Album Review: Walk the Moon

Anna Sun by Walk The Moon

The self-titled album from Ohio based WALK THE MOON is the album I didn't know I was waiting for all year. I'd heard a few of their tracks before from their EP "I Want! I Want!", and a couple of them appear on the album, so I decided to check it out.

It's really hard for me to just pick out the highlights because, seriously, it's incredible. From the danceable lead track "Quesadilla", you're hooked. Every track has something to offer, but personal favorites include "Next In Line" (featuring a driving rhythm and some nice guitar riffs) and "Jenny" (coincidentally strikes me as a dancier version of The Killers' "Jenny Was A Friend Of Mine").

The only time I doubted was during the slowed-down "Iscariot". Don't get me wrong, I love a more relaxed track, but one of my biggest pet peeves is when everyone (drums, bass, guitar, keyboards, voice, everything) is in rhythmic unison with short, spaced out phrases. I've never really enjoyed it, and that's how "Iscariot" starts off. As I was listening, I was thinking of skipping the track, but then WALK THE MOON is all like, "Hey Anthony, we got your back. We're gonna keep it slow, but here's a little bit of drums to spice things up a bit."

The album finishes off with the new and improved recording of "I Can Lift a Car", a gradual crescendo of energy that concludes the album perfectly. At only $6.99 on iTunes, this album is absolutely worth the purchase. Check out the included tracks, listen to the previews if you want, but you will not be disappointed if you just buy whole thing and press play from the beginning.

EXCLUSIVE STREAM: "I Can Lift A Car" by Walk The Moon

The Shins--Sleeping Lessons (RAC Remix)

RAC (Remix Artist Collective) never disappoints me. Every once and a while I will find a song that I love to death, that I can't possibly imagine being any better, and RAC will make it into something incredible. That's not to say they improve on it; RAC has a particular gift for making you listen to a track from a different perspective, and "Sleeping Lessons" is no exception. This is one of my favorite songs by The Shins, and has always evoked a strong mental visualization, for lack of a better term.

Those I've talked to about The Shins, and specifically Sleeping Lessons, have oft heard me say that the song makes me feel like I'm inside a raindrop. You start out in a little droplet of water, falling from the sky, picking up speed, then finally hit the ground and burst into awesome.

The RAC remix works backwards, kind of. You start out on the ground, laying in the field, and then you start getting slowly pulled up towards the heavens, ascending and ascending, gazing in awe at all that is around you, until right you plant your feet firmly on the clouds and start dancing will all your homies and homettes.

If you think I'm crazy, you're right, but check out the track anyway. It's an awesome twist on an already incredible song. And while you're at it, check out RAC's site; there's tons of stuff you can sink your teeth into.

The Shins - Sleeping Lessons (RAC Mix) by RAC

Electric Youth

Alright, I seem to be a bit behind the times in writing about these guys, but I like them too much NOT to say a little something. Electric Youth is made up of music-making, Canadian couple, Bronwyn and Austin, who've released their EP in October of last year. Here's the thing: they've only got two original tracks by themselves, but you know what? That's ok. Because those two songs are bangin'.
You might have already heard of them via the soundtrack to "Drive" (that ethereal 80's beat "A Real Hero" you hear a couple times throughout the movie is a collab between them and College). I really really hope to hear of a full album release date for these guys soon.

Blog Highlight: Oh My Rock

I thought I'd give these guys a shout-out. They've dug up some amazing tracks (particularly remixes) that have provided a soundtrack to my life for the past couple weeks. Right out of Brasil,  they have impeccable taste and serious style. Check it out here.
Some recently  highlighted tracks:

1. Theme Park-Two Hours (RAC Remix)

2. KO KO-Float

3. The Naked and Famous-Young Blood (Tiesto & Hardwell Remix)
(If you aren't dancing to this track I'm inclined to believe you haven't a heart.)

4. Yaesayer-Henrietta

5. Little Dragon-Ritual Union (Bufi Remix)

Alto-Vocable

I heard these guys (er, girls) play a little while back and they were incredible, to say the least! If the Punch Brothers had an upbeat rock sister-band, Alto would be it. They just released their debut track, "Vocable", to stream and download for free. Beautiful vocals, a catchy melody, and just a dash of bluegrass make this a track you will have on repeat for a while. They've been working in the studio recently, so be on the lookout for more new material in the future.

Marina and The Diamonds-Electra Heart

Easily said that I've fallen head over Louis Vuitton Odeon heels for Marina And The Diamonds sophomore album "Electra Heart" (what I've heard of it, at least). The US release date is still undeclared, but there are 6 or 7 tracks floating around out there that are killer, not to mention some seriously smooth remixes. If there was ever a diva out there to give Lady Gaga a run for her money, it's Marina Diamandis. The thing that really gets me? Her dangerous low range-it's an internal combustion of sound and ultimately makes me want to sing in a British accent for the rest of my life. I encourage you all to find your inner Primadonna and give Marina a listen. 

