Shellac - “Dude Incredible”

Pitchfork top tracks for 2014
Next up Shellac - “Dude Incredible”. Number 80

A very rock sounding song. Really good guitar. Just awesome rocking guitar. Its got a strong classic rock vibe but the song is much less structured, or it is structured much more non traditionally with some interesting transactions.

On the negative, I think the song presents a socially harmful view of gender relations. That said, its allegedly written from the perspective of a troupe of monkeys (yay google!). I’m not so sure about that, there are some attitudes in there that sound very familiar to me, and I’ve never had a conversation with a monkey (other than in the narrow technical sense in which people are monkeys). A lot of people whose music is misogynist claim that they are writing from a perspective or that it’s a character or whatever. But on the other other hand, monkeys!

I’ll leave this with a net neutral review, but with the caveat that if you really love guitars or monkeys you should check this song out.

Andy Stott - “Faith in Strangers”

Pitchfork top tracks for 2014
Next up Andy Stott - “Faith in Strangers”. Number 81

I like this track. Its pretty good to start with and it improves with repeated listens. There is a lot going on and once you've heard it a few times and your brain is more familiar with the patterns its a lot better. It reminds me of a less radio friendly version of Massive Attack or a warmer softer slower version of some of the loopy tracks from Atoms for Peace. I could also so a resemblance to Aphex Twin. If you like any of those bands check this out.

The album is called “Faith in Strangers” and one of its two 'singles' is also called “Faith in Strangers”. When I first went to check out this track I accidentally opened up a video of the full album. I ended up listening to the whole thing because it was good enough that I never reached a point where I felt compelled to stop listening to it. I think the album works well as a whole and it feels more 'natural' starting at the beginning and listening through. So as a bonus, below is a link to the whole album. If you've got some time check it out. I bet it would reward a headphone listen, but it works just fine for listening to at work. Probably a little slow to check out while running.

Jessica Pratt - “Back, Baby”

Pitchfork top tracks for 2014
Next up Jessica Pratt - “Back, Baby”. Number 82

A sad song but a good one. Maybe more wistful or mourning than properly sad. It’s a song about the past and a relationship that didn’t work out.

She has a really nice voice for a song like this. Her voice is very expressive. Its on top of some simple but very nice guitar strumming that adds mood and doesn’t get in the way.

Based on the small sample size of one song, it sounds like an intersection of Joanna Newsom and Marissa Nadler. Though not to oversell it, this song doesn’t have the lyrical brilliance of Joanna Newsom and the guitar playing doesn’t show the same ability to do everything at once that Marissa Nadler does when she’s playing a small venue with good acoustics.

I’ll probably check out the album and there are a few live shows coming up in the next couple of months, I might well check one of them out.

Ought - “Habit”

Pitchfork top tracks for 2014
Next up Ought - “Habit”. Number 83

I ragged on the prior song for a marked lack of subtly in its lyrics. These lyrics are a bit cryptic and it’s hard to pin down exactly what they mean, but you get the sense they do, in fact, mean something. This is an interesting song that’s worth hearing at least twice. The ending is a bit weak I think though, it get too repetitive, but might be work live if spiced up a bit.

This band has a really strong Talking Heads influence. The plus side of that is that Talking Heads are really good, and good influences can make good music. The downside is that it invites comparisons and these guys are no Talking Heads. On the other other hand, you can’t go see a Talking Heads show anymore. If these guys played a live show in my area I would listen to the whole album and if it was above the line I might go see the show.

For the avoidance of doubt, this was a positive review.

Father John Misty - “Bored in the USA”

Pitchfork top tracks for 2014
Next up Father John Misty - “Bored in the USA”. Number 84

It’s an understated singer songwriter type song. The guy has a good voice and it’s a pretty good tune. But it fails lyrically. It’s supposed to be simultaneously sad and satirical, but it’s just too unsubtle to really pull off either well. It hits its points hard and flat and in the clearest and most obvious ways it can. I’m sure he would say, “It lacks subtly ironically.”

Arca - “Thievery”

Pitchfork top tracks for 2014
Next up Arca - “Thievery”. Number 85

I don’t know how this song is official marketed and placed, but to me it sounds like an OK but not great techno song. Its techno ambient with some beats and sounds and has a vaguely Latin vibe created more by samples than by music.

For my purposes it’s too fast and friendly to be one of those disturbing / interesting techno songs like Easy Lee, Marionette, or Blood on my Hands. But it’s too slow and more importantly too choppy with various pauses and faux skips to play in the background while doing something fast that benefits from a beat and rhythm.

Note: despite giving this one a medium review, I do think this song is worth listening to at least twice.

Vince Staples - “Blue Suede”

Pitchfork top tracks for 2014
Next up Vince Staples - “Blue Suede”. Number 86

The music behind the lyrics is somewhat dubstepy with a bunch of very base sounds. Its mixed with some higher pitched stretched out siren sounds. It achieves the effect of being atmospheric and unnerving while still being rhythmic. Its not my thing, but its well done.

The lyrics are mostly boring and repetitive without being catchy. At times it moves away from the repetitive “hook” to spend some time being violent and misogynistic. Thumbs down.