First of all, I can’t tell you how lucky and privileged I feel when we get music submission from some of my favorite record labels. Today (although I suspect by the time I finish writing this, that it will be Wednesday), we have two releases from two wonderful record labels, Barsuk and Astralwerks. And guess what? They sort of similar-sounding bands, being that they’re doing that electronic music.

>>>
PHANTOGRAM
myspace.com ♥ twitter.com

Phantogram, as described on their myspace are: a duo of Sarah D. Barthel and Joshua M. Carter of Saratoga Springs, NY. Their music is a mix of organic and electronic sounds, with swirling guitar, spaced-out synths, and chopped up samples and rhythms.

Originally they were known as Charlie Everywhere, but they changed their name to a possible trademark issue. Although I don’t know what that would infringe, it does sound like it’s some cheesy Vietnam war movie. They signed with BBE Records in the UK, but on domestic shores, they’re with W♥M favorites, Barsuk.

I was hoping for surgarly electronic pop like Mates of State, but Phantogram’s debut album, Eyelid Movies, sounds more experimental with their sound-warping and music-bending sound. While this might be fun and interesting live, hearing the cuts and repeats on such tracks like “As Far As I Can See” made it sound like my CD was skipping. I guess maybe it didn’t translate for me.

Where they absolutely shine is when Barthel takes vocals, turning about half of their songs into dream/indiepop. Songs like “All Dried Up”, “When I’m Small”, and “Mouthful Of Diamonds” really stands out for me, and I think that’s the direction they should be heading in. I can see them being compared to Zero 7 (when they have Sia or some girl-singer).

If you enjoy dreamy indiepop music, with the occasional warps and quirks, you should add Eyelid Movies to check out. If you’re a general fan of Barsuk, then Phantogram will fit the bill. Other Barsuk bands to check out: David Bazan, Death Cab for Cutie, Mates of State, Nada Surf, Ra Ra Riot, Ramona Falls, Rilo Kiley, Say Hi, Smoosh (we just talked about them last Saturday!), Starlight Mints, Chris Walla, and The Wooden Birds.

Tour Dates

02/12/10 Academy Glasgow, Scotland
02/13/10 Picture H Edinburgh, Scotland
02/15/10 Rock City Nottingham
02/16/10 Academy Leeds
02/18/10 o2 Academy Newcastle
02/19/10 o2 Academy Manchester
02/22/10 o2 Academy Bournemouth
02/23/10 o2 Academy Bristol
02/24/10 UEA Norwich
02/26/10 o2 Academy London
02/27/10 o2 Academy London
03/06/10 Off Festival Holland
03/07/10 AB Club Brussels
03/08/10 Bataclan Paris
03/10/10 Live Music Hall Cologne
03/11/10 Uebel + Gefaehrlich Hamburg
03/12/10 Astra Berlin
03/14/10 Mousontrum Frankfurt
03/15/10 Cooperative de Mai Ferrand
03/16/10 Bikini Tolouse
03/18/10 Magazzini Generali Milan
04/16/10 Fox Theatre Oakland
04/17/10 Coachella Indio
04/19/10 Riviera Chicago
04/22/10 Terminal 5 NY
04/23/10 Terminal 5 NY
04/24/10 9.30 Club WA
04/25/10 Theatre of the Living Arts Phila

HOT CHIP
hotchip.co.uk ♥ myspace.com

“Hot chips” as recently explained to me, are what the Aussies calls French fries. So it’s no surprise to me that Hot Chip are an electronic band from London.

I have had HC on my radar since their sophomore album, The Warning, which was probably released in 2006. That was pretty much the year that they were getting all the recognitions, even getting nods from the Mercury Prize (hint: they didn’t win) and the Grammy (hint: they won).

For some reason, a copy of Made In the Dark, their 2008 album, did made its way to my iTunes, but I never got around to reviewing it…. so it’s with much deserved that I’m reviewing their latest album, One Life Stand, out Tuesday, February 9^th, on one of my favorite label, Astralwerks. And just to give you an idea, Astralwerks’ releases are a “who’s who” of amazing music: Kylie Minogue, Empire of the Sun, Bat for Lashes, Beth Orton, Sia, Sebastien Tellier, Kings of Convenience, and Chemical Brothers.

So first off, since I had previous albums to compare them to, and maybe I’m wrong, but they seem a lot more polished than The Warning. That album sounds to me like they were trying to be Röyksopp and LCD Soundsystem, while it sounds to me that their latest effort, One Life Stand, sounds more “pop”. As if they’re taking their cues from Death Cab for Cutie and Postal Service.

While it’s expected that electronic-dance bands are going to be some digital manipulation of vocals, but I really feel that autotune is like “doping” in sports. I didn’t “I Feel Better” for that reason, but all is forgiven, because the rest of the album doesn’t use autotune.

My favorite song on this album is “Thieves in the Night”, but I see that they’ve decided to go with “One Life Stand”, probably because it’s the title track. The “emo” song on the album is “Brothers”, which I suspect is really about singer Alexis Taylor’s baby brother, rather than the song being completely fiction.

Unfortunately, I feel that older music fans might be discourage from picking up Hot Chip, for looking like they’re music for young hip people. So attending live shows might be awkward. You know what I’m talking about, being the only 30+ person in a sea of 16-20 fans. Well, you can always secretly buy their album (and might I suggest getting the One Life Stand [the Deluxe Edition] instead of the regular edition?).