KROQ Locals Only Spot

106.7 fm

Among other responsibilities and necessities – including booking shows, recording and selling EPs, and touring—band promotion is a time consuming and tedious job that some bands and artists don’t have enough time or money to do. Mainstream radio, in a word, can seem inapproachable to smaller bands still struggling to make it onto a label. With all the rules and regulations stated by record companies and the FCC, radio does not seem like a marketable approach for the smaller, unsigned band. Thanks to the world-famous Los Angeles station KROQ, bands can rest assured that their music has a chance on the FM airwaves every Sunday night at 9pm. The show is called Locals Only, and it presents its listeners with new music from bands all over the Los Angeles area. DJ Kat Corbett runs the hour-long program, during which she interviews bands, holds in-studio acoustic performances, plays the newest music from L.A. artists, and updates listeners with local concerts, shows, and festivals. Locals Only alumni include Silversun Pickups, Sea Wolf, Stone Temple Pilots, and Foreign Born. The program has grown to incorporate their own promotional showcases that benefit both the band and the station, teaming up with well-known L.A. venues such as The Echo and Spaceland. Are you in a band? KROQ Locals Only is interested. DJ Kat will personally listen to your demo, and contact you if she finds it fitting for the show. All you have to do is visit KROQ’s very informative website or myspace page, and follow the steps for submitting your music to the station. Locals Only is a program that was started in order to promote bands to all of KROQ’s listeners, and has not stopped expanding and widening its range of listeners from the beginning. Los Angeles musicians and bands can rest assured that they will be heard, they will be promoted, and they will make it to the FM airwaves.

Corey Case Show Review

Singer/songwriter Corey Case is no stranger to the Orange County music scene; in fact, this folk-indie musician has had his part in more than one OC band, festival, and numerous venues throughout the Los Angeles and Orange County music scene. On Monday, November 9^th Case played a show at La Cave in Costa Mesa, along with his new band Corey Case and The Swine, opening for Will Crum. In the dimly lit bar/steakhouse, Case took the stage with his band and introduced his newly released album with a wide smile. The crowd, made up of groups of restaurant diners, bar-hoppers, and fans of the bands, quiets down as Case starts to play. His nasal voice cuts above the noise and tings in my ears; his songs are clearly vocal-driven.

Performing with his full band tonight, Case intertwines his usually soft, acoustic-fold melodies with the loud and energetic addition of a live backup band. Case’s performance thrives with more musicians on stage, and his music actually adopts and epic feel. Soon into the show, the atmosphere of La Cave has come alive with musical energy. Case’s voice gains confidence, as if now he can unleash his vocal talents, now that the entire room is captivated by his music. Case will continue to play a number of shows in Costa Mesa and Santa Ana, promoting his self-titled EP release. He has played shows ranging from Parisian cafés to major festival bandstands, but in a small pub and restaurant, Case happily finds his home.

Cazz Brindis Album Review

Hometown: Malibu, Ca

When you wish upon a star, Cazz Brindis appears.

At first listen, the new Cazz Brindis EP comes across as a string of soothing lullabies that is most fitting as background music. But there’s something in the sound that made me listen again, and round two grew on me. Peaceful and dreamy are the best words to describe the listening experience of Cazz’s EP, with the noteworthy track “Mirrors”. That song is spectacular, moving gracefully from a lullaby sounding song into a music-only melody fit for a film. Cazz mixes his acoustic appeal with pop, delivering an emotional performance which can slightly sound like a Disney lullaby from the older films. His lyrics are motivating and uplifting, their message as sweet as the harmonies he weaves into his accurately falsetto-singing voice. The arrangements are simple, but careful. Acoustic guitars, strings, and bells buzz around the central piano tracks. Simplicity is refreshing. Cazz’s lyrics are the highlight – his message is of innocent love. Author Fanny Howe once noted that the love between two sixteen-year old teens is truer than the love of grown adults. Young lovers who are content to just lay with each other all day long have something that adults who run a routine love life don’t have. Cazz’s music is about finding this “something” that seems to be lost in so many relationships. His music will take you back to a time when you lived in a world with your lover and nobody else.

