A music blog dedicated to my ever-expanding tastes. A musical journey with endless pitstops along the way. Bringing you the best of what I see and hear.
When UK multi-instrumentalist/producer Rob Jones first started making music under the moniker The Voluntary Butler Scheme he had just come off a stint as the drummer for retro pop outfit The School to the point that his continued dalliance with the genre on debut album At Breakfast, Dinner, Tea seemed almost a given. And yet even while using music from bygone eras as a guide no one could deny that Jones brought a sense of originality to the table - expanding the sound with an impressive lushness and imbuing in them a delightfully ear-catching nature without the risk of a saccharine turn.
However it wasn't until his sophomore record The Grandad Galaxy when Jones opened up his precise, layered compositions to show the nuts and bolts of the operation in a much less easily digestible fashion that the real scope of Jones' musicianship could be gleaned. While bringing in outside parties to play the instruments he could not (namely and exclusive brass), it's the record that most solidified Jones' one-man band status to those that could not see the man in action. Jones experimented not only with the 60's/70s styles he obviously still drew inspiration from but also the multitude of electronics Jones relies on in bringing his vibrant seamless pop songs to life.
So it makes a sort of logical sense that on A Million Ways To Make Gold, Jones' third album as The Voluntary Butler Scheme, that he'd marry the ideas behind his two previous albums together. Album opener "The Q Word" is Jones' longest track to date is perhaps the most apt introduction to the album as repetitive high pitched beeps give way to synthetic keyboard melodies that despite their smoothness are punchily inorganic that's almost completely odds with Jones' vocals. But as the track progresses the rough-hewn edges round out as they're subbed out for more man-made sounds like bass and brass. In "The Q Word", Jones segues from one album to the next, centering the new release on the more human elements he wants to focus on.
In a sense The Voluntary Scheme has always been about the balance between inspiration and experimentation but A Million Ways To Make Gold finds Jones at his most centered able to create his most catchy pop tunes while not totally shelving his desire for pop experimentation. A Million Ways To Make Gold works as brilliant return to form for The Voluntary Butler Scheme. While Jones' continues his to expand his both his textural and timbral palette, the best songs on the album happen when Jones allows himself to revel to in the funky grooves that gave At Breakfast, Dinner, Tea much of its momentum. But Jones also takes what worked so well on The Grandad Galaxy and refines it to work not only on a smaller scale but in tandem with his more nostalgic tendencies throwing his more adventurous efforts right into the mix.
Far less electronic than the previous album, A Million Ways To Make Gold obscures a bit of the Rob Jones' song construction in favor of these moments of rapid, pop metamorphism. It's a veritable smorgasbord of genres - from the doo-wop/gospel-flavor of "Believe" to the old school rhythm and blues of "So Tired (So Tired)", Jones manages to run through them without making a big show of it. The unsung quality of The Voluntary Butler Scheme has always been Jones' inventive lyricism from
his clever turns of phrases to his beguiling metaphors, and that's no different here. Ultimately A Million Ways To Make Gold is a treat for Voluntary Butler Scheme fans old and new, building on an rich established history while remaining an easily accessible and delightfully engaging album.
The Voluntary Butler Scheme's third album A Million Ways To Make Gold is out now on Split Records.
You might remember that British one man band The Voluntary Butler Scheme had an album on the horizon. A Million Ways To Make Gold was supposed to see the light of day sometime in the past year but for some reason the album got shelved. That is until now where Rob Jones reemerges with the triumphant "Honey in the Gravel Mixture".
The latest single continues in the way of Jones' bright, buoyant, and overall just downright pleasant form of retro-tinged chamber pop. Love songs are Jones' specialty and with a bed of brass and his trademark indomitable sincerity, he's pretty much in rare form here. "Honey in the Gravel Mixture" isn't just infectiously catchy, it's also charmingly sweet and effortless so; obscuring all signs of the diligent construction Jones put into such a carefree gem.
The Voluntary Butler Scheme's third album A Million Ways to Make Gold is out March 24th. "Honey in the Gravel Mixture" will be released as both digital and physical 7" with an exclusive track on March 17th.
It's a whole new year which means a whole new release calendar to look forward to! A handful of bands have recently started unearthing album details and waking up each day to a new announcement is the bee's knees. It's still rather early in the year meaning more are sure to roll in as well as more details and previews but until then these are the releases I'm most juiced for based not on mere speculation but an announcement of some kind. Because if it was based on who I thought was releasing an album this year, this playlist would be hours long.
