Don't Forget To Dance

“‘81” - Joanna Newsom (from Have One On Me) I...

Sat, 06 Mar 2010 09:59:00 -0500

“‘81” - Joanna Newsom (from Have One On Me)

I liken Joanna Newsom to anchovies: for some people they are the best part of the Caesar salad, but for other people they render the entire thing inedible. I like anchovies. I also really, really like Joanna Newsom.

I guess it’s not really surprising that Newsom’s back catalog has left listeners pretty firmly divided. Y’s in particular had plenty of moments for haters to roll their eyes over, what with the harp, her penchant for arcane language, and Newsom’s often screechy and squeaky voice carrying listeners through epic, 17+ minute long songs. But I loved Ys, unabashedly and unapologetically, so I suppose it’s not much of surprise that I also love Newsom’s newest release - the massive, sometimes unwieldy triple album, Have One On Me. However, Newsom’s newest release is enough of a departure from her previous work that I bet she can win over some folks who had previously considered her annoying and ridiculous.

On Have One On Me Newsom’s voice is more controlled, her songs are more streamlined, her harp is more of an accessory than a musical focus, and the result is an album that will please traditional Newsom fans while making her more palatable for a wider audience. The musical likeness that keeps popping up in reviews is Joni Mitchell, so if you’re looking for a point of comparison then that’s a pretty apt one.

Have One On Me has been met with fairly unanimous critical acclaim, and I believe all the praise is absolutely deserved. The album is massive, a bit all over the place, and fairly pretentious, but it’s also brave, lavish, and uniquely beautiful. I had a hard time picking a song for this post - “Soft as Chalk”, “Good Intentions Paving Company”, “Esme” and “On a Good Day” are also personal favorites, but I settled on “‘81” because the audio file was too large for all those other songs and Tumblr wouldn’t let me post any of them. (Ain’t technology grand?)

But as a bonus, I’m also posting Fleet Foxes frontman Robin Pecknold covering “On a Good Day” because it’s absurdly lovely. A duet please?

Arranged Marriage Dearly Beloved When Joe suggested we share some of our favorite hometown bands,...

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 19:00:00 -0500

Arranged Marriage Dearly Beloved

When Joe suggested we share some of our favorite hometown bands, my mind immediately went to several Detroit bands that I love and who definitely deserve wider publicity and appeal; however, when I caught wind of the upcoming release of Dearly Beloved, an album from father-son duo Brad and Scott Allen (of Thunderbirds Are Now!), I knew that was the one I was going to go with. See, while there are many great “Detroit” bands, these guys hail from the very ‘burb I call home: Livonia, Michigan. And since precious little cool comes from Livonia (myself excepted, of course), I figured coolness must be highlighted and celebrated when it is discovered.

So, yes - Arranged Marriage is new, and from what I’ve heard I like them quite a bit. They draw very heavy inspiration from Elliott Smith, recorded their album in their home in “The L”, and their album will be available for purchase on April 20th in both digital and vinyl forms. A few lovely samples below (via Motor City Rocks).

Mp3: “All Is Mine”

Mp3: “Sit Alone”

The Recital - “The Head Rhythm” Ok, so it’s...

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 20:56:00 -0500

The Recital - “The Head Rhythm”

Ok, so it’s been awhile. Also, I seemed to have neglected to participate Joe’s theme week suggestion. Well I’m back and just in time to close out the most unproductive and pathetic theme week we’ve done so far! And since I’m the only other person to participate, I guess nobody will judge me if I cheat a little and do a band from where I grew up instead.

The Recital was a local Detroit band which I’ve had the pleasure of seeing once or twice. It recently came to my attention via the bassist’s website, however, that after 10 years of being together, they are now defunct. Tears of sadness ensued but were soon dispelled by tears of joy when I saw they were giving their final EP away for free.

Chicha Libre - Indian Summer I recently suggested to the boss...

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 13:41:40 -0500

Chicha Libre - Indian Summer

I recently suggested to the boss that we should have a theme week again. This time, local (wherever you may reside) unknown bands. In this case, I’ve chosen a brooklyn band that plays every Monday night at Barbes in park slope. As one youtube critic put it, “This music is like being on a canoe staring at the sunset through the forest in the Peruvian Amazon river”.

