NuFolk: Cheers and Jeers

There's a lot of "static" about the whole "freak folk" and "new folk" phenomenon that all the kids are into because they're too sleepy for a rock revival. We barely tried with that whole rock revival business, really half-assed it, guys.

More often than not, folk music is an excuse to give a lady the sleepy-eyes, as opposed to making engaging music. There are a LOT of sleepy eyes on the scene being touted as creating "breathtakingly beautiful baby-makin blues" (BALLITERATION) while good bands get buried.

Let's all take a look at seven current folk acts: AA Bondy, Fleet Foxes, Bon Iver, Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson, Woods Family Creeps, The Dodos, and The Ohsees. Four of these are good, three are bad, I will identify them for you in an obvious and easy to understand format.

Woods Family Creeps: GOOD

End to End

Hey, all the bands I mark as bad in this post, here's what "point of view" means. Woods Family Creeps sound like This Heat's ghosts built a cabin in the woods and recorded their practice sessions into a tape-recorder. They get the most of their pops and hisses, creating atmosphere to surround their creepy brand of noise-folk. Nofolk? I don't know, they definitely lay down their own vibe, but it never comes off as contrived or overworked. The bands I'll be labeling lame, or bad, or whatever, generally have a pretty contrived sound to them, and when their songs don't sound overworked, they sound half-assed.


"STICKS'N'SHIT UNION" would be the name of my folk band. Who wants to be in STICKS'N'SHIT UNION with me? First single: Mountainous Rooty Dirtbeard/Foggy Stream DRUUUUUGS.

Anyways, Woods Family Creeps really pull off what their doing so massively that I don't know why you'd question it, except for some hints of Jack Johnsonness, but...just forget I said that. These guys rule.

Twisted Tongue
The Creeps

Milesbenjaminanthonyrobinson: LAME

Oh, man, this guy is lame. Here's his cover of "You Ain't Goin Nowhere", an awesome song that this dude manages to fuck up with his warbling Tweedylevel overemoting. Seriously, I love the Dylan and the Byrds versions of this song, but this guy...did not pay attention.

You Ain't Goin Nowhere

Pretty weak, right? Well, his originals make that cover sound like Powerage.

There Will Be Mud

When those drums stop and the vocals come in, I instinctively hit pause. Every time, can't help it, so bad. This is the sort of the thing that denotes bad music, everybody. Lack of taste. Lack of taste and making me connote the awesome There Will Be Blood with this mope-ass.

AA Bondy: AWESOME

So, this is what Milesbenjaminanthonyrobinson would sound like if he had talent and worked on his songs. They're in a similar vein of singer-songwriter type music, but AA Bondy is infinitely better. Infinitely! Think of the largest amount you can think of. That is not infinity.

Some people have trouble getting into the Bondy because he has some superficial similarities with total shitcases out there in the "without MySpace and idiots, I'd be playing at a coffee shop open mic in Willoughby, OH" world, but the main difference is, and this is important, AA Bondy writes good songs. Where Milesbenjaminanthonyrobinson comes off as hollow, totally faking it melancholy, AA Bondy comes off as original and legit. Don't resist it.

Rapture (Sweet Rapture)
World Without End
Vice Rag
American Hearts

Bon Iver: GOOD

Bon Iver is pretty solid, he writes really pretty songs, sounds honest, and takes some stylistic chances.

I guess it's "stirring" or something, but I just like the weird slide guitar noises on Flume. They tickle my brain.

Flume
Skinny Love

The Dodos: BORING G. BORING

Yes, Loop Stations are very neat, but there is no reason to listen to The Dodos. I doubt even the Dodos listen to the Dodos. I would call the Dodos album Visiter the aural equivalent of a sensory deprivation chamber, but sensory deprivation chambers apparently make you think about stuff. The Dodos numb you into submission with loops and lazy songwriting until you don't even hear their music anymore, making this the perfect thing to throw on when you don't want to listen to music. The only flaw in that plan is that every time the Dodos get around to their "hooks" you are roused out of your stupor by the most annoyingly predictable melodies this side of Natasha Beddingfield. Also, anytime they try to approximate a "rocking" sound.... You know how TV shows and commercials often have songs that sound like a popular song, but not quite, so they can avoid paying royalties? It sounds like that done to Radiohead's Bodysnatchers.

The Dodos - Fools

The Dodos - Jodi


Oh, man, the appearance of that Dungen shirt compels me to be kinder to you, The Dodos, but...no, your music is still not very interesting.

The Ohsees: FUCKING AWESOME

I love The Ohsees. John Dwyer (formerly of the equally awesome, way more abrasive Coachwhips and Pink and Brown, among others) is probably the most creative songwriter around. The guy's a master at writing subtly complex songs. While all the music majors try to hit you over the head with how clever they're being, Dwyer's sneaky with his genius.

All of these songs are off their last album "Sucks Blood," a generally mellow record. They currently go by Thee Oh See's and sport a more rock'n'roll sound.

What the Driven Drink
Ship
The Gouger

Fleet Foxes: WEAK

Meanwhile, these lazyasses get all the press. Fleet Foxes haven't met a folk rock cliche that they didn't like and immediately build a song around without altering that cliche in any meaningful or interesting way. Oh, what's this? Rich harmonies with lyrics about mysticism and nature? Well, steal my shirt and call me Matthew McConaughey*, you guys are creative!

Fleet Foxes - Tiger Mountain Peasant Song

Uploaded by yanndirtybastard

Fleet Foxes - Your Protector (Live)


Seriously, though, Fleet Foxes will be playing at your local Rib Cook-Off or high school auditorium in 30 years.

Tiger Mountain Peasant Song
Your Protector

So, there's the current state of things in the folk world, but there's not a whole lot shaking everywhere else. Is Pitchfork holding a "Out Suck the Arcade Fire" contest? I MEAN REALLY, why the dearth of good rock bands?

*I kind of want this to be a common phrase