Palebear Archives

June, 2007

Arctic Sleep
Mare Vaporum

Back in the day, KXLU used to occasionally play this insane, minimalist song by a band called Slug that consisted of a single sludgy distorted chord being played over and over some standard Velvet Underground drumbeat for about 15 minutes with no vocals. For some reason, instead of switching the radio station, I’d sit there mesmerized in the car while the beat quite literally went on.

Arctic Sleep ain’t exactly like that, but there are moments when I thought they were similar. Likewise, their EP Mare Vaporum wasn’t exactly the music I’d listen to everyday but held me oddly captivated. The music is extremely distorted space rock / shoe-gaze, but there are different stylistic and melodic elements here that make it stand out. It’s sort of like Pedro the Lion or early Sebadoh being played by Flying Saucer Attack. The deep ocean distortion doesn’t flay you alive, but instead caresses you with kindness. There’s another band who I saw a few times that they sort of remind me of called Ativin. The 5 atmospheric tracks on the EP have really made for some lovely listening in this sweltering heat of late – turn on the A.C., and turn up the Arctic Sleep.

Visit:
Arctic Sleep on Myspace

by Palebear | Comments Off

Tullycraft
Sweet

Man, I was sitting in the waiting room watching the dreary teevee at the orthopedist the other day when I heard the music for a commercial for Weinerschnitzel – and I just couldn’t believe it. I mean, a surprising number of indie bands have showed up in commercials – what with music sales going kaput, I say more power to them if they can make a few bucks without completely selling out (hint: hey bands, stop giving the evil corporations your most popular tracks – I mean YOU Peter, Bjorn and John).

But anyhow, Tullycraft was the last band I thought I’d hear in a commercial – let alone a big fast food player like Weinerschnitzel. But yep, there was the track called “Sweet” from Tullycraft’s Old Traditions, New Standards being played as background music for hot doggian shenanigans. It’s the one where the lyrics keep going “Cause you’re sweet, you’re so incredibly sweet.”

I’ve got nothing against the twee-popsters giving up their music for a commercial – they deserve it. I’m just surprised (sorta pleasantly) that the agency behind it was willing to use their music – I mean c’mon if you know Tullycraft, they’re not exactly showcasing their perfect in-tune vocals. They’re positively lo-fi by many standards. But I love ‘em anyhow. Just surprised that an agency would feel the same.

Interestingly, immediately after this commercial I was treated to a 90s flashback – I heard Elastica being used for a Saturn (?) commercial. That was a bizarre feeling – to have two alt bands in a row on TV commercials. Man, at this rate I’m going to try write some songs myself with commercials jingles in mind… since there’s certainly no money to be made by actually selling CDs (grumble, grumble).

by Palebear | 2 Comments

Hey, sorry all for the lack of posts and reviews lately. I’ve had to go to see an orthopedic doctor to try and fix the shoulder and back problems that have been plaguing me for about 2 years. As part of the solution, I really need to prioritize down my computer usage – and so all the sites that don’t “pay the bills” are going receive much less attention in the coming months. I hate to keep harping on it but Palebear is probably the TOP site that I spend time on and the BOTTOM site as far as revenue goes. Yep. Something is seriously wrong in this Denmark of indie music reviewing…

So, sorry. But you gotta roll with it. If you have sent in CDs or emails please don’t be offended if I don’t review it. I very well may have liked it, but every review written takes a big chunk out of the “shoulder” quota computer usage.

by Palebear | Comments Off