The Boom of Heidi Klum’s Bangs

24 Jul

Heidi Klum's Bangs

The popularity of the full-length LP has vacillated throughout history. Before the British Invasion and Psychedelic revolution, A-B-side singles were preferred. Then the concept album was born and numerous 1960’s bands created full-length albums (10-12 songs) that oozed with artistic creativity and musical intelligence. But that faded, and the individual song took over once again in the late 1970s into the 80s. Then the turn over happened again. The 90s brought grunge, alternative rock, and the nascent stages of indie music. All of a sudden people were asking if you had listened to Nirvana’s new album or dove into the heavy sounds of Neutral Milk Hotel. Today, though, the album has been superseded by the single for the most part. The influence of music downloading and purchasing sites like iTunes, where individual songs cost 99 cents (or more at times), has been tremendous. Yes, albums are being created and some indie bands like Arcade Fire are still dabbling in the art of concept releases, but creating albums is not the current popular choice. Albums, in more cases than not, act as mere folders, just created to hold all the singles in one place. The question that can be posed today is whether or not that modern album is dead? Perhaps more specifically, has the concept album perished?

“I think the album is still alive, and I have absolute faith in it, and I know that there are artists out there who still want to make true albums and people who enjoy hearing a cohesive or unified work,” said Zach Beck, multi-instrumentalist and singer for indie/concept band Heidi Klum’s Bangs (the subject of our new band profile today!) “I mean, not that singles are inherently bad or anything, but personally, I would easily take a unified 11 or 15 or 27-song album — even if there may be a (couple of) song(s) on it that I’m not really crazy about but that are still a necessary part of the overall theme or are integral to the story as a whole or that advance the narrative or provide another frame in the film strip or whatever — over a mix of 12 perfectly executed, flawless singles.

Zach, 22, and his brother Dylan, 17, make up the Mountain Home, Arkansas band Heidi Klum’s Bangs, and their quasi first release Palace Pier (released May, 2011) is good evidence that the draw of a concept album is still alive and well. A linked album is like a good novel while singles are more like flash fiction (short prose that ends in four pages or less). A novel needs time to plan and form. There needs to be plot, theme and message. The concept album needs this as well. The best linked albums carry an organized message through both music and lyrics. I believe Zach says it best:

“In my view, the album remains the best and most wonderful way to make something beautiful and/or meaningful and/or emotionally moving and the best and most wonderful way to connect with others. And to connect others with others, too. And that was basically the goal of Palace Pier.”

Zach and Dylan have been creating music for around three years in several formats. First, the brothers created a “post-rock / experimental / ambient band called Thee Children of Light,” and from there Heidi Klum’s Bangs was conceived. They have been working under that name for about 16 months at this current point.

When I interviewed Zach, I needed to ask where the name Heidi Klum’s Bangs came from.

“The story behind that sorta has to do with this girl I had a thing for at the time,” he said. “I mean, I thought I had a thing for her, even though I didn’t know anything about her, but I started writing something to her anyway and ended up writing just line-after-line about her hair. And then some at point soon after, I somehow found myself watching Project Runway, you know, and there was Heidi Klum, and I thought, “Wow! This girl has just about the exact same hair style as Heidi Klum!” And of course the aspect of it that drew the majority of my attention were the prominent bangs. So that ended being the title of the song-that-wasn’t-really-a-song. And it felt right for how I imagined the sound of our band, so I remember vividly just saying to Dylan, ‘The name of the musical endeavor that I am going to pursue is Heidi Klum’s Bangs. Feel free to hop aboard if you’d like; if not, see you later.’”

In short, Dylan said yes to the name and the brothers started dreaming up the concept album Palace Pier. The end result, after six months of recording in their basement, was a dreamy psychedelic release of 13 tracks most similar to the beautiful rawness of late 90s experimental acts out of the Elephant 6 Recording Company like Neutral Milk Hotel and Elf Power. Zach and Dylan are both talented multi-instrumentalists and the sound they create is a well-produced low-fi blend of indie and experimental rock. Zach writes, sings and plays guitar, trumpet, bells, keyboards/piano. Dylan completes the band with drums, bells, keyboards and marimba.

Let’s look at the introduction to the album, “The Window.”

The song begins with drawn-out keys under a tranquil, halcyon sample of seagulls and children at a beach. It lulls you into a state of comfort. The background drops out in favor of rising drums and keys. It gradually rises in sound and then falls into acoustic guitar and then into the combination of instruments that forms the song. When the voices drop I feel like I have just taken a time machine back to the experimental 90s. The harmony and the trumpet are so much in the vein of those releases that this opening track is actually somewhat freaky to a fan of Elephant Six. Freaky in a good way. The lyric is enigmatic, but certainly related to the sounds.

Painted waves
Changing shape
That smooth tattoo
Pulsing through
The beams of light
In soft cascade
To silver night
Let’s watch it fade

Descriptive but succinct and that is effective. “The Window” is my favorite track from the album. I believe the male/female harmony works well to establish the concept album. I asked Zach about the point of the full album.

