Archive for the ‘Bridges and Powerlines’ Category
AWmusic’s Top Songs of 2008 pt3: #26-50
Onto the top 50! These lists take long to do. To finish my list today or tomorrow hmmm. Again 10 word description limit.Previously:
Part 1 #76-100
Part 2 #51-75
Next in the series:
Part 4: #1-25
#26 Teen Creeps by No Age (myspace/live)
I’m feeling regretful of not including Nouns in my list.
#27 Eraser by No Age (video/live)
Can be #26 (tied), both are equally good.
#28 Feel The Love by Cut Copy (myspace/live)
“All the girls I’ve known are crying” Conceited but catchy.
#29 Bare Feet On Wet Grip Tape by Chad VanGaalen (myspace)
Soft Airplane’s most accessible song.
#30 God? By The Dodos (myspace)
“Oh God, where’d you go?” Agnosticism at its finest?
#31 Ottoman by Vampire Weekend (myspace)
At least we got this song from a shitty movie.
#32 Beat (Health, Life and Fire) by Thao Nguyen With The Get Down Stay Down (myspace/live)
Upon listening to this track, I’ve become a big fan.
#33 Heart of Chambers by Beach House (myspace/video)
My favorite song off Devotion.
#34 Dying Is Fine by Ra Ra Riot (myspace/video-ep version)
Sounds emo without reference to this poem.
#35 Hitten by Those Dancing Days (myspace/video)
All girl indie pop bands ftw.
#36 Let’s All Sleep Together by Team Genius (myspace)
Orgies ftw. (All girl orgies ftw?)
#37 For Emma by Bon Iver (myspace/live)
This song is simple but captures the atmosphere of loneliness.
#38 The Modern Leper by Frightened Rabbit (myspace/live)
“You must be a masochist, to love a modern leper”
#39 Rabid Bits of Time by Chad Van Gaalen
Beautifully sung.
#40 Winter ’05 by Ra Ra Riot
This song makes Winter depressing. Sad in general.
#41 Agoraphobia by Deerhunter (myspace)
“Cover me, comfort me” is stuck in my head.
#42 Skeleton Man by The Evangelicals (myspace/live)
“When someone loves you very much, you’re fucked”
#43 Why Do You You Let Me Stay Here? By She and Him (myspace/video)
Fuck you Ben Gibbard!…oh I meant congrats.
#44 Move by Cansei De Ser Sexy (myspace/video)
Another catchy CSS track.
#45 Another World by Antony and The Johnsons (myspace/video)
Antony apparently doesn’t think much of us. Still beautiful though.
#46 Uncalibrated by Bridges and Powerlines (myspace/video)
This song puts the power into powerpop.
#47 Shut Up And Let Me Go by The Ting Tings (myspace/video)
The Ting Tings are a guilty pleasure.
#48 Poison Dart by The Bug ft. Warrior Queen (myspace/video)
My introduction to The Bug. I was amazed.
#49 My Year in Lists by Los Campesinos (myspace/video)
“Send me stationery to make me horny” Mail-sex ftw?
#50 I Hate Dell by Oldfolks Home (myspace)
Dell pissed off the wrong guy.
Top 5 Unknown Artists of The Year
I sometimes give abnormally high scores to a few records no one has heard about. I do admit that part of it is romanticizing a newly undiscovered band that should be heard, thus unintentionally putting a score up a notch, with the hopes that people listen to the band.
While, Nancy makes me feel as if I give positive reviews to every band, some bands maintain their status much longer after I’ve reviewed their album and the only thing I can honestly say is that these 6 bands are some underrated and under the radar acts of the year.
5. Little Pictures
From: New Zealand
Album: Owl + Owl
Rating: 4 out of 5
Why are they unknown? New Zealand is a world away and when it’s considered to be successful as a Kiwi Indie band to sell just 500 records, that’s a bit of hinderance.
What makes them so good? Simple lo-fi do it yourself romantic indie pop. The music itself is simplistic yet Little Pictures take it so far by being fun and cute. It’s really a pure joy to listen to even if the quality isn’t that high. Definitely music that appeals to the masses.
I Wish I could Keep You by Little Pictures
Hopeful and Hopeless by Little Pictures
4. Bridges and Powerlines
From: Brooklyn, New York
Album: Ghost Types
Rating: 4.75 out of 5
Why are they unknown? Not enough press has picked up their album despite strong reviews (Pitchfork reviewed the track Calibrated) and while there are a lot of powerpop bands, indie powerpop bands do have a tough go when it comes to being “cool”. Especially in Hipsterland that is Brooklyn, New York.
What makes them so good? Well I believe the album is almost more then justified. Sure it’s a little high and should warrant some consideration in a top 20 list but it honestly just missed the cut. B&P made a record that features some very solid powerpop
*I know it happens a lot but I sent in 10 questions to the band only to be ignored as I wanted to do a quick interview. In that sense I’m still kind of bitter but the music is still good.
Uncalibrated by Bridges and Powerlines
The Thieves, They Are Everywhere by Bridges and Powerlines
3. Kinch
From: Phoenix, Arizona
Album: Advances
Rating: 4.25 out of 5
Why are they unknown? Determined to take the trek as a Southern rock influenced do it yourself indie band. To take this path is tough and is a road that is well traveled with many bands not succeeding like Kinch has.
What makes them so good? While I didn’t think their album was “that” good, it really grew on me that it became an album I liked to listen to on the Zune (which is busted!!) every now and then. I actually feel like Kinch’s music appeals the masses and maybe it isn’t the best financial deal to be a DIY indie band no matter how talented they are. I believe they could big with a proper push.
