Bishop Allen
Label: Dead OceansGenre: Pop
Bishop Allen may very well be the first band that's been reviewed by three of us. Yeah, we're pretty geeked about them. Take a look at the artwork for their new album Grrr... Do you like what you see? Do you appreciate its colorful, simple whimsicality? Then you'll love the new tracks; the music marches hand-in-hand with the visual. Notice the clean white space. The music has that same crisp, airy feeling. I quickly donned headphones, wanting to squeeze my brain in between the bright melodies, the bouncy bass, snappy guitars, and the lyrics' 'ancient commonsense' poetics. The question is, will the songs last the replays while I wait another month for the other eleven songs? I'm highly suspicious the answer is yes. Songs like these remind me why 3hive exists: must...tell...others... The new album and tour begins March 10th. But a pre-order ensures you get the goods a week in advance.
Dimmer [MP3, 4.1MB, 192kbps]
The Ancient Commonsense of Things [MP3, 4.7MB, 192kbps]
from The Broken String:
Click Click Click Click [MP3, 4.2MB, 192kbps]
Rain [MP3, 6.5MB, 256kbps]
Clay's original post: 11/06/04
Marci's her name. I think the first thing she said to me was along the lines of, "Do you like good music?" That led to a CD exchange: her Bishop Allen Charm School to me, my Postal Service Give Up to her. I also threw in my Christmas 2003 mix for good measure, just to see if she liked good music. Now I swear Bishop Allen has been used on some Fox and/or WB show, you know at the end the voiceover says "Tonight's episode of the 'OC' featured music by...(then lowering his voice an octave)...Bishop Allen." I know the natural reaction is to immediately reject all bands featured on the OC, but please, I ask you, give Bishop Allen a chance. Hmmm, when's the season premier of the 'OC'?
from Charm School:
Things Are What You Make of Them [MP3, 4.5MB, 160kbps]
From the December and January EPs:
Calendar [MP3, 4.5MB, 192kbps]
The Bullet & Big D [MP3, 7.4MB, 192kbps]
www.bishopallen.com
www.deadoceans.com
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Point Juncture, WA
Label: Mt. FujiGenre: Pop, Rock
Not to burden you with the boring details of my life (I've already alluded to them, so now I'm beating a dead horse to boot) but my equilibrium has been shot to hell over the last three weeks and it's hampered my efforts in getting you the tunes. Thanks for bearing with 2009's slow start. Point Juncture, WA was the first thing I pulled out of the growing pile of submissions at the 'hive's HQ. What a pleasant surprise and glowing gift this album is. Unfamiliar with their previous work I can't compare it to their past efforts, but this album most definitely demands some history homework on my part. The album was recorded in the band's Portland basement, set up as a makeshift sound lab with cables running into and out of windows, amps in stairwells, a diy plate reverb in the garage, and mics in every corner. The resulting recordings sound like an earthier Stereolab with a bit more rock replacing the pop. They're also somewhat of a throwback to '90s indie rock with shimmering guitars and boy/girl vocals. Their album, Heart to Elk, is out February 10th. They've been playing a bunch of dates in and around their hometown, but no further dates have been announced. We'll keep you posted!
Once Tasted Ever Wanted [MP3, 4.6MB, 160kbps]
Sick on Sugar [MP3, 3.8MB, 192kbps]
Kings Part II [MP3, 5.2MB, 192kbps]
www.mtfujirecords.com
www.pointjuncturewa.com
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Intricate Machines
Label: NoneGenre: Experimental, Pop, Rock
L.A.'s Intricate Machines seem to find inspiration in their own name, taking an intricate approach in their creation of pop music. They don't necessarily pay more attention to the details in their music than anyone else; that's impossible to judge. It's just that the details and textures on which they elaborate are less obvious than most. Really, it's just my roundabout way of saying they have a roundabout way of getting to the hooks in their songs. Intricate Machines require time to soak, simmer, and settle. If you're willing to give them that time you'll find plenty of pleasures to sink your chops into. Considering the minute attention span of music consumers these days, Intricate Machines take a big risk attempting to break into the indie scene with less than immediate hooks. This ain't no microwave meal; this is some slow-cooking, crock pot rock. You may have noticed I haven't mentioned exactly what Intricate Machines sound like. This is deliberate. I don't want to contribute to the instant-gratification impulse they've obviously worked hard to avoid. Enjoy the journey.
