AWmusic

Sunset Rubdown is a band I highly rate. I got to see them live and they were great. Check out my crappy recording of Mending of the Gown (sound quality = great though).

In addition to me loving Random Spirit Lover, I can’t wait for their new album to drop titled Dragonslayer. Much different tone to the titles of “Random Spirit Lover” or “Shut Up I Am Dreaming”. Shall it live up to that badass name?

Anyway, Idiot Heart has been played at concerts for some time and they had a Daytrotter live session of it (listen below). I wasn’t a big fan of the song at the time, but one important thing to look at with Spencer Krug, the raw product is much different then the final product (see I’ll Believe in Anything by Wolf Parade versus the Sunset Rubdown version). So I definitely excited to hear something new, even if it wasn’t necessarily new. The final product is sort of the same structurally but there’s more power, stronger riffs and Spencer Krug in his trademark wailing. Camilla Wynne puts on great backup vocals as always.

The changes are rather small but for whatever reason it makes the difference (somehow I thought the original was kind of stale). Granted, this song is pretty good, but I usually don’t like Sunset Rubdown tracks as stand alone but rather in one cohesive unit. We’ll see if Dragonslayer can live up to the hype.

Rating: 4 out of 5
Idiot Heart (Daytrotter Session) by Sunset Rubdown
Idiot Heart by Sunset Rubdown

It’s puzzling that I could barely find someone to take my ticket but I had a friend tag along after the Raptors game. I got there just in time to catch the opening act nonetheless.

The opening act was humorously named Jewish Legend and he wasn’t bad at all. It would’ve been nice to know they were the opener heading into the show. The backing band featured a saxophone, a french horn (I think) and a lady dancing around with shakers. They first came out saying that this was one of their first performances and if so, they came off pretty good as they weren’t shy at all. Only downside other then not being able to connect to their songs, was probably having to see all the “dancing” by the female. At first it was cool but after awhile I just looked away.

Sunset Rubdown set up and disappeared for a good half an hour citing that they were forced to wait until a certain time before hitting the stage (to let the audience drink up more perhaps?). I was standing in a decent spot just on a few steps to be able to able to see past the heads. My camera sucks for photos and unless I’m 3 rows away, getting a good pic was impossible. I ended up just stealing the picture from The Ampersand who had better photos and did their own review.

One random note was to see the use of lamps around the stage with a special blue-light lamp for Spencer. I would watch this lamp thinking it’s bound to fall by now. To my disappointed it didn’t lol.

Anyway Sunset Rubdown, started out with Winged/Wicked Things. Moved onto to random songs switching from tracks off Random Spirit Lover, Shut Up I Am Dreaming and from newer stuff like Idiot Heart/Three Colours off the Daytrotter sessions.

I thought Sunset Rubdown may have issues translating their album work to a live performance with all the instruments blaring loudly however they worked perfectly together and with all their randomness were able to effectively keep the crowd amazed. I will note that Spencer’s vocals aren’t as annoying live, he sounds more human and there’s less of his known yelping.

One great thing about the show is the interaction with the crowd. Camilla would speak to the crowd on occasion giving off witty remarks to a group of drunk fellas who kept yelling at random things. Camilla was a joy to watch in general, seeing her switch instruments and she always had something to say. Spencer was just as entertaining, when the mic wasn’t working for Upon Your Leopard, The End of Your Feral Days, with the crowd yelling your mic isn’t working he was “I know, FUCK! Why else I did I stop?!”. At one point there was a Mitch Hedberg recording playing which oddly enough was 3 years after his death. Otherwise, Spencer referred to himself as a cooking onion when the spotlight was on his face (you can barely see his face in my video).

Sunset Rubdown was pretty good live. The only downside, despite having a one hour and a half set, it felt really short. The crowd got pretty angry when Spencer said we were just doing a few more songs. When they came back for their encore, the crowd was yelling about 10 or so tracks that the band didn’t play urging them to play them. I would’ve liked to see The Men Are Called Horsemen There and They Took A Vote and Said No.

Definitely song selection could’ve been better as at times they didn’t get as much crowd response.

Still a good show. Other then the fun interaction with the crowd, best musical moment had to be hearing the eerie silence when they were playing Us Ones In Between.

Here’s the video I recorded for The Mending of the Gown:

Nessangel also has two videos of the same concert: Stadium Shrines II and Shut Up I’m Dreaming of Lovers With Wings/Taming of the Hands that Came Back to Life.

