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Malcolm Middleton - "Carry Me"
Ex-Arab Strap wordsmith Malcolm Middleton's back with his fifth solo album, Waxing Gibbous. As he puts it, "This is a very self-aware record, which is hard if you're aware that what you're doing may not be any good." Thing is, it is good, especially the standout "Carry Me." We asked him about it.
"Carry Me" has a hopelessness to it, but the character's situation is complicated via your use of humor. What's the story behind it? I suppose "Carry Me" is really an adult's reaction to the failed promises of youth, where we turn a point and realize we've lost our imagination and innocence. It's an autobiographical expressive rant. Watching Roxy Music and Duran Duran videos, Cadbury's Milk Tray adverts on TV ... this is the way I thought life would be when I was seven years old! Musically it's quite circular and descending and I think this creates the nostalgic and familiar mood. Recurring mistakes, leading to positive realizations. It does reek of death and remorse a little bit; our declining society and over-saturated culture. The chorus is the consoling hug thrown in to help things a little.
Premature Evaluation: Beach House - Teen Dream
When we meditated on Victoria Legrand and Alex Scally's gorgeous sophomore album Devotion we had the following to say: [Y]ou can't fall back on Mazzy Star or Galaxie 500 references because they've pushed themselves into their own, unique solar system.... (more)
New Jonathan Boulet Video - "A Community Service Announcement"
This dude's the latest signing to Australia's Modular label, landing with a tidy package of promotional offerings: a catchy, moistly breezy indie-pop debut single that couldn't be better titled for a meet-the-artist track; a subtly arresting/marginally tricked-out video; and a... (more)
New El Guincho - "Antillas (XXXchange Remix)"
When we first heard onetime BTW Pablo Díaz-Reixa, aka El Guincho, we were drawn in by "Antillas," a song we described as "a five-minute bundle of clattering loops and sunny harmonies." It was from the self-released Alegranza!, before he'd signed... (more)
Muse To Headline Coachella 2010?
According to Consequence Of Sound, a previously reliable source pins Muse to the coming year's desert fest headlining slot. Glenn Beck just bought a ticket. The dates are April 16-18. Oh and these Coachella headliner rumors? Needs more Pavement.... (more)
Parents Just Don't Understand Horrorcore
From hardcore to heavy metal to gangsta rap, local TV news teams have long warned parents about the terrifying new sounds rotting teenage brains. This week it's San Fran's KPIX on the horrorcore scene. Not all juggalos are murderers, dad!... (more)