Myspace.com/cazzmusic

Saint Rocke Venue Review

God bless Saint Rock, music and food.

For the party seeking folks who aim to have a good time, listen to good live music, and eat great bar food, look no further than Hermosa Beach’s own Saint Rocke live music venue. Bands and fans alike praise Saint Rocke for its unique music events and shows, with programs such as Soundbox, an unrehearsed musical night where original artists come to play experimental, almost all-acoustic music. The audience gets a unique experience in songwriting, as well as watches some of their favorite bands organically write music on the spot. Each night seems to have something different going on; Mondays are dedicated to fans of football, with great deals on beer and sliders. Piano Bar Tuesdays and Soundbox Wednesdays are always crowd-pleasers at the venue; as Thursday nights are titled Indie Night and Fridays usually offer a generous happy hour along with live music. The scene of Saint Rocke is definitely a major party scene; live shows ranging from acoustic to punk, Monday night football, and plush dining accommodations attract a wide range in crowd and audience. One of the more impressive aspects of Saint Rocke would be the equipment provided for the live bands, from sound systems to lighting. As the website boasts, provided is a digital MC7 32 channel board, which, for all the non-techies out there, means that the shows can be as loud as they want it to be, but still maintain a listenable level of comfort.

Venue stats:

Booking info- send all information to mediakits@saintrocke.com. This must include a demo of music, contact and band information.

Stage size- 220’ by 118’

Equipment provided- custom inverted subwoofer cab, crown amps, whirlwind channel sub snakes, sennhesier drum amp, and shure condenser mic.

Arthur (Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire)

Three reasons I listen to The Kinks:

1) Nobody really ever listens to them, so I feel like the privileged 2nd grader who never gets caught playing hide and seek because he knows the special secret hiding spot.

2) They're more interesting than all the bands featured on "Pitchfork's Best New Music," but still makes me feel the same sense of superior indie-ness that Pitchfork's bands might make me feel.

3) They're good.


Arthur is the best of their albums. After I listen to it, I get the urge to call up everyone I know and tell them about the journey I just undertook. Physicists say that time travel is impossible; Arthur is possibly the closest you can get to a time machine in this universe.

And the album does skillfully weave time not only lyrically (which take us from the Victorian period to post WW2), but also musically. Compare the vaudevillian charm of "She's Got a Hat Like Princess Marina" to the psychedelic outro jam of "Australia" to the folky despair of "Young and Innocent Days." And the time traveling doesn't stop there.

The album's best moments are the many time changes. Consider the superb "Victoria." The band is rollicking along with a basic rock beat, when suddenly the bridge cuts the beat in half and beckons for the brass section. It's as if the Queen's own band suddenly invaded the album's recording sessions. Words cannot describe the epic genius of the half-time bridge.

The time changes don't stop there. "Australia" changes time to make room for a Beach Boys-style chorus. It's not as if the time changes exist simply for the time changes. I'm not impressed that there are time changes. I'm impressed by how they add to the song. The Kinks seem to know all the right places to put them. Just when you thought you've got the song figured out, they surprise you with a pleasant little change...

...which brings me to their masterwork, "Shangri-la." I have not heard a song that has covered as much as sonic territory as this one. Starting with a simple acoustic ballad, the song explodes into a hard-rocking bridge, and pushes back in on itself for the finale. It's a pity this album is not more listened to. Historically, it came out alongside The Who's Tommy. It seems as if the general public can only listen to one rock opera at a time, so Arthur was forgotten.

But I should be grateful it was forgotten because if it wasn't, I wouldn't be the 2nd grader who found the secret special hiding spot.

(And thank god I don't have to listen to Pitchfork's Best New Music to feel indie)

Residencies

Los Angeles venues collect their bands through the benefit of holding residencies, an honor for any band to have. For one day a week for about a month, popular music bars and venues such as The Echo, Spaceland, and Cinespace invite a single band to return again and again, reaping the benefits of playing a residency show. “It was incredible,” states AJ Jackson, the frontman of Echo Park’s Saint Motel. “The idea is that there is a snowball effect. If the band is good, people will keep coming back. If the band is really good, they’ll tell their friends.” Saint Motel just finished playing their residency at Spaceland, the Mecca for indie bands located in Silverlake, California. Each night had a different theme, and each set list held new songs, so nothing was repeated. “By the end of a residency, hopefully you will have pushed yourself as a band and increased your fan base.” Jackson continues.

