
At the crossroads of TV on the Radio and Bloc Party is where you'll find Pat Jordache. Unfortunately, he lacks the vocal chops of Tunde Adebimpe or Kele Okereke. It's a shame too. "Radio Generation" is original enough to forge its own subgenre (tropical prog), but the wailing that bookends it distracts from the song's originality.Sign up for Daytrotter here.
Daytrotter a Day #23: Mark Mallman
Sorry for the delay, but I've been sick (and still am). I wanted to catch up on these, and remind you that you have until the end of April to sign up for Daytrotter and get a free vinyl. So do it.
Daytrotter a Day #23: Mark Mallman (Released 08.06.12)
With "Bloodflow," Mark Mallman comes across as sort of a lo-fi Bruce Springsteen. While you forgive his shortcomings as a vocalist in lieu of his excitement on that song, when he slows things down on "Get All the Money You Can," his voice can get pretty grating. "Tell It to the Judge" features some interesting ambient keyboard work, but the vocals really ruin it.
Daytrotter a Day #23: Mark Mallman (Released 08.06.12)
With "Bloodflow," Mark Mallman comes across as sort of a lo-fi Bruce Springsteen. While you forgive his shortcomings as a vocalist in lieu of his excitement on that song, when he slows things down on "Get All the Money You Can," his voice can get pretty grating. "Tell It to the Judge" features some interesting ambient keyboard work, but the vocals really ruin it.
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