5.24.2007
[Greetings From Both Sides...]
Heyo guys - if you haven't noticed, the two of us here at Both Sides have been rather dead for a while. Various things have been keeping us from our regular posting. Our main gag, I'm sure you've noticed, is the bandwidth problem, so we're taking some time off to figure out how we can
5.15.2007
Cassadaga
I am fully aware that Cassadaga was released over a month ago. It may be old news to you, but I was too shy to talk about it when everyone else was. There were bloggers singing its praise, calling it another masterpiece from Conor Oberst. There were bloggers saying something along the lines of, "Better luck next time, Bright Eyes." Really, I didn't know what I felt about it a month ago. But I've saturated myself with it this past month, and now I feel prepared to share my feelings about it with you.
I like Cassadaga, I really do. Honestly, when I heard news of the sixth album from Bright Eyes, I hoped he had diverted a bit from the country feel of his last album, I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning. I craved a bit more of the Lifted... sound -- raw indie songs that Bright Eyes is known for. Of course I was spited, and Cassadaga came in all its country glory. This fact led to my initial rejection of the album. Needless to say, it was far, far away from my "Most Played" list on iTunes. It snuck up on me though. As I was driving around with my iPod plugged into the radio on shuffle, "Lime Tree" came on and stole my heart. Such a beautiful, beautiful song. I had a change of heart and quickly listened to the rest of the album with my new sense of enlightenment. My conclusion: Cassadaga is a good album well worth listening to.
Conor Oberst has never been one to be pegged as shallow, but his newest work reveals a sophistication and sensitivity that his earlier records were lacking. This may seem extremely ironic to say, considering he might as well be the epitome of emotional, but Cassadaga exhibits songs that are delicate and deep and oh so artistic. It may be the country/folk influence that I intially shunned that provided this poignant dimension to Oberst's music, but whatever it is, I love it.
There are lighthearted tracks however that lift the spirits and float along the ear canal. "I Must Belong Somewhere" is a great example, which appropriately comes after the darkly gorgeous "No One Would Riot For Less." It's almost as if Oberst expected everyone to expect downers from his latest, but no, some uppers definitely make their presence known.
My favorites would have to be "Lime Tree," "Four Winds," and "No One Would Riot For Less." They're posted below, and I hope you listen and like them. The whole album's great though, and I highly recommend going out and getting it the whole shebang.
Upcoming Shows
(Sold Out dates not included)
May 16 Morsani Hall Tampa, FL
May 17 Hard Rock Live Orlando, FL
May 18 Fox Theatre Atlanta, GA
May 19 Ryman Auditorium Nashville, TN
May 22 Massey Hall Toronto, ONT
May 24 Wang Center Boston, MA
Jun 27 Hove Festibal Norway
Jul 1 St. Gallen Festival Switzerland
Jul 3 Shepherds Bush Empire London
Jul 6 Shepherds Bush Empire London
Jul 7 Academy Birmingham
Jul 8 Oxegen Festival Ireland
Jul 10 Effenaar Eindhoven, Netherlands
Jul 11 Melkweg Amsterdam, Netherlands
Jul 13 Dour Festival Belgium
Jul 19 Benicassim Festival Spain
Jul 21 Eden Sessions Cornwell
Aug 11 Summer Sonic Osaka, JP
Aug 12 Summer Sonic Tokyo, JP
mp3 Lime Tree
mp3 No One Would Riot For Less
mp3 Four Winds
5.09.2007
[Japanic! Attack!]
Oh Japan, how irony lies in the idea that such a seafood loving country be a sardine can of a place. You're Godzilla's favorite playground, Mothra's favorite skies. Our film producers like to steal your horror movies, and your backstreet vendors like to steal...well, everything else. And then, of course, there's your music. Singing in English is cute and sounds like you're trying to sing with loads of pink bubblegum in your mouth; Singing in Japanese is just as interesting. It was noted some time back that a group wasn't quite Atari enough for their tastes, so, not being one to disappoint, I figure Japanic! Attack! ought to be a big enough quarter for their coin slot. Just like how the most serious of businessmen can walk alongside one extreme Harajuku girl on the streets of Tokyo, Japan's musical mavens come to represent a slurry of styles whether it be the surf rock stripe of the 5,6,7,8's or the truly arcade-esque aspect of groups like Halcali and PINE*am. If there's one string to tie it all together though, it's their energy. Energy abound. It just jumps off the chart and proceeds to bitchslap it into submission. So Japan, I choose you. Japanic! Attack!Various Songs From Various Artists (all songs are right click - save as & artist name leads to site):
The 5,6,7,8's - I'm Blue
Halcali - Maachingu Maachi
Kiiiiiii - 4 Little Joeys
PINE*am - Get A Choco
Pizzicato Five - Twiggy Twiggy Twiggy
Shonen Knife - Flying Saucer Attack
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Otherwheres - Now what be there on our sidebar? Could it be? Yes kids, the two of us here at Both Sides took up our very first ad. No worries though, the site won't be riddled with ads and we promise to be very selective - nothing about pet supplies or finding a hot date in your area. We just need something that'll allow us to keep you all happy, so click away!
Otherwheres - While you're at our sidebar anyway, why don't you pop on over to that MuBA Awards link, and start voting for your favorites. Talk about easy, it doesn't even check to see if your email address has anything to say about it...
