REVIEW: Passion Pit - Chunk Of Change

6.75 out of 10

Find it here.

Chunk Of Change is a good forecast for this year's "MEGA-trend" in indie music. Which, if you haven't caught on yet, is "Lo-Fi". Although this album is "Lo-Fi", it's also decently produced electro-pop music. You could've told me this was a lost Postal Service album and I would believe you, at least for a brief moment..

Passion Pit are quirky/upbeat electronics, vintage drum machines, (sometimes) over-bearingly happy vocals, peppy samples, xylophones, spacey synths, and of course that "Lo-Fi" quality that is clearly defining the theme in music this year.

Passion Pit are a pretty decent "Chunk Of Change" from most "Lo-Fi" bands out there today. Passion Pit are fun & peppy, and although they may not change the face of music, they'll make you tap your feet and/or bob your head. Passion Pit's full length debut "Manners" comes out May 26th on Frenchkiss records. Until then, enjoy this fun ep..

Standout Tracks: Smile Upon Me, Cuddle Fuddle, Live To Tell The Tale, Sleepyhead

Cool Video Funtime #14 - There Goes The Fear

Album Artwork "Look-A-Likes"..Pt. 1?

I haven't heard The Black Angels yet (apparently they're a 60's psychedelic revival band)but I love their album covers. When I found out they were paying homage to Designer/Op artist Lance Wyman, I went ape shit and tracked down as much of his stuff as I could. I haven't bought their album yet, so I can't review it, but I had to share this...

...
On a side note did anyone else notice how similar the are on these albums are?
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The Notwist - The Devil, You and Me / Death Cab For Cutie - Narrow Stairs

I will be looking further into this, ..showing random album covers that are "eerily" similar..

Exciting music news! Woooooooooooooo!

#1 NIN/Janes Addiction tour dates

...(please add Cleveland, please add Cleveland)

I'll admit, I'm not a huge NIN fan anymore, at least not of the newer work. But the idea of NIN touring with Janes Addiction(the very band that gave NIN their big break with Lollapalooza 1) is exciting to me. This also may be NIN's last tour for some time.

#2 A Place To Bury Strangers signed to Mute.

For those of you not aware of APTBS *sigh* just listen to them already..

#3 Daft Punk to score new Tron movie??

How perfect is this concept?

#4 This tidbit excites me the most...

(See you in Chicago April 26th!!!!!)

NEW Azeda Booth (FREE) EP!!

EIC'S10Q'S w/Sinner DC

EIC is very happy to give you an exclusive peak into the new world of:

PS The answers are in two formats, you choose your favorite..

Sinner DC

Astro-futurists from Switzerland

SINNER DC BIO:

Sinner DC have been forging an increasingly solid reputation for impeccable tunes and sweeping electronic sounds for themselves over the years. The live trio from Geneva whosesound is as captivating as it is unique merges a combination of electronic investigations and terraforming sounds, which will stop for nothing. The minimal vocals, captured soundwaves and clever programming all pull together to create another doorstep slice of goodness that Ai Records are getting renowned for.
Sinner DC have performed with Vitalic, Sigur Ros, M83,Spectrum, Margaret Dygas, Black Dice, and also Collaborated with artists such as Sonic Boom, Christian Marclay, Water Lilly, Rone, Repeat Repeat, Alexia Turlin, Geoff McFetridge, Parra, & Neil Krug.

Hello, how are you?

ANSWER #1: We're fine, merci!

ANSWER #2: "Feelin' Alright" The Jackson 5

What are you currently listening to?

ANSWER #1: The amazing instrumental album of Rainer "Nocturnes ", Autechre "Quaristice", Sébastien Tellier "Universe", Pom Pom "CD 001", The Sight Below "Glider", The Alps "III"

ANSWER #2: "Daft Punk Is Playing At My House" LCD Soundsystem

Do you have day jobs or what do you do when you‘re not being impossibly brilliant musicians?

ANSWER #1: ..well , we hardly try to be impossibly brilliant human beings..

ANSWER #2: "I'm Singing in the Rain" Gene Kelly

You’ve toured with some pretty amazing artists over the past few years, who was your favorite to play with?

ANSWER #1: Pete Kember (Sonic Boom/Spectrum)! A fan's dream come true... he's a genius and we were also very lucky to collaborate with him on our "Montage EP".... Playing and collaborating with Water Lilly was really great too... We've done a remix for her to be released on her forthcoming mixed cd called "Passage Secret " to be released on Mental Groove

ANSWER #2: "Playing With Fire" Spacemen 3

What “happened”, or “set off” the transition between Panoramic and Arkle Parkle Avenue? Did your musical influences change during that time?

