Since I feel that The Mountain Goats’ new CD, Heretic Pride, (see my review below), is one of the best CDs of the decade, it is my duty to mention another Mountain Goats masterpiece, ALL HAIL WEST TEXAS. This 2001 CD is a great example of John Darnielle’s signature ‘low-fi’ style of that time.

If one goes through a list of CDs that The Mountain Goats have issued, one will be amazed. This ‘guy with a guitar’ played and wrote faster and deeper than he breathed. A lot of the material went to very independent compilations.

I was introduced to his music, when I happened upon Zopilote Machinein 1994.
By the time ALL HAIL WEST TEXAS came out, I had searched and digested most of his output.

Mr. John Darnielle was also an intelligent and vocal advocate for underground music then. I will not get into details about the songs, except to mention the fact that The Mountain Goats have ‘great heart’ - as seen in the songs: “Color In Your Cheeks”, “The Best Ever Death Metal Band in Denton” and “The Mess Inside”.

Get this CD, and see . . . if you have a great heart.

The Mountain Goats, ALL HAIL WEST TEXAS, copyright 2001, EMPEROR JONES (EJ41CD)

P.S. “The Best Ever Death Metal Band in Denton” has become a cult classic - here are 5 live versions. All are great.

1. The Mountain Goats/YouTube !!

2. The Mountain Goats/YouTube !!

3. The Mountain Goats/YouTube !!

4. The Mountain Goats/YouTube !!

5. The Mountain Goats/YouTube !!

and check out:

- The Mountain Goats/”One Fine Day”YouTube !!

- The Mountain Goats/”Going To Georgia”/YouTube !!

- The Mountain Goats/”Sax Rohmer #1″/YouTube !!

see: The Mountain Goats/official website !!

(Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, 2007/Christopher Wilson/COURTESY: Band of Horses

The second CDs of both Beirut (The Flying Club Cup) and Band of Horses (Cease To Begin) expand on the musical pleasures enjoyed in their debuts - see reviews below.

Since I am always on a quest for that thrill that comes with discovering a “New” great sound, I sometimes miss the follow-up CDs of a great band.

On Beirut’s new CD, Zach Condon’s melodic voice is t stretched to great effect, while the music gets a little tighter in all the right places. On the Band of Horses’ new CD - the sound is more relaxed and not as etched as on their debut. Both groups’ second CD releases flesh out the promise of authenticity that was clearly declared in their first “gems”. It is so refreshing to hear music made by musicians who are enjoying themselves so much. VIVA LA INDEPENDENCE !!

Beirut, The Flying Club Cup, copyright 2007, reproduced by permission of EMI Music Publishing Ltd. London, BA DA BING
Album Photos found in Paris, France (chez Chryde)
Layout and design by KRISTIANNA SMITH & ALEXANDRA KLASINSKI

check out: In The Mausoleum/The Flying Club Cup

check out: The Penalty/The Flying Club Cup

check out: BEIRUT/official website !!

Band of Horses, CEASE To BEGIN, copyright 2007 SUB POP
All photography by CHRISTOPHER WILSON
Designed by DUSTY SUMMERS

check out: The Funeral/LETTERMAN (from 1st CD)

check out: Is There A Ghost (CEASE To BEGIN)/LETTERMAN

check out: BAND OF HORSES/official website !!

John Darnielle a.k.a. The Mountain Goats can be called the last “man with guitar standing”. For me, The Mountain Goats represent along with Cat Power, the Palace Brothers, Built to Spill, and the Elephant Six collective of groups, one of the pillars of 90s independent music.

At one point (mid 90s) I made a 90 min. tape of only Mountain Goats songs, that I still blissfully listen to today on a newly purchased antique Walkman. When the Goats signed with 4AD - I pulled back a few years, while Mr. Darnielle relentlessly plowed forward with 5 more CDs.

