First, Last, and Favorite is our long running irregular feature where we probe the tastes of some of our favorite artists to get to know them better. This edition we get to find out some past and present favorites from local dream-pop combo Coral Grief!

A relatively new group, Coral Grief’s first EP was just released this past summer. (Available digitally or at the shop on a cassette from Den Tapes) Over the six tracks of the self-titled album synths whoosh, guitars shimmer, and the band maintains a supremely dreamy atmosphere. The band manages to meld sounds from the golden-age of shoegaze with both a vintage space age feel and a very chill modern minimalism. The band wraps its lush sonics around the hypnotically melodic vocals of Lena Farr-Morrissey which are in perfect sync with the mood throughout. Check out the video for the sneakily propulsive ‘Residue’ below:

The group have just recently expanded from original duo of singer/synth/bassist Lena and guitarist/electronicist Sam to include drummer Cam. Here all three provide a first, last, and favorite record to share. In their own words:

First

Lena: Neko Case Fox Confessor Brings the Flood

I really struggled with this one: do I give the most honest answer of Breakaway by Kelly Clarkson? I decided to go with album because of my dad's influence on my music taste growing up. I remember diving into this CD together with such curiosity, exploring Neko's irrevocable voice and particular, puzzling lyrics. We still listen to it and discover more subtleties within the production- I am equally as moved as when I was 8!

Sam: Animal Collective Merriweather Post Pavillion

Animal Collective’s music, and this record in particular, was very formative for me. There’s something about this record that is so alluring and mysterious. The dreamy production, intricate rhythms, weird but infectiously catchy hooks gave me a new outlook on what pop music could sound like. I had no idea how any of these songs were crafted, or even what instruments I was hearing, but I immediately wanted to find out. Definitely an album that pushed me from being a music fan towards wanting to make music. 

Cam: Led Zeppelin Led Zeppelin I

This was the first album I remember asking for after attending rock music camp the summer I was 10 years old. Though my innocent brain couldn’t totally grasp the raw grit and raunch of Led Zeppelin, I was mesmerized by Bonham’s seemingly infinite limbs and pounding syncopation. In the end it didn’t matter if the lyrics were way over my head, I was only listening to the drums.

Last

Lena: Sweet Trip You Will Never Know Why

Sweet Trip's whole discography is magical, and this is perhaps their poppiest record, but the songwriting and production create such momentum within all of the moody, reflective layers. Combining sensitive strumming, glitched out synth melodies, and a long ambient outro is not easy to pull off, but they do it- every time! If I ever directed a film, I would want Sweet Trip to score every second of it.

Sam: Doug Hream Blunt My Name is Doug Hream Blunt

I’ve been coming back to this record a lot over the past year. It’s a hard one to pin down, with funk, soul, krautrock, and even some folk influences all at play. The repetitive grooves and off-kilter choppy guitar solos in the middle of just about every track are killer. Some of the guitar and synth tones are really mind bending too, like on “Fly Guy”, where Doug’s lead guitar could almost pass for a flute. His lyrics straddle the line between slick and goofy as hell, in the best way. It’s such a fun, playful, oddball record, and it always puts a smile on my face. 

Cam: Makaya McCraven & Gil Scott-Heron We’re New Again

This album is as much texture as it is groove, a fitting way to treat the music of Gil Scott-Heron. There is a gripping, intoxicating story woven here with the reordering and reimagining of his 2011 album and the music so perfectly fits (and creates) that mood. Also, some killer drumming throughout.

Favorite

Lena: Helium The Dirt of Luck

Every song on this record is brilliant; Mary Timony writes with such conviction and cleverness. I put this album on whenever I need a boost of confidence or motivation, and I always have such a visceral reaction. It strikes the balance between dissonant and lyrical tones that I want to experiment with more in our music. "Medusa" and "Baby's Going Underground" are *chef's kiss*

Sam: Stereolab Transient Random Noise Bursts with Announcements

I could sit here and say good things about this record all day. The production is fantastic, the songwriting is impeccable, and despite some super droney and repetitive passages the record just flies by. Who else could make an eighteen minute track that doesn’t drag for a single second?  Tim Gane’s guitar work is so dynamic and propulsive here, super chaotic at times but subtle and understated when it needs to be. Laetitia Sadier’s lyrics are stellar too, there’s a ton of cool political and philosophical stuff to delve into. For my money “Jenny Ondioline” is the a strong contender for the bands magnus opus, but the softer, lounge inspired “Pack Yr Romantic Mind” is up there too. 

Cam: Amen Dunes Love

This one’s all feeling for me; an album that transports me back to my teenage years and the wash of emotions during that time. There are brief moments peppered throughout the album that are so powerful but then disappear as soon as they came. Naturally, I restart the album as soon as it finishes just to get those glimpses again.

(photo credit: Eric Tra)