Just An Apology

Sorry for the lack of updates as of late...inherent lethargy + school + lethargy are taking their toll on my volume output. However, I'm thinking of creating Sound! into a monthly zine instead of a daily/weekly blog. It'll be a downloadable .pdf file if it goes through.

Ya dig?

Cabin Dogs - Electric Cabin

As if they're stuck in the 70s, following the Grateful Dead around in their beat-up Volkswagen Bus, jamming whenever possible, being generally laid back, the Cabin Dogs make music. This music is good. Robust with the stylings of times past, aren't afraid to bust out an eight minute jam reminiscent of other jam bands – excluding Dave Matthews.

What I am trying to get at, here, is that Cabin Dogs – Electric Cabin, is a nostalgic, glorious, piece of music that's perfect for anyone who wants to transport themselves back to those ancient times without listening to same old vinyl for the thousandth time. Not to say they are some sort of one trick pony that is set on jamming all night. No, there are songs for all hippies. From those who want the melancholy, such as “One Of These Days”, to the fun lovers, such as “Froggy.”

I was born in the late 80s ('89), so I missed out on the days of yore, but the Cabin Dogs know that. They know that these days, the audience isn't made of the same old “give peace a chance” young'ins. “Electric Cabin”, even with all of its jam qualities, comes with a modern tinge. It's no perfect record. But I quite like it. A lot. So do yourself a favor and get it. No matter if you're almost near retirement, or just about to start thinking of college. It'll do you good.

Thom Yorke - The Eraser

Listen to it for free at http://www.radio-indie-pop.com/

It's a pretty rockin' album if you're into Radiohead or just some crazy phat beatz yo.

Some LP reviews for y'all

The Brown Shoe - The Wheat Patch



It almost gets there, but doesn't. "The Wheat Patch", by Brown Shoe is an album created for the purpose of stirring emotion. However, that emotion is not of excitement, but melancholy. While not bad, per se, it becomes tedious when exposed over an hour long period. That's what constitutes the main problem of "The Wheat Patch" - monotony. The vocals, instruments, and composition are top shelf, but the monotony brings it down. Brown Shoe create a Shearwater-esque sound: moody, lingering, reminiscent of autumn. However, no song strays far from the norm on this album. Listen to one song and listen to them all. That's not to say this is a bad album, it's just not great. It just doesn't pique my interest. However, if you're into the type of music they make, I wouldn't want to discourage you from making a tidy purchase.

Sad Girl - Twenty Years



Taking more than just a couple years to produce, Sad Girl's "Twenty Years" was worth the time and effort. As they say, "Rome wasn't built in a day." Rome was a legendary civilization, profound in its technology, military, and society. "Twenty Years" is almost Rome in music form. It's not a definite "Rome", such as Neutral Milk Hotel's classic, or any of Beethoven's masterful symphonies, but it does strike the right note. Blues, rock, maybe even a little techno-dabbling all come together to make a nice album, with great, gruff vocals. Though I was suspicious of the album, judging by the cover, I've decided that the saying "Don't judge a book by it's cover" is as true as it ever was. Though, a minor gripe to be sure, is that it does suffer abit of "The Wheat Patch" syndrome - montony. However, with this album, I don't mind it at all.

Enjoy the sweet strangeness of Sunset Rubdown

Sunset Rubdown


----> I suspect that this man, Spencer Krug is not a man at all. Instead, with his ethereal warble, epic melodies and prophetic lyrics, Spencer Krug is some sort of indie super hero. How else could he simultaneously front three awesome bands: Wolf Parade, Frog Eyes, and Sunset Rubdown. Sunset Rubdown is his latest and arguably greatest endeavor, with more maturity and depth than his other bands. On Sunset Rubdown's latest album, Shut Up, I'm Dreaming, the talents of Spencer Krug and his fellow bandmates culminate in something close to perfection. Each song is a rockin', winding road through a new world, with pauses only for head-nodding, sing-along choruses and full mind blowing instrumentation. Like all sublime masterpieces, these songs deserve multiple listens for full appreciation and adoration. After a couple rounds on the repeat cycle, you won't be able to shake these tunes from your mind. Exiting, intelligent, interesting and chock full of talent make the best formula for supermusic and Shut Up I'm Dreaming is supermusic indeed. I just hope Spencer Krug holds the power of immortality as well. This is music that should be made forever.

I will try to post a couple of mp3s if I get a chance.

Better yet, buy the album here

In Concert: Cold War Kids, Tapes 'n Tapes, and The Figurines

Imagine walking into a long dimly lit room with paintings of naked women in gas masks, indians, and abstract dogs looming over you. Packed with college students holding foreign beers, and beards. Such was the scene for the concert last Thursday at Solar Culture. Starting off to a raucous start were the Cold War Kids, who had more hooks up their sleeve than a pirate rig. Jumping around, banging their instruments like madmen, and generally performing to their maximum ability. I was amazed, and immediately regretted missing them the last time they came to Tucson. It was a beautiful site. The room was blazing with energy and noise throughout their set. It was pitch perfect.

However, after the Cold War Kids' set was up, the Figurines were on. If CWK were a cheetah, the Figurines were a sloth. Glaciers move more than them. Though, I will admit, I liked the music, ever it was nothing I hadn't heard before. But there was redemption for this low point of the night, the main act: Tapes 'n Tapes.

Tapes 'n Tapes did not fail to live up to expectations. Energetic, clear, and fun – such was the concert. Just like the other performers, their set lasted around an hour in time, and it didn't slow down throughout. I felt like a friend during the show, and I was glad I came. I hadn't heard much of their stuff prior to the show, so it was good to know that there's another band to watch out for. If ever given the chance, go see the Cold War Kids or Tapes 'n Tapes, you won't regret it in the least. The Figurines...if it's cheap.

Don't cry, download!

Those unfortuantly unable to attend the 2006 Pitchfork Music Festival, which is sure to be an intense mind blowing weekend of music, can now download tracks from 24 of the 30 bands performing. A couple of these tunes, such as the Mountain Goats' "Woke Up New" are unreleased gems. Others, "Long haired Child and "Just Drums", are old favorites. So if you can't make it to the Windy City, enjoy good music in your own air conditioned house party.

eMusic is giving this complimation away for free so get it while it's hot!

The Floor Is Made Of Lava, So Think About Life

Think About Life


I'm sure that you've all heard of Think About Life from the multitude of blogs that are straight on the pulse of the "indie" world, so I'll go over them in brief for the uninitiated. Think About Life is a small band that toured with a big one - Wolf Parade, and made waves with their intense live show and energetic sound. Dubiously mixing electronica with pop, they came to an addictive explosion of music that makes ya shake yo' rump. So that's that. Go listen before you implode from silence.

The Floor Is Made Of Lava


Now on to the purpose of this post: The Floor Is Made Of Lava. They're basically Think About Life, but Danish, and not as great. But they're good, especially the song, "I Told Her I'm From Compton." Brilliant lyrics. Brilliant melodies. Brilliant song. So go forth to their myspace and listen a lil'. Don't be scared off by their profile picture, which may or may not be construed as "just a tad NSFW."