The XX

xx

Young Turks

Rating: 2

Following the wake of the ever-expanding pantheon of Timbaland-aspiring indie scum, we meet The XX: four jaded, sex-obsessed, pseudo-libertine 20-year-old Londonite self-proclaimed musical omnivores. The type when asked, “What are you so apathetic about?”, answers “What you got?” Yeah, those kids.

Character judgments aside, these post teens are the darlings of the English music press before the release of their first single, “Basic Space,” in early August. It’s no surprise that Pitchfork and NME creamed themselves once the band’s self-titled debut came out two weeks later.

And why not? On paper, the band’s style and approach is nothing short of spectacular. Take several helpings of The Neptunes and Aaliyah, a dash of classic indie pop and C86, mix in minimalist drones and a hint of Dark Wave, and there you have it – the sleazy, seductive sounds of xx.

Then again, hypothetical estimations rarely reflect reality. Out of context, individual songs hold up relatively well, with moments of charm and ingenuity. But listening through the entirety of the album in one sitting is the musical equivalent of water boarding. The nuances that give life to individual tracks are quickly driven into the ground, as the group insistently uses them in every single song. The refreshing, monotonous drone eventually turns into basic, plain-old monotony.

The most easily observable flaw, if not the album’s pitfall, has to be the singing. Vocalists Oliver Sim and Romy Hadley Craft sing in an intertwining, hazy, call-and-response fashion not unlike early Nineties Twee outfits The Field Mice and The Orchids. Whereas the charm of those bands comes from the implied romantic chemistry between the singers (forced or real), Craft and Sim’s delivery is dry and affectless, further dulling a slow and predictable record.

The album remains too hip and resigned for its own good: overly self-conscious make-out music that goes nowhere and desires to go nowhere. The slickness and sleaze that initially seems inviting soon becomes childish and repugnant.

Give these tracks a listen: “Intro,” “Fantasy”

For Fans Of: Fiery Furnaces, Rihanna

– Boris Freyman

Slug: 091015_ar_norcalnoisefest

Edits: JTH

Notes:

Summary:

Headline: The beauty of noise

Layercake: Three days of Norcal Noisefest in Sacramento

By ELENA BUCKLEY

Aggie Arts Writer

What is noise? Is it something that’s annoying and abrasive that wakes you up at three in the morning? Is it only liberating and fun for teenagers while harmful and ear-shattering for the older generations? Or, does noise have more potential to be appreciated as something radical and enjoyable?

Norcal Noisefest is a three-day event in Sacramento that will embrace and showcase 47 bands and artists who dabble in this unnamable genre.

Lob, the creative director for the event said in an e-mail interview that Noisefest started in 1995 in order to “showcase audio experimentalism and outsider sound art and its diverse sub-genres including but not limited to: power electronics, drone, experimental musics, free jazz, conceptual, feedback, glitch, IDM[cq], minimalism and others.”

The festival begins Oct. 16 and ends Oct. 18. The first night starts at 7 p.m. at Luna’s Café located at 1414 16th St., and the next two nights will take place at The Greens Hotel located at 1700 Del Paso Blvd. Tickets can be purchased online or at the door for $10 a night, or $40 for a weekend pass which includes a complimentary t-shirt and compilation CD.

“NOISE is not really a type as [it is] a description. If you cannot describe what you are hearing with genre titles and type classifications that you already have knowledge of, chances are that it’s noise,” Lob said. “Noise in general is loud but that isn’t always true. Noise in general has no lyrics, noise in general has no melody, noise in general is simply noise. As a genre, it has popularity with people from early teens (and younger!) to 50-plus-year-old adults.”

Superzapper Recharge will be the first band to play on day three at 1 p.m. Band creator Blake Williams said in an e-mail interview that they are moving “more in the direction of being a rock band.” He said “the idea this year is to make as much noise as we can within our new ensemble, kicking up tons of guitar feedback, pedal noise and overdrive.”

The participants in Noisefest get creative with noise and put on a show that essentially breaks the conventional music mold.

“It gives a communal environment for atypical musicians and other sound performers to make each other deaf and marvel at the overall strangeness of the craft,” Williams said. “By the end of the second day, your brain pretty much turns to Jell-o and everything ceases to make sense, enabling either the start of a spirit quest or an epic bender.”

