4Play

March 2, 2008

Travis Sullivan’s Bjorkestra - Enjoy! - Koch
While not as concise as Bjork’s original arrangements, Travis Sullivan’s Bjorkestra - an 18-piece collective that instrumentally tackles the music of the Icelandic art-pop singer - does some interesting things here. Of course, trying to remake Bjork is a little like trying to reproduce a Jackson Pollock painting - it’s really just not going to be anywhere near exact - and although singer Becca Stevens tries her best with the vocal lines, only Bjork, of course, can be Bjork. That said, this is still a worthy attempt at a unique interpretation of Bjork’s music, with “Army of Me” and “Hyperballad” being perhaps the two most interesting tracks, the former with its extended jazz remix and the latter awash in horns that even Miss Gudmundsdottir herself would probably dig.


Daft Punk - Alive 2007 - V Records
It might not be the same as being in-person at, say, their 2007 Lollapalooza set, complete with insanely complex lighting arrangements, pyramids, and robot gear; but this is nonetheless a decent approximation of the French electro-house band’s live show, were you to merely hear and not see it. There’s a lot of familiar territory covered, which Daft Punk fans will be glad of. included here are one of their most familiar tracks, “One More Time,” plus a pretty impressive end medley of “Rock n’ Roll,” “Human After All,” and “Superheroes” that blends samples, keys, and progressive beats as only Daft Punk can. They’ve been at it ten years already, yet continue to blaze trails; and this Parisian live set showcases (at least audio-wise) exactly why.


Ghostland Observatory - Robotique Majestique - Trashy Moped
More of what Austin duo Ghostland Observatory does best is exactly what you’ll get on their third effort. Whether you love it or hate it is up to how you feel about the band overall. Modern arena hair-metal mixed with plenty of synthesizers, ‘80s drums and clashing electro-funk-screeches and singer Aaron Behrens’ generally overblown vocals make up their singular blend; you’ll either be a rampant fan, or want to shut the darned thing off. Either way, amidst these songs are a few that will likely stand out for those who do dig Ghostland’s style; “Free Heart Lover” adds ghostly keys alongside Behren’s bizarre Styx-like vocal line; “Club Soda” is big and, well, clubby; “No Place for Me” fuses in plenty of videogame sounds; and “Heavy Heart” adds in Casio-tone drums for good measure.



Daedelus - Live at Low End Theory - Alpha Pup
Recorded last June at the popular L.A. club night, this recording of Daedelus’ live show soldifies his dance music appeal, even though that niche of his work has been considered somewhat lacking in the past. Stacking samples like they’re gonna stop making ‘em, you’ll hear bits of everything from hip-hop to synth-pop, simplistic rhymes and complex melodies, all interwoven in a high-wire balancing act as Daedelus himself makes many of his mix decisions at the very last minute. This adds an appealing spontaneity to the set, as he cuts and pastes his way through “Disco, Disco, Disco,” “Put a Spell,” “Break Some Hearts,” “Hope for the Best,” and “Play It Again” - he’s definitely making steps forward to soldify his own style, in both production and performance.