The spotlight shines on the entirety of the track, not singular components. As a result, the song feels like a team effort - each individual sound joyously, willingly plays its part; overshadowing the others but momentarily. The result is light, hopeful and mildly energetic. The bongos give it an organic, sandy feel. It has a mellow build with no climax, choosing instead to let the groove play out. If Heard were a drink, it would be 'Sex on the Beach'; its colour a hazy, sunset yellow/orange.
La Blogotheque is an inspirational project. A collection of musical performances shot in a distinct manner - regularly featuring artists playing and walking - in unconventional spaces all around the world, but predominantly in Paris: Grizzly Bear in a bathroom, Arcade Fire an elevator; Yeasayer on the Metro, Phoenix the Trocadero - the list goes on. What I find so alluring, however, is the humanness contained within. Although highly professional, these films do not gleam like items in shop windows: they are intentionally left rough around the edges. We see the artists' uncertainty leading up to the performance; the relief, joy or melancholy directly thereafter. Such moments privilege the viewer a rare insight into not just the quirks, habits and mannerisms of their revered musicians; but the life of the performer, as well. A real sense of what these films are - musical moments in history, captured - is successfully conveyed through original camera-work and choice of setting. Ultimately, though, the project would be nothing were it not for a sustained engagement with the vanguard of guitar-based music. This installation - one of over a hundred - features Local Natives making their way through one of Paris' more ornamental arcades: a feast for the eyes and ears.
Ben Klock finished his set with this on Thursday. I'm not really sure what it is about this song that makes it so enjoyable: It's fairly repetitive and unadventurous, yet it's also quite calm and a little sad, too. Best heard when in motion.
Sufjan Stevens's oeuvre is extraordinarily diverse. Enjoy Your Rabbit is predominantly bizarre electronica, Michigan and Illinois are close to traditional folk-based singer-songwriter albums, and The BQE is straight-up modern classical music - not to mention the style of the five other albums I haven't included. His latest seems to conflate elements from all of the aforementioned sounds. There's certainly a lot going on: trilling flutes and an array of classical instruments; mechanic and spacey electronic sounds, all alongside Sufjan's vocals. Combined, they create what can only be described as an experiment. That it is complicated makes for uneasy first listenings, yet it gradually makes sense thereafter : )
This track has everything good soul should have: lead and support vocals of equal merit, coupled with the touching sentiment of an imperfect love, expressed worthily through simple and sincere lyrics.
I don't know any other artists that make music that sounds like this. If Folk were a house, Bowerbirds would be the garden: connected, albeit distinctly. Both male and female vocalists have lovely voices that augment one another when in harmony. Overall, the album feels un-rushed and melancholic, but that doesn't preclude it from having lighter moments, as heard on In Our Talons. I like the use of the accordion, the melodica and the violin. The first two tracks are ordered as they come on the album.
