The Naked and Famous - Passive Me Aggresive You

Never believe the hype unless you’re a sucker. Hype only exists for bands that are merely trendy and not necessarily talented.  They are a band of the moment and nothing else. Luckily for us, one highly publicized band doesn’t fall into that category. They are the hottest band to emerge from New Zealand since Flight of the Conchords (Okay, they are a comedy duo, but music is a huge part of their act so cut me some slack, gosh). After releasing two EPs, This Machine and No Light, The Naked and Famous released their debut album Passive Me, Aggressive You.

Even though some of their songs are extremely popular and have been featured on hit shows like The Vampire Diaries and Chuck, not too many people actually know the name The Naked and Famous. Besides possessing a cool creative name, this awesome alternative band boasts an impressive lineup dedicated to creating compelling catchy tunes. The Naked and Famous are absolutely addicting and are similar to bands like Cults, Foster the People, Grouplove, Joy Formidable, Passion Pit, Phantogram, Too Door Cinema Club, The Vaccines, and Young the Giant.

Recently, the band won several New Zealand Music Awards including Best Group, Single of the Year and Breakthrough Artist while their album Passive Me, Aggressive You won Album of the Year and Best Alternative Album. Needless to say, if that’s not worthy of your attention than you’re really missing out.

The Naked and Famous are comprised of Aaron Short (electronics), Alisa Xayalith (vocals and keyboards), David Beadle (bass), Jesse Wood (drums) and Thom Powers (vocals and guitars). Scattered throughout Passive Me, Aggressive You there are various genres represented with dance punk, shoegaze, sythnpop, pure psychedelic and alternative all making an appearance on this indie rock album. The variety of music styles featured on Passive Me, Aggressive You showcase the immense talent by this unique group.

Passive Me, Aggressive You kicks off with “All of This.” The dual vocals accompanied by the infectious drum beats are more than enough to ignite this delightful debut. The third single and second track, “Punching In A Dream” oozes dream pop with the sweet, sensual voice of Alisa Xayalith and really reminds me of MGMT. Cute, catchy lyrics set against a romantic background make this song a must listen.

The mentally anguished “Frayed” is followed up by the equally creepy and paranoid “The Sun,” which sounds similar to The xx rather than a synthpop band. However, the 80s synthpop sound comes back with the retro sounding “Eyes.”

Once “Young Blood” starts playing, the album truly hits its stride. “Young Blood” is the perfect electropop track and immediately grabs your attention. In the vein of MGMT, this uplifting magnificent and mesmerizing song captivates you from beginning to end. Xayalith’s surreal, sensual voice intensifies with each lyric only to create unforgettable vocals showcased on this song. Even casual music listeners can testify to its catchiness. Before writing this review I have listened to “Young Blood” approximately 25 times and it becomes better with each subsequent listen.

The mellower “No Way” is a 5 ½ minute sublime shoegaze song stuck between the electropop “Young Blood” and the feedback-filled “Spank.” Each of these distinct songs contains something unique that transcends genres in this mind-numbing alternative album. For example, “Spank” describes a pandemic and even possible a zombie infestation amongst other songs that could have been featured in a John Hughes movie or even heard on a 80s film soundtrack.

“Jilted Lovers” features psychotic feelings “I'm not hearing/Any other way/Shut my eyes/Head rests on my hands,” yet remains remarkable with a dazzling mix of manufactured music. The static noise somehow enhances this eerie experience. “A Wolf In Geek’s Clothing” starts off sounding like Guns N’ Roses’ “Shackler’s Revenge,” but evolves into a dreamy drum-machine, electronic and static mashup sung as a duet by Alisa Xayalith and Thom Powers. “The Ends” acts as a precursor and even uses the lyrical refrain “It's all about to end at last,” throughout as a signifier, but to be honest, I don’t want this amazing album to end.

