Time to analyze the bottom half of the bracket. The Flaming Lips region had a number of solid first round match-ups, and the second rounders are just as good, if not better.
(1) Fleet Foxes vs. (8) The Mountain Goats
Winner: (1) Fleet Foxes
Simply... The Mountain Goats have no mo'. John Darnielle and co. continue to make solid record after solid record, but honestly, a lot of it sounds the same. That's not to say that their output, most recently Heretic Pride, isn't worth listening to. It definitely is, and they have a pretty impressive track record. But you have to be in the right mood to listen to albums about child abuse (The Sunset Tree) and failed relationships (Get Lonely). Fleet Foxes burst on the scene this year with their Sun Giant EP clearing the way for Fleet Foxes to completely dominate the landscape. With an ethereal sound, Fleet Foxes offer deftly layered vocal arrangements on top of the expansive, open sound of their Pacific Northwest brethren. "Americana" might be an inaccurate description of the sound, but it sounds distinctly "American," and without question, it will be playing at some point on any extended road trip I have in the near-to-distant future.
(4) Beirut vs. (5) Wolf Parade
Winner: (4) Beirut
This was probably the easiest pick of the Round of 32 so far. I applaud what Wolf Parade are doing, but I have to reiterate how impressed I've been with Zach Condon and his bandmates in Beirut. They have managed to create a diverse discography that draws from a number of international sounds. It feels like I should be listening to Beirut on a gramophone, and their music has an overwhelming sense of antiquity, seemingly from a completely different time and place. And yet, it fits perfectly into our current musical landscape (especially if that landscape is "coffee shop"). For their most recent album, Beirut left the Eastern European influences at home and traveled south to Oaxaca, Mexico. As a result, March of the Zapotec sounds distinct from each of its predecssors. Probably the most exciting thing about Beirut is that Condon is only 23. How many more terrific albums are we in store for??
(3) Andrew Bird vs. (11) M.I.A.
Winner: (11) M.I.A.
I just changed my winner from Andrew Bird to M.I.A., and the reason is simple. Who else sounds like M.I.A.? Maybe Santogold a little bit, and Lil' Mama might be leaning in her direction, but both of those artists developed that sound after M.I.A. hit the scene. I've had quite a few discussions with people, most notably my brother, about whether M.I.A. is as good as everyone says she is. I was skeptical at first, but I'm coming around. That's not to say I can listen to either Arular or Kala all the way through, but both albums offer something that very few artists can these days: listenable experimental music. As opposed to The Fiery Furnaces, who lost in the first round of the tournament, M.I.A. (and producer Diplo) experiment with rhythm, sample, vocal inflection, sound, and probably a dozen other things over the course of an album. The success of those efforts are varied, but the resulting product is never boring. Andrew bird has a unique voice, but can easily be dropped into a genre. Try doing that with M.I.A. and you'll be left scratching your head.
(2) Of Montreal vs. (7) M. Ward
Winner: (7) M. Ward
This is really just an excuse to get Of Montreal out of the tournament. But let's sing a few praises for M. Ward, folksy guitar balladeer extraordinaire. From Transfiguration of Vincent to Transistor Radio to Post-War, M. Ward had about a 3 year streak of just top-notch output. He transitions seamlessly from honky-tonk romps to quiet, solitary love songs, and his seeming loud whisper of a voice fits both styles perfectly. Why his newest album, Hold Time, seems to be a drop in quality is hard to explain. Maybe he's more focused on side project She & Him. Maybe he's relying too much on a formula for his sound, not taking chances on different styles (although I'm not sure which direction he would go if he wanted to). Regardless, he's more enjoyable to listen to than Of Montreal. Contrary to the music elitist mindset, sometimes a guy with an acoustic guitar can be a good thing.
Showing posts with label Flaming Lips Region. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Flaming Lips Region. Show all posts
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Thursday, March 19, 2009
March Music Madness, Round 1 - Flaming Lips Region
Don't forget to fill out your brackets at home... on to the picks!
(1) Fleet Foxes vs. (16) Shearwater
Winner: (1) Fleet Foxes
By the narrowest of margins! Frequently, a #16 seed will stay competitive for a half, maybe even a little longer. But eventually, the #1 always ends up dominating them with a big run. Fleet Foxes is still riding that run, racking up a plethora of "Best Album of 2008" titles from various publications (scroll to the bottom). But Shearwater's Rook, along with their well-deserved critical praise, should have earned higher than a #16. Hard decision, but the right one.
