Say 'Yeah Yeah Yeah' To The Week In Rock
Los Angeles based artist Ariel Pink is a total freak-out (in a decidedly low-budget "Laugh-In" sort of way). As the only non-Animal Collective artist on their Paw Tracks label, he's essentially a pop artist with a wide range of '70s influences on his songs and an intentionally lo-fi recording style which muddles the pop aspects of the records to the extent that his lyrics frequently become indistinguishable.
Ariel often names R. Stevie Moore (who has self-released thousands of songs via The R. Stevie Moore Cassette Club) as an influence, but his sound is more akin to what we would have gotten if The Beach Boys had recorded Pet Sounds on a four-track in Brian Wilson's basement.
Fresh off the Paw Tracks re-release of his House Arrest, which was originally recorded back in 2002, Ariel hits the road for a series of dates. In the spirit of January's "Write Your Own Ariel Pink Song" contest, each date on the tour will be split into two halves-the first featuring Ariel solo and the second with a backing band that was prompt in e-mailing his publicist. Good idea? According to Ariel, "[the] element of surprise will keep [him] from falling asleep onstage," which is sure to please concertgoers expecting to get music (and not sleepy time fun) for their hard-earned dollar.
His backing band for his New York date will definitely not be the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, who will be occupied that evening for the second of their three New York area shows (and the second of two dates with Brooklyn's ubiquitous tour-openers Blood on the Wall).
There was a point a few years back when the Yeah Yeah Yeahs were a hot ticket. Their debut full-length, Fever to Tell, had gone gold. Their video for "Maps" ruled MTV2. Lead singer Karen O was dating Spike Jonze. Guitarist Nick Zinner continued to release books of his photography to varied acclaim.
Now in 2006, almost three years after the release of Fever, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs have decided to return to the world of music with their new album, Show Your Bones, which will be released in March.
Recent sophomore releases from New York-based bands have been either confusing or crap, depending on whom you're talking with (see The Liars, The Strokes, The Walkmen). With the YYY's new album developed in the studio instead of on the road (like their previous releases), it promises to take the band in a different direction, which hopefully means less screechily obnoxious Karen O antics and more actual music. Back in June, Ms. O even told Pitchfork that "[t]here's aspects of my persona-of Karen O-that I'm definitely adverse to at this point." Front-row fans who have endured her shtick-which includes sprays of beer from her lips-are likely rejoicing in this news, although there's a good chance that the news saddens some, those who think getting spit on is cool as long as it's by somebody who's on MTV.
Luckily, not everyone needs a well-crafted stage shtick to succeed. Over the last decade, Minnesotan Mason Jennings has gained a substantial following by crafting honest songs that contained both lyricism and political concern. Opting for creative freedom over dollars, Jennings decided to release his first four albums through a combo of his own Architect Records and indie label Bar/None, no matter that he was receiving a good deal of attention from the major labels.
Then, last year, Modest Mouse's Isaac Brock entered the picture, making Jennings the first artist signed to his new Epic-based label, Glacial Pace. They'll release Mason's fifth album, Boneclouds, on May 2.
It seemed like an unnecessary move for an artist who had already developed a substantial following and some artistic success, but he felt that "[n]o one understands better than Modest Mouse how to make the jump to a major without losing any artistic integrity." Wait. Modest Mouse hasn't lost any artistic integrity?
Friday, February 24 & Sat., February 25
Bowery Ballroom, 6 Delancey St. (btwn. Bowery & Chrystie Sts.), 212-533-2111; 8, $20.