No, not THAT Genesis...

We don't often speak about those bands where the drummer has moved from behind the kit to handling lead vocals. Probably because this doesn't always work out to the best of circumstances.

I suppose, as of recently, I could name a few successful kit-to-mic transitions with The Stills and Band of Horses, the latter of who's formation resulted in this move. But looking back, of these movements, Genesis is the band that always comes to mind.

While being a late comer to the Peter Gabriel prog-rock sound of it's earliest incarnation, I always hated them because Phil Collins was a douche and not just because of that Lion King song. I remember being a kid and hearing 'Hold On My Heart' on several of those in-store 'muzak' radio stations and even with not having a well-developed musical pallet at that time, I still knew it was trash.

But, I can thank my buddy Jason for sharing the story of Genesis, not THAT Genesis. So, enter the 'classic era' of that band:

Phil Collins is the drummer, totally spaced on some, from the looks of it, very good drugs. Peter Gabriel is a twentysomething, stud frontman wearing insane costumes while reciting lyrics about the first hermaphrodite who lived on Mount Ida.

Case in point:












(Gwar, eat your heart out.)

The band records, releases and tours on The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway. During the tour, Gabriel tells his band that he's leaving, something they say they knew was coming.

Deciding to carry on as Genesis, Phil Collins becomes the drummer/lead vocalist. And, needless to say, he wasn't dressing up in any costumes. Initially, things sounded great. If you weren't aware, Collins does a great Gabriel impression...

Because of the extra vocal duty, the band brings in a second drummer (quite a spectacle to watch because, Phil Collins is actually a stellar drummer despite his other douche-y qualities). After this lineup, the band began to shift again and after a couple lineup changes, the three-man, 80's carnation that I grew up despising was upon the world.

And, after all that, my point - Peter Gabriel is it. Look at the pictures, watch the vid and go get an album or two.

It's a compact and biased version (only to Phil Collins) but, it's my blog.


Genesis Live in Shepperton '73 - 'Watcher of the Skies'

Review: Future Islands - 'In The Evening Air'

If it means anything, this was the first album I had heard in a while that made me want to come out of a writing 'hiatus'. Well, that and a break from classes.

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Future Islands is a synth-pop band (they use the term post-wave) that explores the darker regions of early Killers and TV on the Radio territory. Lush-soundscapes fill the tracks while still allowing breathing room for the songs to flex.

On the opening track 'Walking Through That Door', the synth hook is immediate. Lead vocalist Samuel T. Herring sings with a controlled urgency that juxtaposes against the reeling squeal of the key-laden chorus. Each track has it's own personality yet, the cohesion binding everything together is strong.

'Long Flight' displays a bit of a tribal influence to the percussion but, the drive stays true to a dark-corner disco sound. Spanning the track, an echoed, steel-drum line leads the rhythm. Some sound motifs reappear on later tracks without becoming repetitive. This is especially true with the third song, 'Tin Man', which I see as being the playlist single that brings in the new listeners. 'I am the Tin Man', Herring proclaims over a buzzing wave of fuzz and rapid fire guitar attacks before ceding to it's conclusion, burning out with a ferocious blast of sound.

Setting up a hazy dreamscape, the title track, rather than going the usual route of setting itself up as a lead single instead acts as a break in the album. 'In The Evening Air' is a short one-minute (and 15 second) intermission that creates a buffer between the album's two sides without breaking up the familiarity of sound. It leads into 'Swept Inside' which is reminiscent of Arcade Fire's 'Rebellion (Lies)' with it's anthemic, driven bass-line. But, a sped-up drum tempo makes it a great, mellow dance track.

If you love 80's music, 'Inch of Dust' will be your song. Conjuring some Bowie vocals over a simple and drawn out bass-snare drum beat, the band always makes sure to pepper in little bursts of electronic rain drops before pushing the throttle again.

'Vireo's Eye' returns Future Islands to the epic sounding intro lines that may be their best selling point for new fans. While not fully bringing the album out of the clouded atmosphere, the track opens things up for a moment of sunlight.

The final song is the culmination of the LP – the way a solid one should conclude. A great dance groove and textured sample driving the bass and vocals while somber lyrics keep 'As I Fall' grounded before it melts away, leaving the last two minutes to deconstruct the composition into a moaning, brooding section of strings.

