Sunday, March 04, 2007

BLONDE REDHEAD - 23


Artist / Band: BLONDE REDHEAD
Song (MP3): 23
Album: 23
File Under: Indie
Label: Smells Like Records

Info: Blonde Redhead is an alternative rock or indie rock band. It was formed by Kazu Makino, Maki Takahashi and Italian twin brothers Simone Pace and Amedeo Pace born in Milan. They take their name from a song by DNA, a 70's and 80's no wave band from New York.

Blonde Redhead caught the attention of Sonic Youth's drummer, Steve Shelley, who produced their first self titled album in 1993. Shortly afterwards Maki Takahashi left the band and the remaining band members continued as a trio. On their third album, Fake Can Be Just As Good, they were joined by Vern Rumsey of Unwound as a guest bassist. After this they continued without a bass player for the release of the remainder of their albums. On their fourth album, In an Expression of the Inexpressible, Guy Picciotto of Fugazi was hired as producer, as well as contributing to / singing on the song "Futurism vs. Passeism Part 2". Guy Picciotto has produced their latest two records as well, Melody of Certain Damaged Lemons and Misery Is a Butterfly.
Blonde Redhead has gradually increased in popularity in the underground music scene. Their early music has been described as emulative of Sonic Youth, but their more recent releases have begun to stray from this generalization. Kazu Makino is noted for her high, eerie voice, which hovers over melodic guitar riffs and rhythmic drum beats.

The large span of time between Melody of Certain Damaged Lemons and Misery Is a Butterfly is attributed to Makino's recovery time after being trampled by a horse. Much of Misery Is a Butterfly's imagery and illustration is equestrian or reflective of the accident. In the liner notes, Makino thanks her doctors "and her friends who fed her and cheered her up when she couldn't do much on her own."

On January 11, 2007, a post on the band's official website [1] confirmed that their latest album titled "23" will be released on 4AD on April 10, 2007 in North America and on April 23, 2007 in Europe.

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