Otherwheres - Matt over at YANP recently caught what seems to be one hell of a performance from the Polyphonic Spree. Head on over for some great coverage...
Otherwheres - MOKB Dodge has some Clap Your Hands Say Yeah news...
5.07.2007
Great Northern
Every once in a while, someone who reads the blog IMs me. It's always a pleasant surprise with your expected exchange of hellos and halfhearted discussions of musical preferences. About a week ago though, I was IMed from a representative of Eenie Meenie Records. They've got some good shit, mainly Goldenboy and Scissors For Lefty, so when she mentioned one of their newer bands, Great Northern, I gladly lent an ear. She sent "The Middle" which immediately drew me in with its genuinely happy sound and guy/girl vocal balance. A few days later, I received a package with their debut CD, Trading Twilight for Daylight, and I've been listening ever since.
Great Northern consists of two guys and two girls. The sexes counter each other perfectly. Both sing, both play instruments, and both bring their own touch to the sound. When male vocals are heavy, I'm reminded of Switchfoot and Coldplay. When female vocals are heavy, I'm reminded of Azure Ray and Imogen Heap. When the two are represented equally, it's pretty much perfection. It's kind of like what Straylight Run was shooting for with their whole guy sings melody girl sings harmony deal, but didn't quite reach. Cannot say that Great Northern has the vocal perfection of Damien Rice with Lisa Hannigan (the two have recently ended their professional relationship, FYI), but they're pretty good.
Instrumentally, Great Northern is rich and deeply melodic. Very much accessible to all sorts of music-listeners, the sound may be more pop than I'm used to, but still pleasant to listen to. The piano and violin are used as frequently as the guitar and drumset with a touch of effects here and there. All in all, Great Northern is a good time.
Upcoming Shows
May 15 The Echo Los Angeles, CA (FREE!!!)
May 27 Holocene Portland, OR
May 30 The Troubador West Hollywood, CA
Jun 1 Beauty Bar San Diego, CA
Jun 4 Larimer Lounge Denver, CO
Jun 6 The Varsity Theater Minneapolis, MN
Jun 8 Schubas Chicago, IL
Jun 9 Lee's Palace Toronto, ON
Jun 10 Divan Orange Montreal, QC
m4a The Middle
m4a A Sun A Sound
5.03.2007
[Mixel Pixel]
"Bound to be together one day. Bound to breathe together one day. Gotta get in to the new flow of body automatic."Taking a page from the Eastern Stars [post], Mixel Pixel incorporates the great dynamics of boy/girl vocals into a dizzying set of electro pop. Surprised at all by that influence? You really ought not to be. Seemingly never short of affiliations, Rob Corradetti and Kaia Wong of the Eastern Stars also happen to make up half of the likes of Mixel Pixel, and while the two projects share a similarity in sound with two-sided vocals, they really don't have much else in common. Mixel Pixel sets up busy sets of layers and contrasts it all to an overall simple beat. Mixel Pixel's tunage really comes to surround you. While music tends to just get by, there's an honest depth in Mixel Pixel's sound. If you resist getting sucked in, it'll be quick to set up around you and force you into it. For something that's a bit of rock and Atari, look to Mixel Pixel...
Various Songs from Mixel Pixel (all songs are right click - save as):
Body Automatic
Coming Up Xs
You're The Kind of Girl
Mixel Pixel's generous enough to set you up with more tracks at their site.
Be their friend!
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Otherwheres - The two of us here at Both Sides decided to throw in our word at the first ever MuBA awards. Be sure to narrow it down even further and cast your votes by clicking on the banner to the right...
Otherwheres - Nathaniel over at IGIF thought it'd be great to rub in the fact that he's been released for summer. Head on over and pick up Alice Cooper's anthem for release...
Otherwheres - Dork out with Dodge over at MOKB and talk some Spiderman in the coolest way possible...
5.01.2007
The Appleseed Cast
The Appleseed Cast reminds me of my musical roots -- Jimmy Eat World, Sunday's Best, American Football, and such. Before emo turned into shit, this is what it was. Scratch the pussy vocals and shopping mall attitudes of the "emo" bands today; they bring shame to the genre. I was watching this Sports Center special a while ago that highlighted the past heroes of American football (the sport, not the band), and they were all talking about how ashamed they are of the players nowadays. They felt like they had laid this great foundation and that the modern athletes were fucking it up with their financial squabbles and obnoxious behavior. I know nothing about sports, modern or classic, so I can't really comment on that, but I feel like the same situation is being replicated in some realms of the music world. Emo music had its peak in the '90s, no doubt. Everything now is a kind of sick aftermath.
But yea, getting off my soapbox, The Appleseed Cast is a band that still produces music of the Mineral, American Football, Sunny Day Real Estate quality. By that I mean soft, complex drumming, soaring, interweaving guitar riffs, and grunge-like vocals. That is more than refreshing nowadays. People say punk is dead, and I was kind of scared emo was heading down that same path. You know what, it probably is, but kamikaze bands like The Appleseed Cast might reverse that trend for a little bit at least.
mp3 Fishing the Sky
mp3 Hanging Marionette
Both Sides of the Mouth is a dual-authored mp3 blog based in Austin, Texas. All audio posted on this site is meant for sampling purposes only. If you really like what you hear, show it and support the artist - buy an album, buy some merch. If you represent or own any media on this site and would like something taken down please email us, and we will take the neccessary action of removing the file(s).
Notable Mixes - Brad