Le Diamant Brut: Cloud Cult & Murdocks

MURDOCKS

What’s the Deal: They’re a local power-pop/punk rock/just-plain-rawk trio, and their music is full of energy with its fair share of squeal, screech and pure rockness. Then, there’s the pop element that’s strong but not too overwhelming and gives it all an ultra-catchy sheen. Murdocks – Franklin Morris, Kyle Robarge and David T. Jones – have a basic, guitar-bass-drums set up, but they manage to keep things very full and rock and roll dance-friendly.

“Die Together” from this year’s Roar! EP is more of a dark and rambling number that rocks and jangles with a few yells and a “sha-la-la” or two. A dash of the discordant and some guitar rakes adorn an irresistible chorus of “And when we die together, it feels like holding hands” during this dancer of a tune. “Death Of A French Whore” from back in ‘03 is more poppy punk than anything else with a sizable amount of distortion and frantic drumming, as is the same with “Segue”.

Something Interesting: Drummer David Jones has been known on occasion to dawn a speedo while playing, and it looks like he’s a stuffer. That speedo was reaching maximum density.

Other Tracks Worth Checking Out: “Playhouse Down”

Murdocks Official
Murdocks MySpace

Image from MySpace

CLOUD CULT

What’s the Deal: They’re the point at which indie rock and orchestra meet. It’s been done before, but the effort here is well worth a mention. Majestic and powerful, this Minneapolis group’s grand strings and trumpet combine with a strong indie rock song structure a tad on the experimental side to bring us a sound that’s anything but grounded. Their thick layers of triumphant musicianship lead by singer/songwriter Craig Minowa’s quivering and evoking vocals have helped ensure CC coverage on various radio stations, late night talk shows and within the pages of the New York Times, Spin and others.

“When Water Comes To Life” from Feel Good Ghosts (Tea-Partying Through Tornadoes) released earlier this year comes off right away as something from the mind of Owen Pallett, that is if he were writing the score to some epic. String hums and plucks meet up with Minowa’s voice as they rise toward the sky like an eruption that only picks up steam as it rises, gaining roaring guitars and drum clashes.

Something Interesting: Band members Connie Minowa and Scott West often paint on stage while the band performs, and it’s as colorful and vivid as the music. Talk about an art overload.

Other Tracks Worth Checking Out: “Everybody Here Is a Cloud” & “Take Your Medicine”

Cloud Cult Official
Cloud Cult MySpace