When I sit down to write or, even more so, when I sit down to grade work, I like music that sits comfortably in the background. Strangely enough, my favorite music to grade to is that of metal post-rock icons Isis, but since they have disbanded, I am always on the look-out for music that can ably fill that void.
That’s where All Tiny Creatures comes in. The band is the newest creation from Collections of Colonies of Bees and Volcano Choir member Thomas Wincek. Like his jangly work with his previous two outfits, All Tiny Creatures fits into that same mold. Unlike Volcano Choir that featured the vocals (looped or otherwise) of Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon, and Collections of Colonies of Bees that often relied on a looped sample or repeating musical portion, this new effort contains something actually resembling a traditional song structure. Take “Glass Bubbles” for example. This song is the second single release from the band’s forthcoming album Harbors (due March 29), and it features the feathery guitars of Wincek and Andrew Fitspatrick as well as the masked vocals of Ryan Olcott. It is an intriguing mix and it makes me excited to hear their debut album.
All in all, I think I have found a new contender for grading music. And no, this is not an insult. This is just music that comfortably fits in the background and doesn’t require my mind to do somersaults to enjoy it.
You can pre-order Harbors right now via the fine people at Hometapes.
Is there anyone as much of a musical certainty as Justin Vernon? Every single project he is a part of is phenomenal, and this video of Volcano Choir from a couple of weeks ago in Japan is no exception. ”Island, IS” was by far my favorite track from Unmap (and everyone else, I bet) – and this version is flat-out, bowl-you-over fantastic. The band is superb, Vernon’s vocals are dynamic, and it sounds better than it does on the album. I didn’t think it was possible; I was obviously wrong.
Doves write driving songs. I’m not specifically referring to beats, though oftentimes there happen to be a plethora of driving beats moving Doves music along. What I mean is you can imagine the band driving through austere landscapes contemplating all of life’s mysteries as they conceptualize their music. Listen to the titular Kingdom of Rust and see what I mean. Personally, I love listening to Doves as I drive long distances. And perhaps that is part of why the band gets very little mainstream love. They are in it for the long haul, making consistently excellent music, avoiding any gimmicks or shite to get famous and instead focusing on perfecting their craft.
With Kingdom of Rust the band does not stray much from what got them to this point. Stylistically and structurally it is very similar to previous Doves records. To some that may be a detriment, and if I’m being honest, this is not my favorite of their records. Nonetheless, a good Doves album still rates very high on any list I may create, because their pretty good is better than many bests.
Unmap is unconventional. There is an overwhelming sense of creativity prevalent throughout, which lends the notion the authors were just playing music to see where things went. Everyone at this point knows Justin Vernon’s story regarding his moniker Bon Iver and last year’s sublime, For Emma, Forever Ago. Playing along with post rock concern Collections of Colonies of Bees to form Volcano Choir, Vernon is not attempting to follow up his work as Bon Iver in any way. This music does not adhere to a basic structure and truly couldn’t have been done without one of my favorite voices working today. But perhaps he would not have been able to do something like this without CoCoB. And Vernon, along with this record and all those with the opportunity to have heard this record, benefit all the more.
This record is on my list of things to get when I have the time to give it a proper listen. I have had this song bouncing around in my head at various times for the past few months but haven’t had a chance until now to mention it. It has been given plenty of HYPE all over the place so I suppose we appear to be behind the times. But in case you only read our site because we are the best and you despise the writing elsewhere, then here is your chance to be exposed to this tubular song. It features everyone’s favorite cabin-dwelling vocalist Justin Vernon. Look out for his vocals starting around 3:19 or so, that’s my favorite part.
001: Joywave - Ridge/Traveling At The Speed Of Light 7"
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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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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
![All Tiny Creatures Harbors Cover [mp3] Introducing // All Tiny Creatures](http://tympanogram.com/files/All-Tiny-Creatures-Harbors-Cover.jpg "All Tiny Creatures Harbors Cover")
24. Doves – Kingdom of Rust
23. Volcano Choir – Unmap
This record is on my list of things to get when I have the time to give it a proper listen. I have had this song bouncing around in my head at various times for the past few months but haven’t had a chance until now to mention it. It has been given plenty of 