“The theme of the album has to do with the transience of things – like coming to grips with the undeniable certainty of the passing moment and striving to find some way to keep it with you.”

He cites Virgina Woolf’s To The Lighthouse as a big inspiration for the sea imagery and, well, that makes an English major like myself very happy, so kudos to Zach!

Currently, the band is working together on new material and they hope to play some shows in the near future. But most of all, Heidi Klum’s Bangs wants to continue to create music with the hope that they can share a passionate message to listeners.

“We’re just trying to make people feel something,” said Zach. “We’re hoping and striving to touch and move people and bring a bit of healing into people’s lives, because I think we all need that at the moment. All we want to do is put some good in the world.”

Check out the band’s Bandcamp to listen to more songs. The album is available for purchase, but, like In Rainbows, you pay what you want to pay (even if that is nothing, but, come on, give the band a few bucks). You can also follow the band on their Facebook page

Amy Winehouse Dies At 27

23 Jul

News broke today that singer Amy Winehouse died in her London residence today. At age 27, she joins the ranks of Morrison, Joplin, Hendrix and Cobain, all of who experienced their untimely death at this age. Winehouse was known for her self-destructive persona. Her first major hit single “Rehab” embraced this. For years, her habits and vices were brutally lampooned by the media. Now, the same outlets that celebrated her tragic downfall must gather at least some reverence for Winehouse’s talent.

Though she was popularly chastised as sloppy and implosive, Winehouse made some indisputable contributions to the music scene. In an overwhelming backdrop of pop friendly female artists, she drew upon the classics, helping to bring soul back to mainstream consciousness. During her short moment, Winehouse helped chip away at the mold of what women should look or sound like. Her success was a harbinger for that of Adele, Corrine Baily Rae, Duffy and others.

While the cause of Winehouse’s death is not yet know, it is clear that she was dealing with some heavy demons. Whether her torment was the result of media bullying or bleak insecurity the most tragic aspect of her death is that she will never create new music again.

Here’s my favorite Winehouse song, Tears Dry on Their Own

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The Red Hot Chili Pipers: Music for the Kilted Generation

22 Jul

Editor’s Note: Hey all. If you haven’t noticed the Music Court has added two new writers to the blog. Andrew Leibowitz (Andrewleibo) will provide occasional rock commentary. Today I introduce Kyle Costa (whenindoubtturnitup). Kyle hails from Cincinnati, Ohio and loves finding new bands, writing band biographies, and analyzing lyrics. In his new Bios and More section he will write about just that. Please help me welcome him to the blog. Now, Kyle, take it away:

Since 2007, after the Red Hot Chili Pipers came in first place in the U.K. gameshow, “When Will I Be Famous”, they haven’t stopped spreading their name globally only to inflate their bagpipes. Formed in 2002, they’ve been bringing their self-created “bag-rock” from shore to shore all over the globe.

The band has just released their new album, Music for the Kilted Generation.  With three already highly successful albums released, they’re hoping to make it four. Their previous live album and DVD,  BLAST Live  went triple platinum in Scotland. Bagrock to the Masses another album of their’s under REL Records, received a platinum award in Scotland and a silver award in the U.K. as a whole.

Piper Stuart Cassells was named  the BBC Radio Scotland’s Young Traditional Musician of the Year in 2005. His piping has also been featured on The Darkness album One Way Ticket to Hell… and Back and on the soundtrack to the film “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.” Graham won two world championship snare drumming competitions.

I first heard these guys on the BBC ALBA channel in Scotland. I didn’t realize how largely known they actually are since I’ve never heard of them other than this. I thought it was a pretty creative sound. Hope you enjoyed listening to the new age sound of bag-rock!

Lekman New EP – Albarn in Africa – Commonplace Country

21 Jul

I have been so caught up with my exploration of new talent that I have not posted a version of Music News since July 4, 17 days ago. Some probably thought that I was nixing the entire category. Nope, not quite, perhaps scaling back a bit, but not destroying it as a whole. I still want to provide my take on a few music-related items from the news. Let’s get to it.

Jens Lekman Will Release New EP

It may be safe to say that many readers do not know of 30-year-old Swedish musician Jens Lekman and that is definitely a shame. His blend of old pop, witty lyric and sampled strings/sounds is endearing. While he has only released two full-length LPs, he has released numerous EPs and he will add to his EP list this September with his five-song An Argument With Myself.

Lekman consistently receives good reviews from music writers because his style and voice are infectious. This will be his first release in four years. I’m excited. I have only recently gotten into Lekman, but his style of pop is refreshing. I’d certainly urge you readers to take a listen to Lekman’s music. It is not for everyone, but at least you can appreciate its creativity. Take a listen to “Waiting For Kirsten,” a track off of the upcoming EP. (The song starts at 2:50)

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Damon Albarn to Record New Record in Africa

Blur/Gorillaz frontman Damon Albarn has announced he will record a new album in the Republic of Congo. Gorillaz can meet some actual gorillas. He intends to record the album in a week without contracting malaria or being mauled by…a gorilla. Okay, I added that last part. Joining him on this African album safari are Kwes, Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs, Franz Ferdinand producer Dan The Automator, hip-hop producer Jneiro Jarel, XL Recordings boss Richard Russell, Actress, Marc Antoine and Jo Gunton.

