Today's Lo-Fi Defined

Shitgaze. No-fi. Regardless of whatever the flag-bearers of labeling struggle to label it, there’s a new trend that’s exploded in the blogosphere and onto the radars of the music press, from Pitchfork Media to Rolling Stone.

As a fan of bedroom-made music and lo-fi records, I’ve been ecstatic to see a genre so greatly informed by indie-greats, such as My Bloody Valentine, Pavement, Neutral Milk Hotel, and Sebadoh, attain such a foothold in the music of 2009.

If you’ve seen or heard of the aforementioned labels posted above (or read a music blog in the past six months) you know the genre I’m referring to. Though largely categorized by sounds of over-distorted guitars, buried-in-the-mix vocals, and production from within basements or bedrooms, the genre is hardly limited to any set list of qualifiers.

However, there is one thing that links all the artists and songs of this movement together: melody. No matter how much reverb, trashcan drumming, or radical bass and treble these musicians throw atop their songs, buried beneath the sonic dissonance exists the catchiest of hooks. Think of it as pop music played through a blown-out set of speakers.

However, with great internet buzz comes the glut of the overrated, untalented, and shit, minus the gaze. With every band that releases a record worthy of hype, there are three others who aren’t even worth listening to. Music bloggers take note: Not every Brooklyn musician with an electric guitar, Boss distortion pedal, and four-track recorder is the next big thing.

With the interweb flooded, it can be hard to wade through the bad to get to the good. So, I’ve done the panning for you. Here are some of the more recent examples songs that define the movement and are worth hearing.

Check this shit out. Pun intended. (Scroll to the bottom of the entry for a ZIP File of all MP3s. Otherwise, just Right Click + Save Link As)


No Time, No Hope – Times New Viking

On of the first bands to be labeled shitgaze, Times New Viking are somewhat grandfathers of the movement. “No Time, No Hope,” is their latest single, off their upcoming Matador release, Born Again Revisited.

When I’m Gone – Vivian Girls

Vivian Girls released one of my favourite albums of last year and “When I’m Gone” continues their trend of putting out excellent sun-kissed lo-fi jams. They’re one of many predominantly female bands that are linked to the genre. Others include the fantastic Dum Dum Girls and Best Coast…

Jail La La – Dum Dum Girls

Sun Was High (So Was I) – Best Coast

Not every shitgaze act follows a punk paradigm. Bands like Thee Oh Sees and Harlem apply a Keith Richards aesthetic to their lo-fi sound.

I Can’t Get No – Thee Oh Sees

South of France – Harlem

Then there’s Blank Dogs. The one man bedroom project conjuncts new wave with up-tempo pop. Plus, there aren’t too many bands who have aped his distinct sound and style. Yet.

No Compass – Blank Dogs

The music isn’t always presented fast and loose. More recently, bands have cropped up on the shoegaze side of things, releasing fuzzed out and blissed out tracks. Both “The Sun Is Out” by Reading Rainbow and “Be My Girl” by The Smith Westerns slow things down, the latter of which contains some excellent T. Rex influences.

The Sun Is Out – Reading Rainbow

Be My Girl – The Smith Westerns

One of my favourite records released this year is Woods’ Songs of Shame. Sounding like Graham Nash played through crackled headphones, their brand of music is lo-fi folk and defines summer afternoon listening.

Down This Road – Woods

Ganglians’ “Valiant Brave,” clocking in at 6:44, is made up of almost all the styles noted above. It runs a little long, but “Valiant Brave” is ultimately a rewarding listen, especially since Ganglians tow the line of epic, rather than follow their peers’ focus on compact songwriting.

Valiant Brave – Ganglians

Last, but not least, there’s Wavves, who've made it onto the blog before. The trouble-ridden, and oft-maligned project are pretty damn great. Just like blog darlings Vampire Weekend, Wavves has already seen its share of hype and backlash. Good thing their music outweighs all the message board trolling and internet chatter.

To the Dregs – Wavves

To download all the MP3s above, click this: ZIP File