Vol. 2 Issue 6 October 2005
Welcome to Bank Robber Music reloaded. After a year of bringing the tv/film/video game world the best in independent music, we figured it was time for a makeover. Where were the reality TV camera's when we needed them!? We'll still be bringing you the same hopefully witty album blurbs, free downloadable mp3's, and the latest BRM goings on, only now, it'll look much better. Don't you think? Plus a special double issue of news!
And just to show that we mean business, Lyle and I will be doing a BRM Podcast, spinning not only BRM's most favorite jams, but also other stuff we like or love to hate. If hearing two guys argue over the snare sound on New Pornographers' records is your thing, then you are really in luck! New logo. New website. Podcasts. Blurbs. Mp3's. You don't even have to thank us.
Enough about that, this month's real excitement lies in some of BRM's best new releases yet. We've got new music from everyone from Nada Surf to Curumin to Pajo to The Bad Plus to The Eames Era and on and on. Did someone say blurbs?...
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Current Releases
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- Barsuk
- Quannum Projects
- Thrill Jockey
Barsuk
www.barsuk.com
Nada Surf
"The Weight Is A Gift"
After taking the pop world by storm, Nada Surf are back with the follow-up to their out-of-left-field, career-making turn, Let Go. The interestingly (intriguingly?) titled, The Weight Is A Gift (Barsuk), makes good on all the promise of their earlier records, delivering 11 no-frills cuts packed with enough hooks and heartbreak to make you feel 16 and lonely all over again. And that's a good thing. We usually point to specific songs to check out on each BRM record, but Weight is just start-to-finish great. "Concrete Bed" is the type of mid-tempo acoustic rocker Coldplay wished they could write these days. "Do It Again," is as close to a make-out anthem that fans of Raspberries-era power pop will get. And "Always Love," is the catchy heart-on-your-sleeve plea that's built for arenas spotted with flickering lighter flames and fists in the air. Nada Surf's best album ever? Or perhaps record of the year? These are heady claims that we don't toss out easily, but are considering. The weight is truly a gift.
Long Winters
"Ultimatum"
Long Winters chief songwriter and frontman, John Roderick, is a genius. He's indie-pop's reigning underdog mastermind. If you took the tunefulness of Paul McCartney, the neurosis of Woody Allen, and the crazed, perfection-fueled ambitiousness of Brian Wilson and mixed it all up into some sort of contemporary pop frankenfigure, you'd have Roderick. No question. The Long Winters' last record, "When I Pretend To Fall", was a beloved contemporary classic of pathological hooks and humor, and it's been almost three years since we've heard anything new from the LW camp. Rumors of line-up changes, and albums being scrapped have made for good blogger content, but have done little to quell listeners' collective appetites. And in the midst of all that, we get the Ultimatum ep. Thankfully, what Ultimatum lacks in running time, it more than makes up for in sheer likeability. Ultimatum, serves up everything you'd want from a Long Winters outing; namely, strong melodies, sharp lyrics, and big choruses. "Delicate Hands" is the best Beatles homage I've heard all year (Dr. Dog eat your heart out). This EP bodes very well for the next LW full-length- whenever it finally comes out.
Quannum Projects
www.quannum.com
Curumin
"Achados E Perdidos"
With Achados E Perdidos (Quannum Projects), Sau Paolo's Curumin (aka Luciano Nakata Albuquerque) has made a record so perfect for summertime, it would be criminal to listen to it in air conditioning. Sweat, people! Pairing frenetic afro-beat samba rhythms that nod to everyone from Milton Nascimento to Fela Kuti, with a modern-day, beat-conducting approach (insert DJ Shadow namepdrop), Curumin is nothing if not diverse, brain breaking, and brilliant. His beats are as original and infectious as the "Madlib of Brazil" tag implies, but filled with summer sun, rum, and excitement. Have a BBQ. Play "Guerreiro." And don't say we didn't warn you.
