"When a Bipolar Woman Has The Ability To Write Songs and Has a Million Dollar Voice, The Result: TIKA"

TIKA
Maka ketika seorang wanita bipolar memiliki kemampuan untuk menulis lagu sekaligus suara menakjubkan, pun menjelmalah: TIKA.

Kartika Jahja lahir di tahun 1980 dalam keluarga yang memiliki darah seni. Singer/songwriter asal Indonesia ini telah menempuh aneka jalur musik dimana dia sempat bergabung ke dalam sebuah band punk, band jazz, grup hip hop, bahkan band Top-40 . Dengan satu alasan: Dia senang sekali bernyanyi. TIKA mulai menjalani musik secara serius ketika bergabung dengan band Yoko Phono saat berdomisili di Seattle, AS. Band tersebut bubar saat TIKA kembali ke tanah air. Saat ini, selain keterlibatannya sebagai vocal talent untuk scoring berbagai film layar lebar, TIKA masih sering berkolaborasi dengan berbagai musisi dari bermacam-macam genre. Diantaranya Aksan Sjuman, Jamie Aditya, Agrikulture, dan lain lain.

Namun TIKA mencuri hati banyak orang dengan lagu-lagunya sendiri saat dia mengeluarkan album debut pertamanya ‘Frozen Love Songs’ di tahun 2005. Dikemas ulang sebagai ‘Defrosted Love Songs’ pada tahun 2006. Sang biduanita pun dikenal handal menggagahi mikrofon. Seluruh perasaannya tumpah ruah memecah wajah saat berlaga di atas panggung.
TIKA pun lantang menyuarakan pendapatnya yang tanpa tedeng aling-aling menguak borok budaya populer mulai dari televisi, industri musik, hingga diskriminasi seksual. Hal ini kerap kali menjadikannya terpojok keluar dari industri mainstream nan glamor.

Orang boleh saja menkotakkan musik TIKA sebagai trip hop, jazz, noir pop, dan aneka nama jejadian yang membuat kami mengulum senyum. Beberapa fans pernah mengirimkannya silet berlumur darah bekas menyayat nadi. Para teroris internet mengecamnya terlalu ‘gemerlap’ untuk jadi kiri. Meskipun demikian, TIKA sendiri tak pernah meproklamirkan dirinya sebagai apapun kecuali seorang biduan. Yang dia inginkan hanyalah merasakan ‘hidup’ menggejolak melalui musik, dan berharap para pendengarnya pun dapat mengalami perasaan yang sama. Untuk meninggslkan meja kantormu dan berteriak bila kau mau. Untuk merasa indah meskipun serbuan iklan mengatakan kau harus lebih ramping, lebih putih, dan berambut lebih lurus. Untuk mematikan televisimu dan bercinta… dengan diiringi alunan lagu TIKA, semoga.

The Dissidents
Setelah kelelahan berganti-ganti pasangan di atas panggung dalam setiap penampilannya, TIKA akhirnya memutuskan untuk membentuk band pengiring permanen. Maka berpadulah the Dissidents, pada tahun 2006. Seiring waktu, ketiga lelaki dengan gaya bermusik yang beragam ini, menjadi sangat berpengaruh dalam proses penulisan lagu TIKA.

Susan Agiwitanto sang bassist (ya ia adalah lelaki, dan ya nama aslinya memang Susan), adalah personil dengan koleksi baju hitam terbanyak dalam band ini. Susan membagi waktunya antara sang istri tercinta, TIKA, dan band progressive bernama “In Memoriam”. Saat bergabung dengan TIKA, Susan menggantung bass elektrik lima senarnya dan mulai memainkan contrabass untuk menyesuaikan diri dengan musik TIKA.
Berikutnya, penabuh drum Okky Rahman Oktavian. Pemuda Padang yang di usia 25 tahun, tubuhnya masih terus bertambah tinggi (tidakkah ini sedikit mengkhawatirkan?). Okky berangkat dari band post-rock “godsmustbecrazy”. Selain bermain musik dan bekerja di sebuah perusahaan IT, ia juga seorang pencerca bermulut tajam yang sadistis namun jenaka.

