Church

So there's this band called Church, not to be confused with 80's and 90's (and, unfortunately, 00's) Australian rock band The Church, or the San Francisco punk band J Church. Just Church. I'm beginning to think bands have stopped trying to come up with decent names. It's become a reflex- SeeSomethingNameSomething. Women. Woods. Yacht. The Field. Church. As artists, aren't you meant to be creative? Adjectives, people!

So back to the music. Church are a Portland indie-pop band, through and through. I heard this song called "Happiness" a year ago, and because their name and obscurity made it difficult to find anything out about them, I gave up. But somehow I recently managed to stumble upon their myspace, and in honour of my great triumph, today I'm posting this "Happiness" song that I heard so long ago. It sounds a lot like Grandaddy, although their other stuff is more akin to The Minus Story or Menomena or something. Basically I just really like this one song. It's on an EP called Gold that came out last year on soHItek.

Church - Happiness

And here's their myspace, for the record.

Score!

Next week sees the release of Score! 20 Years of Merge Records. Much of the music on this label compilation is written by bands of years past, covered by bands of years present. There's plenty to get your mouth watering, with covers by Bill Callahan, Ted Leo, Broken Social Scene, Death Cab, etc. Hot shit indie bands. Now for pre-teens and parents alike!

The song I want to post this evening is a Shins cover of a Tenement Halls song called "Plenty Is Never Enough." I had never heard this song or the Tenement Halls before this release, but if I may judge a song by its cover, then I think the original is worth checking out (and since I'm posting the original video below, you don't have to put in much effort to do so). This is the first Shins release since their last long-player (as far as I know), and it comes out like much of their poppier work (think "Phantom Limb" or their cover of "We Will Become Silhouettes"). It's like a stroll in the park, rolling pastures and ladies in sundresses.

The Shins - Plenty Is Never Enough

As for the original version, it's urgent without the angst. Right up my alley.

Still Flyin'

Still Flyin' should be given honorary Australian residency. They've toured the country twice in two years, they're friends with Architecture in Helsinki, recorded their debut long-player here, and have already released the album in Australia, while all those chumps in the US and Europe have to wait another month to get their hands on it.

Still Flyin' are known to party hearty. They're a fun band, plain and simple, and all of that excitement and life-affirming attitude is put into their music (along with a bunch of slang that I don't fully understand- "hammjamm"?). They don't sing about the tribulations, they sing about the party bus. It's kind of like a mix between Vampire Weekend and Architecture in Helsinki, with the collective properties of Broken Social Scene.

I should mention that the main dude's voice turned me off a little when I first listened to their recorded music, but this band has tons of people singing in it, and the energy and catchiness of it all are well-worth listening to, even if the dude isn't always pitch-perfect. And as I previously mentioned, they put on an insanely entertaining live show.

Here's a track off the forthcoming Never Gonna Touch the Ground. Even if you don't pick up this album, don't miss them live. Fun as hell.

Still Flyin' - The Hottchord is Struck

Camera Obscura

Another new Camera Obscura song:

Camera Obscura - French Navy

2 for 2.

Camera Obscura

Title track off the forthcoming Camera Obscura record. Is it possible to have sex with someone's voice?

Camera Obscura - My Maudlin Career

-Cole

Dr. Dog

As of last week, it appeared that Dr. Dog was playing only one Sydney show, opening for The Black Keys and Gomez. Ticket price: $60. I love Dr. Dog, but that is one rich cheese steak, youknowwhatImean? One quick check on Pollstar this Monday and I come to find they're playing at the Beach Road Hotel. Whaaa? Never heard of it. It turns out to be a three-story club in Bondi. Doesn't matter, because it's FREE.

So Dr. Dog shows up and turns it out. This was the fourth time I've seen the band, and every time I'm amazed at how much musical prowess these guys have. Their albums highlight songwriting and production abilities, but the live setting is where they get to show off their chops. What differed this time around was that they focused almost completely on songs from their latest album, Fate. I'm not saying that's a bad thing, but I love all that Dog MD offers me, and a little "Say Something" or "Pretender" wouldn't have hurt anybody. Much to my delight they did throw in "Oh No" and "Ain't It Strange" though.

Unfortunately for the Dog, the sound wasn't great, the lighting was worse, and a lot of people were there to hang out, not to see a band. It was a lot of beach kids sipping cocktails and chasing tail. I think the band knew this, and they ran through their set in what seemed like double time, cranking out jam after jam. This didn't deter the quality of the songs, as these guys are pros. There just wasn't much fooling around in between. I was hoping to say hi and possibly buy a t-shirt, but the band didn't stick around and weren't selling merch.

All in all it was great to see them live again, as the live setting really shows what an incredible band they are. Toby's songs are always more dominating live than on record, and I'm surprised the guy still has his voice intact. They also get to jam out a bit, which suits their style perfectly, considering the classic rock influences (Scott even looks kind of like Tom Petty, though not as much now that his hair is short). These guys are a really great, fun rock band that should be blowing up the world stage any day now.

-Cole

Christmas Jams 3

Here's Of Montreal's take on Christmas consumerism.

Christmas Isn't Safe For Animals.mp3