Ah, the Atlantic Line of the Pacific coast – a band whose name finds irony in geography, and whose new album entitled Exit to Intro is likewise conceptually backwards (at least in nomenclature).   But that’s all very superficial, and were the music itself similarly of little consequence, you can bet a blue ox (why not?) I wouldn’t spill even a bit of cyber ink over it.

As it is, LA’s Atlantic Line is worth writing about, and even more worth listening to.  Exit to Intro is an album of wide open space, mixing a lot of ambient chorus, reverb and laser effects to produce a strong sense of orbital movement.  Really, if you don’t feel as if your breezing past Venus upon a pan-Milky Way trip on Haley’s Comet, then you’re just not getting it.  But I do think you’ll get it, and if the layered effects of the tunes aren’t enough to draw out a sigh of awe, then focus on the melodies, since clearly the Atlantic Line don’t think a song a song without a fine melody to go along.

The Atlantic Line’s tour calendar is slightly light right now, but we have hope that maybe they’ll travel part way across the country in the near future.  Want to hear the best thing yet?  The band has a gift just for you – a copy of Exit to Intro for free download via their website!  Snag it now, and don’t forget to hook up with the band via the hordes of social media options listed on their website and myspace.

Here’s the tune I’ve been digging on for about a week now.  Let me know if you do too!

[audio=http://borangutan.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/02-Big-Brother.mp3]

“Big Brother” by: The Atlantic Line

Links

The Atlantic Line – Website / Myspace / Facebook

posted July 1st, 2010 at 5:45 pm Reviews Exit to Intro, The Atlantic Line

I’m not too sure what constitutes a “fake place,” but if I had to place a bet on where to find one, I might choose the place that band members Joe Winterer and Garrett Neal met – (duh, duh, duh, duhhhhh) the internet’s Craigslist.  It might not be the most storied place to meet (how has your personal ad performed there?), but that doesn’t mean grand things can’t spring from it.  Case in point: Minneapolis synth poppers Fake Places’ new album This Vision is a Trick.

This Vision is a Trick is a collection of synth songs that remind me of the first time I heard an OMD album.  Half the songs instantly gratifying, half instantly underwhelming – but after every listen each song matured like fine wine and somehow, in some inexplicable way, intuitively made a lot more sense.  I’ve been digging into Fake Places for about a week now, and you betcha, I’m well into the maturation stage.  Fair warning for you OMD fans before you rush out to grab Fake Places: this band embraces softer maneuvers.  Think of OMD covering The Jesus and Mary Chains‘ Stone and Dethroned and you might be on the right track.

But as always, you needn’t listen to me, this is the 21st century!  Just listen for yourself.

[audio=http://borangutan.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/03-Infinity-Writer.mp3,,download]

“Infinity Writer” by: Fake Places

This Vision is a Trick Tracklist

1. This Vision
2. English Channels
3. Infinity Writer
4. Ode To Ramaty
5. House In Thought
6. The Pedestrian
7. Rooms Filled With Smoke
8. Blacking Out
9. On Your Way Down

Links

Fake Places- Website / Myspace

As an aside, if Craigslist constitutes a “fake place” by virtue of being on the internet, then what does that make this site?  Hmmm… “Borangutan – your fake place on the internet since 2009″!  Love it.

posted June 29th, 2010 at 11:50 am Reviews Fake Places

Hailing from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, The Spill Canvas played at the Triple Rock a couple weeks ago.  Playing an hour’s set, band members Nick Thomas, Joe Beck, Dan Ludeman and Landon Heil reawakened the raw appreciation for the grunge sound, with their suggestive yet explosive drums and bass guitar.

A slightly hypnotizing sound reminiscent of a gentle head massage, their music demonstrated an emotional depth and maturity intermixed with a romantic appeal especially in the stripped down acoustic songs.

Halfway through the show, opening band member Tyler Hilton joined the musicians on stage. Tyler sang with Nick Thomas, while Joe Beck, Dan Ludeman and Landon Heil goofed around, one of them suddenly appearing in a black raincoat, carrying an umbrella and a water gun. These boys have a good time on stage and it is reflected in their musical style. An engaging band with a positive message, perfect for an easy-going, warm summer night.

Links

http://www.thespillcanvas.com/

http://www.myspace.com/tsc

Tour Dates

Date                             City                             Venue

06/19/10                     Calgary, AB              The Den

06/20/10                    Regina, SK                The Exchange

06/21/10                    Winnipeg, MB          West End Cultural Centre

06/23/10                    Madison, WI             Majestic Theatre

06/24/10                    Cleveland H., OH    Grog Shop

06/25/10                    Toronto, ONT           Opera House Concert Venue

06/26/10                    Montreal, QC            Underworld

06/28/10                    London, ONT           Call The Office

06/29/10                    Indianapolis, IN      Emerson Theatre

07/15/10                    Milwaukee, WI         The Rave Buy

07/17/10                    Cleveland, OH          Tower City

07/18/10                    Detroit, MI                 DTE Energy

07/20/10                    Chicago, IL                Charter One Pavilion

07/21/10                     Millvale, PA               Mr. Smalls Theatre

07/22/10                     Saratoga, NY              SPAC

posted June 18th, 2010 at 1:32 pm Reviews The Spill Canvas, Tyler Hilton

A few months back I received a local EP in the mail from a new band called BNLX.  I wasn’t alone – other people laid paws on the EP as well, but unlike me, they had time to blog about it and spread the good word.  These days everyone is trying to find unique ways to promote and distribute their music, and because of this the EP has has experienced a sort of renaissance .  The only problem with this is that the EP can be a serious marketing and image  nightmare since, on account of its brevity, it can struggle to create its own identity or storyline; finishing before the listener can escape into it.

