This is the third and final installment in a series of articles about the TC Electropunk Vol. 5 compilation released at the tail-end of 2009. Within these articles, I have done a bit of genre deconstruction, and musically placed different songs into three particular genre categories that, admittedly, may make more sense to me than to anyone else. Dissecting TCEP5 Part 1 and TCEP5 Part 2 dealt with “Electropunk as New Wave Punk” and “Electropunk as ElectroPop” respectively. In this final article I present a final genre – one that is perhaps both the most obvious and most accessible to modern memory.

Electropunk as Industrial

How many people out there could raise their hand if asked “were you introduced to industrial music through Trent Reznor and Nine Inch Nails”? I could. In fact, I remember the first time I heard some Nine Inch Nails in junior high at a friend’s house. Reznor had been doing his thing for at least a few years, but the early nineties had come, and along with it, a new national scene loosely organized around a genre called “alternative,” a sort of catch-all category where previously unpopular kinds of music could be tossed into and hence made – popular? (Hmm… this strangely sounds a lot like a modern movement in rock that people bandy about. Can you name it? Here’s a hint – it starts with a big, fat “I”.) Indeed, it was industria’ls time to emerge from the underground, or industrial metal’s time at least, and it wasn’t long before my friends and I were dipping into Ministry and Helmet; and later on, Filter and Stabbing Westward. You know, the mainstream metal stuff, not the hipper contemporaneous submergent stuff. We weren’t cool enough or aware of enough for that. Cut us some slack, we were 12!

The reason I mention this short story about industrial music’s popularization is because the collection of songs found on TCEP5 seem to blossom directly from that short 6-7 year period in the 90’s where industrial metal bands were packing stadiums and clubs. If you grew up listening to Nine Inch Nails, performing impromptu self-body piercings, and testing the strength of your bedroom drywall with your fist, then you seriously need to check out these tunes.

The TCEP5 compilation begins upbeat with songs by Avenpitch, Thosquanta, and Pop Inc, but track 5, “Rampage When You Die” by OBCT, is where the ten-pound sledge falls. It actually took me a bit by surprise the first time I listened through the record. Sneaky, sneaky stuff; but for those of us who’ve stepped away from industrial metal for several years now, the thickly overdriven guitars produce a familiar beckoning call. The aggressive bellows of OBCT’s vocalists, now singularly and now in tandem, push the music over the edge and into a dark crevice of emotion.

“Control Freak” by MSRP follows on track six with rolling toms and screeching background synth. MSRP recalls fond memories I have of popping in my first Filter album, but this band mixes it up more on “Control Freak” than your typical 4-chord Filter jam. I love you Filter, but MSRP has something special going on.

Synching music in television and film has been going on for quite some time, but now more than ever synching has become a crucial tool in getting music out there in front of the masses. Were I producing a new Crow movie, I think I’d just synch a bunch of TCEP bands. When the Crow needs to Kill! Kill! Kill! I’d play One Two Three Dead’s “My First Communion,” a song with all the necessary edge and aggression called for. Is it time to roll in the tricked out black Cadillac yet? Then let’s play “Dr. Night” by Mach Fox and let the smooth times roll. Oh, and we also mustn’t forget the obligatory prepare and march to the final showdown scene, which could easily be driven by The Eighth’s “Wasted Heartbeats,” and as for the showdown scene itself? I think I’d toss in the maniacal sounding “Tickle Me Panzer” by Gabber Nullification Project.

The only loose string left, as I see it, would be a little tune to play while the movie credits run and folks file out of the theater. It’s a good thing Circa A.M. submitted “The Up Aboves,” because the gradual flow and thumping percussion of this song moves at just the right speed to pace a walk up the isle and out the back doors. What a way to end a flick!

OBCT

“Rampage When You Die” by: OBCT (download free at tcelectropunk.com)

MSRP

“Control Freak” by: MSRP

One Two Three Dead

“My First Communion” by: One Two Three Dead (download free at tcelectropunk.com)

Mach Fox

“Dr. Night” by: Mach Fox (download free at tcelectropunk.com)

The Eighth

“Wasted Heartbeats” by: The Eighth (download free at tcelectropunk.com)

Gabber Nullification Project

“Tickle Me Panzer” by: Gabber Nullification Project (download free at tcelectropunk.com)

Dissecting TC Electropunk Vol. 5 – Part 3

Circa A.M.

