Album Review : Surfer Blood - Astrocoast

Surfer Blood – Astrocoast

US release : January 2010

   Surfer Blood are touring with hype band The Drums, but it’s not the reason why we’ll talk about their album. No, it’s not. It’s rather because I felt attracted to the crazy and weird music video for their song Swim. Released as the second single from the record, it is still relatively unknown in France. I personally could not stop listening to the album.
   I don’t think one is supposed to put words on this UFO, or qualify it as anything, but that's certainly a colourful album, which mixes loads of styles and influences. And I said loads.

  
   Writing this review, I realised that all the words I could write down would make you think they make pop music, but when you listen to the album, it’s not that simple.
   The guitars make it sound like pop music, but in the end it sounds more like post-rock. The voices are slightly crakling or are given a special tone thanks to a pedal resonance effect. It gives an old-fashioned / soft side to it, without being corny. Also, you can hear violins in Floating Vibes, and xylophones in Fast Jabroni. They both bring complexity to the songs. The bass line is really nice, as well as the drums in Harmonix or the child voices in Twin Peaks – even cats' sounds?
   The album sounds indie on the first two songs, while the rest flows to our ears, putting us in a perplexed state of mind. We are then left with the last two songs, which are definitely non-indie. It is within the songs themselves that you find this mix of influences. You have to expect an unexpected turn at every note- bridges and interludes are here very different from the rest of the songs. The lyrics are more ‘coherent’, since the titles illustrate well the themes that are dealt with.
   One thing is sure- this is a very indie and extremely promising album.  

  
   Here is a - partial - list of bands I thought of while listening to the album- maybe it will make you want to listen to it, or will just give you an idea of what it sounds like: Sonic Youth, Islands, Foals, The Penelope(s) & Morpheus, We Are Scientists, Annuals, The Big Pink, Dinosaur Jr. (they claimed they are a big influence), Fanfarlo, Pavement, Best Coast, A Place To Bury Strangers,... 
   I believe that if – in a hypothetical world - The Horrors were born in Florida, were tanned, and were not wearing black; their second album might have sounded like this one.

Album review: We Have Band - WHB

We Have Band – WHB 

(released April 5th, 2010, on Naive)

  I know from the start that my opinion on this album will not be objective as I have been waiting for its release for 2 years now. It is though worth trying to introduce it regardless of my feelings.  

   Let’s first introduce the band. It is an English trio of two boys and a girl – Dede and Thomas W-P (they are married indeed) and Darren B. They met at work and formed We Have Band by accident. Their debut album ‘WHB’ has been released a few weeks ago on French label Naïve. Some of the songs have already been played on Kitsune and Kill Em All. The sound created by the trio is quite interesting as it mixes pop with electro, soft melodies with devastating beats, and also the three voices with the instruments.

   The black golden cover was created by Sam Ashby. You can check him out at iamsamashby.com. I also strongly recommend you watch the video clips for Divisive, You Came Out, or Honeytrap.

1.  Piano and 2. Buffet

The album starts off smoothly with these two songs. It is like waking up on a bed covered with feather pillows. In Buffet, you can hear the different voices being mixed up.

   3. Divisive

   This is the first single from the album; the moment when the dance’s demon starts to take control of your body.

   ‘We’re all divisive… You take me out this way’.

   4. Love, What You’re Doing?

   Get out of this body, Depeche Mode! Here you can feel the influences, but still, it is a beautiful and powerful love song.

   ‘This is, is this what you’re asking for? Now, that you’re leaving me. Me and your…’

  

   5. Oh !

   This song made them famous. It was released by the French label Kitsuné. Again, I am pretty sure you have heard it somewhere. This is the original version, with Thomas’ low voice, Dede’s high ‘Ohs’ and Darren’s unique voice.  

   6. How To Make Friends

   The mysterious and tensed introduction maybe is a little bit too long and is not really in keeping with the rest of the song.

   7. Honeytrap

   This is a single, and it is easy to know why- it is a hit. From the start it makes your shoulders move, and it is only the beginning of it all. Many surprises await you at the end of the song.

   ‘This is your choices… It’s time… Line up… Clap hands… Let’s go… Here we stand’.