A lot of importance for playing a residency show relies on the turnout, and amount of audience each week. For many bands it is hard to attract a range in crowd, but most of the time turnout seems to be successful: “different crowds tend to come each night, and the hardcore fans come each night!” says Sarah Negahdari of Silverlake’s The Happy Hollows. “Also, depending on the other bands booked, you get different groups of their fans each night.” The Happy Hollows played a successful residency at The Echo two years ago, and are looking forward to their upcoming Spaceland residency in November.

Besides the obvious marketing advantages, not every aspect of playing a residency is beneficial. “The negatives are that usually the residencies are free. So you don’t make money from the door,” says Negahdari, discussing some of the disadvantages. “Other difficulties include setting up a great line-up and DJ for every night, not to mention having to tweak, change, and add to your own set list.” Adds Jackson, reflecting upon the Spaceland shows.

Its no question that the good outweighs the difficulties when playing residency shows, and that most bands would be willing to expose themselves in a new and exciting way. “Despite all of this, I would do it again in a heartbeat” Jackson says. Residencies are celebrations that both the venue and the band can benefit from, a truly positive experience.

Show Review: We Barbarians

It’s not just another typical Tuesday night at Chapman University. Right in front of the campus radio station, in the basement of the most central dorm building, the Long Beach band We Barbarians are preparing to play an hour-long set in lieu of the usual Tuesday night open mic. As students wander in, the trio starts off their set with a mellow, keyboard-strong track, “White”, revealing hints of The Verve and Radiohead as influences. The crowd slowly grows, and the music swells accordingly. As a live performance, We Barbarians present an entrancing and heavy sound, which bleeds each song into the next. The men are shy, and hardly face the audience as they each have a habit to close their eyes and melt into their instrument.

From here, its hard to tell which song is which. Even with the research I did on their myspace, their music sounds different live. It is a more natural and organic sound that the band produces, and I speculate that they add new elements in the show; whatever happens right at that moment. It is a very natural, calming show that is well performed by the band. Its good to play college shows because the biggest benefit is gathering new fans. Students who don’t even now that there is a show going on become supporters of the band, due to a good experience and enticing music. We Barbarians know this fact, and easily capitalize on their wealth of interested students and intimate audience.

Sofa City Sweetheart album review

Pop for all sensations.

It was somewhere between the third and fourth listen of Sofa City Sweetheart’s EP when I really realized how good this album is. Sure, Juan Lopez (Sofa City himself) may eerily sound almost exactly like Sean Lennon with a hint of Elliott Smith, but his music holds a melodic, almost mythical sound that takes more than one listen in order to get the full experience. The band is Lopez, with additional musicians for the EP: Melissa Piotrowski (cello), 
Jorge Huaman (guitar/vocals), 
Daniel Bonaparte (bass/vocals), 
Ryan Petersen (drums), and Jimmy Tran (drums). A notable aspect of Sofa City Sweetheart’s music is Lopez’s entrancing vocals. He is an amazing singer; so gentile and transcendent. His voice is sweet, and soothing, and brings his music to a whole new level. The first track, “Good News for Jackie”, mixes a jazz and pop sound that is a accurate introduction to the album. Random fact: it is written about Jackie Johnson, the weathercaster on KCAL-TV. “Good News for Jackie” and the second track, “Maria”, have similar sounds, yet the verses of “Maria” are obviously influenced by The Kinks’ “Shangri-La”. “Julia (We Never Wanted You)” is a slower track; even the lyrics are a bit down: “Julia we never wanted ya! / But deep inside we knew we were wrong! / And now we’re here to try again to make amends”. From here the album turns into a sort-of rock opera, with “Sunflowers, Being Part One of ‘The Blind Man and the Boy He Used to Be’” bleeding right into “The Magic Umbrella, Being Part Two of ‘The Blind Man and the Boy He Used To Be’”, two songs which tell a story and change beat and tune during the song. Sofa City Sweetheart is a must hear band for anyone who is a fan of Elliott Smith, The Kinks, Sean or John Lennon, or is ready to hear some outstanding and original music produced by Lopez.

