Staff Picks
Charles's Album Picks: Week of 03/02/09
Merzbow & Richard Pinhas "Keio Line" [Cuneiform]
*Japanoise legend Masami Akita aka Merzbow and electric guitar mad-genius Richard Pinhas join forces to trepan the brittle skull of 21st century electronic music with their 2-disk tour-de-force entitled "Keio Line". The title refers to the "strange studio at the end of the metro Keio Line [in Tokyo]" where the sonic alchemy took place during the two-day session at the end of 2007. Keio Line opens with an 18 minute soundscape entitled "Tokyo Electric Guerilla" awash in filters and tastefully executed walls of sound, a technique that seems to be lost on modern day noise artists who forget the old adage of less is more. The sustained notes and filters segue into a hypnotic syncopated electric pulsation layered beneath the first semblance of the 'Merzbow sound', i.e. the sounds of sheet metal being slowly ripped to shreds in deep space, that is if space were an appropriate medium for sound propagation.
RIYL Robert Fripp, Brian Eno, Wolf Eyes
*I couldn't resist using this annoying neologism, but hey, It's better than"new-gaze", am I right?
Nels Cline “Coward” [Cryptogramaphone, 2009]
“Coward”, the first solo album from Rolling Stone Magazine’s “Guitar God” Nels Cline, is the culmination of 3 decades of guitar virtuosity spanning Cline’s work with Wilco, to his more adventurous original compositions and free improvisations with the Nels Cline Singers. Here Cline demonstrates his proficiencies in the fields of finger picking (ala John Fahey), improvisation, and composition.
The moods exhibited on this recording run the gamut from melancholia to exuberant joie de vivre, from meditative to “rootsy” to other worldly. Where some solo albums give one the impression of eaves dropping, Nels Cline grants the listener exclusive access to the inner depths of his creativity via his guitar and various electronics. “Coward” opens with the horticultural themed drone piece entitled “Epiphyllum”. The mysterious soundscape piece then segues beautifully into the arpeggiated acoustic guitar piece “Prayer Wheel”, perhaps named with respect to its repetitious qualities, as in the Tibetan Buddhist practice of spinning prayer wheels adorned with Tantric mantras. “Prayer Wheel” as is the rest of “Coward” is crafted to perfection with profound devotional undertones.
Cowardice has no place in this recording.
Matthew Shipp Trio - “Harmonic Disorder” [Thirsty Ear, 2009]
Harmonic Disorder is the latest release from pianist/composer Matthew Shipp on the Thirsty Ear recording label’s Blue Series, a subsidiary dedicated to adventurous and creative modern music. Matthew Shipp’s music is highly idiosyncratic and simultaneously derivative of the forbearers of modern Be-Bop and out-jazz piano. Throughout his career Mr. Shipp has forged a totally unique improvisational syntax as the modern extension in the continuum of history’s most influential jazz pianists such as Bud Powell, Thelonious Monk, Paul Bley, and Cecil Taylor. Certain elements from the aforesaid appear in Matthew Shipp’s playing, such as dense tonal clusters, use tri-tones, substitutions, and twelve-tone scales. However, Mr. Shipp’s skills in composition and improvisation are uniquely his own and do not in the least rely on the mere ‘mimicry’ of past players. Joining Mr. Shipp for this session is bassist Joe Morris, and drummer Whit Dickey, completing the same lineup from the acclaimed 2005 recording Piano Vortex.
The album opens with an original composition entitled “gng”, with a head whose intervals sound as if they could belong to a Thelonious Monk composition/solo, but retain such an exclusive execution on behalf of Mr. Shipp that they sound wholly original and modern. The band plays a solid swing from beginning to end maintaining a high degree of intensity and momentum while the next four minutes are opened up for an inspiring piano solo complete with tastefully executed comps, and minimal tension enhancing drum fills, and a walking base line that appears to intuitively “interact” with the piano solo instead of merely following chord progressions. The trio then seamlessly returns to the head of the song thus creating a refreshing compositional symmetry.
Following “gng’ is the trio’s interpretation of the standard “There Will Never Be Another You”, deconstructed almost beyond recognition but still retaining some semblance of the original melody and played with an intense swing pulse. The group’s rendition of “Someday My Prince will Come,” a standard that has been played by a multitude of jazz pianists including Dave Brubeck, Bill Evans, Art Lande, and Oscar Peterson, is both hauntingly beautiful and inspiring. Harmonic Disorder is the most enjoyable recording I’ve had the privilege of hearing in the last year (that is the last 365 days, not the three-week-old 2009). In its entirety the record contains everything from straight-ahead 2 & 4 swing, lush ballades, beautiful minor chord dirges, and the most expressive use of twelve notes I’ve experienced since Cecil Taylor.
Katherine's Album Picks: Week of 02/01/09
Flipper - "Gone Fishin'" [Water]
So glad that I got to put Flipper in rotation!! This CD has been reissued (as well as three of their others) by the lovely little label Water in San Francisco. They even recreated the record cover for "Gone Fishin'" which was originally available for sale on its own so that people could make their own Flipper tour van. Flipper were a great post-punk band around in San Francisco during the 80s. They were a lot heavier and slower than other punk bands around at the time. "Gone Fishin'" was their second studio CD which originally came out in 1984. I've heard that it wasn't well received at the time because it sounded a lot cleaner than their first album, but it's really a great bit of arty punk music. It also includes my favorite Flipper song "Sacrifice" - a harsh denouncement of war with some throbbing bass.
