East Hundred is a five-piece band from Philadelphia whose sound has been likened to Denali and Death Cab For Cutie. Their debut album Passenger features nine lushly produced tracks and moves through a haunting landscape of loss, regret and, ultimately, hope. East Hundred began as a basement recording project in 2004 when brothers Brooke and Will Blair invited Beril Guceri, Brooke’s then-girlfriend, to add vocals to their heavily-synthed downtempo tracks. ‘Of course there were hesitations in working seriously and creatively with my boyfriend and his brother,’ Guceri says. ‘Singing leaves you so vulnerable, but it was Brooke’s support that made it comfortable’.
WHAM! / Last Christmas
Guilty as charged. But let me explain: it ended up on a Christmas Mixtape I was given as a gift. It was meant to be a joke, but there’s something about it I can’t get out of my head. Maybe it’s the sleigh bells or the ridiculously catchy hook. I’ll be over it in a few days, though.
Troy Von Balthazar / I Block the Sunlight Out
I love the simplicity of it all. It’s just a vintage drum machine, tremolo guitar and moaning voice. That’s pretty much it. It proves that repeating one theme, one idea, one phrase (as long as it’s the right one) still works. Very well.
Baby Dayliner / Go On Baby
This is great for getting the dance party started, cleaning up the house after the party, and then making out with your special friend. That’s hard to find. Very smart pop music.
Camera Obscura / Country Mile
There’s nothing dance party about this one. It’s the soundtrack to making coffee in the morning, removing one slipper to scratch that scratch, and then going about your day. And it’s best if it’s a sunny day.
Cat Power / Metal Heart
Again, this features the simple repetition of a very familiar, but powerful chord progression. It allows her vocals to provide all of the dynamics the song needs. I guarantee you’ll be crying around the 2:40 mark. And it’s in the key of E minor. That’s always a bonus.
The National / Fake Empire
It sounds like the bartender at your favorite neighborhood pub is singing to you about what he did last night, and what he’d like to do if he didn’t have to tend bar. And who knew he had such a beautiful band backing him. We though he was just a bartender! Simple, everyday lyrics that truly evoke great memories” ‘Stay out super late, picking apples, making pie. Put a little something in our lemonade, and take it with us’. Who doesn’t like pie and lemonade with booze in it?
The The / Lonely Planet
Ok, so some of the production is a bit dated, but there’s something so nostalgic about that. It reminds me of childhood, because that when I first heard it. This one has been with me for years, mainly because of Matt Johnson’s honest and again truly simple lyrics: ‘If you can’t change the world, change yourself’. An inspirational, self-help anthem that has passed the test of time.
TV On The Radio / Family Tree
At the sake of sounding redundant, this is again, the same very common chord progression on loop. However, with very subtle, smart dynamics, and layers, it really keeps your attention. Add a somewhat odd, but catchy vocal melody and it’s done. Don’t think about it too much. Lyrically, it’s just obscure enough to have to listen a few extra times to figure it all out. And by then, you’re hooked.
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