So,
I’m in LA for a little visit, and it’s really too hot to do anything besides listen to music and await FYF Fest (which I will totally give you a full recap of, btw). Mostly I’ve given a good listen to two albums that have recently come into the station, Stephin Merritt’s Obscurities, and an album that has been obsessed over by a few of us at the station, The Mistress, by Yellow Ostrich, a New York-based project.
The album is a series of little experimental masterpieces, with layers and layers of vocals wrapped around a poppy little melody. Turns out all of these voices belong to one Alex Schaaf, with some lovely drum work by Micheal Tapper, and bass by Jon Natchez. These songs are so sweet and catchy, it caters to wider audience than just those that love more experimental music. Some of the gems on the album include the playful “Hold On”, the delicate and beautiful “Mary”, the aptly named “Hahahaohhoho,” and of course, “Whale,” which you can watch them perform below, on Big Ugly Yellow Couch.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12QvpFipE1g&feature=relmfu[/youtube]
Charming, right? Anyway, I bet now you can’t wait to see them live. They’re playing the Great American Music Hall on 11-11-11 with Ra Ra Riot. In the meantime, head over to their website to download a free cover of one of my favorite Beat Happening songs, “Left Behind”.
About the author
rock - Digger hauls in crates of new music each week and then listens to all the bad stuff so you don't have to.