On Oct. 15, there will be two free pre-Noisefest events taking place in Davis. At 7 p.m. Chinapainting, a guitar duo from New York and Oaxaca, Mexico, will join Davis’ Mucky the Ducky and Sacramento’s Chad E. Williams to perform at the John Natsoulas Gallery on First Street. Then at 11 p.m., Noisefest acts and local artists Xome, Liver Cancer, Hypnotic Injection and Lob will be live on KDVS 90.3 FM in Studio A.

“If you listen to [Mucky the Ducky] you will hear that while his music is quite different than what you would hear on any radio station above 92.1 FM, it is quite listenable and beautiful, so it should illustrate the variety of music you can hear at a festival like this,” said Cody Duncan, senior technocultural studies major and local musician.

Noise, whether it be banging sheet metal around, increasing levels of feedback or playing with different electrical pitches, can be manipulated into a cohesive idea and an interesting performance.

“It mainly appeals to eclectics and extremists,” Williams said. “The average college student record collector who’s about burned him/herself out on everything will find a lot to see here. Punks looking for something louder/more violent than grindcore will love an act like +DOG+. Avant-garde enthusiasts who’ve suddenly decided that Sun Ra is just too well put together may find something in walls of distortion and banging sheet metal. Although it’s probably not for everyone, everyone should try it at least once.”

For more information and a full line-up and schedule go to norcalnoisefest.com

ELENA BUCKLEY can be reached at arts@theaggie.org.

The Mondavi Center will be offering student discounts on two upcoming shows: the Feb. 14 performance of Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo and the Feb. 27 performance by violinist Joshua Bell.

Tickets to both occasions will be available until Oct. 31 at a 50 percent discount. It is predicted that each show will sell out.

“For the past few seasons we’ve made it a regular practice to hold aside tickets for UC Davis students for shows that were at or nearing capacity,” said Mondavi Center Director of Marketing Rob Tocalino in an e-mail interview.

Tocalino also said that since most tickets go on sale before classes are back in session, many students aren’t aware of upcoming events at the Mondavi Center. For these reasons, Tocalino said that the Mondavi center employees do their best to project what shows are going to have limited availability and will appeal to students, setting tickets aside accordingly.

Bell, an Indiana native, appeared as a soloist in the Philadelphia Orchestra and contributed music to the soundtrack of the film The Red Violin. Bell also made an appearance in the film Music of the Heart.

The Manhattan Movement and Arts Center described Les Ballets de Trockadero as a comical, talented and fashionable all-male act with detailed costumes and fabulous hair-dos. The men participated in successful theatrical shows this January that ended up selling out.

“Of the two shows that are coming up, I would definitely be interested in seeing one, if not both, at discounted prices,” said sophomore art history major Kyra Simon.

Sophomore political science major Clay Han, who saw Bill Fressel at the Mondavi Center in April, said he would consider seeing the Joshua Bell performance.

“Live performances have a uniqueness about them where the performer can connect with the audience,” Han said. “There’s a certain element attached to it that you can’t get from TV or movies.”

Sophomore biology major Magdelena Ford agreed that there is a certain charm to watching live shows. “It’s especially true at music shows. There is generally some improvisation that can add to the experience,” Ford said.

Tocalino said that the Mondavi staff is committed to involving students in what they do at the Mondavi Center.

“We want to give them every opportunity to be exposed to the world-class artists we present,” Tocalino said.

For more information about upcoming shows and tickets, visit mondaviarts.org.

ELENI STEPHANIDES can be reached at arts@theaggie.org.

Out-of-place is not a feeling one should experience when going to a concert. However, easily being 15 to 20 years younger than any other person in a massive concert hall might invoke that very feeling. Sitting quietly, I minded my own business until the lights dimmed.

Seconds later, two men appeared on stage and took their seats next to their guitars. Over the next two hours, the “why am I sitting next to all these old people?” jitters disappeared and I fell into the music emanating from Lyle Lovett and John Hiatt’s guitars.

Tuesday night, the Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts hosted an acoustic evening with two of the most respected and influential singer/songwriters over the last three decades.

Although they are not a duo, Lovett and Hiatt often take time out of their busy schedules to perform together. Each with rich histories of Grammy nominations and wins, it’s only proper to have two musical greats gracing a stage with one another.

While both men have distinct roots in country music, their music is not categorically country – ranging from folk, swing, blues and jazz, the two draw influence from a broad spectrum of American sounds.

Although similar in genre, Lovett and Hiatt have rather different styles of guitar playing and song-writing. Lovett is a much more talented composer than Hiatt. His playing style is heavily based around finger-picking, unconventional chords and a signature vocal delivery.