The Acorn
This year will see the end of Canadian band The Acorn's hibernation. Brought to my attention a mere couple months ago by my friend Corey it was the perfect time to get into them it seems. Without having to wait the three years since the release of No Ghost while also having enough time to explore their discography, I'm excited at what the new album Vieux Loup will sound like. No release date at present but a working title is a step in the right direction. Here's hoping more details are on the horizon.
ARMS
If you've been to any of their shows, this won't come as particularly shocking news to you but if you haven't, you might want to brace yourself. Maybe take a seat. After 2011's incredible underrated and criminally ignored sophomore record Summer Skills, ARMS are releasing an EP. When? The verdict is soon and for all intents and purposes it could drop any day now but a release is nigh. Any live show attendees might have heard a track or two or three or four from the upcoming five-song EP and well, I'm be straight with you: They're pretty damn great. Capturing the dramatic literary lyricism that drew me to them to the first place and pairing it with some absolutely astounding musical moment of the powerpop persuasion, I couldn't speak more highly of the forthcoming EP if I tried. And I haven't even heard it yet. But based off the 3 or 4 songs I've been lucky enough to hear, I'm willing to stake my reputation of it being one of the best releases slated for release this year. Get ready because you might never love another band more ever again. Until we can hear anything from it, here's the last song ARMS dropped - a self-remix of the title track from their sophomore record Summer Skills:
Brazos
One of my favorite new music discoveries last year was Texan turned native New Yorker Brazos aka singer/songwriter Martin Crane. His lyrics were poetic, his music full, ear-catching, and downright rocking. The strength of the introductory concert was enough to have me kicking myself for not having discovered Crane and his band all that much sooner. And yet with the release of his sophomore follow up to 2009's Phosphorescent Blues on the horizon for this year, maybe it's a good thing I didn't? I couldn't imagine being a long time fan that long having to wait nearly 4 years for new music. For those holding out that long, you have my most heartfelt sympathies. According to all the rave reviews I heard from those lucky enough to have it in their ears, the new record should be well worth the wait and makes me all that more anxious to get it in my own.
The Cave Singers
When I say that Seattle's folk rock trio The Cave Singers were one of the best opening bands I have ever seen, I hope you don't immediately accuse me of hyperbole. Opening for Fleet Foxes back in 2011, they were a very special kind of opening band. I had heard whispers of their existence before then sure but nothing cemented my interest in them as much as seeing them rock out live. To say that I've been biding my time until they saw fit to return isn't an exaggeration. I have been and I assume when they return their set will be just as fun if not more so than what I experienced. Maybe then I can right the wrongs of a whole sold out seated venue full of people refusing to get up and dance to "Black Leaf" when asked. Maybe.
Friend Roulette
They may have retired one of my favorite songs in their catalog indefinitely (I'm talking about the Friend Roulette EP's "Sailing Song" by the way) but the songs they've replaced it with are too incredible for me to get sore. The quirky Brooklyn chamber pop sextet has talent bubbling out it's pores and each song they write is pretty darn original and that's cause for excitement. This year, their debut full length I'm Sorry You Hit Your Head should get out of development hell and then the band can get all the praise and accolades they deserve. Seriously. For all the scores of Brooklyn bands there's few with as much originality and vision and passion as Friend Roulette. From Casablanca recalling "Or Berlin" to R&B-esque "Lie", Friend Roulette seem willing to try anything and that versatility and openness is sure to benefit them in the long run.
Guards
In case you couldn't tell due to my incessant posting about them but I really like Guards. They take what so many bands are trying to do in the nostalgia-fueled rock vein and do so in a way that leaves very little yo be desired. It's almost impossible to explain what makes Guards work so well. Each tune we see from their upcoming debut In Guards We Trust just establishes what we already knew and why we so desperately wanted an album from the New York based trio: they're a damn good band. They manage to be both pleasant and intricate and jammy and simple without falling prey to any of the negative tendencies those involving while giving listeners and fans what they want while not being predictable about it. Guards are kind of an enigma, really but they're a rather friendly, pop song crafting one and that works just fine.
