...I find a fatal flaw in the logic of love...

I think I first heard of the Shins in 2004. But I didn't listen to them. If I remember well, I just listened to Caring is creepy. And it wasn't even the Shins I had randomly downloaded on someone's website, it was James Mercer. Anyway, I actually burnt it on a data CD, with lots of other stuff, and at that time it was very likely I would forget it forever...

Randomly again, last March, I found this CD and this James Mercer gig. Having no clue of what it could be, I gave it a go and I must say I couldn't stop listening to these songs again and again. I loved the tunes, the chords progressions, the lyrics. I loved its simplicity. I mean, what seemed to be simplicity. The chord progressions are not as cracked or raving than what Kevin Barnes is able to lay sometimes, but still, these pieces of music were excellent.

Naturally, I went to listen these songs as they were originally recorded with the band. And well... erm... I don't know. I just couldn't listen to them. The sound, the production, the orchestration, well, it sounds too bad for my poor ears. I had the feeling I was listening to that music you hear in 1980s-early 1990s corporate films, or just the sound of 1980s bands trying new technologies that were not really ready yet. Sort of cheesy... A big disappointment.

But why do people love them??? I mean, the songs are great, but the sound is shit. They probably haven't listened to James Mercer solo. Is it me? There must be something I don't get. I have read for example, that this sound is "hors du temps" or like nothing heard before (I agree, but from my point of view it's not that positive) and that's why the Shins are such an interesting band.

Maybe one day I'll wake up and hear the genius of this sound, but so far, I only hear James Mercer's enormous songwriting talent. When you hear him playing his songs with an acoustic guitar only, you are actually able to experiment more than a glimpse of the greatness, the depth, the sincerity contained in his songs. And that makes me think that they don't need more treatment than that. What's the use of plugging the guitars in or adding some sounding-like-they-are-fake drums?

I shouldn't say more about it, and let you make your own opinion about it. But one last thing: don't get we wrong, maybe I don't like the Shins, but I love their songs. James Mercer is one of the best songwriters we have at the moment, no doubt about that. That's why it is so frustrating. I don't really know what to think, maybe I'm right, or maybe I don't get it.

So here is the gig I'm talking about. The quality is very good, although Pink Bullets, Harvest and Past and Pending have some weird cuts, but not too annoying. It is still very much listenable. James Mercer covers Neil Young's Harvest and plays Girl Sailor, which for a long time remained entitled 'New Song' before it was released in the new Shins album. Definitely one of the best of "Wincing the night away", but far better version in this gig!

James Mercer Live (October 2004)

Enjoy and let me know what you think!

I wish I went to such a school...

It's been already weeks (months?) the internet is buzzing around the new Arcade Fire album. Some songs were leaked one by one, sometimes successfully removed from blogs by the band, but obviously it was just temporary, and bloggers, despite how much they love the band, can't be trusted! So the big news today is that Neon Bible is leaked.

I dont know yet if I'm going to listen to it. I've already been a bit disappointed by much expected albums I found leaked weeks before the official date of release, so we'll see... I'll probably wait and start listening to it a few days before the offical relase date, because I want it to be fresh when I see them live in Brixton. But not right now. It's way too early.

Anyway, the other interesting thing I found about them is that Youtube video from Pitchfork. Arcade Fire plays this great song, Intervention, at Canterbury High School, Ottawa. But apart from the song, what struck me most is the end of the video, when the camera is filming kids running around in the room... Crazy... I wish I had such bands coming to my school! I mean, I just wish I had bands coming to my school!

Plus:
Arcade Fire live recording from the blog I guess I'm floating: Live @ St. Michael's, Montreal, 1/21/2007

I'm on top but you're tryin' to stop me now...

...This week's kicks...

The Sunshine Underground
'Put You In Your Place' from the album Raise the Alarm.
A massive dancefloor hit... My favourite track this week. As punchy as a Vodka-Red Bull...
=> Myspace, Official

Of Montreal
'Gronlandic Edit' from Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer? and 'Du Og Meg' from Icons, Abstract Thee?
Well, I don't know if Kevin Barnes is a genius, but what he writes and composes definitely is.
'Gronlandic Edit' is from the last album Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer? Basically about someone (Kevin Barnes himself? very likely..) who is depressed, confused and tries to find a way to get out of this messed-up state of mind. His sees the world and the people surrounding him in a very apathetic, blasé way. I guess he wishes things would mean and be valued what they're really worth. Is everyone faking?
A lot lighter than Gronalndic Edit and from the new EP "Icons, Abstract thee?", "Du Og Meg" has a more straightforward meaning (and composition as well). Once again, I don't know if it is autobiographic but it seems like it. But in that case, it would be him looking back in the past about his love story with a Norwegian girl. From what I know, they recently divorced and what resulted from it are the troubled lyrics of the new album.. Anyway, that song could have easily fitted in "Satanic Panic At The Attic".
=> Myspace, Official

Rock Plaza Central
Anthem for the already defeated, from Are We Not Horses?
It proves that you don't need more than two chords to write a great song. Chris Eaton's voice gives quite a startling intensity to the song, and I love the mandolin, the violin and this piano that makes you feel you are in a Western Saloon, in a kind of burlesque atmosphere...
=> Myspace, Official

Sean Lennon
Tomorrow, from Friendly Fire
I don't really know what to think of Sean Lennon. The fact that it is most of the time a bit too Beatles-esque (for me!) does not help his case. But I must definitely admit that there is a bunch of good, I mean, great songs in this album. 'Tomorrow' is one of my favourite. The chorus reminds me of the early 1960's Beatles, which is not bas at all though. But the jazzy feeling of the verses is delightful. This is light, sweet, cozy like these everlasting Gershwin standards. Like them, the lyrics are a bit naive but as I love them, flirting but never crossing the "cheesy-ness" line. Sean Lennon sings in an airy but charming way. A must-listen.
=> Myspace, Official

Easy All Stars
Let Down, from Radiodread
I remember reading about this album a few months ago, but it then escaped my mind. A few days ago, a DJ played 'Let Down' at a gig and I thought I should give it a go. The album is actually a complete Reggae and Dub rendition of Radiohead's OK Computer (wtih the benediction of the band!). In my opinion, the album isn't that great, but is still quite an impressive piece of work. However, although I like reggae music and its relatives (ska, dancehall,...), I am not too much into dub. So, I guess dub-lovers should appreciate it more. Anyway, there are some pretty good covers ('Paranoid Android'), the best probably being 'Let Down' by Toot & the Maytals.
=> Myspace, Official

Cold War Kids
'We used to vacation' and 'God Make Up Your Mind' from 'Robbers and Cowards'
I haven't had time to properly listen to the album but I love these two songs. I have actually first heard them on the Daytrotter session. You can also see them performing on the Inrocks website.
=> Myspace, Official

Jamie T
'Sheila' and 'Calm Down Dearest' from Panic Prevention
Jamie T sings with a strong London accent, sometimes a bit forced (?), but just for the sake of style! And it's pretty cool. Will probably remind you of the Streets...
=> Myspace, Official