*Show notes: Intricate Machines play this week in L.A. Click here for details.
From IM EP (2008):
Ocean Sky [MP3, 3.7MB, 160kbps]
Exclusive forthcoming album track:
Wooden Roof [MP3, 5.6MB, 128kbps]
www.intricatemachines.com
www.myspace.com/intricatemachines
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The Pains of Being Pure at Heart
Label: SlumberlandGenre: Pop
Slumberland is putting out some great pop these days from New York bands. Recent releases from Crystal Stilts and Cause Co-Motion! will be followed up this month with the self-titled debut from The Pains of Being Pure at Heart. POBPAH continue the Slumberland tradition of fine noise-pop, in the mode of Velocity Girl, the Ropers, Black Tambourine, with boy/girl harmonies, choice bits of fuzz and jangle, and crisp drums, all wrapped together by clever songwriting. Said debut album will be out February 10th, in the middle of their East Coast tour.
Everything With You [MP3, 5.0MB, VBR]
www.slumberlandrecords.com
www. thepainsofbeingpureatheart.com
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Freedy Johnston
Label: Singing MagnetGenre: Pop
Not being especially tech savvy, I kind of freaked out a few minutes ago when I checked the web for an article I'd written about Freedy Johnston for the old Salt Lake City-based music monthly grid. (Disclosure: about half of the 3hive crew were employed by grid.) Google says opening the defunct magazine's website might "harm your computer." Yikes! The article was called "Hoboken Dreaming," and it profiled Johnston's 1997 album Never Home. If I remember right, my interview with the NJ pop singer wasn't half bad. Anyway, the track available here comes from a disc full of covers — in this case, one by Marshall Crenshaw — released in 2008 called My Favorite Waste of Time. It's full of the kind of pop songs that Johnston's been offering up for years, tracks by The Eagles, Matthew Sweet Paul McCartney and Tom Petty, among others. And while these songs don't necessarily have the geographic specificity of some of his own work, he still plays them like he owns them.
You're My Favorite Waste of Time [MP3, 2.8MB, 160kbps]
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Fredrik
Label:Genre: Pop
Frederik, yet another musically gifted Swede brings us tunes we love. Na Na Ni varies from quiet, dark and pretty instrumentals to more pop-ish songs with quirky lyrics--he does them both well. And for that very reason, this December, whether on bus, train or subway, Frederik was always in my headphones, never leaving my side. The album varies from quiet, dark and pretty instrumentals to more pop-ish songs with quirky lyrics--he does them both well. Frederik has become my own personal patron saint of public transportation--always making what was happening outside my headphones prettier, more magical, less annoying. I'll be listening tonight and, again, tomorrow while I'm turning twenty-AHEMPH. I think the record makes a delightful beginning AND end of a year. Happy New Year's kids.
Na Na Ni [MP3, 3.5MB, 128kbps]
1986 [MP3, 3.5MB, 128kbps]
www.myspace.com/fredriktheband
www.sagomusik.com/
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A Block of Yellow
Label: Around SoundsGenre: Pop
Not only does "Are You Sure?" take the prize for being the sunniest song about winter I've heard all year, it also wins the best Beulah song since Beulah broke up four and half years ago. It also happens to be one of my favorite songs of the year. A Block of Yellow's bright melodies come directly from the Elephant 6 Collective songbook and the general '60s garage pop sound. A Block of Yellow chased with a hot cup of cocoa will run the chill right out of your fingertips and toes this winter.
Are You Sure? [MP3, 2.5MB, 128kbps]
You Shook My Head [MP3, 2.6MB, 128kbps]
Do I Do [MP3, 3.8MB, 128kbps]
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