Thanks Cannibal Cheerleader faithful for another year – here’s to much more blood, guts, and rock ‘n roll in the future. Now onto the madness…
As a staunch defender of actors’ ventures into the world of indie-rock Cannibal Cheerleader has proven to be an unapologetic apologist. We stand by our love of Scarlett Johansson’s Anywhere I Lay My Head and all of her subsequent work with other artists as well. So when we began to read stories on Ryan Gosling’s foray into the music realm, complete with articles more obsessed with his obvious fame than with the quality of his tunes, we were admittedly curious. The group, Dead Man’s Bonesseemed undeniably unique and special, a mix of gloomy goth-rock, doo-wop, and children’s choir all floating on the inimitable Gosling’s voice, which contained none of the trappings of common actor-turned-musician voices, that of overwrought, pop-infused excitement, but instead featured a Brian Ferry croon, warbly and vulnerable, with a touch of showtune formality and aged wisdom. Overall an amazing amalgamation of horrifying imagery and childlike wonder, a frightening foray into the at-times kitschy, always catchy, and decidedly dark realm of Dead Man’s Bones – the perfect Halloween update band and one of our favorite releases of the year.
With each subsequent, sonorous release the ravenousRaveonettescontinue to reinvent themselves – whether they be shoegaze saviors such as on Lust, Lust, Lust or rock revivalists like on Pretty in Black, it’s never the same thing twice and In & Out of Control remains as no exception. In creating a haunting and lo-fi pop album reminiscient of driving fast down dark roads, scarf waving behind you as a brooding blonde smokes in the passenger seat, Sune Wagner and Sharin Foo might have crafted their finest release yet. With songs that feel so effortless yet contain the dark and devious themes with which the Raveonettes have long since been so fascinated, the record’s only flaw is ever coming to an end. With standout tracks like “Gone Forever” and “Break Up Girls!”, one can be assured that the Raveonettes are in no position to slow their monstrous roll anytime soon. Another strong contender for one of the top albums of the year.
Lissy Trullie, for all her understated attitude and low-range growl, nonetheless seems to write tunes with a boundless enthusiasm for all that electrifies us at Cannibal Cheerleader. For instance, her recently re-released and supremely excellent debut EP Self-Taught Learner, whose updated cover you can check out below contains a few new songs to justify slapping down the ten-spot yet again. Let us swear to you faithful readers, pay twenty, pay extra, give the cash to the indie-rock nerd-chic kiddo behind the counter because they’ll want to grab this record just for these extra tunes as well. Shredding the same fabric woven by the Strokes in 2001, Lissy Trullie and company, simply put, cut a fantastic garage-rock tune. Incredible additions to any disaffected youth’s record collection.
In other LT news it remains absolutely essential that you follow along with the band on their YouTube page – check out the sweet motorcycle action on their newest video below. Love. This. Band.
Crawling and shambling out of South Austin with a renegade rebel yell the likes of which would wake the undead,Captain Clegg and the Night Creatures, featuring Austin’s ownJesse Dayton, have taken the world of horror-rock by storm as of late with their brand of zombified blues-rock and hellbilly honky-tonk. Originally conceived as a fictional group made to perform during the Phantom Jam scene ofRob Zombie’sHalloween 2, Capt. Clegg has taken on a life of it’s own with it’s excellent self-titled debut, featuring hip-shaking, down-home tracks like “Transylvania Terror Train” and “Macon County Morgue”. Already tapped to open for Zombie on his upcoming tour, this group will undoubtedly be a buzz band soon.
Watching the rabid gyrations of Karen O perform at theAustin City Limits Festivalearlier this month with theYeah Yeah Yeahsstunned us at Cannibal Cheerleader so completely, so devastatingly as to inspire a month-long self-imposed exile from the blogging community. The blazingly electric setlist, featuring carnal classics like “Gold Lion” and “Maps”, new-wave crooners like “Skeletons” and “Runaway”, and neurotically ferocious takes on barn-burners such as “Date With the Night” and “Dull Life”, may go down as so utterly picture-perfect as to inspire every other band to call it a day.
Flawless delivery from an utterly flawless band. Oh to be the microphone knawed between the jaws of Karen O as she wails like a possessed banshee. Oh to be the strings of pulsating power, whipping and cracking under Nick Zinner’s spidery fingertips. Oh to be the drumsticks, withered to the raw, blasting asunder as Brian Chase throws us to the pad below like a weightless guillotine. Contender for show of the year bar-none and a renewal of our faith in modern music.
Actually Cannibal Cultists a lot has been in the works as of late. Applying to law school. Heading off with Captain Clegg and the Night Creatures on a nationwide tour. Preparing to maim and destroy everything and everyone. But now we’re here. Cannibal Cheerleader – back and on the attack.
