Harlem Shakes - Technicolor Health (2009)

I loved the Harlem Shakes' 2007 Burning Birthdays EP. After over a year passed and instead of a debut, we got a decent side project album by the Arms, I was worried that might be all. But it appears the wait has been worth it. On Technicolor Health the Harlem Shakes bring the sunshine and good times to New York City indie rock. The album infuses some of the Little Ones' pop sensibilities into the cool and angular sounds of the Walkmen, French Kicks, and the Joggers. It's a mix of bright and swirling keyboards, stuttering drum beats, and propulsive strumming all fused together with a handful of hooks and catchy choruses. This may be my favorite type of indie rock. The song "Strickly Game" captures the album's tempered optimism in the repeated refrain "This will be a better year." On the eve of a historic presidential inauguration, the mixture of hope and wariness seems particularly relevant. "TFO", "Sunlight" and "Natural Man" are my favorites.

QuickCrit Music Survey Results - Top 40 Albums (11-20)

11. The Antlers - Hospice

“I listened to this a lot before my son was born. It kinda scared the shit out of me becuase it seems like it's more about the scary side of the hospital. To me though its about the good side of the hospital.” - ancient indian wizard
“I'm still mystified by this album. It's like a huge dark blanket that puts me in a trance.” - Max Diez

“A meditation on tragedy, grieving, anger, acceptance. This album moves me to tears damn near every time I hear it. Some friends of mine have experienced some pretty incredible tragedies this year, and listening to this album puts my heart somewhere near to what i can only imagine they were feeling. Please listen to this.” - Tex

“Catharsis is the best attribute of art. This album is devastating in its understatement.” - Jeremiah H.

12. Girls - Album

“Who doesn't want a pizza and a bottle of wine?” - HotCatato

“This one caught me off guard. Hated it at first but a few more close listens opened the door.” - Max D.





13. Pearl Jam - Backspacer

“Eddie Vedder still has it after all these years- the fixer reminds us all of why we still can't wait to listen to what Pearl Jam has to offer.” - Layne







14. Various Artists - Dark Was The Night

“I can't recall such a nearly flawless compilation . . . ever. This two disk set showcases how incredible the talent out there is right now. This album will remain a classic staple, mark my words.” – Tex

“Finally — a cause album that's as good as the cause. “ - Jeremiah H.





15. Grizzly Bear - Vecktimest

“Smart, complex, and beautiful...I'm in awe of these guys.” - Max D.

“The choral, large sound on this album contrasted with the heartbreaking lyrics makes for an experience.” - Jeremiah H.

16. Yeah Yeah Yeah's - It's Blitz!

“While I miss their more guitar driven stuff, It's Blitz! managed to keep me interested. Particularly "Soft Shock" which is quite possibly one of the cutest YYYs songs ever.” - Mona

“I have this only in vinyl, and I've spun the shit out of it. While I'd like to listen to it in my car or on the headphones sometimes, I won't let myself because listening to it still feels like an event.” - WarMachine

“Possibly the truest to the sense of the word Rock Stars of our time. Solid singles . . . the album could have been a little more cohesive, but my interest is renewed. A go to album for waking up, making coffee, and shaking one's naked-post-shower junk all over the place. No, it's cool . . . go ahead and picture it.” - Tex

“I'm a sucker for female singers, I do not hide this fact. I also did not buy a lot of music this year. That being said, this album really grew on me. Took a few listens to really start warming up to it, but now I really like it.” - Jeremiah O.

17. Harlem Shakes - Technicolor Health

“Anxious NYC indie rock after downing a handful of Zoloft.” - awmercy

“Harlem Shakes inspired many conversations with Awmercy about how much we love these tunes. Quirky indie rock at its most infectious, I love the optimism of this record and spent many hours blasting "Strictly Game." Best live show of the year, hands down.” - Mona

“I swear, nine out of ten times that a song would come up on a genius playlist that I liked but didn't know I'd ask AIW who it was and he'd guess, "the Harlem Shakes?" And he would be right! And so I eventually listened to the whole album.” - The Crane Wife

18. The xx - xx

“Simple, dry, and focused.” - Max Diez

“Dream pop at its finest, these Brits remind us that sexy and romantic are not mutually exclusive. This record is full of stunning, exciting, melodic, mellow and atmospheric mood music I just can't stop listening to.” - Mona

“I can't pick my favorite songs from this album. As an ALBUM, this flows seamlessly...truly rare in this day and age of cut and paste MP3 playlists. Exudes sensuality - prime make out music.” - Tex

“There's a shortage of male/female duet bands in the world. There is so much sincerity in this music.” - Jeremiah H.