The low key vocals of Thom Powers with a steady dubstep and post punk bassline, fuzzy background noise and the backing vocals of Xayalith is a fitting end to finish with “Girls Like You.” Needless to say if you are interested in a band that could be part Ting Tings, Sleigh Bells, Coldplay, Crowded House, MGMT and remain completely original than The Naked and Famous is an indie rock band you should know and love.

--Mr. Brownstone

Grouplove- Never Trust A Happy Song

 
A hidden gem lies within Grouplove, the latest LA band worth discovering. Like Black Kids and Local Natives before them, Grouplove emerged as the next big band from Los Angeles. Living in Southern California I’m frequently exposed to numerous new, exciting bands like indie rock band Grouplove.

Ever since I first heard their single “Colours” off their self-titled EP Grouplove last year I instantly fell in love with them. Released by Canvasback Music and Atlantic Records last January, I knew it would be a matter of time before they debut their first album. Grouplove stands as my favorite EP of 2011.

Similar alternative and indie artists to Grouplove include Cults, The Drums, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, Foster the People, Joy Formidable, The Naked And Famous and Young the Giant. Grouplove is comprised of Christian Zucconi (lead vocals and guitars), Hannah Hooper (vocals and keyboards), Sean Gadd (bass), Ryan Rabin (drums) and Andrew Wessen (guitars and vocals). This LA quintet delivers a charming, charismatic debut that is part folk, 80s dance rock and awesome alternative music utilizing dual lead vocals and hand claps.

Discovering Grouplove proved interesting. Almost always I’m searching all the various clubs like the Avalon, The Roxy, The Viper Room, the Whisky A Go-Go, The Troubadour and the El Rey Theatre for new bands, particularly the El Rey and Troubadour. For some reason, the band name Grouplove stood out to me when they played a show at The Troubadour. When I heard them I was blown away, but what initially convinced me to listen to their music wasn’t a song. Their album artwork captivated me. Hannah Hooper’s vibrant artwork on both Grouplove and Never Trust A Happy Song stood out to me. The artwork compelled me to discover Grouplove. Sure enough my instinct paid off and I have been a loyal fan ever since.

Never Trust A Happy Song stands as a stunning, stellar smash debut album from Grouplove. “Itchin’ On A Photograph” kicks off with thunderous clapping and a sweet bassline. Zucconi’s zesty voice inspires imagination. It’s a great track to introduce this wonderfully, whimsical band. The opening grabbed my attention almost immediately, “I’m itchin’ on a photograph/Yeah I’m scratching on a thermostat/ Yeah I’m giving up on looking back/ Yeah I’m letting go of all that I had/Yeah I’m itchin’ on a photograph/ Yeah I’m scratching on a thermostat/ Yeah I’m letting go all of that I had/ Yeah I’m itchin’ on a photograph.”

Next up is “Tongue Tied,” a song slowly making its way up the Billboard Hot 100 charts. I certainly believe with its infectious beats and catchy lyrics this could be a bonafide hit. Besides the song, “Colours,” this is my favorite song on Never Trust A Happy Song.

“Take me to your best friend’s house
Go around this roundabout, oh yeah
Take me to your best friend’s house
I loved you then and I love you now, oh yeah
Don’t take me tongue-tied
Don’t wave, no goodbye, don’t
Take me to your best friend’s house
marmalade, we’re making out, oh yeah
Take me to your best friend’s house
I loved you then and I love you now
Don’t take me tongue tied
Don’t wave, no goodbye, don’t
One, two, three, four
Don’t leave me tongue tied
Let’s stay up all night, I’ll get real high
Slumber party, pillow fight
My eyes and your eyes
Like Peter Pan up in the sky
My best friend’s house tonight
Let’s bump the beats till beddy bye
Don’t take me tongue tied
Don’t wave, no goodbye
Don’t take me tongue tied
Don’t kiss me goodnight, don’t
Take me to your best friend’s house
Roll around this roundabout, oh yeah
Take me to your best friend’s house
I loved you then and I love you now
Don’t leave me tongue tied, don’t wave, no goodbye
Don’t leave me tongue tied, don’t
Don’t leave me tongue tied, don’t wave, no goodbye
Don’t leave me tongue tied, don’t

The awesome sweet song “Lovely Cup” follows. With wonderful lyrics, it’s hard to explain why this song, much like the entire album, is so irresistible. Comprised of cool instrumentation it’s easy to understand why Never Trust A Happy Song persists as a fun, fresh album.

