Ears Are For Feeling

Video of the Week: I Am Chemistry by Yeasayer

Yeasayer is a band that does not compare well to others. A new record is coming soon and now we have a video of their first single I Am Chemistry. The track is all over the place, moving from style to style, with an intermezzo that holds euphoria like we know Yeasayer can do, just to be followed up by a choir singing, the track just gives you a special feeling. If not for that at least the combination of styles is unique. Before I forget to mention the video at all, it fits the track beautifully (in most cases that's my selection criteria for the VotW). I believe the video aims to show how we as humans are just chemicals that pass on, that we have less control than we think. Oh am I blabbing on about a Yeasayer song again?

Go see them live!

Enjoy!

 

 

 

Video of the Week: Fossa with Static

This is posted as the video of the week because.....

 

1. This is a band I've come to like ever since they opened for Balthazar early november.
2. I like videos with just the band playing in a certain flavorful setting 

 

in this case a Sunrise with a waking city on the background, it fits the music beautifully.

Fossa seems to be excellent in this patient and calm song-making and their future looks bright.

Enjoy!

 

Video of the Week: Wild Nothings Living Album Art

Wild Nothing is an artist I sometimes can't stop raving about. I feel lucky I was able to witness Jack Tatum and his guys deliver magic live. This new record coming out February 2016 seems to be another milestone for the band. Having further developed their sound and the next video is proof of that. Both tracks are great and can probably withstand the test time with some of their material. Love the renewed guitar-sound that is dominating the background of the tracks.

This video is one of the first, not just moving artwork, live album covers. And slow-motion settings between man and woman, just fit the music of Wild Nothing perfectly. Dream away people, dream away.

 

Video of the Week : The Soft Moon - Wasting

It's been a long time since I've blogged this actively, but the love for it will always resurface. And the biggest reason for that is the music itself. There are a lot of interesting things going on right now, there is a lot of music worth mentioning.

As is the case with The Soft Moon. The Soft Moon has always an intriguing outfit, discovering their neo-post-punk sound with ease, and taking us along for the ride. 

Still, you can arguably state that The Soft Moon has yet again taken the next step in their music and a video to go along with it. With "Wasting" they show a sense of urgency, whilst believing patience in tracks is good. It gives the track an unprecedented atmosphere, even for a band that is already known for being able to create just that. And the vocals are totally creepy this time around.

The video (directed by Y2K) is a peculiar one. The main character (singer) gets injected with some kind of serum and then it starts. The track speeds up, strange images and colors flash the screen. artful images become clear on his face. The old man must be evil. It's a fascinating piece of work really. Could be the soundtrack to some terrifying sci-fi flick.

And it's my video of the week!

 

 

By the way added their self-titled 2010 album to the Full-LPs playlist on the youtube channel.

Enjoy!

Video of the Week: Arca - Thievery

So I've starting working on my yearlists, since well the year is almost over now and not at the beginning of Decembe, but I already mentioned that last year I guess. I'm doing a top 50 albums and a top 100 songs, if I can find the time. 

Oh yeah and before I forget, I don't get where the Americans are going with this Taylor Swift hype, but I do like the way some Dubstep artists have used her vocals in some serious remixing. So check that out.

Now everybody is done talking about Aphex Twin (not that I have any problems with that, but there is more you know), I feel like posting this. As a new video of the week. One of the most interesting acts that has emerged for me this year. And this video is controversial to say the least. Well I think everybody should make their own statement about it. But the song is epic.

Enjoy!

 

Video of the Week: Snowmine - Tidal Wave

This is my first experience with this band and I like it. Apparently they have taken a turn form their previous (which I can definitely recommend aswell) and have become more pop-orientated. I would normally not be a fan of this, but in this case I don't mind it. And here's why. This track is such an original mix of some well-known pop-elements, a sweet guitar riff, synth tunes and some underestimated lyrics that it surpasses the level of an 'ordinary' pop song. And the video is not bad either. Actually it's pretty sweet. Sometimes, putting some scenery shots together completely does the trick. A beautifully depicted love story in 4:16. 

But I am still curious what's your opinion?

Enjoy!

 

Album cover of Snowmine's previous work.

