Blog Archives

June 20, 2008

Noah’s Daily Choice: Imaad Wasif and Two Part Beast – Oceanic

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To be honest, I’d probably never have listened to this very worthwhile track by Imaad Wasif and Two Part Beast if not for the vaguely phallic logo adorning his shirt in this very passport-style photo.  Call me a perv, but seriously, that odd doodle plastered across his chest looks something like a penile-lego or a dong-fighter jet and for whatever reason (read: pervert) it pulled me in.  Curious as to what kind of artist would rock a weiner tank tee AND a mustache that delightfully pencil thin, I indulged.

And was quite pleasantly surprised.

It’s a beautiful song, a noisy rock piece deftly wrapped in an almost ballad-like disguise.  What starts slow and grittily attractive, draws out, gains sonic weight, adds a distortion bent solo, and when Wasif croons “When I’m lovesick/it’s panoramic” and unloads his remaining din, you’re surprisingly spent and deeply immersed in this tale of cross-continental love. It’s a ragged, graceful little tune.

Strangely phallic tee, I applaud you.

Good sir Imaad Wasif and Two Part Beast will be playing The Comet this Sunday with lady rocker RTX!

MP3: Imaad Wasif & Two Part Beast – Oceanic

Myspace: Imaad Wasif & Two Part Beast

May 30, 2008

Noah’s Daily Choice: Sigur Ros – Gobbledigook

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I can’t exactly put my finger on how I missed out on Sigur Ros all these years, or how I’ve convinced myself that I’ve developed this strange aversion to the Icelandic import’s sort of post-rock noodlings – seriously, it just sort of happened. Thus, with all the hub-bub this week surrounding the release of the band’s new (free) song “Gobbledigook”, my excitement was at a minimum. I plodded along through my daily life not downloading the new single, not watching the amazing (decidedly naked) new video, and generally trying as hard as possible to embody these words I’ve heard so many times in my life: Noah, you are an idiot.

Yes, yes I am. If this new track by Sigur Ros is any indication of how good their excessively lauded back catalogue is, well, I’ve got a lot of great music to catch up on. “Goobledigook” is a summer song as composed by a Stone Age troubadour, a carefree romp through primal rhythms, lightly strummed acoustic guitars, and lead-singer Jonsi’s lilting falsetto that brings to mind the opening strains of the Earth’s greatest season. It speaks of wooden paths long forgotten and the hidden lakes we find at those paths’ end. It is the soundtrack of innocent carelessness, untouched by worries or fears.

I’ve been missing out for many, many years – don’t make a similar mistake. The band’s new album “Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust” (or “with a buzz in our ears we play endlessly”) hits stores on June 23rd.

MP3: Sigur Ros – Gobbledigook

May 28, 2008

Noah’s Daily Choice: RATATAT – Mirando

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You know, for the opening thirty seven seconds of this brand new RATATAT track, it actually seems as if the innovative duo has ventured off their well-established path. Instead of swooping electronic tones and crunchy distortion we’re given a clicking, almost urban India feeling sample; a tinny head-shaker that, though enjoyable resembles Junior Senior more than RATATAT.

At second thirty-eight though, the duo drops their signature electro slide whistle and the RATATAT we know and love is back. Sure, the clicking, faux-Bollywood beat continues to fill the gaps, but what we’ve got here is an extremely enjoyable, if not somewhat typical, slow-burner that makes me very excited about LP3.

The band’s third album drops July 8th. Be excited.

MP3: RATATAT – Mirando

Official Page: http://www.ratatatmusic.com/