Here’s all that again but in Palomo’s words:

“So you’ve obtained a PAL 198X. We are holding a “contest” for you. The purpose of this challenge is to reward owners of the PAL 198X who are using it to its intended […]]]>

Neon Indian, aka Alan Palomo, has launched his PAL User Initiative and in the process has asked fans to submit their PAL198X creations. The chosen one will have their track pressed onto 7″ vinyl and released on the Static Tongue label.

Here’s all that again but in Palomo’s words:

“So you’ve obtained a PAL 198X. We are holding a “contest” for you. The purpose of this challenge is to reward owners of the PAL 198X who are using it to its intended potential. I am giving you the chance to document this said use in an original track and submit it to the our databases for a chance to immortalize it. The winner will have their track pressed onto its own limited 7-inch vinyl only release on Static Tongues. It can be any variety of music (or non-music) as long as its completely made by you”.

Head here to get the complete lowdown

And check Neon Indian going all Darma Initiative on us:

The […]]]>

The Night Visitor’s first track, Solitary Move, is a neatly presented allegory for not wanting to be with another person. It’s not the first, and certainly won’t be the last, time that this subject is entertained in song. What lets the song down is the sad fact that it’s not too original: the arpeggios slink around caustic choral refrains that are meant to signify independence. The irony is that the song doesn’t do anything to warrant it.

The sweet songbird/gravel towpath duet is a standard issue prerequisite for records of this ilk, and it’s The Longer The Waiting (The Sweeter the Kiss) which takes the bow. It’s neither a terrible song nor collaboration (with erstwhile Johnny Cash studio engineer, Dave Ferguson), but it has a Mull of Kintyre feel to it and 1977 has already been and gone.

Ternheim is without question a singer suited to one style, so it seems that venturing into Nashville territory – which happens on Lorelie-Marie – is a fool’s errand. It doesn’t work. Ghost of a Man steps back into charted waters: however, it is a retelling of the opening Solitary Move.

There is a coquettish charm to the words of What Remains?, although there is a touch of the melodramatic in its delivery. Bow Your Head, however, packs quite a lot of drama in its production and manages to steal the attention. God Don’t Know is earthy and folksy, with a whistling part that hits you at the right time.

With The Night Visitor, and with Ternheim herself, you’re sold the idea that there is a projection of ghosts in the machine that make this work ethereal and captivating. However it feels more packaged and formal. There is also a nagging repetition to parts of it which makes you concerned for its shelf life. Perhaps a grand concept awaits The Night Visitor, but the effect it tries to create is lost on me.

-Michael Cornin-

Bowlegs: Which album has been a major influence in […]]]>

When we reviewed the Bright Moments’ debut, Natives, back in February our trusty reviewer went so far to say that “it insulates all the cold corners of my musical universe”. This is Pop in full motion, gloriously assembled by the man behind the moniker Kelly Pratt. We wanted to thank Kelly for the music, the songs and the sounds, but after careful consideration felt a Call Back would probably read better.

Bowlegs: Which album has been a major influence in your life, and why?

Kelly: I would say that John Coltrane’s Love Supreme is probably the album I’ve listened to more than anything else. It’s the perfect statement from an artist who never stopped searching. Also Enter the Wu Tang Clan has been incredibly big in my life.

Bowlegs: What was the last album you bought?

Kelly: The new Beach House. It’s a pretty new sound for them, very 80′s.

Bowlegs: Which bands have you been listening to this week?

Kelly: Mazzy Star, Prince, and the new Here We Go Magic

Bowlegs: Name an up-and-coming band Bowlegs should look out for?

Kelly: The new Delicate Steve album is great. He’s going to blow up this year. Also one of my favorite bands that not a lot of people know about is The Luyas, a very interesting group of Montrealers.

Bowlegs: What was the last gig you went to?

Kelly: The last gig I went to was a show we played with Suckers. I don’t go to many shows other than the ones I play. The best gig I’ve seen in a long time though was the Barr Brothers at SXSW.

Bowlegs: Who is the best band you have ever shared a bill with?

Kelly: Owen Pallett/Final Fantasy. He is an incredibly virtuosic performer and his music is a true inspiration.

Bowlegs: What was the first gig you ever went to, and who did you go with?

Kelly: The first big concert I went to was the Eagles with my dad. It was in the big arena in town and everyone was getting high. They played that acoustic version of Hotel California. It was awesome.

Bowlegs: What made you realise that being a musician was the career of choice?

Kelly: Probably around the same time all the cocaine and chicks started rolling in… Just kidding. Making music for a career can be incredibly rewarding, and fun. But it can also be stressful not knowing when your next paycheck is coming in.

Bowlegs: What is your favourite music documentary?

