[...music...]: 2009-03

2009-03-25

when i went by hmv on monday, i saw a new album by indochine. it must be a very new release, since it wasn't available on their listening stations; i decided to wait before buying this. that night, i checked out their first single "little dolls" on their myspace. no surprise.

that night, watching videos of état critique, i found out about a new album by yann perreau. again, i checked out a couple of songs on his myspace. nice.

yesterday, i got the two cds.

indochine "la république des meteors" is very similar to the stuff they've been releasing for the past years (such as "paradize" and "alice & june"). it's nothing new from them, but they're good at what they do: catchy songs with a slight dance beat, mixed with a hint of gothiness.

i was pleasantly surprised by yann perreau "un serpent sous les fleurs". i had liked a few tracks from his debut "western romance", while the rest of that album sounded like filler to me. his name dropped off my radar after that. now, i find myself liking all of his new album. it's a good mix of pop and rock, lots of subtle piano sounds, adding a bit of drama to some songs.

i have trouble selecting a single favourite track, so here are three:

yann perreau - le plus beau rêve

yann perreau - beau comme on s'aime

yann perreau - le pays d'où je viens

~~~

Labels: cd purchase, indochine, yann perreau

2009-03-18

maxïmo park, the thermals

yesterday, the weather was beautiful; sunny and warm, except for the stinking melting snow. i walked in a neighbourhood where i usually take the metro, and saw a used books/cd/dvd shop that i had never visited before. naturally, i had to check it out. to my surprise, i found two items that have been on my wishlist for a very long time.

maxïmo park - a certain trigger
indie brit rock, of the post-punk variety. favourite track is "the coast is always changing". i love that accent (northern english?).

the thermals - fuckin a
indie rock, with some punk sloppiness to it. favourite track is "a stare like yours".

notice a theme?

~~~

Labels: cd purchase, maxïmo park, the thermals

2009-03-13

caspian @ le divan orange

the under the snow festival takes place this week. caspian played a show at le divan orange last night.

the first act was thisquietarmy. moody, atmospheric, perfect soundtrack for some artsy experimental film. it was quite nice, at first. but after 45 minutes of the same type of moody music, i was ready for something different. i think this music would be better enjoyed when listened alone in bed or something.

i first heard of caspian through some post-rock forum. i was delighted when i found out about this show in montreal. i am glad i went to this. i hadn't been out to a show in a while, and this was a good way to kick off the concert-going season. caspian's music is straightforward post-rock, in that it is dynamic, yet all the changes in tempo are kind of expected. still, i love post-rock, and i think caspian do it quite well.

i had heard their releases before. hearing it live is so different. much better. much LOUDER. i felt all the vibrations in my body. and all this, in a good way.

the only song i really recognize is 'moksha', where they added the glockenspiel to the beginning, making it sound so much nicer than on their album. they also played a couple of new songs, which sounded heavy to me; i wonder if that's the direction they are headed with their new album...

i love the way they ended their "last" song, with almost all the band members abandoning their usual instruments, and switching to percussions.

~~~

cd purchases: i got their two releases, as i intended: their debut ep "we are the conductor" and full length "the four trees". i wish i had a record player, because their vinyl is really pretty (coloured and patterned to match the cover).

hearing damage: as mentioned, this was a LOUD show. but it probably seemed louder than it actually was (due to the small-ish venue); my hearing was fine later that night.

~~~

Labels: caspian, cd purchase, le divan orange, shows, thisquietarmy