The Pragmatic – synth led pop
Whilst sitting about today not doing very much I stumbled across a track by St. Louis band The Pragmatic. The track, Circles (see media player below), carries you through on a wave of synth led bass and melody the likes of which I last heard on tracks from MGMT.
A quick look into the band shows that I appear to be pretty late to the game, they apparantly had a number one track on Hype Machine over a year ago. So, did they fail to live up to the hype? Maybe, or maybe they have spent the time refining their sound for an assault on the mainstream.
Andre Anjos from the band has musical pedigree after founding the Remix Artists Collective (RAC) and subsequently putting out many remix’s to an appreciative web audience. Having said that, I did not appreciate The Pragmatic’s murderring of Justice’s Phantom found on their myspace.
They have recently released a free EP which you can download from here, this EP is led by the title track Cirlces and includes 4 more tracks which show good versitility in their use of synths and loops.
In truth, although this EP is a solid listen, I’m not holding my breath that they will come over to the UK and make an MGMT sized splash anytime soon. But, if they can capture the finer points of EP tracks Circles, You Blame Me (see media player below) and Academy, and work these in to a full lenghth album, then I for one would welcome them with open arms.
The Pragmatic – Circles
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
The Pragmatic – You Blame Me
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Electronic mayhem by Three Trapped Tigers
First, a warning. If you’re of a nervous disposition I would recommend that you stop reading here and forget the band mentioned exists, their music can only cause you pain.
For the rest of you, imagine a sound somewhere before the skittish melodies of Holy Fuck meets the chaotic mess of a sound from Sikth, that’s where you’ll find this unsigned UK 3-piece.
Their debut release is the self titled EP which contains 5 tracks simply named “untitled 1,” “untitled 2,” … and so forth. In truth, each track could be a mini album in it’s own right, moving from edgy guitar, through apprehensive synths, to hectic, agitated beats and back again, and again, and possibly again before the song is over.
Each section of the songs sounds great on their own, but that’s only half the battle, with the varying styles and tempos within each song the arrangement is the key to making an listenable experience. Great news! They’ve pulled this off with aplomb!
Their work is something that needs listening to, I wouldn’t recommend that you use it as background music while you do the washing up, my guess is that this will probably result in some broken crockery. I would, however, recommend that you purchase this EP, leave yourself free from distractions, plug in some good quality headphones and play this through with the attention it deserves.
The band itself comprises of Tom Rogerson on piano, keyboard and occasional vocals, Matt Calvert on guitar, synths and electronics and Adam Betts on drums (and a bit more electronics). As talented as they collectively are, my attention was drawn to drummer Betts when I saw them as part of this years Great Escape Festival in Brighton. The live drummer gave the guys a presence that few electronic artists I’ve witnessed can match, and Betts keeps up the pace and intensity superbly.
You can listen to the EP at their MySpace or get a feel for them with the lead track below (untitled 1).
Three Trapped Tigers – 1
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Tunes to Travel To
The success or failure of any holiday or long trip abroad hinges on many things – Have I got my passport? Has the hostel/hotel been booked? Do I know where I’m going once I get there? Have I got enough money? – These are all very important issues, but one of the more crucial questions which can either have an adverse effect upon holiday vibe or enhance the experience is “What music should I take with me?”
Planning your holiday playlist is not a task which should be left to the last minute, like say, packing! Much care, thought, and attention needs to be invested in it. You need to think about the place you’re going to and match your choices accordingly. For example, if you are planning a trip to the top of a tall landmark like say the Eiffel Tower or Niagara Falls, then it might not be a good idea to have Van Halen’s ‘Jump’ suddenly blaring out of your headphones! Clearly Balearic grooves are more fitting for sun, sea and sand rather than a skiing retreat to snow-fettered mountains, for which something post-rock would perhaps be more apt. For a relaxing retreat, chilled-out ambiance is probably more desirable than banging party anthems.
Futurecop! Wax on, Wax off
“When I was a little kid I was addicted to TV, I watched a lot of 80s cartoons and movies & I used to love it, so I wanted to make music as if I was in the 80s making a tune for a cartoon or a Sci-Fi movie!”
Futurecop! creator Manzur Iqbal reveals the inspiration behind his musical project in an interview with oohcrapp.net music blog. So, did he succeed? Absolutely, on so many levels!
These guys put out a sound that places you slap bang in the middle of the 80s, although it’s not the 80s I heard the first time around, it’s almost a modern (or futuristic if you will) reincarnation of the decade that is everything I wish my local 80s night was but isn’t.
Current favourite track ‘Karate Kids’ (below) begins with a soft synth sound not too unlike the intro to Petshop Boys ‘West End Girls,’ this quickly gives way to epic sounding bleepery which captures the mood of the movie the title refers to, go on I challenge you not to imagine a bit of wax on wax off as you listen!
I saw them live as part of the great escape festval in Brighton this year (2009) and, despite catching them by accident, they happened to be one of my highlights of the weekend. So much so infact, that after sitting at the back of the room with my whiskey and coke, I was quickly risking death clambering on stools and tables to see who was making that sound. Turns out it was Futurecop! and they deserve a listen.
Check them out on their MySpace or check out the tune below.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
