CD Review: Interpol by Interpol

I’ve avoided all reviews of Interpol, Interpol’s fourth CD. I needed to listen alone and without another person’s preconceived notions, as Interpol has remained a favorite band of mine. Even if Interpol were a disaster, they’d remain a favorite, but I can say the CD is as sumptuous as their previous work (I thought Our Love to Admire was brilliant too).

There’s huge sorrow in these songs. That the first Interpol single was “Barricade” (I would not just leave you without a kiss/ But I guess there must come a time/ When there’s no more tears to cry/ Thieves and snakes need homes, need homes) sets you up for the connective themes of loss and failure. “Always Malaise” carries this too. You think it might be a song about becoming a better person, but that attempt just causes discomfort. “Safe Without” begins with (I’m not the hero out the gate) and “Memory Serves” recalls abuse (It would be no price to pay/ Hit me again) and “Success” constructs the fear of exposure within the water theme singer/writer Paul Banks excels at (What safety can you find?/ If the sea was that strong). I think my favorite tracks might be “Try it On” with its lovely piano and “All of the Ways”. “Try it On” is probably the most romantic one on the album, even so, it’s strangely defeatist (I’ll put my keys back/ There’s no change/ And nowhere to stay).

The CD ends with “The Undoing,” which turns out to be a song of survival. Interpol’s songs, with their graceful guitars, have a great balance to them.

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Interpol Interpol (Matador Records)

CD Review: Tearing Down Paisley Garden by the Purrs

I said one time that the Purrs’ music loves you. And it does love you, it really does. It’s the kind of love that just makes you feel really good. The band’s 2010 release, Tearing Down Paisley Garden, marks ten years of the Purrs as a fantastic band, a quartet who have maintained their integral ambience and strength.

Tearing Down Paisley Garden brings in the swarming psychedelic circles in its guitars for a dreamy set of seven songs. “Just a Little More” (who are you to bring me down?) and “Only Dreaming” especially recall a genuine respect for and ability in this genre. Stepping past the psychedelic stamp – because I just don’t know if the band is tired of this classification or not – “It Could Be So Wonderful” (my favorite) verges into spectacular Stone Roses territory, and “Pie in the Sky,” with its title track lyrics manages to fire up a room (I never feel good/no matter how many clothes I buy).

The Purrs are distinctive, no matter how I want to make comparisons just so I can give you an idea of what they sound like. I know them when I hear them; I happily recognize singer Jima’s voice and how the guitars join in their emotions. Congratulations to the Purrs for remaining a Seattle wonder.

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Tearing Down Paisley Garden – the Purrs

Interview: Antoine Hilaire of Jamaica

France’s Jamaica, a duo made up of Antoine Hilaire and Florent Lyonnet released their debut LP No Problem just this year. Hilaire (guitar/vocals) and Lyonett (bass/vocals) offer traditional, string driven pop music of clarity. There are no synths to dirty the waters here. You can hear evidence of this on their MySpace – I’d point to “Short and Entertaining” and “I Think I Like U 2” as good examples of what I am talking about. They call back to the ’70s and ’80s in energetic and positive ways. I got to ask Antoine Hilaire a few questions about the band and the video for “I Think I Like U 2,” which (kind of) tells Jamaica’s story.

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JamaicaHilaire, left & Lyonnet, right – photo by So Me

How did you two meet?

Antoine Hilaire: We met a party, thanks to our ex-girlfriends. We were really different but went further than the differences and became friends quite quickly.

You mentioned liking Two Door Cinema Club in an interview. What do you like about them?

A.H.: First, they took as an opening act for a really cool tour. They’re writing good songs and they’re young and successful, what’s not to like about them? Also we have to make amends for disqualifying their soccer team en route to the World Cup.

You also mentioned listening to 10CC before shows in an interview on YouTube. How underrated is that band?

A.H.: They’re probably known only for “I’m Not In Love” but they wrote tons of great music. They’ll be forgotten in history books because they lasted too long and put a lot of humour in their career. We open the concerts with “Dreadlock Holiday” because of the line “I don’t like reggae, I love it”.

What changes do you have to make in many of your songs for live shows?

A.H: They’re obviously more raw live since we can’t bring 20 musicians to play the whole thing. We stick to the production of the record but with more rock to it. Also, we made some of them longer because our album being only 37 minutes, you have to find tricks to last longer.

How did you get Igor Cavalera in the video for “Short and Entertaining”?

A.H.: We met him once or twice with his wife, they have a band together called MixHell. They’re the sweetest people and the directors, Jeremie Rozan and Martial Schmeltz are friends with them. It seemed natural to invite Igor for the metal oriented video we were doing. The extras were freaking out, they even liked our music in the end.

In what ways is Jamaica different from other popular French music?

A.H.: What people know about French music is mostly electro, besides Phoenix, and we play rock music. Also, I think we made a record that doesn’t sound like anyone, French or not.