Terakhir adalah si pemikat hati wanita, Luky Annash. Pria sensitif bertutur halus yang piawai memainkan jarinya di piano. Luky telah bermain bersama TIKA sejak sebelum kedua personil di atas bergabung. Hampir setiap waktu ia menjejali telinganya dengan lagu-lagu Tori Amos dari iPod putihnya, hingga tak elak gaya bermusiknya pun tertular. Selain bermain dengan “TIKA & the dissidents” Luky juga seorang penyanyi dan penulis lagu berbakat yang mempunyai proyek solonya sendiri.
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TIKA & the dissidents video teaser: The Headless Songstress

TIKA
When a bipolar woman has the ability to write songs and has a million dollar voice, the result: TIKA.

Kartika Jahja, was born in 1980 to a somewhat artistic family. This Indonesian singer/songwriter have gone through a colorful music journey where she joined punk bands, jazz bands, hip hop acts, even cover bands just for the sake of singing. But she ripped out many hearts with her own songs when she released her first critically debut album ‘Frozen Love Songs’ in 2005. Repackaged as ‘Defrosted Love Songs’ in 2006. The songstress also knows how to rape a microphone, with her expressive stage acts which is a plethora of many heartfelt emotions.

TIKA also has a knack for criticism with the way she often speaks ugly truths about popular culture; television, music industry, sexual discrimination and so on, which naturally corners her into the fringe side of the culture more than the glamourous mainstream industry.

People in the past, have called her music trip hop, jazz, noir pop and every made-up name that made us giggle every time. And despite some fans sending her bloody arm-slashing razor blades, and internet terrorists telling her that she is too glossy to be a lefty, TIKA never proclaimed herself to be anything other than a singer. All she wanted was for herself to be able to feel alive through music, and hopefully for her listeners to feel alive with her. To get out from behind that desk and scream if you want to. To feel beautiful even when the ads say you gotta be thinner, whiter and have smoother hair. To turn off your TV and make love…hopefully, with her songs in the background.


THE DISSIDENTS
The Dissidents came to the rescue in 2006 as TIKA grew exhausted of having multiple partners on stage every time she performs. A permanent back up band was then appointed. The band, later on baptized as the Dissidents, would bring a major influence in TIKA’s more recent songwriting.

Susan Agiwitanto (yes that’s his real name), the one with the most black tshirt collections in the band, came from prog-rock band ‘In Memoriam’. He switched his electric to accoustic upright just for TIKA. We love him for that.

Drummer Okky Rahman Oktavian, a West Sumatran young man who is still growing taller as we speak, also joined the troop at around the same time. Hailing from post-rock band ‘Gods Must Be Crazy’, besides drumming and working a day job as a sales rep in an IT company, he is also a professional bad-mouther. You don’t want to get on his bad side.

The last but not least, is ladies man Luky Annash. Our Mr Sensitive here plays the piano. Luky have played with TIKA long before the other two did. He listens to Tori Amos at almost every waking hour, and her style inevitably rubbed off on him. Luky is also a talented singer on his own time.
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Diskografi
Metrofiction – Yoko Phono (2002) (released in US)
Narcisstika EO – Yoko Phono (2002) (released in US)
Frozen Love Songs – TIKA (rooftopsound-2005)
Defrosted Love Songs – TIKA (aksara records- 2006)
OST Thank You and Goodnight Mother (2006)
Kompilasi Change Yourself (2006)
OST 9 Naga (2006)
Dawai Damai – Agrikulture (aquarius-2007)
OST Berbagi Suami (2007)
OST Kala (2008)
Pintu Terlarang (2009)
The Headless Songstress (released on 24 July 2009)

*Hit readmore for full stories!

"When this interview is popped out, you might be listening to dzeek new album untill you might not so interested to read this interview"

-dzeek-

So, Reno, one of my good friend did this interview with dzeek, supposed to be printed in his own magazine, (was named Oeuvre -sorry if there were misspelling-, but later changed its name, i don't know what it's named now :p). And i asked Reno to post his wonderful interview in this Mellon the Zine, he said yes. So i post this. Haha... So, please feel free to read interview with dzeek who just released its second album on July 1st 2009. Thanks to Reno who done this interview!


1. Perkenalkan diri kalian?
Halo Surabaya! kami dzeek, yg terdiri dari: Aan (drums) Pie (Bass) Amier (Gitar) Isan (Gitar) dan Imam (Vocal, Gitar) piye kabare?

2. Ceritain dong sejarahnya dzeek!
dzeek (sebelumnya dikenal dengan nama d’zeek) adalah sebuah band yang berdiri pada tahun 2003 di Jakarta, atas dasar pertemanan para anggotanya yang tinggal di dalam komplek perumahan yang sama. Pada tahun yang sama dzeek mengeluarkan debut album perdananya yang berjudul “Terang” dibawah Malta Music Indonesia.