Video of the Week: Washed Out - Weightless

People who regularly check ouy my blog know that Washed Out is an artist that returns to Earsareforfeeling every once in a while. Today I'm using him to breathe new life in my Video of the Week item.

As a single to August LP Paracosm, a stunning video was made to Weightless. As one of the more slowly, more ecstatic Washed Out tracks, the video breathes out the same vibe perfectly. Reading the Youtube reactions some of the first fans feel the same way. The video unbelievably accurately follows the way I feel when watching this, somewhat long, track+video. Then again, in that timespan, you get a full explanation of what love is about and what Washed Out's music is about.

 

Everyone wants to fly with the fireflies

Last week I ran into a lot of people who asked me: why were the 80ies such a poor period for alternative music? We remember a lot from the 60ies and 70ies, why don't we have the same thing with the 80ies. Those people don't realise that for music to come to its full effect, time has to pass. In the last few years the 80ies have passed the review and hypes around revisiting bands like Joy Division and early shoegaze acts are common these days. Not forgetting the emergence of synth based music that emerged during that time. If you keep that in mind you will find out, that many, many acts today are 80ies inspired and basically the last 2-3 years in alternative music are the 80ies in repeat.

Just to give an example, my new favourite video of the week, belonging to the track Fireflies by Still Corners is an example of typical 80ies synth tunes. And I know we get a lot of music like this lately, but this act is so far above so many comparable ones, that i felt I had to share it. The video matches the song in its warm feel, its melancholic feel, in a way that highlights the classic synth tune. Songs with videos like this can give you the feeling life is rich and full of beautiful moments, and this video breathes all of that out in full force.The vocals are (as always with Still Corners) intense but pleasant to listen to. For me Still Corners is one of the electronic/synth acts of the year, and if this video is a indication of what videos to their songs can be, please give me more.

Enjoy!

 

 

A.M.A

The new Video of the Week is a video belonging to a track by Maps. Maps is a solo-act by James Chapman, from Northhampton, England. He claims in interviews that his music on the recently reelased album Vicissitude is about change and getting through hard times. That's exactly what this songs feels like. Chapman's whispery vocals together with his massive tunes, that make you think of Depeche mode, Caribou, M83 and perhaps Pet Shop Boys, together make an intense track. 

The video is about people that have fainted or have died perhaps, that are being revived by a bunch of butlers with glowing orbs. Perhaps the light symbolizes the change in their lives, and for once they really wake up. While the motives behind the video are still a bit vague to me, it lives, breathes, looks and again sounds like the melancholic summery mood, that you can find on Vicissitude. 

 

Enjoy!

Bad Kingdom

Berlin, for a long time, is the absolute capital for electronic music. (Yeah, that's right, I said it, it's not Amsterdam. No way. Only for generalistic house and trance perhaps.) And this project is a great example of just that. Moderat is a collaboration between Apparat and the duo Modeselektor. And boy, are they great. Like many Berlin acts the music is much more industrial, heavier, but also has more scandinavian influences, than what you come across in the charts right now. ( I read an column a few weeks ago about how )ven Beatport charts in the last few months have gone to total crap, and I agree, calling themselves an "electronic music community is completely wrong.)

Anyway, enough on that for now. Moderat is one of those acts that shows the world: less is in fact more. Their minimal techno approach makes room for some incredible lyrics and some actual tension and emotion in the music. And also makes room for an incredible video. I have not figured out all off it yet, but it's about time to share it with you guys. It's about a british guy, that comes back from the war, and at some point his life is amazing, but then he gets entangled in corruption and greed. The rest is for you. And just, please, enjoy the art, it is freaking amazing if you ask me. Moderat, Berlin Minimal Techno at its best. My Video of the Week. Album "II" out now on Monkeytown Records

 

 

Right Action

Sometimes when a band returns with new tracks, it feels so familiar that you have to like it, for me it is the case with Franz Ferdinand, and here they are after 4 years of absence. And their new single Right Action comes with a video, that you would expect from them. A little 70ies flavour, somehow a little sarcasm, a little overacting blended all together in a fun 3-minute experience. And with the lyrics present, tihs is becoming an instant sing-along just like Take Me Out, Do You Want To.