Little Tybee
It was supposed to come out last year but due to a series of remarkably unfortunate events and the band deciding to take some extra time to make sure it was really offering up gold star material 2013 is the year of Little Tybee's For Distant Viewing. Rather nervous when they announced the album's release right after Humorous to Bees came out in 2011, I'm a little glad they took time to prioritize a stellar release over just another release in general. Especially considering the break between albums is crucial for not burning yoursef out. The few tracks we've been treated to are certainly strong enough but that extra bit of care will undoubtedly result in a far more album than anyone could possibly imagine. I'm rightfully pumped as should you be. Little Tybee - Mind Grenade from LaundroMatinee on Vimeo.
Local Natives
I didn't really realize how much I missed Local Natives until the emerged triumphant from their latest bout of album recording. I've been a bit careless with my love for Local Natives, I'll confess. Never pouncing on opportunities to see them when I should and as the band seems poised to rocket up to bigger and bigger things, I might've missed my chance. At least without having to hardcore duke it out for my place in the Local Natives lovefest that's sure to follow after the release of their sophomore record Hummingbird. Why? After a remarkable debut, their next offering seems to be (as far as the two singles we've heard thus far will attest to) far better. Which is saying something. It's an album that's on everyone's must-have list and for good reason.
Pattern is Movement
I'm rather late to Pattern is Movement party but better than never I say. Thanks to a sound guy at Cameo Gallery I heard and fell in love with the incredible All Together and so the news that Pattern is Movement are about to put out a new album this year is simply the best new. No idea when it'll be other than soon or what it'll be because a band like Pattern is Movement is rarely to do the same thing twice, I'm full of excitement just thinking about all the things that could be. Until details emerge this is one thing you can do to find out what you're in for: go see Pattern is Movement live. They're playing a handful of shows and have promised to play some new songs then.
Secret Mountains
A couple years of plying their trade, two EPs and one cassette of new, original material later, Baltimore psychedelic rock outfit Secret Mountains are just about ready to put their debut full length out into the world. It should be cause for excitement. Though a pretty great band from the get-go, Rainer sees Secret Mountains truly coming into their own - exploring emotional depths not yet plumped, tightening up their band sound, and making their jams that much more undeniable. If there's any justice in the world, 2013 will be a big year for Secret Mountains. The progress and sheer strength of their debut makes anything else absolutely unfair. Rainer will be out February 26th on Friends Records.
Typhoon
After what seemed like a whole year of talking it up, it's finally 2013 and Typhoon's follow up to Hunger and Thirst and A New Kind of House EP is so close you can almost hear it. Actually a couple months ago, the Portland folk orchestra gave us a taste of what to expect from White Lighter with single "Common Sentiments" and while no details have really emerged since then, it's really only a matter of time. And then the massive sensemble will tour and all will be as it should until they disappear to record a new album. Luckily we have some time with them before that's even an option.
The Voluntary Butler Scheme
The music of English multi-instrumentalist Rob Jones is a bit of conundrum. Reading about it or even seeing it, it's a process that's shocking creative and far more complex than it's sound will have you believe. Jones crafts music very much like those of the most radical experimentalists - relying far more heavily on the precise combination of sounds and a deft hand at detail than what you'd think necessary and yet that's all part of the appeal. For the complexity and innovative forethought Jones' process possess, the sound is clear, simple, and most importantly, enjoyable. It's a sound steeped in those of old despite Jones' very current approach. The third album from The Voluntary Butler Scheme A Million Ways to Make Gold seems (at least from its first single) to be a return to form from the futuristic leaning The Grandad Galaxy but rather than be some sort of backpedal just highlights Jones' ability to create smooth, svelte pop from an arduously complex process.
Wildlife
It's the moment I've been waiting for ever since the Toronto rockers released their debut album Strike Hard, Young Diamond. Wildlife have been hard at work on their sophomore record spiriting away to a cabin to work on songs before splitting their time between Brooklyn and Connecticut to record the thing. Meanwhile they've been keeping us informed on all the update taking wacky pictures, writing blogs, and giving hints at what to come without actually giving us anything substantial to go off of. Not yet anyway. But yesterday the Canadian quintet revealed the title and cover art for their upcoming record ...On The Heart and I am pumped. The album will be out in the world February 26th and words don't exist to describe my excitement.
