Welcome - "This Minute"
Odd release for Fatcat, a Seattle based retro 60's band. Of course it's not quite that simple, the retro is not garage but a hybrid melding of freak psych and radical tempo shifts as well as swapped boy/girl vocals. This tune has a United States of America feel to it but is unpredictable in all the right ways. Spun this on 3/29/07.
The Breakers DK - "Tried So Hard"
As Sexy Sara of Gorilla Got Me so accurately pointed out, this song desperately wants to be Rod-era faces. And indeed it lives up to that lofty standard, with hoarse vocals (and even a mention of "Sally") and blues-tinged rock dipped in sugar with plenty of catchy backing vocals. The album as a whole wears its retro aspirations quite comfortably. Played 3/29/07.
Georgie James - "Need Your Needs"
I'm guessing this is a band, not a person, based on the multiple faces presented on the cd cover. Could be a faulty assumption. In any case, it's easy-to-swallow indie-pop with a throwback Minders feel, but doesn't come anywhere near the accuracy of that band (or the two listed above). Which isn't a slam mind you, just a nod that there's a healthy dollop of 90's power pop sheen in here which still doesn't get all that power-poppy.
!!! - "A New Name"
Well, it doesn't match the fire or urgency of the first which is bad news, but it also doesn't sink to the depths of shallow trash-talking and repetition like the second. The best song is of course 8+ minutes long so it isn't getting spun by me, though I played this 5+ minute cut to close 3/29/07. Some lovable funk riffs but a bit light on the lyrical content which is both refreshing and disappointing. It still makes a great late-night throw-it-on-the-CD-player-to-keep-the-party-going disc.
Harmonia - "Dino"
Re-issue of an album by this kraut-rock supergroup that consisted of members of Neu and Kluster. Given that lineage it's pretty much what you expect, heavily synthesized jams that hazily unfurl with a lighter touch. Perfect background music candidate for the Aural Fixation program.
+/- - Leap Year
We were dead late on this disc, for some reason Absolutely Kosher didn't pass this November release along until now. Enough complaining, I don't think it hits the sublime post-Versus heights of their previous album but +/-'s charms aren't usually fully evident in one spin anyway. This is a mid-tempo tune with those oh-so beguiling plaintive vocals, there's more emotion imbued here than any high-octave emo-band could ever muster. And bells, can't forget the bells.
The Field - "Sun & Ice"
Guaranteed background music selection for an upcoming show, probably this week. Shoegazer style but with more of a beat than the Ulrich Schnausses of the world. Gets very predictable and repetitive but anyone who likes the blisspop movement will undoubtedly find plenty of enjoyment here.
Peel - Workers, Wake Up!
Here's a case of too much being more than enough. At times they work the Stereolab vibe quite well as on this tune, which melds dispassionate female vocals and a politically lyrical vent across some burbly instrumentation. But these tracks are far beyond overproduced, instruments upon instruments creating so much activity that they bury the listening experience under their weight. I'd like it all to be just simpler. Still a few winners on there nonetheless.
Tracey Thorn - "Hands Up To The Ceiling"
Patrick of Subject to Change pulled the "music for MILFs" chain, knowing I'd be attracted to it like bells to a leper. But seriously, the song namedrops Siouxsie and Bobby Darin. How could I resist? Actually the album is rather weak and this underwritten tune is notable for only the above refernces and a delicate overall touch.
Autumn Shade - "Spanish Willow"
Female fronted faux-folk with a dash of Mazzy Star style reverb. Not much more than a feeling present here, but enough of one to play it during the Hi-Fi Lo-Fi fill-in on 3/27/07. Sorta like if Hope sang Devendra's songs, or at least his one interesting song.
Cyann & Ben - "Guilty"
Not a Classix Nouveau cover unfortunately. A rather disappointing record for these two Frenchmen who always seem to struggle towards the lazy perfection of that Sigur Ros vibe but come up short. In this case disappointingly so. Putting the weak female fronted vox way upfront is not a smart decision. This particular tune plays like an OK Computer outtake, relying more on the meandering male vocals.
The Rosebuds - "Hold On To This Coat"
This Merge band heads towads the retro New Order dance-pop direction on this album, eschewing some of the Garden State indie pop style of their previous stuff. Funny enough, I don't like it as much though overall it's a heck of a lot more consistent than the preceeding hit-and-miss release. Played on 3/29/07. Could be a grower. Nice cover art, sorta Decemberists style art.
Director - Reconnect
Preview of an upcoming major label retro-new wave release with plenty o' passion in the vocals as opposed to dispassion. As I've mentioned before if it cadges the new wave vibe I'll almost always reserve it for future reference.
Music for Animals - "Justine"
See above! Ok, that's not exactly fair, these gents aren't on a major and aren't from Ireland (CA boys) and are much more on the propulsive rock end of the spectrum when it comes to the post-post-punk genre. But it's pushing similar buttons and was reserved for the same reason, probably won't get played.
Dinosaur Jr - "Crumble"
Not a terrible return for Murph, Mascis and that other guy Lou. Actually sounds much more like post-Lou stuff than pre- which I guess shouldn't be too surprising since this is and always has been J.'s band. If you enjoyed Where You Been this one will likely satisfy, it doesn't quite have that Green Mind punch to it. Instead it's very smooth with that signature big guitar building and building.
Secretary Bird - "Somewhere Girls"
Has that Richard Buckner feel to it, not the introspective Buckner but the let's-get-everyone-I-know-in-here-since-I-have-a-major-label-budget Buckner. Which is not to say these guys are on a major label budget, members of Friends of Dean Martinez do not aspire to those heights. But for the rock end of the alt.country genre this fills the stomach quite nicely, with a warm post-whiskey burn. Spun on 3/27/07 during Hi-Fi Lo-Fi fill-in.
World Wide Spies - "Philosophy"
This LA band is friendly with a former roommate, though I'm unfailingly honest when it comes to friend's bands. That being said they've nailed the late-80's goth-rock sound perfectly, like a poppier Sisters of Mercy or a more polished late-model Chameleons UK. The songs still sound a bit thinly written to my ears but the bite is so solid I'll forgive that occasional awkward passage. One of their songs will be the closer on the 4/5/07 show, since Joanie digs this style of stuff as well.
Cloud Cult - "Purpose"
Every month I'll come across a band that I just can't recall. Obviously I listened to them, because I jotted down a handful of possible tracks to play. But "Cloud Cult" ... hurm ... two minutes after I listen to them the description escapes my cranium. They might be this year's Modest Mouse, I can't recall beyond some off-kilter synths and pleasantly challenged vocals.
No comments:
Post a Comment