“The Up Aboves” by: Circa A.M. (download free at tcelectropunk.com)

Read more…

posted February 23rd, 2010 at 9:29 am Download, MN Rock, Reviews Circa A.M., Gabber Nullification Project, Mach Fox, MSRP, OBCT, One Two Three Dead, The Eighth

We just got word that local Minneapolis rockers and Borangutan favorites Pictures of Then have a free song available for download this week through the Reverb Nation website.  The offer is only running through tomorrow, so you better hurry!  It’s true it won’t cost you a penny, but it will cost you a slot of social network real-state friend-space (i.e. you must become friends with Windows 7).  Jump over to the Reverb Nation website, find Picture of Then’s song “Big Sell,” and click on “download.”  You’ll be prompted to connect up with Windows 7 through one of four social networking sites: Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, and one other I fail to remember.  There are songs to download by other artists as well.

Now don’t worry, Windows 7 just wants to be your friend, and you have the option of opting out of any of the extra social networking attached strings, like active streaming, for instance.  We’ve streamed “Big Sell” for you below, but you’ll have to hop over to the Reverb Nation website to get it.  Here is the link:

http://www.reverbnation.com/playlist7?artist_id=14507

Be sure to check out Pictures of Then at Sauce Spirits and Soundbar on Friday Feb. 26.

“Big Sell” by: Pictures of Then

Links

Pictures of Then – Website / Myspace

Photo Credit – Mike Minehart

posted February 11th, 2010 at 6:01 pm Download, MN Rock Pictures of Then

Funny thing happened the other day. I was talking to a friend on the phone about random stuff, and she mentioned that she was a huge fan of Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. As I hung up the phone with her I opened my email box and what did I find? A press release announcing BRMC’s latest album Beat The Devil’s Tattoo. In addition, there were also tour dates thrown in for BRMC’s upcoming outing, and this; the mp3 of the title track off the new album.

We typically keep things very locally focused here, but sometimes we get stuff that’s so good we have to throw it out there for you. Here is “Beat The Devil’s Tattoo,” from BRMC to us, and from us to you. BRMC will play First Avenue Nightclub on March 27.

“Beat The Devil’s Tattoo” by: Black Rebel Motorcycle Club

Links

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club – Myspace

posted February 10th, 2010 at 11:07 pm Concert Announcements, Download Black Rebel Motorcycle Club

Earlier today Jeremy Messersmith posted a song to his myspace blog that he had recorded with local artist Dan Wilson of Semisonic.  Within the post Messersmith mentions that he’s been working on an entire album with Wilson, and he notes that they “spent a lot of time exploring different sonic areas, sometimes ditching whole recordings and nearly finished songs and starting anew.”  One of the songs that made its way through this process is posted below, and the song is entitled “Wasting Time.”  After trying to find the tune a happy spot on the album, Messersmith decided it just “didn’t fit thematically,” but on the bright side, at least we all get a snapshot into what might be expected on the upcoming record.



We couldn’t be happier over here!

“Wasting Time” by: Jeremy Messersmith

Feel free to go download the song yourself HERE.

Photo credit – Darin Back

Links

Jeremy Messersmith – Website / Myspace

Dan Wilson – Website / Myspace

posted February 4th, 2010 at 12:12 pm Download, MN Rock Dan Wilson, Jeremy Messersmith

“Rock the Cause is a phenomenal organization! The RTC team has an amazing passion for helping local non-profits and have already helped our agency by recruiting a number of male mentors, which is one of our biggest needs.  We are tremendously appreciative for everything that Rock the Cause is doing to build stronger communities, one child at a time.”

- Nadia Siddiqui, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Twin Cities

This Friday evening’s Glitter Ball 3 will be the first of many Rock the Cause hosted events in 2010, and to celebrate the kick-off of a great year for Minnesota’s hardest rocking charity, we’ve decided to declare Rock the Cause week on Borangutan.  Everyday this week we’ll be bringing you music and testimonials from Rock the Cause artists and partnered organizations, providing insight into what Rock the Cause is all about and why it makes the Borangs rush for their dancing shoes!

