EPISODE 7

EPISODE 7: The Kids Are Alright

Song: 'The Only One'
Artist: Manchester Orchestra
Album: Mean Nothing To Everything (2009)
Label: Favorite Gentleman Recordings/Sony

We start this cast all off with the latest offering from Manchester Orchestra. (who, despite the name, are neither from the UK, nor very orchestral for that matter) This jam has a head-bobbing, punchy-guitar slide-riffing appeal that just makes for a fantastic opener, sure to leave you wanting more. 'The Only One' definitely sets the stage for what is an overall optimistic rock record that came through as a favourite on many 'Best of '09' lists. (yep, we're STILL trying to get all those acclaimed 2009 albums in!)

Song: 'Young Adult Friction'
Artist: The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart
Album: The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart (2009)
Label: Slumberland

This is the band for a certain demographic that just didnt 'get' Belle & Sebastien. Building on what B&S brought many years ago, The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart have perfected that sound and seem to have made it more accessible to a broader audience. (including those who thought B&S were terrible.)

Song: 'Concrete Boots'
Artist: Immoor
Album: The Thievery Of Your Own Things (2006)
Label: Immoor Productions 

I came across this album by accident after hitting a wrong link on a music site that I frequent daily and was more than happy I made that initial mistake. This album brings a hypnotic quality with it, combining droning, almost monotone voices with synth melodies. However, in terms of the music he presents, it comes across as calm, methodical and flows effortlessly throughout the entire disc. The end result drives home a point that most artists these days have forgotten: there is harmony in simplicity.

Song: 'Young Hearts Spark Fire'
Artist: Japandroids
Album: Post-Nothing (2009)
Label: Polyvinyl 

It must be hard for a two piece to come out and not instantly be compared to the White Stripes. But, all the songs on Post Nothing have a sort of, full-bodied vibe that, in my opinion, reaches farther than the Stripes. With crazy distorted guitars, and vocals being belted out as if it was going to be their last words, this album is a wonderful reminder that a two piece CAN work without any gimmicks, and can work WELL, at that.

Song: 'Love Cry'
Artist: Four Tet
Album: There Is Love In You (2010)
Label: Domino Look, 

I’m not going to try to be clever about this: I am ex-CIT-ted about this album. After suffering through the late 2009 music drought followed by taking a couple major hits of disappointment (looking at you RJD2, Midlake… by all means check ‘em out yourselves) I was in a pretty musically bored state. I was ready for anything that could get through to me in any way. Thank you, Four Tet. I’m now of the mind that my particular sort of musical malaise has always been right where minimal electronics wanna get me – and this time the comeback was huge. I have been bouncing around the apartment to “Love Cry” and “Plastic People” for 5 days and counting – blissing out to liquid-honey-happiness of the rest of the record – sometimes drinking it all in, sometimes just focusing on a shaker pattern. So far my favorite album of the year. Between this and the new Caribou record in April – this year’s dancefloor is going to be something very, very different.

Song: 'My Hopes And Dreams'
Artist: jj
Album: No. 2 (2009)
Label: Sincerely Yours 

Man, the snob cast loves us some Swedes!! Coming all the way from Gothenburg it almost seems as if Sweden is the new Iceland, gracing us with fantastic bands like Studio, Jens Lekman, The Tough Alliance and now this...jj. No 2, hits you with a child like innocence both lyrically and musically. Despite the huge pot leaf on the cover, the music brings more of an angelic vibe than a druggy one, producing a calming feeling that will leave you feeling like this would be the perfect soundtrack to a lifetime spent on a beach with waves slowly crashing in the distance and the scent of Coconut oil in the air. Look for No. 3 to drop March 9th.

Song: 'Electric Feel'
Artist: MGMT
Album: Oracular Spectacular (2008)
Label: Sony 

They’re on Sony now? Fuck these crazy bitches: Did anyone have any idea how big MGMT was going to be? Ridiculous. I picked this thing up through who knows what review site’s recommendation, and related immediately to Electric Feel. This felt … unsafe somehow. A little dangerous, a little psychotic, but confident, so perfectly freaky and hip. Enough groove, enough glam, enough lo fi, enough sweat, enough lip. Always brings back fond memories of those ol’ Snob Nites. Keeping it weird and sexy. To me, this is the sort of mutant soul that is still very much the thing. Essential record. Looking forward to the new one.

Song: 'Never Miss A Beat'
Artist: Kaiser Chiefs
Album: Off With Their Heads (2008)
Label: Motown 

Unbelievably massive rock song. If rock was ever half this good I’d have been a much better adjusted youth, and we probably wouldn’t have to do this podcast. If you haven’t been into Kaiser Chiefs, yet, take care of that. You should be familliar. The first record in particular is the most consistent demo of this muscular synth rock that is light enough on the synth to let the Ramones-iness break right through, but heavy enough on the synth to show the majority of the UK dance rock set how it could be done. This one, the third, is just further reason to hate the second one. Don’t bother. Anyway, keep it up, lads – we’ll be here for number 4. (What… Motown? Seriously?)

Song: 'Lewis Takes Off His Shirt'
Artist: Owen Pallett
Album: Heartland (2010)
Label: Domino  

Ya like strings? Who the hell don’t? I’ll tell you who don’t not – Owen Pallett. Owen’s the string arranger for Arcade Fire, Broken Social Scene, and has worked with many others including Beirut. You could call this the 3rd Final Fantasy record (the band… no apparent connection to the video game franchise… though the lyrical content of the last two records were a ton of fun for any Zelda fans, or Dungeons and Dragons fans… ask your uncle…) but he’s tchnically releasing this one under his real name. Must be something up. This’ll be a challenge for some (but definitely a lot less so than the last one – winner of the first Polaris Prize), and a lovely experience for a few. Whatever your take on his body of work at large, you can’t deny the appeal of forward looking jewels like this. More 2010 gold from Domino. Nice work, guys.

Song: 'Your Mouth'
Artist: Telefon Tel Aviv
Album: Immolate Yourself (2009)
Label: Bpitch Control 

Being fairly new to the electronic scene myself (and being more of a rocker at heart) there are a select few discs from this genre that have really grabbed me over the past little while. I would venture to say that this is very VERY near the top. After being around for near a decade, Telefon Tel Aviv have produced one of the most haunting, yet dreamy albums I've ever come across. If you're a fan of either Massive Attack, or Portishead...do yourself a favour and pick this album up. And tell em the Snob Cast sent ya.

Song: 'Ashley'
Artist: The Dodos
Album: Visiter (2008)
Label: French Kiss 

 By far one of the best records I own. One of those precious occasions of literally being able to play anything from the whole record and blow minds. Full of more of that unsafe sounding neo-primitive approach that suited Animal Collective so well since Sung Tongs, the Dodos created something so tastefully streamlined but with all of the danger in tact.. This is the second record. The first one “Beware the Maniacs” is also a must have after ‘Visiter’ does what it does to you. Third one was out this year from the Shins’ producer. (Not such a great pairing, sadly/surprisingly.) For now we have Visiter, which is more than enough. I wish I could eat it or lick it or something. Not even actually being in the band or having made the music would be a close enough experience of this album. That’s how I feel. Check it out.