TAPES N TAPES w/Oberhofer – Fri., January 28, 2011 – High Noon Saloon

Tapes ‘n Tapes is set to release their new album – Outside – through their own label, ibid records, the original home to the band’s breakthrough album, The Loon. Outside was recorded at The Terrarium in their hometown of Minneapolis by their long time sound engineer, Drew Malamud. After recording for two weeks, they handed the record off to Peter Katis (Interpol, The National) to lend his signature sound to the mix.

The result is twelve songs that are playful and melodic, while also capturing the essence and energy of their live show. Outside sounds refined and lush, letting the memorable melodies shine. The songs are more straightforward allowing each member’s personality to emerge. Outside is the perfect mix of their previous works, with a whole new clarity of sound. The first single, “Freak Out,” is a fast-paced romp with a shout-along chorus that is sure to delight fans both new and old. The album’s opener, “Badaboom,” showcases longing vocals with a driving rhythm that propels the song into an epic rock breakdown. “Nightfall’s” seemingly disparate parts are woven together into a beautifully strange break-up ballad. The haunting horns and sparse guitars unite for one of Tapes ‘n Tapes biggest songs yet. “One In The World” is a danceable, jangly number about a search for love that takes you around the globe. The twelve songs on Outside are unified by themes of longing and loneliness, and the journey of finding and losing love. There is a newfound space in Tapes ‘n Tapes sound that is both intimate and distant at the same time. Combine that with a pervasive sense of joy throughout the whole record and what you hear is a band making music that they truly love.

Oberhofer may sound pretty much German to your ears, but Brad Oberhofer, frontman of the Brooklyn based indie-rock outfit Oberhofer, is American. Although the music contains hand claps, jangly things, as well as plenty of ooohs and aaahs, he still uses very clever lyrics.