A Finger on the Pulse

A First 2009 Harvest

Tuesday, 14 April 2009
Music

After a long pause (and a West to East coast trip) we are finally back on the keys. We have been busy listening and watching; the heap of interesting items has now reached the ceiling. It's time to select, clean-up and reveal our choices.

While crossing the country in its magnificent width, we made a friendly stop in Winnipeg, seizing the opportunity to connect with local scenes. Crashed in a concert joint, we luckily enjoyed the catchy live performance of Flying Fox and the Hunter/Gatherers. Singing their own pieces and a cover of Beat It by Michael Jackson, they sit in between an Anglophone version of Arthur H and a crafted Broadway production. These six fellows have gently handed their demo to us, for a promised (now fulfilled) review. The talent is palpable, the music is elaborated and the style is affirmed. To summarize, it took three years to Flying Fox to get their classical training off the jamming spree and unite around a coherent jazzy-folky-rockish vibe.

Animal Collective - My Girls
from Merriweather Post Pavillon out on Domino

Stepping in 2009, we all received the same memo: "Animal Collective have just released what might be the best album of 2009". Such a premature call, but definitely a quality way to kick starts a year; Merriweather Post Pavilion is indeed a very expressive and a very stylish album.

Back to reality, we are now wrapping up January, rolling into February and slowly getting the latest from everyone.

Antony and The Johnsons deliver The Crying Light, a more eclectic but more accessible album than the previous I Am a Bird Now. It might be due to Antony's recent collaborations with more popular and established artists (like Hercules & Love affair or Bjork) that led his inspiration to a more broadcast concept. Regardless, it results in a rich opus, extremely well performed and produced.

Beirut - The Shrew
from March of the Zapotec out on Pompeii

Beirut (and here) surprises with a double release: six tracks of compressed Beirut feelings, where Gipsy brasses beat in unison with the usual accordion while snuggled by Zach's voice, and five tracks of something completely different, where a minimalist electronic keyboard acts as Zach's only support. Are the fans really surprised? Not really: the continuous rumours of Zach's temper compromising scheduled shows linked with the release of a bunch of tracks (tasting the same as this new approach) stand as considerable clues. March of the Zapotec and Holland represents either the prediction of a change, or the reveal of this new project, Realpeople, instantiated by Mr Condon himself.

The Germans of The Whitest Boy Alive strike back with a sequel to Dreams, their previous album. Rules leaps forward, granting the already recognized song-writing-skilled band of a stronger musical credibility. Setting aside the light electronic-pop sound, The Whitest Boy Alive brings a more acoustic instrumentation to a slick production. What could have sounded like an obsolete pop album, now resonates like a classy musical piece.

Alela Diane dumped The (Pirate's) Gospel and moved on, affirming her own unique folk touch in a new album, smartly entitled To Be Still. Madame is standing, proudly, still using the treble and tremolo that made her famous, benefiting from a clearly improved instrumentation and a posh production. She is now going all out, as the promotion will probably reveal her cute pigtails as well as unleashing her musical talents.

Fever Ray - When I Grow Up
from Fever Ray out on Rabid Records

Fever Ray (and here) a.k.a. Karen Dreijer, the female part of the siblings behind The Knife, launches her new project and their first LP in a global motion, in which resonate the elements that brought Silent Shout to one of the best albums of 2006. With a unique voice, a minimal-electro sound, some carefully chosen guests and a nice black and white cover, Fever Ray will be the sensation of 2009, even though she might not reach the same heights as she did with her brother.

The list goes on: Handsome Furs, Bon Iver, Loney Dear, Franz Ferdinand, Lily Allen, M. Ward, Neko Case, Metric, etc. We will go over the best releases along the year.

That being said, in these economically challenged times you might allow only one musical purchase this quarter. In this case, it has to be the production of the Dessner bothers (from The National) where the craziest indie line-up ever assembled is featuring on this double disc compilation called Dark Was The Night. All its profits will go the Red Hot Organization dedicated to raising funds and awareness of HIV and AIDS. While contributing to the cause, you will savour the guaranteed pleasure of listening to thirty two exclusive tracks from your favourite artists: Grizzly Bear, Beirut, Arcade Fire, Feist, Blonde Redhead, Sufjan Stevens, Iron & Wine and Cat Power, to name a few.

It's like whoever is not planning on hitting the shelves this year, is still claiming the scene.