Friendly Fires’ 2011 release Pala wasn’t my favorite, but there were a couple of songs that I enjoyed off of it; the other day I saw that London producer SBTRKT (whose debut, self-titled album was one of my favorites of last year) had covered “Blue Cassette,” – one of those couple of songs I enjoyed from Pala, so I was forced to take a listen.
The cover was done for a BBC Radio 1 show called Live Lounge, in addition to a version of “Hold On” from SBTRKT. In this particular live setting, the artists are able to make their electronic wares seem more intimate; “Hold On” is stretched from its normal, 3.5 minute length on the album to over 7 minutes here, and while the Friendly Fires cover is fairly faithful lengthwise, it relies more on Sampha’s vocals than the blast of instrumentation of the original. Listening to the two play live, it’s obvious that the chemistry between SBTRKT and Sampha is undeniable.
The live version of “Hold On” is available for download through the Young Turks Soundcloud page as well.
This week marks a very solid slate of releases for what should continue to be an excellent few months of new music this summer. Released a day earlier than everyone else for who knows what reason, Lady GaGa has another effort for you to (possibly) waste your money on. Then there is a new record from She Wants Revenge. In response to this news I ask: what is all of our revenge for this being perpetrated upon the world?
In slightly less terrible news there is a new David Bazan release, the greatly (by some) anticipated Foster The People debut, and what promises to be an enjoyable summer jam in the new Friendly Fires record. There’s also new White Denim this week along with that Darwin Deez record from a few years back that is only just now getting wide release. If we’ve left anything out or you want to take me to task for my highly opinionated ramblings, take to the comments. I must away!
Not being a connoisseur of Friendly Fires’ past work beyond a song or two, their newest single – “Kiss of Life” – was a bit of a revelation. There’s not much that stays out of their song-making process. If a sound fits – and perhaps even if it doesn’t – it’s added to the song. The group is unafraid to make this particular song a complete journey in and of itself. The group starts, stops, and plays with the feel of the track throughout its four minutes.
In the hands of Spiral into the Storm, however, the song becomes a wholly different journey than the band intended. The first few minutes of the track are focused in on what is ultimately a short portion of the original. The Canadian producer clones the few seconds, repeats them, and starts by refocusing the track entirely. And then, when we get comfortable with what he’s trying to do, he throws a bit of the familiar back in, and messes around with that. He stretches and pulls, throwing in quick slices of the original for reference, and builds a track that’s entirely his own in the process.
Once in a while I obsess over some dance music, usually indie dance and not the mainstream stuff. I listen to tracks on repeat because there is just something about good dance music that makes me feel happy. The most recent of these obsessions is Friendly Fires. Several terms have been used to describe the English trio in addition to the indie dance tag; funk-punk, shoegaze, dance pop. All descriptions are apropos. Whatever the description, this is infectious bounce-your-head-to-the-beat music. They certainly know how to craft a perfect pop song.
I have a litmus test for dance music, and British dance music in particular. While in college I visited London with some friends. We went to a few clubs and pubs during our week long stay, and we heard the same type music at most places. In particular we heard Star Guitar by The Chemical Brothers at nearly every place we visited. My test consists of whether or not I can imagine myself listening to the intended music in a club or pub that is etched into my memory. I can absolutely envision myself in that club with tracks like Jump in the Pool and Paris providing the ambiance.
001: Joywave - Ridge/Traveling At The Speed Of Light 7"
tympanogram on Facebook
Upcoming Western NY Concerts
NOTE: Concerts are in Rochester unless otherwise noted.
1/5: Les Racquet
1/12: Joywave with Old Tapes, Dave & Marissa
1/13: The Dads
1/14: My Brightest Diamond
1/17: Josh Netsky Band with Cuddle Magic
1/18: Tycho (Buffalo)
1/26: Avicii
1/26: A$AP Rocky (Buffalo)
1/28: The Crystal Method (Syracuse)
2/11: Blind Pilot (Ithaca)
2/22: William Fitzsimmons
2/24: Mike Doughty
2/25: Charles Bradley (Buffalo)
2/29: Summer People
3/3: Matthew Good
3/5: Evening Man
3/23: The Men
3/30: tympanogram’s 3rd Birthday with Born Gold, Old Tapes, TBA
4/20: fun.