We might add we’re not the only ones taking note of this Friday’s festivities; Minneapolis mayor R.T. Rybak has also acknowledged the tireless efforts of Rock the Cause in our communities, declaring this Friday “Rock the Cause for Big Brothers Big Sisters Day.”

For more information about Rock the Cause’s partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Cities, check out a post we did a couple weeks back.  And without further ado, let us introduce you (or perhaps reintroduce you) to Alison Scott, a Minneapolis artist whose unique brand of soul has that special, graceful edge that makes one yearn for that coveted table, front and center, before her stage in an intimately lit Minneapolis club.  Please tell us you’ll play a show on February 14th Alison.

“Rock the Cause, where do I begin!?!  The group of people running this organization is top notch.  They are 100% committed to the project, and their passion is infectious.  It makes the rest of us want to run out and DO something.  I just feel like one of the lucky ones, to have been asked to be involved in this is truly exciting.  Besides, who else would ask me to tease my hair, throw on some leggings and rock out to ACDC????  If I knew that could raise money, I’d do it every day!  Ladies and Gents…help us Rock the Cause! -Alison Scott

“Stop!” by: Alison Scott

Alison Scott will perform at Glitter Ball 3 at The Music Box Theater this Friday evening, January 29.  Tickets can be purchased through Rock the Cause for $15.  Happy hour begins at 6:30PM, music at 8:00PM.

Links

Alison Scott – Website / Myspace

Rock the Cause – Website

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Twin Cities- Website / Become a Volunteer

posted January 25th, 2010 at 8:01 am Download, MN Rock Alison Scott, Rock the Cause

The Twin Cities music scene is a mosaic of smaller niche and cranny scenes only capable of being loosely discussed by folks who write about music in Minnesota.  With so many bands and artists playing out in our clubs every week, it would truly be a gargantuan task for any individual (or organization for that matter) to wrap it all together in one tight bundle.  Yet despite this, there are pockets of artists in this town that have taken matters into their own hands, striving to formulate a single, cohesive, musical assault on the masses.  Perhaps foremost among these are the many bands that comprise the TC Electropunk scene.

Every year for the last five years TC Electropunk has released a compilation album showcasing many of the best electronic bands in Minnesota.  Just out of their fifth year, TC Electropunk Vol. 5 dropped at the tail end of 2009.

As someone who grew up on his own healthy dose of seminal punk rock, now seems as good a time as any to dispel a possible myth about TC Electropunk.  It’s not punk music sensu The Dead Kennedys or Black Flag, but the scene itself embodies the punk rock ethos as strongly as any has.  Some might cry “foul” when listening to TC Electropunk bands, not hearing the power-chord driven, deep anti-establishment lyrics of punk lore.  But these days, few bands seem to rage against the political machines, and TC Electropunk bands seem to choose to rage against the machine of industry and technology instead, while embracing that same technology with a blazing irony.  From the same working man’s, do-it-yourself roots from which punk was initially drawn comes Electropunk, and the particular way it has reared its mechanical head might best be explained by the words taken directly from the TC Electropunk website:

It’s simply what happens when you take a generation of bored teens and twentysomethings – raised on hardcore punk, British techno, Nintendo, and Doritos – and place cheap digital recording technology within their grasp.

Though TC Electropunk bands have found a collective identity, Volume 5 remains a matter of genre splicing.  Electropunk is more punk in practice than sound, so it should come as little surprise that many of the songs on TC Electropunk Vol. 5 sound as if they originated from slightly different musical influences.  The following is the first of three articles where I attempt to parse out the album in a way that, admittedly, may make more sense to me than anyone else.  While some bands may feel uncomfortable with my categorizations they may rest assured: their music rocks, and in spite of my personal designations, it’s really all still rock ‘n roll to me. 