Long Protracted Wait by Kinch
Memphis by Kinch
2. Anthem In
From: Brooklyn, New York
Album: Self Titled
Rating: 4.75 out of 5
Why are they unknown? New band. New bands have to get their foot in the door when it comes to playing shows. No shows, no ability to gain fans (as good as posting about them helps, playing gigs is the number one way to get hardcore fans). I would say I’m a big fan of them and during the summer they probably had one show.
What makes them so good? While danceable indie pop is thrown around with their band, their debut disc features both pop sensibilities and proficiency using the guitar. While some songs are structured more as pop songs, you find bits and pieces that you are more likely to find on a Les Savy Fav record. Add in the Wurlizter used by Ashley Profitt, you have a refined sound that main indie bands strive for. While they can definitely be better, and I may overrate them a little, they are pretty talented and it would cool to see what the future brings them.
Five Minutes by Anthem In
Down by Anthem In
1. Matthew and Arrogant Sea
From: Denton, Texas
Album: Family Family Family Meets The Magic Christian
Rating:: 4.5 out of 5
Why are they unknown?: Life being a folk artist can be tough especially if you aren’t receiving absolutely rave reviews from Pitchfork and many other news outlets. No matter how much the blogs like you. A lot of the reviews for MATAS’s FFF Meets The Magic Christian were very positive but nothing over the top.
What makes them so good?: #21 on my best of the year. An excellent experimental folk album. They seem to have a midas touch when it comes to songs. Songs like The Wizard which is limited lyrically is downright amazing musically when “He Is The Wizard” is shouted constantly. This band can literally do anything and they went a multitude of ways on this record and culi
Mock Origami by Matthew and Arrogant Sea
Marry Me Annie by Matthew and Arrogant Sea
The Dark Knight Playlist and Review
I dislocated my knee Thursday night so all I’ve got to do is stay at home on my bed. I figured I’m about a week late with the playlist and review, who needs my input? With the extra time “presented” to me, I changed my mind. It also “puts a smile on my face”
The Dark Knight has been a huge critical and financial success, grossing just under $160 million in an opening weekend, critical praise of 95% and becoming the #1 movie on IMDB. So better late then never with my review and playlist?
My playlist tried to involve some key quotes surrounding the movie. Granted the real soundtrack is great but let’s give the movie a good playlist anyway.
1. The Thieves They Are Everywhere by Bridges and Powerlines
2. Pencil Rot by Stephen Malkmus
3. Only Clowns Are Scary by I Love Math
4. Boy With A Coin by Iron & Wine
5. Smile Like You Mean It by The Killers
6. Knights of Cydonia by Muse
7. I’m Your Villain by Franz Ferdinand
8. The Angry Mob by Kaiser Chiefs
9. Psycho Killer by The Talking Heads
10. No Key, No Plan by Okkervil River
11. Black Heroes by Ratatat
Here’s the movie review below (CONTAINS SPOILERS!!!!!!)
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Bridges and Powerlines – Ghost Types Review
Bridges and Powerlines started as a band in 2005 out of New York City. Their release Ghost Types was put out on April 22nd and even at one moment made it as a hotly blogged artist on Elbo.ws. Ghost Types was also produced by Chris Zane who has also produced albums for Les Savy Fav, White Rabbits (should’ve listened to their album perhaps?) and the new Walkmen record. That’s pretty good company though I hope they don’t have to bring that up…I just don’t think in indie circles producers have the same pull as a Timbaland or a Pharell. (more of a shot at PR companies…I could care less who the producer is).
Either way, Bridges and Powerlines‘ Ghost Types is a great album. I first decided not to check out this band because I though they were a powerpop band so I just directed it to Joe for consideration without looking at it myself. I then decided to check their myspace and listen to their songs and I just decided Joe will probably take it and I moved on and promptly forgot about it. The songs I heard…stuck with me for whatever reason and I was searching through my inbox trash bin to find that e-mail I discarded.
I definitely feel bad for not checking out this album from the start. I do admit to liking the crazy powerpop (power pop is not really my thing) track “Uncalibrated”, the line “I can make it cold inside, just by being here” is kind of a line that just sticks with me. A lot of lines and lyrics seem to stick with you…giving you a sense how powerful the tracks are. The pace slows down a bit and you get a mix of keyboarding but some pretty cool guitaring (though it does take a back burner most of the time). After Uncalibrated I instantly liked The Thieves, They Are Everywhere, Half A Cent, and Middle Child. The rest rounded up quite nicely.
Andrew Wood, the lead singer is well a pretty good singer. He has a voice that feels smooth and it sounds as if it comes natural. While it doesn’t ever sound like he’s trying he’s still able to convey that emotion that you’re looking.
As I keep listening to this album more and more, I am finding it increasingly difficult to mention any real faults but the album for the most part is something special (I fucking mean it I just can’t come up with any more sugar-coated words). I noticed some of the subtle arrangements like that little rhythm on Floods and Fields. If there’s anything to fault this album…I could say some songs feel out of place within the album as their starting is slow. Tracks like The Golden Age and The Great Fire(awesome instrumental track) feel out of place but are good on their own.
Similarities? I don’t have many. Very poppy but giving off the depressing vibe. They are said to be influenced by the Elephant 6 one of the bands is of course: Of Montreal (my personal favorite). The other bands like Neutral Milk Hotel….I haven’t listened to (I’ll admit it). Whatever I can’t think of any similarities but just know the album is an excellent listen.
Rating: 4.75 out of 5.
Buy the CD at Insound.
I can only post two tracks at the request of Bridges and Powerlines and I’m going to ask them for a Q & A as well.
