Zeigeist - The Jade Motel ▼

Zeigeist is a electro/synthpop band hailing from Sweden, originally form late formed 2006 and split up 2009. They only ever released one fucking kickass (emphasis on the 'fucking & kickass') album, "The Jade Motel" sometime in 2008. I've heard of the countless comparisons between them and the majorly influential electropop band, The Knife. There is a similarity in Pearl's (Zeigeist) vocal pitching as to Karin (The Knife) and along with hugely playing with props live, its no wonder tons of fans are left confused. Is there animosity between them? Are they aquaintances? Will we ever know why cows commit suicide? These Questions will be left unanswered, till I nail the Swedish language. What I personally find is that the major difference differentiating Zeigeist and The Knife apart is that the former has a poppier feel to thier music. To each his own. Damn the swedes :(

Zeigeist - Humanitarism

Zeigeist's live performances were downright insane. Confetti rain to rival The Flaming Lips. Complex stage sets, eccentric get-ups, make-up. The effort put visually is mind blowing. Among their special shows was the one at the Swedish Arvikafestivalen 2007, where they made a dystopian performance in three acts with short novel films, produced only for this show, in between the acts.

Zeigeist - Black Milk

Arvikafestivalen 2007



I'm not going much into detail of their songs. Listen and comment.

Zeigeist - The Jade Motel
Try it
Buy it

Andrew Bird - Live in Singapore ▼

A night not wasted for those who turned up, eh? Bird showed up alone that night- well not really- if you consider that somewhat creepy looking doll propped up on one of the amplifiers. The backdrop was simple enough, armed with his trusty violin, his guitar, xylophone, and that incredible incredible and extremely complex looping system set-up. My god, he practically had to dance to keep in time. Which was why he ditched his shoes early, too cumbersome. So he starts off with a greeting and proceeds on to building a wall sound from scratch. Layers upon layers of overdubbing and you get this really lovely sound which came forth towards the end of "The Happy Birthday Song". Next up was "Why?"(not to be confused with an amazing band of the same name) , it definitely emanated Bird's suave voice. He nailed the bass line in no time, and got to doodling on his violin, amazing performance.


Andrew Bird - Why? (listen)

"Whatever happened to fiery romance
Oh how I wish it was those dishes you were throwing
Damn...... you for being so .....easygoing."

The crowd seemed to not know where Bird's song started and stopped, well I can't blame them. Bird has so much released material (including his Bowl Of Fire days, two songs were played live, which was Why? and Headsoak), it takes a die-hard fan to know all his songs by heart. An eccentric Bird played Sweetbreads/Dark matter next with an innocence you would never have expected from a 37 year old. His superb whistling was in play for almost all of his sets, notably in A Nervous Tick Motion, I couldn't help but try to emulate his whistling, even though I knew it'd be utter embarrasement.

*Bird shakes head to the left*Pauses*"Oh wait, the other left."
Andrew Bird - A Nervous Tick Motion (listen)

At certain points along the show, Bird let in on the background of some of the songs he conjured up, "Oh No" was inspired by a pessimistic kid wailing "Oh noo.... Ooooh Nooooo!" abord an airplane he was on. Sectionate City was about his stay in Chicago. (something about government subsidised apartments and the like). There was a good interaction between Bird and the captivated audience, anyone present could tell he was pouring his heart through his music. Though the crowd at that night were somewhat, a quiet bunch (I was clapping alone to Anonanimal in my section) it didn't dampen the mood even by a little bit. Soon, it was over, and Bird left the stage. A standing ovation, lots of hooting & howling gave way to the encore. "Oh Sister" came on, an intimate song with heartache ;You may not see me tomorrow; made my hair stand on end. He concluded the night, the crowd alas, seemed to have recovered from whatever star-stuck state they were in throughout the show. Finally my clapping didn't seem out of place.

cheers to hadz for taking the pic :)

Me : Which bird can fly ?
Bird : I don't know ..... lots of birds can fly..
Me : Well, you're one of them.
*Bird smiles sheepily*

Get some of his stuff here :
The Mysterious Production of Eggs (2005)
Noble Beast (2009)

Andrew Bird - Plasticities (listen)

Pale Saints - The Comforts Of Madness ▼

So lets kick things off. If my music player were to cock-up, keep looping the Pale Saints over and over, I wouldn't smash it to pieces - not right away, anyway. Origninaly a three-piece ethereal pop band, Leeds, England. I've really been into "The Comforts of Madness" lately. Its maddening -excuse the pun- that it was such a late find. Their sound merges Ian Master's Choirboy vocals with swooping shoegaze-induced guitars, with dramaticly pessimistic lyrics. Kinda like Galaxie 500, if they had more balls and got a little wired.

Clearly influenced by The Jesus & Mary Chain, MBV and the like, though they seem more towards pop than their predecessors, which make them all the more appealing. They signed on recording label giants 4AD -Dead Can Dance, Cocteau Twins, Lush- right after thier very first show, which is quite a feat.

Fucking A, I say.

If you dont get it, get it. adorable psychedelic kitty commands you!
try it
buy it


Listen
Pale Saints - Half-life [Half-life EP]


Pale Saints - Time Thief [The Comforts of Madness]

You must sleep, man ▼

Hello.


The world would be a much less crankier place if we all got more sleep. And we all know its downright impossible to sleep without good music. Good music, good sleep. Cheers.