Stephen Steinbrink - "Ugly Unknowns" [Gilgongo]
I got this CD from Stephen himself when he played at Rhinoceropolis a few weeks ago since the bands were trying to get rid of unsold merch on the last night of tour. I was a little surprised to learn that he was only 20 when I was looking him up in the internetz. The songs on here are all so pensive and developed that he comes across as being very mature. These are really simple songs that highlight his angel-like voice. Seriously, it is SO pretty. He's from Tuscon and has collaborated with Brittany Gould from local project Married in Berdichev. He also goes by the name French Quarter and seems to come to Colorado at least a few times a year, so be sure to see him next time!
Wheels on Fire - "Get Famous!" [Fat Possum]
Garage rock! Who doesn't like garage rock? These guys lay it on thick with cowbell and organ. They are out of Ohio and are big in Europe. Jump on the bandwagon!
Past Picks
Week of 10/27/08
Charles's Picks
Washington Phillips - "What Are They Doing in Heaven Today?" [Mississippi]
Ed mentioned the mighty Mississippi Records label in an earlier review and if you haven't checked them out yet - get on it! They've been releasing lots of really interesting ethnic/historic albums that are all pretty cheap too.
I recently picked up their collection of songs from gospel singer Washington Phillips entitled "What Are They Doing in Heaven Today?". I was happy to find it since it was put out in a limited pressing of 500. These tracks come from 1927-1929 and include all but 4 of the songs ever recorded by him. His brand of gospel sounds very different from anything else I've heard. He plays a homemade instrument whose original identification as a Dolceola has been contested by music historians. Now it is usually thought to be a zither. Whatever it is, the instrument sounds a lot like a music box and gives a dream-like feeling to his songs. These are warm, sweet songs that perfectly articulate the heavenly nature of the good word.
Cause Co-Motion! - "It's Time: Singles & EPs 2005-2008" [Slumberland]
I loooove pop music - twee pop, jangle pop, power pop... and Cause
Co-Motion! certainly does too! You're not really going to hear anything
new on this album, but they brilliantly follow after the C-86 bands that
are so dear to me. Their shambly guitars, bouncy melodies and propulsive
rhythms are spot on. So much fun to listen to.
The Knew - "Boom Bust" [Self-released]
These guys are a local band. Some of them used to volunteer at 1190 too!
I've always liked their sound a lot. They have a driving rootsy, punky
feeling with some really interesting rhythms and strong vocals. They're
really tight and definitely stand out from other Denver bands. They
recorded this album with Bryan from the Hot IQs at Uneven Studios.
"Renaissance Man" is the jam.
Week of 10/06/08
Ed's Picks
Figures of Light - "Smash Hits" [Norton]
It's hard to imagine a band releasing one single in 1972 that barely saw the light of day, let a lone a record store shelf, and managing to come back some 35 years later with something interesting to offer. But, you don't need to listen to the Figures Of Light for very long to realize they're not your average early 70's rock combo. In 2005 Norton records continued in a tradition shared by the likes of Tim Warren (Crypt records and "Back From the Grave " ) and the late Greg Shaw (Bomp! records and "Pebbles"), by releasing another lost gem of seminal embryonic punk rock . Wheeler Winston Dixon (vocals/slide guitar), Michael Downey (rhythm guitar/ backing vocals), Phil Cohen (lead guitar), and Dennis Druzbik (bass) were ahead of their time to say the least, and if the New York based label's reissue of their extremely limited 1972 two- sider "It's Lame" b/w "I Jes Wanna Go To Bed" wasn't evidence enough, "Smash Hits" is the nail in the coffin. Punk, half a decade before "Punk", covered in sharp two-chord fuzz, seething with angst and frustration, and rooted in garage trash. Don't be deterred by the fact that the majority of the material on the record was recorded in 2005. After more than three decades of silence these guys don't miss a beat.
Conor's Picks
Yo Majesty - "Futuristically Speaking: Never Be Afraid" [Domino]
Yo Majesty is the most subversive and refreshing phenomenon in hip hop in many years. And since hip hop has become a wasteland of misogyny, homophobia, hypermasculinity, and uniformity, Yo Majesty's latest Domino release, Futuristically Speaking¦ Never Be Afraid couldn't have come at a better time. Jewel B and Shunda K, the two open and proud lesbian MCs who are gaining quite the reputation for performing topless, speak their mind and powerfully assert a queer message that breaks through the confines of heterocentrism. Yet, Yo Majesty is under attack for promoting the same sexual and gendered exploitation of mainstream hetero rappers. But assuming that queerness must be restrained in the limitations of political correctness is homogenous and despotic. Queerness speaks to the spectrum of diversity and I applaud that Yo Majesty aren't afraid to yell "get down on your knees and slurp it". Dusted's Ben Yaster's statement that "Futuristically Speaking isn't a thesis, and Yo Majesty is a far cry from academic provocateurs. They might provoke, but they aim primarily to entertain" is absurd and completely missing the point. Fortunately, hip hop has created a critical dialogue that exists far from the elitism of the Ivory Tower. Hip hop is about expressing real life problems and realities, a street life that is much more connected to actual cultures than a separatist university existence. In doing so, Shunda K and Jewel B etch out and call out the multiple facets of oppression in combining criticism of homophobia, white racist violence, and male constructions of beauty. When their forceful and progressive MCing proclaims, "Dis country boys eat niggers like us for dinner, while thick, black beautiful women is getting thinner", what's the point of writing a thesis? Futuristically Speaking is strongly recommended for anyone proud to bounce to jolting the nuclear family, the religious fundamentalists, frat-boys, a square P.C. doctrine, male and heterosexual dominance in hip hop and plastic surgery bods. Like the great political hip hop artists of the Golden Age (1985-1995), Public Enemy, Poor Righteous Teachers, Paris and X-Clan, with Yo Magesty true hip hop is back on the map. Futuristically Speaking... Never Be Afraid is a well-drafted title: Yo Magesty's forward thinking attitude is what is necessary in "never be afraid" to surpass all conservativists, the homophobes and the square politically correct.