Banyak yang menyangka bahwa dzeek sudah bubar karena kekosongan yang ada tanpa album kedua yang menyusul kesuksesan album pertamanya. Pada tahun 2007, dzeek sempat mengeluarkan mini album yang berjudul “The Oslo Report” yang berisi lima materi baru.

Di tahun 2008, Imam bergabung dengan dzeek menggantikan Joe di posisi vokal. Kecocokkan antara Imam dengan keempat personil dzeek membuahkan materi-materi baru untuk album kedua dzeek. Setelah melalui berbagai macam pertimbangan, maka nama d’zeek dirubah menjadi dzeek. Saat ini dzeek yang beranggotakan Aan (drum, perkusi), Pie (bass), Isan (gitar), Amier (gitar) dan Imam (vokal)sedang mempersiapkan dan mematangkan materi untuk album keduanya.

3. Apa itu dzeek?
Nama dzeek itu berasal dari Zeek, sebuah buku Yunani yang artinya adalah semacam jurnal musik, politik dan budaya, kami menambahkan huruf "d" di depannya supaya di toko CD, kami tidak ditaro di paling bawah karena huruf Z adalah huruf terakhir.. Hwehehehe..

4. Ada hubungan dengan Zeke?
Zeke, seorang musisi yg hebat dan sahabat yg baik. Yang pasti, anda akan berbicara dengan orang yang sama ketika menghubungi contact person dzeek dan Zeke and The Popo :)

5. Kalian terdengar sangat2 Radiohead sekali, it's good or not? Tidak takut di anggap another "wannabe" band?
Sangat-sangat Radiohead? Akan mengagumkan sekali apabila benar seperti itu! Thus it's a good thing right? hehe. Untuk "another 'wannabe' band", apabila ada yg bilang seperti itu, sah-sah saja kok, kan mendukung kebebasan beropini, tapi kalo dari kami sendiri:
"wannabe Radiohead" : Not quite
"wannabe successful like Radiohead" : This is more like it!

6. Apa yang membedakan kalian dengan band-band yang lain yang sudah ada? Friday contohnya?
Friday, band yang sangat hebat dengan album yang brilian! Kalau kami tidak sering ketemu dengan Fithor di Jakarta, sudah hampir pasti kami menganggap ini band yang berasal dari luar negeri!dzeek dan Friday jelas sekali berbeda, eksplorasi mereka sangat luas dalam hal soundscape, beat, progresi, dll. Kami mengambil jalur yang berbeda, "lebih pop" mungkin kalimat yg tepat. Atau "jauh lebih pop" mungkin? Tapi apalah artinya sebuah genre...

7. Ceritakan tentang lagu-lagu di album kalian?
Lagu-lagu di album terbaru kami terdiri dari 1 lagu dalam Bahasa Indonesia dan 12 lagu dalam bahasa Inggris,
mungkin sedikit berbeda dengan apa yg pernah band ini lakukan, bagaimana menurut kalian?

8. Kapan rencana keluarnya?
Di saat anda membaca tulisan ini, anda mungkin sedang mendengarkan album terbaru kami sampai anda mungkin tidak terlalu tertarik dengan wawancara ini :)

9. Siapa orang-orang yang membantu kalaian dalam pembuatan album ini? and how does it feels working with those fellas?
Dua nama utama: Yonathan Vanco Nugrahadi (Lull) & Venendar 'Komenk' (sekarang anda mengerti bagaimana kami bisa mencegat Fithor). Mereka berdua adalah orang-orang yang nyaman untuk bekerja sama, banyak masukan dari mereka yang berpengaruh besar dalam pembuatan album ini, dan kami sangat bersyukur telah bertemu dan dapat bekerja sama dengan mereka. Jujur saja, setelah bertemu mereka kami merasa jadi jauh lebih banyak tahu dibandingkan sebelum bertemu mereka. Jauh lebih banyak.

10. Artikan band kalian secara warna? Kalian menganggap band kalian ini mewakili warna apa? Dan kenapa?
Hitam (seketika dapat terdengar tawa dari teman-teman kami yg memainkan musik keras). Ya, hitam. Karena kami cukup bermasalah dengan ke'silau'an. Dan kami melihat lebih jelas dalam kegelapan. Setidaknya mata kami berkata demikian. Atau bisa juga warna pastel, karena dibalik suara distorsi dan hentakan drum yang keras, terdapat jiwa yang "lembut" yang mewakili perasaan dzeek dalam bermusik.