“CHICHA is the name of a corn-based liquor favored by the Incas in pre-colombian days. Chicha is also the name of a South American music craze which started out in the late 70’s in the Peruvian Amazon. Cumbias amazonicas, as they were first called, were loosely inspired by Colombian accordion-driven cumbias but soon incorporated the distinctive sounds of Andean melodies, some Cuban son, and the psychedelic sounds of surf guitars, farfisa organs and moog synthesizers.” - CantolaoTV

“Lover” by Devendra Banhart Valentine’s hugs,...

Sun, 14 Feb 2010 15:31:00 -0500

“Lover” by Devendra Banhart

Valentine’s hugs, kisses, and extra strong martinis from your friends at Don’t Forget to Dance.

(Image via franticmeerkat)

“Something Someone Jr.” by The Growlers (from Are...

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 11:27:00 -0500

“Something Someone Jr.” by The Growlers (from Are You In or Out?)

The Growlers take bits and pieces from everything that was ever cool about the 1950s music scene - surf rock, rockabilly, psychedelic rock, blues - and douse it all with a heavy dose of reverb, organs, echoing vocals and shuffling beats. I hadn’t heard of these guys prior to catching them open for Dr. Dog at The Pike Room in Pontiac, MI, but I’m glad they’re on my radar now. My husband pointed out (and, I suppose, rightfully so) that there isn’t a tremendous amount of diversity in their catalog, but I’m not sure how much I care about that. They make fun, throwback party music that I can listen to all day long. That and their firm commitment to wearing funny hats on stage makes them aces in my book.

Titus Andronicus - “A More Perfect Union” (from The...

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 13:57:00 -0500

Titus Andronicus - “A More Perfect Union” (from The Monitor)

An album I did not expect to be enjoying as much as I am is Titus Andronicus’ upcoming release The Monitor. While I’ve enjoyed parts of their debut album, The Airing of Grievances, the overt angst in it made me only able to listen to it in small doses.

There are obvious changes to be heard in their sophomore album: songs are longer, the sound is more polished, and the kids seem less angry. I should also point out that this is a concept album centering around the Civil War, so history buffs can get extra excited. The above track is my current favorite, with its requisite Bruce Springsteen reference. If you really want to hear a departure from their previous work, go listen to “To Old Friends and New”.

The Monitor is due out March 9^th. Again, I figured I’d like a song or two off of it, as I did their first record, but I really kinda love the whole thing.

OK Go! - Skyscrapers They’re back with a catchy little...

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 19:01:47 -0500

OK Go! - Skyscrapers

They’re back with a catchy little tune! From the Album: Of The Blue Colour Of The Sky. I just miss the treadmills. They should make a video on elliptical machines for this song.

Yeasayer - Ambling Alp Yeasayer. Experimental. Brooklyn-based...

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 17:30:00 -0500

Yeasayer - Ambling Alp

Yeasayer. Experimental. Brooklyn-based band. Sophomore album. Odd Blood. Official release in February 2010. Dig this, hard.

Bonus: Live version of “Tightrope” which isn’t found on either of their albums.

Broken Bells - The Mall and Misery (from their self-titled...

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 19:20:00 -0500

Broken Bells - The Mall and Misery (from their self-titled debut)

There have been several albums that have piqued my interest in 2010, but the first that I’ve been meaning to talk about here is Broken Bells. Broken Bells is the collaboration between The Shin’s James Mercer and Danger Mouse (aka Brian Burton). The word is that this is not just some solitary musical experiment, but a new band that both members have future plans for.

And it basically sounds as good as you’d think a combo of The Shins and Danger Mouse could sound. I could definitely get used to more of this. The album is due out in March, but it has already leaked (and you can find it in the usual places).

“Floating Vibes” - Surfer Blood (from Astro...

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 17:13:00 -0500

“Floating Vibes” - Surfer Blood (from Astro Coast)

Recently, I’ve grown a bit frustrated with 2010, at least musically speaking. I keep coming across glowing reviews of new albums, but each time I try them out myself I find myself either wondering what the fuss (see: Spoon’s Transference) or just not getting it (see: Owen Pallett’s Heartland, These New Puritans’ Hidden, and several other things that aren’t immediately coming to mind).

