One of my favourite albums of the year. Underneath the mellow, distorted vocals lies an underlying current of impetuosity. It’s a grower, so give it a fair shake. Worth it.
I saw Sleigh Bells/Neon Indian/Oberhofer last night and I brought my camera. Got some decent photos, but most of it was shot on 1600 or 3200iso, and on my old(ish) 40D, that means lots of noise. Still, got some decent photos. Oh, and Oberhofer killed. Definitely the highlight of the night which is funny because they were on first.
I’m going to start posting a great album every week. It won’t always be new (in fact, it’ll rarely be new). On that note:
Album of the week
Benji Hughes - A Love Extreme (2009)
At first glance, you might automatically write Benji Hughes off. His long mane and Marxist beard remind me of Devendra Banhart and inaccessible baroque folk, but underneath this off-beat exterior lies a masterful pop musician. A friend with wonderful taste (Jon Cole) recommended Hughes in ‘09 when this album dropped and I’ve been listening to it ever since. I revisit it every time I want a fix of good, well-written pop. The album is massive, spanning two discs and boasting 25 tracks. It’s not all great, but there are some real gems.
The Morning Benders - Japan Echo EP
If more bands put together such a well-edited collection of remixes and b-sides, the world would be a better place. Get it! Got it? Good. [It’s only five dollars]
Understanding the nascent OFWGKTA phenomenon.
The internet has been awash with story, rumour and innuendo about Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All since their frenetic performance on Jimmy Fallon and the release of Tyler the Creator’s mental music video for the single “Yonkers.” I’ve been toying around with disassembling what has happened so far, so here it goes.
Though OFWGKTA have been posting mixtapes for free on their blog since 2008, it’s only recently that they’ve elbowed their way into the mainstream. Actually, elbowed is an understatement. Blasted. Torn. Fought. Clawed. Whatever — their explosion has been ridiculous and of absolutely monumental proportions.
Popularity-explosion-ground-zero: probably Tyler the Creator and Hodgy Beats appearing on Jimmy Fallon (Feb. 16/2011) to deliver Sandwitches — a forceful performance that saw the rappers taking the stage in hoodies and skimasks.
The argument can be made that it was actually Tyler’s music video for “Yonkers” which hit the internet a few days before. I personally feel it was the “Fallon Incident” which involved Mos Def grabbing one of the Fallon camera’s and repeating the OFWGKTA mantra “swag! swag! swag!” after they finished performing.
Furthermore, OFWGKTA held court at SXSW and their shows were packed out. One of the best interviews I’ve seen in the last few weeks is Nardwaur (The Human Serviette) interviewing the group. [link]
The other members of the collective have been busy, too. Earl, a 16-year-old and one of the better rappers in the group, released his debut EP (Sweatshirt) in March of 2010. Since then, Earl has disappeared, and there are persistent rumours that his mom wigged out after hearing what he was rapping about. (On the lead single of Sweatshirt, Earl raps, “I’m a hot and bothered astronaut, crashing while jacking off / To buffering vids of Asher Roth eating apple sauce / Sent to earth to poke Catholics in the ass with saws / and knock blunt ashes into their caskets and laugh it”) I’m not well-versed in all their material, so if you want the down low on the rest, swing over to Pitchfork.
Regardless, the group have already made their mark and are gaining momentum at ridiculous speeds. The release of Tyler’s debut album, Goblin, is shrouded in anticipation.
The Tallest Man on Earth - The Gardner
“So now we’re dancing through the garden / And what a garden I have made / And now that death will grow my jasmine / I find it soothing I’m afraid”
Kind of a creepy song, but it’s so sincere and endearing that it’s easy to get past that.