Two not-so-similar roads meet in Lovett’s unique career. In typical country fashion, the Texas cowboy in him prevails with an uncanny ability to envelop a listener in the story he tells with his songs. Meanwhile, the other side of the coin paints Lovett as a sophisticated humorist with comical charm and clever lyrics that make his music fun and entertaining.

Hiatt, on the other hand, generally performs songs that one could consider straightforward. Featuring relatively simple song structures, lyrics and chords, he keeps the listener interested in his music with his raspy vocals coupled with an ability to play both lead and rhythm guitar simultaneously – a talent Lovett did not showcase Tuesday night.

While Lovett tells better stories with his lyrics, don’t discount Hiatt’s knack for songwriting. Hiatt’s songs have been written for, recorded and covered by diverse artists the likes of Bob Dylan, Bonnie Raitt, Buddy Guy, Eric Clapton, B.B. King and Iggy Pop.

The show was interesting in that half of it consisted of pure and authentic acoustic guitar tunes while the other half was sincere, from-the-heart storytelling. Chalk-full of humor, wit and honesty, Lovett and Hiatt bantered between songs on topics spanning from family and friends, to music, love and even beer.

Taking turns playing songs from their illustrious careers, the concert had a great flow to it. While perhaps excessive at times, the dialogue between songs gave the audience a special insight into not only the artists’ personal lives but their music-making careers as well.

Occasionally joining in on each other’s songs, the two would add their own signature elements to the other’s songs. Lovett would harmonize vocals or add arpeggiated guitar licks to Hiatt’s songs while Hiatt would add back-up vocals as well as lead guitar breaks and fills to Lovett’s songs.

The two men’s different stylings, specialties and personalities complimented each other very well, making for an overall great performance. It’s true that this concert was primarily a show for an older demographic (read: twice our age). But, if you appreciate good musicianship and down-to-earth artists you would have enjoyed the show just as I did.

While it may be a stretch for some readers to imagine, but this concert was not an “in-your-face” rock show; in fact, it was hardly rock at all. There was no moshing, no clapping to the music, no yelling of “Freebird!” or wailing guitar solos. Instead, this was a brilliant evening of one stage, two chairs, three acoustic guitars and a couple seasoned musicians intimately sharing their stories and music to a sold-out crowd.

ANDREW ALBERTS can be reached at arts@theaggie.org.

Somewhere in an office in Cupertino, Apple marketing strategists designed the iPod, a creation that would transform the music industry seemingly forever. Eight years and six iPod generations later, Apple still dominates the MP3 player market.

But often forgotten are the stringy companions to the iPod – the white earbuds that come with every iPod purchase. Those black and pink/red/orange commercials wouldn’t be the same without the easily distinguishable cords running from the dancing silhouette’s ears to invisible pocket. And from the birth of the iPod to the present, ear buds are a ubiquitous cultural movement.

But enough fluff – earbuds have become so ubiquitous that they border on the edge of cult status. At first, they seemed neat – music could be brought everywhere and people didn’t need clumsy over-the-head headphones anymore. But with the earbud craze came a multitude of behaviors that, at least on campus, are a little peculiar.

The commuter-connoisseur

These musical devotees are easily distinguishable – they actually wear their earbuds while they’re biking through campus. Don’t let the blank looks and random swerves fool you; these earbud enthusiasts – or buddists – actually do have enough motor control to ride a bike and thumb through their music library at the same time. Assuming they’re actually listening to their iPods, buddists love music so much that Davis intersections, beach cruiser crashes and bike cop officer Ralph Nuño aren’t enough to keep them away from their precious earbuds and beloved tunes.

These people enjoy (read: get off on) proclaiming that they “love music” – a valid assertion for people that seriously can’t depart from their iPod for a five minute bike ride. Sure, such a statement is not very specific, but that’s fine – these people presumably also “listen to everything,” as any true music enthusiast would. Their most-played lists likely include such diverse acts as The Beatles and Modest Mouse.

The current law requires that all buddists wear only one headphone while riding, which typically only happens after a brief scolding from our bicycle police force. But since music doesn’t sound any different coming through one ear than both to the average buddist, that’s just fine.

The in-class

As the morning jaunt comes to a close, buddists lock their Wal-Mart rides and walk into class, headphones still on. To avoid awkwardness and remain disconnected from reality, they don’t hide the bud until the moment the professor starts talking, if at all. It’s indeterminate whether they’re listening to music or not at this point, but since earbuds double as an apathetic fashion statement, who cares?

Some of these full-time listeners have the uncanny ability to listen to music during lecture and take notes at the same time.

