The Hold Steady; Stay Positive
The Hold Steady have always been a band who are not ashamed of their classic rock influences. While other bands have always tried very hard to mask these influences, often to no avail, The Hold Steady have remained true to their influences. On their recent album though, Stay Positive, we see the band going through a subtle change, balancing out their sound. This has revealed a more mature side to the band, and their songs in turn are becoming much more diverse. Lead vocalist, Craig Finn, continues to dive fantastically in and out of the songs, narrating wildly in his signature (but not uncommon) nasally style, seeming more like a storyteller on speed than a lead vocalist.
We're also finding The Hold Steady revisiting their early lyrical topics, such as murder and, well, things that usually associated with murder. What is surprising about this return is not the fact that they're returning to these topics, but instead the fact that they've managed to keep it sounding fresh and interesting. We also find the band widening their instrumental breadth as well, with the new album featuring some odd instruments such as harpsichord, theremin and banjo (provided by none other then J Mascis of Dinosaur Jr. fame).
When the day is over though, Stay Positive is just that, a reason to stay positive, a promise of exciting prospects and more diverse music, as we watch the band evolve and mature. So, enjoy a couple songs from the new album.
Stay Positive - The Hold Steady
Slapped Actress - The Hold Steady (yet another brilliant album closer)
Native Korean Rock & The Fishnets
Karen O, lead vocalist of yet another New York-based band, The Yeah Yeah Yeah's, has recently revealed that she has started a side project, which is entitled (as the subtitle suggests) Native Korean Rock & The Fishnets. She describes the songs as "spare, lo-fi love songs, written over the last two years", "to be performed with a motley crew of NYC natives". Sound exciting? Eh, not really, at least not to myself, as I've never really gotten into the Yeah Yeah Yeah's myself. From what I've heard though (via their myspace and the upcoming track) this is a valid sideproject and has nothing at all to do with the Yeah Yeah Yeah's. The sound is completely opposite and we even find Ms. O taking a slightly different, more laid-back vocal approach. Oh yeah, and if you're wondering, these songs have nothing to do with the widely circulated leak of an album she made for a member of TV On The Radio.
Take my favorite of her songs, Rapt. It's exactly as she described the project, a spare, lo-fi love song.
Rapt - Native Korean Rock & The Fishnets
Elephant Elfs?
This week's featured band will be the wonderful Elf Power. In case you're blissfully unaware (which you shouldn't be!) of Elf Power, I'll provide some backround information.
Elf Power was formed in Athens, Georgia, in the year 1994. They are part of the Elephant 6 Collective, which spawned such bands as Neutral Milk Hotel and Of Montreal (two favorites of mine). Here is some information on the band, directly from Wikipedia;
" The band began as a four-track recording project of Rieger, his girlfriend Carter, Raleigh Hatfield and Dave Wrathgeber, later of Fablefactory. The recording sessions eventually resulted in the first incarnation of their album Vainly Clutching at Phantom Limbs, following some small self-released cassette recordings. The band became more formally realized when Reiger and Carter had Bryan Poole, known as The Late B.P. Helium, joined the band. They played some shows and continued to record, but Poole stayed in Athens to continue work with Of Montreal while Rieger and Carter moved to New York City.
Upon their move to New York, The Winter Hawk EP was released, and Rieger and Carter were convinced to move back to Athens. There, the band's second album, When the Red King Comes was recorded and released as a joint venture between the Arena Rock Recording Co. and the Elephant Six label. The album featured contributions by members of The Olivia Tremor Control, Kevin Barnes from Of Montreal, and Jeff Mangum from Neutral Milk Hotel."
A noteworthy fact about the band is that they've released a startling 12 albums and 2 Eps to date. Here's a bit of Elf Power, from their recently released album In A Cave, to help you get through your week.
A Tired Army - Elf Power
Window to Mars - Elf Power
So, that's all for this week. Stay tuned for the mid-week update on Thursday.
Thanks for reading.
Til' Next Week.