Currently, Albarn is performing in Doctor Dee, an opera he wrote.

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Is Country Music Leveling Out?

Dave Heaton of PopMatters wrote an article yesterday about the lack of major country music released this year. In the article, he claims that Country music, like Hollywood, is recycling old material.

“For the first half of the year, the #1 country songs in Billboard’s charts were from 2010, or older, like Miranda Lambert’s “Heart Like Mine”, from her 2009 album Revolution,” he writes. “The #1 country albums were from last year – by Jason Aldean, Taylor Swift, Zac Brown Band, Lady Antebellum, Rascal Flatts – with only a couple of relatively well-known groups releasing albums this year that made the charts (Sara Evans and Thompson Square, for example). By June we did have new albums from Brad Paisley, Ronnie Dunn and Dolly Parton, and more big-ish albums are on the way this summer… but still, the pickings have been slim.”

The article poses the question, what has happened to country music this year? Why is there a lack quality, new releases for listeners to enjoy? Country itself is a limited genre. What I mean by that is there are only so many changes you can make to a country song to make it original. Eventually, when paired with a lack of creativity, this all leads to a stall in quality releases. I am not implying that today’s country stars are untalented. Currently, they are leaning on old material and popular tours. The releases this year have been hokey and tired. Will this improve? The simple answer is yes. I do not believe Country music is leveling out, but rather taking a break.

Look at American Idol this past season. The winner and runner-up were both Country performers. And since winner Scotty McCreery’s attempts at singing any non-Country song were embarrassing, he perpetuated the message and sound of Country each and every week. And, he won. America loves it’s Country music. If you took a poll it would most likely be considered the “National” sound, which is slightly scary, but true. Country followers are loyal to their music and since there will always be a market, the talent will refresh itself constantly.

Read the article

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It Never Rains On The Music Court – Albert Hammond’s Illustrious Career

20 Jul

Albert Hammond with his son Albert Hammond Jr.

If you are of the Millenials generation the name Albert Hammond might immediately spark images of the curly-haired Strokes’ guitarist. Yeah, that guy in the picture. But who is the dude next to him? That, my friends, is Albert Hammond, father of the Strokes’ guitarist and tremendous musician in his own rite. Hammond has been releasing and writing music for over 40 years and has skillfully adjusted to the transformation of music along the way. In 2008, he was inducted into the songwriter’s hall of fame (source for picture above). Let’s explore the musical life that is Albert Hammond.

Artist: Albert Hammond

Origin: Gibraltar

Genre: Singer/Songwriter – Mainstream

History:

Albert Hammond was born in London but grew up in Gibraltar with his Gibraltarian parents. Hammond, like many other musicians, left school to pursue music and first found a small market in the emergence of Spanish rock. While his first band, The Diamond Boys, wasn’t successful, it did help Hammond get performance experience and this came in handy later in his career.

1966 can be pointed to as the year Hammond broke out of his shell and started succeeding at song creation. He partnered with singer/songwriter Mike Hazelwood and helped form Family Dogg, a British vocal group, that also featured Steve Rowland. Hazelwood and Hammond not only performed with Family Dogg, but also became one of Britain’s most successful songwriting teams, scoring with hits like “Little Arrows.”

Family Dogg gave them an opportunity to sing and perform. The band released A Way of Life in 1969. The album’s success can be somewhat accredited to the historical personnel, but we will get to that later. Here is the Family Dogg performing the same-named “A Way of Life,” which appeared as the last track of the album. Just to make it clear, “A Way of Life” was not written by the songwriting duo of Hammond and Hazelwood (written instead by Roger Cook and Roger Greenaway). Hammond and Hazelwood’s only conjoined songwriting credits come from track 10, “Moonshine Mary” and track 11, “You Were On My Mind.”

That is how the 60’s ended for Hammond. But despite his successes, Hammond’s true contribution to music came in the 1970s. Hammond and Hazelwood moved to Southern California and continued writing together. Hammond signed with Columbia Records and started showing off his chops. Numerous famous 70’s acts starting covering his material. The list includes Johnny Cash, Elton John, Mama Cass, The Association, Steppenwolf, Sonny & Cher, etc. Hammond, who is bilingual, was able to start making Spanish-language albums. Then, in the 1980s, Hammond wrote several other highly successful songs including “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now.” He continues to write music today.

If I had to choose a highlight from Hammond’s brilliant career it would have to be the release of his most known, and arguably best song in 1972. The song, “It Never Rains in Southern California,” is such a classic 70’s song. For what it is, it’s great. The song is soft-rock at its finest. It mixes light horns and Hammond’s pleasant voice into the pot and out comes a hit. I’ll leave you with a low-key performance of the song below.

Did You Know: The Family Dogg‘s album A Way of Life featured some pretty special guest musicians in the studio, including Elton John and Led Zeppelin’s John Paul Jones, John Bonham and Jimmy Page.

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