Video Vacuum - The Black Keys, Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeroes, The Hickey Underground, School Knights

Man, I hate being ill. But I hate being stuck with nothing to do. Can't go out, can't watch or read anything due to headaches, cant lie still because of a fever that just won't quit...why do hypochondriacs do this to themselves? Anyway, I've dragged myself out of bed despite all of this to at least alleviate the pains of working life. Let's watch some vids together and stave off this cabin fever.

Actually, this may not be the best way to start. The Black Keys have released a second video for their single 'Gold On The Ceiling', directed by none other than Harmony Korine. It looks shoddy and scratch as if re-recorded on a burnt out VHS tape - very Korine - yet it is the willing participation by band members Pat Carney and Dan Auerbach that really sells this slightly disturbing twins-as-memes construction. Pretty awesome.



Those wilfully eclectic paisley warriors Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros are launching their next album, Here, and this is the new video for opening track 'Man On Fire'. Directed by Brady Corbett (the actor of Martha Marcy May Marlene, Melancholia, Funny Games (US) and most notably Mysterious Skin fame), it is a great real-life look at achievers, starring the New York City Ballet, NY Cheer Allstars, National Double Dutch League, and Soul Steps & Brooklyn Divas, as well as choreographers, coaches, and relatives of the various performers.



I had never heard of Belgian band The Hickey Underground before they sent me the video for 'The Frog', the first track to come off their second record I'm Under The House, I'm Dying (out in September) which has been mixed by Dave Sardy (LCD Soundsystem, Black Mountain's In The Future) of all people. This song is pretty good. The video on the other hand is off the wall. I can't claim to know what it means, but I do like it a hell of a lot.



Finally we have School Knights, who regular readers of Sonic Masala will be well versed on. They have just released a somewhat unsettling video for latest track release 'Powerslut'. Not disturbing like The Hickey Underground or Harmony Korine, though - no, it's just that these dudes do not scrub up well in drag. At all. you have been warned...



NOW GET BACK TO WORK (cough cough)

Alexander Leaves The Zeroes, Finds Truth (And RZA)

I wasn't sure about this record. I mean, Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeroes have their choral freak folk charms all lined up in a row, one-upping the Polyphonic Spree and all that, but where does one go from there? Its a heavily niche, yet strangely marketable, hole to have dug. So when Alexander Ebert, frontman of said act, crawled out to go it along, I was wary. Dubious even.

Until I heard that RZA was remixing a song. And that said song, 'Truth', is one of the best tracks of the year. AND said song featured on the new series opener of Breaking Bad.

That's a pantload of boxes ticked right there.

Alexander is actually a pretty damn cool album, all round. Ebert's songwriting is on song, the intricacies are all accounted for, and there is a better focus here than on his travelling band's efforts. It's an album I expected to do very well this year, yet has seemed to struggled getting its head above water. There has been a lot said about eclecticism, and Devendra Banhart-esque freak flights of fancy, but that's all rubbish. Alexander is a worthy album, all round.

RZA says so.

Alexander - Let's Win!
Alexander - Truth

Gig - Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros, Old Vic Tunnels, London 10.03.11

Crazy commune folksters Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros don't do things by halves - and this goes for their carnivale-esque performances also. Last month they took over the tunnels underneath the Old Vic in London, putting on a show unlike any other. Going down into the Old Vic Tunnels is an experience in and of itself, but Ed Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros were intent on ensuring everyone had a sensory experience that they would hold on to for a long time to come.

Before their actual performance though there was a lot of performance art type stuff going on, such as seemingly drunk and/or high Victorian prostitutes wandering about. There was some dance thing with a guy coming out of a coffin and people prancing about. There was also some performances going on in the bar. There was a woman playing her harp at one point I think, there was some acrobatic stuff going on... This was not what I was expecting. Truth be told, we were entering the Otherworld - a mini festival rather than just a gig.

When the time came for the headliners, everyone jostled into position. They opened with 'Janglin,' yet confusion was rife as there appeared to be an empty stage in front. But as the chorus rose there was a commotion at the back of the audience. Then the band appeared, walking through the crowd like Moses parting the Red Sea. There was no music at first, just them singing 'bah bahda bah' (listen to the song and you'll get it) and immediately everyone was singing along - and never stopped for the rest of the gig. The next one was '40 Day Dream'. Amazing. After that it gets a bit hazy - the senses over the course of the night had been overloaded. They did play a couple of new ones, but highlights included the tried and true - 'Up From Below', 'Come In Please', and 'Simplest Love'.

Of course, they finished with 'Home' and everyone in there was dancing around like a maniac. During this song, Alex (the lead singer) invited members of the audience to tell a story. One guy grabbed the mike and babbled some story about being on the phone to God one day. It might have been alright, except he had been overheard practicing it to his mate at the bar earlier! The next person just shouted happy birthday to the guitarist and the next person just shouted (even louder) "I love you Edward Sharpe!" Not exactly bewitching, but who cares?! The show was incredible just due to the fact that the whole band look like a bunch of mates having fun - who also happen to be really good. It was an overall joyous experience, just so much fun - and its the kind of thing that is missing in a lot of the live music arena these days. They aimed for a high concept, with lofty ambitions - and you know what? They nailed it.

Edward Sharpe And The Magnetic Zeros - Home