... Micachu: Lips

Micachu and the Shapes: Lips

Sounds like Gary Glitter being wrestled to the ground by Captain Beefheart whilst Battles look on nonplussed. And that's just the intro...

Okay, perhaps that's just the image I saw in my head. This track is 1:46 long. Any longer and I would have bopped my head clean off my neck. Micachu's scuzzy vocals are raw and ballsy. There are some filthy-nice (sic) electronics throughout, especially bridging the 'verses'.

I wonder if the reference to Harry Partch on the myspace page is particularly tongue in cheek? They certainly have a similar 'outsider' quality, creating something fresh and quite strange. No Kitharas though.

http://www.myspace.com/micayomusic

8 out of 10 lips

You and Me: Things

You and Me: Things

This little song is just under three minutes long, but it may well improve your quality of life for hours (if not indefinitely). It is a childlike love duet, with very fragile and naturalistic vocals. The verse melody centers insistently around a single note which, combined with some clunky word setting ("a scribbled-in-note-pad"), heightens the delightful sense of naivete. 

James and Naomi make excellent and subtle use of different textures, with skipping guitar lines, touches of glockenspiel, and more quiet percussion around the chorus. The song is as long as it needs to be, and is all-together very sweet without a hint of saccharine.

http://www.myspace.com/weloveyouandme

9 out of 10 things

... Aaron Jay Kernis: Mozart en Route (Or, A Little Traveling Music)

Aaron Jay Kernis: Mozart en Route (Or, A Little Traveling Music)

This is a playful single movement for string quartet. The title is certainly evocative; succinct fragmentary sections seem to whizz by at the rate of rapidly traversed scenery. Not being a Mozart "nut" I find the Classical connection a little more elusive (I dare say I am missing out on one or more quotations which but for my ignorance are undoubtedly glaring). However, there is a certain gracefulness of line and exuberant joyfulness which implies that era, and is not unpleasant.

This piece certainly shows off Kernis's rhythmic vitality, and broad tonal vocabulary. A nice intro piece perhaps?

8 out of 10 Mozarts

... Empire of the Sun : Walking On A Dream

Okay. First Blog Ever. First review ever ever. Here goes.

Empire of the Sun : Walking on a Dream (single)

This summer-y and shiny tune requires very little effort. I enjoy the restraint and clarity in the way it is mixed. Luke Steele's vocals contain a certain roughness which contrasts nicely with the very smooth guitar and organ like synth. This type of 'same-chords-all-the-way-through' dance track is hard to pull off, but there is enough subtle variation to keep me attentive enough. The cheeky pedal note under the first verse creates enough tension to keep me listening for the two and a half minutes that follow.

I can imagine enjoying this tune immensely in a well air-conditioned club, dancing half-time, ideally drinking some sort of fruit juice.

7 out of 10 suns