Sonics XV
Friday, February 13, 2009
Sonics XV
Fahrenheit Fair Enough by Telefon Tel Aviv
I chanced upon this album by Telefon Tel Aviv completely by accident. I surely wasn't expecting music of this calibre when I stumbled upon it in the iTunes library. Nonetheless, this album represents yet another addition to my ever growing collection of electronica music. It may not necessarily be an revolutionary step to the collection, but it is surely an evolutionary one. It adds to the breadth of it all, I suppose, and it puts on a great musical show at that. The signature glitches and bleeps can be found in this album as do most electronica element, but I feel this album has more of an melodic theme to it. That is to say, it feels more like a chill out album at a bar more than the other traditional electronica that I own. It's sad to know that the fate of the band is unclear, since one of the member died about a month ago in January. Still, the music lives on, and let's just say that there probably isn't anything better to leave behind than the music that you have crafted. This album may not be one of those albums that'd stand out from all the others, but it'd certainly feel strange without it on any playlists. This is one of those chapters in a book that leads you on to the next chapter, and yet you can't have the book without it. I love how it zones me out in the middle of the night, and takes me to place like most of the better artistes and bands that I know of. Highly recommended, though, if you are new to this genre of music. It isn't something that you'd soon regret.
If you love Damien Rice, then you probably also know who Lisa Hannigan is. For a long time, she has been the backup vocalist on Damien Rice's albums. If that is the case, then you were probably as upset as me to learn that Lisa Hannigan left Damien Rice for a solo career, and how her departure was encouraged fervently by Damien himself. I don't think it is Lisa's loss to go solo, but Damien's. Lisa Hannigan can carry herself perfectly on her own as this album clearly shows, and she does it with such beauty and elegance that it is hard to believe that she never considered a solo career in the first place. For some reason, this album feels somewhat like a Norah Jones album, with very minimal support from other instruments, a very stripped down folk album I'd say. Drums, a guitar, a cello, and that is probably what you get for most of the songs, and I really like the simplicity of it all. There is no doubt that Lisa Hannigan's voice is god sent, and I am going crazy about the song An Ocean and a Rock. More than that, however, what amazes me is how she defined the term "indie music". The record label was funded by herself, and even the album cover was made by her own hands - enough said. This is an amazing album, and I must emphasize again on how big a loss it is for Damien Rice for losing a talent such as her. He really didn't have to chase her away into her solo career, and I do hope that they'd reunite one day for his subsequent albums. A bonus - the video for Lillie is one of the most beautiful videos I have ever seen.
Flash by Towa Tei
Towa Tei is a Korean DJ that grew up in Japan, and has since shifted his area of activity to New York. Still, that does not stop his creative juices from flowing through his music. I am very new to Towa Tei, but let's just say that his materials have satisfied me immensely so far. He reminds me somewhat of Fantastic Plastic Machine, both DJs using very "fun" beats to songs. Asian DJs have a very unique twist to this genre of music, and very distinct to notice at that. I love how he manipulates the beats and the melodies into songs to hang your head too, and this album is the perfect album to play during a party of sorts, where everybody would be dancing. It's just a very fun album to listen to, kinda like Fantastic Plastic Machine's self-titled album. Flash represents some of his later works though, and they are drastically different to his earlier works in the 90s in my opinion. I feel that the 90s works are weaker in a way, and they are more like R&B songs more like dance tracks to me, for the most part. This album is more grounded in electronica, probably with the availability of new technology over the years. Anyway, I love this album, and I do look forward to getting my hands on his latest album, Big Fun. For now, Sometime Samurai featuring Kylie Minogue is making its rounds in my head.