 

New album coming out soon.

 

Landshapes - In Limbo

It's time for a new favourite video of mine. And I think the tourist agencies in Bolivia, will be pleased with this one. You are wondering why? Well the latest video of indie band Landshapes shows a Bolivian woman, making her way to a lucha libre event in the, in a strange way, beautiful city of La Paz. First we see her (in traditional clothing) going to the event, and I want to point out that in roughly, the first two minutes, the music fits the scenery incredibly well, which is the strength of this video. At the end, very surprisingly, she enters as one of the "fighters". I had not heard any material from Landshapes before this track, and I must say it is one of my favourite new discoveries. A beautiful clear voice mixed with a nice dreamy guitar sound. Beautiful song, Bueatiful video. Enjoy!

LP coming out in June.

 

 

Entertainment for you.

Phoenix is back. Well, we have to say that everytime they bring out new tracks, since these guys do take their time. But let us just be content, that one of the best alternative bands of the last decade has returned, and that a new album is forthcoming. And now, their new single comes with a video: A mix of beautiful images, movie scenes(?), parades,  and a producer producing music. All in a Japanese setting. All with some very catchy synth-tunes.

"I want to be alone" is one of the catch phrases of the song. Well Phoenix, not gonna happen. I guess after this, it is going to get crowded at the festival stages.

Enjoy!

 

Wishes

this is definitely one of the most buzz-making videos of the last few weeks. Strangely though, it seems to be completely out of sync with the type of music Beach House typically makes. And honestly it took me a few times before I realised what the hell was going on anyway. Some strange half-time show by the coach of a semi-futuristic Football team with cheerleaders and martial artists. That didn't make sense right?, especially considering it is a video for a Beach House song...

And I recognize the main actor (the singer), but I don't know from where.

Ah well great vid! I wish every video was this intriguing.

 

 

Follow Baby

This week's video of the week goes to Peace with Follow Baby. Ever since I watched them play at London Calling festival last november, i've been impressed with this band. Great tunes, diversity in the songs, and live was not bad either.

This video reminds me of the Blur - Song 2 video for some reason. Their first album has yet to be released, but latest news is, it's coming in March.

By the way, their live performance on London Calling is on the youtube channel, in the "live" playlist.

Enjoy!

 

We Do Parties

For the people who don't know Deerhoof, they're a wacky band, a one of a kind band. Well I guess the next video is a proper introduction.

 

These are the actual band members featured in the video, by the way, and they only recently release a great LP. Check it out. For now they just show us how to party in Tokyo. Sweet!

Enjoy!

Mind Mischief

As I mentioned before, this is one of my favourite tracks of Tame Impala's latest LP Lonerism. So when a video of that song comes out, it is an easy choice for new video of the week, right?

Oh, by the way, the video is pretty sweet, made me laugh on several occassions.

Cheers!

 

I Was A Bomb

The video that has rocked my mind this week, is actually not a new one, but hey, you can't keep track of everything, right.

It is a video for a track by Silent Rider, an electronic duo, that instead of choosing for power, has a more subtle approach. Well, having said that i realise, that they have covered TV on the Radio, and have remixed Radiohead. I guess they have shown courage by doing so.

Interested?

This track is a good starting point(It makes me think of the band Broken Bells): I Was A Bomb.

 

Another Fairytale?

Sometimes the best way to make a video and make people love the track is to make a video of the band playing it. It's as simple as that.

So here are some old friends of mine: Esben and the Witch, trying to get us excited for their next album. And they've done an excellent job, at least for me. They haven't lost anything of their talent to put incredible amounts of tension in their tracks and bringing it to some mysterious dark climax at the end of the song.

Although when I look at this video, I'm still getting images of their beat up faces: Esben and the Witch - Marching Song

now, without further ado: Deathwaltz.

 

Beatiful Dub

Peaking Lights has already proven to be one of the true revelations of 2012, and this husband and wife duo, continues to impress. With a great album at the end of 2011, and with recently come out Lucifer, they are one of the acts to watch out for on the stage in 2013. For now we have to do with this very simple, but very nice video, that fits amazingly well with their psychedelic poppy kind of style.

Enjoy!