Apathetic turns into ironic as the song playing shifts to MGMT. You know, real underground stuff.

The bus ride

Reluctant and recently damp waits at the bus stop go by faster by removing oneself from the outside world via budding. With earbuds in, you can ignore the fidgeting kid next to you or the swine flu that someone just sneezed on your shoulder.

Enjoy the swine flu.

The audiophile

It’s unfortunate that all of us can’t be music experts. Why? Because not all of us own $300 Bose headphones. Sure – these massive pieces of studio equipment aren’t earbuds, but as these Bose-owning audiophiles know, sometimes you have to pay a price for pleasure. Think of it as high-quality bud.

The best thing about these audiophiles is that their headphones make 128 kbps hip-hop tracks downloaded off of Limewire sound great. Songs don’t need correct titles and proper capitalization to sound good, and the audiophile knows it.

It’s almost as if the buddists listening to their life soundtracks through their buds. We’re all in their movie, apparently.

JUSTIN T. HO owns Sennheiser earbuds, Sennheiser over-the-head headphones and KOSS studio headphones, which are way better than Bose. Agree with him at arts@theaggie.org.

Colbie Caillat

Breakthrough

Universal Republic Records

Rating: 3

Almost everyone nowadays can at least hum, if not sing along perfectly to Colbie Caillat’s song “Bubbly.” This measure of success can be seen and heard from her newest album, Breakthrough, which takes fans into a place where country meets pop.

There is no doubt that this California girl wanted to remain true to herself. She certainly retained her unique acoustic and soulful sound, and with simple melodies and beautifully intricate harmonies, this album is a pleasure to listen to.

Caillat never over-complicates any of her lyrics. They seem honest as she brings emotional depth with her voice that validates her words as the truth. However genuine the words are, they fall under the typical lyrics one would expect to find – alternating between finding love and love found.

As any good artist should, Caillat sings of what she knows: love. Every song expresses the anticipated rollercoaster of emotions that a love-struck teenager feels. This album depicts a love that begins one-sided and then develops into a full-blown relationship with its ups and downs (heard in “I’ll Never Let You Go”).

This is not surprising. Most artists fixate around love, which does not automatically imply that an album will be tedious. However, Caillat makes it difficult to differentiate between tracks. She unfortunately decided to pair her slightly underwhelming lyrics with indistinguishable arrangements that blend into one another.

To put it frankly, the album has a boring, drifting quality that forces the listener to hit the next button until he or she comes across her two exceptions: “Fallin’ For You” and “Rainbow” – both of which are not only sing-able and inspiring but altogether beautiful songs. “Rainbow” sounds as if it was stolen from her first CD and “Fallin’ For You” has enough acclaim right now to justify it as a well-earned hit.

However repetitive the overall album may be, it was done intentionally. This is just Colbie Caillat’s style and the songs are still great for waking up and getting ready to in the morning. As credit to her, she never tows the line that some artists cross when singing about the favorite subject of love. Caillat never comes off as sappy or depressed. She does a good job of being modest, hopeful and expressive, she’s just not passionate.

Give these tracks a listen: “Fallin’ For You,” “Rainbow”

For Fans Of: Jason Mraz, Taylor Swift

-Brittany Pearlman

Local band Buildings Breeding, consisting of Chris Larson, Chris Vogel, Justin Titsworth, Kevin Dockter and UC Davis alumna Melanie Glover, will be disbanding in late next month. We spoke to guitarist Chris Larsen to catch up on the details.

1. How did Buildings Breeding get together?

Buildings Breeding started in September of 2005 as a fake MySpace band. I made [it] to try and trick my friends and rest my insecurities. I had claimed that all [of the band’s] members resid[ed] in Chicago and [that the band] started as a class assignment. The [songs’ subjects were all about] my love for Melanie. The response was huge; it forced me to make [Buildings Breeding] into a reality, as corny as that sounds. I’m pretty sure the first actual form of [Buildings Breeding] came around September of 2006.

2. So really, how long has the band been together?

The band formed around September of 2006, although we have gone through many line-up changes. [The current] form of our band has been together since February of this year.

3. Has Buildings Breeding released any records?

We have released [the] LPs Buildings Breeding and 2, [as well as] three EPs [entitled] Beesting, Colors Bent To Seasons and Kite Fire, which will be available November 2009. Our vinyl LP, In the Key of Calloused Fingers, is a collection of fan favorites of the first four years.