(5) Wolf Parade vs. (12) French Kicks
Winner: (5) Wolf Parade
Filled with the type of frenetic energy you'd expect from Canadians who are probably trying to keep themselves warm, Wolf Parade's At Mount Zoomer was a very solid follow-up to their incredible debut album Apologies to the Queen Mary. The French Kicks, while also owning a good 2008 album (Swimming) and solid past albums, lose a significant amount of points for referencing the French in their band name. I don't know whether it's ironic or not, and I don't care. This is America!
(3) Andrew Bird vs. (14) Thao Nguyen
Winner: (3) Andrew Bird
Thao Nguyen has the second-coolest backing band name: the Get Down Stay Down (first = Nick Cave's Bad Seeds). Her album We Brave Bee Stings And All has a ridiculous title, but appropriate music that toes the line between childlike naivete and grown-up cynicism. But Andrew Bird has been churning out great albums for years, and Noble Beast, released this year, finds him at his whistling, big-vocab-using best. What happens when a storied program goes against a wily upstart? Usually... the big guy wins.
(7) M. Ward vs. (10) The Dirty Projectors
Winner: (7) M. Ward
Two words (and a symbol)... She & Him. Matt Ward has been making gorgeous, lo-fi, technically-impressive music as M. Ward for a long time, but his recent collaboration with actress Zooey Deschanel has been a revelation. Having seen the two of them live, I can say, without question, that they are a legit force to be reckoned with in the indie music realm, and her music chops are wondefully retro (like... really retro... as in 1950s). So, combine M. Ward's present and past, and he easily flies past a band I've only heard a couple of times.
(2) Of Montreal vs. (15) Ladyhawk
Winner: (2) Of Montreal
Ugh... this is the dumbest match-up so far. Without question. Neither of these bands put out good albums recently, and I'm finding Of Montreal more and more annoying (especially Kevin Barnes... and it's NOT just because he routinely dresses like this). That being said, at least Of Montreal provides some interesting musical interpretations. Ladyhawk sounds like most bands from Seattle in the early 90s. Not the best strategy.
(6) Vampire Weekend vs. (11) M.I.A.
Winner: (11) M.I.A.
Dear preppy-looking kids from Vampire Weekend: When you sing and dance on a stage in front of a live audience of thousands and a television audience of millions, and you're on the literal verge of giving birth... then you can win a match-up with M.I.A. And I wouldn't even guarantee a win, but at least you'd be competitive. Vampire Weekend was all the rage in 2008, and it should've been... it's an immediate, easy-to-listen-to album. It helped launch them into a Shins-like pop culture status (post-Garden State, of course). But M.I.A. didn't even put out a record in 2008 and still managed to stay extremely relevant, mainly through movies ("Paper Planes" was in every Pineapple Express trailer, and she sang on the Slumdog Millionaire soundtrack... a small, independent film that very few people have ever heard of) and as a sample on hip-hop super collaboration "Swagger Like Us." This one isn't even close.
(4) Beirut vs. (13) Okkervil River
Winner: (4) Beirut
This is the dumbest seeding of all time! How could you possibly rank Okkervil River as a #13? With very few exceptions, if you put Okkervil River up against any of the teams that've made it to the next round, they win. No question. Stage Names may not be their best album, but they've got a track record of putting out phenomenal albums (ummm, Black Sheep Boy, anyone???). But my love for Zach Condon and Beirut is pretty unconditional right now. Beirut just continually releases sonically rich, diverse albums with musical themes you don't hear very often, and his newest release March of the Zapotec is no exception. I hate making this call, but the edge goes to Beirut.
(8) The Mountain Goats vs. (9) The Fiery Furnaces
Winner: (8) The Mountain Goats
The Fiery Furnaces are a band that music critics like to tout to see if people will blindly listen to anything they say. It'd be like if I told you that only the coolest, smartest, most badass people were getting their nuts shocked by Jack Bauer. And you agreed to do this, and went through it, and... charred balls and all, thought you were cooler for suffering through that shit. That's what listening to a Fiery Furnaces album is like. Except you can't say you met Jack Bauer. The Mountain Goats are awesome anyway, so even if The Fiery Furnaces didn't suck (they do... just to be clear), Mountain Goats are champs.
Alright... read this while watching the actual tournament/bemoaning your piss-poor picks. It's the most wonderful time of the year!!
(1) Fleet Foxes vs. (16) Shearwater
Winner: (1) Fleet Foxes
By the narrowest of margins! Frequently, a #16 seed will stay competitive for a half, maybe even a little longer. But eventually, the #1 always ends up dominating them with a big run. Fleet Foxes is still riding that run, racking up a plethora of "Best Album of 2008" titles from various publications (scroll to the bottom). But Shearwater's Rook, along with their well-deserved critical praise, should have earned higher than a #16. Hard decision, but the right one.