Rating: 8.9/10

Key tracks: 'Tin Man', 'Walking Through That Door', 'Swept Inside'
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There has been some slight underground buzz that this is an early contender for album of the year and, while still early, I can't say it's unwarranted. But, while this isn't the band's first album, it's definitely going to be their 'coming out' one.

If you're in LA, they are playing at an art space on Melrose called Sync Space on 5/21 -and let's face it, seeing an artsy band at an art compound is always cool. Right?

'In the Evening Air' is out on Thrill Jockey on 5/4.

MySpace: www.myspace.com/futureislands


'Tin Man'

A cold, rainy day in LA (what?)...go with it.

Queens of the Stone Age - Better Living Through Chemistry (live at Rock AM Ring 2003)

The Exploding Hearts - brighten up that grey, LA day!

You have to love a group that looks like a Clash cover band and has got that bright, jangly, garage-pop down.


VIDEO: The Exploding Heart - 'Rumours in Town'

Best Albums and Songs of 2009

It was a great year for music, even for us indie kids. So many solid albums and even more stellar songs/singles. On my list, it was a good year for Bradford Cox, repeating his place at the top - this year as Atlas Sound and in 2008 with Deerhunter's 'Microcastle'. What can I say? This dude knows how to put together great tracks while keeping the cohesion necessary for a solid LP.

Soooo, without further ado-

Best Albums of 2009

1. Atlas Sound - Logos

Prior to it's release, Bradford said his second album under the Atlas Sound name would be more poppy and accessible than 'Let the Blind Lead Those...' - he was right. 'Logos' is a beautiful collection of bliss and pop-hooks, peaking with the sparkling 'Walkabout' ft. Noah Lennox. This song actually came about from a meeting between Cox and Lennox, a subsequent discussion about sampling and a Boss SP-303.


2. Flaming Lips - Embryonic

At least we can say that we won't hear any of these songs on a commercial. The Lips have managed to reinvent themselves once more, strongly venturing into an album full of electronic blips and acid-grooves. The blown-out speakers mixed with the simplistic layering of many of the tracks makes 'Embryonic' a true headphone album that is a pleasure to listen to again and again.


3. Animal Collective – Merriweather Post Pavillion

These boys just keep getting better, eh? I did go on a bit of a rant about A.C. but, always maintained that these guys were genius' and this album definitely reflects that. Lush samples and inter-track, evolving loops provide a treat to active listeners. Coupled with the late quarter release of the 'Fall Be Kind' EP, solid activity has proven to be the best medicine for a group of hearty, soul-brained, sampling conductors.


4. Eels – Hombre Lobo

While the Eels tend to come and go from the radar screen, E certainly will be staying on it through the next release 'End Times' whose news has already started to leak out as the band has offered a free mp3 download from the album and some nice looking pre-orders on their site. 'Hombre Lobo', as with all the Eels releases, has plenty of the lonely man watching his dream girl from afar lyrics but, the songs are all presented with great variety - electronic, garage blues, delicate arpeggios and sharp distortion, as well.


5. Yeah Yeah Yeahs – It's Blitz

I'll be honest, I'm still not a fan of 'Zero' but, the album as a whole is brilliant. The return to 80's sounding synths was an excellent move. I think the heavy reverbed guitars as their complete sound had grown a bit old. Nick Zinner, the sonic architect gets a MicroKorg popped in front of him and told he needs to not play as much guitar and produces a masterpiece. Not too shabby :)


6. Girls - Album

A late-comer with their release, Girls skyrocketed up people's play lists after getting a nice boost from Pitchfork. While some of the depth of these songs gets lost in the live tracks I've seen, 'Album' delivers with 50's era harmonies and chord jangles fresh from a Kinks-era of pop perfection.


7. Grizzly Bear - Veckatimest

The early front runner behind the 'Two Weeks' single (even before it was a single), just re-established what we already know about Grizzly Bear - chamber pop is not dead and soft does not mean lacking.


8. Bat for Lashes – Two Suns

A beautiful, musical prodigy who pens all of her own songs, moulds the soundscape and has such an alluring, haunting voice too? I couldn't be happier - anything to flush out that negative female pop-star image that poisons people's brains with Hannah Montana and High School Musical. The darkness of a lot of the songs intrigues me yet, subtle fillers and bright chord rips reveal something new on every listen.


