MUSIC REVIEW: SPIN - 'OUTSIDE LANDS FESTIVAL 2011; GOLDEN GREATS'

Something For The Weekend: Free Download of Festival Surprises & Stand-Outs

By: Seth Shellhouse

August 12, 2011

I think it's fair to say that it is common knowledge the world over, and probably even on neighboring planets, that SF is way cooler than LA. It's true, we know it, fair play, but this week they're really rubbing it in our faces by putting on a public display of their utter incontestable festival-hosting dominance. Really SF? Really? We know you have better taste in music, and artists like your crowds better. We never even challenged that. This is like walking into a child's room while he's sleeping and beating him up. You're beating a sleeping child, SF. Screw you guys.

While our parks here in LA play venue to a steady string of entirely forgettable HARDfests (there's one every weekend now, right?), just  a few hours north, in the advanced class, their parks are hosting the skullcrushingly epic music, art, food and wine Bacchanal known as Outside Lands. Over sixty acts are scheduled to perform, including Muse, Arcade Fire, The Black Keys, The Shins, The Decemberists, Girl Talk, The Meters, The Roots, Erykah Badu, Arctic Monkeys, Big Boi, B.A.D., Mavis Staples, Sia, and Charles Bradley...to name a few.   

And, because this is SF and because Phish fans need a full eight hours during which to watch Trey solo and to reminisce at length about various solos they've seen Trey play over the past fifteen years, Phish will be playing two sets. You win again, San Francisco!

In conjunction with the festival, SPIN Magazine released yet another festival compilation featuring some of the lesser known acts on the bill. I don't think the folks at SPIN really like having their curated compilations reviewed by other journalists, but there is nothing less indie than caring what a corporation thinks, so...without further ado...my review.

Being a real indie comp, this tape features tracks from a number of extremely talented solo musicians who perform (typically with bands) under band names. There is nothing more indie or more DIY than a one-man band. And I am not being sarcastic at all. I am always intrigued by composer/artists who have fully formed sounds in their heads, who are capable of producing high volumes of fully arranged work within time frames and with consistencies that could not be achieved by a traditional band. There is a level of passion inherent in a one-man band -- particularly in a one-man band that endeavors DIY self-releases -- that is difficult for most people to relate to. It is a rare and beautiful thing.      

I suppose the first nod in this category would be to Beirut. Beirut's much-hyped "East Harlem" appears on this comp. We all know that Jazz is cited as a key influence in the Beirut sound, but the melody here is pure indie pop. It's terribly catchy. What is not pure indie pop, however, is the staccato acoustic upstroke and the interwoven trumpet hits/lines that hint at Bolero. Everything on this track is percussive. This really is a triumphant song.  Beirut is like the indie answer to Buena Vista Social Club.

Another cool act that runs in this same vein is Tune-yards. I didn't listen to the first Tune-yards record when it came out. The word on the street is that it was only available on homemade cassette before being remastered or broad distribution. The songs on that record are built on some excellent progressively building lo-fi loops, and it's good to hear the new material and know that Tune-Yards retained that core sonic quality on a professional recording. "Bizness," from the newly released "W H O K I L L," is very well-mastered but still sounds warm and embedded like a cassette recording. If it ain't broke...

The Toro Y Moi smash, "Still Sound," is on this one too. Toro Y Moi has a tough sound to pin down because it's so diverse. I really can't put it in a box. Chillwave? Day Disco? Synth Pop? Nu Lionel? Regardless of what he plays, the man plays it well. The song featured here, "Still Sound," is a little too funky to be chillwave, but has too spacey of a bridge to get thrown in the Bee Gees bin. I don't know what you call it, but this one's a winner.

So, aside from the love for garage recordings, indie geniuses, and necessary invention, if there's one category that SF always trumps LA in, it's respecting pioneers and recognizing the real. In that sense, it's only fitting that a Charles Bradley number is featured on this one. What can I say about Charles Bradley that would make you any more excited about seeing his set whenever an opportunity presents itself? Nothing. The track that appears on this comp is "This World (Is Going Up In Flames)."  It's a prime cut of true revivalist soul that could only be delivered by someone who has lived the type of life that Bradley has. I wish I could see it live. 

Finally, I'd suggest digging into this comp. You might discover something that you've been missing or overlooking. For instance, I haven't listened to much Grouplove, but I dig the track on this collection. It's called "Colours," and I would describe it as an amalgam of They Might Be Giants and The Dead Milkmen covering the Bloodhound Gang as arranged by Gibby Haynes. I dare you to deny this description.

Standout Track: "Colours," "This World (Is Going Up In Flames)," "Still Sound"

For Fans Of: Beirut, Grouplove, Charles Bradley, Phish