Saturday, October 30, 2010

THE EXTRAORDINAIRES - Electric and Benevolent: REVIEWED.

Let us start out with a simple youtube link. Listen here to the majesty that is The Extraordinaires.



The Extraordinaires... If i were to use one word to capture them, I’d say extraordinary. Jay Purdy, lead singer and guitarist, makes one think of Freddy Mercury and that guy from Andrew Jackson Jihad. Today, I will be reviewing one of the best damn albums I’ve heard in a long time called: Electric and Benevolent.



Opening with horns and flute flowing into a crunchy melodic chord progression, the first thing i thought was “Am I listening to of Montreal?” Of course, if I had been, I would not have complained at all, since of Montreal is easily the best band of the past 20 years. But I digress, this is a review about The Extraordinaires, not of Montreal.


The album makes so many thematic changes, its extremely hard to categorize it as PURELY independent music. I’d have to argue that it is very progressive (YEAH YEAH I KNOW, PROG ONLY USES DIMINISHED CHORDS AND STUFF, WELL DEAL WITH IT, THIS IS REAL PROG).


Songs that standout on this album:


The Man in the Suit - BEAUTIFUL from opening horns to closing epic harmonizing

Terzetto - Almost gypsy in sound, its one of the most interesting songs on the whole album. The change-up halfway through makes the whole song even more spectacular (that solo).

Colorado Springs - Maxing out at 9:28, this is the longest song on the album, which doesn’t help make it good or bad... but anyway, I don’t know how to describe it other than saying its ethereal. It soothes the soul.


OVER ALL, I RATE ‘ELECTRIC AND BENEVOLENT’ A 10/10 FOR ORIGINALITY, CREATIVITY, AMAZING MELODIES, GREAT MUSICIANSHIP, VERY INTERESTING SUBJECT MATTER, AND FOR REMINDING ME OF OF MONTREAL.

Friday, October 29, 2010

How Does One Cure a Headache?

What I've Been Listening to as of Late~

Other than my Touhou GSTs, I have been listening to a lot of indie pop recently. Specifically, 'Mobile Chateau' by Matt Costa, 'Electric and Benevolent' by The Extraordinaires, and 'Hissing Fauna, Are you the Destroyer?' by of Montreal.  I will write track by track (or not) reviews for each of these albums and a few others that I have a strong liking to. Expect superior opinions by Silly Hats in the next few days.

Lets Get this Straight

My taste > Your taste

Deal with it.

Now... if you have the same taste as me, then you could say that you are on par with my taste, but that is highly unlikely. Its very rare, if not impossible for someone to have an understanding of music as great as mine.

So anyway, I will now proceed to make blog posts about what music I am listening to, reviews of albums and/or artists, perhaps musical technicalities. I will also post about different instruments, since actual musicians like myself actually play instruments.  I wish to enlighten all of my followers with my intelligent postings, please be sure to comment so we can have a civil discussion. Thank you, with you, the future already looks brighter.

Posted from my Mac Book "Bro,"

Silly Hats