Concert Review - Silver Jews Live at the Bluebird Theater in Denver
David Berman and his fellow Silver Jews performed at Denver’s Bluebird Theatre on Saturday to an almost packed house. In line with Berman’s consistently witty records, the show blended the profane and sacred with the old and the new. Though they didn’t play their early anthem “Rebel Jew”, which bluntly but poignantly reminds us that Jesus was “a rebel Jew who died for you and your sins”, I was glad to see Berman sporting a Star of David necklace. Besides kooky jokes such as, “this one’s going out to my Aunt Fatty… all of them”, most of the profane was the product of the preposterous opener, a trio of Weird Al look-a-likes from Tel Aviv Israel known as Monotonix. The lead singer dumped a trashcan on the drummers head and later dove from the balcony of the Bluebird atop a confused and mostly apathetic crowd. Monotonix may be attention grabbers, but their music, a spoof of MC5-like rock n’ roll wasn’t their main focus and as a result the substance of the group is seriously lacking.
As for the Silver Jews, old classics such as “Trains Across the Sea”, “New Orleans” and “Random Rules” where intermixed between the greater moments of their latest and sixth release, Lookout Mountain, Lookout Sea (2008 Drag City); like “Suffering Jukebox”, a parable about an unfortunate Jukebox stuck in a ‘happy town’ whose volume is “always kept way down low” because “there’s a lot of chatter boxes in this town”. The diversity of the material became a jaunt through the Silver Jews clever fifteen-year career. Yet the well-crafted song selection was merely a shadow hidden behind the dullness of the performance. For one, Berman didn’t even pick up a guitar until the last few numbers; which would have been fine if he was even half as exhilarating as Nick Cave (who played in Denver last weekend and was utterly stunning). Instead of charisma, Berman relied on his monotonous voice and awkward body movements. When he finally picked up his guitar it became clear why he waited so long: the man knows less chords than the Shaggs. Adding to the awkwardness (which I must admit where at times a bit cute) was Berman’s interacted with his wife Cassie, the bassist/backup singer of the Silver Jews. Interspersed between songs, Berman placed his hands on her hips, sneaked cheeky glances at her and softly swatted her nose. Maybe if Stephen Malkmus of Pavement was still in the group he could use his charm to steer the Silver Jews in more exciting directions then clumsy husband/wife stage flirting. But I guess we’ll just have to find out when Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks play the Gothic on November 6th.
In spite of their boring stage presence, his cunning poetry has always outshined the sometimes-bland instrumentation and overall performance. In this sense it was enjoyable to see a talented wordsmith literally come to life in the flesh. And although Berman can’t play a chord or sing a melody to save his life, his ability to transcend sonic disabilities demonstrates a vital connection of the singer/songwriters from the American Underground and the D.I.Y. attitude birthed from punk that called for a backlash against the tactless perfection and wanky technical noodling of the monotonous mainstream.
Charles's Picks
Chug - "Sassafras" [Alias Records]Chug were a band from the early to the mid nineties who played dark, brooding, sludge-laden, distorted rock. This is their first full length album following their first EP entitled ‘Kisser’, from which the title track was used as incidental music in the Nickolodeon cult favorite The Adventures of Pete and Pete, a show that was so hip and offbeat that at one point Iggy Pop was cast to play the role of a single parent, Michael Stipe as a depressed ice cream man, and David Johansson of the New York Dolls as a no nonsense state trooper… but I digress.
Chug’s music is a solid tour de force of distortion, feedback, distorted bass, and melancholic male-female vocal harmonies. The songs of Sassafras can be sonically characterized as being derived from elements of late 60’s psychedelia with a gooey coating of metal guitar riffage festooned over the surface. The occasional appearance of Farfisa organ and harmonica beautifully compliment the fuzz laden Fender Mustangs…at least that’s what I would bet the guitar of choice would be for an early 90’s garage sludge rocker.
Week of 9/12/08
Ed's Picks
Various - "Life Is A Problem... But Where There Is Life There Is Hope" [Mississippi Records]
Like Smithsonian Folkways, Document, Vanguard, and countless less prominent labels, Mississippi Records has released a collection of rare, obscure, and wholly American music. The offerings here cover everything from straightforward gospel to swaggering slide guitar, soulful R&B, and gritty electric and country blues. Unlike many various artist compilations that have a narrower focus, the variety of styles is one of the strongest elements of this release. The Willanette Singers' soulful "Pray on", stands in stark contrast to "Rock & Roll Sermon, pt 1 & pt 2" by Elder Charles Beck's, who while preaching the ills of the devil's music unconsciously delivers one hell of a rockin’ blues number. "Amazing Grace" by Oaklands Famous One Man Band is an emotive instrumental featuring only slide. The title track from Sister Ola Mae Terrel follows in a more traditional country blues style. The Crumb Brothers' "Seat in the Kingdom" has all the makings of a vintage soul/gospel classic a-la Ray Charles. "I Pound A Solid Rock" sounds like an Alan Lomax field recording, thrusted into the modern age by its distorted guitar and primitive percussion. The religious theme runs throughout, but each track comes with its own mood, atmosphere,
and stylistic elements. This vinyl-only LP was originally released in late 2007 and featured a bonus 7". The batch of 500 pressings flew off the shelves of the small, independently owned Portland record store, which doubles as a reissue label, and the records have started to bring at least twice their sticker price on the web. Currently in its third and final pressing "Life Is A Problem…" isn't easy to come by if you're browsing the local shop and just as difficult to keep in stock if you run one. It's a worthwhile addition to any gospel, soul, R&B, or blues collection. Though some titles and artist may be familiar to the seasoned collector or fan, the record can provide worthwhile stylistic insight into the roots of rock and R&B for the layman. Highly recommended. Happy hunting!
