Sonny & The Sunsets’ Talent Night at the Ashram, the album from which the above clip, the mesmerizing, “Cheap Extensions” was culled, has a fascinating back story. To give you the Reader’s Digest Condensed version of that story, the record began as a film project in which each song was originally a short film that, when strung together, formed a feature-length movie. I enjoy the late night, Adult Swim vibe of the rough animation and also got hooked pretty quickly on this very fun tune that sounds like Tame Impala, only on slightly more effective drugs.
Continue reading Video Clip of The Week: Sonny & The Sunsets, “Cheap Extensions”
Tag Archives: tame impala
Video Clip of The Week: “Tame Impala” By Sunflower Bean
There might not be a more ingeniously clever way for a new band to get their song noticed than to name that song after one of the arguably best/most popular bands on the planet right now. Of course, I’m talking about Tame Impala (AKA Tim & Paula). Being all awash in fuzz guitars and psychedelic feedback, the Sunflower Bean tune “Tame Impala” serves as an emphatic homage to Kevin Parker’s Australian hypno-groove project, whether or not it actually has anything to do with that band. Like I’m saying, what a great marketing ploy!
Continue reading Video Clip of The Week: “Tame Impala” By Sunflower Bean
Video Clip of The Week: “Era” by Fiancé
It must be said that we were instantly charmed by the lush pop fugue of Fiancé’s “Era” — a shoegazery sonic delight that endures for nearly five full minutes! Apparently, this Delaware-based quartet that have yet to release an album are already drawing comparisons to Tame Impala — high praise indeed — but I think the nod indicates more that Fiancé are doing something worth listening to than that they are jumping on an aural bandwagon. The sound is too confident and too retro for that. Visually, the live performance footage filtered through a mirror ball haze is all you need to complete the package, but the band throw in an Easter egg of inter-cut footage of a teenage girl in one of those trendy, new StyleWe party dresses enjoying the late days of summer before possibly meeting a sudden and violent end? You’ll have to ask the band what that is all about.
Fiancé will release their debut EP, appropriately titled EP1, on October 7th via SQE Music. The EP — recorded to quarter inch tape on a Tascam 388 tape machine, which totally demystifies why it just sounds so effing good — will be available digitally and on vinyl and can be pre-ordered in the SQE Online Store. Enjoy!
EP1 Cover Art
Video Clip of the Week: Little Barrie, “Bonneville Ride”
If somebody asked me to name my three current favorite bands or artists – and, trust me, no one ever asks – I would say that they are: Australian Psychedelic Rock Project Tame Impala (aka Tim & Paula, who are just the Best), American singer/songwriter Kurt Vile (whom I consider to be a modern-day Bob Dylan) and British Rockers Little Barrie, whose 2012 release, King Of The Waves I reviewed very extremely favorably. But yeah, those are my Top Three.
I don’t often review albums these days, because, no time. But I do review the videos. So, imagine the level of ecstatic delight I experienced when Little Barrie’s publicist hipped me to the band’s latest viddy for a heavily-steeped-in-cool song called “Bonneville Ride.” Oh my, I do love this video.
Shot on Super 8 film so that it resembles a home movie from my childhood, “Bonneville Ride” is constructed visually around original footage of Little Barrie bassist Lewis Wharton’s father, also named Lewis, racing grasstrack motorbikes in the early – mid 1970′s. (Lewis senior is the gentleman hanging off the sidecar of number 69). Watching this clip feels like you are dreaming, or watching someone else’s dream. And I suspect it does not get much better than that. There are also a few clips of the band performing — and they are so good live. Aurally, the song is confident enough to let Wharton’s slinky bass line take the lead for a sweet ride that’s more akin to a mood-inducing flashback, or a slice of life, than a mere pop tune. In a word: Sublime.
“Bonneville Ride” comes from Little Barrie’s fourth album Shadow, which was released this past May on Tummy Touch Records. Like all of their albums, it is excellent listening. Enjoy!
Little Barrie are: Lewis Wharton (Bass), Barrie Cadogan (Guitar/Vocals) and Virgil Howe (Drums)
Gail’s Top Ten Favorite CDs of 2012
Tame Impala, Lonerism
People who’ve taken a lot of psychedelics (raises hand) and listened to way too much music while lounging in a room lit only by a black light bulb will often talk about how certain albums sound like they were made while the band was on drugs. Tame Impala’s sophomore album, Lonerism, is drugs.
Read my awesome review of Lonerism at This Link.
The Darkness, Hot Cakes
Hot Cakes is my favorite Queen album since A Night at the Opera.
Read my amazing review of Hot Cakes at This Link.
Little Barrie, King of the Waves
Little Barrie’s King of the Waves was Number One on the list for most of the year until The Darkness nudged it from the top spot, only to be further nudged by Tame Impala. This only means it was a pretty fucking great year for Rock & Roll.
Read more of my opinion on how Little Barrie Saved Rock in 2012 at This Link.
The SheepDogs
It is my belief that The SheepDogs operate in this realty via adept use of a well-oiled Time Machine. Read more about my hypothesis at This Link.
Mott Boroff, Filling In The Cracks EP
My mind was blown away last year by the discovery of Matt Boroff, an artist who refers to himself as a “Gold Medalist in the Best Kept Secret Olympics.” Read more at This Link.
The Killers, Battle Born
I like This Album.
Bento, Diamond Days
I was in the process of reviewing Diamond Days when I was unexpectedly evacuated from my apartment due to the storm surge of Hurricane Sandy. Drama! Bento is the solo project by Ben Gillies, former drummer for Silverchair. I interviewed Ben once and he was hilarious. If you enjoyed Siverchair’s artsy fartsy 2007 Swan Song, Young Modern, you will probably dig this album.
The Vaccines, Come of Age
The first time I played this CD each song managed to distinguish itself from the next, so it gets to be on this list.
Lita Ford, Living like a Runaway
No pain, no gain. Guitarist and Rock Godess Lita Ford bounces back from a messy divorce to make the album of her career. My indepth review of Living Like a Runaway can be found at This Link.
Mike Viola, Acousto De Perfecto
If real musical talent – quality songwriting, musicianship, charisma – were still rewarded with popularity and financial success in the way they were back in the ‘70s, Mike Viola would be as revered as Elton John and sell out bigger concert tours than Lady Gaga.
Read more from me about Mike Viola and Acousto De Perfecto by clicking Here.