Ears Are For Feeling

Rangeline

Today I have been listening to the Rangeline record by a newcomer, for me at least: Joel Levi. This americana singer-songwriter has just released this record, his first and is impressing in the states. Although he sometimes tends to the poppy-side, this is fine on this record since he shows versatility. He is helped by a lovely alternative country band, together they sound very harmonic. This is definitely for fans of John Mayer, Dawes, Ryan Adams and perhaps even Fleet Foxes. Very Harmonic band. The year is young, but this record stands out for me.

http://www.joellevimusic.com/

My 2015 Album ratings (still being updated)

I want you guys, to check out this link again:

http://earsareforfeeling.typepad.com/mainpage/album-ratings.html

 

More ratings added today!

 

 

 

 

Neon Indian's new record seems to be the real deal

Today I listened to a complete version of Vega Intl. Night School, Neon Indian's 2015 release and it's fascinating. Chill-wave king Neon Indian seems to have outdone himself, with a record that will echo through mainstream genres for the next year, with potential remixes, club anthems and catchyness for many kinds of music-listeners.

It has the warm, exotic, yet surprising nightlife vibe that comes natural to the Indian. The style we have come to love since Deadbeat Summer, yet more energetic this time.

Let's wait and see how it will stand the test of time. But for now I'm totally loving this record.

Here's a quick taste:

 

What are my favorite records out of 2014? Number 4.

Arguably one of the best bands around right know. If they play slow and warm easy-riff tracks or the more high-tempo-ed explosive work, doesn't matter. They rock at it. Parquet Courts or whatever their name is these days, have had some milestones already, which is impressive considering their not so long career. The lyrics are crucial, the choice of sound intriguing. Always rough, never in-graspable. Sunbathing Animal is a punk album at one moment, the next it builds a one-riff neo-classic in 'Instant Dissassembly'. The album is rich in potential hits and for a band that produces quite a lot, that is another selling point.  After this, nobody was able to convince me of anything other that this band is the real deal.

Parquet Courts - Sunbathing Animal, What's Your Rupture? Records.

  

What are my favorite records out of 2014? Number 5.

By now, we know that this album won a grammy, surprisingly. But that does not mean I think this album is not massively underrated and under-listened, especially in my country and features some of the best work that Beck has ever produced. What the record from 2002 should've been (Yes, I do believe this one is the better record.)

Going back to this roots, theme-wise and music-wise. this is much more of a country/americana inspired record than most of his previous work. He never sung with so much pride and belief in his own work. Sometimes greatness can be found close by. Beck arguably never touches any new grounds on this record, then again he never recorded a record that was this strong from the first track to the last. High level technical performances, right choices in production. Yet this record has been labeled a safe choice, even more so after the grammy. And I most of the time don't like safe choices, yet this record impressed me. It's the differences that set it apart, small differences, but still. Re-discovering himself with his lyrics and bringing us back to the ages of Nick Drake or The Byrds, to just name a few. And that in itself is a bigger accomplishment than most people would reckon.This was not an instant hit for me, but the entire record came through in the end and Beck's wisdom is know, for a little bit, also mine.

and the closing track:

 

 

Just hope that this is not really a phase.

5. Beck - Morning Phase, Capitol Records, 21st of February, 2014. 

 

 

 

 

Aureate Gloom by of Montreal

of Montreal is a band that needs no introduction.
And yet their latest release has me more excited than usual.

I've mentioned here before that listening to a record, mostly this counts for special records,the first few spins don't always necessarily give you a great feeling.
On of Montreal's Aureate Gloom that will be released soon, you can hear, i would almost call it the usual honk-a-donk indie sound they are familiar with. But it is when they start to move away from that sound they are an awesome band. Estocadas, Aluminium Crown and especially Like Ashoka's Inferno of Memory, rank, to my sincere opinion, amongst their best material. The stunning switches between the energetic and calm parts and somehow still delivering interesting tracks, that I would not dare to call catchy.
And that's just the kind of band of Montreal is and they prove with this record maybe more than ever, that if being original is one of your key features from the start, you can keep going without being boring ever.
As i Said I believe the final track from the record, that is in fact not at all gloomy, is just fantastic.