It took Billy Corgan two discs of material to create the storyesque Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness.  I’ve never heard of anyone doing anything similar within the context of a 3-4 song EP. (Note: If you have, I’d love to hear the example!  It would no doubt be a supreme work of creativity).

But here is the deal: BNLX just released a second EP, now only three months after the first.  Like the first, this EP contains four songs, bringing the total to eight tunes on the year.

[audio=http://borangutan.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/01-Do-Without.mp3,,download] “Do Without” by: BNLX

[audio=http://borangutan.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/01-Where-Is-The-Love.mp3,,download] “Where Is The Love” by: BNLX

Where is this headed?  Do the masterminds behind BNLX have some master plan for their EP releases beyond the simple effect of “keeping things fresh” with regular releases?  If so, I might like to see something like a fan contest where people like me are asked to cannibalize the EPs (there will be a third, right?), reorganize them, and produce an ideal LP version of the three combined at the end of the year.   This LP, of course, would have a new hidden track tacked on at the end, come with unique art work, and maybe even have some other goodies to boot.  I’m sure those creative BNLX’ers could come up with something extra special!

But until we find out exactly what BNLX is up to, we can all stay content with our frankincense and myrrh.  BNLX and BNLX2 represent some of the best, straight-up modern rock to come out of the cities in recent years.  Were I asked to coin a term or phrase to best describe how I feel about BNLX, I might coin this: “Too Cool for Indie.”

Catch BNLX live at their release show on Friday, June 25 at Sauce Spirits and Sound Bar.  $5 cover, music at 10PM.

Links

BNLX – Website / Myspace / Facebook

posted June 10th, 2010 at 3:41 pm Reviews BNLX

(TCT in the Cities is a monthly photographic series presented by Borang photographer Chuck Pittman.  This series is just a sample of some of the live footage captured by Pittman each month around the Twin Cities, and more photos from these and other shows can be viewed at the TCT Photography Flickr page.)

Karnivool @ The Rock Nightclub 4/12/2010

Karnivool put on a show that you just couldn’t keep your eyes off of for a second or you would miss something wild. The singer, Ian Kenny, is so different than any lead singer I have seen before. His antics on stage were hard to follow but made great photos. His Voice reminds me of a 50′s singer and it flows along perfectly with the tones of the two guitars and bass. (Chuck Pittman)

[audio=http://borangutan.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/04-Set-Fire-To-The-Hive.mp3,,download]

“Set Fire To The Hive” by: Karnivool

Read more…

posted May 18th, 2010 at 6:25 pm TCT in the Cities Fair to Midland, Karnivool, This Providence

The State Theater was almost completely stocked full of fans last weekend when the touring threesome, Lynhurst, Canadian-born Lights, and the headlining band, Owl City took stage. The screaming, enthusiastic teenage fans made both the photographer and myself feel a tad out of place, but the feelings of general age-related angst quickly subsided once the lights dimmed and the action began.

First up was the talented local sibling trio, Lynhurst. Previously The Abdomen, this band has enjoyed numerous successes over the years, landing gigs at such prestigious events such as South By Southwest and the NACA Mid-Atlantic and Northern Plains conferences, and is currently on tour with the electro-pop princess Lights and Owl City, who is headlining the tour. Mari Abdo, the younger sister in the trio, is an impressive drummer and singer, and brings a wonderful feminine energy to the performance, while brothers Matt and Jake provide a melodious yet an unmistakable “rock ‘n roll” sound. A highlight of the evening was presented with a quirky version of The Cardigans “Love Fool” This band knows how to stir listeners up out of their seats and seem to genuinely play their music out of a pure love for it.

Next up was Lights, also known as Valerie Anne Poxleitner. This lithe, petite musician is a Juno award-winning performer and has at a young age released several EP’s and multiple singles heard nationwide. Her music style is an electronic sound not far from being reminiscent of prior female electronic acts such as Scottish performer Ladyhawke with flair of Ladytron included. Her voice with its vulnerable and airy feel, bring to mind vocal qualities of Stina Nordenstam and Heather Nova, especially in one of her hit singles, “Ice.” A definite addition to any electro-pop fan’s iTunes library.

Last, but definitely not least, was headliner band Owl City. A local Minnesotan, it is rumored that chronic insomnia essentially led to the beginning of this talented writer and performers work. Whether that is true or not, this young musician has experienced tremendous success in the short time span he has been active. With the enormous popularity of his single “Fireflies”, and Young recently signing with the Universal Republic production label, this artist’s popularity continues to rise. Categorized as belonging to synthpop, Young’s musical range and attire seem appropriate within the European Mod category as well, with vocals in a similar vein to Peter, Björn and John as well as The Postal Service. His performance at the State Theater was no exception, amplified with all his band members wearing British style Mod outfits. Young played multiple instruments throughout the show, and demonstrated an introspectively theatrical dance style. Everything Young expresses seems to come from a deeply personal and complex place, and is thereby performed in such a way. An intimate performance beset on a foundation of massive popularity. If Owl City doesn’t appear on the next Twilight Saga film soundtrack, than I don’t know what will.

Owl City Tour Dates

posted May 12th, 2010 at 11:44 am Reviews Lights, Lynhurst, Owl City