The sound on his latest CD Heretic Pride has been pumped up a notch without sacrificing any of the authenticity that he is so well known for. The title song, “Heretic Pride” is a masterpiece that highlights the many talents of Mr. “All Hail West Texas”.

One of the things that impressed me regarding his comments on his early CDs was that he was a “reader” - and proud of it. Being an audiophile, I also agree with his view that one’s playback system is a must for rich interior life. Don’t think twice about getting Heretic Pride - and if so inclined, go back and listen to the previous 11 CDs. Check out The Mountain Goats on YouTube and die happy.

ART DIRECTION AND DESIGN: VAUGHAN OLIVER / V23
PHOTOGRAPHY: MARC ATKINS / PANOPTIKA.NET

The Mountain Goats, Heretic Pride, P & C 2008 4AD LTD

check out: YouTube/”The Best Ever Death Metal Band in Denton”

check out: YouTube/”Woke Up New”

check out: YouTube/”No Children”

check out: YouTube/”Sax Rohmer”/HERETIC PRIDE

see: The Mountain Goats/official website

Here comes another great CD, OPEN FIELD, in English by a group from Sweden. This time it’s Victoria Bergsman and her solo project band, TAKEN BY TREES.

From 1995 to 2006 she was a founding member and lead singer of that well-established pop collective - the Concretes. She was also the female vocalist on the Peter Bjorn and John hit, “Young Folks”.

The vocals on this CD remind me of the Brazilian singer and bassist Isabel Monteiro of the cool 90’s British group, Drugstore, and also Mazzy Star - while the music has its own unique relaxed tempo as a result of the many (19) different musicians, and their instruments.

There is also a Chinese music influence in “Cedar Trees” which is really interesting. This lovely, and deceptively simply, and quiet, music made by this new collective - will make even the hard-hearted swoon.

GRAPHIC DESIGN BY OLOV SUNDSTROM

TAKEN BY TREES, OPEN FIELDS, copyright 2007 ROUGH TRADE RECORDS LTD

watch !!: VICTORIA BERGSMAN sing “Chosen One” - with the Concretes

sample the music: TAKEN BY TREES/myspace

visit: ‘HAVE YOU BEEN TAKEN’ - their official website

The Shins’ third full-length CD, Wincing The Night Away (2007), is truly a wonder to behold.

The band, based in Albuquerque, New Mexico and led by songwriter and guitarist James Russell Mercer,
have really evolved from their 2001 debut CD - Oh, Inverted World.
That first CD got a lot of attention for Mr. Mercer’s talents as a songwriter.

Musically the first CD leaned impeccably and beautifully towards the Alternative-folk part of the music landscape.
Their latest effort sees them laying down disciplined music that is beyond words. One should listen to this CD all the way through, in the recorded order and loud. Don’t sweat the details and just buy it, you won’t regret it.

Design and illustration by Robert Mercer

THE SHINS, WINCING THE NIGHT AWAY, 2007 Sub Pop Records

sample the songs: here !! on myspace

THE SHINS - WINCING THE NIGHT AWAY - THEIR 3RD CD.

SIMON CERIGO WILL POST A REVIEW TOMORROW - THURS MARCH 13/2PM

for now all he will say is:

with rock & roll - the rule of thumb is: THE 3RD ALBUM/CD IS USUALLY THE BEST.
SEE THE REVIEW TOMORROW - TO SEE IF THIS IS THE CASE - HERE.
OBVIOUSLY, IT IS.

ALSO: LOOK OUT FOR THE UP-COMING REVIEW HERE, NEXT, OF:
OPEN FIELD is the name of the album - the band is TAKEN BY TREES -
featuring VICTORIA BERGSMAN - the lead singer of THE CONCRETES,
another Swedish group that came out a few years ago.

VICTORIA BERGSMAN more recently made waves as the female vocal on the now famous . . .
PETER BJORN & JOHN - WRITER’S BLOCK song:
‘YOUNG FOLKS’.

hear it on: YouTube !!

it’s already scored over 6 MILLION views !!!

it’s also extremely - cool - visually - it’s animated !!