 

The record is definitely in my 'need to hear' category, it is lively, it is interesting and it is still growing on me. Giving stars to an album this deep, might be too early and not correct, so I'll add a little star to it.

4*/5

 

The 2014 Verdict Part 6: 20-16

Five more:

 

20. Drowners - Drowners, Frenchkiss Records, 1. Well, People Will Talk 2. Bar Chat 3. Unzip Your Harrington, Indie-Rock, Garage

 

19. James - La Petite Mort, BMG Music, 1. Frozen Britain 2. Quicken The Dead 3. Walk Like You, Pop-Rock, Alternative Rock

 

 18. Phantogram - Voices, Republic Records, 1. Black Out Days 2. Bill Murray 3. Fall In Love, Indie-Pop, Synth-pop, IDM, Electronics

 

17. Shabazz Palaces - Lese Majesty, Sub Pop Records, 1. #Cake 2. Motion Sickness 3. Forerunner Foray

 

16. Ryan Adams - Ryan Adams, PAX AM, 1. Kim 2. Trouble 3. Am I Safe, Alternative Country, Singer-Songwriter, Folk

    

The 2014 Verdict Albums Part 5:

And there is more. I was in a hurry, so no videos. 

 

30. Yellow Red Sparks - Yellow Red Sparks, ORG Music Label, 1. My Machine Gun 2. Yellow Red Sparks 3. Buy Me Honey, Indie, Folk, Indie-Rock

29. D.D Dumbo - Tropical Oceans, 4AD Records, 1. Tropical Oceans

28. The Highest Violet - The Highest Violet, Released Indepently, 1. Thread Lightly 2. Gentle Rain 3. No End in Sight, Alternative Rock, Indie Rock, Psych-Rock

27. Blonde Redhead - Barragán, Kobalt Music Group, 1. A Cat on Tin Roof 2. Penultimo 3. Mind to Be Had, Indie, Alternative Rock, Alternative, Experimental

26. Sun Kil Moon - Benji, Caldo Verde Records, 1. I Can't Live Without My Mother's Love 2. Carissa 3. Micheline, Singer/Songwriter, Indie, Folk

 

Enjoy!

The 2014 Verdict Albums Part 4

And we continue at 35.

again, I will talk about the 10 best a little more.

35. Coves - Soft Friday, Nettwerk Music Group, 1. Beatings 2. Let The Sun Go 3. Wake Up, Indie-Rock, Indie, Synthpop

 

34. DJ Quik - The Midnight Life, Mad Science Records  1. Pet Semetary 2. Life Jacket 3. Puffin The Dragon, Hip-Hop

 

33.Medicine - Home Everywhere, Captured Tracks Records, 1. The Reclaimed Girls 2. The People  3. It's All About You, Noise-Pop, Synthpop, Shoegaze, Indie

 

32. Goat - Commune, Sub Pop Records, 1. Hide From The Sun 2. The LIght Within 3. Words,  Psych-Rock, Tribal

 

31. White Lung - Deep Fantasy, Domino Records, 1. Snake Jaw 2. In Your Home 3. Drown With The Monster, Punk-Rock, Indie-Rock, Noise-Rock

 

 

Enjoy!

The 2014 Verdict: Albums Part 1: 50-46

From now on I will be posting what I have perceived as the finest albums of 2014 (some are out of the end of 2013, but you'll get the idea).

Starting today with numbers 50-41. Top 10 will be highlighted some more.

Enjoy!

Missing something? Let me know, love to discuss about it some more.

Format: Band - Album, Label, 1.2.3. (Key Tracks), Genre

50. Soft Swells - Floodlights, Modern Outsider Records, 1. Love Like You  2. Floodlights 3. Bloodshot Eyes, Indie-Pop, Indie-Rock, Dream-Pop

 

49. Strand of Oaks - Heal, Dead Oceans Records, 1. JM 2. Plymouth  3. Shut In, Folk, Folk-Rock, Indie

    

48. The Cyclist - Flourish, All City Records , 1. Breathless 2. Daisy Spirals 3. Flourish, IDM, Electronica

 

47. Sohn - Tremors, 4AD Records, 1. Bloodflows 2. Ransom Notes 3. Tremors, Synthpop, Indiepop, Triphop, Electronica

 

46. Angel Olsen - Burn Your Fire For No Witness, Jagjaguwar Records 1. Unfucktheworld 2. High & Wild  3. Hi-five, Singer-Songwriter, Country-Folk

 

See the blog soon, for the rest of the list. and a singles list.

