yuck the 90's

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As we've happily noted here at old waver, there have been plenty of shoegaze and synthpop revivalists of late. Stands to reason that as millennial kids rifle through old record collections, the return of 90's indie rock is also on the way.

London's Yuck have absorbed the likes of Pavement, Dinosaur Jr., Teenage Fanclub, Superchunk and Neutral Milk Hotel to create their own brand of last century nostalgia.

Fronted by 20-year-old Daniel Blumberg, Yuck features a drummer from New Jersey and a bass player from Japan. This motley outfit drops their self titled debut on February 15, and it's already receiving a fair share of good press.

Perfectly paired with fellow youngsters and labelmates Smith Westerns on a U.S. tour, Yuck will win over old folks like myself with their faithful homage to Mascis style shredding and lo-fi Malkmus inspired arrangements.

Check out the video for lead single "Georgia":




"Sunday" shows Yuck's tender side, which would be right at home on TFC's Grand Prix:




"Shook Down" is a slow burner with a crunchy solo to wrap things up:




Finally, album opener "Get Away" is like stepping into a time machine, destination 1992:




Yuck are certainly ones to watch in 2011. Blumberg told Pitchfork when he first heard Pavement "I.. just sort of shat myself." Now he's trying to fill those britches. So to speak.

trail of dead's tao of the dead

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Austin's ...And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead have never been much for restraint. Whether crushing eardrums with double team drummers, smashing instruments with unbridled aggression or bloating arrangements with choirs and strings, they're always shamelessly willing to go for it.

The band's 7th album — second on their own Richter Scale Records imprint — Tao Of The Dead will be released on February 8.

In true Trail Of Dead fashion, it's completely over the top. Billed as a concept album, in the vein of Rush's Hemispheres or Pink Floyd's Dark Side Of The Moon, it's comprised of just two tracks; "Tao Of The Dead Part I: Tao Of The Dead" and "Tao Of The Dead Part II: Strange News From Another Planet."

In truth, 11 seamless songs make up Part I, and Part II is a 15 minute epic containing five distinct movements. Ridiculous, right?

However over thought, it's the most vital they've sounded since 2005's underrated Worlds Apart. Lead single "Summer Of All Dead Souls" effectively sets the tone:




Another standout is the Stones-y "Pure Radio Cosplay":




"Weight Of The Sun (Or, The Post-Modern Prometheus)" is Trail Of Dead at their best, with a hooky vocal melody and a hammering wall of guitars:




Meant to be consumed in one piece, Tao Of The Dead is a definite statement against the digital music age. With its textures, moods and intricacies, it begs to be heard on vinyl in a darkened room with a slack jawed stare.

On a gradual slide since the outstanding Source Tags And Codes, it appears Trail Of Dead are ready to reestablish themselves as modern day prog rock icons. 

the joy formidable ready to roar

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The Welsh trio The Joy Formidable have been gathering momentum in the UK for three years now. Now, singer/guitarist Ritzy Bryan, her boyfriend/bassist Rhydian Dafydd and third wheel/drummer Matt Thomas are ready to break out with debut album The Big Roar, due out in the U.S. in March.

A mix of 90's arena rock, dream pop and swirling shoegaze guitars — with Bryan's powerful pixie voice out front — The Joy Formidable have a pretty astounding crossover appeal.

In 2010, they worked the UK festival circuit appearing at Glastonbury, Reading and Leeds. This spring, they'll undertake a coast-to-coast U.S. tour including stops at SXSW and Coachella.

The Big Roar is a bigger, richer evolution of 2009's mini album A Balloon Called Moaning, which was recorded in Bryan and Dafydd's bedroom. Four of those songs were re-recorded for the proper album, including "Whirring":




The band unintentionally made news back in 2008 when an unofficial video for "Austere" was pulled from YouTube for implied and often creepy depictions of "self gratification":




Try to get those images out of your head with the official video for the epic and explosive "I Don't Want To See You Like This":




With just enough edge to get indie snobs interested and the hooks to get spins on "alternative" radio, The Big Roar should reward The Joy Formidable with a very big 2011.

discodeine takes the edge off

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French duo Discodeine are set to release their debut album next month. Pilooski and Pentile, as they prefer to be known, have been building a resume with remixes of LCD Soundsystem, Mystery Jets and others.

Their self-titled affair is about "club music and intensity, voodoo, chicago house, futuristic disco, jackin' techno, analog basslines, ring modulation, krautdisco, mascarpone and chianti."

As the duo's name, and the video for "Synchronize" featuring Pulp's Jarvis Cocker suggest — it's also about drugs:




"Antiphonie" is a slow build with an eerie harpsichord opening and an ending cacophony of synth leads:




Finally, "Singular" featuring Matias Aguayo is like a slow pour of molasses, further enhanced with a bizarre video cut from the 1959 film Green Mansions:



Now where's that bottle of Robitussin...

gruff rhys' hotel shampoo guest preview

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If you've ever seen the show Hoarders, then you've no doubt wondered aloud why anyone needs thirty years of newspapers or every broken appliance the neighbors have left at the curb.