11. Saya melihat perform kalian di youtube yang mengcover "Fake Plastic Tree" and i have to admit it you guy's are fawkin awesome!! haha
We are! Hahahaha! Glad you liked it Sir!

12. Apa yang kalian harapkan dari orang2 yang mendengarkan lagu kalian?
Terinspirasi. Senang. Sedih. Jatuh Cinta. Sekarat. Bersemangat. Marah. Gembira. Gila. Apapun yang terbaik buat mereka sehingga dapat membuat lagu-lagu dzeek menjadi soundtrack sehari-hari di kehidupan mereka.

13. Dan dalam perkembangannya,,apakah kalian juga akan mengalami metamorfosis sound seperti halnya Radiohead dengan "Ok Computer" yang legendaris itu?
Maunya lebih hebat lagi tentunya, semoga kiamat tidak datang terlalu cepat karena setiap band pasti akan mengalami perubahan seiring dengan berjalannya waktu, yang mungkin terjadi karena faktor selera yang cepat berubah, ataupun eksplorasi yang beragam dari masing-masing personilnya.

14. Shout out buat pembaca kita?? Dan orang-orang Surabaya..?
Halo pembaca OEUVRE! Selamat menikmati seluruh isi dari majalah ini, terima kasih atas dukungannya!
Temani kita di Surabaya yah!Ajak jalan-jalan, cari makan, wuenak tenan! Ojo lali yo!
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1. Introduce yourself please?
Halo Surabaya! We are dzeek, Aan (drums), Pie (Bass), Amier (Guitar), and Imam (Vocal, Guitar) how do you do?

2. Could you tell me the history of Dzeek?
dzeek (previously known as d'zeek) is a band formed on 2003 in Jakarta, based on friendship of its member who lived in a same housing complex. At the same year dzeek released a debut album entitled "Terang" under Malta Music Indonesia.

Most peoples guessed that dzeek is gone because its emptyness without any second album following the succession of their first album. On 2007, dzeek had released their mini album titled "The Oslo Report" contains 5 new songs.

On 2008, Imam joined the party replacing Joe on vocal. Fortunately, Imam fit nicely with the other dzeek members, and been produced new things for dzeek second album. After some consideration, the name d'zeek changed to dzeek. Now, dzeek consist of Aan (drum, percussion), Pie (bass), Isan (guitar), Amier (guitar) and Imam (vocal) on its way to prepared and cooking the cakes for its second album.

3. What is dzeek?
The name dzeek was from the word Zeek, a greek book that means as well as music, polotic and cultural journal. We've added the letter "d" on the front in purpose of alphabetical order on music store. So, we will not placed at the last row in the rack because the name started with "Z" instead of "D". Hahaha..

4. Any correlation with Zeke? (Zeke is a gifted musician from Jakarta, formed a band named Zeke and the Popo)
Zeke, a great musician and a great friend. You'll certainly face the same guy when you contacted the contact person for dzeek and Zeke and The Popo :)

5. You sounds so Radiohead, is it good for you? Not afraid whether deemed as wannabe?
So Radiohead? That would be so wonderful if it's so! Thus it's a good thing right? hehe
For the deemed as wannabe, if someone said us like that, that's not a problem, anyone free to say what on its mind, but we think we are:
"wannabe Radiohead" : Not quite
"wannabe successful like Radiohead" : This is more like it!

6. What would separate you guys from the other existing band alike? Friday for example?
Friday, is a wonderful band with a brilliant album! If we're not oftenly met Fithor (Friday's drummer) at Jakarta, we'll most likely guessed that this band is come from abroad, instead of Indonesia! dzeek and Friday absolutely different, Friday widely exploring on soundscape, beat, progression etc. We pick the different track, much likely as "pop" may be. Or dzeek might be "much more pop". But, what's a genre anyway...

7. Tell me about dzeek songs in the new album?
Songs in our upcoming new album contain of 1 song in Bahasa Indonesia and the others 12 songs are in English. It might be a bit different from what we did previously, what do you think guys?