Conor's Picks
Brightblack Morning Light - "Motion to Rejoin" [Matador Records]
Brightblack Morning Light (Nathan "Nabob" Shineywater and Rachael "Rabob" or "Rabinyah" Hughes) are topnotch sloth-rockers reigning from Alabama. Unlike most modern hippie sounds (jam bands in particular), Brightblack take their subcultural leanings and branch out into territories that are inconceivable to jammy nitwits. They don’t dwell on thirty-minute guitar solos or release hundreds of repetitive live bootlegs, nor do they pamper to half-assed musical fusions, but the banner on the groups web page does read: “Anti Corporate, Anti Nuclear, Anti Coal, Recorded with 4 Solar Panels”, which my inner-hippie applauds. Brightblack’s hippie vibe is atypical; as is the case with the fantastic split cover EP with Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy, Pebbles and Ripples (2004), in which Brightblack compel Oldham to cover The Grateful Dead and Bob Marley.Furthering their hippie leanings, Brightblack’s connection to the natural environment is a crucial influence on their sound. Residing in the “The Land of Enchantment”, their music reflects the area, as hinted at on Ali.Cali.Tuky’s (2004) beautiful opener, “New Mexico”. I’m sure the fact that Motion to Rejoin (the groups third full-length and second with Matador) was recorded in an intimate cabin in middle of nowhere New Mexico has something to do with nature’s infusion with their resonances. Their respect for the Southwest pleases me, as it’s a region that I am deeply indebted to and fond of. Thus, on Motion to Rejoin the mysteriousness of their compositions shines through like an alpine glow sunrise over a horizon of plateaus. The opening number, “Hologram Buffalo” is like Stereolab on downers. In fact most of Motion to Rejoin sounds like a lot of music on downers: gospel, blues, soul-jazz, and even bizarre country and folk. Brightblack have always displayed beautiful down-tempo rocking reminiscent of distant styles, but with Motion to Rejoin they pull it off flawlessly, sounding both beholden to their forbearers and original. Motion to Rejoin is an idyllic dusk till dawn record, especially if on the road. I thought Pram’s latest, The Moving Frontier (2008), which shares a similar title with Motion to Rejoin, was a shining example of the same tender and cool soundtrack-like aesthetic common with Brightblack. That is until I heard the near perfect execution of Motion to Rejoin. In which each track blends seamlessly with the surroundings and the atmospheric gush felt with its flow is gorgeous and soothing.“Gathered Years” is a lethargic wave of time and space. “Oppressions Each” is spread under a bed of electronics, a beat caught between dub and Mo-Town and lyrics evocative of freethinkers of the 1960’s. Some of the duos harmonizing is distorted, like on “Another Reclamation”, but it’s done in such a manner that the hum and hiss of the vocals only add to the hazy feel of the album. “A Rainbow Aims” is as if a late-60’s Miles Davis hired Otis Redding (when backed by Booker T. & the MG’s) and fed them basins of couch syrup. With chimes, lush keys and the eventual rise of horns, “Summer Hoof” is a great instrumental to flush out anxiety. “Past a Weatherbeaten Fence Post” is the most psychedelic number with wah-wah’s, pastoral production and a breezy ambiance that works well with the title. Motion to Rejoin’s closer, “When Beads Spell Power Leaf”, begins seeped in fusion-funk via Lonnie Liston Smith until reverberations bury the record behind a shadowy chasm. Regrettably, Brightblack harbor some pseudo aspects of the free-folk scene: Native American imagery and monikers as romanticized by white hipsters, a fabricated drifter lifestyle and an adoration for magical realism (which is spurious in and of itself). All of these falsehoods are evident on the albums front cover, which is strewn with feathers adorned above a boat floating in an incandescent blue abyss. Yet Brightblack’s latest work is too powerful to dwell on such mishaps. Like Neil Young, who the celestial duo don’t necessarily sound like, Brightblack elucidate an ambiguous warmth and sincere energy that shouldn’t be overlooked just because the hippie label is seen as a “Scarlet Letter” or because of their free-folk veil.
Week of 9/01/08
Charle's Picks
"The Guiseppi Logan Quartet" [ESP-Disk]This hauntingly beautiful session was almost lost when the producer and the engineer, themselves being entranced by the transcendental sonic tapestry unfurling itself before them, did not to notice that the master tape was running dangerously close to its end, when it finally sounded the ominous "kathwump" and they noticed that this brilliant group interplay will be lost forever. However, The four musicians present in the studio that afternoon (Eddie Gomez b, Milford Graves drs/tabla, Don Pullen p, Giuseppi Logan ts/pakistani oboe) were able back track a few bars into the master, pick up where they left off, and continue to recreate what had originally been perceived as free form improvisation, and later splice it all together.
The result was a type of jazz that had not yet existed. a type of jazz that sounded more like the soundtrack to a nightmare, or a surrealist film. The sound of the Giuseppi Logan quartet can be described as exotic, haunting, atmospheric, and chaotic. However, knowing the groups ability to recreate the conceivably "free-form"improvisation from a previous musical juncture is proof that although sonic chaos, nightmarish textures, and surreal random dissonances ensue, there is an extremely complicated unorthodox syntax governing the improvisation existing beneath it's surface.
The five tracks committed to tape that afternoon in 1964 are a captivating and disturbing insight into the mind and psyche of Giueseppi Logan,a realm which was/is profoundly and creatively brilliant while at the same time being deeply disturbed and in the throes of debilitating mental illness and drug abuse. Within six years of this recording Logan was living in various hotels in Harlem where for the last 38 years he has been spotted wandering the streets near the Apollo theater on 125th street.