Fahrenheit Fair Enough by Telefon Tel Aviv
I chanced upon this album by Telefon Tel Aviv completely by accident. I surely wasn't expecting music of this calibre when I stumbled upon it in the iTunes library. Nonetheless, this album represents yet another addition to my ever growing collection of electronica music. It may not necessarily be an revolutionary step to the collection, but it is surely an evolutionary one. It adds to the breadth of it all, I suppose, and it puts on a great musical show at that. The signature glitches and bleeps can be found in this album as do most electronica element, but I feel this album has more of an melodic theme to it. That is to say, it feels more like a chill out album at a bar more than the other traditional electronica that I own. It's sad to know that the fate of the band is unclear, since one of the member died about a month ago in January. Still, the music lives on, and let's just say that there probably isn't anything better to leave behind than the music that you have crafted. This album may not be one of those albums that'd stand out from all the others, but it'd certainly feel strange without it on any playlists. This is one of those chapters in a book that leads you on to the next chapter, and yet you can't have the book without it. I love how it zones me out in the middle of the night, and takes me to place like most of the better artistes and bands that I know of. Highly recommended, though, if you are new to this genre of music. It isn't something that you'd soon regret. Albums by the band:
1. Fahrenheit Fair Enough (2001)
2. Map of What Is Effortless (2004)
3. Remixes Compiled (2007)
4. Immolate Yourself (2009)
Music from Slumdog Millionaire by A. R. Rahman
OK, not every song in this soundtrack is by A. R. Rahman, but he is responsible for a whole lot of them I must say. It also features the voice and songs of M.I.A., and let's just say that the song "Paper Planes" got stuck in my head for the longest time. For anybody who has watched the film, you'd know how the film was driven by, not just the plot, but the music as well. Especially the scene when the children of the slums get chased down the airport runway, with "O...Saya" playing in the background. I must admit that I am not a fan of the second half of the album, with A. R. Rahman's indian roots showing through rather evidently for the most part. I am not saying that it is bad, but I'm just saying that it isn't really my cup of tea. But songs like "O...Saya" and "Mausam and Escape" are good enough for you to buy the entire album, that's for sure. This album may get you interested in India's brand of electronica or dance music, because A. R. Rahman has blended the two elements together beautifully, like coffee and cream. Personally, it is probably going to take a while for me to move on to songs like "Ringa Ringa", or Aaj Ki Raat". They feel too much like Bollywood theme songs to me, and they evoke imageries of hundreds of people popping out of nowhere and dancing around a coconut tree. Other than that, this is a great soundtrack, and fitting soundtrack to an amazing movie.
OK, not every song in this soundtrack is by A. R. Rahman, but he is responsible for a whole lot of them I must say. It also features the voice and songs of M.I.A., and let's just say that the song "Paper Planes" got stuck in my head for the longest time. For anybody who has watched the film, you'd know how the film was driven by, not just the plot, but the music as well. Especially the scene when the children of the slums get chased down the airport runway, with "O...Saya" playing in the background. I must admit that I am not a fan of the second half of the album, with A. R. Rahman's indian roots showing through rather evidently for the most part. I am not saying that it is bad, but I'm just saying that it isn't really my cup of tea. But songs like "O...Saya" and "Mausam and Escape" are good enough for you to buy the entire album, that's for sure. This album may get you interested in India's brand of electronica or dance music, because A. R. Rahman has blended the two elements together beautifully, like coffee and cream. Personally, it is probably going to take a while for me to move on to songs like "Ringa Ringa", or Aaj Ki Raat". They feel too much like Bollywood theme songs to me, and they evoke imageries of hundreds of people popping out of nowhere and dancing around a coconut tree. Other than that, this is a great soundtrack, and fitting soundtrack to an amazing movie. Note: Way too many albums for me to include here. For more information, go here.
LP by Holy Fuck
Yes, that is the name of the band, and no I don't know why anybody would pick a name like that. Perhaps it is to give listeners a taste of how great the music is, and I suppose it lives up to the quality. Holy Fuck is one of those bands that breaks the fourth wall to me, because they play electronica music in a way that hasn't been done by anybody else before. Electronica, or music created by the computer, are typically done with a few techniques like sampling or loops, for example. Holy Fuck is unique in the sense that they attempt to create all the elements of electronica music without the use of computer. The sounds we usually hear in electronica tracks are usually created by computers, but not this band. They do everything right on the spot without computers, and I find that really amazing. Their so-called "instruments" range anything from a 35mm film synchronizer, to toy keyboards, to toy phaser guns. I find that feat to be out of this world, and especially incredible how they are able to create such awesome music with so little help from a computer program. They remind me of Battles just a bit, and it certainly isn't a bad thing at all. I love Holy Fuck, and they have definitely risen up my list as one of the best bands around that I know of.