19. Elvis Perkins In Dearland - Elvis Perkins In Dearland

“Elvis Perkins has an amazing voice and coupled with (what sounds like) an all-out brass band, Dearland is hands down the best album of the year.” - Brasilliant

“Kind of a kick back to another era but with a modern twist. Such a cool vocal delivery/style.” - Max D.

“Great songwriting and sound... one that clearly stands out when so many of the same genre sound the same.” – Nightrain

20. Hockey - Mind Chaos

"I must admit, Hockey had the potential to be way over my "screamiest" threshold. However, having seen them live three times now, I can't help but dance." - Brasilliant

Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix (2009)

The fact that I sent a mass email to QuickCritters asking for dibs on this review is a testament to how awesome Phoenix's new album is. Lame album art and title aside, it's pretty much been on repeat and is tied for the #1 release for 2009 (thus far) with Harlem Shakes' Technicolor Health. It seriously is my musical equivalent to puppy dogs, ice cream, and ticker tape parades for everyone!

A couple of fun facts: They're from Versailles, France (lucky bastards), the lead singer is Sofia Coppola's life partner, they have musical affiliations with Air and Daft Punk, and did I mention they're French? Mais oui, ils sont tres chouette!

The album: It's fun, upbeat, relaxing, smooth/easy vocals, there's pretty much a song on here to fit any mood you're in. When I heard their first single "1901" (free download here), I literally couldn't calm down... or sit still. It's so vibrant and danceable, which means it's slightly dangerous for driving music since keeping hold of the 10-2 position is damn near impossible. Or maybe that's just me?

Some shared feedback: "Lizstomania" is, as a trusted music friend described it, the kind of song that makes him want to "jump over a rainbow and swim in the pot of gold on the other side," whereas I feel it'd be the perfect song to be featured in a remake of Duck Tales: The Movie (here's hoping?) during a scene where Uncle Scrooge is happily swimming in his money bin. Then, regarding the Harlem Shakes vs. Phoenix album debate, awmercy said he preferred Harlem Shakes' album on an overall basis since "some of the Phoenix songs are great, others are just okay, although it does seem to hold together as an album." I definitely concur. However, since I think BOTH are great I just can't seem to pick between the two. They played SNL the other week and sounded pretty effin fantastic live, making them #1 on my musical must-see list for the summer.

My favorites: "1901," "Rome," "Lizstomania," "Lasso," and "Fences," but the entire album deserves multiple listens. Not because it's a grower, but because you may get hooked after the first listen. I sure as hell did.

The Harlem Shakes @ Music Hall of Williamsburg

I'm sitting in a coffee shop in Williamsburg, Brooklyn on my laptop waiting for their 11pm set tonight for their album release party for Technicolor Health (my favorite release of 2009 thus far). I decided why not write the review now since I already know it will contain any if not all of the following words and phrases: awesome, rad, ridiculous, amazing, incredible, best show of the year, there's nothing like NYC indie rock, and future father of my children.

I will report back post-show to let you know if they were as good as I already know they will be. Yay!

-----

The recap: As I was packing up to head over to the MHOW, Kyp Malone from TV on the Radio strolled into the joint and I was the only one who seemed to care, oddly. I went up to him and we chatted over tea about Coachella, life in general, and what the heck he was doing at an ordinary coffee shop and why he's not at some glamorous industry party somewhere. He's chill as hell and considering they've collaborated with David Bowie, I imagine it's the closest I'll ever get to Bowie.