Jens Lekman’s excellent current CD, Night Falls Over Kortedala, although not a failure - his words !! - is certainly a little overwrought. His previous two CD’s:
1) “When I said I Wanted To Be Your Dog” (2004), and 2) Oh you’re so silent Jens (2005) - both contain the key elements of his magic - but with more, air.

‘Tram #7 to heaven’, the first song on the DOG CD is so unhinged and epic - that it is a contender for Best Song of the DECADE.

The “girl songs” - ‘Silvia’ and ‘Julie’ - are also great testaments to this troubadour’s talents as a lover, and a songsmith.

On the silent Jens CD, the two versions of ‘Maple Leaves’, the sad/funny ‘Sky Phenomenon’ and the incredible ‘Black Cab’ are obvious gems - while other treats await you in the darker corners of this musical landscape.
There are some speedbumps, but once past them - it’s smooth sailing into ecstasy.
My thanks to Secretly Canadian for living up to what an “Independent Label” is all about.

CHECK OUT: Simon’s first post on - Night Falls Over Kortedala !!
(don’t miss the PAUL SIMON/CHEVY CHASE - ‘You Can Call Me, Al’ - link !!)

JENS LEKMAN, “When I Said I Wanted To Be Your Dog” - copyright 2004
JENS LEKMAN & SECRETLY CANADIAN
Written, performed and recorded by Jens Lekman
Mastered by Jacob Stalhammar
Design by Rasmus Hagg
above illustrations: 1-2

JENS LEKMAN, Oh you’re so silent Jens - copyright 2005 - JENS LEKMAN & SECRETLY CANADIAN
Written, produced, performed and recorded by Jens Lekman
Mastering by Jacob Stalhammar
Artwork & Design by Rasmus Hagg
above illustrations 3-5

check out: JENS LEKMAN - official website

check out: JENS LEKMAN - myspace

check out: SECRETLY CANADIAN

Though I’ve been a luke-warm fan of SONIC YOUTH over the last couple of decades, I have to hand it to Lee Renaldo for producing one of the best CDs of 2007 - the new MAGIK MARKERS CD titled: BOSS.

Here he has taken a group known for their energetic, frenetic and unpredictable noise adventure live shows, and produced a record that for its depth of feeling and quest for new sounds, is hard to beat.

This record combines the intense hard driving sound of THE BIRTHDAY PARTY’S amazing second album, JUNKYARD - with the haunting delivery of MAZZY STAR. The slower songs, like ‘Bad Dream/Hartford’s Beat Suite’, are what I call Bob Dylan in reverse, in that Dylan went from an acoustic sound to an electric sound, while the MAGIK MARKERS went from an extreme electric sound to a melodic sound !

Loyal fans of the MAGIK MARKERS’ earlier CDs should not be disappointed, since a lot of those great extreme sounds, remain. Bob Dylan changed his sound and tone because of the influence of the Beatles’ great TWIST AND SHOUT, it was a natural evolution and the results were amazing. This MARKERS CD shows Lee Renaldo’s influence, and the result is likewise a natural evolution, and awesome. The lyrics are great, so play this music loud and often - and check out their live videos, including the early ones, on YouTube.

Photographs by: E. Jason Wambsgans
Artwork by: Jill Storthz and Elisa Ambrogio

MAGIK MARKERS, BOSS copyright 2007 Ecstatic Peace!

SAMPLE: Bad Dreams/Hartford’s Beat Suite’ - here !!
(scroll down mid-way - left side/for link)

CHECK OUT CLIPS ON: YouTube, here !!

MAGIK MARKERS on: myspace

VISIT: ECSTATIC PEACE!

I first saw JAPANTHER during an opening in front of DEITCH PROJECTS a few years ago. They played this really frenetic set, out of the back of a small truck, which I coined as “Hard-Core Sing-Along” - since a lot of the kids in the audience sang along … I don’t remember the art show they played at, (it was Swoon), - but I’ll never forget their rock-on, fuck-on performance. The songs were short, fast, catchy, and full of NICK CAVE guttural screams .. into … their signature, handmade microphones-manipulated-from-old telephone handsets.