Electropunk as New Wave Punk

Three songs off TC Electropunk Vol. 5 could have been plucked directly from the second overseas invasion of the late 70’s and early 80’s.  Avenpitch’s “Soon Enough” kicks the album off with tremendous drive.  Its ear popping synth is fit for the discotheque as well as the backdoor club, and were it not for the more modern, tongue lashing delivery of the vocals, pinning it as 21st century could prove difficult.  Thosquanta’s “Alstas” is a song that seems most reminiscent of a seminal punk sound that die-hards might submit to.  The dual male/female vocals of “Alstas’” chorus could cause one to rise tall with an “Oi! Oi! Oi”!  And if these don’t impress the sense of New Wave upon you, then Thought Thieves “All I Pretend” will certainly do so.  After listening I found myself scrambling for some Joy Division and New Order.  Really, really good.

The New Wave Punk influence on TC Electropunk Vol. 5 is the smallest of three categories, but the diversity in these three songs is the gel that brings the rest of the album together as elements of other tunes might be found within each of the three.  Is it any coincidence that “Soon Enough” and “Alstas” lead the record off?  I think they’re fine ways to begin turning over the soil!

Avenpitch

“Soon Enough” by: Avenpitch

Thosquanta

“Alstas” by: Thosquanta (download free at tcelectropunk.com)

Thought Thieves

“All I Pretend” by: Thought Thieves (download free at tcelectropunk.com)

Read more…

posted January 5th, 2010 at 3:43 pm Download, MN Rock, Reviews Avenpitch, TC Electropunk, Thosquanta, Thought Thieves

As I prepared to host a New Year’s Eve party this year at my house, it occurred to me that I should put together a playlist of songs that moved me in 2009 so that one and all might reflect on this past year in rock music. With a little encouragement I threw together a mix tape, and for 72 minutes before midnight everyone rocked the final hour of 2009 away.

This was never meant to hit cyberspace, but after so many inquiries into artist and song names that evening, it became evident that these tunes weren’t nearly as well known as I first suspected. So, in the same spirit of sharing as that shown on NYE, I here publish and offer for stream that same playlist. These are in no particular order, and they shouldn’t be interpreted as a “best of” list either. I used a few different criteria when compiling this list of personal favorites.

1. The song had to rock.
2. The song had to hook. (Rock ‘n roll makes me fall in love with music, but hooks and melodies make me fall in love with songs)
3. There needed to be a personal fond memory attached to the song, and in lieu of tiring everyone’s eyes with individual recollections, I’ll just let the songs do some talking on their own.

Perhaps if I had run a Top 40 radio station in 2009, these would all have been in regular rotation, but we would still be left with 22 other songs undetermined. What songs would you add to this list? You know you want to comment!

Read more…

posted January 3rd, 2010 at 3:37 pm Download, Reviews Anderson, Eels, Free Energy, Glasvegas, Gossip, Metric, MGMT, Passion Pit, Phoenix, Red Pens, Solid Gold, The Invincible Kids, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, The Sounds, The Temper Trap, Two Harbors, White Lies, Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Sometimes I receive new music at just the right time.  While spinning The Jesus and Mary Chain’s Automatic in my CD player, I stopped to press play on a couple tunes from The Library out of Brooklyn, NY.  These guys mimic the Chain’s smooth sound, and they have a new album out titled The Life And Times Of Rosa Lee.  If you’re itching for something new to get you through some cold winter days, then you got it!

Below is my favorite from the new album, the righteous “Club Amnesia.”

“Club Amnesia” by: The Library

Links

The Library – Myspace

posted October 28th, 2009 at 1:18 pm Download The Library

There are few reasons to venture outdoors on a gloomy day in St. Paul, so why not empty out the mailbag?  Electric Owls is a new little project out of Asheville, NC, and below is the first single from the band entitled “Magic Show.”  Hopefully when these guys decide to embark Minneapolis will make the cut.

Swing by the band’s Myspace page and check out the tune “Put, the Candle, Back” too.  It rocks.

“Magic Show” by: Electric Owls

Links

Electric Owls – Myspace

posted October 28th, 2009 at 1:03 pm Download Electric Owls

How do Scotland’s The Twilight Sad do their laundry?  Find out below, and snag a digital copy of “Reflection of the Television” while you’re at it (via Pitchfork).

http://www.vimeo.com/7056448

“Reflection of the Television” by: The Twilight Sad

Links

The Twilight Sad – Website / Myspace

Dirty Laundry TV – Website

posted October 15th, 2009 at 3:35 pm Download, Video Dirty Laundry TV, The Twilight Sad