The Sun

EMPIRE OF THE SUN
walkingonadream.com ♥ myspace.com

Empire Of The Sun, named after the novel-turned-movie of the same name, is a collaboration between Sleepy Jackson's Luke Steele and Pnau's Nick Littlemore.

Based on the cover artwork and songs, the album have a theme to it: a fantasy world ... of dance music. Surprisingly, this is a really good dance-ish album, very electronica and not something you'd expect if you were already a Sleepy Jackson fan. Also, maybe it's just me, but there's more emphasis on the nasal and falsetto-singing style. It's not as annoying as it sounds, as I think it fits the album.

Their album, Walking on a Dream, debut late last year, and already reached the top ten in the Australian charts. It wasn't long before the UK (particularly the BBC) picked up on this hot new band. As usual, the US is far behind, but take my words: they are good and you'll probably hear a lot about them in the coming weeks.

Some songs to check out: "Standing on the Shore", "Walking on a Dream" (this was a free iTunes download), "We Are the People", and "Tiger by my Side". I really like "Tiger", especially the when Steele sings quickly: "Television changing channels, telling people wearing flannels, culture shocking walkways to the shore"

Below is a video for "We Are the People", shot in Mexico.


As you can see, they really get into their exotic costumes and characters (Emperor Steele and Lord Littlemore). I love it, check out these cute paper cut-out dolls.

Walking on a Dream is available now via my favorite Astralwerks Records, you can pick it up anywhere that carries CDs.

BAT FOR LASHES
batforlashes.com ♥ myspace.com

Where we last left Natasha Khan, aka Bat for Lashes, I had mentioned that ex-Ash Charlotte Hatherley joined Bat for Lashes. Like Christina, and everyone in the world, you might have heard of Bat for Lashes through their Donnie Darko-ish video for "What's a Girl to Do?"

Just like Empire Of The Sun, Khan has the flair of the theatrics, often dressing up in Indian attires and using Shaman instruments (as witness at their live show).

Bat for Lashes' new album is called Two Suns, the title seems to have come from her song "Glass" (and not from her song "Two Planets"):

If you are already familiar with their music, then you'll feel comfortable with the new album. No insane directional changes and you can expect most of the album to be pretty mellow. What I'll also add is that the album has man-made electric sound, but it also feels very warm and organic.

My favorite song is "Sleep Alone", with its catchy chorus of "lonely, lonely, lonely". I think people will also love "Daniel", where midway there is this constant percussion and electronic sound that pulls you in.

Bat for Lashes are currently on tour - be sure to check them out:

5/20 L’Olympic Nantes
5/22 Le Bikini Toulouse
5/23 Salle Victoire 2 Montpellier
5/25 Le Ninkasi Lyon
5/26 La Laiterie Strasbourg
5/27 Le Bataclan Paris
5/29 Primavera Sound Festival Barcelona
6/10 Seattle WA, Crocodile Café
6/11 Portland OR, Doug Fir Lounge
6/13 San Francisco CA, Great American Music Hall
6/16 Los Angeles CA, El Rey Theatre
7/16 Somerset House London, London and South East
7/17 Latitude Festival Southwold
8/9 Lollapalooza Chicago
9/5 Electric Picnic Stradbally
9/11 Bestival Isle Of Wight

RA
ra-band.net ♥ myspace.com

Ra, as you may have guessed, they were named after the Egyptian sun god. So it's not a surprise that their official third album is called Black Sun.

Most people will probably know them from their From One album, with their strong "Do You Call My Name" single on various games and sporting events, at the height of their popularity.

Black Sun mark the band's first studio album since departing from Universal Records, and continues the band's hard-rock/alternative sound. I'll have to confess that I was expecting it to be harder, but surprisingly this album is pretty accessible.

You know what they say, you have to make a good impression with the first song on the album, and I think "Broken Hearted Soul" does just that. The first time I heard that spanish-acoustic guitar, followed by electric guitars and Sahaj Ticotin's vocals, I knew I would like this song.

Another track that stood out for me is called "Waste of Space", it's a bit of rage and hate and disenchantment, possibly directed to their ex-label? That's the impression I get hearing the spoken dialogue in the song.

The use of uncommon instruments like the violins and sintars (?) found on "Lost Along the Way" or piano on "I Believe Again" are a nice touch to counterpoint the typical guitar/bass/drums music we're so used to hearing.

Like what you hear? You can download their live album, Raw, (as well as an acoustic version of "Broken Hearted Soul") over at ra-band.net by signing up with an email address.

Black Sun is out now, you can pick it up at most store, including Best Buy. It also looks like there will be a new album in the works called Black Sheep.

CORSICA
corsicaband.com ♥ myspace.com

Corsica, not to be confused with other bands with the same name, are from San Francisco, California. Their bassist*, Keith Dion, is also in another band called Ponsonby DC's, which we've previously reviewed. While the DC's singer, Gavin Buxton, is defined by his adorable New Zealand accent, Corsica's Brad Orgeron sounds more like Nick Cave and Steve Kilbey.

Their debut album is called Sight Of The Sun, which I think was only released in 2008. They do have a few EPs, but these are only sold at their live shows.

What I like about this band, besides the knowledgeable and deep songwriting, is they seem to make use of violins (particularly on "Sunspell", "Lights Of Tuscany", and "Strangely Moving"). The violins also made "Safe Harbor" sound more epic.

You can hear many of the songs from Sight Of The Sun, on Ear Candy Podcast.

Anyway, the good news is, just as recently as May 17^th, the band made an announcement that they are planning on recording a new album called Ocean Born of new original songs, including two covers (one of which is a cover of Donovan).

Meanwhile, singer and guitarist Brad Orgeron can be found on the band Jack Orion with an album tentatively called Darker My Sky.

Sight of the Sun is available now, see Shock Hound or their website.

* Edit 5/19/09 10:56am: Dion is their guitarist, who also doubles on bass if needed.