All this is caught seamlessly on their newly released CD - Skuffed Up My Huffy. My favorite songs are the johnny rebel ones, like: Challenge, River Phoenix, and Tender…. but, all of the songs have a low-fi hard-core charm that is undeniable.

So, all you never-die teenagers, grab this CD, a case of beer, and have a wild, arms akimbo party,
. . . singing . . . Fuck-ON!, JAPANTHER.

Artwork: by JAPANTHER / IAN VANEK (drums & vocals) & MATT REILLY (guitar & vocals)
. . .”we are an in-house art directed band” - I.V.

JAPANTHER, Skuffed Up My Huffy/MENLO PARK RECORDINGS RELEASE/SEPT 11/2007

www.Japanther.com

www.myspace.com/official Japanther page

artlovers archival photo/IAN VANEK/2004

artlovers archival photos: IAN VANEK & MATT REILLY at AU BAR/SPRING 2005
(you can see a red telephone handset/microphone, just above IAN VANEK’S head
in this 2005 photo of him, at the drums, at Au BAR, in the WEST VILLAGE.)

After reviewing Feels, the Animal Collective’s second CD for this column, a few years ago, I went out and bought, (on the strength of the cover art!), one of the first of Panda Bear’s early singles - as a present for my then teenage daughter, Kate.

She in turn, made a point of getting tickets for Panda Bear’s recent NYC concert, this past June 2007. Musically the concert was great, and included Panda Bear’s own streaming video collages, projected behind him.

The next week, I went to my favorite music store, OTHER MUSIC, and bought the new Panda Bear CD, Person Pitch. The CD is amazing - and has all the songs from the live show reproduced perfectly.

I have to admit that this CD is the most dynamic, deeply felt, and exhilarating music, with new sounds, that I have heard in some time. It puts to shame that other electronica & voice band, The Knife, and their recent third CD Silent Shout. On the other hand, The Knife’s first CD, Deep Cuts, from 3 years ago, is a great CD which added low-fi creativity and emotion to the usually boring, (except for dancing), electronica format. Their Pass It On video from the Deep Cuts CD is one of the most watched videos on YouTube, and rightly so, whereas Silent Shout is so musically and visually pretentious, as to be unlistenable.

If you want to hear great new music - where the musicians transcend their complicated electronic gadgets, get Panda Bear’s Person Pitch and The Knife’s Deep Cuts - and stay away from Silent Shout.

Panda Bear is a one man band - who also performs as one third of Animal Collective.

Artwork by: AGNES MONTGOMERY

Panda Bear, Person Pitch, C & P PAW TRACKS 2007

www.paw-tracks.com

The debut CD, The Bird of Music, by the new all-girl group, Au Revoir Simone,
is a welcome breath of fresh air. The music is a combination of my favorite girl groups
from the 80’s, mainly The Go-Go’s and The Raincoats.

The Pop wildness with all those synthesizers sends me back (not in a retro way)
to the 80’s and sunny California, while the more serious lyrics gets me to gray London
and that independent stance strongly advocated by The Raincoats.

The other girl group that I was into in the early 80’s, The Slits, (who were making
very gutteral and experimental noise music) are not here, but their alternative
spirit is.

Take your time with this CD, for it reveals itself slowly and in layers. The great
songs are ‘Sad Song’, ‘Night Majestic’, ‘The Lucky One’, ‘Dark Halls’, and the awesome
‘The Way To There’.

This CD is as sweet as The Be-Good Tanyas’ first CD, Chinatown.

cover and back photos by Flora Hanitijo.

Au Revoir Simone is Heather D’Angelo, Erika Forster, and Annie Hart.

