Paper Cranes and Giant Sand
Reading this post back to myself, I suddenly realize that it's suffocating on unneccessary commas. I cannot fix this right now so, instead, I apologise.
The Paper Cranes - I'll Love You Till My Veins Explode
This song is crying out to be released from it's demo production. Overall, it's demands are rather simple: some of those high-end-only 80s drum sounds, digital reverb all over the vocals, thickly layered backing oooos and aaaahs worthy of a sentimental love song, and some rough angry sounds coming out of the guitar occasionally for good measure. I know the band is recording their first EP sometime this week, so we can only pray that the song's goodness will be sufficiently amplified so as to help the band find a record label to take them in and give the rest of their songs a good home. For those of you who like what you hear, I highly recommend the Band's other two demos which can be found here.
[the band's website]
Arizona Amp and Alternator - Bottom of the Barrel
Unlike the song above, this song is the result of a successful compromise between the attractive sloppiness of the demo recording and the necessity of the studio. It manages to sound simultaneously live, almost improvised, and, at the same time, somehow complete. I think this recording philosophy is probably the very attractive/repulsive quality that makes me love/hate Giant Sand in equal measures. (You probably noticed as soon as the vocals started but, in case you didn't, this is the latest Howe Gelb project.) This song undoubtedly falls into the love camp, although I can't pinpoint the exact reason why. Perhaps it's the fact that, based on my general hatred of guitar solos, I enjoy that the solo starting 3/4 of the way through the song is not meant to bring out the melody or display any kind of musical virtuosity but, rather, to annihilate the rest of the instruments and, ultimately, the song itself.
[buy]
The Paper Cranes - I'll Love You Till My Veins Explode
This song is crying out to be released from it's demo production. Overall, it's demands are rather simple: some of those high-end-only 80s drum sounds, digital reverb all over the vocals, thickly layered backing oooos and aaaahs worthy of a sentimental love song, and some rough angry sounds coming out of the guitar occasionally for good measure. I know the band is recording their first EP sometime this week, so we can only pray that the song's goodness will be sufficiently amplified so as to help the band find a record label to take them in and give the rest of their songs a good home. For those of you who like what you hear, I highly recommend the Band's other two demos which can be found here.
[the band's website]
Arizona Amp and Alternator - Bottom of the Barrel
Unlike the song above, this song is the result of a successful compromise between the attractive sloppiness of the demo recording and the necessity of the studio. It manages to sound simultaneously live, almost improvised, and, at the same time, somehow complete. I think this recording philosophy is probably the very attractive/repulsive quality that makes me love/hate Giant Sand in equal measures. (You probably noticed as soon as the vocals started but, in case you didn't, this is the latest Howe Gelb project.) This song undoubtedly falls into the love camp, although I can't pinpoint the exact reason why. Perhaps it's the fact that, based on my general hatred of guitar solos, I enjoy that the solo starting 3/4 of the way through the song is not meant to bring out the melody or display any kind of musical virtuosity but, rather, to annihilate the rest of the instruments and, ultimately, the song itself.
[buy]
posted by ian at 10:09 PM
9 Comments:
Great write-up on the Paper Cranes track; I cannot wait to hear how the studio version ends up sounding. That song is so much fun.
Thanks so much for the love on The Paper Cranes. I fly out to Vancouver tomorrow to do the recording with the band. I'll be sure and send a copy of the EP over to you as soon as I have it. (Familiar aka Greg aka The Paper Cranes manager person).
Howe Gelb should have another record coming out soon that was recorded in ottawa with a baptist choir and Jeremy Gara on drums. The tracks that I have heard are really good.
It's funny, I just heard that Paper Cranes track on random play and had to pop back in to my newsreader to figure out where I downloaded it from--I assumed it was from Little Hits or some other blog specializing in early 80s singles so I was pretty surprised to find out that it's brand new! Anyway, thanks for posting it, it's a nice little tune.
that is such a perfect song
My new favourite band
EP is brilliant!
Canadian music is going through the roof down here in Australia
I had the absolute pleasure of meeting the band and experiencing their live show here in Regina when they made a short stop earlier this month.
I was away (to say the least)! Not only by their music, but the fact that they are good, fun and approachable people.
It does my heart good to see that others are embracing this remarkable band in the same celebratory manner as I am.
Keep spreading the good word....
Oh yeah...
the album is fantastic
....definitely continuous repeat worthy!!
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