I know the title of the segment is usually "Bands that sound the same" but I couldn't help but see this video and be reminded of another slightly freaky Scandinavian dance-song video I posted a while back and so I thought it deserved a post. Observe:
This new one (the first one) is by Norwegian band Casio kids. The one I posted a while back is by Swedish band Peter, Bjorn & John.
And once again, don't forget about our giveaway contest! The deadline is Sunday!
Showing posts with label bands that sound the same. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bands that sound the same. Show all posts
Friday, February 13, 2009
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Bands That Sound the Same: Fleet Foxes and Grizzly Bear
Ok, I'll be the first to admit it: I don't really think that these two bands are 100% confusable, but there is enough debate that questions of "Who would win in a fight: Fleet Foxes or Grizzly Bear?" have popped up on the internet. Both utilize airy harmonious effects and manipulate sound with various electronics, but Fleet Foxes follow a more standard musical construction in their songs than Grizzly Bear (which is probably why Fleet Foxes have been compared to the Beach Boys and Grizzly Bear has not). Grizzly Bear is definitely more experimental and I'd even go so far enough to say more daring in their musical choices than Fleet Foxes. My love of Grizzly Bear was sparked in such a manner that I listened to them non stop for about 2 weeks after first encountering them. Here's an excerpt from my old blog the night after I first heard them:
"They had this way about them that was just so laid back that it was perfect for me. Basically, Grizzly Bear made me imagine an alternative Earth where music is just one of the most natural ways to exist as a human, and in that world, they were just apt to walking around without purpose in some sort of fantasy farmland or field where they would just sing. I know that may not make sense to you, but it does to me and that's all that really matters. Thank you, Grizzly Bear, for existing."
Most of the time I can easily differentiate between the two bands, however, it may be different for people who aren't quite as familiar, especially when Fleet Foxes venture closer to the experimental folk rock end of the indie spectrum on songs like English House (check out myspace to hear). Both bands sound like they could have been recorded in the middle of a field in a rural area, and both incorporate swirling melodies with rich earthy undertones. Nevertheless, Grizzly Bear manages to capture a more abstract musical context and lead singer Ed Droste's voice is more memorable, especially with odd-ball Chris Taylor's penetrating soprano falsetto harmonizing on top.
Although obviously I personally tend to favor Grizzly Bear, Fleet Foxes are nothing to sniff at. They put out some great music and are an amazingly strong band. Pitchfork did rate Fleet Foxes a nice 9.0 on their last album and Grizzly Bear got a 8.7. At any rate, the high scores should be enough to tell you that both are amazingly quality bands that are a must-have in any collection.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Bands That Sound The Same: St. Vincent & My Brightest Diamond
Annie Clark's haunting voice is one of the main reasons St. Vincent has become so well known today. The song "Marry Me," is one of those rare finds where you can't figure out why you can't get it out of your head, or for that matter, why all the sudden you have the urge to find a guy named John and ask him to marry you. When I first heard My Brightest Diamond, I thought it was none other than St. Vincent and Annie Clark's unique voice ringing through my ears - and then I found out it wasn't her.
It was none other than Shara Worden, a girl whose father was a National Accordian Champion and whose mother was a classical organist (oh, and one of her grandparents was a Epiphone-playing traveling evangelist). Coming from a quirky musical background alone makes me curious, but knowing that she sounds like Annie Clark puts her in a whole other spectrum. I'm utterly fascinated. Have these two women met? Do they sing backup for one another? Will they sing a duet? Are they secretly twins? I want to know.
Listen to to eerie similarities yourself.
Inside A Boy by My Brightest Diamond [mp3]
Marry Me by St. Vincent [mp3]
Marry Me by St. Vincent [mp3]
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Saturday, June 14, 2008
Bands That Sound the Same La La Naive and The Bird & The Bee
Maybe it was the first time you heard a Kate Nash song and thought it was Lily Allen, or maybe it was the time you heard OneRepublic's "Won't Stop" and thought it was Coldplay feat. that guy from Maroon 5, or maybe it was all the way back when you couldn't distinguish the differences between 98 Degrees, N'SYNC, and the Backstreet Boys (but didn't really care), but I'd like to think we've all done it at some point. We've all had a moment where we seemingly discover what I like to call "band-twins" - two bands that sound similar enough to mix up. So today I bring to you, gentle readers, two bands that I think sound the same: La La Naive and The Bird & The Bee. 
Now, I am going to assume that we are all familiar with The Bird & The Bee's catchy hit "Again and Again" (if not, here's the youtube). Nice, strong-yet-airy female lead, use of bells, a certain echo-y atmosphere similar to other electro-pop artists such as Frou Frou... well, The Bird and the Bee, allow me to introduce you to your Band Twin: La La Naive. With their glockenspiels and synths, Marie-Louise Grund Petersen and Troels Knud Damgaard put out their own foot-tapping single, "My Favourite Place." They are currently unsigned and only have one song on their myspace, but if the single is any indication of their musical ability and overall sound, it looks like La La Naive will be sharing the large fan base of The Bird and The Bee.I'm going to post two songs from The Bird and the Bee's latest 2 EPs, Please Clap Your Hands and One Too Many Hearts. Their sound has matured, but still, take a listen and let me know what you think.
My Favourite Place [mp3] by La La Naive (iTunes unavailable)
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