APSCI
"Thanks For Asking"
Players. Pimps. Ballers. We think it's safe to say that Hip-Hop really isn't into "love" all that much. However, don't tell that to husband and wife duo, APSCI. Luckily, love will keep them together and breaking conventions seems to come naturally to APSCI. Their Quannum debut, Thanks For Asking, maybe the first Hip-Hop-flavored record we've encountered that reviewers have compared both to Kid A and the Digable Planets (CMJ) that's not coming out on Def Jux. Even the New York Times said: His rhymes are thoughtful and deadpan in typical underground style, but her voice is the magnet: it steps tartly into the foreground, floats blissfully above the beat, multiplies into jazzy harmonies or beckons from unlikely corners of the mix. Surely, Thanks for Asking is the only record that manages to have guest spots from members of TV on The Radio, and Mr. Lif, too. And the influences keep coming. From 70's Kraut-rock, to early 90's indie-rock, to Portishead, APSCI seamlessly weave together a cocktail of tasteful grooves that go down easy. Check "Bike Messanger Diaries" and "Tirade Hightway" and see that shoegazers can nod their heads, too.
Thrill Jockey
www.thrilljockey.com
Freakwater
"Thinking Of You"
Instead of another blockbuster remake of "Duke Of Hazard" the suits out West should of mixed it up and casted the two ladies (Catherine Irwin and Janet Beveridge Bean), of Freakwater. Johnny Knoxville? Pffft. For those really in love with all things "no depression," Freakwater's slew of 90's albums have all but become required listening in the alt-country canon. After an almost 6 year hiatus Freakwater are back with a new album and a truckload of harmonies, banjos, Hammond organs, and pedal steel guitars. Thinking of You is Freakwater's 7th (!) domestic album, and it is definitely one of their best. Featuring should be smashes "Hi-Ho Silver" and the rockin' "So Strange, " Thinking Of You will have you chasing those Hollywood remake blues away!
Tom Verlaine
"Warm And Cool"
We all know that Tom Verlaine is simply one of the best guitar players, uh, ever. Televison, we all know was (is), one of the best band's ever. But, do you know that "Warm And Cool" (Thrill Jockey) is one of the best guitar instrumental records, uh, ever? When it was first released in 1994 (?), we thought it could've been a forgotten follow up to the "Paris, Texas" soundtrack. But Tom has it all over Ry Cooder. He lets his guitar do all the singing, and what great stories it has to tell - from the melancholy of rainy, moody days ("Deep Dark Clouds"), to your first romantic slow dance at the prom ("Little Dance"). Everyone applaud Bettina from Thrill Jockey for giving "Warm And Cool" a second life.
John Parish
"Once upon a little time"
Everyone has that one friend who actually knows about wine. The dude who, when the sommelier pours a taste, honestly knows what he's looking for. In our estimation, John Parish must be this guy when it comes to the world of indie-rock. His new Thrill Jockey record, Once Upon A Little Time, was recorded in all the "right" places all over Europe. Nave. Bristol. Copenhagen. And he's collaborated with everyone from PJ Harvey to The Eels. Thankfully, "Once?" is as satisfying to listen to as it sounds like it was to make. Featuring Adrian Utley of Portishead fame, this may be Parish's most cohesive, "band" record to date. The track "Sea Defences" manages to sound like Beck with a full-on chorus that's effervescent, full bodied, and pairs well with just about anything. So, pour yourself a track or two and see why John is one of the most respected talents of his time.
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- Unlabled
Unlabled
bankrobbermusic.com
Eames Era
"Double Dutch"
Double Dutch is the long-awaited debut full-length from The Eames Era. And it's dangerously good. Seems Baton Rouge's resident kings and queens of pop made a pact on recording this record. The rule was simple: Make every song have at least three different hooks that the listener will not be able to shake. So, instead of the formulaic songwriting style of verse, chorus, verse, bridge, chorus, The Eames Era go for Chrous #1, Chrous #2, Chorus #3, and repeat! Somewhere the Bangles are listening to "Go To Sleep," or "Year of The Waitress" and are very proud. So are we.
Bad Plus
"Suspicious Activity"
We have to tell you that this new Bad Plus record "Suspicious Activity?", is some powerful shit. Stop rolling your computer-reddened eyes, we know you're thinking the "J" word (no, not Jew? but yes, this is Jazz). Still, put on the first track "Prehensile Dream," Seriously, put it on? Okay, quiet, very quiet, slow, building? yup, this track has all the power and dynamics of the most dramatic Mogwai number. Plain and simple, it could've scored "28 Days Later" or "Ben Hur." Track two, the rocking "Anthem For The Earnest" would be right at home on a Pell Mell record if pianos led the charge instead of guitars. Am I dumbing this down too much? Maybe. We're just saying this is great instrumental music of any genre.
