heavy rotation: a big month for A bands/artists

I'm not sure if you've noticed, but January has been a big month for bands and artists starting with the letter A. My heavy rotation for this month has been dominated by the First Letter of Vowelness, with an easy-to-guess, prestigious act at the very top...



Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavilion
FIVE BREADSTICKS (and sommathat marinara sauce, B)

Indie's consummate example of accessible weirdness has produced a tight record that is astoundingly affecting. The internets are already abuzz with this "audience friendly" release, but I find more merit in the evolution of AC's sound from scrappy campfire obscurity to a cohesive sound that is still worthy of the word "collective". Perhaps most hope that MPP will introduce the more eclectic pop music fans to AC, but beware that "audience friendly" and "tight band sound" are often the precursor full-blown media attention and a fast track to arena-rock stardom. Luckily, those who know enough about the work that AC do can rest assured that it's probably not in the cards.

What I'm enjoying most about this record is how the vocals have been neatly framed by the overall texture Animal Collective has pursued, even hinted at throughout 2007's Strawberry Jam. Listening to the new record back-to-back with their recent live shows in New York (find them at archive.org FREE!) reveals few differences in the amped-up swell of their current pursuit of sound. The days of hissy-tape loop percussion might be over, but rather than trading in their roots for fresh digs, Merriweather Post Pavilion presents moments of clarity where the vocals of Panda Bear and Avey Tare gloriously intertwine above magical soundscapes.

Plus, that album art is bananas.

"My Girls", second track from Merriweather Post Pavilion:




A. C. Newman - Get Guilty
THREE AND A HALF BREADSTICKS

I think what I liked about this record is just how stripped down it sounds - compared to what else is out there, it's always nice to hear some keen songwriting showcased by a band that seems down to earth. I'm sure it only seems that way, but I'll take it. The video below showcases them as a sort of less frantic Arcade Fire. I guess. I'm only good at describing bands by comparing them to other ones.

"Like a Hitman, Like a Dancer", third track from Get Guilty:




Antony and the Johnsons - The Crying Light
FOUR BREADSTICKS

It can be hard to work through music on this level of sensitive intensity, and yet each time I approach Antony's work I barely even notice my guard coming down. Whether as the mouthpiece of DFA-dance giant Hercules and Love Affair or the spell caster at the front of the Johnsons, everything Antony touches seems instantly unforgettable or perhaps dismissed as fluffy trash. You be the judge, I guess.
Antony and the Johnsons on Myspace.