4. Why is the band breaking up?

Oh yes, the big question! No one really knows why we’re breaking up. I think the time just feels right. Some of the members have careers jobs – they went to years of college to get these jobs and can’t just up and quit to go on tour. The feeling of the group right now, the way everyone works together … I would not want to start over by replacing a single thing. It would not feel right. I actually feel good about knowing we can end the group while we are at our most badass.

5. Will there be a last show?

There will be three remaining shows; on Oct. 21 at Delta of Venus, Oct. 24 at Old Ironsides in Sacramento and Nov. 20 at Luigi’s Fun Garden.

SIMONE WAHNG can be reached at arts@theaggie.org.

MUSIC

Big Sean ft. J Good

Today, noon, free

The Quad

Spend your lunchtime today on the wet Quad with legendary wordsmith Big Sean ft. J Good, presented by the ASUCD Entertainment Council. Haven’t heard of Big Sean? Shame on you. This is your one chance to witness a verbal virtuoso grace our muddy greenery with sheer talent. This is seriously not a show to miss.

Genevieve Lee

Today, 12:05 p.m., free

115 Music Building

This week’s free noon concert – taking a break from the usual Mondavi Center lobby ambience – will feature Genevieve Lee on piano, performing UC Davis music professor Kurt Rohde’s “One.”

Sex Type Thing

Today, $10

The Davis Graduate

Anyone miss Stone Temple Pilots? Sex Type Thing may not have been from their best albums, but STP’s mark on the ’90s scene was by far better than Velvet Revolver’s mark on whatever scene we’re in today. Check out Sex Type Thing for a grungy ’90s night at the Grad.

Norcal Noisefest pre-show

Today, 7 p.m., free

John Natsoulas Gallery

Norcal Noisefest kicks off on Friday, but don’t forget the pre-show at the Natsoulas Gallery tonight. The show will feature Mucky the Ducky, Chinapainting and Chad E. Williams. Experimental, ambient drone might not grab everyone’s interest, but hey, it’s indie, right?

Folk Music Jam Session

Friday, noon, free

The Arboretum

The folk music jam session is back! Visit the arboretum and bring your own instrument for noontime improvisational fun. As always, no experience is required so leave any self-consciousness at the door. Or the arboretum gate. Whatever.

Davis Community Idol

Wednesday, 7 p.m., $6

Davis High School

Don’t be fooled – just because it’s at the Davis High School performing arts building doesn’t mean it’s a high school-only event. This vocal competition will feature ten local post-high school performers and instrumental accompanists. Expect nothing short of extraordinary talent. Tickets are also available at Watermelon Music in advance.

LITERATURE / POETRY

Opening Night: Readings by the Creative Writing Faculty

Today, 7 p.m., free

Wyatt Deck

Walking through Voorhies Hall is captivating, to say the least. Whether it’s the presence of the prolific University Writing Program or a glimpse of one of my articles on a faculty door, I’m always intellectually entertained. Some of the UWP’s notable faculty will be performing their own fiction and poetry on Wyatt Deck this evening.

ART / GALLERY

Art in the Cemetery

Sunday, 11 a.m., free

Davis Cemetery at 820 Pole Line Rd.

Art in the Cemetery is just what it sounds like – an art exhibition featuring the work of local artists … at the Davis Cemetery. Works include photographs, paintings, poetry, literature and more. Anything that’s close to the Chiles Mansion site is intriguing enough, and possibly worthy of a later visit. (Daviswiki it. Seriously.)

Fashionably Live

Sunday, 8 p.m., free (donations welcome)

Center Court at 3600 North Freeway Blvd. in Sacramento

Fashionably Live is a music, fashion and art showcase in Sacramento, featuring the Davis-born designer line The Imaginary Zebra, who will be presenting their fall collection. The show’s theme, “Fashion is important to everyone,” should be readily apparent.

AT THE MOVIES

Wild & Scenic Environmental Film Festival

Today, 7 p.m., $10

Davis High School

Tonight, an environmental film festival will be held at the Davis High School, showcasing educational environmental short films. The Sierra Club Yolano Group and Tuleyome are hosting the event. Tickets are available at Armadillo Music. For more information, visit the festival’s Facebook event page.

THEATER / MONDAVI

Yamato Taiko Drummers

Today, 8 p.m., $17.50

Mondavi Center, Jackson Hall

If you’ve never seen a Taiko drum performance, try to check it out at least once, and why miss a chance to visit the Mondavi Center? The performers can put on an entertaining show for any crowd – especially since a school matinee is scheduled for 11 a.m. today. For more information, visit mondaviarts.org.

JUSTIN T. HO can be reached at arts@theaggie.org.