Their latest release, No Shouts, No Calls, calls to mind the strong suits of the Velvet Underground, Neu!, Stereolab, and the like. Ignore the hype if you’ve read all the encomia associated with this album, particularly its consideration as one of this past year’s best. It simply stands on its own. Interestingly, it’s apparently their first record to be recorded in entirely digital format, a tall order when you’ve been produced by analog purists like Steve Albini. (As a matter of course, Mr. Albini seems to have no qualms about releasing his music in various digital formats, but no matter.)
The record has the paradoxical minimalism of contemporary composers like Steve Reich, who build relatively simply ideas and ostenato phrases into fully orchestrated tides and swells. Here are two youtube videos from No Shouts for your enjoyment. “In Berlin” in particular has been known to frequently shake the walls of Hebrew School.
“To The East”
“In Berlin”
Much thanks to my cousin Erica Cohen-Taub for calling this record to my attention.
2 Comments so far
Leave a comment
<a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <pre> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <strike> <strong>
I’ve totally been getting into Music for 18 Musicians lately after I, ahem, heard it on NPR. Reminds me a little of Neko Case’s haunting voice, and by a degree of separation, The Penguin Cafe Orchestra (The Steve Reich part, anyway).
Comment by Brah February 24, 2008 @ 5:50 pmYay! I’m so glad you are getting into it. I’ve been listening a lot to Axes. Things at school have been really busy but hopefully I will have some time to read more of your blog soon!
Comment by Erica March 3, 2008 @ 11:01 pm