However, Surfer Blood I like. Surfer Blood I get. Surfer Blood, I see what the fuss.

Surfer Blood is also a group of young Floridians who make fun, guitar-based rock music. The songs on Astro Coast don’t have full orchestras, they would never be described as “challenging,” and there isn’t even the smallest trace of pretension. It’s classic indie guitar rock a la Pavement and Built to Spill, and it’s appealing as hell. I didn’t realize how much I missed unpolished male rock until people stopped making it, but these boys are bringing it back in spades. Oh, la.

“from africa to malaga” - jj (from jj n° 2 ) 2010...

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 21:02:00 -0500

“from africa to malaga” - jj (from jj n° 2 )

2010 may have already provided several notable new releases, but before delving into any of those I first feel the need to post on something I overlooked from 2009 - jj’s jj n° 2 . Honestly, I know very little about this band other than that they’re from Sweden and have made some curious choices regarding marketing their album. Truth? I’d read much about jj from a variety of reliable and trustworthy sources - and all things positive - but the combination of their annoying album name (jj n° 2 ? Seriously?) and the giant cannabis leaf blasted across the album’s cover led me to pass them on by.

I now freely and publicly admit my mistake. My husband (who, thankfully, is less judgmental than me), has recently been playing this album on repeat, and imagine my shock when I heard that this beautiful, ambient sound was made by the very same band I had long since dismissed. jj’s sound is world music meets trip-hop meets blissfully lovely electro-pop, and it would be a shame to ignore them on the basis of a pot leaf. It’s surprisingly sophisticated fare, fantastically chill and incredibly easy on the ears. So, give ‘er a listen.

(Bonus? jj is set to tour with xx this March. Because, well, of course they are.)

Introducing The Mad Iranians! - Change My Ways Quick to be...

Mon, 11 Jan 2010 13:10:00 -0500

Introducing The Mad Iranians! - Change My Ways

Quick to be named 2010’s hottest new act, The Mad Iranians have released their much anticipated first single of what is probably the most talked about EP release since Radiohead’s In Rainbows. Inspired by perfection, the band is truly a product of DFTD and includes members: Matt Gross (guitar, backup vocals), Joe Nisanov (Banjo, backup vocals), Victoria Abrami (lead celestial vocals), and Shawn “The Hammer” Mulder (ukulele).

Check in regularly on their homepage www.themadiranians.com for status updates on their self-hyped EP. It should be coming out sometime in the next while.

Washed Out - New Theory Washed Out is a one-man...

Sun, 10 Jan 2010 04:55:00 -0500

Washed Out - New Theory

Washed Out is a one-man synth-dreamy-pop-home-brewed-whatever-the-f*ck-you-want-to-call-it entity. Straight out of Georgia, Ernest Greene’s Life Of Leisure album calms the nerves and may even put you to sleep with a smile on your face. The only other thing I can think of that can put me to sleep with a smile on my face…

…is a krispy kreme donut, you pervs.

and a happy birthday to you, bowie. **edit: …and Mr....

Fri, 08 Jan 2010 21:28:00 -0500

and a happy birthday to you, bowie.

**edit:

…and Mr. Gross.

Good freaking riddance to 2009. Happy New Year to my fellow...

Thu, 31 Dec 2009 10:33:00 -0500

Good freaking riddance to 2009.

Happy New Year to my fellow DFTD-ers and readers out there. I wish you much luck and happiness in the coming year.

Because this WILL be a better year. Right? RIGHT?

(Harlem Shakes - “Strictly Game”)

DFTD’s Favorite Albums of 2009: Fanfarlo,...

Thu, 31 Dec 2009 00:48:00 -0500

DFTD’s Favorite Albums of 2009: Fanfarlo, Reservoir

Earlier this year, both allenskyy and I, separately and without consultation, posted different songs off Fanfarlo’s debut album Reservoir (1,2). Well, actually, I just spaced that month and missed a bunch of posts, allenskyy’s Fanfarlo post included. So when I discovered this awesome Bowie-trumpeted album, I thought, heck, this should make a great DFTD post. Little did i know it already had.

