SONIC MASALA: The Wilberforces

Monday, 13 August 2012

Inexplicable Vet Dreams

I have no idea how this album found its way onto my hard drive - I haven't ever received an email from them, and I'd never heard of them before - but Vet Dreams by Auckland quartet Grass Cannons is killer. Embracing elements of no wave, shoegaze and post-punk then tying it up in a pop-heavy bow, these five tracks are the closest I've heard to someone sounding like Women than...well, Women. And the weird thing for me always was why that would be the case - yet the Canadian band had a unique sound that masqueraded as the familiar, which would be come an unbearable itch on the brain that you could never scratch. Grass Cannons are on the same track here, with a sound at once familiar and distant, misshapen yet distinctly defined. A miasma of perfect sounds that under the microscope appear commonplace, Grass Cannons have offered an EP that this is only the tip of the iceberg. Not bad for an inexplicable discovery...

Vet Dream can be gleaned as a free download here. There is also a remix album of the EP, called Sweat Dream, which is well worth exploring too. Seriously guys (and gal), get to Australia pronto!

Grass Cannons - Cat Hair

Saturday, 27 August 2011

VIDEO VACUUM - Flaming Lips ft Lightning Bolt, The Wilberforces, Alexander, Girls

First time we have had a Video Vacuum on a Saturday, so you are probably all wrapped up under the covers, but its the perfect time to chillax and watch/listen to some sweet tracks, I reckon!

This first one blew me the fuck away. The song itself - indeed the video - isn't game-changing, but the fact that The Flaming Lips recorded with one of the craziest bands of all time, Lightning Bolt, beggars belief. The fact that the song is good is divine - a sonic cacophony sanctioned by God.

Next up is Girls' new video for their latest song 'Vomit'. Now I have been a fair to middling fan of Girls in the past, but this track (and video) has helped their stocks to rise exponentially in my books. If you manage to resist listening to this track more than once, you are stronger than me.

We only spoke about this album yesterday, and here is Alexander's best Jesus Christ pose in the weird clip for 'Truth'. Its a luscious video, and makes me love this track all the more. Still contending that this will be in my favourite songs list for 2011...

Alexander - Truth from Alexander on Vimeo.

Finally, a very DIY effort when held up to the rest in this group - but oddly charming, as Kiwi pop bands are wont to do. The Wilberforces are cute, aren't they? And this track does more than it ought to, so Im sold.

And seeing as it's Saturday...GET BACK TO BED!

About

It was early on a Sunday morning at ATP - A Nightmare Before Christmas 2009. After downing a fair few, at 4am we decided to cook a curry. It was during the consumption of this drunkenly delicious breakfast treat that we decided to actually do something about the music we talk about all the time.

So we started a blog – and Sonic Masala was born. Now into its seventh year, the blog has spread out to call both Australia and the UK its home (and the rest of the world), and has expanded to include gigs, festivals and a record label under its black umbrella. Come on, eat the noize.

If an mp3 is up here, it's because we have been talking about it, and think the whole world needs to know more. It's there to give you a little taste. Then, if you like, check out the band live and spend all your hard earned cash on their records. If we've posted up an mp3 of your stuff and you're not too keen on the idea, let us know and we'll happily take it down pronto.