DEATH

In 1974, Detroit based proto-punk band Death began recording an album for Columbia Records. When Columbia insisted that Death change their name, the band refused and the album that they had recorded was never released. Prior to this past February, only 500 copies of Death's only self-released 45 were in existence. However Drag City unearthed the recordings originally intended for release on Columbia Records. The songs strongly echo their influences: the Stooges and MC5 in particular. But these recordings still sound remarkably fresh and Death was certainly ahead of their time, sounding at times like a slightly heavier Thin Lizzy and at other times predicting the blistering pace of punk rock. "Keep On Knocking" would not sound too out of place on classic rock radio. It has taken 35 years for the world to finally take notice of Death but the band has even begun to tour in support of their record.

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xx

The XX are a cool new band out of London that have really been grabbing my attention lately. These youngsters have definitely internalized the lessons of pop R'n'B from the past two decades, but also things much more atmospheric and cerebral. This makes for a listening experience that's equal parts sexy and spooky, which is weird at first. Then it's really, really cool.

The XX's biggest achievement is their use of negative space - the starkness of the black and white art should clue you in on that. The first part of "Basic Space," a standout from the record, relies on nothing more than a clicking drumbeat and barely-sung vocals. When the chorus hits - adding little more than a snare and a few keyboard notes - you'd think someone just let Timbaland in the door.

This kind of tension and release is the dominant theme of the record, from the minimal addition and subtraction of the instruments to the shared male/female vocal dutites - a male and a female who definitely have something to say to each other.

The XX's new (and debut) record, xx, is availalbe now on Young Turks.

The XX - Basic Space
The XX - Shelter

gurls gurls gurls

So yeah, they've been the recipients of ample blog hype for over a year at this point, but I just wanted to remind everyone that Girls' Album is out now. There are a number of highlights (the slow burning "Headache" and "Hellhole Ratrace" with it's noisy coda spring to mind) but I would like to specifically recommend the new single "Lust For Life." Lyrically, it's a depressing song that has a fairly optimistic sentiment embedded within it. Musically, it's all sunny harmonies and propulsive percussion from these San Franciscan Girls.

Girls - MYSPACE
Purchase HERE