If you were looking to score a gritty post-apocalyptic movie full of dusty anti-heroes, the Indiana-based Murder by Death would be a good choice. In fact, author Jeff Vandermeer seemed to have that very idea when he approached the band to provide an accompaniment to his up-coming science fiction novel Finch. The project is a natural extension of the band's loose concept albums which often include instrumental bridges between tracks.
Aside from sweeping instrumentals, the average Murder by Death song combines jangly punk guitar riffs with the smooth cello bass lines, topped off by Adam Turla's gravely vocals. Despite frequent horror genre references in album titles and song content, the band includes enough of a alt-country influence to completely avoid the goth genre. It's an interesting high wire act of sound that has become more cohesive and listenable over time. In terms of songwriting, the lyrics are considerably sophisticated using allusion and word play to good advantage.
Off 2008's Red of Tooth and Claw:
All four of Murder by Death's albums are available from Amazon in MP3 and other formats. The band's site also includes merchandise. The instrumental score to Finch is currently available for listening and purchase through BandCamp.
Showing posts with label alternative. Show all posts
Showing posts with label alternative. Show all posts
Monday, October 5, 2009
Monday, May 18, 2009
Rasputina
There's a fine line between obscure and niche, and Rasputina might cross that line. After all, "cello rock" isn't exactly a genre that has received wide play. Yet through some not entirely obvious connections, Rasputina could be the most popular cello rock band in existence. Though Melora Creager toured with Nirvana, a single off their first album was remixed by Marylin Manson, and the band has opened for such artists as Manson and Porno for Pyros, Rasputina maintains a decidedly Victorian/steampunk/goth edge. Even Creager's lyric and vocal have a demure, yet subversive tone. Her song writing isn't afraid to touch on history and every album has one dryly humorous spoken track that mirrors Creager's concert banter.
"Transylvanian Concubine" from 1996's Thanks for the Ether:
Rasputina's first album, Thanks for the Ether, was released by Columbia Records in 1996, five years after the band formed. Columbia released How We Quit the Forest, their second effort, as well. Chris Vrenna of Nine Inch Nails joined them as drummer and producer on this second album, leading to slightly harder, distorted sound. Neither was particularly appealing to a wide audience. The band's next two albums would be released on Instinct Records and 2007's Oh Perilous World was released independently. All albums are currently available through Amazon.com as downloads and selectively in other formats.
"Transylvanian Concubine" from 1996's Thanks for the Ether:
Rasputina's first album, Thanks for the Ether, was released by Columbia Records in 1996, five years after the band formed. Columbia released How We Quit the Forest, their second effort, as well. Chris Vrenna of Nine Inch Nails joined them as drummer and producer on this second album, leading to slightly harder, distorted sound. Neither was particularly appealing to a wide audience. The band's next two albums would be released on Instinct Records and 2007's Oh Perilous World was released independently. All albums are currently available through Amazon.com as downloads and selectively in other formats.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Transister
The 90s did not lack for female-lead alternative bands. Garbage, Curve, Poe, Elastica, The Breeders and Veruca Salt come to mind with very little effort expended. In 1997-98, a vigilant music buyer might have noticed a CD by another such band, Transister, featured at the listening stations of Best Buy and other such stores.
Formed in late 1995 by three music industry veterans, Transister has much of what makes these bands appealing: a female vocalist as the foil to harder-edged music. Keely Hawkes is talented at using the voice she has, and Eric Pressly's writing is a cut above average with sly, clever lyrics. On the whole, the band's one eponymous album (released in 1997) is very consistent but never boring. Each song has a very distinct and complex sound.
"Falling Off the World" from the album Transister (1997):
Interscope/Virgin records took interest and released the album Transister after several self-produced tracks gained attention on KCRW in Santa Monica. Despite this initial popularity and inclusion on several movie soundtracks, Transister never hit it big. The group produced one official music video. While the song is a personal favorite, it does not do justice to the range of sounds that is presented on the album:
Transister is currently out of print and not being offered in digital form, but is available new used through various channels. While the members of the band have gone on to pursue other projects, Transister's MySpace has been updated in the recent past and includes some remixes and promises of rare tracks.
Formed in late 1995 by three music industry veterans, Transister has much of what makes these bands appealing: a female vocalist as the foil to harder-edged music. Keely Hawkes is talented at using the voice she has, and Eric Pressly's writing is a cut above average with sly, clever lyrics. On the whole, the band's one eponymous album (released in 1997) is very consistent but never boring. Each song has a very distinct and complex sound.
"Falling Off the World" from the album Transister (1997):
Interscope/Virgin records took interest and released the album Transister after several self-produced tracks gained attention on KCRW in Santa Monica. Despite this initial popularity and inclusion on several movie soundtracks, Transister never hit it big. The group produced one official music video. While the song is a personal favorite, it does not do justice to the range of sounds that is presented on the album:
Transister is currently out of print and not being offered in digital form, but is available new used through various channels. While the members of the band have gone on to pursue other projects, Transister's MySpace has been updated in the recent past and includes some remixes and promises of rare tracks.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Judybats
During the popularity of alternative music in the late 80s and early 90s, Judybats may have been overshadowed by the likes of Toad the Wet Sprocket and R.E.M., but they had something their peers often lacked: bite. Under the sprawling guitars and tight harmonies are lyrics with a healthy dose of satire and irony. How many bands can get away with a song entitled "Intense Beige" or the lyrics to "Ugly on the Outside"? Their most noted track is "Being Simple":
Judybats produced four albums in the early 90s for Warner Bros and was disbanded in 1995 by lead singer Jeff Heiskell. The band was reformed in 2000 for the album 2000 and the EP Six Pack of Tracks. Heiskell and other band members have since gone on to other projects. Recently, Native Son, the band's first album, was re-released by Wounded Bird Records and is currently easily available in CD form. The other albums can be found used through multiple sellers.
Judybats produced four albums in the early 90s for Warner Bros and was disbanded in 1995 by lead singer Jeff Heiskell. The band was reformed in 2000 for the album 2000 and the EP Six Pack of Tracks. Heiskell and other band members have since gone on to other projects. Recently, Native Son, the band's first album, was re-released by Wounded Bird Records and is currently easily available in CD form. The other albums can be found used through multiple sellers.
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