   8. Hear It In The Cans

   This track is once again a perfect illustration of the characteristic mixed up voices. Also there are many loops and distortions.

   9. Centrefolds and Empty Screens

   The rock intro is followed by classic electro pop. Thumbs up to Dede whispering ‘We have band’, which gives the song a unique color.

   10. You Came Out

   This song was out long before the album was released. Many remixes have been made. It is quite different from the others- whistles, drums and Dede’s singing for the most part.

   11. WHB

   This track is darker and differs a lot from the first ones. A nice work has been made on breath, which is used as a proper instrument. This could have been developed a little bit more.

  

   12. Hero Knows

   As if to back all these emotions, the last song is very long, quiet and sad. Though the quietness of it is only relative.

   If there is one piece of advice I can give you, it is to go see them live, because the set as well is very elaborate. We Have Band are leaving nothing to chance and I believe this is what pleases us. WHB is undoubtedly one of the best albums of the year, and it is very promising.

by Josephine. Translated by Comete.

Top of the Folk 2010 - eng

Due to technical and personnal problems, we are not able to publish the gig review for days 2 & 3 of the festival. All our apologies go to our readers the team of the festival. The translation for day 1 gig review should come in shortly.

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TOP OF THE FOLK 4
11-13th, March 2010 - Rennes.

   March. Spring coming up, the sun shining full time, floral skirts and checked shirts. A lot of new albums coming out. A lot of musical things happening too to celebrate all this. We picked TOP OF THE FOLK and that's why you (should) too.

   Don't let the name fool you : some folk, yes, but good ones! or rather 'a certain way (small scale) to produce and to see acoustic music'. A sping festival, a certain pastoral side, and get your checked shirts out! (get a poster for free if you show up with one!) the all organised by a student association. One big band each night, to get you under the impression that you're not wasting your time, and supporting bands for the area (everything we like). There is still something rather screwy from one year to another, like an undecided recipe mais it is a festival with an actual human scale (about 10 volunteers), who gets nice venues (antipode & aire libre). Moreover this year, everything was thought in terms of comfort : 3 bands a night, to get real setlists (that the audience as much as the musicians will enjoy), and a well-thought schedule (no place for depression!).

   Today, Thursday, the really nicely weird TBHOTTOOH as headline, but not only : Rover & The Patriotic Sunday (Papier Tigre, rings a bell?) will be there.
   The second night, it will be Peter Von Poehl (that we had on interview, yes, it's coming), in a very new project with his girlfriend (that is for the gossip girl part, we tend to include everyone really!) Marie Modiano, as well as the rather gifted Every Man Has Your Voice & Nancy Elizabeth for the first night at l'aire libre.
     To end it Saturday, Mohna, Reza, & Ane Brun, for an emotional evening.

   No reason for you to moan because it is far away, buses will be at your disposal (despite the strikes). If you are still hesitating, but I don't see why, after all I've said, there is a Showcase Friday at 15.30 pm in Rennes 2 University (le tambour) with The Misty Wines (Rennes) and St-Petersburgst (Paris).
And because we aren't no jingoist, 100% Sucre will make a live report a day (until Sunday) right HERE, and will be sending a lot of twits (in french, sorry, unless you ask for english as well!) on the Twitter account, to make it throughout the event (and make you regret not coming).

   TOTF, a festival that has plenty of scope. That is to say, public fundings, still a lot of pre-sale tickets, and on top of everything, is this edition is considered successful, a labelisation with other associations from other towns. So bring in your friends! You'll be doing a good deed for the cultural development of the city and will also have a (even three maybe) good night out!

   PS : all the information were provided by the press conference of last friday, given at l'antipode. A big thank to the Ouest-France journalist for asking all the questions! Also our thanks goes
to Guilhem Cassagnes (programmer) for answering, as well as Amelia & Gaétan from l'antipode.

(sorry for the bad translation, this was done quickly, if you see any mistakes please tell us!)

Album Review : TDCC - Tourist History

Two Door Cinema Club - Tourist History

released March 1st, 2010, on Kitsuné.

