ODDSAC - Trailer for the Animal Collective Visual Album

Animal Collective and Danny Perez have been working on a Visual Album. Unfortunately, it's unlikely to be released here for obvious reasons. If you are in The States though, click here to see if it'll be screened anywhere near you.

Animal Collective :: Brothersport (new music video)

Animal Collective just released their third single, Brothersport off the Merriweather Post Pavilion album.

Enough said.

The xx

The xx are a three piece out of the UK, London more specifically. While I was on my travels I was repeatedly told that I must listen to The xx. Friends' ipods played their tracks and I became accustomed to their rhythmic, mature sound. They released their debut album, xx in August '09 which has been met with two thumbs up from most critics. I stumbled across a few of their tracks on the interwebs. Here are three of the best. There are even elements of Animal Collective and Hot Chip sounding material in their music. The latter band is interesting, as The xx hail from the same school as Hot Chip. Tis great.
The xx Myspace.

Islands (Nosaj Thing Remix) | The xx (zSHARE)

Hot Like Fire | The xx (zSHARE)

Stars (Skinny Friedman DJ Edit) | The xx (zSHARE)

Die! Die! Die! & Villains of Wilhelm

Villains of Wilhelm

So while I was in Sydney last week I went to see a couple of interesting bands. We caught a train and a bus through to Bondi and after asking a few locals, we found Beach Road Hotel. Villains of Whilhelm are an Australian replica of The Hives, we decided. The Brisbane band seemed as thought they'd taken one of the Hives albums and put Aussie lyrics to the existing melody and jammed. It was quite a treat.

We were excited for the traveling band and main attraction of the evening, Die! Die! Die! who had come over from from New Zealand and are touring Australia. I had seen this video of them, and I took it for granted that they had a chick vocalist.

I don't think I can be blamed.

Anyway, the poor lads (yeah, three dudes) were awful. We left half way through their set. That's been my Aussie music experience thus far. I missed The Presets, I am missing Yacht tonight, and I found out last night that Animal Collective is sold out. Bleak. I might have to resort to Jet.

My friend is having his Bachelor's tonight, so that's sweet as.

What is going on with the music industry world wide?

Who are these guys again??

I have been doing a lot of thinking and a little conversing with the likes of @shawnroos and @andrewtberry and we have decided that there is far too much 'cheaply' constructed music out there. A lot of bands and DJs are taking full advantage of technology that affords them the ability to produce tons of tracks in quick succession with little effort on their part. As a result there is not much time spent perfecting elements of tracks that almost make songs timeless.

'Sell-outs'

Six years ago: I buy an album. I listen to it stukkend and then listen to it again. This can take upwards of two months.
Nowadays: I buy an album. I listen to it stukkend and then buy another one. This can take as little as two weeks.

What is going on? Is my reasoning correct as to why we are moving on so fast from our first music love? It seems as though bands with names realise that they can make mountains of cash provided they produce something quickly. There is a money making formula - if you produce a sound that the vast majority of people like, instead of being 'true' to what it is that makes your sound unique, the blind millions will buy it.

The ORIGINAL sell-outs

Remixes are something else entirely: If you are a decent artist and you produce a track, guaranteed, there will be ten awful remixes out there by the time your CD hits the shelves. Maybe one nice one. But this is a different topic somewhat.

Please stop making music

It seems as though the 'WOW' factor that shrouds many new albums/singles doesn't last like it used to. Alternatively, the 'WOW' is directed at the album artwork.

I don't want to mention any names lest I offend.

Free example track of the little remix rant:

Love Like A Sunset (Animal Collective RMX - Deakin's Jam) - Phoenix (zShare)

Who has released the best album of 2009? Part 1

Well, I have a few bands I will highlight. They have each released albums that are rather phenomenal.

Animal Collective. It seems like an old album now (already 6months) but it is nothing short of ground breaking. I have to admit, my feelings for their older works in, Strawberry Jam and Sung Tongs, are of a loathsome nature. But Merriweather Post Pavilion is WOW. If you haven't bought/stolen it yet, get onto that like yesterday. My favourite song on this album, is the released single, My Girls. If you haven't seen the video for that track, click here. It's still the best video I have seen this year.
How cool are these lyrics:

I don't care for fancy things
Or to take part in a precious race
And children cry for the one who has
A real big heart and a father's grace

I don't mean to seem like I care about material things like a social status
I just want four walls and adobe slabs for my girls

Animal Collective Myspace

What's been your favourite album of 2009 so far? Do you think there is better to come this year?

Animal Collective - My Girls

I have never really liked Animal Collective. Their sound has always been a little too bizarre for my taste.

After watching this video however, I am a changed man, so to speak. Best video of 2009 so far? It just might be.