Bear Hands - Golden EP (2007)

Another promising "bear" band rises out of Brooklyn's indie rock scene (Grizzly Bear, Panda Bear)... this time it's Bear Hands with their 4-track Golden EP. They've generated quite a bit of buzz in the NYC indie scene and their EP is a perfect teaser for what is hopefully to come once their full-length debut drops. I'm not sure how long that will take considering they don't even have an official website yet! I researched these guys when I learned they were opening for the upcoming Les Savy Fav show I have tickets for and was pleasantly surprised. I hardly roll up to a show these days just to hear an opening act, so it's a welcome change to find one worth getting to the venue early for-- especially since they don't suck.

Lead singer Dylan Rau sings with a rawness that is reminiscent of Craig Nicholls of The Vines (whatever happened to them? They were good...), particularly on my favorite track "Long Lean Queen." With a polished garage rock sound, their music flirts with post punk and indie rock, while managing a hybrid of alternative rock with a smidge of 90's emo. I attribute the latter to angular guitar riffs and the occasional dash of sadcore, especially on "Golden." But emo-haters can relax. There's still a bit of punchy guitar and vocals on "Sickly Brunette" for those who prefer something that wails. And "Bad Blood" is Modest Mouse-y at best, in its disjointed guitar and chaotic yet melodic vocals... but in a good way.

Born Ruffians - Red Yellow & Blue (2008)

Not to get all philosophical on your ass, but what came first... America's Vampire Weekend or Canada's Born Ruffians? Releasing eerily similar records within months of each other is stranger than post-Scientology Tom Cruise. It's kinda like when some mathematical genius from Tacoma wins medals inventing equations that some kid in a Cambodian village figured out 5 years ago, except no one knew... what are the odds?

Anyway... they've received QuickCrit praise before, but Red Yellow & Blue deserves its own nod. Overall, Born Ruffians sound like Vampire Weekend's cooler big brother with all the sonic quirkiness, minus the Afro-beats and Ivy League pretense. Vocally, it's an expert blend of My Morning Jacket meets Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, which will either intrigue or dissuade you (hopefully the former, not the latter). I've listened the hell out of this album and it's already cemented its place in my top ten list for 2008 releases.

My two favorite tracks, the absolutely adorable "Foxes Mate For Life" and romantic "Red Elephant" (nod to Sunny Day Real Estate?), are worth checking out, like, now. When he sings "Why am I here, when you're over there? Let's meet at the fountains at Dundas Square..." I actually want to drive to Toronto just to meet up. Oh, and they win the award for "Cutest Songs Titles in 2008." On stand-out "Hummingbird," you get hand-claps, a Futureheads-style sing-along chorus, and the recognizable guitar of Les Savy Fav. The bass punctuates in unexpected ways and the "oohs" and "ahhs" make you want to, well, hum along. The ever-jangly "I Need A Life" will inspire a social life, while "Little Garcon" will make you break out smores for a campfire sing-a-long with its playful drum taps, harmonica, and youthful vocals. "Badonkadonkey" boasts the same disjointed guitar-work of Vampire Weekend's "M79" with a bass-line straight out of Dexys Midnight Runners' "Come On Eileen," while "In A Mirror" shares the same off-kilter vocals of Pavement's "Shady Lane"... the notes are off the mark, yet still hit it somehow.

...and "Kurt Vonnegut," with its competing vocals, "Oh won't you come outside, love!" round-like chorus, and upbeat music evoke such unabashed happiness... instead of throwing pebbles, this is the song I'd want a lovelorn boy to play outside my window in the middle of the night... (yeah, "In Your Eyes" won't work on me)

The Final Verdict:
If you like any of the comparisons I name-dropped, this album is worth at least one listen. And if you love Vampire Weekend, I'm fairly certain you'll love these guys as much, if not more... I actually think they might be better... ::ducks::

awmercy's Summer Short List

1. Les Savy Fav Concert @ The Black Cat
   Renewed my faith that punk rock could be exciting, interesting, and fun.
   


2. The Blondes "Teenage Foxes"
   Classic, catchy (and creepy?) power pop with the sweet line: "I would like to meet teenage foxes/The kind that like blow pops/See me on the street/Looking spicy." Looking spicy?
   


3. Jay Reatard
   Everything I've heard from this guy is awesome; I can't wait to listen to his new singles collection.
   


4. Amoeba Records
   After living in DC (apparently the land of tiny record stores) for six years, every visit to Amoeba is a highly anticipated pilgrimage. Last time, I sacrificed precious moments at my brother's graduation to hunt down a $2 bargain bin copy of the Boggs' Forts.
   


5. Nudity
   So far it's been a good year for nudity in music! My favorites so far include the Throw Me The Statue album art, Tim Harrington's onstage costume changes (see #1), and the BPA's "Toe Jam" video (see below), which gave me a new appreciation for censorship. The enormity of all that skin is enough to induce some awesome indie rock inspired interpretive dancing.

THE BPA - THE BPA 'TOE JAM' FEAT. DAVID BYRNE & DIZZEE RASCAL