At first, Tapes 'n Tapes' much buzzed-about debut album, The Loon, plays like a CliffsNotes of indie rock, serving up the shouty, snotty sound of early Modest Mouse ("Just Drums"), Pavement's laid-back angles and historically astute lyrics ("The Iliad"), and the surreal strumminess of Come on Pilgrim-era Pixies ("Cowbell"). But just because Tapes 'n Tapes broadcast their influences so clearly throughout The Loon doesn't make it a bad album. Actually, the built-in familiarity of their sound is kind of comforting, particularly on pleasantly meandering pop songs like "Buckle" and "Jakov's Suite," and "Manitoba," a woozy allad that recalls the Walkmen at their prettiest (and tipsiest). And, as The Loon unfolds, it shows Tapes 'n Tapes developing a style of their own -- or, at least, a more distinctive take on the indie bedrock on which their sound is built. The aptly named "Insistor" gallops out of the gate with more confidence and excitement than many of the album's other tracks. The abrupt tempo and dynamic shifts on this song and "In Houston," which pairs sparkly keyboards and almost jazzy verses with crunchy, sharp-edged choruses, show a flair for movement and drama that could become Tapes 'n Tapes' signature. "Omaha" is another standout, with subtly sophisticated drumming and lush, bittersweet vocal harmonies. However, The Loon is crafted like a true album; even if all the songs don't quite reach the level of its highlights, it all hangs together well, with appealing tossed-off tracks like "Crazy Eights" and the just-rough-enough-around-the-edges production adding to its personality. On the first few spins, it might be hard to understand what all the hype around The Loon is about, but it may be down to the fact that it's just a really solidly made album.
I eat music. I consume it and never get full. And in this day and age where there is more and more music which is easier to find, sample, and consume, somehow there seems to be less and less that leaves me feeling satisfied, much less full. Whether this is because there are more lackluster musicians, or that unpolished music gets out there easier than in the past, or just because the stakes are...
More >
This album is awesome, definitely check it out... I haven't been able to put this album down
More >
Here are my picks for favorite albums of '06. Of course, this is just a sampling of all of the great music that came out this year. Tapes 'n Tapes is #1 this year even though "The Loon" came out last year. I saw them at SXSW, really dug their stuff, bought their CD at Kim's in NYC for $16.99 (something I rarely do for that much $$$) and bam! They're #1 this year in my book. They also celeb...
More >
This band reminds me a little bit to The White Stripes and The Strokes, am I lost??? I don't know but I think is really good indie rock.So that will make me a Clell Tikle HA!!
More >
(again taken with my not-very-high-tech-phone, during their gig in Paradiso on the 22nd of November)I'm leaning against the stage, the room with the small podium in Paradiso isn't packed yet, although the gig was sold out. I arrived fifteen minutes in advance and still could find a spot at the very front. The fellows are still soundchecking and blowing my ears off so loud (surprisingly, when th...
More >
So I'm scanning through the programs of the national venues, like I do, and lo and behold, my local venue (which is across the street from me, I cross it, walk a couple of seconds, and I'm there) finally has a decent act. Tapes 'n Tapes, to be exact. So just days after I heard the promo song of their new album (Hang Them All) and got genuinely stoked for the new album of the band that delivered...
More >
i'm not entirely impressed by this band but i do like this song. give it a full chance, would you? it may surprise you.http://tapesntapes.com/
More >
Here are my picks for favorite albums of '06. Of course, this is just a sampling of all of the great music that came out this year. Tapes 'n Tapes is #1 this year even though "The Loon" came out last year. I saw them at SXSW, really dug their stuff, bought their CD at Kim's in NYC for $16.99 (something I rarely do for that much $$$) and bam! They're #1 this year in my book. They also celeb...
More >
I cannot stop listening to "Cowbell" by Tapes 'n Tapes. Really. It's not like it's an amazingly inventive new sound; it's just catchy and makes me grin. Really. I grin whilst listening. I don't have them on my work computer so I found them on that other social networking site (we wont name names) and have been listening to "Cowbells" all morning and now, officially, afternoon. My foot has...