The Harlem Shakes set was every bit exciting and aurally pleasing as I'd predicted. A high-energy, fun, upbeat, toe-tappin' good time. If I may, a total musical anti-depressant since it's impossible to hear this music and feel sad (ubiquitous scruffy Williamsburg indie rock-type boys seem to also have this effect). They had a touring brass section, a syrupy sweet lead singer who was so grateful that fans came out, and a super-animated bassist who at one point was plugging away at his bass, hitting a bongo and shaking a maraca, all in one song. Even though this dorky lot of boys seem to have the same stylist as Vampire Weekend (minus the boat shoes), the evening felt like a sort of homecoming and they infused extra love in their set for their local East Coast/Brooklyn fans.

Per their sound, I quote myself to a once curious friend: "They sound like Clap Your Hands Say Yeah banged Vampire Weekend, but then realized that Born Ruffians is 'the one.'" I'm going to have to go ahead and add "had a brief thing on the side with The Strokes" right before the Born Ruffians part (even though HS > The Strokes in the talent department) and it's entirely accurate. They played every track off Technicolor Health and a few off their EP. My favorite performances of the night were "Strictly Game" (I love that drum beat sound at the :28 mark) and the breakdown during "Radio Orlando" with those tiny shards of guitar. Great on album, but even better live.

I highly recommend this show to all, particularly awmercy!

Harlem Shakes Interview

In case you haven't been paying attention, people around here have been loving the new Harlem Shakes album, Technicolor Health. Lead singer, Lexy Benaim, took a minute to answer a couple quick questions via email before their upcoming show with Passion Pit at the Wonder Ballroom on Sunday, May 24th.

QuickCrit: How is the tour going?

Lexy Benaim: Tour is going great so far. Chicago in particular was amazing; we played to a packed house on a Monday at midnight.

QC: Which song is the most fun to perform live? Which song gets the biggest cheers?

LB: Hmmm...for me the most fun is probably "Radio Orlando", because I get to play keyboard at the end. Our closer "Old Flames" usually does, but is that because it's at the end of the show? Probably.

QC: Can we expect to hear anything off the Burning Birthdays? Say "Red Right Hands"?

LB: You probably won't hear RRH on this tour. More likely "Carpetbaggers" or potentially even "Sickos".

QC: Why did it take so long to finally release an album?

LB: We had what you might call "bidness ishoez;" problems with labels and managers now all expunged. So we worked, did assorted jobs, toured a bit, and when we had the chance, poured out some new jams.

QC: What inspires your songwriting? "Strictly Game" seems to have a tempered optimism that comes from hitting bottom.

LB: I'd say that's an accurate reading. People seem to think when I sing "This will be a better year" that I'm absolutely sure of that. I think of it as a sort of willful optimism from a pessimistic mind. Also, people just mishear lyrics. Like when I say "if life gives you lemons/ then thus god bade--" I don't actually say the old lemonade line! I subvert it, dammit.

QC: What's your process for writing?

LB: I usually bring in an initial form and then we all add the layers. It depends. With the best songs everything comes at once. But that's rare.

QC: It looks like you'll be touring with Passion Pit into July. What's next after that?

LB: Hard to say, but at this point, probably a whole lot of Europe.

Arms - Kids Aflame (2008)

After hearing and loving Technicolor Health, I decided I need to go back and listen to the Arms' album Kids Aflame. I could no longer hold it against Todd Goldstein, the guitarist from Harlem Shakes, that his side project band released an album first. It no longer had to sound like the Harlem Shakes, and it doesn't. It sounds more like M. Ward. It's still indie rock, just more laid back and diverse. Songs mix in the occasional country guitar, island ukulele, and old-timey vocal. His warm croon, like on the title track, reminds me a bit of Leon Redbone. The album may not immediately knock you out, but "Whirring", with its cool guitar riff, and "Shitty Little Disco", with its New Order beat and lazy vocals, are definitely worth a spin or two.

Awmercy's Summer Short List

Amazing Baby - Rewild (2009). I love catchy psych and this is by far my favorite this year, perfectly balancing the thumps and haze.






Passion Pit & Harlem Shakes @ Wonder Ballroom. I've been to a lot of great concerts this year, but this was a home run line up. I walked in hot on the Harlem Shakes, but was won over by Passion Pit as they wound the crowd up into a sweaty dancing frenzy.




Biking to Shows. Even when I am starting to fade a bit as the evening wears on and the bourbons wear off, zipping down Burnside gets me ready for just about just any show, and pretty much all my favorite venues are just a few pedals away.




