The Informed Drinker: In the Beginning, There Was Rum
![SXSW Announces a Couple Hundred More Showcasing Bands for 2010 [Lots of Austin Bands in the Mix]](http://austinist.com/assets_c/2009/11/sxsw2010-music-thumb-110x110-460952.jpg)
SXSW Announces a Couple Hundred More Showcasing Bands for 2010 [Lots of Austin Bands in the Mix]
Why We Don't Like You: Texas A&M Aggies
![Preview: Legs Against Arms EP Release [Club de Ville / Saturday]](http://austinist.com/assets_c/2009/11/deville_28nov2009_250-thumb-110x110-460659.jpg)
Preview: Legs Against Arms EP Release [Club de Ville / Saturday]
![Weekend Music Preview: Woven Bones Tour Kick-Off [Beerland / Friday]](http://austinist.com/assets_c/2009/11/beerland_27nov2009_250-thumb-110x110-460924.jpg)
Weekend Music Preview: Woven Bones Tour Kick-Off [Beerland / Friday]
Everything about local psych-pop outfit The Bubbles is adorable. From the drawings that adorn their debut full-length Super Psychedelic Sound Explosion, to the delightful ditties it contains, from those bubble wands (or is it bubble blowers) they utilize at concerts, to their bubbly vivacious performances, The Bubbles epitomize unending joy through music. The sugary pop of “Like A Rocket” kicks off the record; the melodic hooks, the “la-la-la’s,” and the “doo-doo-doo-doo’s” grab you instantly as you realize this is going to be one of those albums that has your head bobbing in unison all the way through.
Stand-out track “We’re Still Young” is an optimistic anthem despite some inherent angst in the lyrics; while “Late Long Night” seems to be chugging along nice and gently before exploding at the end with sizzling six-strings. With hand claps, tambourines, and plentiful synth accompanying the tracks constantly, the outcome is pure pop paradise with appropriate garnishes of the afore-mentioned fuzzy guitars. “Let It Go” is an introspective tune that may come across as a bit downtrodden if not for the “ooh-la-la’s” and cheery whistling in the background and “Hold Your Tongue” is quite possibly inspired by one of the band’s influences, Of Montreal. The Bubbles slow things down a tad with “Lullabye” and “Don’t Hold Me Back” but both songs incorporate the fuzz factor expertly as well. All in all, Super Psychedelic Sound Explosion is exactly that, a heavenly blast from the skies of psychedelic pop.
Music from all parts of the world has been fused with traditional western rock many a time over the last century. The Beatles did some soul searching in India and quite a few of their sitar based tunes were brilliant. Newer acts like Beirut and Gogol Bordello have found inspiration in Eastern Europe and Zizek brought the sounds of Argentina to SXSW earlier this year. DeLeon is the latest in the line of acts to mix different genres and the result arrives in the form of their eclectic self-titled debut record. Based in New York, DeLeon offers up a blend of Spanish-pop, indie-rock, and synthetic beats, complete with lyrics in Ladino and melodies stemming from Sephardic music to create a truly exotic experience for the listener. Some pretty historic stuff! But that’s not say that the band’s music feels out of touch in today’s day and age. The fact that their inspiration often comes from music from eras past makes DeLeon all the more unique -- keep in mind we’re not talking about the 60’s or even the 20’s here; DeLeon’s stimulus is far more ancient than that. Regardless, the songs fit in just fine in the 21st century -- “La Serena” and “LaNer V'Livsamim” could be popular at dance floors downtown while “A La Una Yo Naci” and “Porke Yorach” seem perfect for calm nights at home; the majority of the album similarly takes turns to exhilarate and soothe. DeLeon is a genuinely novel record, full of intriguing concoctions and diverse instrumentation, and is a breath of fresh air in this mp3-crazed, blog-posting world of music today.
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