That Flexible Sound
The greatest internet indie label Flexible Records has just released some brand new CDs by some of my favorite indie bands - and it's my duty as not only these bands' label mate but as a fan to talk a little bit about these brand new releases of music flexibility...This month there are three new releases, a single by ASP, which is a gal named Amy from Idaho who knows her way around moody electro music, another single by a band called Jaguar who seem to know their way around a Casio and a full lengthed album of essential sounds by Warmer called 1:1, so let's take a look shall we?
flex59 Asp - Talk (single 2007)Talk is the teaser single from the new album being recorded by Amy Willis aka ASP. She's had a few releases on Flexible including a gothy groove of a vampire song on the last Halloween compilation. Her music is always enjoyable and tangible but I think "Talk" with its minimal funk electro groove is the best song she's done so far. Mixed in with the uber cool beats is her trancey vocal take where she meanders in and out with simple words of 'I want to talk to you.' In a truly cool little option, Amy has invited every musician and would be musician of the world to download tracks from her new album and you can remix them yourself. She'll pick the ones she likes best and they may end up on the new album. If things keep going like this, I wouldn't be surprised if she ends up being a bright star in the electro indie scene. The single also contains a remix of "Talk" by our group leader/Flexible guru Patrick English's band Orange Television. You can download the single FOR FREE here: ASP-Talk single.
flex60 Warmer - 1.1 (2007)Last year, Warmer (Sandpoint, Idaho's Jesse Gunn) released 1. to become in some respects different on Flexible Records. The album is a mixture of moody industrial rock and new alternative brushes that included the excellent "9 To 5" (not to be confused with Dolly of course), and this year he unleashes 1.1, though fairly close in the formula of the first album I am able to completely wrap myself right around this dark cloud of moody songs. Sure, it has the industrial elements of Nine Inch Nails, and Jesse Gunn's vocals are as equally strong and foreboding as Mr. Reznor, but Warmer actually knows about hooks and with each song the hook of it sinks into your soul and not only can you relate to the words, you actually feel them through the music. Using the excellent tried and true formula of verse/chorus in most songs, he is able to come up with the feelings of angst, anger, disgust, disappointment and the occasional euphoria without coming off so experimental and moody it's lost on the listener. When Patti Smith took her moody eclecticism into pop territory with the Easter album, she ended up scoring new fans and radio airplay, and when you listen to 1.1 you can't help but think back to spit fire Patti Smith, her convictions are as strong as her music and so are Jesse's. The melody and vocals represented in the outstanding "Ethanol" conjure up a Red Hot Chili Peppers vibe and the smooth verse/ outrageous chorus formula on "In The Key Of Drone" works beautifully with the lyrics, some of the best on the album. Another of my favs, "The Smells And The Taste" is essentially a sex song and pulls me right into its grips. The music, the vocals, the words all make 1.1 a great album, and add to the fact that Jesse Gunn actually looks like a rock star, well, I'd say Flexible may have a hit on its hands. The whole album is excellent and it's been quite a while since I found an album I enjoy from start to finish, and lucky for all of us, it's free! Just go to Flexible Records and download it and join Warmer's myspace page. I'm telling you this is good stuff. Maybe if I'm lucky someday I'll collaborate with Jesse, that could make some interesting dents in the Flexible roster.
flex61 Jaguar - Momus single (2007)Relying very heavily on the now often overlooked Casio sound, Jaguar comes up with two little bits of musical endeavors that throw me right back to the days of truly being experimental and exciting. I've always wanted to head to a more pop/rock place in my own music but the whole Swivek sound began in a basement with Patrick English and I working on little loops of electro bliss and we pulled out that Casio more than once - including doing a cover of Blondie's "Fade Away & Radiate" (which would've been great if I knew how to sing after having 17 beers). So with each listen to "Momus" and its b-side "Would You Describe This Feeling As Warm" I am reminded of those old days in the Couer d'Alene basement and it just gives me the warm fuzzies. Download the single here - Jaguar/Momus.
and though it came out a few months ago, honorable mention has to go to the latest single by the one true punk indie band on the Flexible label, The Murders, who continually amaze me, with hook after hook, song after song and if I were lucky enough show after show in the blisterous Idaho world. You can download their latest single "Porcelain Doll" in all it's Pixie-ish glory at Flexible Records as well. The single also includes a live version of a sex song "White Knuckles." I tell you 2007 never felt so much like 1977 shady CBGB's as it does with these two songs. For even more Murders their excellent Galore EP is also available on Flexible.and stick around in the next couple of days, because I am finally going to do a full up review of the newest Orange Television album America The Beautiful Dreamer, which you can also (and should also) download... hop to it and maybe we can discuss the bands together.... I know you're flexible too.
Labels: Amy Willis, ASP, Flexible Records, Jaguar, Jesse Gunn, Orange Televison, OTV, Patrick English, The Murders, Warmer
posted by swivek @ 11:57 AM
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