My absolute favorite song on Never Trust A Happy Song is “Colours.” From the very first time I heard “Colours” off their EP I knew this would be a band I would love to follow. Instantly hooked, before the song ended I couldn’t stop singing along. Now I practically know every single word for “Colours.”

“I am a man, man, man, man
Up, up in the air
And I run around, ‘round, ‘round, ‘round this downtown
And act like I don’t care
So when you see me flying by the planet’s moon
You don’t need to explain if everything’s changed
Just know I’m just like you
Huh Ha (x5)
So I pull the switch, the switch
The switch inside my head
And I see black, black, green
And brown, brown, brown and blue, yellow, violets, red
And suddenly a light appears
Inside my brain
And I think of my ways
I think of my days and know that I have changed
It’s the colours you have
No need to be sad
It really ain’t that bad
It’s the colours you have
No need to be sad
You’ve still got your health
So mistress, mistress have you been up to the roof?
He shot himself, self
There’s blood on the wall
‘Cause he couldn’t face the truth
Oh, knock that down, leave the ground and find some space
And tell your friends, friends
You’ll be back again, gain
Before it’s too late
It’s the colours you have
No need to be sad
It really ain’t that bad
ooh, it’s the colours you have
No need to be sad
It really ain’t that bad
It’s the colours you have
No need to be sad
You’ve still got your health
So I am a man, man, man, man
Up, up in the air
And I float around, ’round, ‘round, ‘round this downtown
And know I shouldn’t care
So when you see us there out in the open road
You don’t need to explain
If everything’s changed
Just know that you don’t know
We call it life
Oh yeah, that’s what we call it
We can’t call it at all
We call it life
Oh yeah, that’s what we call it
When you can’t call it at all
Yeah, we call it
Oh yeah that’s what we call it
(Ooh)
We do it for love, sweet love

The nostalgic “Naked Kids” is a charming, compelling and catchy song buried in the middle of the album. Only “Naked Kids” and “Colours” are the two tracks previously released on Grouplove. The more mellow “Slow,” the Bruce Springsteen like “Spun,” the cheerful “Betty’s A Bombshell,” the carefree “Chloe,” the sweet “Love Will Save Your Soul,” the soulful “Cruel and Beautiful World” and the fun “Close Your Eyes And Count To Ten” finish off the album. Don’t believe the title off this album, every single song will bring a smile to your face. Grouplove delivers happiness throughout Never Trust A Happy Song with each energetic and entertaining track.

--Mr Brownstone

Cults - S/T

 
I love music duos. Whether it’s rock, electronic or whatever I love when two awesome musicians come together and create wonderful music. Ever since The White Stripes were fading away in the mid millennium, it seems like I was going to have a void with music duos. Luckily, awesome artists like Justice, She & Him, The Ting Tings, The Kills, MGMT, The XX, The Black Keys, Matt and Kim, and the Cults emerged.

Depending on if you wanted a louder hard rock sound (The Black Keys), electronic (Justice), indie electronic (MGMT), indie pop (She & Him, Ting Tings, The XX and Cults) and/or indie/garage rock (The Kills), there was a music duo to cover your needs. Until now I never consciously realized there has been a resurgence of quality indie music duos. Cults is one of these mysterious bands worth discovering.

Cults is shrouded in mystery, both musically and physically. For the longest time I had no idea who Cults were…literally. It wasn’t until I searched deep in the liner notes and cross referenced with the internet that I discovered there are only two permanent band members in this fantastic, fresh and fun band.

