Skallander - "Misery"
Swedish acoustic duo channeling a folk pop vibe from the early 70's with some lovely guitar strumming and nice harmony from the occasional backing vocals. Rather depressing in lyrical tone but uplifting it its aural beauty with a fall-day-in-the-woods feel. Aired on 9/20/07.
Jose Gonzalez - "Cycling Trivialities"
Speaking of channeling early 70's folk-rock, here we have a new release from this Swedish troubador that doesn't really catch fire for me until the back half. My favorite tune clocks in at over 8 minutes so I played a much shorter cut on 9/27/07. Another example of delicately lovely guitarwork, though on the early tracks he takes too slavish of a Nick Drake path for my tastes. The later tracks add more low-end punch and other satisfying elements. I was hoping for at least one Mark Kozelek knock-off (he does a strong impersonation of the SF singer) but it's not to be found here, as his vocals have more of a harmonized doubled shine and less of a guttural growl.
Spider - "Don't Be Afraid, I've Just Come To Say Goodbye"
While we're hunting in this section of the folky woods let's look in on this female fronted duo. Not the most expressive singer, she still can work in emotion with the help of an occasional keyboard or horn or flute along with the required acoustic guitar strumming. The songs build their elements effectively and she doesn't oversing her lines, instead quietly revealing her central points and earning your attention.
Carolyn Mark - "The 1 That Got Away (With It)"
When I first heard this song on Doug's Lost Highway program (Saturday 8am to 10am) I was certain its origin had to be from the 50's. But no, it an original Carolyn composition from her new record, melding traditional country elements of heartbreak with a yearning for behavior that exlies her to the wrong side of the tracks. Her voice isn't quite up to the material but the extra points doled out for the songwriting more than overcome that observation. Played on 9/27/07, and you can always request more from Doug!
Two Gallants - "The Deader"
Another new release which closes the books on 2007 for this SF duo with punchy alt-country inspired tunes. The very upfront drums and howling vocals are the distinguishing elements of any Two Gallants song and both are present in this composition. The lyrics are just as bitter, though I find this release the least bracing of their canon. Truthfully they're good for one immense song a record and perhaps I just didn't spend enough time trying to unearth it on this one.
Johnossi - "Glory Days to Come"
Swedish two-piece that owes quite a bit to the White Stripes, but at least dials it back to the early days rather than trying to follow a crooked path. The Swedes are very talented at assimilation and this record is no different, while still being a step away from putting any kind of original spin on the formula. The guitar is more of an urgent jangle than a bluesy burst but the drums are just as robotic and the chorus here is very effective.
The Good Life - "Playing Dumb"
Cursive side-project that angles more towards pop than the awkward emo reputation of the source band. And like Cursive there are a few good stalks of wheat amongst some chaff here, such as this gentle exercise that doesn't feel the need to layer on false bravado in the form of amped up instruments. Instead they allow each element to comfortably add to the song without carrying it away.
The Trolleyvox - "I Call On You"
You'll rarely hear me dismiss a band attempting to capture the early 90's major-label jangle sound, especially one like Philly's The Trolleyvox which has done it so successfully in the past. But their new double-disc is perhaps too much of a good thing, as extra production sours what once sounded so true. They try for an amped updating of 60's harmonizing with 90's guitar solos but instead it comes off like a cake full of frosting. The first bite may be tasty, but there's no way I can digest the whole thing.
Georgie James - "Comfortable Headphones"
Discussed an ep by this band during a March update, now here's the full-length courtesy of Saddle Creek. The album provides better context for their New Pornographers style power pop, and maybe I'm just more open to the sound now that the NP's disappointing release has surfaced. There's no one emotionally riotous cut on the record, but it is very ebulliantly executed with plenty of strong tones both vocally and sonically. Not sure if more spins would further my appreciation, but I did play a song from the ep on 9/27/07.
Shocking Pinks - "Emily"
So Shocking Blue have a female singer while Shocking Pinks have a male singer? What gives with the gender reversal? And why it is so difficult to find anything about this band on google? Someone wrote a book called Shocking Pink which confuses my efforts, or maybe I just have the band name wrong. In any case there's about 3 words to the lyrics of this song and the major one is right there in the title. Bass heavy pop heavily informed by new wave era Cure or Wire.