8. When will you guys released it?
When this interview is popped out, you might be listening to dzeek new album untill you might not so interested to read this interview :)

9. Any peoples to be noted, who helped you in the making of this album? And how does it feels working with those fellas?
Two main names: Yonathan Vanco Nugrahadi (Lull) & Venendar 'Komenk' (now you might be understand, why we could met Fithor). Those guys are a very nice to works with. They give us many advices and gives much influences in the making of this album, and we really appreciated to met and work with them. Honestly, we felt more knowledgeable after we met them. Much more knowledgeable.

10. Please tell, what would be dzeek in color! What color is represent dzeek, and why?
Black (suddenly we could hear laughing from our friends who playing a more hard-core music). Yes, it's black. Because we are in trouble enough with dazzling color. And we have clearer view in the dark. At least our eyes-vision proved so. Or it could be pastel colors, because behind the distortion and firm drum beat, there is a soft soul represent dzeek feels on playing music.

11. I saw your appearance on Youtube, that covering "Fake Plastic Tree" from Radiohead, and i have to admit it you guy's are fawkin awesome!! haha
We are! Hahahaha! Glad you liked it Sir!

12. What do you expects from the peoples who listened to dzeek's songs?
Inspired. Happy. Sad. Fall in love. Dying. Enthusiastic. Angry. Cheerful. Crazy. Anything best for them so that could make dzeek songs as their daily soundtrack of their life.

13. And as it grows, would you progressing on your sounds as just Radiohead with its legendary "Ok Computer"?
We eager to do more than that of course, we hope the dooms day wouldn't come early, because any band would changing as the time goes. It might be happen because of change in musical taste, or many kind of exploration from each members of the bands.

14. Shout out for our readers? And Surabaya peers..
Halo Oeuvre readers! Enjoy the magazine contents, thanks for your support! Accompany us in Surabaya will you? Hang out and walk with us, get some food, that'll be great! Don't you forget!

*Interview by: Reno
*Translated by: Jay
*Photo taken from: dzeek MySpace
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dzeek had just released its second album (self-titled) on 1st of July 2009. Get it at your finest local music store!
Find dzeek at:
www.youtube.com/dzeektube
www.myspace.com/dzeekmusic
www.psychomillionare.multiply.com
renggo_adjie@yahoo.com
+62818 12 26 81

-Hit readmore to read full stories!-

"Simple, honest, easy, yet stylish, and it's impossible not to love Zooey" 

-www.mellonzine.com-

M. Ward & Zooey Deschanel as She & Him

Sebuah album yang menyenangkan untuk disimak, telah dihasilkan oleh She & Him, bertajuk Volume One. Setelah sebelumnya saya tak awas dengan She & Him dan langsung tertarik pada deretan tracklist mereka karena ada lagu I Should Have Known Better, -ya mereka meng-kover lagu Beatles itu-. Jadilah saya langsung suka dengan cover version I Should Have Known Better ini, yang membawa suasana bersantai di pantai meminum es kelapa muda langsung dari buahnya dengan hujaman hangat sinar matahari. Hahaha… Bergantian lagu demi lagu lainnya mulai merasuki telinga dan hati saya, dengan musik yang sederhana, mudah tapi tidak sekedarnya walau tidak dengan cara yang spektakuler.

She & Him, -ternyata- adalah Zooey Deschanel dan M. Ward. Tidak pernah mendengar nama-nama ini? Ha… Zooey Deschanel, adalah seorang aktris, pemain film, Almost Famous, Yes Man, The Happening, dia hadir disana. Dan, ya dia bermusik dengan M. Ward yang ditemui dalam sebuah set film yang dibintangi Deschanel (The Go-Getter) dengan bendera She & Him. Sedikit sejarah, Deschanel sebenarnya sudah menulis banyak lagu yang dia rekam sendiri di rumah, namun tidak pernah cukup percaya diri untuk diperdengarkan pada orang lain. Ketika diperdengarkan pada Ward, justru rekaman-rekaman Deschanel inilah yang menjadi pondasi lagu-lagu She &; Him. Kesederhanaan lagu-lagu Deschanel –dengan karakter vokalnya yang sebenarnya tidak terlalu istimewa namun terdengar begitu jujur- diramu Ward dengan manis, menjadikannya easy listening, dengan sound yang mudah namun tidak menjadikan lagu-lagunya dangkal.

