At times, Department of Eagles' 2008 LP, In Ear Park, sounds like Willy Wonka’s side project; at others, the album feels like Animal Collective, if their parents would just stay on top of their Riddlin. (Which, upon reflection, appear to be analogous comparisons.) I wont bother to describe resemblances between Department of Eagles to Grizzly Bear, since that would simply be boring, but indeed, DoE is Grizzly Bear's songwriter/guitar/vocals/keyboard frontman Daniel Rossman and his old NYU roommate Fred Nicolaus. There’s no doubt that the essence of Grizzly Bear, from Rossman’s contributions, is palatable with In Ear Park. I guess that comparison was inescapable. Pick up In Ear Park from 4AD
Animal Collective - In the Flowers
You know what, In the Flowers comes damn close. This love-induced hallucination, indeed, almost causes you to "leave [your] body for the night", swirling mid-air while watching her smile as she mouth the words "I like this song." A sonically captivating reverie.
Back in March, Domino's press release re Water Curses described Animal Collective's upcoming EP as the "sound of a beaming smile". And I definitely agree-- if this smile was racing through hallucination induced refracted sunlight on speed. Yah.
Listen for yourself:
Animal Collective - Water Curses (mp3)
Purchase the 12" or CD here. These alleged 'leftovers from Strawberry Jam' have been on repeat all morning and I'm still hearing something fresh on every spin.
Now, to cement my credibility in commenting on matters of obscure well-produced music, I present to you my resuscitated fascination: Mariah Carey.
Watching a re-run of SNL last night, I was expecting to flip the channel or wash the dishes while this unfortunate (so I thought at the time) musical guest did her little thang. I don't know if it was the catchy rhythm, her brilliant lyrics, or if I was just hypnotised by those 4 feet bronze stems, but I couldn't break my focus.
Mariah Carey - Touch My Body (mp3)
Temperature up the roof; all up on you; legs wrapped around the body tight like my jeans; YES Mariah, "I want to make him feel like [he] never did" too! YES Mariah, you tell him, don't be taping this shit and putting it on youtube!
Old Life Records is asking for submissions for their compilation #2. If you're from Victoria, a band and "perhaps a little weird", go 'head. You can download their 1st compilation from the website for free!
Hey, have you watched the Said the Gramophone Wonderful Music Video Contest winners yet? They make me want to create films. The Joanna Newsom one is most definitely my favourite, though it hurts my eyes a little. The Animal Collective (winner) video is fun... that's all I can think of to describe it. It's really really fun. I guess the red stuff is supposed to be blood.. but it reminds of "Strawberry Jam"... Intentional? There's 13 winners in total, so watch all of them. I dare you. (Turns out the fans of StG are as brilliant as the writers).
#2
Joanna Newsom - The Book of Right-on from benjamin ramirez on Vimeo.
#1
Peacebone - Animal Collective - Fan Video for StG from Luke Wilhelmi on Vimeo.
If this is an annual thing, does someone want to make a movie with me? We'll need a dance crew in my movie. I mean, our movie. And water guns. You'll supply the equipment. And telephone cords. Lots of telephone Cords.