Tag Archives: broadcaster
Broadcaster – Tightrope Walker (Jump Start Records)
Broadcaster
Tightrope Walker
Jump Start Records
Link: Jump Start Records on Bandcamp
At one point in my life, I couldn’t wait to get home and pop in something like a Descendents album or Samiam release spinning on vinyl. Feeling those modern pop punk songs at the time and a band pounding their hearts out on a platter for you to relate to, it really meant something.
Broadcaster is supposed have the same effect or so my first impression implied. I am much older now, but I can still see where a band like this comes from and what they could mean to you. Personally, I wanted more out of this trifecta of pop punk verbage. Maybe I wanted more grit and singing at the top of their lungs until they are on the verge of passing out with passionate rage. These are the things that made the genre in the ‘80s so great, and leaves the debate of which is more important, carrying a note or stressing that note passed its breaking point because you are pouring your heart out. The Descendents did a great job at making that tune of puppy love so great, while Samiam wanted to rip their own hearts out.
Even with something like Weezer’s Pinkerton, you felt that sense of desperation in the songs. The title track to Tightrope Walker tries to spit out lyrics with a singed tongue. He wants more. It shows in the lyrics, but even beyond the bouncy crunch, the harmonies glosses over the fact that the music is just smoothed-out ritual. One has to give, and for these three songs, none of them do and that does little to convince you that he is giving it all for the cause of love.
“Anything You Never Heard” does a better job simply because it’s a great summer-like jam. The guitars crunch with fervor and you want this band to be that band that gets you. This is as close as it comes.
Three songs are not enough to develop a close relationship with Broadcaster. The Joyride EP does a better job and is a better all-around release for the band. You cannot go wrong with the rock and roll atmosphere of “Snow Party” and the college rock demeanor.
Tightrope Walker is a step down and does not capture the lively spirit that Joyride provides. Chalk it up to a smoothed-out production or trying to fall into a niche of modern rock where bands like Jimmy Eat World resides. Maybe it’s that strive for bigger hooks. Whatever it is, Tightrope Walker needs to be more pungent. Turn the volume up and cut to the quick. It’s where this band does its best work.
EPs from Summer 2011
Around the world, e-mails come in consistently. Bands want us to review their latest EP. From indie labels to bedroom projects, I have compiled several of these EPs together to talk about them. These are the highlights of the summer.
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Little Owl
Stories and Observations Of Argus Madur
Self-Released
Rating: 3.3 out of 5
Link: http://www.facebook.com/littleowlmusic
Little Owl takes the Moby approach, introducing their EP with “Black and White.” No, not the “Next is the E” era Moby, more like recent doomsday accolades from his album Destroyed. “Black and White” is that twilight desperation when you think that you are defeated and life has dealt you one more blow to the head. It’s something proud yet dangerous and a little comforting to a song like this. You can immediately gauge a sense of Little Owl’s sincerity in his vocals, which should remain in the forefront because the background harmonies are a little lackluster and out of tune on the low end.
But it’s not enough to deter you from the charm of Little Owl’s musical twinkle. “Tucked Away” seems simple enough with the ukalele, but his vocals presents a context of nervousness, cramming words in until things smooth out as the song expands out.
“Naturally” is folk-driven but quirky enough to make you turn your head sideways. Like street musicians wandering the city landscape, “Psalms” is the wear on their shoes, and actually the best thing to come from this album.
A full length is in the works at John Vanderslice’s Tiny Telephone. With that in mind, who knows what will come from it, but I can only expect the results to be good and worth keeping an eye out.
Equals
Self-Titled
Self-Released
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Link: http://equals.bandcamp.com/
Nestled under the Texas sun, this instrumental band delivers much like the glimmering West Coast indie instrumentalists of the ‘90s did with the welcome appendage of keyboards. But their release comes with mixed feelings. Their opener, “False Light” is nothing like the rest of the EP. The song changes gears faster than they should and the instruments flop around with an uncontrolled chaos. The shredded notes make for something that is less than desired to the eardrum. Rawness in this situation is not what the band needs. What they need to do is find a way to hypnotise you by finding their groove.
But all of this changes. The rhythm takes form. The keys begin an out of body experience and the guitars keep things moving. “Salvo” and “Table Monster” become some of the more incredible instrumentals you will find.
And “Roadside” glimmers like the stars in the sky. Exchanging electric for acoustic and percussive overtones make this song a pleasure to enjoy even if it is only a minute and 18 seconds. It is not until the end of “Electric Blanket” where things get revved up, but through peddle effects, distortion and better control of their emotions so that you will loose it.
A.S. Hereb
V.I.T.R.O.I.L.
Self-Released
Rating: 4 out of 5
Link: http://www.myspace.com/ashereb
V.I.T.R.O.I.L. is a concept album created by Milano’s A.S. Hereb that explores the alchemist path to enlightenment. Only 15 minutes in length (a rarity amongst albums that explore ambient and downtempo electronica), for a self-released homemade recording, this EP is a joy to listen to.
Although the songs are broken up, you don’t get a feeling that her music is broken and disenchanted. “Cauda pavonis” is the transition. “Lux cycni” is understanding through the chaos of change. And “Ovum phoenicis” is persevering.
Using coldwave drum synths and pulsating waves of electronics, there is a fashionability and enchantment to the compositions that all lead to an ellequent use of layering.
Zoos Of Berlin
Pallister Chant
Self-Released
Rating: 4.8 out of 5
Link: http://zoosofberlin.bandcamp.com/album/pallister-chant
Someone has a serious crus on David Bowie because “Haven’t Eyes” screams of the thin white duke. And expect the essence of late ‘70s glam rock to weigh own on this EP. Trevor Naud and Daniel I. Clark weave vocals together with such coolness and vibrancy, Pallister Chant is cool without having to try.
It’s a quick listen. Four songs total, but each song is packed with the fruitfulness of the indie prowess Zoos Of Berlin are capable of and enough charm to make you crave their music once over.
It’s almost sinister that this EP is free.
Broadcaster
Joyride
Self-Released
Rating: 3.8 out of 5
Link: http://broadcasterny.bandcamp.com/album/joyride
Nowhere yet is it time for us to be reminded that the colder months are just months away and snow will one day be in the forecast, especially in August. But with Broadcaster’s “Snow Party,” their jangly slacker rock beckons to be that great back to school jam and power house punch, even if it is a song about winter.
And what Broadcaster does is that with a song like “All Your Friends” mingles the best of early R.E.M. and Please To Meet Me era Replacements. The guitars are as bright as any mid-day cruise with the top down. It’s a sound that brings remembrance to the mid-’90s alt rock soundtrack of flannel shirts and urban gatherings before and after class.
If you are into the style, expect nothing but solid songs throughout this EP.
