Audio Overflow is written entirely by Cale. Cale will gladly listen to your music and review it for you, but not without prior solicitation. To get in contact with Cale, send him an email: audiooverflow (at) gmail (dot) com.
Please understand that Audio Overflow is a "part time" blog, and Cale may never get a chance to mention your music. That's a risk you're gonna have to take. Hint: your chances are better if your music is good. Read around the blog and discover what Cale likes. If you think your music is similar...send it in!
NOTE: To avoid making a new post every week, I've added "Show Watch: Houston" to the side bar on the right. Check there regularly for updates on shows of note in the Houston area.
There are a few new shows to note this week. Those are all written in red. Enjoy.
Two Gallants @ Meridian – August 10, 2007
Eisley @ Meridian - August 16, 2007
Midlake @ Numbers - September 20, 2007
Bloc Party and Deerhoof @ Warehouse Live - September 21, 2007
Dan Deacon @ Walter’s on Washington – September 24, 2007
Rilo Kiley @ Warehouse Live - October 5, 2007
Okkervil River @ Walter’s on Washington – October 6, 2007
The Hives (with Maroon 5...ugh) @ Toyota Center - October 26, 2007
Spoon and The New Pornographers @ Warehouse Live - November 1, 2007
Of Montreal w/ Grand Buffet and MGMT @ Numbers - November 2, 2007
In case you haven't heard yet, you can now buy tickets to the Of Montreal show (and many others) at Ticket Web or Super Unison. They are $15.
A movie soundtrack can effectively make or break a movie. Even the most poignant and touching of movies can be shot to hell by a Britney Spears ballad over an Elton John one. I mean, all the great movies have great soundtracks, right? With that in mind, I thought I'd offer up a short list of the Top 5 movie soundtracks that I can think of at the moment (which is 8:18 am).
#5: Vanilla Sky - I would say that one of my biggest flaws as a movie-lover is that I'm pretty much infatuated with Cameron Crowe movies. Technically speaking, his writing is a bit on the cheesy side and his stories are mostly predictable. That doesn't really stop the man from being a genius at putting together a totally awesome soundtrack for each movie that he does. "Vanilla Sky" is no different. This soundtrack is packed with amazing artists like Sigur Ros, Radiohead, and the Beach Boys (not to mention Jeff Buckley and Bob Dylan). Crowe's knowledge of all things music is one of his greater strengths as a director. It's a talent that comes through in every film he does.
#4: Kill Bill Vol. 1 - Kill Bill Volume 1 would not have been near as cool if it weren't for the excellent sountrack that it contained. In addition to a classic song by Nancy Sinatra and now classic songs by The 5, 6, 7, 8s, the film contained some of the best original music of any movie in recent history. It was all done by The RZA of Wu Tang Clan fame, so you know it's good. Sure, movies like Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings all have their 200-piece orchestral original music, but none of that stuff even compares to the coolness that seeps out of every second of this great film. Word.
#3: Forest Gump - This is the only great movie whose greatness is only rivaled by its soundtrack. Every song on this brilliant collection of pop and rock hits from the 60s and 70s is a perfect match to this quirky and unforgettable film. At two CDs and 35 songs, the soundtrack is a beast to tackle. Take it on a road trip with you and you won't be disappointed. It's great!
#2: Elizabethtown - Again, I'm madly in love with Cameron Crowe's movies; even this movie that everyone loved to hate. While the movie itself is big on cheese and little on substance (allegedly), the soundtrack is just packed with some of the best music ever made. Cameron Crowe's could've picked any song to go into Orland Bloom's "breakdown" scene, but he chose "My Father's Gun" by Elton John. Not only did it work, but it was perfect! I can't imagine any other song being there, and no other song could come close to accompany the movie's turning point. The whole soundtrack is perfect, as is usually the case with Crowe. This one just happens to be his best.
#1: Garden State - Was there ever a doubt in your mind as to what would make #1? There shouldn't have been. Zach Braff is a genius. Not only did he have the soundtrack planned out before the movie was even made, but he actually sent out little CD-Rs to everyone who read the script, so they'd have music to accompany their read. So while all the Hollywood suits are reading this charming script, they're listening to The Shins, Zero 7, Iron and Wine, and Frou Frou. No wonder this movie got made, and no wonder it was so perfect! Dozens of movies have tried to mimic the success of this soundtrack to no avail! You can shove all the hipsters' favorites on to a CD and call it a soundtrack, but it will never be the same. This one was created with care, and it shows! I won't say it will change your life...but it comes pretty damn close!
How do you follow an album like "So Jealous," an album that not only helped solidify Tegan and Sara's place as one of the decade's most notable indie pop/rock acts, but also helped define their career? How do you follow the sheer, raw enjoyment that was found over every second of such a fantastic record? For the Quin sisters, the answer is "The Con," their newest and, in my opinion, best album.
On "The Con," Tegan and Sara show that they've matured a lot since their last outing, not only musically, but lyrically as well. Whereas "So Jealous" was largely a fast-paced rock album, this one is much more balanced. There are clearly songs that sound like classic Tegan and Sara, but at the same time there are also some beautifully composed and executed songs. Almost every track on the album features multiple layers of guitars and synthesizers. "Relief Next To Me" showcases this addition quite nicely, as does "Knife Going In" and the absolutely awesome title track. "Are You Ten Years Ago" forgoes the typical drum set for an electronic drum track, and the end result is a more effective song than it would've been otherwise.
It's clear that the Quin sisters wanted to make an album that branches out from their previous sounds and explores new territory. For any artist, it is always a tricky path to walk. However, Tegan and Sara have achieved their goal flawlessly. They no longer sound like little girls but women. Every second of "The Con" showcases their maturity as musicians and as lyricists, and I couldn't be happier.
"So Jealous" was always sort of a guilty pleasure for me. As a grown male, you better believe I faced some opposition from friends when I tried to show them Tegan and Sara. No longer. "The Con" is an album that I'm not only proud to own, but I'm trilled to say that it's one of the best, most surprising records to release in 2007. If you've ever been a Tegan and Sara fan, you absolutely have to check this one out!
Key Tracks: 1. "The Con" 2. "Hop A Plane" 3. "Soil, Soil" 4. "Burn Your Life Down" 5. "Like O, Like H"
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