Capital City Radio

…is coming.  This Monday, March 1.  Get ready.

I got a number of records this week. Super Desserts are the feature. If they’re not adorable, I don’t know what is.

-Eric

Vampire Weekend

Contra

XL Recordings

January 2010

Vampire Weekend’s sophomore act is overflowing with the global influences that made their first work the surprise of 2008. This time, however, Contra entered the Billboard Charts at number 1. Ezra Koenig and his former classmates from Columbia tackle a laundry list of exotic styles, incorporating calypso, ska, a slew of different African rhythms and, yes, Paul Simon. The Jewish Jersey boys can draw from such diverse sources because of a persistently intellectual method – from the lyrics (decidedly hyperliterate and obscure) to the musical composition (comprehensively preconceived). These traits are nothing new to Vampire Weekend fans, but the pacing and concentration of eccentricities are much more varied than in the self-titled debut.

At their best, the results are tight, inventive pop relics. “White Sky,” a whimsical epiphany about New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art, is a bouncing melody of arpeggios straight from the arcade. A bonus quality that makes “White Sky” instantly lovable is that, unlike other Vampire Weekend tracks, its lyrics are actually decipherable. The narrator, walking past the Museum and then by the apartments nearby, imagines “your Wolford’s [leggings] in a ball upon the sink there.” The thought of living with a romantic interest, though framed in hipster terms, is quite resonant – especially in comparison to album opener “Horchata,” in which Koenig seems to conjure up the most exotic items he can think of.

The ethno-pop experimentation is occasionally pushed too far, particularly in Contra’s middle third. The trumpet chorus of “Run” verges on ridiculous, while “Cousins” is so erratic in just two and a half minutes that it never settles on the memorable quality of similar songs on Vampire Weekend. It is evident that the band was trying to recapture the conflagrant catchiness of first single “A-Punk,” but this proves to have been largely hit-or-miss.

Only when the band sticks to a streamlined, more honest approach does Contra achieve the catchiness that has made Vampire Weekend so successful. The band pass the four minute mark more often in the final third of the album; “Giving Up the Gun” and “Diplomat’s Son” both suggest must more patience in the creative process than the more sporadic tracks that precede them.

Contra is a strong album, though not quite as consistent as their first. In order for their next album to sound fresh, Vampire Weekend deserve plenty of time to patiently create a refined record rather than a hit-or-miss affair.

Rating: 8/10

-Bryan Gordon

Did you hear that? The Earth’s tectonic plates have shifted, and now you can catch Capital City Radio over the airwaves, on WOSU HD3 (for those of you with HD radios). Now Eric French’s influence, along with his Groundswell Columbus radio show, will spread like wildfire!

Holy cow, I finally got the new (well, it’s not new anymore, but regardless) Phantods disc.  Many thanks to new Groundswell Columbus production assistant Matt Disbrow.  And to celebrate this week’s Groundswell Columbus will features Phantods.  And other new stuff, including some instrumental guitar work from John Morgan.

-Eric

I receieved a note from local band (and friends) The Garrison about a Haiti Relief benefit they are playing this weekend in Granville, Ohio that I wanted to pass on. Here are the details from The Garrison website on MySpace:

2/19/2010 8:00 PM at Brew’s Haiti benefit w/ The Garrison, Black Owls, Ampline & Ease The Medic! 18+
116 E. Broadway Ave., Granville, Ohio 43023
Cost: $5.00

In light of the recent tragedy in Haiti, a means to take part locally has been established. Play a part and join us this special evening! On February 19th, 2010 @ Brew’s libation destination (116 E. Broadway, Granville, Ohio 43023). Habitat For Humanity, Denison University, Tiberius Records & Brew’s present The Garrison, w/ very special guests Ampline and Ease The Medic. -”Columbus Ohio’s The Garrison meld musical genre’s that are not so apparent in today’s heavy stuff, 80’s & 90’s DC sound laced w/ bits of newer Revelation esque ques. Bombastic slabs of harmonious punk styled rock music. Exactly what Columbus has lacked over the last 10 years.” AP myspace.com/thegarrisonmusic – The Black Owls join us this evening as well and whip up a storm of local feel anthemic rock, killer. -”Tiberius Records recording artists, Ampline assemble all the good elements of Dinosaur Jr, The Ventures & Helmet and hit Frappe!” GP myspace.com/Ampline -”Ease The Medic’s earnest approach to their own blend of emo/indie/punk will leave you wanting more. They return after a short hiatus w/ a brand new bass player and new drive.” myspace.com/easethemedic 100% of door will go to The Habitat for Humanity for Haiti earthquake relief!!!!!!! Door $5.00, show starts @ 9 pm. 18 and over. Let It Ring!

