Review: Avi Buffalo, Avi Buffalo

Music Directors' note: Avi Buffalo was our Artist of the Week this past week here at WGTB. We can't seem to get enough of this album!

 Avi Buffalo

Avi Buffalo

A 

Remember that girl you liked freshman year of high school? Yeah, that one who sat two rows in front of you in Honors English. You thought she would never go out with a loser like you, but then one day one of her friends told you she was into you too- Avi Buffalo’s album feels like that moment of revelation. The album’s lyrical content picks up at that precise instant, delving into the tribulations of love, romance and relationships. The songwriting on this self-titled debut is complex in thought, but not in words, meaning you get a simple-to-understand yet staggeringly layered listening experience. With phrases like “should I take you to more functions/or would you rather be lonely,” don’t be surprised if you find yourself thinking about that person you really liked who dumped you, the one that got away, that someone you always wanted to be with but never were, etc. as you listen. Complimenting the amazingly mature lyrics are incredible guitar solos. It’s no surprise that Nels Cline, guitarist of Wilco, is one of lead guitarist Avi Zahner-Isenberg’s influences. The tone and feel of guitar on tracks like “Remember Last Time” and “Can’t I Know” could fit just as easily into Cline’s rendition of “I’m the Man who Loves You,” on Wilco’s famous album, Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. What Avi Buffalo have created here is a work that combines amazing instrumental parts with songwriting. In uniting those two components, the band seems as if they are fully grown, not just putting out their first album. Go out and get your hands and ears on this album, and join Zahner-Isenberg’s band on an exploration of the ups and downs of love and lust. Or, rather than projecting my own neuroses onto Avi Buffalo, go listen to it and explore your own.

Key Tracks: Remember Last Time, What’s in it For?, Can’t I Know, Whole Damn Record

-- Josh Smith

"Artists in Exile," Sundays 2-4 pm on WGTB 

Review: David Byrne and Fatboy Slim, Here Lies Love

David Byrne and Fatboy Slim Here Lies Love Grade? F.U.C.K.I.N.G. W.E.I.RD.

Nowadays, historical albums are rare. Wait. What the fuck am I saying- historical albums have always been pretty damn rare. Yet in 2010, we’ve had two: Titus Andronicus’ critically acclaimed The Monitor, and now Here Lies Love, a collaborative project headed up by David Byrne (of Talking Heads fame) and Fatboy Slim (No introduction needed. Yes, that is Christopher Walken.) About a year ago, this bizarre duo collaborated on a song called “The BPA TOE JAM,” which features not only the lyrics of famed British rapper Dizzee Rascal, but a video certain to be hailed as for years to come as the most creative use of censorship bars ever. (Do not watch this with your parents/younger siblings. It will be awkward.)

With their credentials firmly established, Byrne and Fatboy have released Here Lies Love, an album which examines the life of Imelda Marcos, ex-first lady of the Philippines. Yes, re-read that sentence: Here Lies Love is an album about the wife of a politician. For those who don’t know who Imelda Marcos is/was, here is a brief synopsis: known as the “Iron Butterfly,” Imelda was the wife of Ferdinand Marcos, one-time Filipino dictator who presided over twenty years of martial law, nepotism and corruption. Imelda did her bit by winning the title of “Miss Philippines” as well as shopping and living extravagantly, having a great time on multi-million shopping sprees across the globe, buying real estate (although she turned down the chance to buy the Empire State building because she thought it was ugly.), and amassing a collection of art including works by Michelangelo and Botticelli. Upon her husband’s ouster from power, it was discovered she had 3,000 pairs of shoes. Naturally, all of this fortune/fancy clothes were accumulated as the people of the Philippines lived on or below the poverty line. But enough about her, you say. What about this Here Lies Love thing about this crackpot lady?

Review: Red Pens, Reasons

Red Pens

Reasons

A- 

Red Pens are a musical duo composed of a guy (Howard Hamilton III) on guitar and a girl on drums (Laura Bennett). Wait, what? You say you’ve seen this all before? Don’t be so quick to dismiss this band as just another White Stripes clone- what they’ve created in their debut album, Reasons, is so much more than that. Hamilton’s distorted guitar pairs perfectly with the steady drumming of Bennett. The level of effects used give the record a fuzzy tone, but thankfully they don’t go overboard: the vocals aren’t meddled with, so Red Pens don’t end up sounding like some other pretentious shoe-gazers who seem to enjoy pressing pedals or doing copious amounts of drugs which leads to disastrous consequences when playing live (see Wavvves). If there is one area in which Reasons disappoints, it’s the inconsistency in the complexity of the lyrics. Some of the tracks are pretty complex, lyrics discussing drug use and relationships (Street Issue and Hung Out, for example). These are juxtaposed with simpler, almost child-like songs like Baby Alligator and Children and the Kids. The one thing that can’t be denied is that Red Pens are a band heading in the right direction, developing a great sound complimented (sometimes) with good lyrics. As they continue to make music, expect more great sounding records like this one.

Favorite Tracks: Hung Out, Blue Lighter, Street Issue

-- Josh Smith
Host, "Artists in Exile," Sundays 2-4 pm on WGTB

iPod Battle 2010

Friday night, Georgetown students attended WGTB's Third Annual iPod Battle in Bulldog Alley, ready to dance to the best setlists the competing DJs could come up with. This is always a fun event and this semester was no exception. Thanks to everyone who came out to dance and vote, and especially to our 8 DJs who participated and provided the sweet grooves. Congrats to our champion DJ, Josh Smith (Host, "Artists in Exile," Sundays 2-4 p.m. -- be sure to tune in on WGTB.)

Below, some photos from the event:

Review: Spoon, Transference

 

Spoon

Transference

B+

            Spoon is a band that has always stuck pretty close to its roots. Although their sound had evolved from the garage-rock tones of A Series of Sneaks, by 2007’s Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga, everyone knew what a “Spoon” record would sound like. To some degree, Transference doesn’t interfere or change many of our expectations of what this band does. Their characteristic alt-rock sound that has been present for years is still here, in the form of tracks like “Got Nuffin” and “Written in Reverse.” What Transference is significant for is the change in approach to production that must have occurred. It seems that they chose to pursue “addition by subtraction.” Transference’s sound is minimal. The record testifies to the importance of silence, when making music. The most memorable tracks, like “Mystery Zone,” “Out Go the Lights,” and “Is Love Forever” are those that seem to split up the band’s sound. No vocals, guitar parts, or drum lines seem to exist to fill a void. This results in a very purposeful, deliberate sound, where nothing unnecessary is crammed into the ears of the listener. On Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga’s “Don’t You Evah,” Britt Daniel says: “record that, Jim,” in the midst of studio banter. Transference leaves out such noisiness, choosing instead to revel in silence.

Key Tracks: Written in Reverse, Out Go the Lights, Mystery Zone, Got Nuffin’

-- Josh Smith
Host, "Artists in Exile," Sundays 2-4 PM on WGTB