Nevermind the snappy drums. Ignore the catchy licks. Pay no attention to fuzzy hooks. Tight harmonies? What tight harmonies? See, Eiffel Tower have got something hidden underneath all that. Songwriting. That unique ability to craft a pop, or rock, song, a talent that mainman Benjamin Wheelocks has been honing and developing since he started writing songs at age 6. Okay, you can now go back to the snappy drums, catchy licks, etc., etc., like you could even ignore them in the first place.
Even More DK Music: New Tigerbaby MP3
Envelopes
In a perfect world I’d be able to feed you free music everyday, all day. Toilet and lunch breaks included, please. It just seems like I’m always playing catch up. Like the old saying goes, so much [great] free music, so little time. My other wish I have today is that my three children will grow up and form a power trio that cranks out music like the Envelopes: sugar-hyped jangly guitars, boy/girl vocals brimming with pop-tude and lots and lots of hooks. Kick me, hurt me, make me write bad checks, make me listen to that song ONE MORE TIME! And by the way, I have an extra copy of this CD (I tried to share with my compadres in 3hive, but they slept on the offer) for a random commenter who correctly divines the order and gender (girl, girl, girl? boy, boy, boy?) of my future power trio. Hit them comments! Good luck on ya.
Navotron Lives!
About
Jason Forrest (aka Donna Summer) has a record label called, subtly enough, Cock Rock Disco. Said label will be releasing the full-length debut of Amsterdam’s Rutger Hoedemaekers (aka About). About is all about “shredded pop,” as the sticker on my review copy describes it. It is, in fact, more shredded in places (e.g., “Think Niles Drink”) and more pop in others (e.g., “Strike You As the Enemy”). But sometimes About get the balance just right, which they do on a track not currently available for free and legal download (i.e., “Nogato”). Hmm, if only I could share it with you. If only… You know, you really should sign up for our mailing list. Just felt like saying that. Oh, and check the neat stop-motion video for “Think Niles Drink”. And sign up for the mailing list (lower right corner of the screen, btw). Just felt like saying it again.
Dúné
Nothing is rotten in the state of Denmark. Musically speaking that is. Something’s very, very good actually. First Figurines and now Dúné. These Danes add the friskiness of Blur to the dancey moments of The Cure. Neither reinventing, nor redundant they’re definitely bringing a tasty plate of treats to the block party.
Nobody & Mystic Chords of Memory
SoCal meets NoCal, baby. This collabo between LA fixture Elvin Estela (aka Nobody) and Santa Cruz couple Chris Gunst (Beachwood Sparks) and Jen Cohen (The Aisler’s Set) sounds as good as it appears on paper. Nobody brings his taste for unforced rhythms, textures, and beats. Chris and Jen bring pastoral pop vocals and timeless instrumentation. Really groovy, brilliant, and warm. Don’t think, just listen.
3hive Navotron Will Return!
The Duke Spirit Tour Round 2
The National
Here’s how out of it I am (and not even because of our new month-old kid) — it took a couple of burned CDs from Katherine delivered in a Ziploc to clue me in to The National. All the while, I thought it was just the CBC’s nightly news program hosted by the stately, handsomely balding Peter Mansbridge. Instead, we’re talking a brooding, dark, intensely rocking band with heavy duty coverage from CMJ, BillBoard, Rolling Stone, The Chicago Tribune, Pitchfork and a bunch of other media sources I never have time to read. For those who are as clueless as me, try “Murder Me Rachael” for starters, though you might have to listen to it twenty times before moving on to the next track. Don’t worry; it stays good. Thanks, Kath!