Feast on feedback, distortion and a catchy beat to boot from the hands of No Age. For all those who wondered what it would be like if Neu! went pop, No Age lets the artsy rock fans let loose, but won’t scare away others so quickly either. The Los Angeles-based duo of guitarist Randy Randall and singer/drummer Dean Spunt are releasing their first proper album this May, following 2007’s Weirdo Rippers EP.
The first single off the record is “Eraser,” a gloriously fuzzy wall of sound. But then the tambourine kicks in, transforming the song into a toe-tapping blitz. On top of that, guitarist Randall adds an acoustic layer, giving the normally heavy distortion a spring in its step. Clocking in at a meager 2:40 – though it could have easily trailed on for five or six minutes – “Eraser” keeps rapt attention throughout, setting No Age apart from more indulgent noise bands.
They concentrate their energy into a tiny package, bursting on every beat. This may come naturally to No Age, which was forged from hardcore punk bands of L.A. But for listeners, it is a welcome breath of life into noise rock.
Neon Neon – “Belfast” Download (Right click and select “Save Link As”)
Neon Neon — made up of from Welsh psychedelic rocker Gruff Rhys of Super Furry Animals and American DJ Boom Bip — time travels between ’80s electro and modern electropop on their debut album, Stainless Style.
Neon Neon finds a strange common ground between psychedelic rockers and electronica freaks, and fills it with a fitting dance party. The duo finds a medium between the tripped-out pop rockers and sample-tweaking electronica freaks, and then shoves them all in for a smooth ride in a DeLorean.
Though Stainless Style harnesses its power from a bygone era, it’s not a retro record. Neon Neon just embraces the period’s simple layering of techno and then adds its respective bags of tricks to the mix — Rhys’ bizarre pop sensibility and warm voice and Boom Bip’s keen sample craftwork.
In the standout track “I Lust U,” fellow Welsh singer Cate Le Bon joins the boys for a romp in yesterday’s tomorrow. They boil down the synth to the bare essential — a catchy hook. The beat is so simple it’s stupid, yet begs to be repeated on an infinite loop. The old-school/new-school combo sounds a bit like Snoop Dogg’s “Sensual Seduction,” and is every bit as enjoyable in its slick-yet-gaudy style.
At first, it’s strange to hear a band incorporate a now-antiquated interpretation of the future. Stainless Style is reportedly a concept album about the life of John DeLorean, famous creator of that boxy car-turned-time-machine immortalized in “Back to the Future.” More apparent in the music, though, is the outdated futurism of the DeLorean. Though obviously old, it still evokes that futuristic vibe — very apt for the neo-electro fun of Neon Neon.
Vampire Weekend will make any college student itch for spring break. The band breathes new vitality into vintage island sounds with such ease — its sound is the sea salt to your musty playlist.
Formed at Columbia, these collegiate rockers caused music bloggers to gush over their Afro-pop flourishes and cheerful keyboards while haters gossiped on the quartet’s affluence and preppy threads. Boat shoes aside, Vampire Weekend’s tunes are far from haughty.
The spry “A-Punk,” from the band’s self-titled album, bounces with the same jingly-jangly guitar of fellow New Yorkers The Strokes, but adds an outright pep. Vampire Weekend’s music juts through the masses with the same going-back-to-basics appeal of The Strokes, too. Lead Singer Ezra Koenig wails a few knots to the indie side, but juxtaposed with the music, his voice becomes more of a ska yelp, particularly when he lets loose with an “Ey ey ey ey.”
You would never expect such a well-educated, -dressed, and -funded endeavor to be so fun and unpretentious. All the sprightly elements converge into a smile-inducing ditty, filled with the sunny simplicity of Belle and Sebastian.
Fresh off the release of their eponymous debut last month, they set off on a tour that docks in Atlanta at The Earl March 9.
Vampire Weekend’s laidback vibe makes listeners yearn for spring break — especially if your itinerary includes a seaside voyage. The quartet is the perfect soundtrack to transport you to that “sandy lawn,” as Koenig sings in “Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa,” and its bright, clean melodies invigorated with ska energy create the perfect a seaside vacay. No yacht necessary.
Editors at The Emory Wheel, Emory University's student newspaper, sound off on their favorite albums and artists of the moment. You can find more info here.
Tim Soter / Courtesy of Beggars