Week of 8/27/08
Katherine's Picks
"Give Me Love: Songs of the Brokenhearted - Baghdad, 1925-1929" [Honest Jon's]
It seems like you really can't go wrong with compilations from one of these labels that's dedicated to unearthing invaluable music from the past that you haven't heard of, but this one is particularly amazing. The songs for this album come from The Gramophone Company who employed 2 or 3 Europeans to record music in Iraq in the mid-1920s and produced thousands of recordings. As the title suggests, these songs are blistering with emotion. The lamenting violins are enough to make your heart ache, but on top of that the singers' voices sound strained, almost like they're crying. I can't talk enough about this album, get it because a) it's a wonderful cultural artifact that documents Iraq when it was a British-ruled territory and b) it's SO beautiful.
Patti Smith and Kevin Shields - "The Coral Sea" [Pask]
"The Coral Sea" was a volume of poetry written by Patti Smith about her dear friend Robert Mapplethorpe. He was a photographer who lived with Smith for awhile and took the picture that graces the cover of Smith's album "Horses." He died of AIDS in 1989 and Smith's poetry was written as a posthumous tribute. The title /The Coral Sea/ comes from Smith's metaphor of Mapplethorpe's journey as a sailor's voyage. On these live recordings, her passionate words are made even more intense by Kevin Shields' spacey and truly oceanic guitar parts.
Git Some - "Cosmic Rock" [Self-released]
This is a group of guys from Denver who have quite a musical pedigree between them. They come from Planes Mistaken for Stars, Nightshark, Kingdom of Magic, Sparkles, White Dynamite and Jandek's backing band for his recent Denver performance. They play balls to the wall, fast, loud hardcore/punk/metal that's topped off with Luke Fairchild's aggressive
vocals. This is a ferocious album that should make Denver proud.
Week of 6/01/08
Katherine's Picks
Nomo - "Ghost Rock" [Ubiquity]
Nomo combine afrobeat, funk, and spiritual jazz with electronics into a really dense, lyrical sound. It's purely instrumental music that keeps your attention with a solid groove from the trumpets and percussion. This beautiful album is really solid the whole way through.
Pas/Cal - "I Was Raised on Matthew, Mark, Luke and Laura" [Le Grand
Magistery]
Pas/Cal finally have a full-length album! They have a really great, full 60's pop sound on this album that would fit right in with the Elephant Six Collective. Their music is cheery and charming and sunny and the lyrics are as cute as the keyboards and back-up vocals.
Delta Spirit - "Ode to Sunshine" [Rounder Records]
This album was released last year and is now being re-released by Rounder Records. The album got lots and lots of praise following its original release. Delta Spirit and current tour mates Dr. Dog seem to share the same love the 60s, but while Dr. Dog makes bouncy pop music, Delta Spirit seem to be more influenced by folk protest songs and rock and roll. Both bands share sou
Jad and Nao - Half Monster [Misc. Music]
This duo is made up of Jad Fair from Half Japanese and Naofumi Ishimaru from the Japanese noise band Yximalloo. They're both musical weirdos who complement each other very well. Jad's lyrics are very direct and his voice sounds so sincere and sweet. The rhythmic, electronic sounds that Nao makes in the background lead the songs in all sorts of different directions. Some of the songs are pretty out there but quite a few are super catchy.
16 Horsepower - "Live, March 2001" [Alternative Tentacles]
Our CD of the month for June! It's a live recording of the band from when they were on tour for the Secret South album. You probably know how awesome 16 Horsepower is already - they were one of Denver's most influential band. They have an incredible Jesus-infused, gothic Americana sound that sounds even mightier than usual on this live recording. I know Jello Biafra said that Slim Cessna would be the country band playing at the bar at end of the world, but I think 16 Horsepower would be in there too.
Various - "Nigeria Disco Funk Special: Sound of the Underground Lagos Dancefloor 1974-1979" - [Soundway]
This is a follow-up to the Nigeria Special album that was in rotation a little bit ago. This compilation focuses on the music made in Lagos in the 70s - a forward thinking city that was known for its nightclubs and DJs. This album shows how Nigerians brought American funk and disco into their own music. This is the perfect CD for summer.
Tyler's Picks
The Lines - "Memory Span" [Acute Records]The Lines were a post punk band from 1977 to 1982. This is a collection of most of their material starting with their earlier, more guitar driven work and moving into a much darker more notable post punk sound. The band sort of fizzled out after a few albums and singles. Their records have become obscure gems hidden in the depths of someone's record collection until now. This collection has also remastered the recordings, making them sound like it could have been released for the first time this year.
Blackstrap - "Steal My Horses and Run" [Tee Pee]
There are too many good bands that start their name with black, its absurd. This is the debut album from Blackstrap out of one of my favorite labels, Tee Pee. This Swedish group plays a fast, clean and tight version of shoegaze. Reminds me of earlier Ride and also their Norwegian neighbors Serena Maneesh. Steal my Horses and Run is an energetic explosion of windy vocals and spaced out guitar drenched rock 'n roll.
Week of 4/27/08
Conor's Picks
Boris - "Smile" [Southern Lord]Whether chameleons or poisonous frogs, Boris is a malleable pulse. Smile the groups first full-length since 2006’s Pink continues Boris’ exploration of interchangeability. Smile starts with “Flower Sun Rain” in which a doom festering opening transitions into muddy textures. Following “Flower Sun Rain” is a mixture of sound-clips, punk, overblown guitar solos, plenty of fuzz, odd acoustic strums and cock rock. By the final two tracks, “My Neighbor Satan” and “Ka Ra Ha Te Ta Sa Ki” Boris find themselves back in the resonating spaces of dark-dripping psychedlia and drones. Once again the samurai’s of collaboration bring in guest appearances by fellow Japanese slayer Michio Kurihara and doom legend Stephen O’Malley of Sunn 0))).
