This week was filled with quality new songs, but the one I played the most is an older one, though newly acquired. As previously mentioned, St. Vincent merch table was selling her EP Paris Is Burning for $5, and though the second track “What Me Worry” is a fine tune with jazzy singing, and the third, a cover of Nico’s “These Days”, is just as excellent, the title track is alone worth 5 bucks. Written by Annie, it is by itself evidence of her exciting talent. It gives me goosebumps.
“Paris Is Burning” begins with foreboding French horns that would go nicely with a murder scene in a black and white movie. And the kind of tension that would go along with such a scene is sustained throughout the song. Picking words from the lyrics itself, especially in the light of the waltz rhythm introduced in the second half, “Paris Is Burning” is somewhat of a “black waltz.” The lyrics are simple enough, but poignant and well-arranged, and Annie’s got a way of adding eeriness when she sings them. The first few words, sung slowly over acoustic guitar:
I write to give word the war is over
Send my cinders home to mother
They gave me a medal for my valor
Leaden [?] trumpet spit
The soot [?] of power
The video is not necessarily worth raving about, but: it’s Beirut, and “Elephant Gun” is a gorgeous song, so I’ll be watching it every now and then (disclaimer: I’m not sure if songs, especially the great ones, should have a music video at all, even though they make such a great channel for first-rate video work, which I’m a fan of). Though not an exceptional video, however, the set looks pretty, and there’s a sense of sadness in it (isn’t there?). I’m thinking of Zach Condon reading Borges. Somehow there seems to be a connection. The choice of colors I like too. And the elephant tusk “mask” I would buy one for myself, because it looks kind of neat, but I’m suspcious about whether its inclusion in the video is the best choice. But, to give you real information, Alma Har’el, who directed this one, is also working on one for “Postcards.” In spite of my confusion over how I feel about music videos for bands I really really love, I say to that upcoming video: Wheee! and Hurray!
Sweden’s Frida Hyvonen’s got a bold personality and a defiant voice to match. She toured with Denmark’s Under Byen and stopped by at Bowery Ballroom in March. There she played a solid solo set, asking the audience to buy her a glass of white wine and promising to buy one for whoever volunteered later. “You Never Got Me Right,” a personal favorite of mine from the album, gives an example of her smart lyrics and angsty folk sound. In “Cricket” I’ve left a little bit of the amusing conversation in the beginning. It’ll fill you in on the musical Pudel, and on how Frida feels about some Poodle owners.
The album will come out on Marriage Records, on the same day I’ll be seeing Beirut at Bowery (May 8). This would be even more exciting if YACHT’s expanded tour included a New York date, but it does not. It does include, though, a May 5 release party on an actual yacht. Folks will board Crystal Dolphin at 6pm sharp in Oregon and dock at The Oregon Museum of Science & Industry for continued partying. Marriage Records says they’ll announce details for a contest to win 5 spots on the Crystal soon. If you plan to attend, you’ll need these.
But I’m happy to announce one of my favorites on the upcoming album is now available for happy downloading.
Simple, no-fuss punches on the guitar, Giselle’s vintage voice and a slip of Bjork-ish accents here and there- listen to “38th adventure” from Montreal’s Hot Springs. Also, they’ve changed their Brooklyn date at Galapagos to Aug 3.
hooves on the turf is a mostly-music blog based out of brooklyn. i can be reached at hoovesontheturf [at] gmail [dot] com - please send me your lovely music as an attached mp3 or an mp3 link. if i like what you send, i'll be sure to ask for more.
jon in Favorite Music Videos of 2008: “I’m not a big MGMT fan but I’d give an honorable mention to the Time To Pretend video for managing to crossbreed Lord of the Rings with a Windows95 screensaver.”angelica in Not altogether wicked, merely unteachable: “Thank you for this profound and somewhat haunting post. Orwell may have been referring to another period, but this excerpt is pretty much a description of the times now.”Payton in My Own Gummy Winners: “I was trolling the Hype Machine to see who else really enjoyed Crimes (it was my top album as well). What you had to say about West Won hit the nail on the head. Great opening track that does have a huge...”Croytaque in Videos: Dark Dark Dark, The Loom at Union Pool: “if there’s too many problem of sounds, how many “dark” will they add to their name? ; ) Nevertheless an engaging band.”Janice Cosenza in These United States at the Secret Garden: “Just finished watching. What can I say. The band is the best and the video is awesome. This band is not Meat-e-oak-a, they are Soup-ear-e-a! Oh, the pride of a Mom. Merry Merry to...”
Paris Is Burning EP