Seems Super Furry Animals frontman Gruff Rhys had a hoarding compulsion of his own, collecting nearly 15 years worth of hotel freebies from his life on the road. As you can see here, he rid himself of all that baggage — using the shampoo bottles to create an art installation, and using the memories they trigger to inspire the album Hotel Shampoo.

Hotel Shampoo's release is still three weeks away, but several tracks are available to provide a solid look at Rhys' most ambitious solo album yet.

Back in October, "Shark Ridden Waters" was offered up as a free download and gave an early indication of Rhys' evolving psychedelia meets Baroque pop style:




Upcoming single "Sensations In The Dark" introduces horns and some mariachi flavor:




The more straightforward "Conservation Conversation" features some of Rhys' terrific harmonies and vocal interplay:




If you're longing for some good ol' SFA, "Christopher Columbus" is probably the closest you'll get:




For too long, Rhys and his Super Furry Animals have been under appreciated. Odds are, Hotel Shampoo won't make them any more well known — but for those paying attention, Rhys' reputation as a gifted songwriter should lather into a healthy foam.

Need more proof? Here's a chilling acoustic version of "Shark Ridden Waters" on the BBC2 Review Show:

the horrors invade vatican city

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Garage rockers turned shoegaze revivalists The Horrors are expected to return with the follow up to Primary Colours later this year. Until then, lead singer Faris Badwan has focused his energies on a side project with classically trained siren, Rachel Zeffira.

Cat's Eyes will release a debut EP, Broken Glass, in late February, to be followed by a self-titled LP in April.

Back in December, Cat's Eyes performed "I Knew It Was Over" at St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City of all places. Evidently Zeffira had performed there before and got permission to serenade an afternoon mass attended by seven "high-ranking cardinals."

Badwan told NME that "the cardinals were totally into it."

Several friends of the band snuck cameras in past security to capture the footage used in this unusual and effective video:




You can visit the band's website for a free download of "Not A Friend", an equally beautiful track:




Quite a departure for Badwan, who calls Cat's Eyes "something I can do at the same time as The Horrors yet be totally different with."  Different is good, as long as he doesn't forget how to kick out jams like this one:

the radio dept gets passive aggressive

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Sweden's The Radio Dept. have been around for nearly ten years now, with a slew of singles, several EPs and three proper albums. The most recent, Clinging To A Scheme, came in at #7 on our Top 30 Albums of 2010.

Unless you were really into Sophia Coppola's Marie Antoinette, their hazy dream pop has been fairly anonymous outside of Scandinavia — but they are out to remedy that.

Next week, Passive Aggressive: Singles 2002-2010 will be released in hopes of building on the momentum of Clinging To A Scheme.

The first disc is a singles collection, beginning with cuts from 2003's Lesser Matters and ending with this past fall's statement on Swedish politics, "The New Improved Hypocrisy." Disc two is a collection of rarities, many either out-of-print or never before available on CD.

It's a terrific introduction to a band that is starved for recognition. You can hear the evolution from shoegaze to dream pop, and warm to Johan Duncanson's near-whispered vocals.

Here's early single "Where Damage Isn't Already Done":




"The Worst Taste In Music" from Pet Grief sees the addition of synthesizers:




From the Marie Antionette Soundtrack, here's "Pulling Our Weight":




And finally, from Clinging To A Scheme, the reggae influenced "Never Follow Suit":




The Radio Dept. will be appearing at Coachella this April, with more U.S. dates to come. To hear more, check out their acoustic set on the legendary KEXP.

Say hello to your new favorite band.

heaven knows thursdays are miserable

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If ever there was a Smiths song that spoke to me, it's "Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now." Perhaps one of Johnny Marr's jangliest guitar parts paired with some of Morrissey's most depressive lyrics.

Whether on album, live or lip-synced on Top Of The Pops, it's a powerful song that resonates equally for the working class, lovelorn or hopelessly pubescent.

Here's hoping it helps get you through your Thursday.

coachella lineup announced

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April 15-17 out in the California desert, the 12th annual Coachella Music And Arts Festival will take place. As an attendee in '05 and '07, I can attest that it's every bit the musical pilgrimage it's made out to be.

This year, while somewhat lacking the "holy crap, they're back together?!" element, Coachella presents a pretty deep and intriguing lineup. Here's a day-by-day look at what rattles this old waver's cage:


Friday, April 15

The Black Keys:
After being chided for snubbing Brothers on our year-end list, I'm warming up to the two-man blues. 

Interpol:
While not a huge fan of the self-titled album, they are consistently good live.

The Chemical Brothers:
Late night sets in the Sahara Tent are always a scene.

Crystal Castles:
Too bad Robert Smith won't be hanging around the polo grounds.

Cut Copy:
This set could be the most fun of the entire weekend.

Sleigh Bells:
You need to see what all they hype is about, right?



Also of note; Warpaint, Tame Impala, Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti, !!!, The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart, Kele, Klaxons, Cold Cave, The Drums, The Morning Benders, Glasser, Moving Units and Hurts.


Saturday, April 16

Arcade Fire:
However overwrought, those Canadian kids put on a hell of a performance.