4/23: Cults (Buffalo)
5/6: Bear In Heaven (Ithaca)
5/7: M83 (Buffalo)
an examination used to test the condition of the middle ear and mobility of the eardrum, and the conduction bones by creating variations of air pressure in the ear canal.
Basically, it sounded like a cool name for a blog intended to be primarily about music. We’d both had other blogs previously, but over beers it was decided that more damage could be done as a joint venture. And here we are.
We share a passion for the undiscovered and under-appreciated, and hope that you’ll be able to find something you love as well.
Disclaimer
The music offered on this blog is for sampling purposes only. If you enjoy something you hear here, please go out and buy the music, see a show, or purchase some merchandise. Posted mp3s are available for a limited period of time only.
If there are any materials featured here that are your intellectual property, and you would prefer them removed, please notify us and we will be happy to oblige.
Contact Us
Do you have an artist or band you think we should hear? Please feel free to let us know and we'd be glad to give it a listen.
Submissions can be sent here, or email us for an address if you wish to send physical submissions.
Please note that we try our hardest to respond to all submissions, but we get a lot of requests, so we will get back to you as soon as we can.
Also, if you're interested in advertising on Tympanogram, feel free to get in touch with us here.
About the Author: Dave
I like music. I can't describe how I came to like the music I do, because I don't know how or why, I just do.
Many years ago, Napoleon's brother, my great-great-great-great-great-great Grandfather, came to America. He was asked his name on Ellis Island while being processed as an immigrant. Not understanding English, he was under the impression that he was being asked how he had arrived in the new land. So he turned around and pointed at the sea vessel and said, 'LaBarge.'
About the Author: Andy
I come by my music taste of my own free will. My friends listened to 2Pac, my parents to contemporary Christian and me? Sunny Day Real Estate. I can’t explain it.
“Music, true music, not just rock ’n’ roll, it chooses you. It lives in your car, or alone, listening to your headphones…” - Lester Bangs
![sbtrkt [mp3] SBTRKT // Blue Cassette (Friendly Fires Cover) (Live on BBC Radio 1)](http://tympanogram.com/files/sbtrkt.jpg "sbtrkt")
![the record store [mp3] New Releases // May 24](http://tympanogram.com/files/the_record_store.jpg "[mp3] New Releases // May 24")
![[mp3] New Releases // May 24](http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=tympanogram-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B004YCO1D2&camp=217145&creative=399349 "[mp3] New Releases // May 24"){kind=small}
![[mp3] New Releases // May 24](http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=tympanogram-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B004XRMD4C&camp=217145&creative=399349 "[mp3] New Releases // May 24"){kind=small}
![[mp3] New Releases // May 24](http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=tympanogram-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B004THJ3AS&camp=217145&creative=399349 "[mp3] New Releases // May 24"){kind=small}
![[mp3] New Releases // May 24](http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=tympanogram-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0050VI5SI&camp=217145&creative=399349 "[mp3] New Releases // May 24"){kind=small}
![[mp3] New Releases // May 24](http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=tympanogram-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B004THJ39E&camp=217145&creative=399349 "[mp3] New Releases // May 24"){kind=small}
![[mp3] New Releases // May 24](http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=tympanogram-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0051QIGP4&camp=217145&creative=399349 "[mp3] New Releases // May 24"){kind=small}
![[mp3] New Releases // May 24](http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=tympanogram-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B004ZHW98U&camp=217145&creative=399349 "[mp3] New Releases // May 24"){kind=small}
![[mp3] New Releases // May 24](http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=tympanogram-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B004ZI7M9A&camp=217145&creative=399349 "[mp3] New Releases // May 24"){kind=small}
![[mp3] New Releases // May 24](http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=tympanogram-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0050BOMZI&camp=217145&creative=399349 "[mp3] New Releases // May 24"){kind=small}
Not being a connoisseur of 
