Song #91: Die! Die! Die! - "We Built Our Own Oppressors"

Fuck yeah. Die! Die! Die! are back to fuck shit up. Anyone who's seen these three live know exactly what I'm talking about - they're an insane joy to watch. Their recorded material, whilst good, has nevertheless always seemed to lack the awesome spastic energy of their live gigs. We Built Our Own Oppressors is already awesome on the basis that it translates the ferocious live sound arguably better than any other of their recorded tracks. Complete with flurrying drums, thick bassline snarls and even a few "WOO!"s thrown in there, it's a song with palpable energy. What else can you say really? This rules.

FINAL RATING (/10): 8.5

Also, check out the awesome video! It was filmed on top of a building they broke into :D

x
David

Song #56: A Place to Bury Strangers - "It Is Nothing"

I write for a site called The AU Review, who have a pretty good relationship with a cool little venue called the Oxford Art Factory on Oxford St. in Sydney. Out of a list of upcoming shows they are promoting, this one in particular took my interest. I have continuously heard the name A Place To Bury Strangers thrown around, but I had no idea what to expect. Nevertheless, I put my name down and I downloaded their latest album, Exploding Head.

It is Nothing is the first track on the record, and it's a fairly good indication of what Strangers are all about. It's quick, trashy, messy and loud as fuck. You'll feel the need to wear earplugs just listening to this fucking record. If Dave Davies from The Kinks ripped a hole in his amp speaker and put a pin in, guitarist Oliver Ackermann may as well have sliced his entire amp in half. This take-no-prisoners affair is soaked in reverb, distortion and pure noise. It will throw you off guard on the first few listens, but it ultimately proves to be one of the best tracks on the entire album.

FINAL RATING (/10): 8

The band are in Australia next month. Get on it.

x

David

Song #34: Asobi Seksu - "In the Sky"

Before we begin, some self-indulgent, name-dropping wankery: What a weekend!!!! Back from Slopfrenzy, which turned out to be deadset insane - I spent most of today sightseeing in Sydney with fucking Micachu and the Shapes. I can't even begin to describe how weird that shit was, man. But it was so great! I also met the wonderful humans from Ponytail, as well as JD Samson from Le Tigre and her girlfriend...who happens to be Sia friggin Furler. What a weekend.

No rest for the wicked, let's get on with the goddamn listening. Today, we've got a band from the states called Asobi Seksu. I believe their name is something really naughty in Japanese, but I can't remember. It doesn't matter. They made an album a few years' back called Citrus. It had two amazing songs in particular - New Years and Thursday. Haven't heard much from them since, so it's good to know they're still kicking around - they released an album in 2009 entitled Hush, and I'm finally getting around to taking a listen to some of the tracks.

Yuki Chikudate still unquestionably has a wonderful set of pipes about her. The notes she can soar to are done flawlessly and really engage you as a listener - if you're to take anything away from this song, chances are this will be it. The song itself, in comparison, takes a little longer to find its wings. It's a shift into dream-pop territory, with direction towards the capital city made exceptionally clear. Lovely, yes. Interesting? Not nearly as much as previously. Even still, there's a few wonderful sounding parts (particular the synth outro that will trip your speakers out something chronic), and if you were a fan of the band previously then you're almost certain to develop enjoyment of this over time.

FINAL RATING (/10): 6.5

It's no New Years, that's for sure. Try that song for those of you uninitiated with the band. Regardless, we've got a pretty nice little track on our hands here. Big ups this time go to Stereo Jealousy.

x
David