1. 2. 3. EXPOSE! (my bruise)

[Peel layer upon layer of clothing off. Clamber into my beige outerwear (ie. trench coat). Walk out into the world and reveal]

I am taking the plunge into the blogosphere as I join cahoots with Mr. Roby, whom I have been serving as an editor per say for this project which the aim of is to "expose" good ol' indiecent music to the masses. I will admit that I am a bit apprehensive and a tid bit self-conscious but am simultaneously eager and am overcome with feelings of exuberance to shed my layers as I share some of my favorite musics with the internet world.

For my first exposure, I would like to talk about a track that I myself have stumbled upon just this past week. And stumbled is pretty much really an understatement for the song North by the band Phoenix has really hauntingly left its mark on me. Before I delve too much into the bruise (if you will) causing song I shall discuss a little about the band first.. Phoenix is a four man band hailing from France and they formed in the late 90s with their debut album being released in 2000. United was met with enough mild success to win the band a recording contract, therefore two more studio albums have followed in 2004 and 2006 respectively with another on the way, due to hit shelves sometime this year. Some of the most interesting things I have learned of Phoenix are:

1. Laurent Brancowitz (one of two guitarists) was in the band Darlin' with Thomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo. The latter two went on to form Daft Punk.

2. They formed as a backing band for the the French electronica duo Air.

3. Phoenix is drumerless.. however.. on their last album, It's Never Been Like That, Thomas Hedlund from the Perishers did the honors on drums as well as accompaning Phoenix on their tour.

Overall, Phoenix's sound may be classified as indie-electronic pop. Although.. getting back to North, my bruise causer, strays a bit from this indie-electronic pop sound. It is a five minute long instrumental with a simple yet, startlingly beautiful and moving melody. It opens softly with one sole guitar and as it gathers some speed the drum beats and the accompanying guitar chimes in. The song has a raw feel as it crescendos and then decrescendos only to crescendo again. Some electronics becomes evident about half way through the song as well as in the end. And it is the end that has really bruised me, the noise is hard to describe other than it reminds me almost of the cry of a whale mixed with some sort of woodwinded instrument.. I am not exactly sure why this song has hit me so hard, but I find it hauntingly seductive as it evokes a whirlwind of emotions from deep within. I definitely recomend a listen, or two, (or three.. or hell just put it on repeat.. I know I have) and be prepared for it to leave a bruise or at the very least stick with you for awhile.. And if perchance it does indeed leave a bruise, it will be one of the greatest bruises ever.