Record Alphabet: A

You can never have enough records, so let us do an alphabet of records I think you should buy or at least listen. All vinyl records ofcourse.

A

Automatic Sam - Sonic Whip

First one is Dutch (Nijmegen) band Automatic Sam's 2013 record Sonic Whip. An action-packed record and to my honest opinion the best Dutch record of the year. From the guitar-riffs to the dark vocals everything is just so intense and heavy. Unusually high intrigue value and unordinary stuff going on in almost all of the tracks.

"So Dance Motherfucker, Dance."

 

The 4 best LPs out of 2013.

halfway through the new year is a good time to reflect.

the 4 best LPs of 2013:

1. Splashh - Comfort

2. Beach Fossils - Clash the Truth

3. Bibio - Silver Wilkinson

4. Julia Holter - Loud City Song

2013: Death Grips - Government Plates

7. Death Grips - Government Plates, Warp Records, November 13th, Experimental Hiphop/Noise Rap/Noise

Death Grips canceled their tour to make this one and thank god they did. Totally outrageous from the go-go, this LP will leave your mind blown. But that is just wat DG wants. Being even more experimental, totally out fo control. But if you have listened to any of their previous material (if not, I suggest you do that right now), this is one the craziest rides you could've had in 2013. And okay, this is not even Hiphop anymore, this is something entirely new.

Enjoy!

 

The Sound of 2013: Local Natives

8. Local Natives - Hummingbird, Infectious Records, January 29th, Folk/Folk-Rock/Indie

A band who never succeeds in disappointing me. 

 

 

2013: Dutch Uncles

9. Dutch Uncles - Out of Touch, In The Wild, Memphis Industries, January 14th, Indie/Indie Pop/Indie-Rock/Experimental

Funky, Funny and Superbly interesting album. Indie for the experienced listener.

http://earsareforfeeling.typepad.com/mainpage/2013/08/album-review-out-of-touch-in-the-wild-by-dutch-uncles.html

 

2013: Moderat

10. Moderat - II, August 6th, Monkeytown Records, Electronica/Alternative Techno/Alternative Dance

As a first-day fan of Apparat's music, listening to Moderat was more than obvious. The collaboration between Modeselektor and Apparat showed of their capability to produce great tracks for many different music-lovers with their absolute bomb hit single "Bad Kingdom". Which is probably among people I know personally, the most mentioned alternative track all year. The broader aspect of their album seems somewhat more under-appreciated, but amongst my personal favourites of the year are Ilona and Let in the Light. Overall, every songs is able to feel relaxed while in the meantime holding the listener in a certain tension, which is unmatched. Then, finally, if you consider all the different styles used on this LP, you can only say this is the best electronic album of the year.

 

The Sound of 2013 Pt. 7 : My 11th favourite album.

11. Torre Florim & Roos Rebergen - De Tweede Speeldoos, Independently released, April, Experimental, Folk, Singer/songwriter

This album is the sequel album (or in this case only sold in a classic playbox version that plays one of the 6 songs as an authentic playbox) to one of the biggest experiments of Dutch Indie music. Touching songs based on texts from a acting class of mentally disabled people. Only 6 tracks long but very impressive, not an album I will easily forget. Combining the bands of Ms. Rebergen and De Staat to play the songs live, made sure that it was one hell of a show. 

  

Funny how these lyrics are actually among the best lyrics I have heard all year, they contain the right emotion and intensity, and it was never so clear what the writer or I-person actually really meant to say. That is truly beautiful and unique.

 

I do hope this will not turn out to be their final collaboration.

 

The Sound of 2013 Pt. 5

And..... 2 more.

More tracks in the youtube channel!

14. Jonathan Wilson – Fanfare, Bella Union, October 17th 2013, Singer/Songwriter, Psychedelica, Psychedelic Rock, Folk

Another big big breakthrough LP. Jonathan Wilson, former producer, pioneer of the retro movement in California, out with what could turn out to be ‘the’ milestone in his career.  From his previous work, the talent for composing and songwriting was obvious. But this single LP, oh boy.

