Pony Up

Pony up, we're going to Chicago. Well, at least we're going to talk about The Ponys, who are from Chicago. Their third release Turn the Lights Out is due out on Matador Records on March 20.

Just so you know whether or not to buy this pretty damn good album when March 20th rolls around, I'll tell you a little about it. The Ponys have this kind of lo-fi The Strokes feel to them, and the arrangements are certainly more rock-punk driven. The band does a pretty good job of never resorting to excessive loudness to make their point, and I thank the heavens for that. There are some intoxicating basslines (see "Double Vision") and the vocals are definitely above average. Add some pretty heavy guitar and now we're talking.

My personal favorite on the album is "Double Vision", which is a sure bet to be the lead single. It's catchy, it's lazy, it's rock. "1209 Seminary" is also a highlight, which features a infectious chorus. And "Shine" is just a real solid rocking track.

Go and buy Turn the Lights Out.
Matador has provided two songs from the album:
Listen to "Double Vision" (4.6/5)
Listen to "Poser Psychotic" (3.5/5)

It's Time for The Changes

Not really. I'm talking about another Chicago band called The Changes. If you haven't heard of them yet, you're not alone. Although they're relatively popular within the confines of the Windy City, the word hasn't spread too fast to the rest of the country. But don't let that sway you. The Changes' debut Today is Tonight is a trippy-indie-pop-album that sounds a lot like the lo-fi product of The Strokes from their fantastic debut Is This It?

Today is Tonight, however, doesn't have all the weightiness about it that The Strokes had. This is an album that isn't lacking in substance, but then again, it isn't a model in breathtaking songwriting either. Nevertheless, it would be a shame to talk down this album. Today is Tonight is about an aesthetic and the band has carefully manicured the album to preserve it. The songs are quite different from one another but they have a certain coherence to them that enhances the total package. Where many bands simply forget the album concept and think only in terms of singles, The Changes seem to have put consistently great tracks on Today is Tonight.

Take for example, the song "When I Wake", which features a 'The Ark-esque' guitar riff and an Elton John-a-la-Crocodile-Rock playfulness to it, is simply 3:15 of bliss. "Modern Love" begins immediately with a rather catchy beat and an even more infectious verse that leads into a very U2-like chorus. My favorite, "Sisters", has a piano-based riff that delivers more electro-pop ecstasy than anything I've heard. During the bridge, the 'Listen to your heart beat' part is divine.

I should stop writing. Go and buy the album.
Listen to "Sisters" (4.91 / 5)
Listen to "When I Wake" (4 / 5)

Baby Teeth

In continuation of CSV's posts about Chicago bands, I'd like to present you Baby Teeth. The harmonizing trio will often times bring you back to a 75 degree evening along Lake Michigan despite the chilly below-zero weather that this magnificent city is facing right now. There most recent album, wittingly named The Baby Teeth Album, is a collection of frenetic bluesy soul-pop songs that hit more times than they miss.

The album is a model work of versatility--it's a genre spanning one that ranges from frequent harmonies and catchy organs. Take a listen to "Celebrity Wedding" and you'll hear a pumpin' bassline with a catchy "Do-do-do-do" that will be sweetly chirping in your head as the chorus breaks into an organ-induced chant. Or listen to "Butter X" which is more of a ballad type arrangement that explodes from "Oo-wa-oo" into a rocked out bridge.

The Baby Teeth Album seems dated in some ways--it isn't quite the typical sound you hear nowadays but rather an improvement on its funk-rock predecessors. Either way, you're bound to have fun with this album.

Go and get yourself a copy of The Baby Teeth Album. Also, be sure to look out for The Simp which comes at you March 17.

Listen to "Celebrity Wedding" (4.5 / 5)
Listen to "Mighty Time" (4 / 5)

Keepin' it Green

The next few posts are going to be dedicated to Chicago-based artists and bands. Being that I'm from Chicago, and I'm going to school near the city, I thought I should let you faithful readers (and those who get here from elbo.ws) know a little bit about the best indie music scene in the country (sorry Seattle, it's true).

So for today, I'm going to talk about an up-and-coming electro-pop-rock Chicago band that goes by the name Greenskeepers. Aside from incredibly pleasing artwork for their albums and such, there is actually substance to this band. Every time I listen to the music from their latest release Polo Club, I keep on trying to box it in to a genre or a sound. I'll be honest--I haven't figured it out quite yet. It's a little bit like Depeche Mode, but more interesting. It's a little bit like lounge music, but more varying and certainly better lyrics. Greenskeepers take rather dark subjects and just turn the light on. It almost reminds of the way Nick Drake used to write such beautiful music for darker songs.

What I find the most intriguing about Greenskeepers is that their music takes everything good about trippy electronic grooves and melds them with some above average lyrics. Granted, there are a few instrumentals on Polo Club, like the infectious "Martini Lunches" or "Coconuts". Both surround in a wall of sound that envelopes you, caresses you, and then rocks with you all night long. Some might call it "mood music", but I think it's nothing of the sort. Take a listen to "15 Minutes" and you'll realize your head's bopping to the catchy bass while you can help but chime in with the words, 'Last Night, Last Saturday Night'.

I suggest you have a look at their album, Polo Club.
Not convinced?
Have a listen to "15 Minutes"
Have a listen to "Bloodclots"