The Emerging Artists Studio is a weekly radio show that showcases regional emerging artists, and is hosted by Karen Bell. This interview features Maggie Page.

Bio:
Maggie Page (dancer) is originally from Tuscaloosa, Alabama. She attended the Alabama School of Fine Arts in Birmingham, studying under Sonia Arova, Thaddeus Davis, Heidi Khursandi, and Therese Laeger. She is a recent graduate of The Ohio State University, where she performed the works of Melanie Bales, Susan Hadley, Mark Morris, and Vaslav Nijinsky. She is currently working and performing in Columbus with local groups such as Kristina Isabelle Dance Company, HighJinks Productions, and bacKspace.

About the Arts Initiative:
The Arts Initiative is a university-wide effort to poise Ohio State as a leader in the arts, expanding the university’s artistic engagement as we connect with our communities. The Arts Initiative cultivates public and private partnerships with arts, cultural and educational organizations to further the interests and resources of the university, shaping a lifetime of creativity for individuals on campus and far beyond.

Music provided by Restless Blend; the song “High St. Traffic” was written by Erik Braun.
Brian Linville-drums and percussion
Erik Braun-guitars
Matteo Amburgy- keyboards
Marshall Skinner- bass guitar

The Emerging Artists Studio is a weekly radio show that showcases regional emerging artists, and is hosted by Karen Bell. This interview features Eric Rausch.

Bio:
Eric Rausch earned his BFA in ceramics from The Ohio State University in 2007. He was a resident artist at Watershed Center for the Ceramic arts and studied under Chris Gustin at Haystack Mountain School of Crafts in Maine. Eric’s work is featured in galleries around central Ohio and is a founding member of ARTillery Ohio, a collaborative of emerging artists in Columbus. He is currently a gallery assistant at Hawk Galleries and Director of ARTillery Ohio.

About the Arts Initiative:
The Arts Initiative is a university-wide effort to poise Ohio State as a leader in the arts, expanding the university’s artistic engagement as we connect with our communities. The Arts Initiative cultivates public and private partnerships with arts, cultural and educational organizations to further the interests and resources of the university, shaping a lifetime of creativity for individuals on campus and far beyond.

Music provided by Restless Blend; the song “High St. Traffic” was written by Erik Braun.
Brian Linville-drums and percussion
Erik Braun-guitars
Matteo Amburgy- keyboards
Marshall Skinner- bass guitar

The Emerging Artists Studio is a weekly radio show that showcases regional emerging artists, and is hosted by Karen Bell. This interview features Matt Slaybaugh.

Bio:
In 2002, Matt Slaybaugh founded Blueform Theatre Group . Artistic Director of Available Light Theatre, Matt’s ambition is to create a more compassionate world through insightful theatre. American Theatre magazine, New York press, and Central Ohio Theatre Critics are just a few organizations that have recognized Slaybaugh’s talent.

About the Arts Initiative:
The Arts Initiative is a university-wide effort to poise Ohio State as a leader in the arts, expanding the university’s artistic engagement as we connect with our communities. The Arts Initiative cultivates public and private partnerships with arts, cultural and educational organizations to further the interests and resources of the university, shaping a lifetime of creativity for individuals on campus and far beyond.

Music provided by Restless Blend; the song “High St. Traffic” was written by Erik Braun.
Brian Linville-drums and percussion
Erik Braun-guitars
Matteo Amburgy- keyboards
Marshall Skinner- bass guitar

The Emerging Artists Studio is a weekly radio show that showcases regional emerging artists, and is hosted by Karen Bell. This interview features Liv Gjestvang.

Bio:
Liv Gjestvang began her career in the film industry by working for Listen Up!, a New York city national youth media company. Her ten year career experience includes teaching at the Sundance Film Festival, co-founding the Short North Short Film company, founding Director of the Columbus Jewish Film Festival, and directing Youth Video OUTreach. One of Liv’s most outstanding achievements is recognition as Program Coordinator for The Ohio State University’s Digital Union, a research center for multimedia production.

About the Arts Initiative:
The Arts Initiative is a university-wide effort to poise Ohio State as a leader in the arts, expanding the university’s artistic engagement as we connect with our communities. The Arts Initiative cultivates public and private partnerships with arts, cultural and educational organizations to further the interests and resources of the university, shaping a lifetime of creativity for individuals on campus and far beyond.

Music provided by Restless Blend; the song “High St. Traffic” was written by Erik Braun.
Brian Linville-drums and percussion
Erik Braun-guitars
Matteo Amburgy- keyboards
Marshall Skinner- bass guitar