 

2013 LP Fanfare is a mix of folky singer/songwriter blend with some psychedelic tendencies. The strength in most songs is the originality and their unexpected turns, but Wilson never forgets to take the listener by the hand and guide you through his emotions.

A perfect example:

 

The talent on this guy is so obvious, he should be considered strong enough as an artist to revive the psychedelic Californian genre on his own.

 

Magical again. Please, Jonathan, produce more music of others, make more Jonathan Wilson tracks. I mean, people who talk to me about music in general, know that I don’t use the words: there is nothing like, too often when it comes to a band. Well in this case it would be appropriate. This is a record to be love by alternative lovers, classical guitar lovers and pop music lovers.

 It’s good to know that even in 2013, an artist who you expect to be a real artist, can still make one heck of a record.

photo from: 3voor12.vpro.nl

 

13. Waxahatchee – Cerulean Salt, Don Giovanni Records, March 5^th 2013, Indie, Lo-Fi, Indie-Rock

One of the more lo-fi records that intrigued me nonetheless and yet again undervalued in the Netherlands. Intimacy, reality and wanderlust are they keywords here. I quote Rolling Stone: It's full of rubbed-raw heart-to-hearts about hanging with other miserable young people, waiting for the fun part to begin, and starting to get the suspicion this might be the fun part.

 

Singer Katie Crutchfield does an excellent job telling the story on every single lyric on every single track, in a way that reminds people of Sleater Kinney or Cat Power, keep in mind here that Speedy Ortiz is not far off either. Nothing feels like it’s too much on this LP and that is an artform on its own nowadays. While that also limits the chances of Waxahatchee reaching a big audience anytime soon, it sure leads to an amazing LP.

 

Photo from: thegaurdian.com

The Sound of 2013 Pt.4

Here are two more of my favourite albums of 2013,two that just had to be in there for me, both not really indie/unknown anymore, but hey, still under-valued, so here we go.

16. Danny Brown – Old, Fool's Gold Records, October 8th, Hiphop/Alternative Hiphop

This list cannot do without some more than above average Hiphop in a great Hiphop-year. This will definitely be one album to remember out of 2013. Danny Brown with his crazy party-tune voice (which he uses mostly on the B-sides), shows his most experimental and versatile side, with this album packed with tracks about his youth, who he is and definitely what he is all about. The two albums (A&B) might actually be a good versus evil, young versus older worked out in some wicked tracks with some interesting contributions from Hiphop’s best to some others like Purity Ring .  Just like with the previous work by Brown, he is having something to prove.

From Side A:

 

So while side A is showing us the real Brown, easily describing street-life, drug addictions, being a parent, with a kind of realistic vulgarity and tension that is truly unique, Side B is going back to crazy, going wild, party anthems that Brown can deliver. So while the tracks of the latter will probably gain the most fans, A will be a milestone in Hiphop. The album is in total so messy, but then again, that fits the songs and the made statements, it’s perfection, really. Hipster Hiphop in perfection. Songs like Dip show that nicely, compare it for example to the previously displayed track Lonely and you’ll catch my drift.

Another taste, Ft. A$AP Rocky:

 

photo from: versheid.com

 

15. Savages –  Silence Yourself, Matador, May 6th, Post-Punk/Indie-Rock/Alternative Rock/Garage

While it actually surprised how much attention this album got, I still think this album is underrated in The Netherlands. Silence Yourself is a post-punk revival gem of the highest order. Stunning, thematic The LP is one huge artistic statement (see intro of the video to Shut Up), intense tracks showing all the possible versatility that the genre has to offer.  Moreover this is one true band, with every member contributing significantly. This sounds obvious, but it is not and this band excels in it. Harmonious, atmospheric tunes coming from drums, bass and guitar alike.

 

The band somehow reminds us of the manifestational identities of bands in the 80ies, showing raw emotion and fortitude, without ending up in  a no-nonsense kind of music. Real music. I’m aware this is not the case anymore nowadays, but for an all-female band, the songs are really coming in hard.