Firefox AK - "Cardiac Arrest"
Great to see this album being released in the states on Minty Fresh. I've had the Swedish import for about a year now and am enamored with this female vocalist and the catchy electronic beats that back her in an exuberant 80's dance fashion. She does a fantastic job kicking her voice up or down an octave at just the right time during a song, punctuating a line with the perfect amount of emotion. Played a cut on 9/20/07. Great fun yet very affecting as well.
Bella - "For The Last Time"
Simple female fronted pop tunes with insistent percussion and very little variation in the theme. Sounds like something Josie & the Pussycats would do if they still existed. Listening to it twice definitely reveals the limitations of their vocal prowess, they even struggle to convincingly place superfluous "hoo" sounds in the chorus. Supermarket soundsystem fodder.
Les Savy Fav - "Patty Lee"
New one from these NYC (weren't they originally from RI?) 80's post-punk revivalists has found favor with just about everyone down at WMBR. Pretty much what you'd expect from LSF with spindly guitars and shouted vocals working across a heavy drumbeat. This one is packaged tighter with more sonic variety from song to song meaning there's something for everyone. Closed the 9/20/07 show with this song.
Mobius Band - "Leave The Keys In The Door"
A much fuller sound from this formerly local band (also now migrated to NYC) which makes me nostalgic for their more electronic based past. The simple charm of their previous songs has been replaced, no space is provided for rest or relaxation. Instead every crevice is filled with extra extra guitar, drum fills, or whatever burst of energy they can cram in lengthwise. Played on 9/27/07.
Stars - "The Ghost of Genova Heights"
The negative pre-release vibe for the new Stars has been justified, as this effort pales in comparison to the restrained brilliance of the recent release by the Memphis side-project. The Smiths cap-tips are just a bit too slavish, the smirks a bit too knowing, the lyrics missing the emotional connections so effortlessly formed on previous releases. Sonically it sweats from the effort expended worshipping late-80s UK alterna-pop and is too busy for its own good.
His Name Is Alive - "Oh Miss Flower"
Another left turn from Warn Defever, as if we should expect anything less. No retro-soul to be found here, this fits solidly in the current crop of pop bands that utilize late 80's metrics to calibrate their sound to today's teenaged emotional register.
Kevin Drew - "Big Love"
The first of the Broken Social Scene side projects, I hesitate to say it sounds like a proper BSS release but even a perusal of the liner notes provides evidence in support of that conclusion as most of the principles are here. Overall Drew's more experimental leanings towards strange tempo shifts and pauses take center stage with no one vocalist dominating any tune yet everything still participating in full. Perhaps it's a bumpier ride because of the delibate lack of friendly structure but it's still very identifiably rooted with BSS style.
Mum - "Blessed Brambles"
The leadoff track of the new Mum record, which contains all the required elements of a quality Mum effort. Glitchy beats, halting dual vocals, horns & strings & plenty of plucked things - they are all present. It all gets a bit too pale & precious song after song after song though if you love the vibe then they certainly deliver. I can take only so many cutesy chimes and blessed burbly baubles before my cynic meter hits full.
Attrition - "You Will Remember Nothing"
Perhaps to drown my cuteness overload from the previous release here's a re-issue of the 3rd album by the arty goth project Attrition. Spoken male-female vocals behind clattering drums and a collection of malevolent odd sonic bits create a haunted house vibe, as you never know what's around the corner.
Akron/Family - "Crickets"
I adore songs with crickets (look for a future first hour theme), so this was a natural for 9/27/07. Never thought of Andrew Weiss as having a signature sound as a producer but this album offers some evidence that the laid-back jubilation present in Ween's releases may be in good part to Weiss' light touch. Akron/Family have never sounded happier, and while I dislike the omnipresent choral touches that create a woodsy Polyphonic Spree feel I must admit they certainly sound joyous without a hint of pretense. This song is one of the few straight faux-folk tunes on the disc, and while several other songs were tempting their 7+ minute length scared me away.
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