Stadiums and Shrines II

Us Ones in Between

Anyway I plan to see the show tomorrow and when looking back on my original review of Random Spirit Lover, I gave it a good score but I couldn’t really find many words to describe it’s greatness.

It’s been 6 months since it was first released and from that point on, listening to Random Spirit Lover has kept getting better and better. There have been many reviews of this album, some calling it the best of the year well others lambasting it’s roughness and complexity.

The general statement I hear around this album that it’s “Not For Everyone”. No music is for everyone to begin with and it’s mainly the thought that either the listener won’t appreciate the art work of the painter or in this case the artist takes a different approach. Ultimately when looking at Random Spirit Lover, it’s an absolutely masterpeice where you have to look at the nooks and crannies to find it.

Let’s divulge into why I consider Random Spirit Lover to be oh-so-fucking-great.
1) Lyrically complex (or “fucked up”). Songs on RSL are quite strange indeed. Interpreting songs are near impossible and can have a broad range of meanings. Generally, it’s confusing to take the “literal” route with trying to think of songs. Either way it’s a pleasure to attempt to dissect them and ultimately come with a conclusion of I Don’t Know or I’m Not Sure

2) Random musical composition.
This is where Sunset Rubdown lives up to its album name, complementing their lyrical randomness involves using an unsymmetrical structure whether by guitar or keyboard. Sometimes kicking it in latter portions of tracks adding a riff or just random guitar playing it seems.

3) Spencer Krug’s singing
Whereas critics are quick to judge and dismiss the singing due to the “annoying” yelps and screams. However I am going to say that this is what actually gives some tracks some of its passion. There are times where his voice is just fine and times where he’s screaming off his lungs. When he is is screaming off his lungs it’s more bearable then not and it’s not like theyre screeches that you would find on a metal album.

4) No song is boring
If you see a critic say this album is boring, they’re liars or pretentious fags (okay that’s not too nice). There’s a ton of diversity where you have soft moments mixed with the full hard-rock moments and Sunset Rubdown perfects all of them perfectly. You have to give this album a chance as you have a lot thrown at you at once and each time you take in something different. Boring is just a shitty way of characterizing things.

As you can see, I’m very high on this album. It was at least given the most #1 votes in Pitchfork’s Fan Voting so there are guys who see what I see. Otherwise for such a classic, there’s very little fan fare, maybe because a lot of critics didn’t give it the time it needed. A lot of people may miss out on it but I’m here spreading the word as much as possible.

I think of the discussions I have with friends is how a band like Pink Floyd would never live in our era. We’re either too mainstream/pop obsessed (guilty!) that we don’t dare challenge ourselves. I’m willing to put myself out there and call this album Pink Floyd art rock-esque. Random, challenging, brilliant. So far one of the better albums I have ever heard. 5 out of 5.

Winged/Wicked Things by Sunset Rubdown

The Courtesan Has Sung by Sunset Rubdown

For The Pier (And Dead Shimmering) by Sunset Rubdown

Buy Random Spirit Lover at Insound, CD Universe and Amazon.

I actually hated doing this list…not that it was subpar but I think I would’ve felt better doing a review today. Just no writing quality in putting out this list though it’s great for traffic bait.

25. She’s a Rejector by Of Montreal (link)
24. Patty Lee by Les Savy Fav (link)
23. Open Doors by Josh Ritter (link)
22. White Dove by John Vanderslice (link)
21. Handsome Furs Hate This City by The Handsome Furs
20. Weekend Without Makeup by The Long Blondes (link)
19. Meat Market by Everybody Else (link)
18. 1234 by Feist
17. Wolf and Crane by Siberian (link)
16. Walcott by Vampire Weekend
15. Fluorescent Adolescent by The Arctic Monkeys
14. Apartment Story by The National (link)
13. Red Rabbits by The Shins
12. Impossible by The Shout Out Louds
11. Right Moves by Josh Ritter (link)
10. Up On Your Leopard, Upon The End of Your Feral Days by Sunset Rubdown (link)
9. (Antichrist) Television Blues by The Arcade Fire (link)
8. Bunny Ain’t No Kind of Rider by Of Montreal (link)
7. Unless It Kicks by Okkervil River (link)
6. Back in Your Head by Tegan & Sara
5. The Mending of the Gown by Sunset Rubdown
4. Oxford Comma by Vampire Weekend
3. Once and Never Again by The Long Blondes (link)
2. Mistaken For Strangers by The National
1. Our Life Is Not a Movie or Maybe by Okkervil River (link)

I am going to go on a blogging break due to exams so look out for the top 30 songs of the year when I come back. This blog has made some huge strides in the last two months and while it seems hard to keep on rolling with taking a huge break.. we’ll see what happens.

