It took me all the way until Friday but I've got another batch of album reviews for you, my dear public. Please enjoy. Please comment!! If you like what you see, become a follower. Or if that doesn't suit you electronically, perhaps you might choose to post a link to the blog on Facebook and share the love. Be sure to tune in next time with reviews on Squirrel Nut Zippers, Phil Collins, Femi Kuti, Pink Martini and more. And maybe something extra special. Just for you. Cause I like you.
The Decemberists "The King is Dead"
The Decemberists' latest release, if you haven't heard, goes way down a country road, but luckily, the integrity of their songs remains. I mean, they are nice enough songs, mostly very simple in structure, and Colin's voice is well suited to them. All the musicians are pretty stellar; I think most people would agree. That said, I think the majority of the songs lack a certain something, a shine to them, something that sets them apart from any old song. And maybe they are intended to be "any old songs," but I'm not too sure about that. The only memorable song (after one listen) was "Down By the Water," but don't get me wrong, anything the Decemberists touch is gonna be good. Recommended for indie and country rock fans.
No Doubt "Tragic Kingdom"
The debut album of No Doubt was interesting to listen to for the first time following my listen to Return of Saturn last week. Right from the first seconds, the reggae/ska vibe is clearly established. Other parts sound closer to straight ahead punk, grunge, and high-energy alternative rock outfits of the time. There is also some Latin/Spanish influence on "You Can Do It" that was a little surprising. All in all, I got bored with many of these songs in the middle of the album, whether they were too basic, repetitive, annoying or just didn't go anywhere. Tracks 4, 5 and 6 are pretty blah but Track 7 "The Climb" is new and interesting. Buried 10 tracks deep is the smash hit "Don't Speak." I didn't even realize it was their song until the first C minor chords are heard. Overall, a good mix of stuff but ultimately, their sound is just not figured out yet. At some points there are so many dubs going on you are just overwhelmed with sound information and it doesn't seem like that's their intention. They just recorded a lot of stuff and then didn't cut very much out. The sound gets a lot tighter and the harmonies more advanced five years later on Return of Saturn. Now I just need to hear the album in between! Still, it's clear why No Doubt got noticed by this debut album.
Yeasayer "All Hour Cymbals"
There is no classifiable sound from Yeasayer it seems, and that certainly holds true with this album. My eyes widened at the Mars Volta-like vibes I was getting from the first track, "Sunrise." Then the second track channels late 60's early 70's psych/folk energies. The third track is probably closest to 90's alternative in sound, and the fourth track is 60's. Pretty amazing that it's still fairly coherent as an entity. The same notions from my earlier Yeasayer review apply: a plethora of instruments, sound sources, vocal layers, effects...a somewhat intense sensory experience. I guess this is like Animal Collective in some ways (which I did not mention earlier, but it dawns on me now) so if you are looking for something new and unusual, go for Yeasayer.
The Drifters "The Very Best of the Drifters"
Classic R&B sound. Most of these are good tunes and good arrangements. Reading the liner notes was very informative and an insight into the bizarre workings of pop groups in those days. The original Drifters were a completely different group, which wasn't doing very well, and one day they played a show with The Crowns. Consequently the guy who owned the name "The Drifters" made the Crowns the Drifters and fired everybody else. What? It's also interesting to see who was writing the songs of the day. A lot of Pomus/Shuman and Goffin/King as well as Broadway stuff. A bittersweet foray into the smiling world of 50's pop.
Frank Sinatra "Duets II"
One of the most recognizable voices of recorded music teams up with various people of varyingly attractive voices, for better or worse. Most of the vocal talent is tolerable, but the band is unbelievable! Wow. I got this CD to hear "For Once in My Life" since I am a Stevie Wonder fan, but this version is pretty crazy and very far away from the original, to the point where it's almost comical. Stevie Wonder also just plays a harmonica solo and doesn't sing: Gladys Knight does. Old Blue Eyes is a legend for a reason and he owns this style, so if you're a fan, you'll surely enjoy this CD.
