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The Epitome of Sound...
By: DJ Moustache, Bakotopia.com contributor
Description: Music Reviews by DJ Moustache

Topics: Epitome, music reviews, Moustache, Bakotopia, Bakersfield, Vol.1, Alex Rodriguez
Posted by Bakontributor Wed Nov 28, 2007 16:24:02 PST
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The Epitome of Sound:
Music Reviews by DJ Moustache


By Alex Rodriguez aka DJ Moustache, Bakotopia.com contributor


Battles
“Mirrored”
Warp - 2007
To say this New York-based quartet has their own sound would be wrong - they have their own world.
The third album still has those complex song structures and fractured rhythms, but with a new twist - vocals. I think they’re vocals anyways. Actually, the vocals sound like an addition of a new instrument rather than a person, courtesy of vocalist Tyondai Braxton.
The drums are driving and keep the songs moving through the off-the-wall guitars and keyboards, making the music sound so eerie and futuristic.
If you like your music to be new, inventive and Sci-Fi - try this.

 
Band of Horses
“Cease to begin”
Sub Pop - 2007
The title of this album is somewhat confusing. I’m not sure if main songwriter Ben Bridwell titled the album because of the departure of cohort Matt Brooke, who went on to form Grand Archives, but I would guess yes.
Ben’s voice lies somewhere between Chris Bell of Big Star and various members of The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s ‘70s efforts.
Musically I think the songs sound a lot like label mates The Shins, but with a more twangy, folk feel. Maybe if they added a little Iron and Wine to some Shins they would come out with a Band of Horses.
The album disheartens you with songs like “No One’s Gonna Love Me,” but lightens the mood with the jolty “The General Specific,” which almost has a gospel feel to it.
Overall I’m not a big fan of the album, but I do think it’s a strong edition to the sub-pop catalog of contemporary indie music.

 
Fiery Furnaces
“Widow City”
Thrill Jockey - 2007
This is the fifth installment to come from the brother-sister duo and their first Thrill Jockey release.
Along with a new label seems to come a new sound for the band. Rather than focusing on beautiful pop melodies, they decide to mold them underneath an extreme arsenal of musical soundscapes and noises.
Being a melody fan myself, I find this album hard to listen to, and I don’t really like the tracks where Eleanor Friedberger raps rather than sings. This is exemplified in “Automatic Husband” and “Ex Guru,” just to name a couple.
It’s definitely a weird - but overall interesting - album. The vinyl release comes with a free coupon to download the entire LP in mp3 format. Not only can you be cool by having it on vinyl, but you can also listen to it on your iPod. It’s a good idea and more bands should follow suit.

If you’d like to have your band’s music reviewed, send an e-mail to: marcbolanhair@hotmail.com with “Bakotopia Music Reviews” as the subject.

*Originally printed in Bakotopia Magazine, Issue 16, 11 - 28 - 07
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