Apples in Stereo were in NYC just after the release of Travelers in Space and Time, their recent follow-up to 2007’s New Magnetic Wonder. I mentioned in the recent TSOI post on Xiu Xiu that most bands out these days are attempting to make the most of, for the most part, well picked-over carcasses of genres and sounds from the past. It should be noted that although, Apples in Stereo unabashedly feast off of Brian Wilson’s Pet Sounds and psychedelic-era Beatles, the ‘Apples’ were doing it well before it became so crazy fashionable – or put another way, the Apples were feasting way before the current gaggle (or is it pack?) of hyenas showed up.
On this album, the Apples are gunning for a DIY sunny bubble-gum take on 70s-era synth-based prog rock. There is liberal use of 70s-rock excess such as cow-bell percussion, vocoders, synth licks, falsetto back-up vocals, and other such flim-flammery. I dig it.
Here is a live version of a song off of the new album.
[audio: http://www.thesoundofindie.com/archive/2010/20100519/AIS-DanceFloor.mp3|titles=Dance Floor (Live)|artists=Apples in Stereo]Download: Apples in Stereo – Dance Floor (Live)
Wow, that doesn’t sound like Apples AT ALL. Last time I saw them was that acoustic set at Mercury Lounge years ago. Far cry from this!
This album is just one of about ten coming out between April and June that seem to be totally dynamite. 2010 is turning into an embarrassment of riches — and as I suspected based on my post on her in February, Sarah Jaffe’s album (which came out yesterday) is at the head of the pack. Everybody should check it out.