Myspace.com/sofacitysweetheart

Album Review: Trevor Hall

Newcomer Trevor Hall burst into the music scene with his self titled album, uniquely mixing the right amounts of reggae, folk, pop-rock, and soul, creating a one-of-a-kind sound and intriguing listeners from any genre. The 22-year old south Carolina native now resides on a Hindu retreat in Laguna Beach, an obvious influence for his music. On tracks such as “Unity” and “The Lime Tree”, Hall sings about love and community; about forgetting the band and embracing one another. At times it seems as if Hall stretches his message over all thirteen tracks, and the music starts to sound similar on each track. Hall’s husky voice is a truly unique addition to his songs. He’s channeling his inner Bob Marley and mixing that with his inner Caleb Followill (of Kings of Leon). He collaborates with many artists on this album, including Colbie Caillat and Matishyahu. His music leans heavily on pop, but this album shows definite promise for talent and plenty of passion from this young songwriter.

Show Review: The Happy Hollows

On Tuesday, September 15^th, the LA-based band The Happy Hollows played an intimate 10-song set to a small crowd at the Gibson Showroom in Beverly Hills, Ca. The company asked the band to play a set in their performance room, with the hopes of promoting Gibson gear as well as the band’s new album, Spells, expected to be released in October. For such a small crowd and venue, the band certainly filed the room with as much energy as it would take to play a stadium. The set was tight and well rehearsed, and the band played most songs from Spells, introducing their new music to the eager audience. Sarah Negahdari, the energetic front woman, clearly steals the show with her experimental, shouted vocals and heavy-duty guitar shredding. In each song she claims a guitar solo, dropping to her knees or jumping around stage, bumping into bassist Charlie Mahoney, who is doing his fair share of head banging and body lunges. Chris Hernandez, the drummer, masters his primal drumbeats and centers the band’s sound, which is close to chaotic, yet prominent in rhythm. The trio brilliantly works together to put on a show that you can’t tear your eyes from, and their noise-pop, almost punk sounding music accompanies their unique performance.

Show Review: Cable Car

It’s a Grind Coffee House is packed to the brim with kids craning their necks to get a glimpse of Cable Car, the mellow acoustic Irvine-based band gracing the humble coffee shop with their calming and soothing music for the second weekend this month. Sameer Gadhia, lead guitar and vocals, and Payam Doostzadeh, the bassist, are also members of the popular Orange County band The Jakes. The two leave their indie-rock stardom and energetic performances at the door, and team up with Jason Burger on percussion (not present at this particular show) and Bret Leinen on guitar and backup vocals to create this completely acoustic, coffee-house band.

The coffee house is small, yet somehow holds a copious amount of flannel-clad high school hipsters who eagerly lean in closer to hear Gadhia croon his latest ballads, unplugged and microphone-less. The acoustics in the coffee house are surprisingly good; and anyone standing in the back near the restrooms or near the coffee grinders can hear the music just as well. The men of Cable Car sit perched upon plush armchairs facing a sea of wide-eyed girls (and boys), and carefully choose their next piece to present to the fervent crowd. Even the baristas get carried away by the music; Cable Car manages to capture the complete attention of every listener within hearing distance. Gadhia sings and plays his guitar effortlessly; his perfectly pitched voice and skilled guitar techniques proves his natural talent as a musician as well as a songwriter. He is shy, and from time to time cracks a dimpled smile to the audience that results in giggles and blushes. The rest of the time the band jokes and talks among themselves, deciding which song to play next.

At times the show could be slow, with much of the music holding the same mellow tone and the general energy in the coffee house staying low. For a two hour set, I was amazed to find that the band had enough material, but the show relied heavily on the members of the band, and their relationship with their adoring fans. People were encouraged to sing along to a ballad titled “Amber Fists”, the bands obvious hit. The show was a good experience, as the feel was welcoming and calm and the music relaxing and melodic.

