Devendra Banhart

I wrote about Devendra Banhart a little earlier, but now that I have his record, ‘What Will We Be’ I wanted to share my thoughts on this hippie boy wonder born in an unnatural era, that’s likely messing with his aura or something.

I love Devendra, his music has that soulful, eccentric blues- meets- rock/acoustic, thrown together with Banhart’s strange and delicate vocals. The song, ‘foolin’ takes it, “one day, one day at a time” with that island/ fifties pop feel, with required palm tree backdrops and lemonades in hand. ‘Rats’ is my favorite track, it’s a little like The Beatles- starting out real slow, speeding up, then slowing down for a mellow break down midway through. It plays with these rhythms and tempos throughout. ‘Cant Help But Smiling’ sounds like Mason Jennings, and ‘Chin Chin and Muck Muck’ starts off like a jazz piano number, and trails off into an airy nature-jam, bobbing back and forth- very Jack Johnson. 

Devendra Banhart- 16th and Valencia Roxy Music

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Devendra Banhart- Goin’ Back

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Julian Casablancas

Along the same vein,  The Strokes frontman- Julian Casablancas’ album ‘Phrazes for the Young’ is out Nov. 3rd. Sounding quite like the distant cousin of Phoenix, borrowing from Radiohead (Ludlow St.) , and older sounds of The Strokes (Out Of The Blue) – this album is pretty diverse.

The vocals don’t really range, however- he kind of rides along the same melodies, fairly safely. I was less excited about the electronic tracks like 11th Dimension, but that twangy southern vibe in ‘Ludlow St.’ is probably my most favorite. The rest are different variations of  futuristic beats and drum machines and synth and keyboards.

His futuristic tunes whail, ‘ I feel like a tourist stuck in the suburbs’ complete with talks of other dimensions, the apolcalypse, dark corners and streets. Lending to all the dancefloor songs one could ever need from one of rock’s most notable frontmen- through a lens never worn by the much beloved Strokes.

There is something spooky about his dragging, slow vocals over chaotic noises and beats, something that I’m sure will be well received and remixed in the months to come. I miss the Strokes. 

Julian Casablancas- Glass

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Julian Casablancas- Left & Right In The Dark

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Devendra Banhart’s fourthcoming album ‘What We Will Be’ is out October 27th on Warner and his loyalty remains with his weird hippie roots. In a day when denying what you project onto the world is considered okay, he is adamant that he is in fact, not a hippie, nor is he himself- which delves a little into the whole existentialism thing about who and what we are. This very conversation is a clear sign that Barnhart is still very much a weird dude, and plays with it well.

He’s funny and crass, loves Beck and major labels and has rattled the internet world with his contribution to Phoenix’s ‘Rome’ remix. He’s ashamed of his music videos and thinks all of his albums to date suck, and has lofty aspirations to collaborate with a growing list of artists, ranging from mostly obscure to- R. Kelly. I’m really excited for this album.

Phoenix- Rome (Neighbours remix ft. Devendra Banhart)

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Devendra Banhart- Baby

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