Spectrum Meets Captain Memphis - "Indian Giver" [Birdman]
Spaceship commander Sonic Boom (Spacemen 3, Spectrum, & Experimental Audio Research) has traversed many foreign galaxies, but never has he landed in the alien land of Mississippi. Indian Giver is the bazaar encounter of Spectrum and legendary producer Jim Dickinson, a.k.a. Captain Memphis at Dickinson’s hidden Mississippi estate. Captain Memphis has worked with fellow Spacemen 3 offshoot J. Spaceman of Spiritualized, the Rolling Stones, Aretha Franklin, Mudhoney, the Replacements, and Big Star. Recorded in 2003, the only testimony of this strange muggy meeting is the nine tracks on Indian Giver. Spectrum lays down classic Spacemen 3 supernova-grooves that shape the flow and texture of the entire session. Captain Memphis lends his hobo-blues, Captain Beefheart/Tom Waits/Charles Bukowski rants, which fit surprisingly well with the layers built by Sonic Boom and co. Indian Giver is Spectrums most palatable work since 1992’s Soul Kiss (Slide Divine) and yet the interesting motion in combining Sonic Boom and Captain Memphis reaches the perfect level of experimentation. The pinnacle of Indian Giver is a cover of Mudhoney’s, “When Tomorrow Hits,” in which a tsunami of fuzz soars into melting universes.
Pat's Picks
Various - "Funky Nassau: The Compass Point Story 1980-1986" [Strut]
Okay so once again Strut is releasing albums with recycled songs from their other compilations. Don't get me wrong, this compilation is great. It's that funky 80s world/reggae sound that a lot of bands copped for a bit. It's got huge names on it, Ian Dury, Talking Heads, Tom Tom Club, Lizzy Mercier Descloux, etc. But I can't get over how Strut decided to rehash territory they already covered. The Spasticus Autisticus song is on Disco Not Disco 2. Which was like, 2 years ago. I know they probably don't have the rights to tons of songs, but really, you can't just fill up compilations with songs you already put on other compilations. It happened on the last Disco Not Disco too, which is why I'm so critical about it. Anyways, besides a bad choice on the part of Strut, the album is pretty good, and especially the Lizzy Mercier Descloux cover of Bob Marley's Sun is Shining. It brought me back to the mid 90s house remix of that song...only now it's not stupid.
The Death Set - "Worldwide" [Counter Records]
These guys are crazy! They just jam out, and have a ton of fun, plus I love this type of music. The crazy drum machine screaming silly punk music. It's like the future of Atom and his Package, with better lyrics usually, but not near as funny song titles. Really these guys are just out to have fun, and it comes off on the record. If you like Matt & Kim, Best Fwends, or our man Atom...you'll dig this record.
Nat Baldwin - "MVP" [Broken Sparrow]
Okay so this is one of the dudes from the Dirty Projectors, and no, it's not the main guy Dave. Nat makes music that...well, sounds exactly like the Dirty Projectors, and even features other members of the band. I don't get why this record was put out, why it doesn't deviate from his band's sound, and why these songs aren't just put onto a Dirty Projectors album, but I guess that's up to them. It's good, just nothing new.
Pink Skull - "Zeppelin 3" [Free News Projects]
This is a strange CD. It features Ghostface Killah on one track. It features Mirah on another. It rounds itself off with the saxophone player from Man Man in the mix, and comes off more beaty than anything else. It's good, really good, really surprisingly good, but it's a complete mindscrew because you just don't know what to expect from it. The free saxophone playing is a good thing to hear.
Week of 4/6/08
Conor's Picks
Witch - "Paralyzed" [Tee-Pee]
On their second outing Witch continues the onslaught of 80’s boner-metal. Though it is exciting to hear a reversion back to a style that has become one of the many embarrassing wings of rock history, the buzz seems to largely revolve around J. Mascis (guitarist/songwriter of Dinosaur Jr.) as Witch’s drummer. Paralyzed, though not as strong as their 2006 self-titled-debut, still manages to pack a vicious punch of stoner-Sabbath riffs, cheese-ball hair metal vocals and all the burnout tendency’s of a wasted generation, in fact, Paralyzed even surfaces elements of grunge (yikes). I know J. Mascis isn’t in Motorhead or Kyuss, but they too have riffs and hooks to kill!
The Microphones - "The Glow Pt. 2 (Expanded 2CD Reissue)" [K Records]
The Glow, Pt. 2, originally released in 2001, has become one of the most rousing singer-songwriter albums of the “aughts”—not only due to Phil Elvrum’s adorable and descriptive songwriting, but also due to the lo-fi aesthetics that swirl around each and every corner. Before The Glow Pt. 2, the Microphones seemed to contradict themselves, conflicting between coarse-experimental noise and gorgeously melodic songwriting, yet The Glow brilliantly embodies the tensions of previous efforts, intertwining the pieces to form a highly intriguing masterwork. The expanded reissue elucidates that the amount of stunning material Elvrum had to construct The Glow was far greater than assumed. Unlike most expanding afterthoughts, the 2008 release of The Glow Pt. 2 brings unreleased, rough sketches, and alternate versions of songs into gleaming focus.
