Monday, August 25, 2008

Best Of SXSW A-Z: "F"

Foreign Born originally self-released their first album, On The Wing Now, while touring the US & UK with bands such as Cold War Kids and We Are Scientists. Now signed to Dim Mak Records, their album is described by the band as 'rhythmic and otherwordly, with lots of percussion'. Add to that all the chants handclaps, and wailing vocals, and you have a sound that comes up on the good-sounding side of the rock/folk fence.

MP3: Foreign Born - Union Hall

The Forms recorded their second album with the help of Steve Albini (Nirvana, The Pixies). On his experience with the band, Albini quipped that he'd never worked with a band that had gone over the same piece of tape 58 times. On "Knowledge In Hand", the opening track to their 2nd album, it seems as though everything including every hi-hat hit were carefully mulled over for 2 weeks before being committed to record.

MP3: The Forms - Knowledge In Hand

Free The Robots make hip-hop beats filled with jazz samples and synthesizers. No matter how many times I hear this sort of stuff, if it's done well, it's golden - which is exactly what these guys have done on their EP. Have a listen to more of their stuff at their Myspace, and check out their blog for the latest on Robot Freedom.

MP3: Free The Robots - Jazzhole

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