Archive for April, 2005
jamie on April 28th, 2005
I wasn’t sure really what to think of this one when I first heard it a couple weeks ago, but somehow, it keeps getting arranged in my iPod just after the new Mountain Goats single Dilaudid (read below) that I’m really loving, and as tense and immediate as Dilaudid is, Crosses breathes calmly in its haunting beauty. Then, Gonzalez played live on Zane Lowe’s show Tuesday, and played Crosses live. I’ve just not been able to get it out of myhead since then, and that’s really quite okay, because it’s a great song. I eagerly await the US release of Gonzalez’s album.
jamie on April 27th, 2005
Noel Gallagher on new Oasis tracks that were recently leaked to the internet: “eh, if you can find ‘em, go get ‘em”. I love it.
jamie on April 26th, 2005
Ben Folds - Songs For Silverman
This is Folds’ first full-length since 2001’s Rockin’ The Suburbs and second solo album, and shines with the prodigeous songwriter’s hands on piano, drums, and bass. The single Landed is just made for AAA radio with it’s catchy hook and flowing piano arrangement. The album starts strong in Bastard, where Folds offers his advice to the too quick to grow old youth of today: “It’s okay / If you don’t know everything”. Late is a solemn ode to Elliot Smith, while Gracie is the opposite: a bright celebration of his daughter’s young life (she’s nearly 6 now). In all, Songs For Silverman is a well-balanced, finely crafted album that is a pleasure to listen to.
The Caesars - Paper Tigers
Sigh. After months of hearing the remixed release of Jerk It Out, I was looking forward to more of that poppy guitar and organ and hand clap rock that makes those sillouettes dance so crazy all the time. Unfortunately, when I unwrapped Paper Tigers I found not more of the same, but rather Jerk It Out and twelve other tracks. Those other twelve tracks are mostly just more Brit-rock like everything else. Except these guys are Sweedish. Okay, I love Brit music. Since giving up on Dave, Phillip, Oscar and Alex Radio in the States two years ago, I’ve been a UK radio addict, streaming BBC radio over the ‘net all day, every day. So, when I say “more Brit-rock” it really isn’t all that bad- I just someone would push the envelope more. Anyways, back to Paper Tigers…The album is not entirely without it’s redeeming qualities: My Heart Is Breaking Down adds some soul to the album, while Out There is a catchy riff-n-rock tune, most likely to try and follow Jerk It Out as a single. Still, none of the tracks on the album truly capture the energy or feel of the “shuffle song” that has been burned into out heads through constant bombardment on television.
The Mountain Goats - The Sunset Tree
Ahhh. Quirky, simple songs with melodic delight in each sample. That’s the short review this album, and really sums it up nicely. John Darnielle is The Mountain Goats, and his form of folk-rock. Simple arrangements of instruments backing Darnielle’s sometimes quirky lyrics and vocals join together in a way that just makes my ears happy. Dilaudid is truly my favorite track on this album- tense vocals over a beautiful strings arrangement give the track a feeling of frantic urgency, and neccessity. Like driving drunk on a winding bluffside road at dusk, the whole two minutes of this track leave you feeling like you missed that last curve, and are plummetting in to the ocean. Of course, you will be quickly saved by the lighthearted Dance Music, while Darnielle remenisces about childhood. When the rest of the world wants to churn out same-sounding Brit-rock knock-offs, weird music rocks!
Amerie - Touch
Sigh. While her sophomore effort by far surpasses her 2002 debut, I was hoping for more of that 1 Thing sickness. But instead, I am disappointed by Touch. Vocally, Amerie seems to slip into the same melodies/rhythms over and over again. I don’t expect complex lyrical poetry to come from a one-name R&B act, but this album suffers form a lack of those as well. Produciton overall is good, but when you lead us with a single like 1 Thing, you better be holding at least one other incredible track for me. I didn’t find any other such gems on this album.
jamie on April 26th, 2005
I found this pic of the cutest little girl on a MySpace member’s picture page, and just had to add a bit of KidzBop to it. So, turn up your volume, and get ready to rock!