# 10 Tegan & Sara – The Con
Original Rating: 5 out of 5
I still love this album after posting a very generous review of The Con. Granted it’s probably not that cool to have this in my top 10 but I just can’t do that. From top to bottom this is the perfect pop record in my opinion. It arguably had me singing (not a sigh to see) along whenever I had the album playing on my computer. Sure stylistically this is NOT for everyone but it’s still very enjoyable with good lyrics and overall catchiness despite rather depressing lyrics. Overall this album produced some great tracks and while they may not bring anything new to the table, music isn’t always about that.
Back In Your Head by Tegan and Sara
The Con by Tegan and Sara
Burn Your Life Down by Tegan and Sara

#9 John Vanderslice – Emerald City
Original Rating: 5 out of 5
Other then Pitchfork hating on this record. This album was praised by most as being a great record and upon listening to it I agreed. It is just soothing all the way throughout and I call it the perfect album to fall asleep to (not due to boredom). The lyrics are rather complex and do I understand what it all means? No but do I have to? I’m not that good at interpretations anyway. Artistically just how it’s put together the contrast of singing “White Dove” about a seemingly depressing story of a kidnapped and raped 8-year really had me amazed and thus the high ranking.
White Dove by John Vanderslice
Kookaburra by John Vanderslice
Numbered Litograph by John Vanderslice

#8 Les Savy Fav – Let’s Stay Friends
Original Rating: 5 out of 5
Les Savy Fav simply just rocks and they are the type of band I’d love to see live. While this album may not be something original/unique I could care less. From song to song it feels like they switch up stylistically and nothing is quite the same back to back. This band had the best intros to each song and really backed it up with strong bridges and really didn’t disappointed despite a strong intro to each song. I really want to see them live the more I listen to this album.
Scotchguard the Credit Card

#7 The Long Blondes – Someone To Drive You Home
Original Rating: 5 out of 5.
This album DID come out in the UK in 2006 but it only caught my attention when it was released over here. Wanting to see them live but couldn’t due to not having turned 19 (I was pretty bummed out). This album is another of the pop-rock variety but hey I love this album from top to bottom and maybe they should be a guilty pleasure but it has that catchiness that reels you in and doesn’t let go. This album does have longevity with me unlike a lot of poppy albums. It is almost 6 months since I’ve reviewed it and I am still quite high on this album if that says a lot. This album has spawned my two favorite songs of this year “Weekend Without Makeup” and “Once and Never Again”. I may decide to use the line of “You’re only 19 for godsakes, You don’t need a boyfriend” on a few girls on my age .
Weekend Without Makeup by The Long Blondes
Once And Never Again by The Long Blondes

#6 The White Stripes – Icky Thump
Original Rating: 4 out of 5
4 out of 5 is the lowest original rating I gave on both lists. It just says that I severely undervalued this album. This album SHOULD’ve been a 5 out of 5. Not that it was the White Stripes best effort but they took some major risks and went all over the place when in terms of style and still managed to have the songs addictive though the songs were definitely were complex compared to their “minimalist” style. Revisiting this album now makes me regret my original review but hey I can say I was wrong. Anyway I believe this album has the strongest 2nd half of album, most bands place their best stuff at the start but I start really loving this album surprisingly after the song “Conquest”. Icky Thump is proof that The White Stripes are one of the best bands of this decade.
I’m Slowly Turning Into You by The White Stripes

#5 Of Montreal – Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer?
Original Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Of Montreal IS my favorite band if I forced to only pick one. HFAYTD is arguably not one of my favorites by them. It is still good though. I had a tough time adjusting it and it was a lot more complex in my opinion (at the time I really shied away from it). Being an Of Montreal fan I gave it as much time as I could and I was able to take it for what it is. While it may not rank high with me compared to their previous work, in comparison to other albums released this year, it’s still top 5 material so it says a lot about my love for Of Montreal doesn’t it? I still enjoy the simpler stuff by Of Montreal but this album is great from top to bottom and catchy despite being quite depressing.
Gronlandic Edit by Of Montreal
She’s a Rejector by Of Montreal

