New Cloud Cult - "Chemicals Collide"
Gush time! We've got a thing for Cloud Cult. A BIG thing. When the band came through NYC for a week last April, playing three shows in as many venues, we didn't miss a one. And if you were in town and hip to their classic Advice From The Happy Hippopotamus, you were there, too. Lead Cult man Craig Minowa crafted a song-cycle that synthesized violins with distorted bass, electro-beats with folk fingerpicking, Sunny Day emo guitars with Native American dance chants -- and all while actually saying something, learning to celebrate life in the wake of Craig's two-year old child's death. If it sounds heavy, moving, and entirely awesome ... it is. And if you've never heard it, here's one of our faves:
Cloud Cult - "Living On The Outside Of Your Skin" (MP3)
But this is about the new stuff, and we're proud to premiere the first single from Cloud Cult's The Meaning Of 8, a record that expands on the band's push towards lush, straight-up emotional songs. "Chemicals Collide" was a live fave over that week in April, and it showcases Craig's ability to work a heart-tugging melody out of the simplest of progressions. Check it:
Cloud Cult -"Chemicals Collide" (MP3)
Head here for the track's shroomy video. And for another taste of the new, hit KEXP for a "draft" of the stellar "Take Your Medicine." You can hear more gems from Advice ("What Happens At The End" and "Transistor Radio") at their MySpace. And then you can buy it! (Craig's had enough jobs already!)
The Meaning Of 8 is in stores 4/10, but will be available in less than two weeks if you get it directly from the band site. Why wait?
Enjoy.
Posted at 3:39 PM in MP3
Tags: Cloud Cult
i was there too, y'know:
http://underrated.typepad.com/blog/2006/04/cloud_cult_cros.html
top linking to the same 3 bloggers all the time. jeez.
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I've been watching Cloud Cult for quite some time. I believe they are going to explode soon. It trips me out that a band as purely cool as this can stay under the mainstream radar for so long. That makes me like them even more. I can't wait for the Meaning of 8.
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I've been watching Cloud Cult for quite some time. I believe they are going to explode soon. It trips me out that a band as purely cool as this can stay under the mainstream radar for so long. That makes me like them even more. I can't wait for the Meaning of 8.
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Mmmm Cloud Cult. I'm glad these guys are finally getting some attention.
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this album (aside from the stereogum link) is sounding so good. happy hippopotamus was cool, but it was very lop-sided. it had great songs (here and there.) the meaning of 8 is fucking solid. chalk it up to being a top 2007 album when we're facing 2008. or whatever. or not.
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HOW DO YOU KNOW THE ALBUM IS "FUCKING SOLID"? NO FAIR! CLOUD CULT WEBSITE SAYS IT'S NOT AVAILABLE YET? HOW COME EVERYONE I KNOW IS ALREADY JAMMING OUT TO IT? WHERE DID YOU FIND? I WANT NEW THE CLOUD CULT!!!
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you can see cloud cult's "chemicals collide", shot last year at the knitting factory, nyc by autopilot films on youtube.com under the channel "blakewallington" (one word, no quotes).
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i'm suprised the band hasn't ordered you to take this down yet, as they have with all the other mp3 blogs posting tracks.
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Smokey, we get permission for every song hosted on Stereogum.
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Thanks for this. One day I find out Dolorean is releasing a new LP, the next, Cloud Cult. Happy Hippo is ear delicious.
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these comments smell fishy
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Their new album, Meanig of 8, is available at their website. It is a solid album, 18 songs, 4-5 of wjich I think have a chance of cimbing the charts. Like most albums of this size, it has it's share of lame tracks, but the more I listen, the more I like. I would have to say, however, that Happy Hippo is still my fav. "8" is probably a much more solid album, better engineered, no "cold run," unfinished songs like Hippo, but to me, Hippo had some great stuff.... more later..
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There's something very whimsical about Cloud Cult. It's music for slow days - beautifully crafted and elegantly performed. I was working out with my iPod on shuffle a few hours back when this track trickled on. It was the first time I'd heard it but it's been constant rotation since then. Hope to catch them in New York when next they hit town.
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