And it does again, because with this post I am solidifying Fanfarlo, Reservoir’s place among Don’t Forget to Dance’s Favorite Albums of 2009. It’s just what the doctor ordered for that too-long gap between Arcade Fire and Beirut albums.

Strap on your New Years hats and red suspenders cuz there’s only one more day to go in 2009 and there’s no way better to start the celebration than dancing along to Fanfarlo’s “The Walls Are Coming Down”.

The ships the ships are coming in,
The great ideas are wearing thin,
There is nothing left to do.

DFTD’s Favorite Albums of 2009: Coconut Records’...

Tue, 29 Dec 2009 01:03:00 -0500

DFTD’s Favorite Albums of 2009: Coconut Records’ Davy

While you might remember 2009 as the year of Gaga, celebrity deaths, and the Jersey Shore, you may not want to forget Jason Shwartzman. He single handedly released Coconut Records’ sophomore album, got married, and starred in his very own film noir detective comedy.

In contrast to Nighttiming, Davy has a more polished sound, but a folkier feel. Examples of this can be found in tracks such as Microphone, Wires, and Any Fun, all of which have now topped my most listened to tunes of 2009. And without further ado, I give you Any Fun.

DFTD’s Favorite Albums of 2009: The White Rabbits’...

Sun, 27 Dec 2009 19:08:00 -0500

DFTD’s Favorite Albums of 2009: The White Rabbits’ It’s Frightening

Regardless of how you feel about what’s become of the music industry during the 2000’s, it’s clear that the Internet has forever changed the way music is discovered, marketed and obtained. And although it’s a phenomena that’s as old as the industry, The Curse of the Sophomore Album is one that is able to thrive in this brave new world of MySpace, Rapidshare, and YouTube where new bands are discovered and beloved as quickly as they are dismissed and forgotten.

Fortunately (and perhaps rather miraculously), The White Rabbits have managed to defy the odds with It’s Frightening, a sophomore effort that’s not only better, but also more commercially successful and critically acclaimed than their debut. (Of course, it never hurts when Spoon’s Britt Daniel signs on to produce.)

With It’s Frightening, The White Rabbits have (with considerable help from Daniel) tightened up and focused their sound - wisely leaving behind their former world music influences to focus instead on creating kick-ass rock music. The pulsing and infectious “Percussion Gun” is one of the strongest opening songs of any album to come out this year, and it paves the way for the pounding pianos and dueling drums that are the core of the album’s sound.

And although Daniel’s influences are quite obvious, especially during “They Done Wrong/We Done Wrong” and “The Salesman (Tramp Life)” which easily could have been Spoon songs, the sound here still manages to be authentic and all their own. It’s Frightening is a thumping, slightly spooky and wholly raucous good time that’ll leave you pounding your feet while you pick up any available tool to use as a drumstick.

DFTD’s Top Albums of 2009: The XX - XX I knew nothing about...

Sat, 26 Dec 2009 10:00:00 -0500

DFTD’s Top Albums of 2009: The XX - XX

I knew nothing about this London based band until a friend of mine in NYC gave me the heads up a few weeks back. The first spin had me somewhat interested. The 2nd and 3rd, I was hooked. As a debut album, this is surprisingly refreshing and tightly knit. So well put together that I still find it hard to believe it’s their debut. We’re talking about four 20-year olds pretty much straight out of puberty, people. You remember puberty? Yah, I wasn’t exactly on my way to making a badass album either. Sigh.

As with Veckatamist, I’m having a difficult time placing it in a genre to help you understand how this album plays out. I read that most of the songs were put together in, more or less, a garage at late hours of the night… contributing to the “sleek, whispery nature of the album…” a description that can be used to describe the track “Night Time” that comes along with this post.

Sadly, the best I can do in describing this first release of tracks is to say its awesomeness seems effortless. This is the kind of music you want to stumble upon in a quiet, hidden gem of a lounge in the heart of a crowded city. With a bottle of whiskey and maybe a joint or two.

Of tobacco. Obvi.