More >
It's BBC 6 Music's "Album of the Day":http://www.bbc.co.uk/6music/whatson/aotd/.So - quick! Tune in now!
More >
(again taken with my not-very-high-tech-phone, during their gig in Paradiso on the 22nd of November)I'm leaning against the stage, the room with the small podium in Paradiso isn't packed yet, although the gig was sold out. I arrived fifteen minutes in advance and still could find a spot at the very front. The fellows are still soundchecking and blowing my ears off so loud (surprisingly, when th...
More >
Seeing as I read blogs, and I listen to music (see:this website), I'm supposed to listen to Tapes 'N Tapes. TNT are the blogosphere (God, I hate that word) golden children, garnering praise for their lo-fi style that reminds people of the Shins. I think It was the Shins, I'm not sure. So, I got a hold of their new album, "The Loon", and used it as a background to me playing NCAA Football 07....
More >
I have been listening to this band for a few days now and I must say.........this is good stuff!!!!!!!!! It seems I am drawn to "Intelligent" rock if you will....a unique sound(kind of).....isn't that the point though......to find music unknown to me......and smile the rest of the day. Have a good one MOGgers.....enjoy!
More >
Ryan Schreiber hatched a music website in his suburban Twin Cities bedroom, and now it's captivating rock fans worldwide and bringing change to the recording industry. "Another article on Pitchfork":http://www.startribune.com/457/story/665643-p2.html from Chris Riemenschneider, Star Tribune.
More >
Peer pressure be damned. I’ll refrain from fully writing about Tapes ‘N Tapes but I will use their name and likeness for my own devious intentions.The Minne. Indie “It” band are the latest great offering to draw some fellow obsessives and my attention back to the cultural phenomenon that is the Sound-a-like.Manitoba, from ‘The Loon’ (one of my favorite tracks) has this distinct quality
More >
Concert dates from Pitchfork:07-28 Columbus, OH - Newport *07-30 Chicago, IL - Union Park (Pitchfork Music Festival)08-02 Denver, CO - Bluebird *08-03 Salt Lake City - Club Sound *08-04 Las Vegas, NV - Jillian's *08-05 San Diego, CA - Street Scene *08-22 London, England - Madam JoJo's White Heat08-23 London, England - London Forum #08-24 Sheffield, England - The Plug08-25 Leeds, England - Leeds...
More >
Personal favorite tracks:Crazy Eights - this is what you're looking for if you want a solid instrumental track. Cowbell - "i've been a better lover with your mother" - not sure if i'm supposed to be insulted, but I don't care because this song absolutely rocks....10 Gallon Ascots - this song has some killer range. starts slow, and builds to a powerful crescendo....Manitoba - great slow track...
More >
This band reminds me a little bit to The White Stripes and The Strokes, am I lost??? I don't know but I think is really good indie rock.So that will make me a Clell Tikle HA!!
More >
Pretty good acoustic version of Insistor:
More >
After a very long car ride, I'm back in Laurinburg, NC, or as I like to call it, The Land That Good Music Forgot. Ten bucks says I'll hear 50 Cent, Rascal Flatts, and that damn Fall Out Boy song within the next 5 days.On the plus side, I had over 13 hours of solid listening time, and I used it well. My love for the Silversun Pickups has grown considerably, as have my affections for Ambulance Lt...
More >
| Title | Lyrics | Buy |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Just Drums |
|
|
| 2 The Iliad |
|
|
| 3 Insistor |
|
|
| 4 Crazy Eights |
|
|
| 5 In Houston |
|
|
| 6 Manitoba |
|
|
| 7 Cowbell |
|
|
| 8 10 Dollar Ascots |
|
|
| 9 Omaha |
|
|
| 10 Buckle |
|
|
| 11 Jakovs Suite |
|
|
Click to purchase…
© 2006-2009 Mog Inc. All Rights Reserved
 "The Loon")