Metric - "Waves". No matter how many times I've listened to "Waves", it never fails to make feel like dancing.






Portland Bands. I've never lived in city before that is home to this many great bands: The Builders And The Butchers, Blind Pilot, M. Ward, Loch Lomond, Blitzen Trapper, Hockey, Scotland Barr & The Slow Drags, and The Thermals, to name just a few highlights. And the best part is that there are so many more I haven't even heard yet!

Passion Pit & Harlem Shakes @ Wonder Ballroom

If you want to go home smelling like strawberry body lotion, sweat, and flavored vodka (even though you were drinking beer), go to a Passion Pit concert. Or at least that was my experience. The Portland ladies were out in full force on Sunday night, ready to dance. And the guys were getting down too. A dude next to me lost his glasses he was working so hard. Fan favorites like "Sleepyhead" and "Little Secrets" caused near mosh pit like dancing. You'd have to be pretty uptight not to be swept up by Passion Pit's fun and brash dance music with its big beats and equally giant hooks.

It always feels like winning the lottery when two bands I'm currently loving tour together, so I really can't complain, but in the opening slot, the Harlem Shake's lively set felt way too short. Still, it was great to hear the songs like "Strictly Game" and "Sunlight" live with just a touch of the glossy sheen rubbed off. And even though they are on tour promoting their new album, Technicolor Health, they fit "Carpetbaggers" into the set off their fabulous EP.

Japandroids - Post-Nothing (2009)

No offense to Canada, but I kinda wish this band was American. They're just so good, Japandroids should have been ours.

When I first read that "Japandroids" was the musical portmanteau compromise for two bandmates who each wanted to name their band something different ("Japanese Scream" and "Pleasure Droids"), I was decidedly curious to give these boys a listen, but my laziness got the best of me. And then today I finally listened... and it's just so fucking good. This album grabbed the #1 spot on my "Albums I Wish I Wish Had Listened To Sooner" list, mainly because of the infectious and energetic garage rock noise I could have been enjoying all this time. Albums like this make me wish part of the "friend" job description included a clause about staging musical interventions for other friends "in need." Why didn't someone insist I drop everything and listen to this record? I now urge you to do the same. But I can't be held responsible should you feel the need to air drum the night away, because you will.

Gotta love the eleventh hour upset that leaves you reeling. Post-Nothing has completely annihilated my Top 10 of 2009 that I thought I'd already finished, knocking Harlem Shakes, Phoenix and Animal Collective out of the top spots they'd already secured for the greater portion of the year. Think exuberant music that is slightly rough around the edges, yet manages to lace in a little sweetness and lots of heart. It's noise pop drenched with distortion that is still melodic as hell and slightly danceable... that is, if spinning around your room with your stereo turned up counts as dancing. Its sheer rock vibe is a fantastic contrast to all the synth-pop, quirky indie rock, and electro-indie that reigned supreme in 2009. Post-Nothing struck a sentimental chord because their fun, uncomplicated songs are reminiscent of the good old days of the late '90s and early '00s when my life consisted of blasting Alkaline Trio and The Get Up Kids in my car on the weekends on the way to seeing assorted punk/emo bands [most likely off the Vagrant/Epitaph/DeSoto/Jade Tree Records rosters] with all the inevitable scenesters.

If ever I had to pick an album from 2009 to blast in my car as I drive off a cliff in one blaze of glory and emerge victoriously from the car crash unscathed, Post-Nothing would be it. And "Wet Hair" would be the perfect song to soundtrack the moment.

Foreign Born - Person To Person (2009)

Aside from the thumping rocker "Into Your Dreams", I didn't pay much attention to the Foreign Born's otherwise bland debut, On The Wing Now, so I was surprised at how much enjoyed their follow up. Person To Person's cool loping rhythms, like on the opener "Blood Oranges", remind me of the French Kicks. On the excellent "Vacationing People", Talking Heads style call and response ebbs and flows over some shimmying percussion and ringing guitar. The marching drums on "Winter Games" recall the Boggs beat driven sound, while songs like "Early Warning" pull from the same island influences as the Harlem Shakes and the Little Ones. Overall, the album casually drifts between styles providing a pleasantly laid back soundtrack for lazy summer days.