Kehadiran Zooey Deschanel dalam She & Him tentu menjadi titik perhatian tersendiri. Yeah, Deschanel cukup menjadi public figure di barat sana. Foto-fotonya banyak terpampang di majalah remaja, dia juga cukup aktif main di film Hollywood, dan dia juga bertunangan dengan vokalis dari Death Cab For Cutie,  Ben Gibbard. Dan leganya dia tidak memainkan music yang cheapy seperti Paris Hilton punya atau BBB dari Melly Goeslaw punya. Masih satu level diatas Scarlett Johansson punya album. Hahhaa.. Scarlett Johansson punya I Don’t Wanna Grow Up-nya The Ramones di albumnya, Deschanel punya I Should Have Known Better-nya The Beatles di She & Him, dan I Should Have Known Better ini masih much better than I Don’t Wanna Grow Up itu. Yeahahaha…

Telisik sedikit di album Volume One, lagu-lagu favorit saya adalah, This is Not A Test, I Thought I Saw Your Face Today, I Was Made For You, I Should Have Known Better dan Sweet Darlin’. Volume One dikemas secara musical dalam konsep yang utuh, music yang minimalis, sederhana dan mudah. Ketukan sederhana, genjrengan gitar yang santai dan backing vocal choir di beberapa bagian yang menjadi daya tarik tersendiri. Dengan esensinya yang berada di karakter penulisan lagu yang khas. Sederhana, polos, mudah namun memiliki gaya. M. Ward nampaknya tidak pernah bermaksud membuat musik yang berat untuk dicerna, ataupun eksplorasi sound dan instrumen yang terlalu detil dan rumit. Rasanya She & Him meramu musik yang asyik dan mudah untuk dinikmati dan didengarkan. An easy folk-ballads-pop album. Recommended for sure!
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It's impossible not to love Zooey, isn't it? :)

A really enjoyable album to watch, had been produced by She & Him, titled Volume One. As i'm not really aware of She & Him before, i directly attracted with the tracklist they had offered in the album because I Should Have Known Better  -yep, they made a cover version of those Beatles song- is there. Suddenly i love that cover version, bring me a pleasant atmospheric, leisure at a beach, drinks coconut water and a warm sun-tanning. Hahaha... Slowly, each other songs start to hit my ear by turns, with a simple music, easy but not as it goes by instead it's not in a spectacular way.

She & Him, are Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward. Never heard those names? Ha... Zooey Deschanel, is an actress, played in movies, Almost Famous, Yes Man, The Happening, she present at those movies. And yes, yet she's on her musical career now with M. Ward -met at a movie set starred by Deschanel (The Go-Getter)-, in a band called She & Him. A bit history, Deschanel actually wrote her own songs and recorded in a home-made demo, but never exposed these on public before M. Ward. And those demos instead had been the foundation of She & Him music crafting. Simplicity of Deschanel songs -with her vocal character whose not so special but feels really honest- met by Ward sweet composition, made this really easy listening, with a easy-light sound but didn't made this shallow in musical content.

Deschanel present in She & Him surely bring some attraction point. Yeah, Deschanel is a public figure far there on the west side of the globe. Her photos printed much on a teen magazines, she played in numbers of movies, Hollywood, and she engaged to Ben Gibbard -Death Cab For Cutie vocalist-. But, fortunately she's not playing cheapy music like Paris Hilton had or BBB's of Melly Goeslaw had. Yet, still a level over Scarlett Johansson had an album. Hahaha.. Scarlett Johansson had I Don’t Wanna Grow Up of The Ramones in her album, Deschanel had I Should Have Known Better of The Beatles with She & Him, and this I Should Have Known Better still much better than those I Don’t Wanna Grow Up. Yeahahaha…

A bit sneaky on the album, Volume One, i pick some of the songs as my favorites as This is Not A Test, I Thought I Saw Your Face Today, I Was Made For You, I Should Have Known Better and Sweet Darlin’. Volume One was musically packed on a whole solid package, minimalist music, simple yet easy, and it's impossible not to love Zooey. Simple beat, leisure guitar jangling and backing vocal choiring at some parts become its own attractiveness. With its essential point on their unique characterized song-crafting spell. Simple, honest, easy, yet stylish. M. Ward seems never meant to made a heavy music to be consumed, nor detailed, complex, far exploration on sound and instrument section. It just felt likes She & Him produced a really loveable and easy music to be listened. An easy folk-ballads-pop album. Recommended for sure!
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She & Him
Genre: Pop, Folk, Ballads
Based in: US
Label: Merge Records
Year: 2008
Rate: 8.5/10
MySpace