Does Jamaica get mistaken for an American band, and is that okay with you?

A.H.: It’s a hidden compliment about the vocals, so I’m pretty happy with it. I took a great care in making sure the lyrics worked, helped with our producer Peter J. Franco. I think it also refers to the guitar driven pop music we’re playing, so we can’t hide the truth: we’ve indeed listened to a lot of US bands. Some people said it sounded like Weezer on testosterone, in a bad way. I liked that, haha.

How did the Breakbot remix of I Think I Like U 2 come about?

A.H.: We called him and asked to make it really quickly without getting paid. He said yes because he’s the nicest guy on Earth and we look a bit alike.

About the photos from your childhood on your facebook and in the video for “I Think I Like U2” . . . How old are you in the pix? Do you remember having them taken?

A.H.: I think I was 4 and Flo 6 on these pictures. I don’t remember anything before my 18th birthday, I have a really strange memory. But I do remember the sweater on it, it itched a lot. And my father used to cut my hair himself, I think it shows.

What are three of your favorite bands from the 80s and 70s? Why?

A.H.: We love Todd Rundgren because he’s an underrated genius, The Police because they were so slick and I’m really into Led Zeppelin these days, it helps me wanting to play bad ass before going on stage. More ’70s than ’80s definitely. Though, I don’t know why, all the new material I’m writing sound a bit like The Smiths.

You chose to write your lyrics in English – why? Would you do them in French?

A.H.: I don’t know how to write in French. I’ve tried many times but English is easier when it comes to punchlines and efficiency. French is more biased, plus it really doesn’t match high energy rock, unless you want to deliver a social message it seems. I’d add that I sing lower in French than in English, so it’s easier for me to spit the words out in Shakespearean language.

You opted not to use synths – how many instruments did this mean you two had to play on No Problem?

A.H.: Drums are programmed by Xavier, cymbals and hi hats are played by our live drummer David Aknin, Bent from the Belgian band Das Pop played epinet, Flo played bass and sung backing vocals and I played guitar, sung and added some piano and Wurlitzer.

What was the inspiration for “When Do You Wanna Stop Working?”?

A.H.: It’s the story of being harassed by work acquaintances or just people you barely know about their love life, their issues, etc. without caring at all. Everybody got a job with people trying to make friends, or just unloading all their stories in front of the coffee machine. It reminded Flo and I that we had to leave our day jobs to commit 100% to music.

What hobbies do you have?

A.H.: I’m a basketball and soccer newborn nerd and Flo rides bikes. The dangerous ones, without brakes.

On your facebook you list genre as Take That. Are you a fan of Take That?

A.H.: It was a joke about the guitar sound and violins on “Gentleman”, I probably opened the facebook page at the time we were making it. It can also refer to “Eat This”.

Which element of the “I Think I Like U 2” video would you like to see happen (more than any others)?

A.H.: The Billboard #1 must be sweet. We are grounded enough to see that happen and not freak out, I solemnly promise the industry.

(Photos and Review) KISW Holiday Hangover Le-Ball-Ski @Showbox Sodo

HellYeah

I had the gracious opportunity to shoot KISW’s annual Christmas show titled KISW Holiday Hangover Le-Ball-Ski, which took place at the Showbox Sodo. This year the station went balls to the wall and had a theme based on the 1998 Coen brothers film The Big Lebowski, with many of the station jocks dressed as characters from the film and reenacting scenes during each introduction for the three bands on the bill.

Heavy metal supergroup HellYeah was the headliner act and they didn’t disappoint the extremely packed audience of metalheads that came to se the likes of members from groups like MuDvAyNe and Pantera. Things got really crazy when a fan started throwing Reese’s peanut butter cups into the photo pit. Other bands included “Hail the Villain” from Toronto and Seattle’s “Wratchethead” featuring none other than Michael Wilton of Queensryche.

Overall this show was a madhouse, and Hail the Villain really surprised me as the lead singer’s stage antics and high energy reminded me of Andrew W.K..

To see more, check out the following galleries:

HellYeah

Hail The Villian

Wratchethead

KISW Holiday Hangover Le-Ball-Ski

By: Xander Deccio

BJ Shea

Vicky Barcelona

Mono Nick

The Rev. Enfuego

The BJ Shea Morning Experience

KISW Mens Room

KISW Mens Room

Ryan Castle

Ryan Castle as “The Jesus”

Jolene

Jolene

Wratchethead

Wratchethead

Wratchethead

Wratchethead

Wratchethead

Wratchethead

Wratchethead

Hail The Villain

Hail The Villain

Hail The Villain

Hail The Villain

Hail The Villain

Hail The Villain

Hail the Villian

Go-Go Dancers

Go-Go Dancers

KISW Rock Girl

KISW Rock Girl

KISW Rock Girl

Go-Go Dancers and Rock Girls

HellYeah

HellYeah

HellYeah

HellYeah

HellYeah

HellYeah

HellYeah

HellYeah