Okay... this is the last time I'm linking to the bracket. We're completing the first round match-ups in the Wilco regional. If you have any opinion on who should win in the next round, let me know. And now, on to the picks...
(1) TV On The Radio vs. (16) Late of the Pier
Winner: (1) TV On The Radio
When UConn beat Chattanooga yesterday by the modest score of 103-47, I couldn't help but think of this "match-up." That's assuming that anyone (ever) would consider Late of the Pier on a level capable of competing with TVOTR. That's not even a knock against Late of the Pier, who make completely likable dance music. But really, TVOTR are on another level right now. Dear Science, has taken the sounds and ideas they've cultivated with Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes and Return To Cookie Mountain, polished them up with slicker production, and made them more accessible and immediate. The result? A consensus Album of the Year for 2008, and a demolition in the First Round of the tourney.
(5) Bon Iver vs. (12) Crystal Castles
Winner: (5) Bon Iver
I could be wrong, but I think this represents a match-up of the most disparate sounds between two bands in the entire tournament (so far, at least). Crystal Castles eponymous debut album is an electronic orgy of samples, original beats, and 8-bit video game sounds. And it's good. And they've made approximately 1912413 remixes in the past couple of years. Still, Bon Iver's current ascent, from For Emma, Forever Ago to Blood Bank EP to his contributions to the excellent Dark Was The Night compilation, into the forefront of independent music is too impressive to deny. I can think of (and have experienced) more situations in which I'd randomly decide to listen to Bon Iver. For that reason, in addition to many others, Bon Iver gets the nod. Count it.
(3) MGMT vs. (14) The Mae Shi
Winner: (14) The Mae Shi
I mean, I guess MGMT is okay. Their music is generally pretty entertaining. They sound kind of like Muse, and Muse is okay. Or they sound like other British proggy bands, and that's okay too. But Oracular Spectacular came out a couple of years ago. Am I missing something? Are they really one of the 12 most relevant bands in music today? Is that even possible? The Mae Shi, on the other hand, have put out a number of records and have slowly developed a sound that is spastic, but controlled enough for the casual listener to stay interested. And they put out an album last year (HLLLYH). And they obviously love abbrevs... winners in my book!
(7) Antony and the Johnsons vs. (10) The Sea and Cake
Winner: (7) Antony and the Johnsons
Everyone should listen to The Sea and Cake. They're really good. 2007's Everybody and 2008's Car Alarm were both consistently enjoyable, and against another top seed (like MGMT, for example), they'd definitely win. But... as we see so often in the real tournament, sometimes you just get unlucky. For The Sea and Cake, Antony and the Johnsons are like a brick wall of unluckiness. Between his incredible 2009 album The Crying Light and his contributions to 2008 critic and fan favorite Hercules & Love Affair (as well as his other past albums, like I Am A Bird Now), Antony Hegarty is on quite a roll. The orchestral compositions, rich lyrics, and unmistakable vocal quiver of Antony is a force to be reckoned with... a really, really pretty force. Like Leia. (Did she have the force too? She did, I'm almost positive).
(2) Sufjan Stevens vs. (15) Mother Mother
Winner: (2) Sufjan Stevens
This is a weird pairing, because neither artist has released a new, proper album since 2007. So it would be dishonest to say that either band's music makes them currently relevant. Mother Mother's Touch Up is... interesting, to say the least. But Sufjan Stevens is indie music. When he does anything, people take note. Although a large number of people are involved, Stevens is more-or-less the figurehead of his label Asthmatic Kitty. And he's already 1/25th completed with his goal of writing an album (loosely) based on every state (Greetings from Michigan: The Great Lakes State and Illinois)! So yeah... Sufjan Stevens just has the pedigree to outrun Mother Mother. End of story.
(6) Dan Deacon vs. (11) Joanna Newsom
Winner: (11) Joanna Newsom
This isn't a rational pick, and I understand that. Dan Deacon just released a new album (Bromst) and although I haven't had a chance to hear it, I'm sure it's similar to his last album, Spiderman of the Rings. Which means it's good. Crazy and trippy and schizophrenic and spastic. And good. Joanna Newsom hasn't released new material since 2007, but my love for her is like my love for Kelly Clarkson... unconditional. Her voice, off-putting to some (or many), is like a Siren to me, and I could listen to her phenomenal Ys at any time. Her winning this match-up is so wrong, it's right.
(4) Girl Talk vs (13) HEALTH
Winner: (4) Girl Talk
I feel like I'm on the outside of an inside joke with HEALTH. They're obviously good, but I'm not entirely sure why. Like, if you asked me "Matt, do you like that band HEALTH?" I'd say "Yeah!" But I wouldn't be able to follow it up with a good reason. But Girl Talk? I can tell you why I like Girl Talk, but it would take too long. Here's an idea, check this out. It's not really fair, I guess... you're comparing one band to an almost seamless amalgamation of dozens of bands, expertly spliced into sequences that elicit novel emotions that the original pieces, in isolation, could never bring out. I'll link to a song, but you should really just download the whole thing for yourself (at whatever price you want to pay).
(8) Man Man vs (9) Blitzen Trapper
Winner: (9) Blitzen Trapper
This was a really hard decision, and fitting of an 8/9 match-up. Man Man is definitely less accessible than Blitzen Trapper, but their unique sound are what sets them apart from more traditional bands playing similar types of music. Rabbit Habits is a really good album, but when it comes down to what I'd be more likely to play on any given day, the win has to go to Blitzen Trapper. Both Furr and Wild Mountain Nation draw heavily from the classic rock sounds of the 70s without sounding completely dependent on those motifs. Extremely tight competition... one of those "it's a shame one team had to lose" situations. But, as the Magic Numbers would agree, those the brokes.
... and thus concludes the First Round! Stay tuned Saturday and Sunday as we narrow the remaining 32 bands to the Sweet 16. Again, if you have any input, speak now or forever hold your peace. Have a great Friday evening... GSATW, out!
Friday, March 20, 2009
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"Winner: (1) TV On The Radio"
ReplyDelete- yes, sure, if you like to be spoonfed their bland and overproduced pop. You certainly know exactly what you're going to get.
Personally I'd prefer something less predictable and more adventurous, like Late of the Pier.