After searching within the depths of the music blogosphere, it looks like I’m a bit late writing about this indiepop band. I suppose my laziness is partially to blame as I’ve been listening to these guys for the past month or so. For the benefit of the peeps who don’t know, This Is Ivy League is a New York duo of Ryland Blackinton and Alex Suarez hell bent on ushering in a summer of blowing bubbles, croquet in the park and patting small children on the head.

If you enjoy bands like Camera Obscura or Pas/Cal, chances are you’ll dig this album. There seems to be a song for any occasion - the strum and jangle of ‘London Bridges’ is perfect for a tandem bike ride, while the lovely acoustic (and my favorite) ‘Viola’ is great for sipping a cup of tea indoors on a rainy Sunday.

TIIL seems to be one of those bands thats on the cusp of making it big, but they just need one of their songs to be featured on a cell phone or car commercial and they’ve got it made in the summer shade.

4/5

 

 This Is Ivy League - The Richest Kids: Play Now

Video for ‘London Bridges’

whoa..

MUTO a wall-painted animation by BLU from blu on Vimeo.

I don’t know of anyone out there is like me, but when I really like a song I’ll play it on repeat until I can’t stands it no more. The same applies to certain aspects of songs. It may be a 10 second hand clap or a kick ass guitar solo that makes me wheel the track back so I can listen to it over and over. Here are 4 of current my faves:

The Radio Dept. - Pet Grief: I love how this track just ends in a burst of different instruments…or synthstruments.

Oasis - It’s Gettin’ Better (Man!): My favorite track on perhaps their most under rated album “Be Here Now’. If this outro doesn’t want to make you play air guitar, you have no rock n’ roll in your soul.

Super Furry Animals - Sex, War and Robots: Country twang with an orchestral backing. What’s not to love?

Tokyo Police Club - In A Cave: I loves me some hand claps.

 

 Radio Dept.: Play Now

 

 Oasis: Play Now

 

 Super Furry Animals: Play Now

 

 Tokyo Police Club: Play Now

(Toronto) Really, this show was a maybe for me, but when Rickys’ friend had an extra ticket, it became a must see.

We got there in time to hear the opener, The Mobius Band. I felt bad when they took the stage and started playing because they essentially played in the dark. The low mood that was used to illuminate the slew of instruments on stage as people entered the Phoenix, also served as performance lights for the Mobius Band. Needless to say, seeing them live didn’t want me open up iTunes to listen to them again. Bring on the Black Kids.

Since they formed in Jacksonville, Florida two years ago, Black Kids have:

-Got press in NME after performing at the Athens Popfest
-Released an EP for free download
-Got a ‘Best New Music commendation and an 8.4 from Pitchfork
-Signed with Quest Management (who manages Bjork and Arcade Fire)
-Named one of the best new bands of 2008 from Rolling Stone
-Recorded their first full length, Partie Traumatic with Bernard Butler form Suede
-I’m Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance With You debuted at #11 in the UK.

So yah, they are riding some momentum into this year for sure. I guess the most obvious thing that I was interested in seeing was if they were actually Black or not. Upon them taking the stage I found out that the Black Kids are two-fifths black. The five-member ensemble took the stage in the usual American Apparel hoodies and T’s and reminded me, visually at least, of The Go Team! As for their sound, they have some catchy, dance tunes that I am sure will be re-mixed and released in the coming months.

Their stand out single “I’m Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance With You” was the highlight of the show for sure. If you are a band and you are selling a t-shirt with the title of one of your songs on it, it had better be a good tune. Songs that I hadn’t heard, such as I Wanna Be Your Limousine and Look At Me When I Rock Wichoo (it is really spelled that way too) were pleasant surprises that were not included on there downloadable EP earlier this year.

Apparently at their live show, their front man, Reggie Youngblood, starts every song with “Hey Toronto…” I’m not too sure how they are going to feel about this in Boston on May 12th. Maybe he thought we in attendance couldn’t remember where we were? I hate that shout out shit that bands do.

Ricky made a good comparison on the way home that they seem to be on the same track as Vampire Weekend. The lead singer has a unique sound, they are fun, and they are getting lots of press. They’ll be back in the coming months for a headlining show, guarantee.

Overall, a good show. When they come back, I want them to be louder with more energy.

After Black Kids, Cold Cut went on. If you saw them and want to leave a note about their contribution to the evening, please do.

 

 Black Kids - I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance With You: Play Now

Toronto - If you have followed this blog, you will know that I have been following this Hadouken! band for awhile now. I first discovered them sometime ago while hitting up their singles ‘Liquid Lives’ and ‘Tuning In’/ Well, after the inevitable one year delay between discovery and actual cd coming into production, the Leeds band finally puts out their debut LP - Music For An Accelerated Culture. It came out Tuesday.

One thing is for certain, the title is definitely appropriate for album. From the opening beat of ‘Get Smashed Gate Crash’ to the closing sounds of ‘Wait For You’, this is one album that does not take its foot off the gas pedal. Incorporating dance beats over some electro bleeps with James Smith spitting semi-rap semi singing vocals, Hadouken! takes what works off their singles and layers them over the entire album. Unfortunately, as we all have discovered in the past few years - a few good singles does not really translate into a good album and I think this is the case.

I found that a lot of the songs sound pretty much the same, and a whole 11 song onslaught of nu-ravey music is too much for my taking. There are some good tracks (’Declaration of War’ is awesome), but I didn’t really find enough variation between the tracks to keep me interested for the entire album which only clocks in at 36 minutes. I guess in the end it just sounded like noise to me. However, if you are a 19 year old neon wearing hipster from the burbs or enrolled in new media arts college, this might be perfect for you.

2/5

Anyways, here is a single of theres that was on Kitsune compilation

 

 Hadouken! - Tuning In (H! Re-Rub remix): Play Now

Toronto - So yeah, we did another podcast. Sorry for the crappy quality with the skype call to Vik, I will try to perfect it next time. Here are the songs featured on the podcast. We only had one mic this time too.

1. Hercules and Love Affair - Hercules Theme
2. Ladytron - I’m Not Scared
3. She and Him - This is Not a Test
4. Two Hours Traffic - Jezebel

Enjoy.

We’ll be more organized next time.

 

 Panic Manual Podcast: Play Now