Young Dreams
After three absolutely incredible singles, the debut full length Norwegian orchestral pop collective Young Dreams is almost within reach. We've heard the grandiose gladiator-themed first single "Fog of War" and we can probably something equally as majestic, as musical, as excellent of Between Places. What's more the good news is their new album might actually bring the band stateside and that's the only thing I want right now. Between Places will be out March 5th in the states on Modular Recordings.
Young Man
I know what you're thinking: didn't Young Man just release a new album a couple months ago? Yes, yes they did. And piggybacking an album release right on the heels of an album release is normally very very risky for fear of the songs not being as developed as they should be but if there's anyone that could put out teo amazing albums close together it's most likely Colin Caulfield. He's got such a thoughtful way with words and songwriting that you just know he took time to let the songs gestate naturally. I have complete and utter faith in Young Man that their new record Beyond Was All Around Me out April 9th is going to be super. No word yet on what it'll actually sound like but any news is good news in this case. Due to the lack of a single, I'll just post a track from Young Man's brilliant Vol. 1.
Two months ago, we were gifted with the first sounds from The Voluntary Butler Scheme forthcoming third album A Million Ways to Make Gold in "Brain Freeze" and in the wintry second single "Quinzhee (Building Us A House Out of Snow)", Rob Jones appears to be returning to form; stitching back up the visible seams of The Grandad Galaxy and recalling the retropop stylings of After Breakfast, Dinner, Tea. In fact he's taking the brass-laden sounds that composed both albums best tracks and seems to be making them a permanent addition. Not a bad addition in fact as "Quinzhee" and b-side "That's How I Got to Memphis" ( a Tom T. Hall cover) are filled with buoyant horns as well as Jones' impressive multi-instrumentalism.
Get a listen to the latest single "Quinzhee" and b-side "How I Got to Memphis" here.
Also you can order a signed 7" copy of the single here if you're so inclined. The Voluntary Butler Scheme's A Million Ways to Make Gold will be out March 2013.
Gather round everyone, I have some great news: British multi-instrumentalist Rob Jones aka The Voluntary Butler Scheme is releasing a new album. The follow up to 2011's The Grandad Galaxy will be out sometime next year and you can get a taste of the new album entitled A Million Ways to Make Gold with first single "Brain Freeze". It's a pretty joyous affair, not unlike After Breakfast, Dinner, Tea's "Multiplayer" or The Grandad Galaxy's "Don't Rely On It" and it's filled practically to the brim with brass.
The video for "Brain Freeze" follows in Jones' previous footsteps of being simple and cute, featuring a toy guitar lip-syncing to song before a changing series of colorful backgrounds for pretty much the whole duration of the video. It's not a lot but it's just enough to make you smile while grooving a long to the new track. Enjoy!
Following in the footsteps of The Chevreul EP (released earlier this year), The Grandad Galaxy combines Jones' various music interests into one heaping helping of sounds and sonic pastiches from. Much like Chevreul, Jones isn't afraid of letting listeners hear his actual process. Instead of the seamlessness of At Breakfast, Dinner, Tea you can actually hear Jones slip loops up alongside each other and other various sounds of his actual music making. And yet even with the technical side uncovered and laid bare, Jones' retro pop melodies still retain their ability to completely mesmerize.
Having listened to The Chevreul EP, I was gradually introduced to Jones' change in style but for some one going directly from debut to sophomore album, the change is sure to be a bit shocking. And yet, Jones only benefits from the added layer of sounds. Now each song is filled with lovely simplistic melodies and a much more complex but personal touch. The result is an album in which new little things unravel after each subsequent listen. The kind of album, I know I'll listen to over and over again, not just because I want to hear any zany thing Jones has managed to cram into his songs but also because it's darn good.
The Grandad Galaxy is currently streaming at This Is Fake DIY a whole week before it's July 18th release along with Rob Jones' track by track details here.
With little more than a week to go until the release of his new album The Grandad Galaxy, Britain's The Voluntary Butler Scheme aka one man band Rob Jones has released a brand new video for "Yo-Yo Star". The video features a bunch of unrelated cinematic sequences pieced together in pretty much the same manner Jones crafts his music. Scenes of island dancers, penguins, and Carl Sagan's Cosmos and more are all juxtaposed along with kaleidoscopic visuals to accompany the bouncy summery track "Yo-Yo Star". The first track I've heard off The Grandad Galaxy (not including those featured on The Chevruel EP), it's nice to hear that Jones hasn't completely departed from this retro-pop leanings. Instead it's a delightful mash-up of old and new sounds. The occasional glitchy trappings hidden mostly by swelling strains of borderline tropical pop goodness. And yet, not really resembling his previous works on At Breakfast, Dinner, Tea. To say I'm looking forward to the new album is an understatement.
