Vetiver and Fruit Bats Do Yours Truly

Vetiver & Fruit Bats from Yours Truly on Vimeo.

[mp3] The Fruit Bats: "The Ruminant Band"

[mp3] Vetiver: "Everyday"

From San Francisco's YoursTruly, Andy Cabic of Vetiver and Eric Johnson of Fruit Bats trade guitar lines and harmonies on the Bobby Charles classic “I Must Be In A Good Place Now” in a 100-year-old cabin on the grounds of the Gundlach-Bundschu Winery. Awesome.

SXSW: Day One Round Up: Great Success!

Dead, Drunk and Naked:
Tim Liveblogs the World
(SXSW)
________

Tim reports from his first day at SX:

"Yesterday I hit 6th and Red River (where it all happens) with only a moderate agenda and scored big with some great "day party" sets. Here are some highlights:

Caitlin Rose and Vetiver at the Austinist/BMI Party at Mohawk:
Caitlin Rose::
Caitlin Rose is a stone faced killer. She mercilessly launched charm bullets all over the mid-afternoon beer swiggers. Those that may have thought "ehh solo acoustic artists ehh" all got a reminder that when songs are really good, it doesn't much matter how they are accompanied. A particular highlight was "Answer in One of These Bottles," which has all the melody and wit I want in a country tune. The crowd joined in one the final chorus willingly.

More including reviews of Vetiver, Wavves and Lake after the jump.
Vetiver::
Vetiver's set was like sitting in a bath tub at just the right temperature with about a half a bottle of wine. Ya know that feeling where you don't actually know how long you will stay in one particular spot, but you have absolutely no intention of moving? Their songs are lean and satisfying with a lush blend of tones (acoustic and electric guitars, Wurly, electric bass) that made the set feel, as Dostoyevsky first said, "All good." I couldn't exactly tell the origin of each sound, which is, I think, how both band and audience wanted it. In short, these guys killed it and I was pleased to soak it up until sufficiently pruney.

Wavves and Lake (Ha! They're both water) Forcefield PR/Terrorbird Party at Red7:
Wavves::
Wavves are a couple of devious little fuckers. Slipping in a set of deafening 2:30 p.m. punk rants under the cover of hipster costumes. Clever clever. Strip the crunch off the drums and the reverb off the vocals and the sound is a crisp slap in the face. In a good way, like washing your face with cold water.

Lake::
Fun songs + relaxed performance = a relaxed, fun crowd. Lake seems like one of those bands that plays up the "oh, we don't really know what we're doing" thing, but their cover is blown with their hooky writing and intelligent arrangements. Think warm Wurly tone with jangly-electric guitar, zappy synth and Meg White drum beats. They were clearly having fun, not just performing, and it certainly translated. "

Tuesday's Recommended Releases with MP3s

David Byrne, Dirty Projectors "Knotty Pine" mp3

This week the stores (digital and physical) are jammed with quality releases. The indie-rock explosion that is the Dark Was the Night charity record is definitely up there for us this week. While it is at times uneven, there are definitely more than a few gems in here; not to mention the album is for charity so you can certainly shell out a few of your precious dollars for this. Alela Diane's record that we've been running our mouths about is out physically today, as well as Benjy Ferree's (anyone on shrooms? Bennnnjyy!) latest which is excellent. Click HERE for mp3s from both records. For all of our other recommendations and mp3s click after the jump...




We're pretty neutral on the M.Ward - it's ok, but his time in the sun may be over (for me at least). She and Him may have been that fateful jump over the shark.
M.Ward "Never Had No One Like You" mp3

While we haven't heard the N.A.S.A. record yet, I'm certainly intrigued by its massive list of contributors including: Tom Waits, David Byrne, M.I.A, Santi and pretty much everyone else in the world. NASA - "Spacious Thoughts (feat. Tom Waits & Kool Keith)" mp3

Also of stellar caliber this week is the new Vetiver - which Vince raved about earlier.
Vetiver "Everyday" mp3

We hate to do the general list - but there is only so much time in the day and so much music - sooooo we ALSO recommend: The amazing debut from Emmy the Great (digi only), William Eliot Whitmore's latest, the new Robyn Hitchcock, Faunts, Fol Chen, and DEFINITELY Iran. Thanks to Largehearted Boy you can try everything before you buy.

And my personal blast from the past recommendation for the week is, well, fuck it: Linda Ronstadt's Heart Like a Wheel. With the Eagles as her backing band, this record is a gem of early 70s country rock. Thanks Caitlin, sorry Dad.

Vetiver -Tight Knit

Release Date: Feb. 17, 2009
Label: Sub Pop
MP3: "Everyday"
Rating: 92
____________

We are only Shortaking one album today; it just happens to be Vetiver's fourth album, Tight Knit. Andy Cabic & Co. teeter on perfection with this release. The album moves fluidly from each softly and masterfully crafted acoustic offering to the next. Certain albums, such as Fleet Foxes' 2008 debut, just feel elementally right; they are devoid of hiccups. They establish a mood and theme from song one, in Tight Knit's case, "Rolling Sea," and produce subtle variations with each tune thereafter. Vetiver have found the formula. Cabic's songwriting is safe, but intrinsic. From the ethereal "Down From Above," to the bouncing freshness of "On The Other Side," the album feels complete. Each song compliments the next in soothing fashion until the album's end. Best of 2009 lists?

Vetiver: Thing of the Past

I've really been loving the new Vetiver record Thing of the Past. I agree with Ben Ratliff of the New York Times in that there are many reasons to not like this record, chief among them the fact that covers records are often fraught with peril. Yet, on Thing of the Past, Vetiver manages to navigate these dangers by selecting obscure songs that also happen to be really good. Vetiver enlists folk icon Vashti Bunyan to give the band's pastoral folk that tinge of authenticity so many folk acts strive for today. The sound is warm, summery and downright pleasant. Thing of the Past seems to hit its mark by giving the listener the experience of discovering some forgotten record, blowing away the dust and enjoying something old for the first time (see cover art).

Enjoy the tune "Blue Driver" below.

Vetiver - Blue Driver - mp3

Download

Happy Old 97s Release Day

We haven't had one of these in awhile. Since 2004, to be exact. That year's release Drag it Up did little to quench the thirst we all have for this Texas band's blend of desert country rock and soaring pop hooks. So really, it's been since 2001's Satellite Rides since we have gotten a truly worthy Old 97s record. Widely hailed as a return to form and possibly one of the band's best yet, today's Blame it On Gravity (New West) is absolutely at the top of my Other Music shopping list.

Also on that list is the new Vetiver, Nick Cave's Murder Ballads, and possibly the Dosh record Wolves and Wishes. Until I get to digest Blame it on Gravity or post any tunes from the album, enjoy the video for the classic song "Over the Cliff" from Wreck Your Life. Yes, it's the album track overdubbed over live footage, but shit... who's got money for a real video?



AMAZON