Download digital booklet for this album, click here (lyrics, credits, and artwork)---click readmore for full story and more videos & infos---


Tracklist

01. Sentimental Heart
02. Why Do You Let Me Stay Here?
03. This Is Not A Test
04. Change Is Hard
05. I Thought I Saw Your Face Today
06. Take It Back
07. I Was Made For You
08. You Really Got A Hold On Me
09. Black Hole
10. Got Me
11. I Should Have Known Better
12. Sweet Darlin'
13. Swing Low, Sweet Chariot

This is how you couldn't not love Zooey :)

*Written by: Jay
*Translated by: Jay

"A fine milestone, that is marked a musical maturity in a band. Comfort in their musical way. This is how they stand. Camera Obscura"

Camera Obscura
Genre: Indie Pop
Based in: Scotland
Label: 4AD Records
Year: 2009
Rate: 8.5/10
MySpace







Hwaaaaa… Camera Obscura new album is just spilled out! Dengan judul My Maudlin Career, dan bocoran di interview sebelumnya kalau mereka bekerjasama dengan produser handal kali ini, seperti apa kira-kira album baru ini?

Masih indie pop crunchy! Hahaha… Sedikit kesan pertama mungkin, mereka membuat musiknya terdengar lebih megah sekarang. Dengan nuansa bebunyian yang berasal dari keyboard (sebagian menjadi pondasi utama lagunya) dan brass section membuat lagu-lagu mereka terdengar lebih kaya. Versi lebih kaya dari Let’s Get Out Of This Country. Dibuka dengan French Navy membuat nuansa menjadi bersemangat, sejalan dengan antusiasme fans Camera Obscura yang begitu menunggu album baru ini keluar. Lagu kedua, Other Town and Cities, uniknya terdengar begitu mirip dengan Country Mile. Terdengar terseret-seret dengan efek delay dan minimalisnya. Intro yang dipimpin oleh brass section di Honey in The Sun akan kembali membuatmu bersemangat dan ingin mendengarnya lagi! Beat yang mantap, dibalut brass yang efektif dan vocal latar di bagian refrain membuatnya catchable.

Pada album ini Camera Obscura terasa lebih memikirkan sound dan part seperti apa yang ingin dimasukkan pada musik mereka. Tergarap lebih detail mungkin. My Maudlin Career adalah Camera Obscura yang masih tetap ada dikoridor bermusik mereka yang selama ini sudah kita kenal. Tidak terlalu banyak hal baru bisa ditemukan disini, khususnya pada area musical mereka. Bahkan ada satu lagu yang tadi saya sebutkan mirip dengan lagu di album sebelumnya. Mungkin ada maksud dibalik itu, atau mungkin juga ini adalah sebuah limit dalam mencipta. Who knows, then…

Overall this is still a fine indie pop album, from this Scottish band. A fine milestone, that is marked a musical maturity in a band. Comfort in their musical way. This is how they stand. Camera Obscura.
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Wowwww… Camera Obscura new album is just spilled out! Titled My Maudlin Career, and some info that they had shared in the previous interview (wayyy yeeaaaarrrsssss agooo :P), that they will work with great producer, so how is this record?

Still a crunchy indie pop! Hahaha… a bit first impression, they made a more glorious and fancy music then before. With some sounds from the keyboard (being the basic for most songs in the album) and the brass filling really enriched their songs. The more enriched version of Let’s Get Out of This Country. Opened with French Navy who will made you spirited with the punchy hook beat, in-line with the enthusiasm of Camera Obscura fans of this album. Next song, Other Town and Cities, uniquely seems pretty identical with Country Mile from Let’s Get Out of This Country. Slowly dragged down with its delay effect and with minimalist approach. Brass section’s intro on Honey in The Sun will surely make you on the mood again and addicted to it! Firm beat, with an effective brass section and backing vocal on refrain made this really catchable.

On this album, Camera Obscura seems consider more about what sounds and what parts to be inserted in their songs and music. It might be worked in more details. My Maudlin Career is Camera Obscura who is still in their very own musical track, as we usually known. There are not much a new invention can be found here, especially in their musical area. Even there are a song that I thought really identical with ones in their previous album. They might had a meaning on that, or might be this is one of their limitation on creation. Who knows, then..

Overall this is still a fine indie pop album, from this Scottish band. A fine milestone, that is marked a musical maturity in a band. Comfort in their musical way. This is how they stand. Camera Obscura.


