Do this first...
GET THIS (relatively) NEW ALBUM
Death Cab For Cutie - Codes And Keys
I've always wondered how those that review/write about/critique/talk 'ad nauseam' about music can do it after giving whatever they're talking about one listen. . .
"One listen? That's all you're gonna give this production that people probably sincerely bled over? Really?"
With only one shot at something, the review doesn't factor in possibility for repetitive plays, and does away with the idea that albums evolve over time and multiple listens. It's lazy and implies that whoever's doing the review has it all figured out after one rotation, when there's so much that they're gonna miss.
For example, over half this album is comprised of tracks that are over 4 minutes. Try sitting for 4 minutes and focusing on one specific thing without having your mind go elsewhere. Go ahead, give it a shot. I'll bet you don't make it 2:30 without forgetting what you were doing in the first place.
With that said, I took my time, gave this album from one of my favorite bands a few listens, then went away from it. Like almost all Death Cab albums, it's around 45 minutes. Not something you hafta plan your day around, but long enough to warrant some respect. Coming back to it fresh after listening to other music in between (see below, yo), I felt like I understood the message a lot more than if I was one-and-done.
I'm a big fan, so I'll do my best to hold back my bias, but I really did enjoy a number of songs on this album. So much so that I felt like, even if you weren't keen on their past offerings, you'd still dig their music. They went more "folk rock" on this album, which is cool with me. I love bands like Manchester Orchestra and Band Of Horses and there are a few songs (Unobstructed Views; Portable Television; Stay Young, Go Dancing) that mirror what those bands do regularly.
"Doors Unlocked And Open" is a solid rock effort from them, too, and it just wouldn't be a Death Cab album if it didn't have an upbeat, sunrise-like intro track, which they've done on almost all of their cds. A solid tact to make you stick around, and the song "Home Is A Fire" does just that.
All in all, I'll be succinct and say that it's an album which shows this band's steady path of maturation; evolving sonically, using whatever they can to augment their sound, while having the same perspective that there are gray skies above, but those clouds have silver linings and blah, blah, blah... 'cue the sunrise.' It's something that needs to be taken in on your own, milling around your apartment or driving home after work. It's a lot like Narrow Stairs, their last album... a solid, all-around production with a good single (You Are A Tourist) and better tracks to follow. I'd delve into it more, but if you know them/like them/have seen them before, it's exactly what you'd think it'd be.
RUN THROUGH SOME RANDOMS...
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Obie Trice - Hey Lady (feat. Eminem)
The Roots - You Got Me (feat. Erykah Badu)
Wallpaper. - I Got Soul, I'm So Wasted
Del Tha Funkee Homosapien - Mistadobalina
Stabbing Westward - What Do I Have To Do?
Nikki Minaj - Did It On Em
GET IN ON THE GROUND FLOOR
J Roddy Walston and The Business - Used To Did
They're on the same label as Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, The Hold Steady, Pete Yorn and PJ Harvey. Solid company. Doesn't hurt that they seriously don't suck.
SET UP THIS PLAYLIST
All Synapses Fire
~ A playlist for those that are up when the birds start to chirp, mulling over the creation of the cosmos, the US's involvement with Libya, or how the hell you're gonna pay rent.Amon Tobin - Sordid
Boards of Canada - 1969
These first two tracks are electronic tracks that are, for lack of a better term, “weird.” They have incredible bass lines, they hit heavy and switch up without warning, incorporate sounds you probably heard in your dreams and have no lyrics. They move rapidly and, from my experience, make whatever you’re focusing on move just as quick, too.
The Dandy Warhols - You Were The Last High
Garbage - The Trick Is To Keep Breathing
These two are songs that have an ambient feel to them. Incorporating “silence” and indistinct tones, I feel like these songs are what outer space might want to sound like.
HeartsREVOLUTION - Domino Effect
Another banger. I had this on repeat while writing something that took a few hours. Didn’t mind it. The build-up is legit, there’s a gritty guitar tossed in to make you clench your teeth, and if you let your guard down to the ‘techno’ aspect of it, it’s a song that could be tossed into a party mix or some sort of driving playlist.
Ja Rule - Never Again
I used to study to this song when I was in high school and actually studied. Slow moving and dark like rainclouds rolling into town, Ja did just fine on this one.
Jay-Z - If I Should Die
After the last track, we gotta bump it up a bit. Volume 2 was a classic, everyone that I was friends with growing up had this album, but I’m sure that was for the slew of singles that came out on it. This one went under the radar, which is what it kinda does now with the beat that sounds like it incorporated an email alert...fading in and out of your psyche.
Nine Inch Nails - Me, I'm Not
The beginning of the end of Trent Reznor and any sanity that dude might’ve had left. Doesn’t mean the song isn’t cool, though. I’ve read that NIN can be classified as “Industrial Electronic” music. Makes sense. I can definitely picture an immense building with winding metal tubes, wires, steel-grate walkways...and sparks for some reason, like a factory in the original Batman movie.
Outkast - Elevators
About as chill as it gets. Could’ve easily been tossed in my “pass out to this” playlist.
Radiohead - Feral
Putting Radiohead in a “Music that makes you think” type of playlist is a lay-up. Such interesting music. You get involved with how the song progresses, catching changes in whatever sounds these lunatics are making. Putting Radiohead in a “Music that makes you think” type of playlist is a lay-up.
Red Hot Chili Peppers - Minor Thing
Funny that this “Playlist of the Mind” got kinda dark. This’ll brighten things up. Quick like a jam-band would be, involving anthemic background vocals and great lyrics, then tearing it up with a couple guitar solos. I heard John Frusciante left the band. Anyone know if that’s true?
Spoon - Stay Don't Go
These guys have the “minimalist” thing down. This is an old song, but it sounds like a few of their new records. With this band, I went backwards, getting into them with a few songs here and there, but never delving into their catalog until I’d felt their newer stuff and decided to go and check out where they “came from.” Spoon is such a solid band.
The Strokes - Electricityscape
“I wish two drinks were always in me.”
Thievery Corporation - Shadows of Ourselves
Acid jazz. I know, right? Who listens to this kinda stuff?… Me, and it’s a great way to lower your heartrate. It’s in French, too. Horns, 808, scratching, piano, cymbals...Acid Jazz.
Vampire Weekend - California English, Pt. 2 (Bonus Track)
I like how bands feature “bonus tracks” on their albums now, as if they were a gift. You knew you were gonna put this on there, dude. Don’t try to fake me out or get a rise outta me by telling me there’s a toy at the bottom of the cereal box.
As far as the song, it’s sublime, and a distinct shift from Pt. 1. Driving along a body of water with windows down with the sun flickering through the trees is where this
311 - Don't Dwell
I’d like to say that this band has been with me since day 1. A complete production from the band backed by a solid message on a great album of theirs.
If you came to the jam, well I'm glad you came... @Dothisfirst