Album Review: Spells

If you do not have the privilege of seeing the Happy Hollows live, Spells is the next best thing. Yes, it’s their debut album, but don’t let that fool you. They’re already notorious in the LA scene for their almost barbaric live shows. Sarah Negahdari’s wild woman persona fits in well with Chris Hernandez’s edgy, primal drumming and Charles Mahoney’s driving bass lines.

The fourteen-track album includes a few songs from their previous EPs, including “Monster Room and “A Man, A Plan, A Canal”. The difference between the old and new tracks is apparent, especially because the band’s influences are more obvious on their older tracks. The opening guitar lick to “A Man, A Plan, A Canal” could easily be mistaken for a track on a Sleater-Kinney album. However, newer tracks such as “Faces” prove that the band is growing into its own unique sound. Spells takes the unique qualities produced by each member of the band and ties them together to create a cohesive and developed sound; the drumming compliments the outlandish guitar solos and focuses on putting logic into their mad sound.

Negahdari’s guitar rips through the opening track “Faces.” This is the Happy Hollow’s call-to-arms, an introduction that sounds more like a mission statement for a band who has clearly discovered itself. As Negahdari sings: “Misunderstanding, I just figured out/You can’t escape what you carry around”, the backing vocals rise, elevating the chorus to new heights.

Other highlights include “High Wire.” Although the band has never used synths before this album, the keyboard intro finds a good home inside the Happy Hollows sound. As the song ends, the synths cleverly spiral into a haunting requiem-like outro. “Turtle and Hare”, a slower, darker track inspired by Sonic Youth circa Murray Street fuses Negahdari’s ghostly voice with her mysterious lyrics. Using water as a metaphor for recovering from a break-up, Negahdari skillfully molds a children’s fairytale into a mature introspection on human vulnerability. “Things are not what they appear to be,” the band seems to tell us. The album cover of Spells may feature a few harmless trees, but what’s inside the album is nothing close to harmless.

Summer Soundtrack 2009

For all you hipsters sweating it out this summer in need of a new soundtrack, I got the mix for you. Its a perfect blend of calm and moody, with some new sounds and international beats. Just like the summer. Thanks for these, Alison at the Albany Twin. Get out your pen and take down these 18 must-haves:

1. Good Love- Bat For Lashes

29 year old Natasha Kahn is a british singer-songwriter born in Pakistan, to a professional squash player and an english mother. Once in England she became a nursery school teacher, where she began writing her music. This dreamy and melodic track is off of her album Two Suns, released this April.

2. Buildings and Flags- The Cave-Ins

Try to stay awake throughout this song. Not because it's boring, but its relaxing and hazy sound can produce relaxation on any summer day. It sounds as if it has been recorded from playing on a record player, as the voices are distant and the song has evenly spaced scratches as if a needle were going over an old record. Interesting to listen to.

3. This Is How We See In The Dark- City Center

Starts out sounding like Buildings and Flags, which is a good way to carry on the feeling that you'll already be in. City Center reigns from New York City, and consists of Ryan Howard and Fred Thomas. This track reminds me of Fleet Foxes, maybe its the sleigh bells ringing faintly in the background.

4. Crystal Stilts- Crystal Stilts

Pitchfork gave Crystal's Stilts' self-titled album an 8.3/10, and for good reason. The psychadelic band, from Brooklyn, New York, and has five members. This is a fun track. I can see it in some indie film starring Zoe and Ben.

5. Gwenasobya- Frida Sonko

This track might seem out of the blue but it is my second to favorite on the entire mix. Frida Sonko released this track on her 1960's Ugandan Dance music CD, The Kampala Sound, under the genres of folk, world, jazz, country, and pop in the style of afro-cuban jazz and afrobeat. Fun fact: these tracks are Ugandan, but they were recorded in Nairobi at the time because there were no recording studios at the time.