ANSWER #1: We met Steve, and find with him the perfect line-up for the band...we 've also built our own studio , the "Red Palace Deluxe".(computers allowed us to produce ourself/our music)...and we met our label AI Records and their amazing support!

ANSWER #2: "Computer Love" Kraftwerk

Your newest album “Crystallized” is an amazing stellar journey through space, technology, and what seems like romance ..this may be your strongest work to date. How do you feel about the outcome of this album?

ANSWER #1: ..a bit nervous , very exited and full of hope...!

ANSWER #2: "Like A Virgin" Madonna

Is there a theme with “Crystallized“?

ANSWER #1: Transparent , luminous, areal , spectral, solid, sparkling , reflective, mineral...

ANSWER #2: "Diamonds Are Forever" Shirley Bassey

Can you explain the name “Sinner Dc”?

ANSWER #1: Hopefully ,not .........

ANSWER #2: "PWSteal.Ldpinch.D" AFX

Are you living your dream?

ANSWER #1: Perhaps we are dreaming our lives ...

ANSWER #2: "I Dreamed I Dream" Sonic Youth

THANK YOU SINNER DC!

Look for Sinner DC's forthcoming album "Crystallized" out April 20th, 2009 on AI Records.

REVIEW: Sinner DC - Crystallized

8 out of 10

Find it here.

On April 20th, 2009 the world will be spoiled with a new Sinner DC album titled "Crystallized", ..the world is not ready/worthy. Sinner DC has been massaging my ear muscles with their soothing brand of laid back electronica since 2005's "Arkle Parkle Avenue". As far as music representing "a distant, but not too far, future" Sinner DC takes the cake.

Sinner DC have outdone themselves yet again. The production values on "Crystallized" are beyond anything you could ever imagine for any electronic band out there today. Its, deep, spacey, and drenching in emotional electric intelligence.. Generally I would compare Sinner DC to Home Video meets Underworld, on this one I would change that to "M83 meets Depeche Mode". Society, in general, can’t really lose too many more points from me. But if it(society) doesn’t take on to the fact of how amazing Sinner DC(ridiculously overlooked paragon) is, they will indeed, lose more.

Here is my track, by track review for Crystallized;
1 GO FOR THE STEAM: Very spacey, great intro, sets the canvas for the rest of the album
2 ANYWAY: Sampled backwards guitar loop, long deep synth, lingering horn section, amazing vocals one of the BEST Sinner DC songs I've ever heard.
3 GOLDEN HORSES: Almost "ravey/weird/droney" guitar loop, bizarre sampled "clicks", breathy vocal samples, spacey synths
4 THE MEDIUM IS THE MESSAGE: "Depeche Mode style bass line", more lingering horns, tiny keyboard bursts, white noise, 4 count.. Blast this in your car, and go faaaaaaaaaast..
5 V: Weird synth "blurbles", 4 count click, spaaacey, "slow-motion under water travel music"..
6 SUNRIZED: Sustained guitar loop sounds, keyboard arpegiations, train-like synth bass line, deep kick, shaky snare, 4 count claps ..soak it in
7 GLASS ALLEY: Thick, dramatic, M83 inspired synths layered over more layers of synth, with vocals, a pulsating bass line, and an upbeat dance groove, ..still laid back
8 DIGITAL DUST: Catchy/great synths, amazingly lush and spacey, beautiful “aaahhhs” “oohs” and vocals that kick in ..oh man, throbbing kick, snares/clicks/claps, file this one under AHHH inspiring..
9 COAST: Good "catch your breathe from the albums over dynamic awesomeness" kinda song. Very chill.

My main complaint with this album, is that it ends...

Overall though, if you're a fan of Sinner DC you will no-doubt be happy with this release. And here's my campaign for those of you that haven't graced your souls with Sinner DC; Buy the album, don't like it? ..I'll buy it from you.

I feel comfortable saying this album could, and should be, for everybody. A SURE candidate for best music of 2009. Sinner DC are imaginative futurists willing to take you on a sensual ride through space, and time. Put your headphones on, there's a rave in space, you're invited...and it's going to be a GOOOOD trip.

Standout Tracks: ALL OF THEM (i need more), but ESPECIALLY.. Anyway, The Medium Is The Message, Sunrized, Digital Dust