Dinosaur then....
There is no timid opening note to Dino J’s new album, Farm. With the first strum and beat comes power and energy that some may not expect from the 9th studio album of a band that has been around for 24 years, mind you missing the bassist for 18 of them. At their last show at the Higher Ground a friend made the comment: “They are the fastest aging band…” (See picture example). This is true judging by their looks, but they’re only getting tighter. Though the members of Dinosaur play slack-rock, they are one of the hardest working bands I can think of, which has earned them a longevity that most bands these days just do not have.
The songs are epic, questioning and challenging. They don’t slow down, they all rock hard. The emotion is consistent from all three members. Of course, J’s singing and shredding go back in fourth dominating parts of the song, but they both sound just as good as they did 20 years ago- so turn it up loud! They surprisingly ended the album with a Lou song. His writing style is usually a lot more experimental and angry than gentle J’s, but this one seems to be the most in tune with the classic Dinosaur sound so far. I like it as the ending, the lyrics are positive and end the album on a high note: “We want to leave behind/ what can’t be held”. At this rate, Dinosaur is going to be around for a good long time.
Dinosaur Jr. now....
With the instrumentation of “mosquito”, “wizard wind”, “zoner”, and “gnarl” right beside your standard guitar, keyboard, and drums, how could this album be anything short of magical? The sound may be a little raw to those used to a lot of production, but if experimental noise-rock is your groove then here is another album for you! In Magik Markers latest album, Balf Quarry, seemingly clashing noise blends together into bewitching, eerie ballads. Sometimes the minimal range of notes conjures up the feeling of hearing music underwater, until an occasional thrashing jump knocks you right back on land.
I typically hate comparisons in album reviews, but sometimes they are necessary in creating a sound for the reader. I cannot hear Balf Quarry without thinking that (depending on the track) Elisa, the main vocalist, sounds like a sped up or slow motion Kim Gordon. The lyrics are dark and dreary, alluding to the past as they question themselves. They speak of luck and loss, jerks and friends, and shameful experience in America. Though the lyrics are overall despairing and gloomy, when combined with the message of the instrumentation, there is a distant beauty that will take you through an enchanting musical experience at a basement show.
The end of the album really tied together the artistry of the listening process for me. The last song, Shells is the perfect close to the album. It is nearly 10 minutes of a folky ballad (as “folky” as abstract-grungy-noise-punk can be) that really completes the allure of Magik Markers’ sound. Balf Quarry is entirely satisfying and definately worth a listen or two.
Karin Dreijer Andersson of the Knife goes solo, and the result is nothing short of fabulous. Press play, and a deep, emotional, sound swirls around you creating the feeling of dancing through a misty, magical forest. The hopeful and catchy beats float from the speakers while traditional instruments (steel drums and congas) spin the modern electronics towards a grounded musical experience. The image provoking lyrics, sometimes more like chants, reminisce childhood. The ghostly voices bounce between tracks, some high, some low, some sweet, and some scary.
Check out this spooky video of their song “If I Had A Heart”
This album is a daydream, opening a mind filled with stories told through synth-pop sound. Though the tracks stand beautifully alone, it should be listened to in it’s entirety. Fever Ray is a wonderfully haunting masterpiece that brings you on a journey, solid from start to finish, and leaves you wanting more. I’ve got a fever…ray…!
We now sell tickets to shows at my favorite venue in the area, the Monkey House in Winooski! They have some really great gigs coming up: Pretty & Nice (tonight!!), The Cush, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, The Vacant Lots, Rough Francis, Death Vessell and lots more! Even if you live downtown, the atmosphere of the Monkey really makes the journey worth it. Check out their calendar of past and upcoming shows at http://www.monkeyhousevt.com/
Starting today we have lots of great titles for real cheap, all in one special section! Sonic Youth’s Daydream Nation for $6.46!! Public Image LTD. Second Edition for $6.96!! Ween’s Pure Guava for $9.96!! Many, many more titles, and even more to come. All you need to do it walk down the stairs, head to the back left corner to the shelf above the rock videos and golden deals await you. Happy listening!
Fleet Foxes
The Bruegel painting on the cover of Fleet Foxes self titled album caught my attention when the album first arrived at the store. Knowing nothing of the band, I took a risk and played the cd. The lullaby voices and flowing instrumentals reminded me of CSNY mixed with My Morning Jacket, and the overall effect blew me away. I was instantly mesmerized with the classic sound and still cannot get enough!