Jennifer O'Connor
"The Color And The Light"
Hmmm......a female solo artist moves from Atlanta to NYC to stake her claim on the indie music landscape...sounds like a familiar story about a certain feline-named solo artist, but that's where the comparisons end. Some tracks on Jennifer O'Connor's Red Panda debut The Color And The Light including "The Thought of You," veer beautifully into sadland, a la Mazzy Star, while others such as "Hole in the Road" lean toward uptempo alt country. At her happiest, O'Connor shines bright on "Driving Through," a tune overflowing with catchy, energetic hooks and powerful lyrics. As an artist sporting an album of potential mini-classics, it doesn't take the Great Carnack to know that O'Connor is the next big thing (Matador Records). So jump on the bandwagon. Quick.
Gary Higgins
"Red Hash"
Gary Higgins' Red Hash is a lost outlaw folk classic. It's one of those rare albums whose Ebay stock is sky-high, and some dude probably has a copy rotting away at in his yard sale god-knows-where. Due to Higgins' getting busted for marijuana possession, the album almost never made it out to the public in 1972. Thankfully, somehow Six Organs of Admittance-mastermind Ben Chasny, along with the fine folks over at Drag City Records, have saved this unheard classic and are giving Hash its long overdue debut CD release. Sounding something like Elliott Smith if he was a hardcore Deadhead, or Simon and Garfunkel if they had street cred, Higgins' Red Hash is sure to become recognized as one of the seminal folk recordings of all time. Check out "Unable to Fly" and you'll see what we mean.
Pajo
"Pajo"
David Pajo has to be one of the most prolific figures in music, whose name you may not even recognize. Pajo was a member of the seminal 90's math-rock outfit, Slint, played with the likes of Tortoise and Will Oldham, was a member of Billy Corgan's post-Smashing Pumpkins misfire Zwan, and has released a slew of solo records under enigmatic aliases like Aerial M and Papa M. Did I mention the dude also put out a remix project with the Notwists' posse, The Tied + Tickled Trio? In spite of such a sprawling resume, Pajo is?um?Pajo's greatest achievement to date. Recorded entirely on his laptop, Pajo (Drag City Records) is an exercise in graceful minimalism and dreamy melodies. If a world of acoustic guitar strums and echoey over-dubbed vocals sounds like bliss to you, this may become your top album of 2005. The NY Times recently lavished Pajo with raves and plenty of Art Garfunkel references. They aren't wrong. At. All. Check out "High Lonesome Moan" and get out those Kleenex.
Iron and Wine, Calexico
"In The Reins"
Two great tastes that taste even better together: Iron and Wine plus Calexico. Over the course of two full-lengths and a couple stellar EPs, Iron and Wine's Sam Beam has proved himself the go-to guy for smokey, Nick Drake vocals, sparse guitar playing, and inspired folk music for the TiVo generation. The story is pretty much the same with Calexico, whose ingenious blend of Mexican mariachi flavors and American alt-country has earned the group a stellar rep as arrangers and songwriters in their own right. A pairing of these two acoustic-guitar worshippers is really a no-brainer, and happily "In The Reigns" (Overcoat Records), sounds as good as one could imagine. "History of Lovers" is all wistful mid-tempo folk-pop, until a crescendo of Stax horns brings it home Otis Redding style. Meet the new stars of American music.
Luke Temple
"Hold A Match For A Gasoline World"
Luke Temple is Death Cab for Cutie's favorite singer-songwriter of the moment. After one listen to Temple's sublime sleeper debut "Hold A Match for A Gasoline World" (Mill Pond Records), it's clear why. Imagine a mix of Elliott Smith-like vocals, Coldplay's melodic flair, and Jon Brion's Tin Pan Alley pop sensibilities, and you'll pretty much have Temple. Songs like "In The End" and "Private Shipwreck" are chock full of singer-songwriter ennui, only the arrangements are so big, don't be surprised if you find yourself mistaking Temple for the next Snow Patrol. Pretty anthems for a broken heart.
Tra LaLa
"Everybody Christmas Time"
Thank you Tra LaLa for making this BRM update even more special by giving us a little holiday cheer with a special Christmas song. In true TraLaLa fashion, from the "falala-la-la with TraLaLa" EP "Everybody Christmas Time" is a two-minute blast of pure garage pop exuberance. Only this time the guys and gals rework their own song "Everybody's Doin' Fine" (off of their self titled Audika debut), to chronicle the joys of Hallmark's favorite time of year. Now, if only someone would write a good Hannukah song (no, Adam Sandler's tribute does not count)!