After blowing people’s minds at the Capital Hill Block Party, then surprising everyone at Bumbershoot, then hopping down to Portland for Musicfest NW, Black Whales have made quite a name for themselves in the past year. One listen to “Young Blood” from their brand new EP, Origins, should clue you in on how far this young band is set to go. The EP was released last month on Mt. Fuji Records
Modest Mouse / Whale Song
‘I knew I was a scout, I should have found my way out’ are the only vocal lines in the song and they only take up a minute or so of time. The rest is a musical jam that builds and builds into an epic ending that’s littered with different layers of guitar hooks, noise and percussion. Live, it’s even better. And did I mention the bassline? It’s good, really good.
Wimple Witch / Carry My Love
This is one of the best songs I’ve ever heard. The guitar riff is catchy dark and fuzzed out, the drums ring, the bass plays off everyone, and when the chorus drops, all you want to do is sing along. Enter the ‘rave up’ part and all you’ll want to do is groove and dance. It’s a great pop song that utilizes dynamics, and the lo fi recording just adds to it. I fell in love the first time I heard it on a mixtape a friend gave to me.
Black Lips / Veni Vidi Vici
An amazing guitar riff, hand claps, vibra-slap, bells and snotty vocals for 2:26. It’s RAD!
The Rolling Stones / Sway
The lyrics are great and as the songs moves along, everything grows and builds together, leaving you sad, optimistic and happy at the same time. It just shows how great The Rolling Stones are with simplicity.
Crystal Stilts / Converging In The Quiet
This is a really catchy song that starts off kind of moody with bass and kind of a knocking, popping, Joy Division type kick drum sound. The song has a really great drone vibe to it and everything is totally soaked in reverb. The chords and rhythms crash in such a way that it feels like it could have been the ending song in Trainspotting or something. I’m pretty sure that if I asked Crystal Stilts to come summer with me at my home on Reverb Island, they would!
The Final Spins / Bloom
Tons of reverb, low-fi production, perfectly repetitive, great harmonies and lyrics. I bought their record at a show and the songs kind of just put themselves into my iPod without me really doing it. This song is short and sweet and to the point.
The Strokes / Take It Or Leave It
This is one of those slightly harder Strokes songs where I imagine lots of people in a huge room sweating and throwing cans at the stage. I’m still not over The Strokes. Say what you want about them, but I’m not. It’s kind of like a junior high scenario, where someone breaks up with you at a football game by having their friend tell you. Maybe that’s why I still have a hard time with football.
My Bloody Valentine / All I Need
When I saw My Bloody Valentine earlier this year, this was the only song I really wanted to hear at deafening volumes, but was not disappointed when it didn’t come. Each sonic wave was louder and more pristine than the next. It was like listening to the universe being created.
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
uh oh we got the same taste.
love ‘em!
Whoa, I saw this list, liked their tastes, checked out their jams, and bought their CD! The power of musical reference on the internet! Woohoo!!