Tapes 'n Tapes, Howler, The Philistines Jr. September 24, 2011

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Tapes 'n Tapes
Who 'N Who? Just kidding of course, but seriously, do you remember how much hype these guys accumulated upon the release of their debut album, The Loon?! What happened? Tapes 'N Tapes just seemed to vanish overnight. Comedian Aziz Ansari sent up the mechanics of the band's hype machine on MTV, posing as an indie rock marketing guru threatening bloggers reluctant to post the band's MP3s. Still, you can hardly blame a band for getting too much press, especially when it seemed to expire all too quickly.

On Walk It Off, Tapes 'n Tapes' second album (and first album for XL) the band trades the energy of The Loon for a more polished, cohesive sound, but it's hard to say that they got the better end of the deal. The Loon was often scattered, but appealingly so -- it sounded like what it was, a pile of tapes (and tapes!) turned into a scrappy debut album. More importantly, nearly every song on The Loon had an urgency that carried through the album's twists and turns. Tapes 'n Tapes didn't change their approach radically for Walk It Off -- their nasally vocals, angular guitars, and keyboard doodles are all in place -- but that urgency is missing, and it made a difference.

Tapes ‘n Tapes is set to release their new album – Outside – through their own label, ibid records, the original home to the band’s breakthrough album, The Loon. Outside was recorded at The Terrarium in their hometown of Minneapolis by their long time sound engineer, Drew Malamud. After recording for two weeks, they handed the record off to Peter Katis (Interpol, The National) to lend his signature sound to the mix.

The result is twelve songs that are playful and melodic, while also capturing the essence and energy of their live show. Outside sounds refined and lush, letting the memorable melodies shine. The songs are more straightforward allowing each member’s personality to emerge. Outside is the perfect mix of their previous works, with a whole new clarity of sound. The first single, “Freak Out,” is a fast-paced romp with a shout-along chorus that is sure to delight fans both new and old. The album’s opener, “Badaboom,” showcases longing vocals with a driving rhythm that propels the song into an epic rock breakdown. “Nightfall’s” seemingly disparate parts are woven together into a beautifully strange break-up ballad. The haunting horns and sparse guitars unite for one of Tapes ‘n Tapes biggest songs yet. “One In The World” is a danceable, jangly number about a search for love that takes you around the globe. The twelve songs on Outside are unified by themes of longing and loneliness, and the journey of finding and losing love. There is a newfound space in Tapes ‘n Tapes sound that is both intimate and distant at the same time. Combine that with a pervasive sense of joy throughout the whole record and what you hear is a band making music that they truly love.
XL Recordings
Mp3s: http://www.myspace.com/tapesntapes

Howler
Minneapolis indie pop band Howler has only one small-run EP to their names but the band has already managed to catch the ears of the editors of British tastemaking music mag NME. The magazine is featuring Howler as #3 in their list of the "50 Best New Bands of 2011," praising them for their "garage rock with a sun-kissed feel" and drawing comparisons to the Black Lips and the Drums. Rough Trade Records.
Rough Trade Records
Mp3s: http://www.myspace.com/howlerjams

The Philistines Jr.
"Some people write great songs about larger-than-life things; on their new album If a Band Plays in the Woods…? The Philistines Jr. write about things that are exactly the same size as life: litterbug neighbors, unruly pets, broken cable service. "Write about what you know," explains Philistines mainman Peter Katis. "So I write about my brothers and writing songs and home life and recording our band and other people's bands." But the feat here is that it all adds up to something moving, inspiring, and maybe even a little profound. And you can hum along with it too.

The Philistines Jr. are brothers Peter and Tarquin Katis along with drummer Adam Pierce (Mice Parade) and an ever-expanding extended musical family. There's a good reason why the album title asks, if a band plays in the woods, do they exist? The Philistines Jr. have been playing in the woods of suburban Connecticut for 20 years, making charming, smart, even visionary music that has never seemed to catch a break. It's not for nothing that the band titled one early EP The Continuing Struggle of… "We got a great review in the Trouser Press Record Guide," Peter recalls. "And when the NY Press reviewed the book, they wrote 'And marvel at all the space given to struggling nobodies Philistines Jr.' Ouch. We've always had an underdog mentality.

Actually, in recent years Peter has gained some fame as an in-demand producer, having produced acclaimed records for Interpol, the National, Jónsi (of Sigur Ros), Frightened Rabbit, Tokyo Police Club, Mates of State, the Swell Season, Fanfarlo, Jukebox the Ghost and many others. No wonder the album sounds so gorgeous. But it's also the reason the record took so long to make. As Peter notes, "If you work on a record three days a year, it takes about ten years!" Peter wrote all the songs (along with Tarquin) and plays most of the instruments on the album — and no, that's not a fat lady singing on the exquisite title track, it's session ace Rob Schwimmer on the Theremin (and piano)." - bio by Michael Azerrad
Mp3s: http://www.myspace.com/thephilistinesjr

Official Website: http://manicproductions.org/shows/1848