   I am aware that some reviews have already been written, on TeaZine, Take a Drag or Two, or Unknown Mag in particular, but after a week of heavy listening, I think I know the record well enough to talk about it. It is not the album of the century, but I believe it will please all of our friends who listen to varieties on the radio – and to other styles, when you tell them to do so …
   It is hard not to think about Bombay Bicycle Club or Good Books (rip) when you hear the shrill sounds of the guitars following each other quickly. However, the production of the album is rather unsuccessful, compared to that of the Four Words to Stand On ep. You get the impression that the introductions of the songs have been added to make the record longer. 10 songs, 30 minutes only, it was not worth it. We could have made it without it and hit the dance floor straight away. I like and defend demos so I think all that production distorts the band, but your innocent ears probably won’t hear the difference and will get the message through to your legs and most importantly to your arms – just because I like it when you say ‘Aaaah’ with your hands in the air.
   The atmosphere of the album recreates our careless teenage years – which could be something nice, but in the end isn’t. I also find it difficult to conceive that an 18 year old teenage boy could identify to the music, unless he has been listening to British indie records for more than 5 years. The lyrics are though close to what you can hear on the Good Shoes’ first album, that is to say teenagers concerns - ‘Now you’re on your own, won’t you come back home’ track #2 ; ‘Do you want it all ?’ track#3 - except that they rhyme a lot less. There are also many repetitions and it does not give much rhythm to the whole. This may be the missing point that could have improved the album.
   Nevertheless, TDCC has an undeniable charm – isn’t the word ‘about’, pronounced with an Irish accent charming?
   They are charming because they bring a change, and it shows that the band has not been as formatted as one could think - one more band in the NME to make the kids dance in the clubs.
   On the whole, the choruses are rather catchy and light and there is craziness at the end of the songs, which is pretty nice. A special mention for I Can Talk which sticks to your head more than the others. I noticed that the drum machine does not do all the work – there isn’t any drummer in the band – and it is quite a relief!
   The record’s surprise is the track called What You Know. I was on an escalator in the subway and in two lines only the song gave me a shock – ‘I can tell just what you want, you don’t want to be alone’. It is not the revelation of the century, we already knew about that, but the way words have been put caught my attention, as if someone putting the nail on the head was making me feel good. The following track is, according to me, the best one - Eat that up, it’s good for you. Another advertisement for fruits and vegetables? Of course not. I remember the line 'You would look a little better don’t you know if you just wore a little less make up’, but as far as the melody is concerned¸ there is nothing new compared to the other songs, except for the very end. An ephemeral and timeless burst of guitars which I would have loved to hear more, even if it would not have been as pleasant, I agree. Then it goes down slowly thanks to the singer’s voice and nothing else matters. I badly wanted to press the rewind button, too bad for You’re Not Stubborn and for the stupid robot voices - You’re still travelling - for that matter.
   I just realised that in the end TDCC may have understood it all – to never leave the audience satisfied is to make them want to come back again and again hoping they will hear what they like one day. Yes indeed, this is it, I am still hungry, or maybe I was expecting too much from the band.
   Appointment made for the new album – band tour with Phoenix is almost sold out! I am looking forward to seeing how they will do after getting used to all this fame and having time to question themselves. 

By Littlesyd. Translated by Comète.

Gig Review : Route du Rock Session

Route du Rock Session - February 18^th, 2010 at the Antipode, Rennes.

Jookabox - Parlovr - dd/mm/yyyy

100% Sucre is now writing reviews, if nothing else. Yet we are not convinced by the use of such a chronicle:

• You were NOT there: too bad for you, it was really good! / No worries, it sucked.
• You WERE there: you do not agree with me, and hit me as soon as you’ve finished reading the review.

    I will try and write something anyway.

Rule #1: write down notes after the gig (so I don’t forget anything). Didn’t! It’s been two days already…

Rule #2: write down notes during the gig. Uh, do text messages sent to my colleague count?

Rule #3: be on time! Well done …

    I really like the Antipode. At the door, signs say ‘No camera’ but you can get in and never be searched.

