Here are a few things that happened in music this week that didn’t involve the Grammys or C***s B***n.
Sleigh Bells’ Reign Of Terror Streaming Now
The New York Times have exactly what you need right now, and that is the entire stream of the Sleigh Bells’ forthcoming album, Reign Of Terror. The accompanying article is also worth your while. Go listen and then let me know what you think!
Garbage Is Such A Tease
As I mentioned last week, Garbage is making their long-awaited return to music this year with the release of Not Your Kind Of People, the first album from the band in seven years. To celebrate Valentine’s Day, the band released a snippet of one of their forthcoming tracks, “I Hate Love,” which took the form of a short video featuring some rather morbid fan art. In a strange way it’s sort of sweet.
Any thoughts? Game enough to make an early call? I’m not. I hope those four bars tide everyone over until May 15.
Jack White Is Doing His Solo Thing
Does everyone love Jack White as much as I love Jack White? In my eyes the man can’t put a foot wrong. The clip for his new single, “Love Interruption” features Ruby Amanfu (vocals), Emily Bowland (bass clarinet) and Brooke Wagonner (piano) and makes me a little less sad about that White Stripes break-up thing. This track is from his forthcoming solo album, Blunderbuss (April 23).
Butterfly Boucher Gets Dancey
Australian-born, Nashville-based singer slash songwriter slash multi-instrumentalist slash producer Butterfly Boucher has released the first track from her forthcoming self-titled album. In case you’re not familiar with Butterfly Boucher, you should know that she is a very talented and very busy human. She’s a member of the Nashville collective Ten Out Of Tenn and in the last year alone she toured with Sarah McLachlan and produced Missy Higgins’ third studio album.
The new track is a super hooky number called “5678!” It was co-written by Katie Herzig and reminds me a little of The Young Ones soundtrack. That’s a good thing.
OUTlander Music Festival x South x Southwest
Anyone heading to Austin, Texas during South by Southwest should check out the 2012 OUTlander Spring Festival, a 9-day multimedia event for the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered community held from March 9 – 17. The lineup is jam packed with all your favorite artists including but not limited to Rachael Sage, Hunter Valentine, Sick of Sarah, Melissa Ferrick and God-des and She. Everything else you need to know is on the OUTlander Facebook page.
Meet Ellie Herring
Ellie Herring is an up-and-coming American electronic musician and producer who’s just released her first full-length record, Satiate.
Ellie’s been on the electronic scene for quite a number of years, earning herself places on the same stage as artists you probably enjoy, such as MEN, Bitch, Class Actress and SSION, just to name a few. Have a listen to one of Ellie’s latest tunes, “Died To Meet You.”
Some Sleigh Bells-induced feelings:
I think the only issue I had with ‘Treats’ was that I needed/need to be in a specific mood in order to listen to it completely. Certain songs were good for all times (ex. ‘Rill Rill,’ ‘Kids,’ ‘Riot Rhythm’), but as a whole, I would never throw the album on as, say, something to hear while reading.
But, having listened to ‘Reign of Terror,’ I think they’ve benefited greatly from focusing more heavily on guitar riffs and harmonies as opposed to kickass rhythms and beats. More songs are lyrical and harmonious and layered, but they don’t lose the classic headbanging noise-pop distinction. For this whole album, I not only want to throw my body at the beat, but my mouth at the lyrics, which is some of the highest praise I can give.
Fav Tracks: ‘Leader of the Pack,’ ‘Comeback Kid,’ and ‘Crush.’
Gushing over.
I hope they never ever lose that classic headbanging noise-pop. I’m going to read this again the next time I listen to the album.
I keep waiting to find out it is all some strange, elaborate prank. No one has the right to do so much work of such high quality with no missteps. Jack White can’t be real–can he? Listen to a few of the new tracks. Different from WHITE STRIPES, but still great stuff. The streak continues.
New SLEIGH BELLS, hooray!! If TREATS had been on vinyl I would have worn a whole in it.
I think the difference between Jack White and the rest isn’t so much that he doesn’t have bad ideas, it’s that he never overemphasizes them to the general public.
For example, when Metallica and Lou Reed decided to collaborate with each other (bad idea), they debut it at the Rock’n’Roll Hall of Fame, make a full length album, then go on a promotional whirlwind, ensuring that everyone is familiar about this very, very bad idea.
By contrast, when Jack White did a cover of Mozart’s “Lick My A**” with Insane Clown Posse, the result just gets put online with very little fan fare, making possible for people who aren’t “into” that sort of thing to simply ignore it.
It should be noted that being able to tell good and bad ideas apart is no small matter, especially for a wildly successful artist. I think it shows a certain amount of humility on his part to be as big as he is and not think all of his ideas are God’s gift.
did you like that new sleigh bells album crystal? i was bored by it…not a big step away from the 1st, me thinks.
I liked it, I’ll definitely be buying it. I’ve only had time to listen to it once – I’m sure when I get my hands on the physical copy I’ll have a few more feelings about it.
I can see where you’re coming from. I remember the first time I heard ‘Comeback Kid’ my only thought was yep, this sounds like Sleigh Bells.
I really fucking love Jack White. This video is all kinds of excellent, thanks for posting it!
THERE ARE NOT WORDS FOR HOW IN LOVE I AM WITH JACK WHITE.
He is one of the few men I’m actualfax attracted to, and it’s 100% because I am head-over-heels in love with his TALENT. IT’S ALL BECAUSE OF THE TALENT.
I have a lot of feelings, clearly.
But yes, I love “Love Interruption” (I also find the lyrics incredibly sexually evocative), and pounced the instant that video came out. I really love his treatment, because it’s stripped down and aesthetically consistent with the song, and also highlights his collaborators, a choice I really respect. I mean, how often does the bass clarinet player get attention? It’s super rad that he included them. (Plus, they’re all really attractive, and I want Ruby Amanfu to sing to me forever. Preferably with some naked involved, because hot dammmmmn.)
I can’t stop listening to 5678! I’d never heard of Butterfly Boucher before, but now I can’t wait for her album.
was NOT aware of that jack white. it sounds AWESOME.
so that ‘Reign of Terror’ album translated my excited feelings (that couldn’t be put into a sentence) about A-Camp into an audible reality..
I’m so ready for the new Garbage album. I don’t think I can wait until May. :P
Jack White is doing the solo thing… does this mean The Dead Weather is over? I was hoping for more Alison/Jack realness.
Also excited for Sleigh Bells!
Hooray for mentioning Ellie Herring!! She and her girlfriend are fucking fantastic. And obviously she’s super talented.
Alexis Krauss is mad sexy, with an amazing voice.
Love “Reign of Terror” :)