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Music, Pop Culture

Video Clip of The Week: Wray, “Hypatia”

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This week, making their encore appearance in the much-coveted Video Clip of The Week slot is Birmingham, Alabama-based space-rock trio, Wray. Do they still sound very much like Wire Train? Yes, yes they do! Does it matter if you’ve never even heard of Wire Train before this minute? No, it does not matter! All that matters is that this free-from video for the awesome tune “Hypatia” has everything: Egyptology, Mythology, Pyramids, Lesbianism, Fire, a Cute Dog that looks like This Little Guy, Cool Visual Effects, Swirly, Atmospheric Guitars and a Badass Beat that just won’t quit. Absolutely perfect for the Sunday that tops off what I hope has been an amazing four-day weekend for you.

“Hypatia” is the title-track off the band’s upcoming album, due for release in early 2016 — not that far off! Enjoy!

Hypatia Video Still

Music, Pop Culture

Video Clip of The Week: Wray, “Relative”

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I’ll tell you, what I like right away about this highly atmospheric video from Birmingham, Alabama’s Wray is the simple setting: just the band playing against a projection screening in a big, empty warehouse lit only by strobes and a few scattered light effects. I feel like I’m watching them perform at my own private rave!

The sound that this trio captures for the single “Relative” is the pure essence of ’80s arty post punk ala Wire Train and Bauhaus. I don’t think that there is higher praise to be given than that type of comparison at this time when mediocrity is feted and style is celebrated of substance every step of the way. Perhaps a bit of of the credit for Wray’s awesomeness is owed to engineer Daniel Farris (Man Or Astro-man?, St. Vincent, Polyphonic Spree, Verbena) but he certainly couldn’t add such a glorious sheen on top of a sound that wasn’t brilliant to begin with.

Catch Wray playing live during the CMJ Music Festival at New York City’s Lit Lounge on October 22nd! Enjoy!

Wray Band
Wray is David Brown, Blake Wimberly and David Swatzell

Music, Pop Culture

Video Clip of The Week: “Gun Shy” By Weed

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Weed Deserve Cover

See Video at This Link Because it won’t embed on my site! Aargh!

Here’s another example of a band successfully going back in time in order to appear forward thinking, as Canadian noise rockers Weed make use of VHS Cassette-quality technology for the visually disquieting clip accompanying a decidedly brilliant post-apocalyptic tune they call “Gun Shy.” While this is possibly the most deliberately lo-fi recording I’ve heard in years that did not involve Guided By Voices, I find what Pitchfork described as the “familiar yet wonderfully warped sound of a mix tape that had been decaying in the glove compartment of an abandoned car since 1991” to be an odd combination of exhilarating and comforting. I believe the aesthetic is what we used to affectionately refer to as “Punk Rock” before that phrase ceased to have any meaning in a modern context. Also, the singer’s vocals remind me of Wire Train (Google them).

Although Weed have been around for a decade, this track comes off of what is, surprisingly, the band’s debut album, Deserve. Find out more about the World of Weed by visiting their awesome website and blogThis Link. Enjoy!