#4 Siberian – With Me
Original Rating: 5 out of 5.
I did my review last month after reading an e-mail from frontman Finn Parnell. This album was just off the charts amazing. I’ll promote them like crazy because they were one of the first bands to e-mail me about checking out their work and nothing else has really compared – seriously. What makes this album great? Well from top to bottom this album is amazing, great lyrically and musically solid. Currently a relative unknown but look out for them. I STRONGLY recommend you check out my past review and the tracks below and you should be changed into a fan of them. After listening to this album I keep pushing it higher and higher.
Airship by Siberian
O Orien by Siberian

#3 Okkervil River – The Stage Names
Original Rating: 5 out of 5
Okkervil River’s The Stage Name simply just rocks and can get you out of your seat dancing but the lyrical depth they display is just amazing. Almost every song on this album could make it on my top 30 songs on the year list but the only thing stopping this from being #1 or #2 is the lack of more songs… only 9 songs to set our hearts on. It is quality over quantity in the end but when you can get quality in quantity you definitely take it. I really like the mix of softer acoustic songs (A Girl in Port) and harder songs (Unless It Kicks). I already uploaded Unless It Kicks so I’ll upload Our Life Is A Movie or Maybe.
Our Life Is A Movie or Maybe by Okkervil River

#2 The Arcade Fire – Neon Bible
Original Rating: 5 out of 5
Neon Bible isn’t as good as Funeral. I tend to go back and listen to Funeral over Neon Bible any day. However, I really believe this effort is as good as it gets when it comes to a follow-up. Instead of songs about love, death and growing up you have something more serious on Neon Bible. It’s the grown up version of Funeral where we ponder god, politics, the effect of television and overall it gives off a more serious vibe. A much different album then Funeral but I enjoyed it immensely.
(Antichrist Television Blues) by The Arcade fire

#1 Sunset Rubdown – Random Spirit Lover
Original Rating: 4.75 out of 5
After listening to this album over a period of time, with the artistry, how could I not put this #1? I asked myself this and I couldn’t give an answer. I didn’t rate it perfect because I felt this album wasn’t for everyone and was difficult to like. I think that put it over the top for me. It won’t be everyone’s cup of tea but after sitting through it a few times… it has left me speechless. I probably will never understand the randomness that is this album but it fulfills what I would call a piece of art. Both ambiguous yet adding carnivalesque elements that my brain thinks is crack. This album takes a LONG time to really start liking but if you give it a chance you probably will see why some have rated this album so highly. I don’t think this has the best songs but as a collective whole this album just blows everything else away. This album has gotten reviews from across the spectrum but I really believe this is one of the most amazing things I’ve heard in my life!
Setting vs. Rising by Sunset Rubdown

Anyway with Random Spirit Lover, the first listen through probably didn’t go over smoothly and it starts with a great song “Mending of the Gown” showing absolutely great instrumentals. All the way through this album there are songs that really got me addicted, usually after the second listen. I think this album is pretty good all the way throughout and picking of which songs you like is of course based on taste.

On a rating scale, I wouldn’t call this album perfect but pretty close to it. It doesn’t capture my fascination completely and I’ll give it a 4.75 out of 5.

Here are some random tracks that I dug:

Up On Your Leopard, Upon The End of Your Feral Days by Sunset Rubdown

Winged/Wicked Things by Sunset Rubdown

First off with the Most Serene Republic. I personally took a peak of their album with the stream provided on their website. I am not quite sure this is my style but if I can dedicate more time to it. I will definitely offer my thoughts in a blog post. MSR is from Milton, Ontario and are Broken Social Scene’s Arts & Crafts. I’m no longer able to find the stream of “Population” but owell.

Anyway an album I will definitely check out and after finding out about this band is Sunset Rubdown a band out of Montreal. Sunset Rubdown is fronted by Spencer Krug of Wolf Parade. I have gotten to really like Wolf Parade over the last few months and I saw the Handsome Furs (another member of Wolf Parade) with the Arcade Fire and I generally liked their stuff. I just downloaded a few songs from Sunset Rubdown and I almost feel it’s identical to Wolf Parade. You will be seeing a review of Random Spirit Lover.

Here is Stadiums and Shrines II by Sunset Rubdown: