There’s Ecstasy in My House…

My collection is lacking in dance music. What that genre even means today is beyond me. At one point, it was electronic based exclusive. A pulsating beat and sharp, shimmery synths was an automatic gravitation for me. Operators, Dan Boeckner’s latest musical offering from his prolific band creating ability, has birthed a dark acidic house banger, “Ecstasy In My House”,  that screams at you to either move, or simply reach for the repeat button. Shit, around here, it’s been both.

It hits you with its arpeggio charge, seeps inside of you, and is a duration that lets you find your groove and roll with it. The rumor is that when this quartet graces the stage, the sounds that are emitted from their instruments take control of the listener and cause people to make babies. Twitter hasn’t failed me yet, so realistically, I want to believe this. This is shaping up to be Dan’s best project since Divine Fits — that was his last. He’s that good….

Britt Daniel’s Love Letters…

I dig Britt Daniel and really who doesn’t enjoy 60s girl pop? Britt concocts his rendition of Shelley Fabares “Love Letters” in a lo-fi, minimalist manner with sunshine backing his distinguished, throaty delivery. Here’s to a prolific 2014 for Britt and his acts…

Best Of 2013: Covers

I still believe a live show should consist of one cover per set. Let the audience know your inspiration, give them a chance to be turned onto something new; flex your creativity by a re-work using your sound.

A year of excellent records and soon to be classic tracks, didn’t seem to spawn many cover songs I fell for. Really, I wasn’t as exposed to many fresh takes on previously recorded material as years past. My favorite quartet of last year, Divine Fits, stepped up to Jersey Bruce’s “Hungy Heart” and gave me further evidence why this band is so strong. Even when stripped down to acoustics and books for percussion. Britt’s raspy delivery is on vocal duty as Divine Fits pay homage to Springsteen…

Divine Fit’s Hungry Heart…

Not necessary, but most live gigs would benefit from a cover thrown into a set. An opportunity to flex, a chance to reinterpret the original, take a minute idea one hears and run with it; or for some, strip away anything nonessential.

Courtesy of Triple J‘s down under national radio, Divine Fits further corroborate why they ended up on my 2012 list. This time around, they’re seated, and for the most part, unplugged. With Britt’s powerful, throaty delivery, the formidable quartet reinterpret Bruce Springstein’s Heavy Heart, a track originally heard on his 1980 record The River.

And their original in the studio:

Would That Not Be Nice

Best of ’12 in Three Albums…

Even though MiS came, went, attempted a consistent comeback, then faded, music was at the forefront of my day. Never a moment where it didn’t play a part: keeping the mood light, bringing the vibe up a few notches, holding me up as I had to trudge, entertaining my debauchery, etc.

The abundance of music continued. What stayed with me over the course of under 12 months was only a few records. Like every year, no matter what your palate is, a shit ton of records were released; to some, many were worth your time; for me, only three will still be spun heavily in 2013 and definitely beyond.

3. Nick Waterhouse :: Time’s All Gone

The mid-20s dapper gentleman knows a sound. He possesses the know-how to concoct pieces that could be reminiscent of a simpler time; don’t equate simpler times with a period where the music doesn’t make you want to jump up and sway in perfect, sweaty time, all while wearing a huge grin across your face. Rookie of the year.

2. Divine Fits :: A Thing Called Divine Fits

Groove, vocal deliveries wrought of passion, melodies and bass lines for days. Only a sprinkle of what four seasoned musicians can potentially bring to the drawing board. Forget the lame “super group” term; that phrase is thrown around for bands with staying power of a record. Divine Fits, based on their exponentially strong chemistry on stage and on record, are about to become your favorite band after their follow-up to this expertly pieced together LP.

1. Local H :: Hallelujah! I’m a Bum

A soundtrack, in theory. A record orchestrated around maybe your life, too. The record begins with a sound we know oh so well: the rattle of the L. From there, tears through like only the orignal “power duo” can. If ‘12 Angry Months‘ felt real and impassioned, ‘Hallelujah! I’m a Bum’ permeates with the same sincerity; let alone this time, Scott further proves that he is still in love with rock and roll and the city that bred them.

Would That Be Nice?

Luckily for us, Divine Fits are not a super group. Meaning, they’re committed to this game. It’s not even a temporary project; this quartet knows they have something and want to pursue it beyond their debut LP. The amalgamation of Spoon, Wolf Parade/Handsome Furs, and the New Bomb Turks is everything it should be: consistent and near impossible to ignore

As a committed Spoon fan, a neon synth enthusiast, and one who adores a driving guitar with throaty vocals, this record was inevitably going to be taken in. A lot. If my Last FM is an indication, it’s transcended any original expectations. Locked for a best of 2012.

A Thing Called Divine Fits

An 8-bit pulsating sound drawing Daniel’s distinct vocals front and center courtesy of RJD2:

Divine Fits :: Would That Not Be Nice (RJD2 Remix)