Words and Music by Au Revoir Simone.
Copyright & Publication 2006 Triple Keyboard Action
Our Secret Record Company

www.myspace.com/aurevoirsimone

After one spin of the second Peter Bjorn And John CD, Writer’s Block, I
became an enthusiastic advocate for Globalism. Here’s a Sewdish group that have
made a great new CD - with all the lyrics in English.

Even though the musical references from the Beatles; 80’s new wave; Guided
by Voices; and all those great Sarah Record bands (e.g. The Field Mice) are there,
the music is totally fresh and new.
The monster song is ‘Up Against The Wall’ - JOY DIVISION comes to mind.
‘Objects Of My Affection’, ‘The Chills’, ‘Young Folks’, and ‘Roll The Credits’ are
also massive.

The emotional tone is young and exuberant, hopeful but wary. The lyrics are simple
but very sharp and right on. Take a ride on this CD to another world and enjoy.

Artwork & Handwriting by Graham Samuels
Original Band Photo by Johan Bergmark

Peter Bjorn And John, Writer’s Block EMI MUSIC PUBLISHING SCANDINAVIA AB
copyright 2006 V2 MUSIC SCANDINAVIA AB

www.peterbjornandjohn.com

On viewing some Neutral Milk Hotel sites on the web recently, I came across a
statement by a N.M.H. fan stating that Pitchfork, the ‘new music’ website, in favorably
reviewing Arcade Fire’s 2004 debut CD Funeral - made Arcade Fire famous.
This is not true. Arcade Fire became famous because they are an awesome group,
who (just like the groups of the Elephant 6 community) play only ‘independent
and authentic’ music, and get great joy in doing that.

I will even go so far as to say that Arcade Fire is at its core a very Elephant 6-like group,
except that its from the north as opposed to the south. Those of us who heard Funeral
when it first came out in the fall of 2004, did not need Pitchfork’s review to confirm
the notion that Funeral was a great monster of a CD.

I remember trying to turn the N.Y. artist Dan Asher onto it, and when he didn’t like it,
screaming at him to listen to it more carefully. Within a week he was following
the group all over the East coast.

I had turned him onto Joanna Newsom’s amazing debut CD Milk Eyed Mender
in the spring of 2004, and by that summer he was photographically stalking her live
shows, here, and in Europe, so I was happy that he got it.

Like the Elephant 6 band, Olivia Tremor Control, Arcade Fire became famous
through word of mouth from their supercharged live shows. I vividly remember the
great reviews their live shows generated.

Arcade Fire’s new CD Neon Bible has 4 or 5 songs that are real masterpieces.
“Intervention”, “Ocean of Noise”, “Keep The Car Running”, and
“(Antichrist Television Blues)” are all totally incredible musical recordings, which are probably even
more epic and spectacular when heard and seen live.
In my opinion, the church organ on “Intervention” is worth the price of the CD alone.
Buy the CD, don’t miss them live, and be amazed.

first 3 images: Arcade Fire, FUNERAL, The Arcade Fire 2004, MERGE RECORDS
COVER ART: Tracy Maurice
PHOTO and INSERT: Hilary Treadwell

last 2 images: Arcade Fire, NEON BIBLE, ‘Recorded & mixed during 2006
at “the church” in Quebec. Additional recording was done at Win and Regine’s house,
the St. James Anglican Church in Bedford, Quebec, the Eglise St. Jean Baptiste in Montreal,
as well as in New York, and Budapest. Additional mixing was done at Olympic Studios
in London.’
COVER ART: Tracy Maurice

I just bought my 4th copy (in ten years) of Neutral Milk Hotel’s 2nd CD
In The Aeroplane Over The Sea and it sounds as fresh and new as when
I first bought it ten years ago.

In my history of Indie music it ranks as one of the top 10 CDs of the last 15 years,
up there with Cat Power’s and the Palace Brother’s first CDs.