Marina and The Diamonds-Primadonna

Marina and The Diamonds-Primadonna (B U R N S remix)

Purity Ring-Obedear

Something tells me Purity Ring and I have something in common, and it's that we've both been digging Grimes music. Ethereal, intangible vocals that you hear all over Grimes latest album "Visions" are making appearances in Purity Ring's latest track "Obedear", and it suits them well. It also looks like their long awaited debut album will be out July 24th.
Have some tunes:

Purity Ring-Obedear

Grimes-Genesis

Dragonette-Let It Go

Feast your ears on Dragonette's new super-pop dance anthem "Let It Go". I dare you to sit still. It may start out with a synthy chord progression that sounds a little too reminiscent of Miami Horror's "Sometimes" for comfort, but it evolves into something different quickly enough (a really good something, at that).

Dragonette-Let It Go

Spring Break Mixtape

With midterms just passed and the semester in full swing, it's time for some serious r&r around these parts. Here are some tunes to compliment those spring breezes and perfect temperatures anticipated in southern California this next week.

1. Electric Youth-Fade Away

2. Cut Copy-Hanging On To Every Heartbeat

3. Regina Spektor-Don't Leave Me (Ne Me Quitte Pas)

4. Empire Of The Sun-Walking On A Dream

5. Miami Horror-I Look To You (feat. Kimbra)

6. Avi Buffalo-Truth Sets In

7. Beach House-Myth

8. Fruit Bats-The Ruminant Band

9. Van She-Idea Of Happiness

10. Tanlines-Brothers

11. Holy Ghost!-Hold My Breath

12. Thomas Tantrum-Sleep (RAC remix)

Best Coast-The Only Place

Check out the title track from Best Coast's upcoming album, set to release May 15. Can I get a cheers to California?

Best Coast-The Only Place

1940 (AmpLive Remix) - The Submarines

Recently on a trip to Charlotte, NC a friend pulled me aside at a party and told me to listen to the song playing on the stereo. He had thrown on The Submarine's "1940 (AmpLive Remix)" and little did I know it would soon become a top played song on my iTunes. The dark, undulating backbeats take a ride along haunting vocals from female lead singer Blake Hazard. Blake, the great-granddaughter of writer F. Scott Fitzgerald, and John Dragonetti make up the indie-pop duo and they have much on the horizon. The Submarines are currently touring with Ra Ra Riot on the west coast and recently released a new EP and it is streaming on their website.

Here's the AmpLive remix of "1940", though the original track is definitely worth listening too. The original is much slower, but has some nice strings and the addition of a tambourine..

The Submarines- 1940 (AmpLive Remix)

Virtual Boy

Why there isn't more hype around these guys right now is a mystery to me, but something tells me it's a matter of weeks -days, even-before they're blowing up the blogosphere. Preston Walker and Henry Allen, the artists behind the Los Angeles-based duo Virtual Boy, have crafted an electronic album with intricate attention to classical technique and a severe amount of style.

The self-titled album seems to pull influence from all over. It's equal parts Chromeo, TOBACCO, Justice, and The Glitch Mob, capped off with an ethereal through-line reminiscent of James Blake. It's  a pleasure to listen to, and I'm proud to say I knew them back when they were performing their student projects in the music halls of Chapman University. This latest project is an attestation to the progress and musical evolution they've made, and keep making at an exponential rate.
Check out "Memory of a Ghost" below:

Air: Le voyage dans la lune

It's no secret that French electronic duo, Air, is inspired by the celestial. From their debut album "Moon Safari" to their latest album "Le voyage dans la lune", it seems space has been on their minds. This particular album comes with a twist-the music serves as the soundtrack for a beautiful-if not overly- restored version of Georges Méliès 1902 film of the same name.

The album contains about 30 minutes of music to the film's 15. Consequently, it can feel out of place and filler at times, there are only a select few tracks that can really stand on their own: "Sonic Armada", "Seven Stars", "Parade", and "Cosmic Trip" are among these. However, the overall effect is astral and ambient. It deserves a listen, and the film deserves a look.

New music from The Shins

It's impossible to say what exactly Port of Morrow will sound like as a whole, but judging by The Shin's recent single, "Simple Song", it seems to be a much more grainy, in-your-face, whimsical kind of project with classic Shins attention to detail and catchy melodies. Looking forward to March 20th, when the full album is released. Hear "Simple Song" below, or listen on the neat little player on their site

Porcelain Raft

Via Jonk Music, an article by Zoe Camp of CMJ:

It's unlikely that you'll hear a back story as cool as Mauro Remiddi's. Before he began to record as Porcelain Raft, Remiddi traveled from his native Italy to London, Berlin, North Korea, and finally New York. Along the way, he caravanned with the Berlin Youth Circus performing gypsy Klezmer music, created reinterpretations of traditional North Korean folk songs and played piano for an Off-Broadway tap show. He hasn't even had his 30th birthday yet, but Remiddi has more musical experiences under his belt than many artists attain in the length of an entire career.

