As whatever indie rock has become continues to mock it's DIY past, the marketing group's Avril Lavigne has posted a demo from her upcoming album? Unsurprisingly, it sounds exactly like her other material—that stale bastardization of Northern Soul she's tried so hard to dilute. Don't get me wrong, it's not the fact that trying to use a musical style as your base to work with is at all wrong. In fact, that's what all contemporary music is. It's that her attempts have never been better than mediocre at best, and the trumpeting of her catalogue by the music press is bewildering. That is, until you've realize it's not about the product but only about the number$.
Today, Daytrotter released a session from Best Coast that was recorded back in the year of 2009. It's all old songs, pre-drummer and pre-Crazy for You and it reminded me of why I fell for this band in the first place. And you should download it, it's really great: http://www.daytrotter.com/dt/best-coast-concert/20031236-3738209.html
And I do like Best Coast, I truly do. I had a great time buying the first pressings of the vinyl singles as they were released and thought that the songs were truly special. "Sun Was High (So Was I)" is still an incredible track, their best even. "Crazy for You", while polished, is still a cool album. But eventually the whole thing feels shtick: like yeah your cat and weed are cool, but maybe it's time to try writing a new type of song? I mean we all have cats.
But did anyone else (bloggers, fans, brahs) feel betrayed by this chick? It's like she used the "cred" of P4K/Gorilla vs Bear/Stereogum/Fuck yeah! Go team! to basically become an "indie" (ugh) pop star. It seemed like she was trying to make all the mainstream things and people that she was into okay to like so she wouldn't be judged by a set of friends and peers that had been acquired from her time in Pocahaunted.
Don't be surprised when the full length gets a re-release on Atlantic or some shit corporate label and we're being force fed products with "Boyfriend" played over the adverts.
In fact, I just got wind of the new video from her upcoming major label debut. Let's watch:
Here is the new single and opening track from the California pop teen sensations Best Coast. It appears on their upcoming long player "Crazy for You" which has the children crying over their Tiger Beats and BC official licensed comic books. Pre-order from Mexican Summer if you haven't already!
New music video for Best Coast's #1 hit "When I'm With You" directed by Pete Ohs. It's a real fucking sunny piece that makes you want to grab a doobie and book it to California. Well done, BC.
The video (embedded above) is on MTVU which has the worst streaming player in my opinion. Hopefully it pops up elsewhere shortly. Also, enjoy an mp3 of the song if you haven't already.
Best Coast have yet another 7 inch coming out, this one is a split with Jeans Wilder and it sees release in January 2010. Here is her track from it, which according to her "is a demo I recorded when I first started the band, but I never got to re record it..so it's a super simple/bed-roomy jam...."
It sounds demo-ish, but pretty killer. The 7 inch is limited to 350 copies and comes out on Atelier Ciseaux. Order yours now.
Sorry for the week off, I'd moved and been without internet for like a month. So you may get a few posts of shit I loved but couldn't express it through my blog at the time and that you're probably over already. Like today!
Best Coast released a 7 inch (which looks to be only digital) single for "When I'm With You". If you read the comments to our coverage of BC in the past, everyone seemed to be over the lo-fi recording sound. At first I disagreed, because some songs really seemed charming like that, but eventually I caved. It wasn't just Best Coast, it was everyone. But I think this single is an answer to that and shows that this music only gets better with a little sprucing up on the recording end.
And holy shit, is "When I'm With You" the most perfect fucking song ever! The lyrics kick ass and it is a catchy number, embedded in my head since I'd first heard it and even right up to this minute. Highly recommended!
Best Coast I think is the best new band of 2009. She's keeping summer alive from her lair of endless sunshine and spreading the good news across the land. Check out the new song "Wish He Was You" at her myspace now.
Also, it looks like her upcoming output should keep us busy for awhile: beyond the previously announced 7 inches on Art Fag and Group Tightener, we can expect 2 more from Black Iris and PPM. Stoked.
Best Coast has quickly become my favourite music of Summer 2009, and it's looking like she'll keep the spirit alive all year. Radical. New song "Something In the Way" continues to shine bright on her brilliance. Keep em coming!
One of my favourite Summer finds, Best Coast, has a 7 inch coming out soon from Art Fag. 3 songs, all great, including the coolest "Sun Was High (So Was I). This shit is the greatest, I swear it. Take it to the pool!
