Up the Tree

  • Radiohead surprised everyone today and released their new album The King of Limbs. Fans in the states cheered to have the album a full day early, from scheduled release, to celebrate an unusual warm snap. Spring had come early, complete with it’s own soundtrack. Somehow it felt right.

    However not all people were as happy as the fans. Reviewers, surprised by the sudden release, scrambled to have some sort of reviews online. Some snarky reviews even pointed a finger at the band.

    “Radiohead’s release schedule is not, you imagine, geared towards helping music critics. Minimal warnings, last-minute changes of plan and confusing announcements posted on Twitter in Japanese – does Thom Yorke not realise we have tight deadlines? The end result is a mad-rush by critics, bloggers and Tweet-freaks to be first to post their opinion on The King of Limbs’ eight tracks. Trouble is, Radiohead don’t make music designed for a hurried listen. A couple more plays down the line and the opinions you read here may be subject to change.” – Radiohead – The King of Limbs: First review

    The truth is, while Radiohead may not have shattered every soundscape ever conceived with The King of Limbs they did do one thing which is an innovation in the music industry, not one solitary copy of The King of Limbs was leaked to file-sharing services. Not one review came out ahead of time. This album came out at the same time for everyone – you, me, reviewers, and the thieves. I have never heard of in the past 15 years any major album, by a major band no less, not get ratted out by some unscrupulous reviewer’s copy finding it’s way on the net.

    This was a media blackout in the best way possible, and I for one was glad not to have reviewers barking their opinions at me. When did we as music listeners stop making our own decisions about what music we like or dislike by how it effected us upon our first unfettered listen. Why must EVERYTHING we consume need to be put in context by some know-it all who tells us why and how we should appreciate it. Art is about making your own mind up about what you are experiencing and no professional who spent years at journalism school is going to change that.

    Today was an amazing day not just because of what I heard, but mostly because of what I didn’t.

  • Eliza Skinner of elizaskinner.net and NastyCute visits the treehouse to discuss her new projects as well as her move to LA. We discuss everything from tiny cakes to musicals. It’s a new year and a new Tracks Up The Tree. Thanks for listening!


    Download the MP3

    Tracks Played

    1. Long Boat Pass by Tennis on Cape Dory (2011)
    2. Got To Move by Cake on Showroom of Compassion (2011)
    3. True Blue by Dirty Beaches on True Blue B/W Sweet 17 (2010)
    4. Too Young To Burn by Sonny & The Sunsets on Tomorrow is Alright (2010)
    5. A Coin On The Tongue by Benoit Pioulard on Lasted (2010)

    All songs can be found on our January MOG Playlist.

    Links!

    Link of the day

  • In our first iChat TUTT has a few issues, sound quality being the biggest. We’re still trying to lock down how we do these, but we hope you enjoy the madness.

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    Songs

    1. Cameras by Matt & Kim (2010)
    2. Angela Surf City by The Walkmen on Lisbon (2010)
    3. Thank Us Later by Jaill on That’s How We Burn (2010)
    4. You Are Not Alone by Mavis Staples on You Are Not Alone (2010)
    5. September Gurls by Big Star on #1 Record/Radio City
    6. Tightrope (feat. Big Boi) by Janelle Monáe on The ArchAndroid (2010)
    7. Right On (Feat. Joanna Newsome, STS) by The Roots on How I Got Over (2010)
    8. Excuses by The Morning Benders on Big Echo (2010)

  • Everybody’s favorite musical noodler is back at it with what can be considered a rocker… for him. Sure it’s whispery and filled with all the over-lavish overlapping lutes you’d expect from Sufjan Stevens, it also is the most direct album Stevens has made in a while. All Delighted People while full of the polite Simon & Garfunkle plucking guitars has a finger pointed out – at you, rather than toward you.

    Unfortunately, there is a little too much signature musical and vocal noodling, which leaves the album feeling more like an idea rather than a statement. Nothing exemplifies this more than the unconvincing electronic passages, which sound more like Sufjan expressing his amateurish appreciation of the form, rather than its mastery. While All Delighted People is gorgeously produced, as we have come to expect, it left me feeling that Stevens is dealing with a real identity crisis between being an singer-songwriter and his newfound place as a classical composer. Songs such as “All Delighted People (Classic Rock Version)” promise a focus back on Sufjan’s roots, but the 8 minute track is a meandering composition and neither classic or rock.

    While there are beautiful moments to All Delighted People which will make a listen enjoyable, the album follows Sufjan farther down the avante-guard hole he fell into after Illinoise. More strings, more production, less structure.

    Rating: 60/100

  • [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0MPqHXv1sQ]

    If the last game is any indication, this is going to be magic.