Top 5 of March 9-15

By: Xavier Veccia, Features Editor


1. Cloud Nothings - Here and Nowhere Else

Here And Nowhere Else is Cloud Nothings at their best. Harder, faster and way more heartfelt, this album will likely be remembered as the record that cemented them as one of the best indie-rock bands of their time. If you're at all into guitar-driven indie, this album is a must listen.

2. Tycho - Awake 

It’s no secret that I absolutely love Tycho’s music. I’m a big fan of the chillwave sound in general, but Tycho does something special with the genre that’s so incredibly unique compared to other chillwave musicians. Quite often, multiple bands and artists that fall under the same genre sound so much alike that it can be hard to distinguish what song belongs to whom, but I can always pick out a Tycho song. It’s because of his individualism that made me fall in love with his sound in the first place. Tycho’s just one of those artists that really speaks to me through his music and the guy doesn’t even need lyrics to do so. I especially love his latest album because Tycho’s managed to maintain the same sound he’s always had without sounding repetitive and boring.

3. SXSW Tragedy

Festival season is about leaving all your worries behind and listening to some of the best musical acts the world has to offer. However, Thursday morning, we were reminded that there are some things even music can't protect us from, as two people were killed and 23 were injured due to a hit-and-run. The Austin police acted quickly and managed to get the suspect in custody shortly after the incident. The man will be charged with two counts of capital murder along with 23 accounts of aggravated. Our hearts are with the victims, their families and the concert goers.

4. Tyler, the Creator Starts Riot, Arrested

In typical Golf Wang fashion, Tyler urged a massive crowd to push past security, who were controlling access to an already over-capacity venue, at a show Thursday. The Odd Future rapper was arrested later on Saturday for allegedly starting a riot. If he's convicted, Tyler could face up to a year in prison. A short video has surfaced in which Tyler can be heard shouting, "Just run in right now. Fucking do it. Let's go." That's just so Tyler.

5. Chance the Rapper Becomes a God

That might be a bit much. But did you hear his collaboration with Skrillex? Yeah, I guess the real story is that Skrillex pulled a Hova, releasing his first full-length studio album Recess song by song through his app, Alien Ride. And that's cool and all, but hot damn is that Chance song on it a banger. With his recent collaborations with high-profile recording artists like Skrillex and Justin Bieber, it seems Chance is trying to make 2014 an even better year than 2013. And that's good news for us fans.

October 12 Album Releases

Album releases this week range from indie-favorites to concept cover albums, but only one album this week left me extremely psyched for its release.

Belle and Sebastian is releasing Write About Love this week on Rough Trade Records-- four years after their last release, The Life Pursuit, in 2006. The album opens softly, which may have been why I felt as though my interest was waning quickly. Belle and Sebastian’s sleepy sounding vocals accompanied with light piano on the first track seemed to ring throughout the whole album. However, “I Want the World to Stop” was more upbeat and I found myself easily tapping my foot. While it may be because Belle and Sebastian are simply not my preferred taste, the album was just mediocre to me.

Another indie-veteran Sufjan Stevens released The Age of Adz this week on Asthmatic Kitty Records. The album is Stevens’ first full-length release since Illinois five years ago. It was definitely my least favorite of the releases. Despite my having an extensive collection of Sufjan Stevens albums in my library, I’ve never been able to get into his tunes. His voice always fails to move me and particularly on this album, he doesn’t seem to have any emotion behind it at all. The electronics felt overdone and the choral accompaniments in the background felt like too much.

I was surprised to see that Less Than Jake was releasing TV/EP. Less Than Jake was a favorite back in our high school ska scene; however, I didn’t even know they were still together making music now. In TV/EP, Less Than Jake covers popular TV sitcom theme songs and commercials. The EP, which is a little over 11 minutes long, is best listened to while viewing the commercials and songs via video on their website. It was an awesome throwback hearing those familiar childhood tunes from the ‘80s and ‘90s and hilarious to see the commercials with the punk versions of the songs dubbed over. They used lots of horns and had their classic punk-ska sound: loud, energetic and silly. Some of my favorites included the Hungry, Hungry Hippos song, the McDonald's Big Mac song from 1984 (below), and the Different Strokes theme song. I don’t think I could listen to the album on a regular basis, but it was really awesome to hear their renditions of the songs along with the old videos.





Finally, Cleveland-based Cloud Nothings just released their first full-length album Turning On with Carpark Records. I’ve been meaning to see Cloud Nothings for so long, being a Cleveland native myself and hearing positive buzz about them around town. The buzz didn’t do them justice though; Turning On was the one album this week I could not stop listening to. It’s dark, catchy and upbeat and reminds me a bit of The Whigs, but a little more raw. “Hey Cool Kid” seems to be the first single and it’s a perfect pick. The recently released video (below) is eerie and matches the dark and creepy vibe of the song. The band would fit in great with the Athens music scene and I can totally picture them playing a packed show at the Union.




Some other notable album releases this week include Badly Drawn Boy with Part 1–Photographing Snowflakes, Lil Wayne with I Am Not A Human Being, and You, Me, And Everyone We Know with Some Things Don’t Wash Out.

--Melissa Burant, Editorial Copy Chief and PR Director