9. Mastodon – Crack the Skye

Ah, nothing like being able to put a metal album in a best of the year list - I cry black tears of joy. Seeming to be more of a prog-metal band, Mastodon's 'Crack the Skye' sounded more like Pink Floyd turning up to 10 on a Mesa Boogie triple-rectifier and eating a bunch of acid. If that doesn't sound appealing, throw away your headphones.


10. Them Crooked Vultures – Them Crooked Vultures

Supergroup is a dangerous word but, if it's composed of Josh Homme, Dave Grohl and John Paul Jones, 'supergroup' is no longer the right term - I believe mega-coalition is more like it. Filled with Zeppelin-esque riffs, Grohl's ferocious drumming and just enough of that Desert sound sprinkled throughout, TCV kicked down the door and is still stomping on the panels. The smart and controlled marketing campaign of 'Follow What's Heard' dropped teasers and hints throughout various web pages and got everyone's mouths salivating at the prospect of what was to come - and come I, I mean, it did.


Honorable mention

Cymbals Eat Guitars - Why There Are Mountains

A new band whose sound is larger than their 3-piece set-up and said they learned how to make a record by listening to Wilco's 'Yankee Hotel Foxtrot'. If there is any prerequisite for checking out a new band, following the Jeff Tweedy method is one of them. Early in their career, they've learned how to leave room to explode in songs and seamlessly flow into a different track. Expect big things from these guys, I do.

Spiral Stairs - The Real Feel

As the second guitarist in Pavement, Scott Kannberg held his own. In his first, proper solo release, his song writing is as good as anything Pavement put out and instead of a compilation of quirky b-sides, we get a complete album with strong structure and a nice journey of tracks.


Obits - I Blame You

Sub-Pop has been on a role these days with their signings and Obits was no different. I have a soft-spot in my heart for bands made up of grown-ups and not young kids so, I immediately was spinning this album non-stop. Garage pop with a solid helping of punk riffs and single coiled guitars made their rookie release a fresh listen and excellent palette cleanser when you are not quite sure what to throw on your iPod.


Future of the Left - Travels With Myself and Another

From the ashes of the band McLusky, singer/vocalist Andy "Falco" Falkous and drummer Jack Egglestone may have put together the most deceptive and aggressive dance-rock album of the year.


Best Songs

1. Atlas Sound ft. Noah Lennox - 'Walkabout'

As far as I'm concerned, this song is the pinnacle of all those chill-wave songs but with some bite. I don't really think much else needs to be said about this song except that it truly is pop-perfection and, I refuse to number any of the songs after this because, without the context of the albums it's not fair and well, this track pretty much transcends them all. It wasn't even close.

But, the rest...

Animal Collective – Summertime Clothes
Eels – In My Dreams
Cymbals Eat Guitars – ..And the Hazy Sea
No Age – You're a Target
Spiral Stairs – True Love
Bat for Lashes – Daniel
Thom Yorke – All For The Best
Deerhunter – Disappearing Ink
Mastodon – Oblivion
Grizzly Bear – Two Weeks
Dinosaur Jr. - Over It
Sonic Youth – Sacred Trickster
Sunset Rubdown - You Go On Ahead (Trumpet Trumpet II)
Wilco – Wilco (The Song)
Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Soft Shock
Girls – Laura
Built to Spill – Aisle 13
Monsters of Folk – Say Please
The Dead Weather – Hang You From the Heavens
Them Crooked Vulture – No One Loves Me (And Neither Do I)
The XX – vcr
The King Khan and BBQ Show – I'll Be Loving You
Arctic Monkeys – Crying Lightning
Future of the Left – Arming Eritrea
Small Black – Despicable Dogs


Best Album Concept

The Mountain Goats and John Vanderslice - Moon Colony Bloodbath EP

All I need to say is that it's about organ harvesting colonies on the moon.


Top 5 Shows I Attended in 2009

1. The Flaming Lips @ The Greek Theatre
2. Them Crooked Vultures @ The Wiltern
3. Sunset Rubdown @ The Troubadour
4. Wilco @ The Wiltern
5. TV on the Radio @ The Ventura Theatre