Everyone had a time in their youth where the only thing that mattered was the five seconds in front of their face, and how fun they could possibly make that exact moment. Nice Purse is the epitome of that time of your life, because they’re living it right now. Their album Black Medal (not Metal, sorry Norway), is a half hour of what sounds like lighthearted, innocent 50’s pop, but proves to be much more when it delves into the darker aspects of young love, young lust, and acid trips. These kids, headed by France Camp and Ian Davis, make you reminisce so hard during Black Medal that you won’t know whether you were day dreaming or if you were awake at the end (Inception? eh forget it). This album would be a guilty pleasure if it wasn’t so well crafted. Whether you go back to school in the fall or not, get these summer-friendly tunes (out tomorrow) and let this album ride you through the Fall and beyond.
Paper Tiger is one of the go-to guys for MPLS’ hip-hop heavy hitters Doomtree. Handling the tasks of live DJ, graphic designer, and producer, it seemed like the only thing left to do was put out an LP of his own. Well I was fortunate enough to receive a copy of the debut full length Made Like Uson the doorstep of my blogging hibernation den and it was just the spring feast I needed. Paper tiger has been a key member of the Doomtree crew and has picked the perfect time to drop MLU which features rising star and fellow Doomtree member Dessa as well as Maggie Morrison of the ever growing and ATF favorite Lookbook…
If Gayngs were a baseball team, they would be the New York Yankees. And Ryan Olson would be the General Manager. Olson, the top producer on the group’s debut album, spared nothing when he collected the who’s who of Minneapolis musical talent and plopped them in the center of the coolest/weirdest collaboration this city has possibly ever seen.
Gayngs’ debut album is a collection of eleven songs encapsulated in an overall air of nostalgic sexiness. I see this album as a crossing that links different characters, telling their story with their own brand of music, to an overall idea that it’s all somehow Relayted. Whether you’re in a New Orleans Jazz Club, the First Avenue Mainroom, or backwoods Wisconsin all eleven songs on this album sound like they were made to be listened to in that particular setting.
The album’s lead track and first single starts this “journey” on The Gaudy Side of Town, which shows off Solid Gold’s Zach Coulter’s take on a cool jazz/Phil Collins sound. From there we start to travel with The Walker, who is set to declare that “Baby I’m On My Way.” The end of the track takes a turn from droning mystery to a glitter-pop lick that sounds like it could’ve been used on an early Mariah Carey album.
While the talent of the songwriters included on Relayted is of no question, there are times where this album seems a bit forced. False Bottom seemed to be a filler track that didn’t add much substance other than a decent transition between the full-blown jazz horn/dark soul vocals of No Sweat and the obscurity from The Beatdown, which proclaims, “I will die young.” In the spirit of the 80’s influence throughout this album, could that be a subtle wink at Billy Joel?
Relayted reaches it’s highest points of musicality and sexuality with stand-out track Faded High, which starts with a basic synth and click track that sounds like it’s straight off a Dr. Beat. It pulls you in when the female vocals kick in about 30 seconds. In this track, we’ve moved away from the pornish sounds of Crystal Rope and gone straight into sexual tension. The line “I want you on me” says just about all of it, but the R&B vocals halfway through add another layer that show us sex is not the only desire here.
“The Last Prom on Earth” is the final track on the album, and may be my favorite only because of the tugging keyboard opening mixed with the sounds of what I can only picture as a Blue-leisure-suit-wearing Ivan Howard at an 80’s prom. If there was ever a song where you asked your prom date if tonight was “the night,” this is it. It’s the image of Napoleon Dynamite at the dance meets a kid who plays Kenny G and lights candles for his girlfriend the weekend his parents are away. “Last Prom” comes right up to the cusp of cheesy, but shies away and ends up landing on somewhere on sentimental.
Relayted is, at best, the music you want to hear when the future is so uncertain it has you looking to the past for reassurance. At worst, the music you want to look back on and laugh at. While this album lies closer to the former it needs to tip toe around the cheese to be the piece of work it became. What works best is Ryan Olson’s ability to take these talented musicians and put them in a new element. Gayngs has made an album that might not feed into your every desire, but will certainly keep you listening, if for no other reason than to imagine a romantic night, a lustful night, or a lonely night.
And if the sexual context of this album teaches us anything, you can’t get ‘layt’ without being ‘Relayted.’ Wait. That came out wrong.