Animal Collective:
Count me among those who don't get it, but if ever there was a time to "get it" this would be it. 

Big Audio Dynamite:
Would be worth it just to say you've seen Mick Jones. 

The Kills:
After jacking around with Jack White in The Dead Weather, it's nice to see Alison Mosshart get back to her day job. 

The London Suede:
Are you serious? Awesome!

Also of note; Broken Social Scene, The New Pornographers, Elbow, Two Door Cinema Club, Foals, The Tallest Man On Earth, Cults, The Radio Dept., Yacht, Wire and Gayngs.


Sunday, April 17

The Strokes:
The new album will be out by then.. we'll see if it's a return to form.

Duran Duran:
The new material is excellent and the classics should sound as good as ever.

The National:
Another one that deserves attention based on reputation.

Death From Above 1979:
Don't know if they'll have anything new, but go back and listen to You're a Woman, I'm a Machine - it holds up.

Chromeo:
Hilarious and funky, with the songs to get you moving - even if you don't feel like it.

Also of note; Ratatat, The Presets, Leftfield, Best Coast, She Wants Revenge, HEALTH, CSS, Yelle, Delorean, Twin Shadow and Menomena.


Coachella is a bitch to get to, and no cheap ticket, but it's worth doing once in your life. Although pretty strong, maybe this isn't the year. I'm holding out for The Smiths, Stone Roses and Cocteau Twins. A man can dream..

album leak: peer through cut copy's zonoscope

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It's not due for release in the states until February 8, but the highly anticipated 3rd album from Aussie synthpop gods Cut Copy, Zonoscope, has sprung a leak.

Previously, the band released "Where I'm Going" and "Take Me Over" — as well as a more dancefloor friendly remix of the latter.

While the preview singles hinted at a significant departure from the pulsating gloriousness of In Ghost Colours, a quick listen of Zonoscope reveals a bit of bait and switch. It is a more down tempo album with stylistic nods to krautrock, however it does maintain Cut Copy's trademark electronic textures and slow sonic builds.

The track that probably would be most at home on In Ghost Colours is "Pharaohs & Pyramids":




Certainly no "Hearts On Fire", "Hanging Onto Every Heartbeat" does have a sweet and insistent chorus:




"Blink And You'll Miss A Revolution" is maybe a little too heavy on the falsetto, but it's got the album's funkiest bassline:




The most varied track, and my early favorite, is the Kraftwerk inspired "Corner Of The Sky":




Cut Copy are about to embark on a world tour in support of Zonoscope, including stops at Miami's Ultra Music Festival and Coachella.

Now with three exceptional albums to cull material and a presumably more high budget light show, Cut Copy's already fantastic live show will be unstoppable. Buy your tickets now or regret it later.

pneumonia claims broadcast's trish keenan

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After a two week fight, Trish Keenan, lead singer of UK group Broadcast, passed away today due to complications from pneumonia.

Warp Records released this statement earlier this morning:

"It is with great sadness we announce that Trish Keenan from Broadcast passed away at 9am this morning in hospital. She died from complications with pneumonia after battling the illness for two weeks in intensive care.

Our thoughts go out to James, Martin, her friends and her family and we request that the public respect their wishes for privacy at this time.

This is an untimely tragic loss and we will miss Trish dearly – a unique voice, an extraordinary talent and a beautiful human being. Rest in Peace."

As reported by Stereogum, a Facebook post yesterday by a woman claiming to be Keenan's sister told fans that Keenan had contracted H1N1 flu while on tour in Australia.

Formed in the mid 90's, Broadcast only released three full length albums; 2000's The Noise Made By People, 2003's Haha Sound and 2005's Tender Buttons. Often compared to Stereolab, Broadcast had a less kitschy, more experimental approach.

From their debut album, here's "Come On Let's Go":




And from Tender Buttons, the eerie video for the album's title track:




We'll be spinning The Noise Made By People today in her memory. Rest in peace.

take a peek at white lies' ritual

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London's White Lies arrived with some fanfare back in 2009 with To Lose My Life debuting at #1 on the UK album chart. They didn't make that much of a dent in the US, but some headway was made with an NME sponsored North American tour with Friendly Fires, as well as appearances at Coachella, Lollapalooza and South By Southwest.

Often compared to Interpol and Editors, White Lies were earnest if generic. Sort of an English version of Neon Trees.

Next week they return with sophomore release Ritual. With a bigger budget and more to prove, it's a stylistic leap from To Lose My Life. Gone are the disco basslines and the arrangements are now significantly more synth heavy.

Frontman Harry McVeigh still goes for the dramatic though, as you can see on album opener "Is Love":




The improved production is evident with the layered sound and impressive heights of "Holy Ghost":




"Turn The Bells" might be the most ambitious track on the album. It's interesting despite being a little heavy handed:




Released in November, the album's first single was "Bigger Than Us." As you can see here, and we mentioned back then, the video is senselessly strange:




While probably too expected for some, Ritual should certainly raise the profile of White Lies here in the states. Who knows, maybe they'll even get to live the Kings Of Leon crossover dream.