Sally Shapiro - "Hold Me So Tight"
Blonde and Swedish isn't what I'd expect from someone with the last name Shapiro, but other than that there are few surprises here. The album is called Disco Romance and indeed it's pure dance music, more early 90's Italio than late 70's American but still absolutely clubworthy. If you fondly remember Waltz For Debbie this will migrate to the top of your stacks. Played on 10/18/07.
The Scotland Yard Gospel Choir - "Then And Not A Moment Before"
Bloodshot Records is not the label I'd expect for this jumpy indiepop outfit as they have little in common with their labelmates. There is some light slide guitar, otherwise this is pure late 80's janglepop complete with peppy horns. Y'know, the type resurrected in the late 90's by Swedes and Scots alike. Played on 10/18.
Pre - "Greasers"
Noisy stop-start mayhem in the style of Melt-Banana complete with high-pitched wailing and screaming from a fashion-challenged lead singer who (at least) visually compares favorably to YYY's Karen O. The type of band where the shorter the song the better the song ... anything beyond 3 minutes seems like a prog rock epic in comparison. Played during a JDDCE fill-in on 10/20.
AA Bondy - "No Man Shall"
Lo-key alt-country that worked better for my ears when more backing instruments were added to the mix. Regardless, there's a smoothness to the execution which seems to ache for The River scene, where I would appreciate a little more fuzz in the amps.
Southeast Engine - "Quit While You're Ahead"
Energetic rock that unfortunately puts it somewhere between the BoC and LRC demographic here at WMBR, consequently insuring it was ignored by our dj's. The vocals have a processed sing-along appeal while musically the guitars build solidly if not memorably to a crashing chorus. Like the Medonza Line in their most upbeat and blandest moments.
Shipwreck - "Kiss In The Dark"
There are always a few releases that test my snap judgment about their worthiness, this is one of them. Upon first listen I went with my customary "if it has any potential whatsoever, save it" rule only to realize later there was no potential. Deep throated lead singer attempts to transmit emotion across late 80's UK guitar soundscapes and comes up well short of The National standard.
Aarktica - "Seventy Jane"
On the other side of the street here's a release I keep meaning to air but haven't yet pushed play for OTA. Deliciously patient moody rock that uses the heavy bass/distorted guitar/deep voice pattern with a frog-in-a-frying-pan build until the wave finally culminates creeping up on the listener by crashing with choral certainty.
Plumerai - "Avernal"
Local Boston band that does a reasonable job of recreating the mid-period vibe of Concrete Blonde complete with expressively deep female vocals and moody rock accompaniment that scrapes the sides of the goth genre while adding a touch of dark Americana. Impressively sprawling with flow that certainly pays off for listeners with a bit of patience. Played during A Distored Reality fill-in on 10/10.
Citay - "On The Wings"
This early 70's inspired tune was initially considered 'too long' to play by this host, but repeated exposure swayed me to spin it on 10/25. A lovely country/folk-rock sun-dappled early FM radio tune with impressively meticulous guitar work that consistently impresses across its 7+ minute frame. If I could convince the Pontoon Palace to give a listen it certainly would fit in with Rich's musical sensibilities.
Jimmy Eat World - "Here It Goes"
Another step backwards from the earnest connection forged by Bleed American. The hit-making pressure of Interscope seems to weigh heavily on this forced arena-rock effort, their previously effortless ability to connect with the emotional state of their audience has completely abandonded them, morphing into forced chant-along catchiness. So sad, so sad.
Holy Fuck - "Lovely Allen"
Instrumental band from Nova Scotia that appropriately builds urgent bass-driven efforts that feel much longer than their tidy song lengths due to the casual build-and-flow of multiple organic and electronic instruments working together in an animated fashion. Spun on 10/11, after which it promptly disappeared from our shelves (sob).
Prints - "I Wanna Know"
Pinback side project follows a similar strict punchy rhythmic template but with a reduced tempo and a late 70's funk feel, nevermind the occasional appearance of a prog-rock style vocal. Good groove-along-while-driving-in-the-car music.
The Most Serene Republic - "Why So Looking Back"
Repesentitive of the "too much is too much" musical school, as of late I've been hearing bands enamored with bands like Broken Social Scene that seem to think "if we have 24 tracks, let's include 24 instruments!" The result may be fitfully captivating but rest assured the moment will pass in seconds as another sparkly bell or a 2nd piano or a 3rd backing vocals forces its way into the song.
Samara Lubelski - "Parallel Suns"
Another solo release from the MV & EE member is more focused in Edith Frost style pop and less folky that the previous release. Everything but the vocals has a sparkly folk-psych pop energy, as Samara is still relatively laid back and obscured in her execution.
Monster Bobby - "Beyond The Reach Of Arms"
The actual musical genius behind the pop confection that is The Pipettes, this release sonically has little to do with 60's girl groups. His limited vocal pallette certainly demostrates why he stays behind the scenes in his more popular incarnation, though it's certainly not without charm. These songs are short bursts of energy seemingly inspired by anything from new wave energy to anarchic fuzzpop, rarely settling into a predictable groove. Played to close the 10/18 show.
Dri - "You Know I Tried"
The separate efforts of the now dispersed Anniversary have disappointed, including this solo effort by Adrianne. The production effort adds a mannish quality to her voice and the ebullient glitchpop on this particular song gets too gummy and glossy for me on the other songs contianed by her new release. Played on 10/25.
Maritime - "Pearl"
A slight sonic tweak to the formula forged by this post-Promise Ring effort. Nothing major, just a little more space in the production that allows the guitar to get a bit of grit and provides some space for the rhythm section to work their propulsive magic. In other words, its the slightly chunky peanut butter, not the previously super-smooth version. Still just as tasty though, for those willing to approach the gates of emo-pop (where we can hang out with the Weakerthans) without actually having to go through.
The Clientele - "Your Song"
A very short ditty from the soundtrack album Songs For The Bigtop. Devon Reed's new musical includes a baker's dozen of songs penned by himself, but he intelligently sought indie rock stalwarts like Tullycraft, Damien Jurado, Eleventh Dream Day and many more to put them to music. This is the Clientele's rather brief offering, spun on 10/11.
Freezepop - "Do You Like Boys?"
Another fine new wavey dancepop effort from our local treasure, played on 11/1. Their charm has not dimished, neither has their ability to match the efforts of historical markers like Depeche Mode or Yaz.
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