CLAPS have released their New Science ep showcasing their stripped down sound. The St. Paul, MN trio favors simplicity layering haunting vocals with rich analog synth sounds and straight forward beats. The track “Fireworks”, lending a Nintendo-esq landscape into which the vocals blend, is a highlight. “Gruzzles” and the single “Fold” round out the release accompanied by (“fold”) remixes by Chic Portier, Busy Signals, and Sovietpanda (of Too Much Love fame).
Philadelphia’s hard rock veteran, rapper Freeway spent the past decade riding shotgun with Jay-Z’s former rap juggernaut Roc-A-Fella Records. He also did a quick jump with 50 Cent’s G-Unit, so what’s next for the bearded Rhymeslayer? He’s slated to be signing a label deal with Lil’ Wayne’s Cash Money, but before the ink dries he’s goin’ in with indie powerhouse Rhymesayers for a unique collaboration project with highly regarded Seattle producer Jake One (50 Cent/I Self Devine/ MF Doom). This will be the rawest, gulliest record ever released from RSE. Disillusioned by the rap game and on a spiritual journey, Sunni Muslim Freeway went on hiatus for a few years after recording his 2003 debut Philadelphia Freeway, which went on to go gold, before making Hajj to the holy city of Mecca. On his return in 2007 he released Free at Last, followed in 2009 by the indie release of Philadelphia Freeway 2.
Brooklyn band The Canon Logic have a sound that certainly earns them a spot amongst the other “the” bands (the Killers, The Strokes, etc) but package it in a way separates them from simply sounding 8 years too late. Swelling piano combines with lead vocalist Tim Kiely to fill the mid-range, while up front guitar and large (but not blast dance beat) drums create an expansive sound large enough to fill an arena. The single Nights at Amour Mansion feels as relevant as anything yet keeps the Canon Logic from being swept away in the rush of dance-bands spilling out of Brooklyn. The band’s debut album FM Arcade is due out March 9.
While club tracks are a dime-a-dozen, what makes I’m Not a Band unique is a contempary electro sound mixed with an almost minimal influence. The track Black Horses grinds hard but, along with their other tracks, is expanded by a dark overtone of contrasting vocals and beats that are filled with blips, pops, and clicks instead of your usual hand-clap and 808 kick.
For some folks who may not be getting any Valentine’s Day gifts your man DJ Benzi put his mechanics touch on the radio-love Young Money track Bedrock. Check it below:
The Boy Who Couldn’t Sleep and Never Have To is the debut novel from writer/actor/rapper DC Pierson (Mystery Team, Community). This novel features your run-of-the-mill teenage plot development. Isolated, awkward high school boy loves to draw. Awkward boy meets extra-awkward boy who is equally isolated. They bond over love of science fiction. They become best friends. Awkward boy falls in love with girl. Best friend ends up taking girl. They fight, they make-up. The End. Oh wait, somewhere in there, extra-awkward boy admits he can’t sleep and has never been able to. Awkward boy becomes determined to test the bounds and limits of such a power/ability (or lack of ability). It turns into a fast-paced adventure when their greatest fear (The man in the suit) finds out and tries to capture the ‘never-sleeper.’
Pierson’s novel is full of charm built on the basis that growing up is hard no matter who you are. Throw in an abstract ability like not having to sleep and its bound to complicate the already tough high school lifestyle. The characters drive this tale, which goes past analysis of teenage culture to add evocative moments on top of brooding science fiction action. The Boy Who Couldn’t Sleep and Never Had To is a novel that provides entertainment, humor, and adventure that works for anyone, young or old.
***ABOVE THE FOLD is giving away TWO COPIES of Pierson’s new book! E-mail contests[at]above-thefold[dot]com with DC Pierson in the subject line for your chance to win a copy. Winners will be chosen February 17.***
Gimme Noise dropped this promo video for Saturday’s Gimme Shelter: A Benefit for Haiti at First Avenue. Shouts to Anthem Heart for making the dope video. They also announced Set Times for the show Saturday:
6 – 6:30 – Jimmy2Times & Mike2600
6:30 – 7:15 – Zoo Animal (INAUGURAL FIRST AVENUE PERFORMANCE!)
7:15 – 7:30 – Jimmy2Times & Mike2600
7:30 – 8:15 – Peter Wolf Crier
8:15 – 8:30 - Jimmy2Times & Mike2600
8:30 – 9:15 – Mark Mallman
9:15 – 9:30 Jimmy2Times & Mike2600
9:30 – 10:15 – Solid Gold
Please buy tickets to benefit those in need in Haiti. And take a listen to a great Solid Gold remix that has been making the internet rounds:
Brooklyn band 