jamie on April 25th, 2005
Yes, I know, it’s been a week since my last post. My mom always said that if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anythign at all- and there’s just been nothing nice to say about new music in the past week. Well, except that a track form Kanye West’s next album leaked to the ‘net on Thursday, and I’ve been hooked on it ever since. Diamonds (Are Forever) features samples from the them to 1971’s James Bond film of the same title (sung by Shirley Bassey). I wouldn’t have thought of using that one, but Kanye puts it to good use, building on the whailing shrill of Bassey’s voice. I have no idea when it will be availble for public release, but I’m sure radio all over the country will be spinning it soon enough.
jamie on April 18th, 2005
Browsing through Radio & Records’ Going For Ads, I notice a listing for this track from the highly anticipated solo album from Mike Doughty on ATO records (May 3, kids!). A quick click on the Electronic Press Kit, and bam! I’ve got the extended-title release of a terrific song playing! Anyway, Doughty’s sound from Soul Coughing to Rockitty Roll didn’t change too much, and at it’s core, isn’t much different here either. BUT, there is a LOT more production behind this track, giving it a larger sound than previous work from Doughty and at the same time detracting from the core beauty of Doughty’s songwriting. Don’t get me wrong, I still LOVE this track- top of the iPod playlist immediately- but I’m still rooted in Doughty’s earlier work. Either way, look for the single on your local “all mixed up, all the time” radio station (AAA), or on the album Haughty Melodic on May 3. Haughty Melodic was produced by ex-Semisonic Dan Wilson, and features guest appearances by Dave Matthews, and cellist Jane Scarpantoni.
jamie on April 18th, 2005
Browsing through last week’s releases, I found the new single from Deborah “don’t call me debbie anymore” Gibson, Naked. I wish that I could say that this teen-beat icon of my youth has struck it again with a grown-up hit single to go with her new all-growed-up stage name (Deborah has been doing a rather sucessful run of musical theater roles in the US and UK in the past several years). I wish that the youngest person ever to write, produce and perform a ..1 song could show the world that she still had it - but I can’t. This track is more re-processed teen beat, bubble-gum pop for the world to ignore. After the years of singing Grease and Chicago, Gibson has regressed into little more than an American Idol wannabe.
jamie on April 17th, 2005
Radio1 first intro’d me to KT Tunstall back in december with Black Horse And The Cherry Tree, which quickly gained momentum, and got regular spins on that station and sister channel 6music. Now, KT is booked in Radio1’s Big Weekend music festival in May, and her second single Other Side OF The World is gaining its own momentum on the station. Where Black Horse… was a straighforward rocker in the vein of Melissa Etheridge, Other Side Of The World is a darkly beautiful ballad with a pop radio-ready rhythm section. The video is available as a stream from her website. Sharing the stage with the likes of Foo Fighters, Kasabian, Natalie Imbruglia, and Athlete this may in Sunderland will no doubt thrust Tunstal into the limelight across the UK, will we be hearing more of her stateside in the future? One can only hope.
jamie on April 13th, 2005
So, Q-Tip is over with his label woes, and has teamed up with Busta Rhymes and The Neptunes to release the single For The Nasty. I have to say, even with the lack of important or culturally relevant lyrics (i.e. read the title of the track), I like this one. Maybe it’s the Neptunes input- you just can’t seem to go wrong with a Neptune behind the beats. It’s organic and thick, but not without artfully using silence and breaks. OR maybe it’s the way that Q-Tip and Rhymes flow so smoothly together. Either way, I like this one. Check it out, and be on the look out for the remix- it’ll be there soon enough.
jamie on April 13th, 2005
Yeah, that’s what I said- er rather, that’s what Maximo Park has to say in their new single Graffitti. The first single Apply Some Pressure was an instant rocker and is still in my top playlist two months later. Graffitti takes a bit longer to grow on you, but the hook will reel you into its fingers, and trap you like a Dionaea Muscipula (nerd points for me). Seriously, go check it out on their website: www.maximopark.com, along with other audio and video clips, inluding the aforementioned Apply Some Pressure!
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