Kelly: I was just thinking about the Harry Nilsson documentary. It’s not the best made film of all time, but he’s such a fascinating subject.

Bowlegs: What was the last film you saw, and was it any good?

Kelly: I watched a bit of Blindness last night. I absolutely love the book and the movie is pretty good too.

Bowlegs: Name three great books Bowlegs must read?

Kelly: Let’s start with Blindness by Jose Saramago since I was just talking about it in the last question. In fact, just read anything by Saramago. He’s brilliant. The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro is an incredible and incredibly sad book about things that may have been. Just to mix it up I’ll include a graphic novel: Jimmy Corrigan, the Smartest Kid on Earth.

Bowlegs: What do you see when you look in the mirror?

Kelly: I need a haircut!

Bowlegs: Name a song that takes you back to a certain time in your life?

Kelly: Headache by Frank Black. I was really starting to get into a lot of different types of music at this point. “Teenager of the Year” is an album I still listen to from time to time. It always reminds me of my early high school days.

Bowlegs: What is one of your favourite album covers of all time?

Kelly: Ween’s Chocolate and Cheese of course!

Bowlegs: What was the last thing that made you laugh out loud?

Kelly: I watched Groundhog Day the other day. Bill Murray’s finest film, and definitely in my top 10. Also, my girlfriend was just now trying to sing a Prince song, that may even be funnier than Groundhog Day.

Bowlegs: Do you think music videos are important and do you like making them?

Kelly: I’m a little torn on this. Music videos are good promotional tools, but they are very expensive. Also, so few of them are any good these days.

Bowlegs: Are albums still important or is it more about individual tracks?

Kelly: For me albums are key. It’s interesting that technology dictated the album format, and now there is no limitation to how long an album can be. Yet people still stick to 45 minutes or so. It must be for good reason.

Bowlegs: What do you have planned for the next six months?

Kelly: A bit of touring with Bright Moments. Also, I’m doing a tour with David Byrne and St. Vincent, playing various horns.

Bowlegs: What is on your iPod that you probably shouldn’t admit to?

Kelly: There’s probably a little more free jazz than would be acceptable in most social situations…

So to this, Grass Widow’s third album. It isn’t on the surface a great divergence from their core sound. You […]]]>

What’s going on with art-rock this year? The recent 2012 releases by Lower Dens and Here We Go Magic join this album by Grass Widow in embracing a hushed softness and calm that seems entirely at odds with the simmering political unrest all around us. It seems like subtlety is the meme of the moment, a blessed relief in truth.

So to this, Grass Widow’s third album. It isn’t on the surface a great divergence from their core sound. You immediately notice their three-part harmonising is more confident and complex, and it’s softer and more luscious than ever. That seems to be the defining and ear-catching feature for us.

However, if you know GW’s sound you’ll know that they are, in essence, a difficult sound; with these vocals, if they were a shape, they’d be a frizz of sunshine atop the leaning tower of Pisa. You still get the twisted surf atonality of Raven Mahon’s guitar work underpinning each skeletal arrangement. And Hannah’s bass is still wiry, and stubbornly drives the propulsion of each song. What’s always great about GW is that their songs are like line drawings that seem sketched quickly but with maximum verisimilitude.

So, from opener Goldilocks Zone the vocals seem fuller and warmer, the bass gets a much needed distortion treatment, and the production is better than ever. Hang Around’’s vocals really start to soar, but when we get to Under the Atmosphere, we know that this album is a keeper. The energy in the set flows past like rushing white water, it feels vital, stringy, and elemental.

And maybe there is a more introspective vibe coming through overall – with the inclusion of two arresting instrumentals on classical guitar and piano, reminiscent of Jon Brion. Plus there are hints of modulating synths here and there, as though late 70s punks Kleenex bumped into Silver Apples at the grocery store. Maybe GW are slowly cutting themselves adrift from the lo fi punk scene? Maybe they’ll float away on future releases into some sort of 80s John Cale-like reverie? Who knows, but we’re all ears.

-Julian Tardo-

The statement from Gibb’s family read:

“The family of Robin Gibb, of the Bee Gees, announce with great sadness that Robin passed away today following his long battle with cancer and intestinal surgery. The family have asked that their privacy is respected at this very […]]]>

Bee Gee Robin Gibb has died at the age of 62 after his long battle with cancer. Gibb released his first album with his brothers Maurice and Barry back in 1965 and was writing numerous hits since.

The statement from Gibb’s family read:

“The family of Robin Gibb, of the Bee Gees, announce with great sadness that Robin passed away today following his long battle with cancer and intestinal surgery. The family have asked that their privacy is respected at this very difficult time.”

Microbes by Microbes