Run Dan Run “Basic Mechanics” (Self-Released)

Run Dan Run’s Basic Mechanics might just be one of those perfect remedies to life’s tumultuous pace. Hailing from Charleston, SC, Run Dan Run play atmospheric and tuneful indie rock that soothes a tired soul. Led by the aptly named, Dan McCurry, the band shows off a brilliant maturity on their debut effort, Basic Mechanics.

Run Dan Run tackle a wealth of styles here but they maintain a remarkable cohesiveness throughout the length of Basic Mechanics. From the depth of the six minute “Multi-Colored Lights” to the two minute instrumental intermission, cleverly titled “The Instrumental,” Run Dan Run show off an impressive scope. “The Setup: The Blackout” is a glorious song that rivals Broken Social Scene in its expansive nature. The band’s flexibility is certainly admirable throughout Basic Mechanics. The rich “Your Name Escapes Me” is followed by the bare bones of “Points of Departure” and it sounds perfectly in tune. And once again Run Dan Run are able to recall the grandiosity of Broken Social Scene with the horn-laced album closer “The Turnover.” The song marks a fitting end to an emotionally stirring album.

Running over the fifty minute mark, Basic Mechanics runs the distinct risk of wearing out its welcome at times. However, to the excitement of this listener, that simply never happens. The album unfolds slowly and keeps the listener’s attention at every change in pace. Basic Mechanics makes for a fine swan song to yet another strenuous day.

Genre: Indie/Rock/Pop

RIYL: Death Cab For Cutie, Say Hi, Broken Social Scene

Your Name Escapes Me

[audio http://www.ezarchive.com/original/soundaslanguage/08YourNameEscapesMe.mp3]

The Setup: The Blackout

[audio http://www.ezarchive.com/original/soundaslanguage/05TheSetupTheBlackout.mp3]

www.myspace.com/rundanrun

Tin Kitchen “Grace EP” (Self-Released)

Tin Kitchen are three young ladies from the fertile grounds of New Brunswick, New Jersey. From the very beginning, I love the feeling this EP gives off. It’s like the first time I heard Rainer Maria way back in the day. And funny thing is, Kyle Fischer from Rainer Maria recorded these three songs. Coincidence? I have no idea but the two bands share some definite similarities. Much like those earlier records from Rainer Maria, you can feel the raw emotion emanating from these songs. But, Tin Kitchen’s songs are also a bit more off-kilter than Rainer Maria’s more straightforward approach. Perhaps there is a bit of the Sleater-Kinney angularity at work there. For all the older folks (like myself), there are also some similarities to Boston emo band Jejune as well. But enough of the comparisons, Tin Kitchen are quite capable of standing completely on their own. These three songs were recorded live so the material possesses a rough, worn sheen. Frankly though, that only adds to band’s charm. Tin Kitchen do so many things right…the melodies, the heart, the sincerity…it’s all here. And it all makes for quite an impressive beginning.

Genre: Indie/Rock/Emo

RIYL: Rainer Maria, Sleater-Kinney, Jejune

www.myspace.com/tinkitchen

Thao with the Get Down Stay Down “We Brave Bee Stings And All” (Kill Rock Stars)

Sounding like the female version of Stephen Malkmus, Thao Nguyen and her band, The Get Down Stay Down, level eleven songs of playful indie rock. While her vocals may recall the likes of Cat Power or Mirah, the rambling spirit of these songs surely recalls Malkmus’ loose brand of songwriting. The album exercises a remarkable dexterity as Thao and her band jump from styles and instruments like they simply have no choice in the matter. As their numbers are at an all-time high, I have grown more and more weary of the female indie/pop/rock singer. Frankly, most of them have a hard time distinguishing themselves from the pack. Thao, on the other hand, is a breath of fresh air. We Brave Bee Stings And All is charming and not just more of the same. And for now, that’s enough to put her above many of her peers that continue to tread the same inhabited waters.

Genre: Indie/Rock

RIYL: Cat Power, Mirah, Stephen Malkmus

Beat (Health, Life and Fire)

[audio http://www.toolshed-media.com/ts/thao-nguyen-beat.mp3]

Bag of Hammers

[audio http://www.toolshed-media.com/ts/thao-nguyen-bag-of-hammers.mp3]

www.myspace.com/thaomusic

BEST NEW MUSIC

Fuck Buttons “Street Horrrsing” (ATP)

Recently, I posed the question whether or not UK’s Fuck Buttons could be 2008’s answer to Battles. Battles of course released the genre fucked Mirrored last year to great fanfare. While Fuck Buttons might not be as wildly experimental as Battles, Street Horrrsing is able to defy categorization. Originally, the duo was formed as a noise ensemble. Smartly though, Fuck Buttons decided to infuse their noise with sharp bursts of rhythmic melody. When the line between noise and melody is blurred at such a fascinating level, it’s a beautiful proposition. The listener is forced to examine their own preconceived notions. Street Horrrsing is not just a collection of songs, it is a medley of visually radiant moods. From peaceful to violent, Fuck Buttons never fail to make the listener truly feel their craft. As each song bleeds into the next, Fuck Buttons might sound like a harsh, droney mess to some. But buried beneath the surface is a well worn restraint that hypnotizes. Street Horrrsing is a gorgeous and enveloping sound that must be felt to be fully understood.

Genre: Experimental/Noise

RIYL: Black Dice, Wolf Eyes, Boredoms

Bright Tomorrow

05BrightTomorrow.mp3

www.myspace.com/fuckbuttons

Mini People In Coney Island “Nara Dreamland” (Self-Released)

Mini People In Coney Island is the one-man project of Rafael Cosme who is based in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The concept of the record in Cosme’s words was “to make a lo-fi pop record that sounded like amusement parks.” Quite a novel idea if you ask me. What’s more amazing is that Cosme has succeeded in doing just that. Nara Dreamland is bright and bubbly but also incredibly touching. It reminds me of one of my favorite underrated bands, Slowreader. With only a karaoke microphone, casio keyboards and a drum machine, Cosme creates an intimate space to tell his magical stories. This is bedroom pop at one of its most creative and finest hours. There is an overwhelming sentimentality that emanates from Mini People In Coney Island’s Nara Dreamland. It is the sound of someone truly recapturing that amazing spirit and energy of childhood and youth. But, much like life itself, there is also a sad undercurrent that runs through much of the album. Cosme was obviously touched in many different ways by amusement parks and what they symbolize. He even notes on his site “Dear Walt Disney thank you for creating Nara Dreamland. I Love You.” Well, Rafael, we also have to thank you for bringing Nara Dreamland to fruition. The album is a testament to the spirit and creativity of the independent artist.

(You can download the album in full from this link here.)

Genre: Indie/Pop

RIYL: Elliott Smith, Slowreader, Casiotone For The Painfully Alone

Traditionalist

[audio http://www.ezarchive.com/original/soundaslanguage/02Traditionalist.mp3]

www.myspace.com/minipeople