(5) Wolf Parade vs. (12) French Kicks
Winner: (5) Wolf Parade
Filled with the type of frenetic energy you'd expect from Canadians who are probably trying to keep themselves warm, Wolf Parade's At Mount Zoomer was a very solid follow-up to their incredible debut album Apologies to the Queen Mary. The French Kicks, while also owning a good 2008 album (Swimming) and solid past albums, lose a significant amount of points for referencing the French in their band name. I don't know whether it's ironic or not, and I don't care. This is America!
(3) Andrew Bird vs. (14) Thao Nguyen
Winner: (3) Andrew Bird
Thao Nguyen has the second-coolest backing band name: the Get Down Stay Down (first = Nick Cave's Bad Seeds). Her album We Brave Bee Stings And All has a ridiculous title, but appropriate music that toes the line between childlike naivete and grown-up cynicism. But Andrew Bird has been churning out great albums for years, and Noble Beast, released this year, finds him at his whistling, big-vocab-using best. What happens when a storied program goes against a wily upstart? Usually... the big guy wins.
(7) M. Ward vs. (10) The Dirty Projectors
Winner: (7) M. Ward
Two words (and a symbol)... She & Him. Matt Ward has been making gorgeous, lo-fi, technically-impressive music as M. Ward for a long time, but his recent collaboration with actress Zooey Deschanel has been a revelation. Having seen the two of them live, I can say, without question, that they are a legit force to be reckoned with in the indie music realm, and her music chops are wondefully retro (like... really retro... as in 1950s). So, combine M. Ward's present and past, and he easily flies past a band I've only heard a couple of times.
(2) Of Montreal vs. (15) Ladyhawk
Winner: (2) Of Montreal
Ugh... this is the dumbest match-up so far. Without question. Neither of these bands put out good albums recently, and I'm finding Of Montreal more and more annoying (especially Kevin Barnes... and it's NOT just because he routinely dresses like this). That being said, at least Of Montreal provides some interesting musical interpretations. Ladyhawk sounds like most bands from Seattle in the early 90s. Not the best strategy.
(6) Vampire Weekend vs. (11) M.I.A.
Winner: (11) M.I.A.
Dear preppy-looking kids from Vampire Weekend: When you sing and dance on a stage in front of a live audience of thousands and a television audience of millions, and you're on the literal verge of giving birth... then you can win a match-up with M.I.A. And I wouldn't even guarantee a win, but at least you'd be competitive. Vampire Weekend was all the rage in 2008, and it should've been... it's an immediate, easy-to-listen-to album. It helped launch them into a Shins-like pop culture status (post-Garden State, of course). But M.I.A. didn't even put out a record in 2008 and still managed to stay extremely relevant, mainly through movies ("Paper Planes" was in every Pineapple Express trailer, and she sang on the Slumdog Millionaire soundtrack... a small, independent film that very few people have ever heard of) and as a sample on hip-hop super collaboration "Swagger Like Us." This one isn't even close.
(4) Beirut vs. (13) Okkervil River
Winner: (4) Beirut
This is the dumbest seeding of all time! How could you possibly rank Okkervil River as a #13? With very few exceptions, if you put Okkervil River up against any of the teams that've made it to the next round, they win. No question. Stage Names may not be their best album, but they've got a track record of putting out phenomenal albums (ummm, Black Sheep Boy, anyone???). But my love for Zach Condon and Beirut is pretty unconditional right now. Beirut just continually releases sonically rich, diverse albums with musical themes you don't hear very often, and his newest release March of the Zapotec is no exception. I hate making this call, but the edge goes to Beirut.
(8) The Mountain Goats vs. (9) The Fiery Furnaces
Winner: (8) The Mountain Goats
The Fiery Furnaces are a band that music critics like to tout to see if people will blindly listen to anything they say. It'd be like if I told you that only the coolest, smartest, most badass people were getting their nuts shocked by Jack Bauer. And you agreed to do this, and went through it, and... charred balls and all, thought you were cooler for suffering through that shit. That's what listening to a Fiery Furnaces album is like. Except you can't say you met Jack Bauer. The Mountain Goats are awesome anyway, so even if The Fiery Furnaces didn't suck (they do... just to be clear), Mountain Goats are champs.
Alright... read this while watching the actual tournament/bemoaning your piss-poor picks. It's the most wonderful time of the year!!
Labels:
Flaming Lips Region,
March Music Madness
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