Temples

The Melodic Tree’s top 10 albums of the year

10. Post Tropical – James Vincent McMorrow: The dramatic change between Post Tropical and Early In The Morning was something that was shocking and yet extraordinary at the same time. McMorrow’s shift from folk to a more soulful sound seems to suit his voice that can hit beautiful falsettos.

9. Be Impressive – The Griswolds: Australian pop-rock rarely sounded as good. With catchy guitar riffs, such as in their hit song, “Beware the Dog,” and infectious lyrics, this is a stellar debut album from the Griswolds.

8. Sonic Highways – Foo Fighters: The concept of this album is one-of-a-kind and the way the Foo Fighters recorded it was original to say the least. Collaborating with different bands in each of the cities where they recorded, it is undoubtedly the most creative album of the year. Even with all of these collaborations, there is still the climatic sound of the band laced into it.

7. Supermodel – Foster the People: Foster the People returned this year with what feels like one of the best pop albums of the year. The dark lyrics are matched cool and bubbly instrumentals making the themes in this album virtually inconspicuous.

6. Everything Will Be Alright in the End – Weezer: The comeback from Weezer seems like a breath of fresh air from their previous two records, Raditude and Hurley. The hooks on this album return and gives the fans just want they want. It is reminiscent of their old days and yet guides us into their future.

5. They Want My Soul – Spoon: This follow-up to their 2010 Transference feels as though it’s a new era for Spoon and this is their first album with new guitar and piano player, Alex Fischel. This is a great comeback for the band after taking a few years off. There are hints of new influences throughout the album and yet, there is still the grit that has given Spoon their signature sound.

4. Sun Structures – Temples: The debut from Temples is the perfect album for anyone nostalgic for the 1960’s and 1970’s. With mellow vocals and keyboards, there is no doubt that Temples understand their abilities. The rhythms from drummer, Samuel Toms, on this album are beyond what most bands as young as they are capable of doing.

3. Singles – Future Islands: 2014 was quite the breakout year for Future Islands and it’s obvious with this album why so. The emotions in the lyrics and voice of Samuel Herring are strong and the backing instruments are just as climatic. The synthesizer on this album is one of the many elements that make this album so phenomenal. Singles is of those albums that will be on anyone’s playlist.

2. Young & Sick – Young & Sick: Artist and musician, Nick Hofwegen goes under the pseudonym of Young and Sick for both his art and music. His self-titled debut is a synth-driven R&B album with infectious bass lines. Whether or not you like R&B, Hofwegen seems to incorporate so much into the songs on this album, there is at least one element that everyone will like.

1. Strange Desire – Bleachers: Bleachers’ debut album Strange Desire can seemingly transport its listeners to a John Hughes movie. With climatic songs such as “I Wanna Get Better” and “Rollercoaster” that brings his melancholic lyrics together with intricate melodies and create something refreshing in the world of alternative rock. Frontman, Jack Antonoff creates new and exciting concepts on this album whether it is eccentric collaborations with Yoko Ono or incorporating Grace Dunham’s, Lena Dunham’s younger sister, talking about graduating college into his music.

The Melodic Tree’s Weekly Playlist

1. Seasons (Waiting On You) – Future Islands

2. Sleep – Summer Heart

3. Like A River Run – Bleachers

4. Keep in the Dark – Temples

5. Down and Out – The Griswolds

6. I’ve Had It Up To Here – Weezer

7. Do You – Spoon

8. Heartache Fetish – Young & Sick

9. Pseudologia Fantastica – Foster the People

10. Lampshades on Fire – Modest Mouse

11. Crystalized – Young the Giant

12. Honeymoon – SomeKindaWonderful

13. In the Summer – Finish Ticket

14. Through the Dark – The Mowgli’s

15. Texas – Magic Man

16. Karaoke – Smallpools

17. Kathleen – Catfish and the Bottlemen

18. Fiona Coyne – Saint Pepsi

19. Uma – Panama Wedding

20. Red Eyes – The War on Drugs

Top 10 Moments of Austin City Limits Weekend Two

10. The Calvin Harris set in its entirety. It was as if the audience almost shook the ground during the set. Mixing a variety of songs, such as “I Don’t Care” by Icona Pop, Harris seemed virtually unstoppable and looked as though he was on top of the world. Many fans had been at the festival since 9, or even earlier, in the morning waiting for Harris, thus making the experience all the worthwhile.

9. When Davy Havoc from AFI crowdsurfed. He went into the crowd various occasions while singing. However, this time, he climbed over the front few rows and balanced himself amongst audience members  to finish off one of the songs. Many fans were glad he had stepped over, and on, them, receiving bragging rights for the rest of their lives.

8. The absolute raw energy during Spoon’s set. The Austin natives seem to have an unwavering attitude to them that keeps crowds coming performance after performance. Their set during this festival was no exception. There is absolutely no beating watching Spoon play as the sun begins to set in the background.

7. Temples’ style and performance. The way the band dresses and sound makes their listeners and audience time travel back to the 1970’s. With that sort of early Led Zeppelin influenced style and psychedelic rock sound, there is nothing that could make Temples’ set more enjoyable.

6. Mø’s general vibe towards the audiences. It seemed as though she treated everyone as if they were on stage with her as she spent a few songs actually in the crowd.

5. How happy Fitz and the Tantrums seemed to be performing at the festival. Performing both weekends and a show in between in Austin, it seemed as though they were still genuinely ecstatic that they were able to perform three times in a row in the Austin.

4. Jack Antonoff’s energy. Playing during what felt like the hottest part of the day, Bleachers seemed unstoppable when it comes down to their energy, and maybe a part of that were a part of that.

3. When St. Vincent pulled an Eddie Vedder and climbed up on the side of the stage and began acting as though she was falling off. Her set overall was the typical wildness that she is so closely related to. At the end of her set, she stole a hat, glasses, and a crutch from various audience members in the front row and wore them until she left the stage.

2. Outkast. Currently on a reunion festival tour, Outkast seems to be just as exciting as they were when they were just starting out.

1. Finally, Young and Sick never seem to disappoint in a live setting. The feeling from listening to their music is so unmatched.

 

The Melodic Tree’s Weekly Playlist

1. Rollercoaster – Bleachers

2. Mangrove – Young & Sick

3. Victor – Prinze George

4. Mr. Quice – Wildcat! Wildcat!

5. Wings – Haerts

6. Geri – Superhumanoids

7. Silver Screen – Beat Connection

8. License to Drive – Work Drugs

9. Somewhere Else Tonight – Mansions on the Moon

10. You Can – Body Language

11. Harvest Moon – Poolside

12. Pretty Boy – Young Galaxy

13. House – Kindness

14. Better Off Without You – Summer Camp

15. Shelter Song – Temples

16. Moth Wings – Pond

17. Still Life – The Horrors

18. Mecca – Wild Beasts

19. Blue Velvet – Childhood

20. Let Down – Bored Nothing

Melodic Tree’s Weekly Playlist

Austin City Limits Day 1 Weekend 2 in Pictures