Tracklist
1. French Navy
2. The Sweetest Thing
3. You Told A Lie
4. Away With Murder
5. Swans
6. James
7. Careless Love
8. My Maudlin Career
9. Forests And Sands
10. Other Towns And Cities
11. Honey In The Sun

*Review by: Jay
*Translated by: Jay

"Alex: yr zeeroooo!

Miles: a little bit techno, isn't it?

Miles: hahahaha

Alex: yeah"

Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Genre: Indie Rock
Based in: New York, US
Label: DGC/Interscope
Year: 2009
Rate: 8/10
MySpace







Yeah Yeah Yeahs is throwing their newest shit right on your horny face! So, we steal conversation of two indie-rock-obsessed teenage, who roughly talked about their first impression about the shit, called It's Blitz

Alex: udah denger yang baru?
Alex: Y!Y!Y!
Miles: apa?
Miles: oh baru donlod kemarin
Miles: hahaha
Alex: yr zeeroooo!
Miles: agak2 techno gimanaa gitu
Miles: hahahaha
Alex: yeah
Alex: cool right?
Miles: cool
Miles: hahaha
Miles: jadi banyak pake synth gak sih ini?
Alex: yeah ha ha ha
Alex: but it's different,
Alex: better that Show Your Bones
Alex: i can tell you that much
Alex: ^^
Miles: tapi emang beda sih...
Miles: heuheuheu
Miles: btw, kenapa kok bilang ini better than show your bones?
Alex: i dunno, show your bones is boring
Alex: tapi necessary transition sih
Alex: kalo Fever to Tell langsung It's Blitz terlalu mendadak sih...
Miles: i love turn into, gold lion.
Alex: ha ha ha
Alex: juma Gold Lion doang yang suka gw
Miles: wah kalo it's blitz sama fever to tell ya beda banget
Alex: yeah
Miles: aksi panggungnya bakal berubah gak ya? hehehe
Alex: tahu deh
Alex: ada video live do youtube gak ya?
Miles: wah belum sempet search
Miles: tadinya kirain YYY's kalo album baru bakal indie rock yg agak tenang, agak ballads. lha native korean rock project si Karen O kayak gitu. hahahhaa
Alex: yeah me too man
Alex: udah dengerin Morissey baru?
Miles: belummmmm


Okay, they talked about this shit about this short, so we ended up here, macho! Kisses on your chin!
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Yeah Yeah Yeahs is throwing their newest shit right on your horny face! So, we steal conversation of two indie-rock-obsessed teenage, who roughly talked about their first impression about the shit, called It's Blitz

Alex: Have you listened the brand new?
Alex: Y!Y!Y!
Miles: what?
Miles: have just downloaded it yesterday
Miles: hahaha
Alex: yr zeeroooo!
Miles: a little bit techno, isn't it?
Miles: hahahaha
Alex: yeah
Alex: cool right?
Miles: cool
Miles: hahaha
Miles: much more using synth, isn't it? ---click readmore for full story---
Alex: yeah ha ha ha
Alex: but it's different,
Alex: better than Show Your Bones
Alex: i can tell you that much
Alex: ^^
Miles: uh-huh it's different, really
Miles: heuheuheu
Miles: by the way, why do you call this better than Show Your Bones?
Alex: i dunno, Show Your Bones is boring
Alex: But, necessary a transition
Alex: If it's Fever to Tell then directly to It's Blitz, it's just too sudden.. too much changes
Miles: i love Turn Into, Gold Lion.
Alex: ha ha ha
Alex: I only love Gold Lion
Miles: Hey It's Blitz and Fever to Tell is much too different!
Alex: yeah
Miles: How about their stage act? are they gonna change their style?
Alex: dunno
Alex: any youtube live-video?
Miles: hmmm, not yet search for it
Miles: I thought if YYY's throw its new album it's gonna be a calm indie rock, a bit ballads. Refer to Native Korean Rock, Karen O project is much less like that. hahaha
Alex: yeah me too man
Alex: Hey, have you listened to Morrissey new album?
Miles: not yet

Okay, they talked about this shit about this short, so we ended up here, macho! Kisses on your chin!

Tracklist
01. Zero
02. Heads Will Roll
03. Soft Shock
04. Skeletons
05. Dull Life
06. Shame and Fortune
07. Runaway
08. Dragon Queen
09. Hysteric
10. Little Shadow

*Words by: Jay
*Chat by: Alex & Miles :P