New York duo Cults is the latest music duo that has captured my heart and ears with their infectious indie pop music. The band is comprised of former New York University film students turned musicians Madeline Follin (vocals) and Brian Oblivion (vocals, guitar and percussion). Their throwback 1960s sound instantly blew my mind away with this sensational debut album. I hope more people will soon discover this mesmerizing, mysterious band.

Much like the band Fitz & The Tantrums, Cults rely on a melodic vintage sound that possesses a twist, which makes their music sound both classic, yet fresh. If you enjoy bands like Dum Dum Girls, Drums, EMA, Girls, Yuck, Tennis, Phantogram, and Smith Westerns then Cults is a band up your alley.

Cults electric and invigorating eponymous debut album kicks off with “Abducted,” which describes falling in love as being kidnapped. The heartbreak of someone “stealing your heart and running away” is just one of the many relatable emotions conveyed on this album.  Follin’s addicting, sensual voice is so sweet and innocent that I missed what “Abducted” was all about upon my first few listens. After several more times I heard the message loud and clear, “I knew right then that I'd been abducted/ I knew right then that he would be taking my heart… He tore me apart because I really loved him/ He took my heart away and left me to bleed out, bleed out/ He broke my heart because I really loved him/ He took it all away and left me to bleed out, bleed out.” I love discovering something new with a song I thoroughly enjoyed. You may even say I have been “abducted” by Madeline Follin’s voice.

Their 1960s pop/ girl group sound embraces the wonderful quality of that musical era and at times feels reminiscent of a Phil Spector “Wall of Sound” production. There is something irresistible of combining the innocence of catchy choruses, yet at the same time remain mysterious while describing dark emotions. The dreamy “Go Outside” is the second song featured on the album and is their best known song. The song encourages listeners to do something instead of just laying around all day inside and actually “go outside” to enjoy life. It’s the perfect song to motivate yourself and remains one of my favorite tracks to listen to while working out.

The moment “You Know What I Mean” came on I honestly thought my iTunes was messing with me because the 1960s girl group aspect sounded too realistic. After double checking my iTunes library a few times I was relieved to find out it wasn’t on shuffle and I didn’t randomly download The Shirelles, The Crystals, The Ronettes, The Supremes, or The Shangri-Las. Follin’s youthful voice perfectly captures that 1960s element efficiently, energetically and most importantly, effectively. “You Know What I Mean” is a song you can lose yourself in.

The deep, dark “Most Wanted” utilizes Follin’s unique and childlike voice. When it’s accompanied by a treacherous instrumentation, her voice showcases the drifting feeling we occasionally experience when contemplating doing something we know is wrong. “Back in my home late at night/ All alone, I'm flying/ Flying above all my troubles/ My mind's a gull/ When I am happy my heart starts to slow/ What I most want is bad for me I know” are just some of the stellar lyrics used.

 “Never Heal Myself” is the next track worth mentioning. Follin’s conviction, whether sweet and sincere or a frustrated outburst, is always able to convey mystery with whatever she is singing about. This song is one of my favorites and I really love the ending lyrics, “Yeah I try to heal myself/And turn around cuz someone else/ But I can never be myself so fuck you.”

Powerful beats propel this album to create an exhilarating mixture of emotions. The combination of wonderful melodies with Follin’s flawless voice produces the best damn debut album of 2011. For the past four years, one of my favorite albums of the year also happens to be a debut album. This year is no different. Those artists and albums for the previous four years were Vampire Weekend with Vampire Weekend (2008), The XX with XX (2009), Neon Trees with Habits (2010) and now Cults.

Without a doubt, Cults is an awesome album that entertains you for over 30 minutes and is a must buy. I absolutely adore everything about this 11 track gem. Go discover their wonderful wall of sound and you won’t be disappointed when you join this cult. After all, there is no punch drinking involved.

--Brownstone