Also, Jones apparently quietly released a video for "Don't Rely On It, Don't Count On It" last month that you can also watch.
The Grandad Galaxy is due out July 18th in the UK. No word yet on a US release. You can nab a free download of "Yo Yo Star" here.
Hot off the release of The Chevreul EP, British one-man band Rob Jones aka The Voluntary Butler Scheme has announced the release of his new album The Grandad Galaxy on July 18 on Split Records in the UK. The follow up to After Breakfast, Dinner, Tea is a definite change of pace from Jones' retro pop as on his latest Jones has made clear his intention to change this up. Using his computers and gadgets to create music that sounds more electronic and more eclectic. Until the new album's release you can get a taste of Jones' new direction with The Chevreul EP.
No word yet of a US release but if it's anything like Jones' debut, it's definitely worth the shipping costs. You can read more about the new album here.
The Voluntary Butler Scheme aka Rob Jones' one man band is back. After the release of his debut album At Breakfast, Dinner, Tea. almost two year he's returned with the new four song Chevreul EP. Jones has always used computers and various technology to craft his song but his latest venture is the first time it's actually sounded like it. Instead of the easy-breezy pop melodies of his debut, the new ep has a cut-and-paste electronic sound. Sure there's still melody in the songs but they've shucked off the easy listening retro-pop vibe and instead pull from an almost completely different set of influences: most notably some hip-hop and chillwave. Although the retro-influence still remains in "To the Height Of A Frisbee". What's even more genius is the method Jones used to create several of the songs on the new EP: cutting up some of his oldest tracks to create drastically different ones. It's an idea that you'd think would sound better in theory than in actual practice but Jones' flawless execution and masterful arranging make it work.
Hear The Voluntary Butler Scheme's new sound with the video for single "Do the Hand Jive":
You can also listen to the EP as well as a remix of "Do the Hand Jive" by The Go! Team on his bandcamp.
Sure bands are often influenced by music from times gone by, some even do decent replications, but so few times does someone channel that inspiration and influence in something dynamically unique. That's where The Voluntary Butler Scheme aka Rob Jones comes in. On his debut album At Breakfast, Dinner, Tea., Jones calls forth his '50s and '60s influences to create innocently sweet, subtle, bright sunny indie-pop that will melt even the iciest of hearts. His melodies are infectiously well-crafted, memorable, singable, catchy, and his lyrics are smart in this remarkably off-kilter way where they both do and don't matter at the same time. Probably the most surprising thing about Jones' album is that he plays the majority of the instruments you hear on it. This might be surprising to some who notice that ensemble sound that he manages to get from himself and is the reason Jones goes down as one of my favorite one-man-bands. He's assisted by a couple friends on several tracks to play additional instruments (mostly horns), but you'd be surprised how little times he actually is. He's assisted on only 4 out of the 14 tracks by only four people. That's impressive.
One of the things I love about At Breakfast, Dinner, Tea is that even though he splits the album into three sections, the songs all work together. Several of the songs he had written before work on the album actually serve to anchor the album in this remarkably gratifying way. Usually when someone predominantly plays drums like Rob Jones (who used to be the drummer for retro indie pop group The School), melody comes almost second to rhythm but not here. His melodies are fully flushed out and just really fun to listen to. So fans of talented multi-instrumentalists specializing in unique melodic indie-pop rejoice: The Voluntary Butler Scheme is after your heart and sure to win it with his charmingly quirky debut album.
I first found out about The Voluntary Butler Scheme on Eardrums Music blog about two years ago when they first featured. The Voluntary Butler Scheme is Rob Jones, a veritable one-man band using every tool at his command to create lovely indie pop gems with seemingly effortless ease. Since first leaving UK 60s-inspired indie pop group The School, he has released a number of singles and released his debut album At Breakfast, Dinner, Tea late last year.
In this video of Jones performing "Multiplayer" at the Oakford Social Club, you sort of get to see his queue-ing up of other instruments and such.
Hear the seamless product in the music video for "Multiplayer"