6. Two Weeks- Grizzly Bear

Take this track from their performance live at Letterman show, I think it sounds pretty good for a live performance. All I can say is again, they sound like Fleet Foxes but more upbeat and poppy. I describe this song as breezy. download it.

7. Good bye Horses- Harlem

Harlem consists of two guys from Austin. This song is actually a cover, originally by Q. Lazzarus, and the duo does a good job at doing it justice. The song brings some attitude to the mix. Its not clean and not exactly the most melodic, but still serves the right amount of punch.

8. Fangela- Here We Go Magic

Originally from Brooklyn, New York, Here We Go Magic has a pretty magical sound. No I'm not just trying to sound smart, this track is nostalgic and, simply put, really pretty. Sounds like Grizzly Bear, a little bit of The Shins (vocals), and Department of Eagles. Get lost in this song.

9. Breakaway- Irma Thomas

Like the title, this songs is a complete breakaway from the rest of the tracks on this mix. I mean, think about it, it's Irma Thomas! This track is in here to have fun. Get out of that hazy summer feel that the rest of this mix has put you in. party like it's 1964. And if you like this I recommend "Cry On", "Good to Me", and "Its Raining".

10. Sing Wide- Little Wings

If you can figure out all the lyrics to Sing Wide, more power to ya. His voice and the untimely guitar picking in the background is almost unsettling, but it takes good concentration to focus on each part of the song. Concentrate now.

11. I Die, You Die- Magnetic Fields

This is my favorite song on the mix. This is one of my favorite songs in all time. Off of their box set 69 Love Songs, I Die, You Die is so mysterious and beautiful that you will have to listen to it more than once. It almost sounds like a lullaby, which vocalist Stephin Merritt definitely adds to most of his music. Just do yourself a favor and download this song.

There ya go kids, 11 must-haves for this summer so you can run back to school come fall boasting about all the new indie artists you've discovered over your break. Go on, boast.

WE GOTTA STAY POSITIVE.

Looking back at the year 2008, there were a handful of shining albums that were truly gripping from the first to last track. While exploring the ranks of awards, comebacks, and debuts, its hard to notice the mildly recognized artists of alternative rock that have been a part of the scene long before you even knew about it.

I'm talking about the brooklyn born, Saint Paul crooning rock band The Hold Steady.

The album that I have been listening to on repeat ever since I got it is their fourth studio album, "Stay Positive". This is actually the band's 6th album (mixing studio with EPs), which is rich with powerful, upbeat songs about alcohol, hooking up, and nostalgia for the old rock music scene.

The album begins with the gritty, upbeat sound that the band is noted to produce, complete with shredding guitars and poppy piano riffs. The opening track, "Constructive Summer", is packaged complete with the message of support, excitement, and friendship. After a couple skippable songs ("One for the Cutters" and "Navy Sheets"), the album picks itself up and delivers to the listener, complete with power ballad "Lord, I'm Discouraged", and some dedications to old flames and more to religion.

Easily, the best track off of the album is the title track, "Stay Positive", in which frontman Craig Finn croons out lines of hope and support from old friends.

The album reflects the band's hard work over the years, and they have finally made their well-deserved comeback since Boys and Girls in America, and the album proves that almost everything can be solved through redemption.

It's good to hear a positive message threaded through every track of an album, and The Hold Steady easily impress listeners with cinematic lyrics and an eclectic, unique sound.

You're Disappointed in the Way She Looks

Sometimes, I think of music like a big blender. Let's blend together our favorite bands so we can create the ultimate sound! It's like one big math equation.

In this big blender, let's put in Lou Reed and his Velvets, Jesus & Mary Chain, Beach Boys, Beatles (obviously), My Bloody Valentine, Elliott Smith, and the Kinks (why not?). What do we get?

AMBULANCE LTD -- LP

A cacophony inspired by such influences must be a symphony, right? Almost. The songs in Ambulance LTD's are well crafted. Actually they're very methodically crafted, just like their sound. I can imagine how songwriter Marcus Congleton's brain works as he's strumming his acoustic guitar.

"Hey, I've got this tune in my head. Wow, it's very catchy! Let me try to figure out the chord progression."

He strums a few chords.