    However, I had difficulties finding which band was playing – I am a looser, was late and could only listen to two of the last band’s songs. No it is not cool, because as a matter of fact I cannot judge objectively, write a good review, or applaud rightly. When some guy from the news website Rue 89 screams at the band that people from Rennes have a sanitized ass and have to be forgiven – or something like that – but he is himself having a drink so does not applaud more than you do, you are a part of the problem, even if you have been told to show respect to someone’s work. Is this about discomfort?

    So, the first band was Jookabox and it has sweet moves - the girl could not stop jumping – and the singer was really nice. I could not see the drummer as he was far in the back and I had forgotten my glasses. Again, I am a looser. I am a nearsighted person; do you think it is a liability for me who is trying to write reviews? Jookabox was on stage, and I thought it was Parlovr, but anyway…

    First intermission and it is already 10. Among others, I saw Gaëtan, the events manager, and the two managers of La Route du Rock and the top of the folk team … Are there really 200 hundred persons here? The Antipode can host about a thousand people, and I cannot judge how much people attend the show.

   The second band playing was Parlovr, a group of young Canadian head bangers – it is an understatement – who make you shake your booty (you don’t like the expression?). They remind me of the Cribs. Ok, no, they use a synthesizer, the Cribs don’t. Moreover they make jokes and there are 3 of them. One should not make too much jokes when at the Antipode, it always goes wrong. And I feel I am the youngest one, though I was born before 1990. There, jokes only make the people smile silently. Anyway, Parlovr was doing a great show. I was at the back of the venue and I could see drops of sweat falling on stage. And I liked that, it’s generally a good sign. For once the sound is good, but probably a bit loud for people in the front. At the end of the show, the second vocalist went in the middle of the crowd, with his guitar in the hands, and tried to make a guy sing. I liked that too!

    Second intermission. I tried to get a drink. At the Antipode, you must have a card to take a cup (there is a 1-euro deposit). You fill up a form at the first bar (Marie Gallic was preceding me, does the name ring a bell?), say what drink you’d like, someone gave you tickets, you walk across the room to another bar, the real one, you ask for your drink again, and wait, someone gives you your drink and then, enjoy. Fortunately you have plenty of time for that and there are not many people queuing.

    The third and last band to play was dd/mm/yyyy – the one everyone was waiting to hear? Somebody asked me as I walked in, ‘Do you know Foals? Cause they’re the same’. First, who does not, and second, no they cannot be Foals since they are called dd/mm/yyyy*. The first part of the set is indeed similar to that of Foals – did they do a sound check? They are chatting on stage. It does not bother me but it makes a change. Some strains remind me of Foals, and yes, it sounds like franc math rock but the comparison stops here. You quickly recognize the band’s influences that are more punk or classic rock. The music is somewhat crazy, a little psychedelic (Can I use this term?). The lead singer’ haircut is the same as the singer from Foals some years ago. Weird blonde color and curls – I did not need anything more, everything I love is in that band! From a song to another, the guys play different instruments but it is not flowing very well, save between the first and second songs, but it does not affect the quality of the set, it adds even more charm to it. Apparently it annoyed some people or maybe it was just getting late (it was 11.30/45). Not me anyway. The band tried to make jokes as well, that were half-French, half-English: ‘We’re at the Antipode, but we’re more propode.’ Again, no one laughs, but they went on. The crowd was cheering them more and more and was hoping for an encore – which unfortunately I did not get to see. The show was supposed to end at half past midnight, so a little bit late to catch the latest bus at 00.15, which I missed. Next time, don’t follow my lead, enjoy the show but do not forget to check the time: you have to leave at 00.05, because buses are always ahead of schedule!

   The Route du Rock is not over: thanks to a great site called Arte Live Web, you can watch online the concerts that have taken place that weekend in Saint-Malo, despite the setbacks, and press rewind or pause! You would be wrong not to, even more so if you live in the west of France and are on holiday. So listen to some Beach House, Local Natives, Clues, The Fiery Furnaces or The Horrors. You can’t miss concerts like these when there are brought home.

*They seem to have difficulties with their band’s name. You can call them dmy or day month year or whatever. However it fits rather well their songs titles. (‘Bronzage’, which “talks” about the difficulty to... I can’t remember. How smart is that?)

by LittleSyd. Translated by Comète.