EP Review: The Natural Shocks ‘Kobayashi Maru’
The state of indie pop/rock, always in a constant flux, seems to be trending towards the sounds of synths and other electronic additions in 2012. Hell, one band this year even ditched their entire sound in favor of a drum machine and tweenish vibes, and in the process, their own fans. But you know what…electronic additions for the sake of adding depth is really no way for a band to approach raising their craft. If the glove doesn’t fit, don’t wear it. And for the love of all things music, let’s not lose the edge of the rock side for the sake of trying to appeal to 14-year-old dubby steppers.
The Natural Shocks are a breath of fresh air for me in the early fall. Led from the mind of Jim DeLuca who hails from Toronto, his sound not surprisingly seems heavily influenced by a band that mastered the art of indie pop/rock with an edge. That band of course is fellow Toronto born Broken Social Scene, but Jim’s sound really only takes on the brasher BSS sound heard on their self-titled album with songs like “Superconnected”. The Shocks four-song EP opens up with heavily distorted vocals and a stepping guitar riff on “Change”. “Chosen Ones”, my favorite track, adds group vocals to go along with what appears to be a cello led bass line. The strings make the vocals, which are already laced with emotion, stand out that much more. “Daydream”, an ethereal track featuring a slick little drum machine beat, and “War of Attrition”, showing off more even distortion close off this extremely solid debut.
Stream Kobayashi Maru below and be sure to grab a digital copy via the group’s Bandcamp page for whatever price your little heart desires.
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Written by Greg Dahman
Live Video: Night Beds “Even If We Try”
There is an old saying amongst LSD enthusiasts that goes something like “life is all set and setting.” In other words, one’s mindset and environment are the two determining factors in a person’s relative reaction to a given experience. While I can’t speak to Timothy Leary’s theories on maximizing a psychedelic high, I would argue that set and setting are integral to the way that we experience live music.
Nashville’s Night Beds opened up for The Head and the Heart at Broad Ripple’s Opti Park in Indianapolis earlier this summer. Having arrived shortly after the gates opened, I was relegated to the rear of the crowd. A small army of young parents and stumbling toddlers stood littered between my vantage point and the stage. As is often the case with opening acts, the sound was too low. This problem was compounded by the outdoor setting and the delicate, diminutive nature of Night Beds’ performance. However, I could tell by the reaction of those near the stage that those of us in the back were missing the point.
Night Beds, and more directly lead singer Winston Yellen, construct the type of songs that are best heard indoors. This becomes readily apparent in the live clip of the band’s new single “Even If We Try,” released today as a 7″ on Dead Oceans. Filmed in an empty church, Yellen’s vocals bounce and multiply, growing with each echo. Only after watching the video below, do the belly roars from the first few rows at Opti Park appear justified. Night Beds has a 12-date tour spread across the Midwest and East Coast that kicks off on September 24 in Louisville.
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Written by Rob Peoni
Fresh Track: Teen Daze ft. Frankie Rose “Union”
Way back in February of this year, we featured a new Teen Daze track called “Brooklyn Summer” that was the lead single from the album All of Us, Together, which was released towards the end of May via Lefse Records. The album was a fantastic interweaving of electronic beats but ultimately left me wanting a bit more of the style from his Beach Dreams EP with the incorporation of vocals into the tracks. While Teen Daze is certainly always atmospheric in the best way, the extra layer of fuzzy vocals he has featured from time to time brings an added element and meaning to his songs. Thankfully, I might not have to wait long for my wish as I apparently forgot that Teen Daze is the Ty Segall of the electronic indie scene and never stops releasing new music.
Two days ago, “Union” was released along with the details for his second full-length album of the year, The Inner Mansions, which will hit the shelves on 11-6-12. And to my great surprise and joy, he enlisted the stellar vocal services of Frankie Rose for the track. The song itself is fantastic, with the two singing on top of each other to create an interesting blend of voice to put effects to. Beginning with a chaotic clamor of sound, it eventually settles out into a melodic, lush, pool of tranquility to sink into. Dive in and give it a listen below.
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Written by Greg Dahman
Thought on Tracks 