Yes, that is the name of the band, and no I don't know why anybody would pick a name like that. Perhaps it is to give listeners a taste of how great the music is, and I suppose it lives up to the quality. Holy Fuck is one of those bands that breaks the fourth wall to me, because they play electronica music in a way that hasn't been done by anybody else before. Electronica, or music created by the computer, are typically done with a few techniques like sampling or loops, for example. Holy Fuck is unique in the sense that they attempt to create all the elements of electronica music without the use of computer. The sounds we usually hear in electronica tracks are usually created by computers, but not this band. They do everything right on the spot without computers, and I find that really amazing. Their so-called "instruments" range anything from a 35mm film synchronizer, to toy keyboards, to toy phaser guns. I find that feat to be out of this world, and especially incredible how they are able to create such awesome music with so little help from a computer program. They remind me of Battles just a bit, and it certainly isn't a bad thing at all. I love Holy Fuck, and they have definitely risen up my list as one of the best bands around that I know of. Albums by the band:
1. Holy Fuck (2005)
2. LP (2007)
Sea Sew by Lisa Hannigan
If you love Damien Rice, then you probably also know who Lisa Hannigan is. For a long time, she has been the backup vocalist on Damien Rice's albums. If that is the case, then you were probably as upset as me to learn that Lisa Hannigan left Damien Rice for a solo career, and how her departure was encouraged fervently by Damien himself. I don't think it is Lisa's loss to go solo, but Damien's. Lisa Hannigan can carry herself perfectly on her own as this album clearly shows, and she does it with such beauty and elegance that it is hard to believe that she never considered a solo career in the first place. For some reason, this album feels somewhat like a Norah Jones album, with very minimal support from other instruments, a very stripped down folk album I'd say. Drums, a guitar, a cello, and that is probably what you get for most of the songs, and I really like the simplicity of it all. There is no doubt that Lisa Hannigan's voice is god sent, and I am going crazy about the song An Ocean and a Rock. More than that, however, what amazes me is how she defined the term "indie music". The record label was funded by herself, and even the album cover was made by her own hands - enough said. This is an amazing album, and I must emphasize again on how big a loss it is for Damien Rice for losing a talent such as her. He really didn't have to chase her away into her solo career, and I do hope that they'd reunite one day for his subsequent albums. A bonus - the video for Lillie is one of the most beautiful videos I have ever seen. Albums by the artiste:
1. Sea Sew (2009)
Flash by Towa Tei
Towa Tei is a Korean DJ that grew up in Japan, and has since shifted his area of activity to New York. Still, that does not stop his creative juices from flowing through his music. I am very new to Towa Tei, but let's just say that his materials have satisfied me immensely so far. He reminds me somewhat of Fantastic Plastic Machine, both DJs using very "fun" beats to songs. Asian DJs have a very unique twist to this genre of music, and very distinct to notice at that. I love how he manipulates the beats and the melodies into songs to hang your head too, and this album is the perfect album to play during a party of sorts, where everybody would be dancing. It's just a very fun album to listen to, kinda like Fantastic Plastic Machine's self-titled album. Flash represents some of his later works though, and they are drastically different to his earlier works in the 90s in my opinion. I feel that the 90s works are weaker in a way, and they are more like R&B songs more like dance tracks to me, for the most part. This album is more grounded in electronica, probably with the availability of new technology over the years. Anyway, I love this album, and I do look forward to getting my hands on his latest album, Big Fun. For now, Sometime Samurai featuring Kylie Minogue is making its rounds in my head. Albums by the artiste:
1. Future Listening! (1995)
2. Sound Museum (1998)
3. Last Century Modern (1999)
4. Sweet Robots Against the Machine (2002)
5. Flash (2005)
6. Big Fun (2009)
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