Push, Play, Repeat
Surprisingly, Fujiya and Miyagi’s latest album, Lightbulbs, was released rather quietly early last month. I say surprisingly because I find this album to be their best yet, and it took me two weeks after the release to find anything about Lightbulbs on the music blogs.
The album is easily recognizable as an addition to 2006’s Transparent Things – except that Lightbulbs has a little funkier and jazzier beats while maintaining a sly and sexy texture with lead singer David Best’s hushed vocals. Listen to the track “Kinickerbocker:”
Fujiya and Miyagi – Knickerbocker
Some people judge music by its uniqueness. While you can attribute different parts of Fujiya and Miyagi’s music to others (for instance taking the vocals of Best and comparing them to the lead singer of !!!), the pairing of Fujiya and Miyagi’s rhythm backed by synthesizer puts the group on a wave of new and seductive pop. Just listen to my favorite from the new album:
Fujiya and Miyagi – Uh
For comparison of the last album, check out the video for “Ankle Injuries” from Transparent Things.
The band will be playing at the Bottom Lounge in Chicago on October 25. If you go, don’t expect a duo. Their name comes from the Fujiya record brand and Mr. Miyagi in the movie, The Karate Kid. In actuality, they are a four-piece set from Britain.
The next band I have for you doesn’t have any shows around here – actually I’m not sure if they ever have ventured into Illinois – in the near future, but if you should find yourself in Michigan, you should check them out live. Breathe Owl Breathe is a local band from the East Jordon area in Michigan that plays mostly in Ann Arbor and Traverse City. They’re a pretty low-profile band I happened across on eMusic. Their latest album, Ghost Glacier, features the songs:
Breathe Owl Breate – Drop and Roll
Breathe Owl Breathe – Toboggan
In comparison to their last few albums, the three-piece band has turned from a country folk sound to a purer form of folk. I suppose you could say they haven’t changed their style much, but their quality hasn’t suffered either. Here’s a song from their 2004 release, The Fall Album:
Breathe Owl Breathe – Robin’s Egg Blue
There is something about their music that I find alluring but I can’t quite name it. I think it has to do with a sort of innocence in their lyrics and music. The purity of the high vocals of Andréa Moreño-Beals paired with the folk roots lying in Micah Middaug voice and guitar creates a sort of simple, but beautiful sound.
Most Recent Music Comments
Yeah, I’d agree that Transporter Room 3 is the worst house venue I’ve ever seen.
*slow. clap.* Still offering no threat of intelligence…. I know I said I thought you should just write this whole column yourself next year, Isaac, but now that you’ve gone and taken a “part deux” run at it, I’d like to modify my request: Best Music 2013,…
Actually, it’s kind of nice, the quiet. John Heoffleur’s engaging commentary/dialogue is sorely missed, however. In lieu of someone intelligent saying something, I’ve compiled a list of Honourable Mentions: BEST ROCK BAND: Take Care ::these gentlemen have four completely different sets at their disposal right now (which…
What? Echo! (Echo!) Where’s the dischord and dissent?
That article almost looks like something out of The Onion
Thanks! I’m looking forward to writing even more….
Yay! Love this! Welcome to the family!
that last photo’s a doozie, Chris. good work.
that city center house show was one of those life-affirming things.
Most Popular Music Articles (60 days)
- 2012 Pygmalion Music Festival initial lineup
- Elsinore, Common Loon impress diverse crowd
- Tonight in Urbana: Ursula K. LeGuin
- Cursive is so cool
- Look closer: Withershins' Silver Cities
- The Overture: April 3–9
- Record Store Day 2012 in review
- A breath of fresh air
- BEST Music
- Cymbals Eat Guitars: Malfunction-free (so far)
Most Recent Comments
“Smile Politely sports writer announces candidacy for city government.”
I also got to visit Big Grove Tavern during the soft open and definitely enjoyed the pork belly the most of all the dishes I sampled. The cheesy grits and the vinegary pickled vegetables were a perfect compliment to the rich pork belly.
The Alan Partridge lookalike on the right in the first small photo has nothing to condescend to anyone about. AH HA!
Snell and the little Hitlers of the neighborhood association need to chill out. Legitimate businesses should have the freedom to exist without having to endure the slings and arrows of ignorant and misguided opposition.
represent, Matt.
Yeah, I’d agree that Transporter Room 3 is the worst house venue I’ve ever seen.
Food trucks are the start-up, small businesses of the future for those unable to afford real estate. No surprise, that merchants who pay rent, utilities, and maintenance on a property would despise the traveling competition. Or developers who build more empty retail spaces would want to close…
Not so much far-right Tea Party as a balanced, moderate viewpoint between letting businesses succeed and protecting society with reasonable regulations. In spite of what the city reps are saying, the interpretation of policy on this issue certainly has changed. Letting a business start up under one…
I think it’s neat that SP has turned rightward, now espousing a Tea Party-style frustration with government regulations & taxes.
This makes me so sad. (Happy to live in Urbana, though!) Crave Truck has been a GREAT addition to the food choices in C-U, and it’d be a travesty to chase them away. This town should be supporting small businesses. I’m glad to hear that they’ll still…
*slow. clap.* Still offering no threat of intelligence…. I know I said I thought you should just write this whole column yourself next year, Isaac, but now that you’ve gone and taken a “part deux” run at it, I’d like to modify my request: Best Music 2013,…
Actually, it’s kind of nice, the quiet. John Heoffleur’s engaging commentary/dialogue is sorely missed, however. In lieu of someone intelligent saying something, I’ve compiled a list of Honourable Mentions: BEST ROCK BAND: Take Care ::these gentlemen have four completely different sets at their disposal right now (which…
What? Echo! (Echo!) Where’s the dischord and dissent?
This weekend will mark the first appearance of Kayla Brown’s Fire Doll Candle booth at the Market. Check it: http://www.facebook.com/firedollcandles
And without bloodshed. Sounds like the Savoy trustees aren’t as narrow-minded as some of their whiny pants constituents. Do you think quack Snell is already planning an asinine counterattack or is he still laying low after those “threats” against his person?
hey, if hair ain’t gon’ be over your head, my jokes may as well be.
Okay, almost 24 hours later and I finally got Issac’s Summer joke. I’m an idiot.
Excellent. I am glad sometimes American dreams are encouraged, rather than stifled.
Swap the dog for a fire pit and it sounds like you’re writing about my back yard. Very nice.
funny, as your summer begins, another Summer ends.
Facebook
Twitter
Full Site
represent, Matt.