My Morning Jacket- Evil Urges
The band took an experimental leap with this album, which was a great move in my opinion. Jim James goes a little crazy with some falsetto and some serious funk, and the result is fabulous. “Smokin From Shootin” is among my favorite tracks; epic, inspiring, and just plain beautiful. I was lucky enough to see them perform most of the album live in Montreal this summer, and it could not have been a better performance!
Mirror Mirror- The Society For The Advancement Of Inflammatory Consciousness
Yet another Brooklyn-based band, but this one really stands out in the crowd of today’s sound. They describe their sound as “digital baroque and ghetto cabaret”, which is a beyond perfect description. Slightly comparable to Pink Floyd, the album is eerie, melodic, pleasureful music that sounds like you are listening in a very large, dark, echo-filled and empty room. 
The Lines- Flood Bank
This release is a combination of two EP’s, Therapy and Ultramarine, from a post-punk band of the early 1980’s. The sound is an atmosphere of new-wave electronic chaos, beautifully rendered into a progressive listening experience. The band seemed to have slipped through the cracks in the 80’s, but lucky for us, 25 years later they are rediscovered!
Farm- The Cave
My final choice is my favorite local band, Farm. This band has so much potential; with their varied sound there is a song (or more!) for everyone. The strength of this album comes from the three members taking turns in the writing and instrumentals on each song. They experiment with all sorts of instruments (organ, drums, guitar,bass, hollers, fiddle, mandolin, morin hurr, synth, foot clicks…just to name a few), sometimes each playing two at once. If you ever have a chance to see them live, their performance is guaranteed to be fascinating.
If you have not heard some or any of these albums, treat yourselves to a good time and listen!
Matt, I am posting your top 5 for you since 2008 is now well behind us…So here they are:
DEERHUNTER- MICROCASTLE
HANK WILLIAMS- UNRELEASED RECORDINGS
SUNN O)))- DOMKIRKE
ANIMAL COLLECTIVE- WATER CURSES EP
MATMOS- SUPREME BALLOON
Box sets are getting dusty on their display shelf (right by the register)…but why? I admit, they were not one of the first items on the shelves that I explored when I started working here. Recently though, I have spent some time checking them out, and WOW! There are some reallllly exciting components to box sets. 
We have The Clash all UK singles plus bonus tracks in their original sleeves! Just to mention a few other winners, we have Hank Williams, John Coltrane, and Emmylou Harris (rare tracks and forgotten gems)! It gets better…we don’t just have box sets from individual bands and artists, we also have some killer collections as well. “Heavy Metal” features 70 tracks of metal from 1968-1991 on 4 cds and an 80 page booklet with a detailed history of metal and rare photos! “The Brit Box” is a great collection of UK Indie-Rock from 1984-1999, featuring 78 songs from artists like The Smiths, Blur, and Super Furry Animals! That one also has a booklet of photos, essays, and artist’s reflections. “Love Is The Song We Sing” is the true revolutionary story of San Francisco from 1965-1970. 4 cds, 77 tracks, and a 120 page book about the San Fran Rock n’ Roll community (Jefferson Airplane, Big Brother & The Holding Company, Quicksilver Messenger Service, and many more). The most fascinating box set…”People Take Warning!”, a collection of murder ballads and disaster songs from 1913-1938, and it comes in book form with some great art and information.
So as you can see, we have a box set for everyone. Buying a box set really means scoring rare tracks and a rare artists book in one fancy lookin’ package. You can’t get this music and art anywhere else!
Welcome to the newly painted fiery pit of Pure Pop! I have some personal recommendations to share… Currently I’ve been on a Tom Waits and Clash kick, but as for new music, The Fleet Foxes are blowing my mind. Check out one of their videos (I am just posting a link for now because I can’t figure out computer language):
Another new release to look out for is The Lines “Flood Bank”. This is a combination of the two LP’s from a late 70’s post-punk band out of London. It is filled with eerie, deep and distant layers of beautiful noise, I can’t get enough of it! Come check it out on the listening station this month!
As far as local music goes, last night I went to the Radiator benefit and unfortunately missed the Fatal Flaws, but I was able to catch the Cave Bees, In Memory of Pluto, and Nose Bleed Island. I must say, all stellar performances! The Cave Bees were rawkin, lots of dancing, lots of fun. In Memory of Pluto is one of my favorite local bands to see (we have their brand new CD “Cutting Open The Fiction” in stock here!). Last night their performance was tight, energetic, and exciting with a couple of thrilling, dark, and dank new tunes! Nose Bleed Island was a grand sight to see as usual. If you are into performance art, this is the local performance for you to see! So come on down and pick up their albums here at Pure Pop!
