PeaceT(b)lo(g)

nonE November 28, 2008

Here we are again with something special from your (hope) favorite musical pusher! I usually post something dancing or rhythmic on the Friday’s page but (sometimes) I like to break the rules and not been foreseen.

That’s why today we have some music from the Enon.

Enon is an indie rock band founded by John Schmersal, Rick Lee and Steve Calhoon. While Enon is situated in Philadelphia, the band is known for being part of the New York music scene, even if, from my point of view they have just a few things in common with the actual NY scene…

The name of the band is taken after the village in Ohio, which is close to Schmersal’s hometown of Dayton. The band changed the original structure but they’re still active.

I’ve been learning about this band thanks to my friend Giovanni who rent me the album “Hocus-Pocus”. Quite interesting one, not extremely special but not bad at all.

Let’s close the week with the song “Daughter in the House of Fools”, from the album I mentioned above:

Wish you a nice weekend.

Domenico

Extreme Duo November 27, 2008

Sometimes I think there is not enough music (or at least valuable music) to fill the daily pages of this electronic agenda named PeaceT(b)lo(g). That is because it’s hard to propose something new or at least not foreseen. But when I dig into the web and find new bands whom I never heard about, then such a surprise generates a new spur to keep on doing it.

Today I propose you to listen to the following band: Wildbirds & Peacedrums

Wildbirds & Peacedrums is a contemporary experimental duo coming from Sweden consisting of singer Mariam Wallentin and drummer Andreas Werliin. Their ‘instruments’ consist of her powerful vocals and his unorthodox percussion/drumming, resulting in a powerful, innovative sound. Their music is a hybrid of folk, blues and various other types of music.

Honestly, I had some doubts while listening to this band. From one side, it’s quite new stuff and it’s a challenge because they try to fill the void left by the absence of any possible musical instruments but a drums. On the other side, I think it’s still quite empty, at least when you listen to more than one of their songs.

And I leave the floor to you, because this is one of the purposes of this BLOG. To share music and the related comments about it. Let’s hear what you think about the song “There is No Light”:

Domenico

P.S. they play live at the Chelsea club on 2nd December. Anyone interested?

Maybe Shake? November 26, 2008

Mid-week I love you! Here the beginning turns into a close end! WE could call it “the edge” or “the barrier” or “..maybe it’s better that I stop assuming drugs cos I’m exagerating”. I guess most of you will choose the third one! Seriously, I hope to stop taking the meds soon (like today).

But let’s move to the next step of the daily post. Here we are with the Notwist.

This German indie rock band was formed almost 20 years ago and moved through several musical incarnations despite maintaining a relatively stable lineup. Their early records moved through heavy metal into dark indie rock, their most recent CDs have been very strongly influenced by the electronica scene, along with the other groups on the record label Morr Music.

I remember there was a time when I was finding the log of the album “Neon Golden” almost everywhere (of course I refer to specialized musical magazines and websites). Together with Tarwater and other bands of that time. It was about 5 years ago!

And here we come with the song I’d like to share with you, “Pick Up The Phone”. Hope you’ll enjoy it:

Domenico

Neo-Marxists November 25, 2008

Second day of the week. I’m more and more tired and look forward to Xmas. I know I’ll be bothering you all with this topic since now on and for at least one month. But this is just because of the following simple syllogism: this BLOG is part of my life, actually in my life there are events which trigger other events and result in consequences, one of these events is my home Xmas leave trip to Naples, the next December –> then the Xmas trip is part of the BLOG.

Cutting the intial crap, I go to the main topic. Today we talk about the Gang of Four.

This is an English post-punk group from Leeds. Original personnel were singer Jon King, guitarist Andy Gill, bass guitarist Dave Allen and drummer Hugo Burnham. They were fully active from 1977 to 1984, and then re-emerged twice in the 1990s with King and Gill. In 2004, the original line-up reunited and stayed together until 2008.

They play a stripped-down mix of punk rock, with strong elements of funk music, minimalism and dub reggae and an emphasis on the social and political ills in society (and you can guess which political view they have… as for the name they chose for the band itself). Their debut album, Entertainment!, ranked at #490 in Rolling Stone’s The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.

I recognize the influence given by this band to several other bands actually playing the new new wave rock. Among them, Bloc Party got the clearest imprinting from Gang of Four’s sound. But you can see also other bands like Fugazi or Rage Against The Machine have taken something, one more one less.

Let’s listen together to the songs “Contract” and “5-45” linked together in a non-video. Both songs are from the album “Entertainment!”:

Domenico

Divinities November 24, 2008

Here we are. Another week to go. This one I got to complete a lot of stuff for Xmas is close and there are things to be done. From the health point of view… well, I’m taking this bomb-medicament given by the doctor and I feel really tired for most of the time. Anyhow, here we go again.

Today we talk about Hercules and Love Affair.

This band is the result of a musical project from New York based DJ Andrew Butler. Members include Nomi Ruiz, Kim Ann Foxman and Antony Hegarty (lead vocalist in Antony & The Johnsons). Their first and only CD has been released by the DFA Records, the label from James “LCD Soundsystem” Murphy. Their single “Blind” was released on March of the present year. Their self-titled album has been critically well-received and charted in the top 40 in several countries.

Well, there’s not much more to say about this band. Their sound reminds me some disco-electro products from DFA records and something like WhoMadeWho bumping bass sound. The song I’d like to share with you is “Blind”, where the voice of Anthony masters the whole song:

Domenico

Ratatatatatatatatata! November 21, 2008

YES! the week is almost gone. Just less than 8 hours and I will be out of here.. directly gone home to prepare for tonight’s party for Francesca’s farewell.

That’s why today we need to play some rhythm to be ready for the night. Therefore, here is Ratatat.

This electronic music duo is made of guitarist Mike Stroud and synthesizer driver and producer Evan Mast. Their music reminds me several things: some favela boots stuff, some latino music (the cool one), some daft punk old songs and some hip hop music (don’t know why but the sampled rhythm seems to come from some G-Unit songs).

As I don’t know so much about them I won’t say too much. I’d just like you to listen to thier song “Mirando”:

Enjoy the whole weekend… I’ll do the same.

Domenico