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Legally previewed

A look at 2008's anticipated releases

By RYAN STEWART | December 31, 2007

Beach House

The popular music-sharing torrent site Oink may have been shut down by Interpol (the authorities, not the band) in 2007, but so far that hasn’t done much to prevent people from sharing new albums in advance of their release dates. We haven’t partaken in any such activities — as far as you know — but here’s a look at some of January and February’s more anticipated releases and their legally available free previews.

Beach House, “Gila”
Beach House have a reputation for sounding like pure bliss, but on this track from Devotion (Carpark), the duo sounds almost angry, or at least as angry as Victoria Legrand is capable of with her detached, airy voice. Otherwise it’s still the crystalline, ethereal sound fans have become accustomed to.

Black Mountain, “Tyrants” (mp3)
With its shifts between scorching metal riffery, psychedelic droning, and folky stretches of calm, this track serves as a solid demonstration of what this Canadian fivesome can do. Unfortunately, at a sometimes meandering eight minutes, this one works better within the context of the rest of the upcoming In the Future (Jagjagwar) than it does as a stand-alone.

British Sea Power, “Waving Flags”
This song from February’s Do You Like Rock Music (Rough Trade) features reverbed drums, a vocal choir, guitar and synths that mimic a string section, and fist-pumping lyrics. It’s reminiscent of U2 during their ascendant years, but mercifully without the messiah complex.

Times New Viking, “My Head”/“R.I.P. Allegory” (mp3)
These two brief tracks offered as one download by Matador are both quick and dirty rock-and-roll tracks with a lot of fuzz, the kind you can expect to hear a lot of on their upcoming Rip It Off. The two songs combined clock in at less than two and a half minutes, meaning the overly distorted vocals don’t get a chance to outstay their welcome.

Related: Not teens, not dreams, Is 2010 the Year of the Girl?, Beach House | Teen Dream, More

Not teens, not dreams
“The abstract has been very good to us.” I am communicating via e-mail with the two members of Baltimore’s dreamy pop choir Beach House, and to be honest, I don’t know which one of them made that statement.
Is 2010 the Year of the Girl?
Many have argued that the descriptor "indie music" means nothing more or less than "bands Pitchfork reviews" these days, and the claim was never more true than last year
Beach House | Teen Dream
Before I talk about Beach House's third album — the top dreampop album of 2010 until further notice — I should reveal that I had the big gay whirlwind romance of my life under the influence of a steady stream of Beach House Mania at SxSW three years ago.
Black Mountain scale various rock influences
If, as they say, talent borrows and genius steals, then Vancouver rock collective Black Mountain do a bit of both.
Guest lists 2010: Phoenix critics weigh in on the year in music
What consensus?
2010: The Year In Pop Music
Music may exist to express emotions, dreams, and nightmares, but beyond its loftier aims, it's a means of escape.
Beach House | Bloom
For most bands, being labeled "formulaic" is an insult.
The future is now
Even with all the promise of the new year ahead, it's hard not to feel a little stiffed in the Future of Mankind department. Here it is, 2010, and there's nary a flying car to be seen.
Reverence without pity
Unless you actually think Ozzy Osbourne still has some fire in his belly, you can’t help but argue that Black Mountain will be the most exciting rock show to come to Portland in some time.
Here comes the Whambulance
The Baltimore loft once known as Wham City is long dead, its inhabitants evicted in 2007, but the twisted DIY art movement it housed has flourished nonetheless.
Black Mountain
The band’s sound comes together best on the opening track, “Stormy High,” which, rather than inspiring you to space out, pulls you out of your seat with its relentless monster garage riffage.
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Topics: Download , Victoria Legrand, Interpol, British Sea Power, More

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