"Wow, I've got a great verse. Now let's come up with a chorus."

He hums a few melodies until he comes up with one he likes.

"Okay great, I've got a great chorus and a great verse. That means I've got a great song."

I don't know for sure, but I can imagine the above conversation probably happened eleven times in Congleton's mind... enough times for him to create his first album. Yes, the album is filled with peacefully beautiful melodies, great swooning shoegaze guitars, and warm fuzzy harmonies.

Ambulance LTD's mid tempo "rockers" aren't songs I would expect people dancing to. I envision a group of high class sophisticated music connoisseurs (such as Sasha and I) sitting around the band, snobbily applauding each song.

The problem I have with the album is that it's too neat and tidy. It's too well-crafted and doesn't leave any room for error... or excitement. The songs are well-written but light-weight. The hooks are catchy but soft. And the album is good but forgettable. Just like the album cover... and the album's name.

PS: I do like the songs though. Here are my recommendations: "Anecdote", "Ophelia", "Stay Where You Are" (skip the unnecessary intro), and "Stay Tuned."

For even better Ambulance LTD songs, check out "New English" and "Arbuckle's Swan Song" off their latest EP "New English"

PSS: What the hell where they thinking when they named their debut album "LP"?

Album Review: Pop-Up (English)

Okay so I was trying to be witty with the review in french, but the truth is, if you don't know french you have no idea what the album is like. So I'm going to translate it for you into english, so you can tell how good it is.

Julie Budet has made a name for herself in both her birthplace, France, and in the United States with her first album, "Pop-Up". Known under the pseudonym of Yelle (which stands for You Enjoy Life, only feminized), she explodes in electronic-pop beats with bursts of energy funk.

It is not love at first listen, though. The tracks are well organized, giving the album a comfortable flow of dance beats as well as easy listening, slower songs.

Yelle's influences are mixed, ranging from Madonna and Prince to the British pop band, Blur. The young pop artist has set high goals for the future, and does not take her success with Pop-Up for granted. In an interview with Virgin Music in March 2009, she expressed an interest in starting her own fashion line.
Songs to pay attention to:
1. Ce Jeu
2. A Cause Des Garcons
3. Je Veux Te Voir

Album Examen: Pop- Up

In honor of Yelle's album Pop-Up being in french, I will write this review in french. Merci.

Julie Budet s'est fait un nom pour elle-même à la fois en France et aux États-Unis avec son premier album, "Pop-Up". sa musique, dans le style de pop électronique, avec des rafales d'énergie funky. Il ne s'agit pas d'amour dès la première écoute, si. Les pistes sont bien organisés, en donnant à l'album une circulation confortable des pistes de danse ainsi que l'écoute facile, le ralentissement de chansons.

Yelle influences sont mixtes, allant de Madonna et Prince de la pop britannique Blur. Le jeune artiste pop a même fixé de grandes ambitions pour l'avenir, et ne prend pas son succès de Pop-Up pour acquis. Dans un entretien avec Virgin Music en Mars 2009, elle exprime un intérêt à lancer sa propre ligne de mode.

Chansons de prêter attention à:

1. Ce Jeu

2. A Cause Des Garcons

3. Je Veux Te Voir

Sleeping With Other Men

"We're not really interested in being controversial. If we wanted to be controversial we'd have called the album I Fuck Dogs."

Maybe they weren't trying to be controversial, but Suede's self-titled debut album is undeniably sexually charged. Brett Anderson's theatrical croon recalls Bowie and Morrissey, but Bernard Butler's dirty guitar riffs would never be found on a Smiths album. This is not a pop album. Do not expect sing-a-long choruses or catchy melodies. Suede is a dark and steamy wet dream.

Of course, the album has plenty of rocking moments from the jangly guitarwork in "Metal Mickey" to the pounding beat of "The Drowners," but the atmosphere the album evokes is slow and surreal. Listen to the reverb-driven production in "Pantomime Horse" or Anderson's calculated delivery in "Animal Nitrate." This album may not be easily accessible because of its lack of traditionally poppy melodies, but creating soundscapes this unique is a feat worth mentioning.

