Sorry this is so late guys, my friends want to hang out like alllll the time, so annoying. My pick for this week is another from the "Nora Essentials List". I toyed around with a lot of ideas for this week but kept coming back to this so this is what you're getting. The Weakerthans, a band from Canada (s/o Mat, he knows what's up), put out 4 solid LPs from 1999 to 2007 before officially breaking up in July this year about a week before the 10th anniversary of their best album, Left and Leaving, sadly departing before I had the chance to see them live. Their split prompted a flood of musicians I admire (including Jeff Rosenstock, who called them his "favorite band") to tweet about how much their music meant to them, which was really nice for me since I've never talked to anyone (other than Mat) who cared about them at all. Singer John K. Samson, whose lyrics are really what make the Weakerthans an exceptional band, has released some solo stuff and is still active as a musician, but Left and Leaving was the pinnacle of his career.

There's not that much more to say about the album in particular other than listen to the lyrics, they speak for themselves and are the focal point of the music. This album has been a favorite since I started listening to music seriously and I still return to it pretty often so I hope you guys can spend some time with it and enjoy.

Definitely include favorite lyrics in the comments if any stand out. :)

2:09 PM

It's my first pick, and I did a lot of thinking about it. I did a lot of thinking about what people may or may not have heard already, what people would actually like, what fits with the other choices of the group, etc. I decided not to worry about that stuff.

I picked this album for two reasons. It makes me feel good, and I think this is the perfect time for it. This is a summer album, and it's possible that it's only a summer album.

Delorean is a Spanish band who have gone through several phases and sounds. They started in a punk rock space for their first two albums, and in present day, are sort of a more traditional indie pop-rock band. But in the sweet, sweet middle is where I appreciate this group the most. Between this album and their EP Ayrton Senna (which I might even like more or equally, but 4 songs so...) I think they perfected their sound.

Subiza is at its heart a dance album, and could by many standards be considered an electronic dance album. In that sense, it does take some open-mindedness to enjoy it from people who don't generally listen to music with those tags. However, it is still a band, with people playing instruments, that just happens to be heavily influenced by the Ibizan dance culture.

In my h opinion, it's beautiful, it's layered, it's unique, and creates a very specific aesthetic. I've been dying to find another band with this sound that doesn't just go for the lowest common denominator. It's probably not a mistake that I'm on an island for the first time in my life and this is the first album I picked, but I'm hoping this sends some positive vibes your way. If not, I love y'all regardless.

10:26 PM

This week I want you guys to explore the wonderful sounds from Taylor Mcferrin’s debut album Early Riser. Taylor is a Brooklyn based producer, son of Bobby McFerrin who you all probably know for his famous song “Don’t Worry, Be Happy". Released on Flying Lotus’ label Brainfeeder, Early Riser is piece of work that, in my opinion, beautifully blends together various aspects from jazz, R&B, soul, and electronica but in a balanced fashion.

The record starts off with an engaging build up of layered drums, synths, keys, and ambient sounds. Postpartum emotes feelings of a beginning - the start of something fresh and new for both the listener and Taylor. Early Riser doesn’t have a flashy sound, nor is it particularly moving in any tangible sense of the word, but it is fluid both in structure and sound - the vocals flow in and out and have a tendency to sort of reel you back into the sound when you least expect. Taylor is able to keep the chilled out vibe of the record by utilizing a light sub-bass along with airy synths and electronic sounds. It’s the type of sound that allows the listener to ease into the genre without it being too jarring or experimental. Taylor’s style is sort of like a sophomore version of Flying Lotus’. Not in a “Flying Lotus is better than Taylor McFerrin” kind a way, but in a “Taylor’s sound is probably more accessible than FlyLo’s to the layman listener”.

I think the album’s title describes the feel perfectly. It’s a bit drowsy and chilled out, and even with the tracks that have a more powerful sound, the heaviness and instrumentation are eased into and then eased back out of again. The track Decisions (featuring one of my favorite vocalists Emily King), showcases not only Taylor’s songwriting, but also his talent as a producer. I think the way he takes samples of various sounds is intriguing; he does it so that it doesn’t confuse the listener or alienate the lyrics/vocals from the rest of the sound which is hard to do when lots of different pieces are being used.

Early Riser is easily one of my favorite releases off Brainfeeder. It’s an album that has a consistent theme but still embodies Brainfeeder’s vision of pushing the boundaries of electronica and finding ways to creatively weave different genres of music together. 

I don’t want to ask questions as I’m interested in a more organic response to the album, but I would like to know why you liked and/or disliked certain tracks. Happy listening!

7:38 AM

I was extremely hesitant when picking this album. It is clearly something that exists more comfortably in the depths of winter, but I’m willing to take the risk. Lost Wisdom is the second LP by Phil Elverum under the Mount Eerie moniker. Formerly referring to his work as The Microphones, the switch was made in 2003. It truly was a new beginning, as this was the time Phil changed the spelling of his last name from Elvrum to Elverum. 

Normally a singular voice in his work, in both vocals and instrumentation, this time Phil has companions. Vocalist Julie Doiron and guitarist Fred Squire play a role on every track. This grouping was created by a stroke of luck. The aforementioned duo had a break in touring and payed Phil a visit, which found the three of them in a recording studio together. After brief hesitation, they quickly set to work. 

While he certainly uses electric sounds and distortion in his work, Phil mostly has an ambling and meandering acoustic style. Fred Squire punctuates this by providing a backdrop of somber electric guitar. It is unobtrusive, but provides a tone not normally found in an Elverum production. 

Phil has a certain amount of uncertainty in his vocal delivery. He is asking questions that don’t always have an answer ; pondering his existence and looking for things that can’t be found. Julie Doiron provides a more succinct voicing that plays off his existential musings. 

The intimacy of the tracks is opened up and allows the listener to more comfortably enter Phil’s world. 

An album by the Microphones or Mount Eerie is akin to dropping into an existence with Phil. Wether that be a respite by a fire, a cold moonlit night, or being lost in the woods, his music draws you into an experience. This time we have companions on the journey. They create a bridge so we can comfortably sit between our world and his. Phil is not going anywhere, but this time we have someone to hold our hand as we peer through the looking glass.

A couple questions you can expound on, or not. It’s a free country. 

1. Is this your first experience with an Elverum production? 

A ) If yes, did you enjoy it? 

B) If no, how do you think it differentiates from his other work?

2.   It is an extremely sparse album. Do you think like that adds to the feel, or do you want more? 

3.   Did you enjoy the vocal harmony? Do you feel like they played off each other well? 

10:56 AM