Stereogum X Amazon MP3 Friendly Deals #8: Gang Gang Dance's Saint Dymphna
Every week, Amazon.com lets us select one recent release from its MP3 store to go on super sale (up to 75% off normal prices). Hopefully you'll be able to add these must-own LPs to your library without breaking your budget.
We like just about everything Gang Gang Dance has done, though before this year, 2005's God's Money made us rave the most. The EP teasers that came in its wake were exciting, but they did ultimately feel like teasers, and not a jump to something else equally transcendent. Enter their excellent new album Saint Dymphna. It's not as sprawling as some of GGD's earlier work (which often reminded of some giant rhythmic centipede or a kind of real-time collage), Lizzi Bougatsos's vocal parts are often more obviously catchy or contained and less free-range, and there's more variation between tracks (as well as guest rapper Tinchy Stryder, which makes sense, considering we've often though of keyboardist/remixer/etc. Brian DeGraw as some kinda avant Timbaland), but it works separately (there are true pop nuggets) and as a twisting-turning/percussive/spaced-out whole. The record builds from what they were doing in the past and then clarifies and tightens. Meaning: Dymphna should satisfy fans of the old and draw in people who'd been looking for more easily recognizable song structures in the past.
GGD have always been masterful in concocting weirdo dance music (techno colliding with dub and drone, MBV smearing into Gamelan, Eno, and Punjabi music). This time around the party's a bit less out there, but all those ingredients remain and the trio maintain their unique approach to compositional deconstruction. Saint Dymphna captures Gang Gang marking a shift toward pop while remaining excellently weird. Check new signature track "House Jam," with vocalist/percussionist Lizzie Bougatsos coming like Diamanda Galas doing Madonna for Sublime Frequencies. One of our favorite albums of the year by one of the most exciting bands working. (Also, they kick ass live.)
Today we're making Saint Dymphna available at Amazon MP3 for the price of $3.99. Here's a start:
Gang Gang Dance - "House Jam (MP3)
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Help us make great albums available at low prices by suggesting future Friendly Deal selections in the comments.
Posted at 10:24 AM in Friendly Deals
Tags: Gang Gang Dance
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How about Slint? anything?
Score = 1
more like gag gag dance.
Score = -5
Nothing against Gang Gang Dance, but I saw them open for of Montreal a few months ago and I was not impressed. I thought this feature was supposed to focus on "classic" albums.
Score = 2
I stated the same thing in last week's post, but the deals now only apply to recent releases. While last week's post was worth the purchase price, this one is not! Here are a few suggestions for recent release deals:
Arcade Fire- Funeral
Frightened Rabbit- The Midnight Organ Fight
Atlas Sound- Let the Blind Lead Those Who Can See But Cannot Feel
Abe Vigoda- Skeleton
The Walkmen- You & Me
Deerhunter- Cryptograms
LCD Soundsystem- Sound of Silver
Yo La Tengo- I Am Not Afraid of You and I Will Beat Your Ass
Boris- Pink
Score = 7
Ten years from now this WILL be a classic album.
Score = 0
A few of these bands would be fun:
CAN - Ege Bamyasi
DEERHOOF - (any)
BECK - Odelay (deluxe version)
MASSIVE ATTACK - Mezzanine
SUFJAN STEVENS - Seven Swans
Score = 2
I truely appreciate these offers but wish the friendly deals would get back to focusing on "classic" albums. Thanks for all the offering so far!
Score = -1
What the heck is going on in these comments?
Saint Dymphna is a really good album.
Score = 2
I second the Walkmen.
Score = 1
I like the idea of featuring some of the records found on your "Heavy Rotation" section. I see Gang Gang Dance is on there, so maybe this is what you have decided as well.
Some records I see on there now that could make good Friendly Deals:
Lampchop
The Walkmen
Deerhunter
Ra Ra Riot
Of Montreal
Wolf Parade
Just some quick references and ideas.
Score = 3
the thing about gang gang dance is it can be overwhelming in the first listen. i personally put this on my ipod, listened to it once and then it was a long while after where i gave it another chance and im glad i did its a great record. i third the walkmen comment too...that record is indie in ever sense of the word to me
Score = 0