Great Northern
Trading Twilight for Daylight
2007 | Eenie Meenie
In the past few years if you asked someone what Great Northern sounded
like you’d probably get an answer based on logic, “Earlimart.” Although
that’s a healthy starting point for discussion the path explored on Trading Twilight for Daylight reveals another world created from a completely different band.
The
album succeeds on many levels. First, it sounds really warm and
saturated. Second, there’s the rich vocal harmonization and detailed
arrangement that Great Northern craft so effortlessly. And third, their
strongest talent, is how the quartet builds these triumphant songs by
mixing lush piano chords with guitar and synthetic strings. The result
is soothing and memorable without ever revealing a musical weakness on
any particular track.
As thick as the sound comes across there’s very little excess found anywhere on Trading Twilight for Daylight, just a strong palette of sparkles, buzz, and melody. “Just a Dream,” “Home” and the dreamy ELO-inspired rock of “The Middle” are outstanding pieces of atmospheric rock. These songs are clearly the foundation of the album and an obvious leap forward from their Bats EP.
“Telling Lies” and “Into the Sun” flex more muscle and guitar grit right from the start. It’s during these songs where the rhythm of Ashley Dzerigian’s bass thumps along with Davey Latter’s outstanding kit skills. Rachel Stolte and Solon Bixler continue to reveal stories of love and loss without retreating into a pattern of hopelessness. Trading Twilight for Daylight intertwines so many layers into a seamless debut that begs for repeated listens.
-Scott McDonald
UK's The Bees are like a Primal Scream meets Motown time warp. "Listening Man" displays some real soul and tight trumpet riffs.
Directed by Scott Lyon
Uber-producer Mark Ronson takes on The Smiths original with vocals delivered by Australian Daniel Merriweather.
Directed by Henrz
The Tamborines have been recording with Tim Holmes (Death in Vegas) then head to Brazil for a mini-tour. Not bad for a fairly obscure band from London.
Frog Eyes
Tears of the Valedictorian
2007 | Absolutely Kosher
Part
of the fun of listening to Frog Eyes is comparing what you think you
heard to what is actually being sung, 9 times out of 10 I’m completely
off. There are great stories hidden under the ferocious roaring of
Carey Mercer though, and Tears of the Valedictorian, the sixth release from the British Columbia band, proves to be their best yet.
Hearing
Mercer for the first time can be a bit daunting. He lures you in with
melodic whispers then lashes out with growls that can be mistaken for
nonsensical babblings. These vocal spasms may be the frantic ravings of
a madman, but there’s always a little madness in genius. “Tears” is
polished without sounding too overworked. There are the usual elements
that one expects from a Frog Eyes’ piece- thunderous beats offset by
melodic keys, but the album possesses a heavier feeling this time. The
combination of orchestral-like layers of instruments with the demented,
carnival-like organs and cymbal pings produces a slightly creepy and
yet sad tone that is found in bits and pieces all over the album. The
irregularity found in their earlier works has now grown and evolved
here so that the album feels complete.
I’m finding it hard to
recommend just one or two songs to listen to. Every song deserves a
spotlight, whether it’s the sprawling "Caravan Breakers They Prey on
the Weak and the Old" or the last echoing notes of "My Boats They Go."
So, I suggest that you go out, listen to the album and enjoy it has a
whole.
-Elana Rintala
Before Ian Masters jumped the S.S. Pale Saints oceanliner they crafted some of their finest music, this single in particular.
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