Maximo Park |
A bunch of labels still refuse the unedited, half-decently coded MP3 as a mechanism for publicity. It’s a legal problem to an extent, with both recording and publishing copyright issues holding up the suits and ties. Then I happened to be browsing on-line retailer Insound’s download section and found a few freebies from bands on notoriously stingy labels — get them before somebody realizes the mistake.The Futureheads, “Skip to the End” (mp3)
Futureheads made a splash with their uptight post-punk debut in 2004, unpredictable rhythm change-ups and close multi-part harmonies at every turn. For their latest, News & Tributes (Vagrant), they write all the big, balladic rockers they were too afraid to commit to the first outing. “Skip to the End” is the best.
Art Brut, “Good Weekend” (mp3)
I’ve written about “Good Weekend” eight or nine times now; I tried to put aside my infatuation with AB’s ability to take down cliché punk lovesickness simply by outclichéing, out-punking, and out-lovesicking the genre, but here I am downloading it again . . .
Maximo Park, “A19” (mp3)
The Park have only one proper full-length, the slept-on LP A Certain Trigger, with its early-Devo jitter rock. But Warp pieced together some alternative takes and B-sides for the Newcastle band’s second release, Missing Songs — surprisingly solid given that it’s made of crumbs. “A19” shows MP singer Paul Smith beats his pals at lyrics: “A continent could fall tonight/And it would have no impact on our lives.”
Mylo, “Doctor Pressure” (mp3)
This tune’s been released like 10 times now in 20 different countries, so I’m relieved that RCA is throwing us a bone, a mash-up between Mylo’s crunchy fuzz-house hit “Drop the Pressure” and the Miami Sound Machine’s “Doctor Beat,” which is my favorite Gloria Estefan song after “1-2-3.” Just in time for the Miami Vice movie.
Related:
Subtle stars, Post-punk redux, Born Ruffians | Say It, More 
- Subtle stars
In the gaps between words are the things that really intrigue me,” sings Maxïmo Park frontman Paul Smith on “Girls Who Play Guitars.”
- Post-punk redux
Hyperactive. That’s the best way to describe Maximo Park singer Paul Smith.
- Born Ruffians | Say It
Over the past half of Warp’s robust 20-year run, the label’s enduring legacy as a vanguard force in electronic music has drifted as its tastes have gone positively eclectic. The mixed-media future folk of Bibio, the experimental soul of Jamie Lidell, the polished post-punk nuts of Maximo Park.
- Harmonic convergences
Beyond their artful, crackling, dueling-guitar geometrics and layers of cunning rhythms, the Futureheads' most distinguishing and potent weapon is their four-part vocals.
- Harmonic convergence
“I don’t know what to do with myself,” Ross Millard mutters, shrugging at his mates as he sets his guitar down at the rear of the small stage at the back of Seattle’s East Street Records and ambles toward his mic stand.
- Blowing up
I’m guessing most people know this by now: album sales continue to tank.
- FARC
You’ve probably heard of two of the “indie” hip-hop artists below, even if they’re bypassing trad distribution models and just giving away their music.
- In anticipation of summer
Here are four reminders of what this summer holds for the lot of us.
- Far into the Future
Almost every Tuesday night, New York DJ/producer Tim Sweeney live-mixes disco, house, electro, and offshoots and recombinants thereof.
- Slow dives
Surely the Interpol dick-riding will end soon, yes?
- The street scene
Without getting into the history and the morality of mixtapes, it’s worth mentioning that Pharrell isn’t the first rapper who’s scored more artistic points with a mixtape than with a sanctioned label release. Pop goes a Neptune: Pharrell Williams raps his way into a corner. By Nick Sylvester
- Less
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, Maximo Park, Paul Smith, The Futureheads, More
, Maximo Park, Paul Smith, The Futureheads, Miami Sound Machine, Less
