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.
Also, if you're interested in advertising on Tympanogram, feel free to get in touch with us here.
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.
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
Upcoming Western NY Concerts
NOTE: All concerts are in Rochester unless otherwise noted.
8/28: My Morning Jacket and The New Pornographers
9/2: The Black Keys (Buffalo)
9/3: Coheed and Cambria (Syracuse)
9/4: These Electric Lives and Mikey Jukebox
9/8: Chali 2na
9/10: Vampire Weekend and Beach House
9/16: Wavves (Buffalo)
9/16: Jesse Malin and The St. Marks Social
9/16-9/19: Rochester Indie Fest
9/19: of Montreal with Janelle Monae (Buffalo)
9/21: Holy Fuck (Buffalo)
9/22: Stars and Wild Nothing
9/25: Broken Social Scene and The Sea and Cake (Buffalo)
9/29: Bear In Heaven (Ithaca)
10/18: Dr. Dog and Here We Go Magic (Buffalo)
10/22: Tympanogram Presents (at Bug Jar) - TBA
10/28: Matt and Kim
11/14: Sarah Harmer
Dominant Legs are a San Francisco duo made up of Ryan Lynch and Hannah Hunt. Lynch is best known for his work with another San Francisco band – last year’s indie sweethearts Girls. But don’t expect a similar type of output here; Dominant Legs still makes nostalgic, shiny pop, but they employ a more electronic feel to their songs than Girls does. Hunt serves to soften Lynch’s voice throughout the EP, which reminds me of Jonathan Richman. This particular track is a great introduction to the band.
The band’s debut EP – Young at Love and Life – is due out next Tuesday (8/17) via Lefse Records. It will be available both on 10″ vinyl and digitally, and you can pre-order it right now. They also have a couple of tour dates lined up with Mystery Jets in New York City and L.A. in the middle of September, which you can check out over at their MySpace.
I’m in a summery mood, which is apropos since Memorial Day is the unofficial start to the season. My girlfriend and I forged our way south into the Finger Lakes yesterday to Watkins Glen State Park and made our way through the gorge, then stopped at a couple of wineries on the way back through. I hope everyone’s long weekend is progressing nicely.
Today’s installment of this project features a couple of songs that are reminiscent of warmer weather for me. They came up during our drive yesterday, and both find themselves on my list today. Unfamiliar with what’s going on here? Get yourself up to speed over here.
There was a point, right around 22, when I was big into the whole singer/songwriter thing; guys with nine letters in their first and last names are generally most accessible (John Mayer, Jason Mraz, Elton John, Billy Joel…), and Josh Rouse was one of my favorites. I’ve since grown weary of the sensitivity – or perhaps more jaded – but Mr. Rouse’s easy soul still comes around to calm me down every so often. Take this song out for a drive; it can’t miss.
116. Girls – Lust For Life (mp3) from Album (2:25) [Time Remaining: 470:09]
I think this is, to this point, the most recent song to make this list. Despite the downer subject matter, it’s a perfect pop song; quick and longing, it sounds like how the wind blowing through your hair feels. It’s sunburned and weary from drinking outside. After this, I no longer need a summer jam each year. I have a song for every summer.
While listening to Girls’ debut - Album – to write up this review, I first wrote out sentences in an attempt to draw out of me exactly what I thought the album sounded like. Somewhere in the midst of adjectives like “sun-bleached” and “updated” and “tragic,” I came up with the following sentence:
“Tingling, smart indie-rock, filled up intermittently with hand claps, breathless harmonica and failed relationships.”
The trouble is, that could describe any number of albums released in 2009 – not to mention a ridiculously large swath of the albums that comprise popular music. But despite Album‘s close relation to all that’s come before it, there’s a timeless nature to it; it immediately calls to mind the best, most upbeat and likable parts of The Beach Boys and Elvis Costello. But the dour outlook that runs through the entire album is decidedly current, and the contrast between the music and the tone of the lyrics makes for a fascinating result.
Any discussion surrounding Girls inevitably drifts to the fact that lead singer Christopher Owen was a part of the Children of God cult up until he was 16, and how much of the art he currently creates was influenced by that time. It’s interesting to consider; was his art borne because of the repressive nature of the cult, or did it blossom in spite of it? I don’t have an answer to that, and I suppose that it ultimately doesn’t matter – because either way, Album is a remarkable effort.
Alright, I really like this song a lot. I enjoy the feel of the song and the lyrics and just about all of it. I derive great enjoyment from listening to it.
I do not like this video.
I feel as if it cheapens the song somehow. Perhaps it’s gimmicky using a bunch of naked people. There is just a sizable dissonance between the video and song for me. It doesn’t get the emotion or basically anything right. I was initially, and remain, disappointed.
In case you haven’t seen it be forewarned, it is NSFW. Not in the slightest. So don’t watch it in front of your parents either. But here it is. Agree or disagree.
Much has been made about the fact that Christopher Owen was raised in the Children of God cult. Not allowed to listen to music other than that which was made by the other members of the group, Owen fed his musical hunger through the movies he watched without restriction, picking up his musical influences through soundtracks.
On Album the band is unfettered by convention, free to divulge in whatever resonates for that particular song. Perhaps that’s an extension of the infamous drug-fuelled recording sessions that lead to Album; perhaps it’s simply finding a pace that works. Album bears some the crunchy fuzz mark of the lo-fi/no-fi coming out of the California music scene lately, but make no mistake here: Girls’ take on the scene is far more melodic and appealing than what’s comebefore them this year.
Lyrically, the songs are about, well, girls. And drinking and smoking and dancing and anything else that a formerly repressed twentysomething should sing about. Unlike their regional compatriots, however, Girls seem far less pretentious when writing a dozen songs about it. This is what they like, what they are like – regardless of whether anyone thinks it’s cool. If it’s all a show, they’ve sold me on it. It works in its entirely. The result is an album that feels familiar – because in a way it is – and updated at the same time.
My favorite tracks are the first two on the album – “Lust for Life” and “Laura.” Taken back-to-back, they provide a base for everything that comes after them on Album. Whether longing for affection, beach houses or simply for a pizza, Mr. Owen is singing about exactly what any man needs.
For having been trained at his current craft via the art of soundtrack, it’s fitting that Mr. Owen’s debut will define many a summer from here on. Album stretches out, long and straight ahead toward the horizon.
Dominant Legs are a San Francisco duo made up of Ryan Lynch and Hannah Hunt. Lynch is best known for his work with another San Francisco band – last year’s indie sweethearts Girls. But don’t expect a similar type of output here; Dominant Legs still makes nostalgic, shiny pop, but they employ a more electronic feel to their songs than Girls does. Hunt serves to soften Lynch’s voice throughout the EP, which reminds me of Jonathan Richman. This particular track is a great introduction to the band.
I’m in a summery mood, which is apropos since Memorial Day is the unofficial start to the season. My girlfriend and I forged our way south into the Finger Lakes yesterday to Watkins Glen State Park and made our way through the gorge, then stopped at a couple of wineries on the way back through. I hope everyone’s long weekend is progressing nicely.
(3:16) [Time Remaining: 472:34]
(2:25) [Time Remaining: 470:09]
4. Girls – Album
Much has been made about the fact that Christopher Owen was raised in the 