Since Jeremy Barnes, who plays drums and organ on this compelling CD,
resurfaced on that great Beirut debut CD last year, and Kevin Barnes, aka
Of Montreal, has just released his 7th CD (a review on that CD will be coming soon),
and Apples in Stereo, (Elephant 6 founder and Apples in Stereo guitarist Robert Schneider plays several instruments, and produced this 2nd Neutral Milk Hotel CD), released their first CD in five years, I felt I should express my thanks to the whole Elephant 6 community for (as a friend of mine
named Cricket said a few years ago) …”saving the music”.

The sound and lyrics on In The Aeroplane Over the Sea at first sound strange and familiar
at the same time, it takes a few listens to get the awesome poetics and place the musicial references.
The whole CD is great and should be listened to, all the way through.

Lead singer Jeff Mangum’s lyrics revolve around Anne Frank’s diaries,
while the music can be described as American hillbilly folk punk. The spirit
that dominated Neutral Milk Hotel and other Elephant 6 groups, was one
of exuberant co-operation, musicians would play in each other’s bands,
and live shows like Olivia Tremor Control’s were famous for their joyous
jam sessions.

PRODUCED BY ROBERT SCHNEIDER

Recorded in the Elephant 6 Recording Company July - Sept 1997

Art Direction: Chris Bilheimer & Jeff Mangum - “Flying Victoria” by Brian Dewan

www.elephant6.com

I first heard the AKRON/FAMILY song ‘Meek Warrior’ on the REVOLVER USA SAMPLER AUTUMN ‘06,
and instantly fell in love. The next day when I went to OTHER MUSIC to buy their current CD -
MEEK WARRIOR - one of the store’s owners suggested I try AKRON/FAMILY’S
debut CD - the self-titled AKRON/FAMILY first, since he felt it was a more focused CD.

After following his advice, but still getting MEEK WARRIOR, and listening to
both CDs, I agreed with his assessment - though I liked MEEK WARRIOR alot.
MEEK WARRIOR is a good CD, highlighting this new group’s experimental adventures,
and jams.

Their self-titled debut CD, AKRON/FAMILY , is more structured, slower, and
delivers a greater emotional punch, on top of some really new sounds. The debut CD is so
awesome - as to rank, in my mind, as high as, Who Will Cut Our Hair, the first
UNICORN CD. But whereas Who Will Cut Our Hair was playful in tone,
the AKRON/FAMILY debut CD is serious and sad.

image 1: AKRON/FAMILY CD cover
Artwork by ALBERTUS SEBA from the ‘The Cabinet of Natural Curiosities’ courtesy of Taschen Books

image 2: AKRON/FAMILY CD

image 3: Akron/Family Photo - MEEK WARRIOR CD insert
PHOTO BY DEBORAH SAMANTHA

image 4: REVOLVER USA SAMPLER AUTUMN ‘06 - CD cover

AKRON/FAMILY, AKRON/FAMILY - copyright akron/family - ‘05 Young God Records
AKRON/FAMILY, MEEK WARRIOR - copyright 2006 Akron/Family - Young God Records 2006
REVOLVER USA SAMPLER AUTUMN 2006 - MIDHEAVEN.11

The Annuals debut CD - BE HE ME, is a joyous musical celebration
that also uses, in unpretentious ways, ‘found sounds’, i.e. the sound of crickets.

This band has been compared to that seminal 90’s goup, OLIVIA TREMOR CONTROL,
for their use of quirky twists in the music. For all their technical bravado, they do not lose
sight of the emotional states at the core of the music. When it all comes together, as in
‘Brother’, ‘Fair’, and ‘Sway’, the results are awe-inspiring.

The sound is full, confident and straight ahead exuberant. Not to be missed, if you
like a ‘white man’s’ reggae !

Artwork by Jaime Jones

ANNUALS, BE HE ME copyright Ace Fu 2006

Let me begin by saying that JOANNA NEWSOM’S 2003 debut CD, Milk-eyed Mender,
was probably one of the best CDs of that year, so the expectations for her second release,
were very high. I’ve been anxiously waiting for this CD for a year and a half.
In fact, 2 years ago, I heard an early bottlegged version of “Cosima” - what became,
in a more refined version, the 5th and last song on her new CD, titled Ys.