Suede had never been just about the music anyway. This album became the fastest selling album of all time at its release not because of the music, but because of the attitude the music was wrapped in. And no matter what Brett Anderson says, the attitude was definitely controversial.

You Better Make Sure You're Looking Closely, Before You Fall Into Your Swoon.

I am obsessed with Silversun Pickups. And yes, I am one of those snobby kids who claims to have known them even before they became moderately big, going to their shows being the only one who knows the lyrics to their songs. I remember one time, about 2 or 3 years ago, Crystal and I saw them at the Oakland Art and Soul Festival. We were a blur in the lifeless crowd, screaming the songs at the top of our lungs and blowing kisses at Brian Aubert (can you blame me?).

The band, from Silverlake, California (the one square mile of artsy songwriters in Los Angeles), consists of four members: frontman Brian Aubert, bassist Nikki Monninger, synth-master Joe Lester, and drummer Christopher Guanlao.

Their EP, Pikul, includes six stunning tracks, seventeen blank tracks (which is rather annoying), and then a hidden track at the end of the album, titled Sci-Fi Lullaby. Yes, like my blog.

Their debut album, sophomore album, whatever they're calling it these days, is Carnavas, a 2006 release which BLOWS MINDS all around the world. seriously, the entire album is golden. Not one track on the album is skippable (that's how I can tell if a CD is good or not, it depends on how many songs you skip). They reinvent their sound from Pikul, giving it a more energetic and darker tone, but don't completely shift in sound.

tracks on Carnavas to pay attention to:

1. Checkered Floor

2. Lazy Eye

3. Rusted Wheel

4. Common Reactor

Early this year, Silversun Pickups released Swoon, their latest album on the indie label Dangerbird Records. The album, though strong, delivers differently than both Carnavas and Pikul, incorporating a lighter, pop-esque sound mixed with orchestration threaded throughout the entire album. Musically, the band has accomplished such a good sound on a new level for their music, but lyrically, the message from the album is simple to detect.

Aubert writes about love and relationships in Swoon, about heartbreak and loneliness. No longer are his lyrics ambiguous and adaptable; in a sense, the songwriting has joined with the mainstream. Aubert makes it perfectly clear in the first track "There's No Secrets This Year" that this album is directed towards one person, or a past relationship.

The band is commonly considered shoegaze, and constantly compared to The Cure, My Bloody Valentine, or Smashing Pumpkins. Swoon has the ability to morph the sound of the band into something entirely new; creating a mood and a unique, stunning sound.

Tracks on Swoon to pay attention to:

1. The Royal We

2. Panic Switch

3. Draining

4. Substitution

5. Catch and Release

I'll Write You Harmony in C

I'm not one for covers. Especially when people try to cover Beatles' music, but that's a different story. The late Elliott Smith was an American singer/songwriter who died in 2003 to his own stab-wounds. His girlfriend, Jennifer, found him in the bathroom. Some of his fans blame her. If you ask me, this is not a Courtney Love situation-- just listen to his lyrics.

(I digress).

It takes a really, really good band and a perfectly chosen song for me to appreciate a good cover, which is rare, in my opinion. Metric's front woman, Emily Haines, performed Smith's song "Behind the Bars" (click that and watch) with her graceful, sultry voice for Rolling Stone magazine in 2006. And I love it. The distant, serious sound produced by the band mixed with the emotional and heavy songwriting style of Smith goes hand in hand, as if "Behind the Bars" was meant for the band to cover.

The band can definitely add this song to their repertoire of groundbreaking music and unique sound (for those of you who think Metric is a band who doesn't take risks...  songwriting is not all about how out-there the music is. Again, I digress), like their impressive latest album, Fantasies. Not a track on the album is misplaced; each song has a strong connection to the main theme of the album, which differs from their past albums. 

They have a similar sound to Silversun Pickups, and even to the new Yeah Yeah Yeahs album. But Metric can hold their own, and prove that in each song they write. Get this album. You will not be disappointed. 

Yeah Yeah Yeahs, you can watch your back.

Fun fact: Haines, born in Ontario, Canada, grew up in New Delhi, India.