Harlem Shakes - Burning Birthdays EP (2007)

One of a handful of EPs that made my year end list of favorite albums. It's fun, enthusiastic and catchy NYC indie rock. Every track is awesome, although "Carpetbaggers," "Sickos" and "Red Right Hands" are awesomer.

Mona's Summer Short List(lessness)

5) Danceable Hip Hop Songs and Summer Jammy Jams
I always inexplicably get more into hip hop in the summer and love the remixes of these already awesome tracks: Kanye West's "Love Lockdown" and Kid Cudi's "Day 'N' Nite." Unbelievably great danceable hotness that makes me car-dance with myself whenever they come on (looks more embarrassing than it sounds). But my summer anthem is Jamie Foxx's (feat. T-Pain) - "Blame It," especially that infectious chorus I know by heart. Not only does this track provide the impure thoughts, but it actually makes me wanna put them into action.. with or without the Goose ("gotcha feelin' loose"), the 'Tron ("gotcha in the zone"), or the Henny ("gotcha feelin' dizzy"). It's all good, just "blame it on the ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-alcohol."


4) Rediscovering Rogue Wave
Ever the huge fan, I've recently fallen back in love with their sonic beauty- namely, Descended Like Vultures and Asleep At Heaven's Gate. Tender, gorgeous, lush, melodic, layered, can't even begin to describe their arrangements. I've been known to fall asleep to "Missed" and actually lounged on my couch all pensive and shit last weekend listening to "Eyes" on loop (I do this quite often to their records, in general). Enjoy this favs. sampler: older (1, 2, 3, 4), newer (1, 2, 3, 4).


3) Going To Shows I Actually Care About vs. Being A Show-whore
I've been too tired for shows for shows-sake and these days only hit up "must-sees" or else I'll get in a fight with myself and brood for days type-shows. Stellar nights that have made my half-year: Phoenix, Harlem Shakes record release party, Duncan Sheik, Blind Pilot, and the GUK reunion show. All uber-worth it and kept me in a good mood for at least two weeks afterwards.


2) [Indie] Rock In Advertisements...?
TV-watching feels like less of a waste with all the goodass music in commercials of late. I don't even hit the mute button anymore just in case I may hear The Dodos hawk Miller Chill, The Moody Blues add to the wondrous nature of this Visa ad, Matt and Kim invite me out 'til "Daylight," Mazzy Star makes me rethink my cellular service (effin love this song!), The Submarines sell their souls to Apple, and/or watch Her Space Holiday soundtrack this confusing one.



1) Meeting Musical Peoples
Surreality mixed with WTF, with a dash of "I must call everyone I know/someone who'd care!?" I've discussed Dan Auerbach with Matt Pinfield as he exited his cab, jumped into another and learned my driver had just dropped off Courtney Love as I sat in her warm seat (do I have an STD now?), got snubbed by Kimya Dawson, asked Michael Stipe the meaning of "Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite," discussed alternate endings to Once with Glan Hansard, stared at Ingrid Michaelson's incredible rack while jokingly trying to hook her up with Rhett Miller (within earshot), asked Hootie himself where the Blowfish were, laughed with Guster about their pot-smoking "star-fucker moment" with Willie Nelson, and unwittingly asked Jeff Mangum of Neutral Milk Hotel if "the lasagna is vegetarian," only to realize 5 seconds later when he walked away that I'm an idiot who just asked Jeff Mangum from Neutral Milk Hotel if the lasagna was vegetarian. Yeah, that last one was very Baby "I, uhh, carried a watermelon" from Dirty Dancing.

The Subjects - New Soft Shoe EP

The Subject's New Soft Shoe is a quick taste of casually upbeat indie rock. "Winter Vacation" (mp3) features a chorus of whoa-oh's over loping and jazzy percussion, while the vocals on "Right2know" remind me a bit of the Little Ones or the Harlem Shakes. The mellow minimalism and thumping drums on "Little Mountaintops" round out the three song EP. It's not much to go on, but I like what I hear and it will definitely makes me want to show up early enough to catch their set when they open for the Bad Veins next month at Rotture.