And just like the GRIZZLY BEAR CD, YELLOW HOUSE , this is a serious
musical document that reveals its gems, only through serious listening. The songs
run long, averaging between 10 and 15 minutes each, therefore I would recommend
that the listener play one song at a time, and really get a feel for it, before moving
forward.

The involvement of Van Dyke Parks, Steve Albini, and Jim O’Rourke, makes
for a state-of-the-art Indie production.

This is a great CD, even though, or maybe because, it makes demands on the listener.

Painting by: Benjamin A. Vierling
Design by: Richard Good

JOANNA NEWSOM, Ys, 2006 Drag City, Chicago

The new GRIZZLY BEAR CD, YELLOW HOUSE, is a fine example of the
experimental direction some Indie groups are taking. This Brooklyn based group,
which has been compared to ANIMAL COLLECTIVE, because of their use of the human
voice as an instrument, has made a serious musical document. Having said that, the
listeners’ approach to the music must be serious. Casual entertainment seekers
might not be fulfilled by this music. The tracks should be approached one at a time,
it takes a few listens to get into the nuances of each song.

One of the best songs is “Knife” - a roller coaster ride of musical highs and lows,
with great lyrics to boot.

If you are willing to put in the time - the rewards will be huge.

Photography by: Patryce Bak
Design by: Ben Tousley

GRIZZLY BEAR, YELLOW HOUSE, 2006 WARP RECORDS, LONDON

The CLAP YOUR HANDS SAY YEAH self-titled debut CD from summer 2005
is one of the stongest and most uplifting independent disks of last year.

It’s funny how the lead vocalist sounds like the lead singer from James -
that great English group from the early 90’s. How refreshing to come across
an Indie group that can really rock on, as in “Upon This Tidal wave of Young Blood”,
one of the best songs on the CD, and possibly one of the best rock+roll anthem
songs ever, period.

Another great song in the same vein is “Let The Cool Goddess Rust Away”.
While “Details Of The War”, “Over and Over Again (Lost and Found)”, and
“In This Home On Ice” are not as hard driving, they are totally amazing in
their own right.

I also love the two sweet instrumental cuts, “Sunshine and Clouds (And
Everything Proud)”, and “Blue Turning Gray” - that are placed at the right
spots. “The Skin of My Yellow Country Teeth” is another awesome song
that shows the early Talking Heads influence to great effect.

All you rockers out there: listen and weep; hopefully in celebration !

Art: Dasha Shishkin
Design: Robbie Guertin

ALL SONGS: 2005 CLAP YOUR HANDS SAY YEAH

clapyourhandssayyeah.com

BENJAMIN BRIDWELL (above left, both photos) and MAT BROOKE (right) of Band of Horses.
(Photos: Robin Laamanen - courtesy Sub Pop Records)

The debut CD of Band of Horse, EVERYTHING ALL THE TIME,
on first listen was so musically seductive and “sweet”, that I was suspicious as to its
substance. After several spins, that concern disappeared in the face of the dark gravity
of the lyrics.

Benjamin Bridwell and Mat Brooke, the core of this lyric and guitar rich band, have crafted
a CD filled with little, intimate, haunting pop-folk jewels, alongside big soaring epic guitar ballads.

The breadth and depth of the guitars owe a debt to that west coast guitar-god,
Doug Martsch aka BUILT TO SPILL, while the underlying, driving beat and tempo
(on the fast songs) remind me in a funny way of the early RAMONES.

All 10 songs are great and are placed in an order on the CD that is seamless.
The more elaborate songs: “The Funeral”, “The Great Salt Lake”, and “Monsters”
are good examples of the powerful beauty contained in this CD.
Play all the way through, and loud for best results.

Band of Horses, EVERYTHING ALL THE TIME, Sub Pop Records, 2006