Bardo Pond - "Batholith" [Three Lobed]
Batholith throws into question why Bardo Pond has never been lumped into the stoner/drone/doom category. Nonetheless, Bardo Pond’s dark-cosmic resonances blare from a foreign solar system far from the margins of labeling. Batholith is a collection of songs from Philadelphia’s premier shadowy-space-rock outfit. Distantly removed from an album of outtakes, Batholith reflects Bardo Pond’s favorite songs from the past fifteen years. With only six tracks, half of which are instrumental, the group doesn’t over-do-it, and the result is an entire album swollen with inventiveness, a piece falling into place like a thoroughly designed concept album rather than a seemingly random collection of unreleased material.
Destroyer - "Trouble in Dream" [Merge]
After fifteen years since Kim Deal departed from the Pixies to carve out her own terrain, it is now clear (and probably was all along) that her leave from the quintessential underground group of the late-80’s and early-90’s was a brilliant plan of action. Much more stimulating and adventurous then most of Frank Blacks post-Pixies material--the Breeders have been able to clench an undeniably recognizable sound. Mountain Battles (2008) was developed over a five-year period. Recorded by Steve Albini (Big Black, Rapeman, & Shellac), Mountain Battles marks a shift towards experimentation while still upholding the Breeders classic sound.
Pat's Picks
Man Man - Rabbit Habits [Anti]
Killing it again, these 5 dude from philly make a New Orleans brass/Tom Waits mashup that is more original than almost anything in the past 5 years. Seeing them live is probably one of the most spiritual...okay wait, I'm not a hippie, seeing them live is probably one of the most insane and hectic shows I've ever witnessed, and they wear matching outfits, how cute. Really, these guys are making amazing music, and if you haven't found out about them yet, get into it, quick.
Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds - "Dig Lazarus Dig!!!" [Anti]
So, I know, two Anti bands on here for the week, but really...they're blasting off. The label just put out 3 great albums (don't forget Devotchka!) in the past month! Anyways, back to Nick Cave. This guy fell off quite a bit I feel, and has come back for revenge on all of us non-believers. Grinderman and this new one, are absolutely killing it. It's not even comparable to most rock albums this year, or last year for that matter. Just do yourself a favor and buy this album.
Week of 3/23/08
Pat's Picks
Slim Cessna's Auto Club - "Cipher" [Alternative Tentacles]
So I've been watching Slim perform these songs for almost a year now, and thank god they finally released them. This is probably the best sounding Slim Cessna's album ever. Not just in song quality (which is great) but also in audio quality. I felt like I would never hear a crisp, clean, SCAC record in my life, and so I am pleasantly surprised to come back from Austin, come back from seeing these guys in the tiniest bar ever, and to hear these songs laid down perfectly. Not to belittle the live album though, because it's still my favorite.
Roger Green - "Clear Running Water" [Self released]
Another album that I've heard a ton of the songs off of, before they were put to record, and have been waiting to come out for a long time. Maybe it's just the emotional connection I have with the cover, but the Joni Mitchell song that Roger does is just phenomenal. The fact he covers Joni Mitchell and Albert Ayler on the same recording should also speak loads to those well versed in this independent music culture. And hell, the artwork looks like a John Denver or Neil Young cover from the 70s.
Various - "Love and Circuits" [Cardboard Records]
This is a compilation album that has one of my favorite songs from the past year, that was previously only available on 7inch vinyl, in the midst of 2 CDs worth of incredible material. The tagline for this record is "From Aa to Zs." which helps to understand how much music is PACKED into these 2 discs. I don't know what to say, other than Cardboard Records is on top of their game, and this compilation might be the best collection of all across the board indie music in a long long time. Get it, find new bands, listen to great tracks from the ones you know, and send Cardboard Records a little thank you note.
Week of 3/16/08
Conor's Picks
Earth - "The Bees Made Honey in the Lion's Skull" [Southern Lord]
The ‘svengali’s’ of reverberating drones and darkness have traveled many universes since the doom centered minimalism of Earth 2 (1993). Continuing in the path of the country-sloth metal laid forth by Hex: Or Printing in the Infernal Method (2005) and Hibernaculum (2007), The Bees Made Honey in the Lion’s Skull echoes with the atmospheric depth of lost oceanic caves. With the guidance of producer Bill Frisell, The Bees Made Honey in the Lion’s Skull is a super-nova in slow motion. Earth illuminates in the dimmest of luminosity that darkness knows no boundaries.
Various - "Nigeria Special: Modern Highlife, Afro-Sounds, & Nigerian Blues 1970-1976" [Sound Way]
This beautifully presented compilation, Nigerian Special is honestly titled in that the collection spans modern highlife, Afro-Sounds and blues from Nigeria dating from 1970-1976. The Biafran war ended at the dawn of the 70’s causing innovative sounds to echo throughout Africa’s most populous nation. Nigeria Special showcases two-disc’s of this enthralling period, however the collection is only a sliver of the periods music. Hopefully following in the vein of Nigeria Special, the countless Nigerian records from the 1970’s unheard of in the West will finally be released and comped, so the rest of the world can experience the exhilaration of this incredible music.
Pete Rock - "NY's Finest" [Nature Sounds]
Legendary MC, producer and DJ Pete Rock—of the mid-90’s duo with C.L. Smooth (who together released 1994’s golden-age classic Meccca and the Soul Survivor), returns for 2008’s NY’s Finest. Rock’s devotion to the hip hop community is obvious as he always features other talented MC’s and producers on his records. NY’s Finest continues his communal lineation, featuring guest appearances by Redman, Little Brother, The Lords of the Underground, Wu Tang personnel Raekwon and Masta Killa, and a slew of other hip hoppers. Unfortunately chauvinist and heterosexist lyrics are prevalent on NY’s Finest; nonetheless, at least a witty picture of street life is presented with lyrical motifs of anti-white status quo!