You might consider Strange Weekend, Porcelain Raft's debut LP, a sonic catalog of these places and sounds: a musical work in constant transit from point A to point B but making lots of side-trips and detours along the way. Genre-wise, it's difficult to pin down: Billowing clouds of dream-pop synths cloak Remiddi's fragile wisp of a voice but against nontraditional partners like tribal drums and jangly shoegaze guitars. The common factor holding these unusual musical bedfellows together is an undeniably catchy melodic sensibility most immediately recalling the hazy pop of MGMT.

Even though many listeners may be struck by the initial similarities, Remiddi's sharp creative wits prevent comparison from being the main talking point here. Lead single "Put Me to Sleep"carries a thin stream of harmonies along on a clattering, cymbal-and-bells drum pattern, the layers of drum samples practically tripping over each other in something that sounds like the delightfully primordial stages of a break-beat song. "Picture," on the other hand, frames a simple, catchy, four-chord guitar ballad in a vast, echoing soundscape.

More laid-back tracks are no less infectious. "Backwords" and "Shapeless and Gone" bathe sun-faded psych-pop songs in ambient synth loops and wailing guitars: lazy, engrossing, like a nap on the beach on a hot day. As relaxing as these cuts are, they would be downright boring if left to roam in the traditional six-minute-plus running time of other experimental acts. Fortunately, Remiddi knows the art of song length, crafting the 10 tracks on Strange Weekend to have space for dynamic development but still fit into a lean, accessible, 34-minute package. The LP's shortness also invites repeat listens, with every play-through revealing another quirk hiding in the framework. It wasn't until my fourth or fifth listen that I truly appreciated how the sleigh bells and glitchy 8-bit blips on "If You Have a Wish" complemented the track's dreamy, astral atmosphere.

Strange Weekend is an album with a finger in every type of pot imaginable: cultural, musical, aesthetic. Most of the time, attempts to capture large swaths of sounds and ideas result in an unfocused mess. But in the case of Remiddi and his "How I Spent My 27 Years Around the World" project, listeners can now witness a rare breed of debut album, one that takes on the lofty task of musical multitasking and succeeds.

Porcelain Raft-Put Me To Sleep

Electric Guest

Being able to attend Monday Night Residency shows at The Echo may be one of the greatest things to result from my turning 21 this past fall. This February, shows will be devoted to LA duo Electric Guest. Backed by their producer Danger Mouse, it's no surprise these guys a mean beat.

Electric Guest-This Head I Hold

Electric Guest-American Daydream

Get More: Electric Guest, American Daydream, Music, More Music Videos

Miike Snow

Miike Snow‘s upcoming album Happy To You could turn out to be one of the best of 2012. “Paddling Out” is a strong track from this Swedish trio that holds the electro-synth-pop feel that makes Miike Snow such an original sound. After the strength of their debut album, self-titled Miike Snow, the band will need an arsenal of amazing tracks to keep up but honestly I expect nothing less. 

Check out "Paddling Out" below and "Cult Logic" one of my many favorites from their first album. Happy To You is set to hit stores March 27th.

Miike Snow- Paddling Out

This is my first post on Tricks and Beats and I hope there will be many more.

-Spoons

Goodbye, Pepper Rabbit

Xander Singh of Pepper Rabbit, an LA based indie pop duo, announced just last Friday that  "Pepper Rabbit will live on only in the realm of the 2 records and any live shows that have already been performed. There will be no more Pepper Rabbit records or shows". Singh broke the news with an eloquent and truthful letter he posted via Facebook. Huge bummer for their fans, but I expect and look forward to seeing the two band members show up in the music scene in other ways. You can read some of Singh's heartfelt post below:

"I want to say something real quick about the song "Older Brother". There is a reason that song was Pepper Rabbit's most popular song. It was the most honest song I ever wrote. I am so happy for everyone's response to that song, and it really warms my heart that so many people connected with it. I think a little bit more honesty in the music industry would do it some good. But most importantly, to share a feeling, and and experience with so many people who I've never met has been the greatest thing I've experienced in my life. And to the person I wrote it about, I deeply miss you and think about you everyday"
Pepper Rabbit-Older Brother
 
"In summation, it doesn't matter why Pepper Rabbit had to end, that will stay within the people involved. But I have to say that everyone who ever bought a record, illegally downloaded a record, came to or snuck in to one of our shows, I thank you dearly from the bottom of my heart. And to everyone professionally involved with Pepper Rabbit, and to all the bloggers and publications that supported the band, I can't thank you enough for your support."


"It's very hard to be an "indie band" these days. You spend 100% of your time trying to get the band to another level, 75% of the time on tour losing money, and the rest of your time in either complete elation, or complete doubt. So I urge your all to support your friend's bands, support your favorite bands. Support bands that you don't even like, because everyone deserves the time of day, everyone deserves your respect until the proven otherwise. Everyone deserves a chance, so give it to them, it doesn't take much effort. It doesn't take much effort to help people explore their passion. And that counts for life, not just music."


I'll miss you guys.
Pepper Rabbit-Rose Mary Stretch