We pick the best of the best in music this month.
Lykke Li
Youth Novels
Warner Music
This Scandinavian export's full name is Li Lykke Timotej Zachrisson but lucky for those of us not fluent in Swedish, she simply goes by Lykee Li. Youth Novels (produced by Bjorn Yttling from Peter, Bjorn and John) is the first LP by the young chanteuse and it's a tremendous effort. Try not to be scared off by track #1, ‘Melodies and Desires'. At first I thought this was going to be an audio yoga class, but it turns out this intro is just an artsy way to begin a journey that will leave you both delighted and entertained. How can an album that incorporates theremin, flute, kazoo and harpsichord, not leave you smiling? Second track ‘Dance Dance Dance' showcases this indie cuties grasp on catchy hooks and sing able lyrics, almost all dealing with heartbreak. Her voice is fascinating: cherubic, haunting, breathy and sometimes childlike, she's all Tori Amos, Emily Haines and Tegan and Sara, in one ethereal songstress. ‘Tonight' is a beautiful song, incorporating dulcet church organs and robust drumming followed by ‘Little Bit'; a perfect example of her unique blend of pop, disco and indie rock.
Latest single ‘Breaking it Up' brings together the essential handclap and anthemic background vocals, leaving no doubt that uproarious live show sing-a-longs will ensue.
This girl is an undisputable talent, covered in sweet sugar and dipped in melodic honey.
Sounds pretty tasty, doesn't it? Pick up a copy of Youth Novels and let me know what you think at larissa@ellecanada.com</a>.
If you really dig her, she'll be at the Mod Club in Toronto on Oct. 24th and in Vancouver at Richard on Richards on Oct. 28th.
The Little Ones
Morning Tide
Heavenly
Lee LaDouceur, Ian Moreno, Brian Reyes, Ed Reyes are the key ingredients in the Los Angeles based four piece collective, The Little Ones. It's easy to confuse them for any one of the recent brit pop acts having come to light as of late. First off, they're signed to Heavenly, a London based label, boasting TheMagic Numbers, Doves and Manic Street Preacher. They also manage to blend that classic brit pop sound with spunky beats whilst channeling the ultimate Californians, The Beach Boys.
You simply can't be in a bad mood putting on their first full-length album, Morning Tide. The brothers and friends have a refreshing outlook on life, easily translated through each track.
‘Ordinary', is the best track on the album and will surely send radio programmers into a tizzy. The energy never subsides as the band switches from one sunny California day to the next. ‘Boracay' announces the pleasures of falling in love on the beach while ‘Rise and Shine' airily promotes a day began under the bluest skies.
Having already opened up for The Kaiser Chiefs and touring the UK in support of the release, these boys really don't have too much to complain about. If you're the type who prefers your indie rock a little more tortured, I would stay pretty far away from this one. For everyone else, it's a light, inoffensive album that proves you don't have to write about broken hearts and heroin to make a decent record.
Morning Tides has already been released in the UK and will be gracing our shores on Oct. 8th but if you're really anxious, you can always download it from UK Itunes.
Gym Class Heroes
The Quilt
Decaydance/Fueled by Ramen
You know their 2006 release, As Cruel as School Children, so you're familiar with Gym Class Heroes blend of pop, rock, soul and punk. Take what you already know about the band, and improve it slightly. That's the basic lesson taught to us by The Quilt, Gym Class Heroes 4th full-length album. They make really cool, listenable, unique hip-hop and by all accounts, they're just going to keep getting better and better.
Starting the album with UK hit maker Estelle, the Heroes pound out a bongo-laden ditty sure to catch the ear of any music aficionado. The string of sparkly stars doesn't stop there when Busta Rhymes shows up two songs later on ‘Peace Sign/Index Down'. It's riddled with ‘F'-bombs but it's a remarkable amalgamation of keys, rap and pristine production brought to you by Cool&Dre (The Game, Ja Rule).
Throwing Busta Rhymes on your album just instantly increases your hip-hop cred but then add a splash of Darryl Hall and you're rock cred swells to unimaginable proportions. Yes, you heard me, Darryl freakin'Hall, co-front man of Hall and Oates, appears in 7-minute song ‘Live Forever', a personal track inspired by the loss of Travis McCoy's (lead vocals) cousin last year. Although the inclusion of Darryl Hall seems like a good idea in theory, the song is unfortunately forgettable. Lets just say it's no Kayne/Coldplay combination. ‘Home' provides heavy guitar riffing by lead guitarist Disashi Lumumba-Kasongo, satisfying any Van Halen junkie with an ear for hip-hop. There must be a few out there.
The Gym Class Heroes continue to prove that all musical genres can work together for the greater good: It's musical communism and it works.
Warner Music will release The Quilt on Sept. 9th.
