Micachu and the Shapes bear the heavy burden of being labeled “different,” “weird,” “dissonant,” and “difficult.” As a band getting a lot of chatter in the blogosphere, the reviews I’ve seen so far warn readers to brace themselves. Apparently seeing a Micachu show or listening to the debut album Jewellery is supposed to be a jarring experience. This is a shame since they are essentially making pop music.
Consisting of Mica Levi, Marc Pell and Raisa Khan, the band uses an array of instruments including a modified guitar, cow bells and even a credit card (that sound you hear in “Lips"). These “dissonant” sounds are expertly blended together to form catchy melodies that will leave you nodding your head like any Timbaland beat.
Micachu turns the chaos into pleasing phrases and loops thanks to her classical music background and rigorous training at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. She’s already composed an orchestral piece for the London Philharmonic Orchestra and her 2008 mixtape Filthy Friends generated a lot of critical attention and demand in the London club scene.
Seeing her at the Levi’s Fader Fort at SXSW showed that the young band still has some ground to cover before translating their unique sound into a compelling live set. Soundboard problems aside (Micachu had to play their opener “Vulture” over again in its entirety because a soundguy neglected to turn on Mica’s mic), the band has a difficult time balancing the sounds to create the right mix in a live setting. This will get better with time.
Still, it’s hard to imagine walking away from a Micachu show and not being impressed with the ambition. While Jewellery seems to be a lock for critics this year, it’s yet to be determined if this will be a break out album. The band will spend April and May touring the UK and Europe. Jewellery is released April 7, 2009 in the US.
DOWNLOAD: Micachu & the Shapes - Ship (MP3) or Follow us for more Micachu & the Shapes MP3s (Twitter)
This comment stream is so meta. Great review Kelly.
by chris on Tue Mar 16, 2010 at 07.50 pm from the entry: Flying Lotus - "Cosmogramma" - Buy It
no prob. The whole album is excellent, combining some of the harder sonics of Los Angeles with the meat of his debut and obviously difficult to summarize in only 50 words… 
I’d say it’s on par with the debut, but better than Los Angeles.
by kelly on Tue Mar 16, 2010 at 06.23 pm from the entry: Flying Lotus - "Cosmogramma" - Buy It
By the way, I really liked the mp3 posted. Thanks.
by Joshua H on Tue Mar 16, 2010 at 06.17 pm from the entry: Flying Lotus - "Cosmogramma" - Buy It
WHO WROTE THIS...PUKE ! “WHO WROTE THIS...PUKE ! “Picture yourself coasting your bike past space funk palm trees, homeless harpists, vintage video arcades, electronic drum circles, and 60s psychedelic singers who’re waiting for the bus. Cosmogramma is kinda like that if someone suddenly tripped you just as you’re starting to enjoy the ride. But in a good way.””
by Joshua H on Tue Mar 16, 2010 at 06.17 pm from the entry: Flying Lotus - "Cosmogramma" - Buy It
you’ll notice the author’s name under title.
by kelly on Tue Mar 16, 2010 at 06.11 pm from the entry: Flying Lotus - "Cosmogramma" - Buy It
WHO WROTE THIS...PUKE ! “Picture yourself coasting your bike past space funk palm trees, homeless harpists, vintage video arcades, electronic drum circles, and 60s psychedelic singers who’re waiting for the bus. Cosmogramma is kinda like that if someone suddenly tripped you just as you’re starting to enjoy the ride. But in a good way.”
by HKD on Tue Mar 16, 2010 at 06.10 pm from the entry: Flying Lotus - "Cosmogramma" - Buy It
i saw them open for the Cave Singers, not very original, the crowd was not into it either, frankly i think they suck
by rigamarole on Tue Mar 16, 2010 at 11.30 am from the entry: The Dutchess & The Duke Tour Dates, Y'all