Various Artists "Bokoor Beats"
This is a collection of Afro-rock, -beat, -pop, electric highlife, and related genres recorded by and/or written by John Collins. Bokoor means "coolness" and that is what you've got here. Extremely funky 70's guitar and bass lines and tones mingle with driving African percussion and you've got a groovin' sound. Some have ties closer to jazz, some closer to funk (James Brown), some closer to 70's contemporary electric psychedelic rock (especially Jimi Hendrix), some disco.... The African quality is always distinctive and prominent though, hence the "Afro" prefix. It's interesting how well two different sounds made in different continents can be simply superimposed and then begin to mesh. My only complaint could be that the songs are extremely repetitive. Verse and chorus riffs just loop endlessly; only vocal parts change. However, there's no reason most people could possibly dislike listening to this music. It's compelling and universally acceptable: interesting, no?
Another Big Machine "Volume 1"
]A pre-release, promotional copy of this album came into my hands and I had no idea what it was. Turns out it's a pretty good band that is pretty good at playing emo exactly by the book. Close comparisons and probable influences include The All-American Rejects, Switchfoot, Dashboard Confessional, Jimmy Eat World, The Academy Is..., that sort of thing, as well as cited influences of 90's rock like Matchbox 20. Some parts of the singer's voice recall The Rocket Summer but just not as high and annoying, so that's a plus. The last song "Go" is my favorite of the album. There's nothing inherently wrong with the songs and to be honest, they were recorded/produced well and if I had written them, I would be happy. However, there's no denying that this isn't obviously formulaic and tired in style, but if your alumni association needs to hire a band that coed buzzed twenty-somethings can nod their heads to in unison, Another Big Machine is probably cheap.
The Sugarcubes "Stick Around For Joy"
For those of you who don't know, The Sugarcubes was Björk's band that made the bridge from the late 80's to early 90's before Björk went off on her own. This is probably all the information you need to know that the Sugarcubes are awesome, but do take a listen for yourself. They have a punk aesthetic (really punchy syncopated drums and grungy bass lines) mixed with 80's synth patches and The Cure dramatic guitar swells, all topped off with Björk's sui generis wails and sensibility. Interesting stuff and if you like Björk and alt rock and can tolerate the 80's, you'll get down to the Sugarcubes.
Hot Chip "Coming On Strong"
Interesting 11-track effort from 2005 from British electro-pop band Hot Chip. Something about their sound I would describe as minimalist. Sure there are different layers going on but there is space in the stereo image and the beats have room to breathe. It's not clogged full of rapidly changing notes, it's a little looser, a little more free and breathable, so it has a chill vibe to it. 80's style drum samples provide simple looping beats while the harmonies stagger and evolve in a way you might expect from a creative indie rock band but not necessarily a four-on-the-floor dance music outfit, so it's clear Hot Chip is not the latter. Fans of lo-fi (for its minimalist aesthetic), electronic (for its beats and sample-based riffs) and indie rock (for its non-formulaic approach to an old, formulaic genre) will have something to enjoy in Hot Chip. This record is not particularly radio-friendly, however, but later releases head that way.
mewithoutYou "it's all crazy! it's all false! it's all a dream! it's alright"
This 2009 album is a collection of neo-folk, indie rock songs with vivid religiously themed lyrics. Interesting song structure and interesting instrumentation complements the dense lyrical content. I wasn't too familiar with mewithoutYou before this album; all I knew was they were a little wacky, had religious undertones, and the singer had a bit of a strange voice. Apparently (I learned via Wikipedia) with this album they refined and mellowed out their sound and the vocalist spends more time singing rather than shout-talking. So I'm not sure if this is a good place to start or not in understanding mewithoutYou but I found it at PREX for $2 so...this one is first. Probably not last.
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