Before the release of this LP, Savages were already popular, because the references to other bands are not far off.  Being into Joy Division or anything alike, makes this an absolute must. Still, the album itself is a truly unique masterpiece on its own and should be remembered for years to come.

 

Photo from: glidemagazine.com

 

Enjoy!

The Sound of 2013 Pt.3

We have arrived at my 20 most listened to/favourite/addictive albums of 2013. This time around, numbers 20-17.

I must say it has become a really nice list when I look at it. It gets better and better. I'd like to add that this is (ofcourse) mainly based on my personal flavour and that it contains what I like so much about these bands and albums and why you should listen to them yourself as well.

Most of all, enjoy the music:

20. Herrek – Waktu Dulu, Snowstar Records, February 11^th, Folk/Neo-Folk/Singer-Songwriter

                Gerrit (Herrek) van der Scheer’s new music project, which he already started in 2008, but the debut album was only released last year. An album full of feeling, reflecting on his past as a young boy growing up in Indonesia. This is folk like you’ve never heard before, dreamy and dark flavoured but also really with a tropical feel to it. A quick taste: 

 

Sounds great right? For me, this was the Dutch album that has grown the most on me, you can hear the stories, you can even feel like you are in Indonesia. The vibes on this LP are absolutely amazing. Songs like The Dark and Drown are absolute gems for the Dutch schene. But as so often with many great Dutch folk acts, Herrek has remained in the dark. Unfortunately.

So start listening now:

 

 

19. Dope Body – Natural History, Drag City, June 6^th 2012, Noise Rock/Experimental/Alternative

Probably one of the hardest-to-define bands around, Dope Body definitely has their own identity. While chilling out from their previous work, still being invited to Metal-ish-like festival says a lot. Although I wonder if the programmers even knew what they were inviting.

I will try to explain to you, what I like so much about this album (already released in 2012, hitting Europe somewhat later). This explanation is necessary, simply because….. this music is uncomfortable, spine-twisting and perhaps confuses the untrained listener.

 

Deep, complicated and heavy rhythms with intense vocals, giving the song an atmosphere that changes every 0.5 seconds. This is the kind of music that simply takes time understand, but when you do the reward is there for the taking. Music that intrigues, excites that, for me, is ideal for letting go of frustration but also just when lying on the couch.

From Road Dog to Twice The Life, the songsshow that, on the one hand the band knows their own identity and how far can they go, on the other, they show the diversity of the band. And the diversity is definitely one of the strengths of this LP, which I have been almost listening to for 12 months now, and it has not bored me one second.

 

 

18. Thee Oh Sees – Floating Coffin, Castle Face Records, April 16^th,Garage/Indie-Rock/Neo-Psych/Alternative Rock

One of the most outstanding Indie bands of the last few years, unfortunately went on hiatus this year, but not before going off the stage with a bang. For a band that is characterized by releasing large amounts of material in short time, this LP might be the first one that is consistent in providing high quality songs. And I mean real high quality songs.

photo from: kickingthehabit.nl

 

This is one of my favourite tracks from the LP, since it is one of its kind. The rest of the album is packed with the more hyperactive tracks that we are used of getting from the band. There is no slowing this band down, I mean…. It is their 7^th LP since 2008. But this one is their best one, for sure. From the first track onwards, just one after the other, the ultimate garage jams with psychedelic flavours are coming at you. I’m not complaining.

 

17. Speedy Ortiz – Major Arcana

This is definitely the most underrated album in Europe. It has it all, grungy guitars, raw garage songs, poetic lyrics. Speedy Ortiz is one of the revelations of 2013 for me. A band that has come on the radar in the US this year and they prove to be one of the acts to watch in years to come, with a stunning debut LP.

 

photo from kickingthehabit.nl

That was some rollercoaster ride huh? The album is full of these songs, the band sounds good going fast and slow, going loud and slow. But most of all, the bounds sounds edgy and raw on the right way. No song is too polished, too slick. Everything is just right, the vocals are spot on, the voice of ….. is simply amazing. Everytime I read the lyrics of the songs, I’m can’t help but feel total awesomeness. Total 90ies sound. What’s not to love?

 

4 more albums will follow soon.

Links to playlists and the youtube channel on the right.