Posts Tagged Megafauna
STEELE PICKS: 20 Best Albums of 2014
Posted by Amy Steele in Music on December 16, 2014
In 2013 I had a list of 30 best albums. I’ve managed to take it down to 20 this year. There are a lot of women on my list. 17/20 female-fronted bands or female artists. Female vox, darkness and swirling rhythms appeal to me. That’s why I adore Field Mouse so much. Lana Del Rey, Zola Jesus and Lykke Li are dark and dramatic. While I never liked The Pretenders all that much, I appreciate Chrissie Hynde and listened to her powerful solo album over and over. Megafauna is heavier rock than what I generally listen to but with a female singer– a feminist and lawyer– it’s kick-ass. Some are more electronic dance music [EDM] like Banks, Yaarrohs, Phantogram and FKA Twigs. Paloma Faith and Lilla incorporate world music, vibrant beats.
1. Field Mouse, Hold Still Life [Topshelf Records]
2. Dum Dum Girls, Too True [Sub Pop]
3. Lykke Li, I Never Learn [Atlantic]
4. Lana Del Rey, Ultraviolence [Interscope Records]
5. Banks, Goddess [Harvest]
6. Zola Jesus, Taiga [Mute]
7. Phantogram, Voices [Republic]
8. Morrissey, World Peace is None of Your Business [Harvest]
9. Paloma Faith, A Perfect Contradiction [Epic]
10. Bee vs. Moth, Shelter in Place [Aggraveire Music]
11. Jenny Lewis, The Voyager [Warner Bros.]
12. Chrissie Hynde, Stockholm [Caroline]
13. Lilla, The Awakening [Lucky Records/karisma music]
14. Megafauna, Maximalist [Danimal Kingdom]
15. Karen O, Crush Songs [Kobalt]
16. Yaarrohs, Flesh and Blood EP [Glass Air Records]
17. The Kooks, Listen [Astralwerks]
18. FKA Twigs, LP1 [XL Recordings]
19. Jen Wood, Wilderness [Radar Light, New Granada]
20. o’death, Out of Hands We Go [Northern Spy Records]
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IN THE REALM: BEST MUSIC of 2014 [so far]
Posted by Amy Steele in Music on July 21, 2014
Field Mouse, Hold Still Life
–dreamy pop that I play over and over.
Morrissey, World Peace is None of Your Business
–every word. every note. every sentiment. all in.
Lykke Li, I Never Learn
–beautiful, thoughtful.
Beck, Morning Phase
–I’m into mellow Beck.
Damon Albarn, Everyday Robots
–I’ve adored every Damon Albarn project since I discovered Blur. this one’s personal and quite lovely.
Lana Del Rey, Ultraviolence
–didn’t expect to like this. what a talent. soulful, bluesy folk.
Jack White, Lazaretto
–intriguing, sexy. amazing arrangements.
Chrissie Hynde, Stockholm
–not even a Pretenders fan and this is aces. potent vocals. kicky beat.
Dum Dum Girls, Too True
–dark gorgeousness.
Shonen Knife, Overdrive
–energetic fun.
Megafauna, Maximalist
–unique, edgy garage-rock.
Snowbird, Moon
–swirly, magical.
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music review: Megafauna
Posted by Amy Steele in Music, Women/ feminism on April 14, 2014
Guitarist/vocalist Dani Neff, drummer Zack Humphrey and bassist Greg Yancey recorded an impressive, spectacular album filled with garage-rock, metallic edginess and aggressive, fast-paced songs. Generally heavier rock than I’d listen to but I’ve fallen in love with Dani Neff’s vocals and feminist spirit.
Neff possesses a potent, versatile voice which reminds me of Garbage’s Shirley Manson. She’s phenomenally talented and expressive through her vocals and guitar shredding. Dani Neff was named Austin’s Best Electric Guitarist by the Austin Chronicle. She’s also a lawyer, feminist, dancer, musician, painter, reiki practitioner. What’s there not to like?
Dani’s voice expresses so many distinct emotions and provides lightness to the darker music that the band pieces together. Generous riffs and heavy drums carry you through “Hug from a Robot” in which Dani sings sweetly. “Time to Go” opens with catchy arrangements and lovely lyrics. There are so many layers to this album. “Haunted Factory” is a bit of an anthem. Thing get a bit twangy on “This Town,” a fun, quick, sultry song. Ending with “Chromatic Fantasy,” a rip-roaring beautiful mediation on goals, pulls everything together. You’ll get something different out of it after every listen–peeling yet another layer from the complex compositions. This is a superbly gifted band and its sophomore album Maximalist showcases those inherent talents.
Maximalist
Label: Danimal Kingdom
Release Date: April 15th, 2014
MEGAFAUNA LIVE:
04/19 Austin, TX @ Mohawk Outside – Album release party/SXSWcares Fundraiser
04/23 New Orleans, LA @ Hi Ho
04/24 Atlanta, GA @ Mammal Gallery
04/25 Athens, GA @ Go Bar
04/26 Raleigh, NC @ Slim’s
04/27 Durham, NC @ Motorco
04/30 Philadelphia, PA @ North Star Bar
05/01 New York, NY @ Knitting Factory
05/02 Boston, MA @ Allston Rock City Hall
05/03 Providence, RI @ Columbus Theatre
05/07 Toronto, ON, Canada Music Week @ Hard Luck Bar
05/08 Toronto, ON, Canada Music Week @ Bovine Sex Club
05/11 Ferndale, MI @ The New Way
05/13 Chicago, IL @ The Burlington
05/14 Indianapolis, IN @ Melody Inn
05/15 St. Louis, MO @ The Demo
05/16 Hot Springs, AR @ Maxine’s Live
05/17 Denton, TX @ Dan’s Silverleaf
05/28 El Paso, TX @ Low Brow
05/29 Tuscon, AZ @ Sky Bar
05/30 Los Angeles, CA @ Casey’s Irish Pub
06/04 Costa Mesa, CA @ Casa
06/06 Los Angeles, CA @ Los Globos
06/08 Long Beach, CA @ Alex’s Bar
06/11 San Francisco, CA @ Brick and Mortar
06/14 Seattle, WA @ The Sunset
06/18 Salt Lake City, UT @ Kilby Court
06/19 Denver, CO @ Marquis Theatre
06/20 Boulder, CO @ Illegal Pete’s
06/21 Albuquerque, NM @ Sister Bar
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About Me
covering mostly music and books. focus on alternative/indie and women in music, literature and the arts. feminist. vegan. mostly alternative, a bit bohemian. Masters in journalism from Boston University. BA from Simmons College.
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