I am still uncertain whether I will be seeing The Besnard Lakes this week while at NXNE or not. As much as I would love to do so, we have an interview set up with another band (Young Empires) at the time they are slated to play. So I will either be seeing them by myself and leaving Andy to do the interview on his own, or the obvious counter to that second bit. I would really like to see them so I’ll have to make up my mind shortly how I will proceed. What should I do? Should I leave Andy to do an interview by his lonesome and see The Besnard Lakes by myself so I can write up a review of their show? Or should I join Andy in the interview? These are problems I can get behind.
I drop to under six hundred minutes left in this project with my two selections today. I’m learning it is incredibly difficult to type with a baby on the desk that is kicking the keyboard of my laptop, so if any typos are overlooked blame the baby. Onwards.
This song was my introduction to the swelling, atmospheric sounds of The Besnard Lakes. Yet another product of Montreal that I happen to adore, The Besnard Lakes fit one aspect of my music tastes perfectly; I love slow songs that take their time in building to an emotional and sonic point of eruption. This song just happens to do it beautifully as well.
99. Tokyo Police Club – Graves (mp3) from Elephant Shell (2:35) [Time Remaining: 594:01]
I’ve given it time for the preoccupancy to wane. Perhaps weighty lyrics within an all too familiar pop/punk setting such as this can be somewhat forgettable or easily dismissed. Tokyo Police Club had a ton of heat based on their multiple introductory EP’s coming into their first album’s release, and to music critics it seemed like a lot of that was lost with such a serviceable album as Elephant Shell. I disagreed in 2008 as I chose it to be my favorite album of the year, and this particular track as my favorite song as well. I thought perhaps I would fall off the wave of populism and forget about the album like critics assumed I would, but then I hear this song and just have to turn it up.
Once again I’m going to touch briefly upon some of the year’s biggest releases with quick-hit thoughts on the albums. In doing so I will also be putting up a song I enjoyed, though not necessarily my favorite, off the album. In other news, today is the beginning of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. I am displeased because I like to sit and watch endless basketball on the first weekend, and my chance to do that this year has essentially been denied because of work. That being because my schedule is close to awful. Enough of my complaints.
I’ve listened to this album more than any other besides Local Natives and Vampire Weekend thus far in 2010. There isn’t a track I dislike and several I adore greatly. Not certain where it will end up on my year end list, but it will be there somewhere.
I really enjoy One Life Stand but there are moments I need to skip out of ear discomfort. In particular I need to skip “Slush” because I truly dislike the song. Then there are others I could repeat. How does loathing one song off an album affect its entire rating?
This album is my second experience with The Besnard Lakes. I can’t decide which of the two I own is better, and that is a good thing. The band’s style fits my tastes at certain moments of my day quite symbiotically; When I’m looking to be absorbed into thought with a soundtrack to enhance my thinking power.
001: Joywave - Ridge/Traveling At The Speed Of Light 7"
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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.
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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.
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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
I drop to under six hundred minutes left in this 
(5:12) [Time Remaining: 596:36]
(2:35) [Time Remaining: 594:01]
Once again I’m going to touch briefly upon some of the year’s biggest releases with quick-hit thoughts on the albums. In doing so I will also be putting up a song I enjoyed, though not necessarily my favorite, off the album. In other news, today is the beginning of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. I am displeased because I like to sit and watch endless basketball on the first weekend, and my chance to do that this year has essentially been denied because of work. That being because my schedule is close to awful. Enough of my complaints.