Destroyer - "Trouble in Dream" [Merge]
The enigmatic, witty, and ambiguous Dan Bejar is one of the most interesting singer/songwriters of the past two decades. Like most great songwriters, Bejar’s magnificence lies in his ability to craft songs with complex and multiple interpretations. Trouble in Dreams is Destroyer’s eighth album—continuing Bejar’s lineation of Bowie-esque instrumentation and cryptic intellect. On Trouble in Dreams, the excitement that has always paralleled Destroyer’s releases persists; that Dan Bejar some how finds a way to keep evolving as a wordsmith.
Week of 3/2/08
Pat's Picks
Why? - "Alopecia" [Anticon]
ON THE NEXT LEVEL. This is the newest Why? album and like the last one, it is genius. Songs that make you FEEL something, and songs that make you THINK about the lyrics. Poetic, pristine, and perfect. If we didn't already have a CD of the Month, this would be it.
The Gutter Twins - "Saturnalia" [Sub Pop]
Greg Dulli and Mark Lanegan team up for an impressive venture into the depths of our classic indie rock roots. In between Screaming Trees and Afghan Whigs, this duo actually harmonize, write fantastic songs, and make you want to pick up all their old records and listen to them again.
Jaymay - "Autumn Fallin'" [Blue Note]
I listened to the first 4 tracks of this record and couldn't stop bawling. Maybe it's just my mental state, but really, this is some heartbreaking stuff. Katherine ended up reviewing it because I couldn't make it past track 4, and she did a great job. This female singer/songwriter is doing all the things Fiest did, only making it more touching and personal.
Week of 2/24/08
Katherine's Picks
Jeffrey Lewis - "12 Crass Songs" [Rough Trade]
Jeffrey Lewis is from NYC’s Lower East Side and is best known for his witty acoustic anti-folk songs and comic books. His new album is all covers of Crass, whose ‘blunt wit and angry idealism’ left a strong impression on him when he first heard them as a college freshman. These anarchist punks were the most radical of the first wave of British punk bands, but Lewis makes their songs sweet and pretty. The message of Crass's lyrics still come through clearly though. This is his 4th album and it’s on Rough Trade.
Bad Luck City - "Adelaide" [Self-released]
This is one of a whole bunch of sweet local CDs coming out right now. Bad Luck City are a band of six from Denver, with all the usual instrumentation plus a violin. This is an album of slow, dark country songs about murder, drinking and misery that are all incredible.
Conor's Picks
Alastair Galbraith - "Orb" [Next Best Way]
The fascinating singer/songwriter and experimenter Alastair Galbraith has been crafting incredibly interesting material since the mid-80’s. Based in Dunedin, New Zealand and now running his own label (Next Best Way), Galbraith is now free to take his beautifully sophisticated pieces in whatever direction he feels fit. Orb is Galbraith’s first album since 2000’s Cry and 1998’s Mirrorwork that has somewhat of a singer/songwriter resemblance. In line with his classic material from the end of the 90’s, Orb features lovely loops, Galbraith’s mellow-tinged voice and plenty of lo-fi guitar strumming. Along with many of Galbraith’s albums, Orb illuminates a musical visionary who is not afraid to expand the boundaries of the singer/songwriter format.
Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks - "Real Emotional Trash" [Matador]
Combining the over-the-top wailing of Television with the classic Pavement sound, Real Emotional Trash is Stephen Malkmus’ greatest post-Pavement creation thus far. With songs ascending upward to ten minutes, the album has a definite 70’s rock vibe; the long-winded guitar solos may also render such an interpretation. Sleater-Kinney’s Janet Weiss joins the Jicks on Real Emotional Trash and her drumming meshes well with Malkmus’ soaring guitar work. Real Emotional Trash illuminates that after more then fifteen years Malkmus has not abolished his dark-wit or ability to craft perfect pop songs.
Pram - "The Moving Frontier" [Domino]
With only five vocal tracks, the Birmingham oddball avant-pop outfit—Pram returns with The Moving Frontier, one of the groups most interesting and finest records in their fifteen-year existence. The nostalgic movie-like instrumentals work wonderfully with time and space, while also making the few songs with vocalist Rosie Cuckston that much more special. With thumb pianos, electronics, strings, plenty of brass and innumerable amounts of other instrumentation, The Moving Frontier creates a lush and consuming atmosphere. Rosie Cuckston’s vocal numbers are The Moving Frontier’s peaks, yet the instrumentals put the entire composition into perspective, only helping to stimulate reflection.
The Dirtbombs - "We Have You Surrounded" [In the Red]
Detroit rockers the Dirtbombs return with an Armageddon infused explosion. We Have You Surrounded features classic Dirtbombs rockin’ with a slight budge towards post-punk, while Mick Collins (vocalist/guitarist) spews out darkly-witty lyrics of inflamed landscapes, urban paranoia, the Judgment Day, and a slew of other post-apocalyptic humor! We Have You Surrounded was initially supposed to be an EP, which would have made for a stronger release. Nonetheless, though there are a few drop-offs; We Have You Surrounded features quite a few ornaments. When the Armageddon comes and “there is no place to go” hold onto the Dirtbombs “in the dying light”!
Ed's Pick
Sonic Chicken 4 - "S/T" [In the Red]
These guys have a great knack for going from a heavy, fuzzed out crunch, to a sort of sped up, twangy, jangle pop. I'm guessing the right way to take it is the same way you might have taken the tongue-in-cheek hippy discourse the Black Lips offered on "Dirty Hands" or in the title of their "We Didn't Know The Forest Spirit Made The Flowers Grow" record. The slightly off harmonies and thick French accents definitely add to that effect. Though, I'm assuming the accents are genuine since the group is from Perpignan, France.
If the marching thump, jangling rhythm and 3(?) note lead of "Girl66" doesn't make you wanna shake, shimmy, and hop around your living room with a bottle of wine then you should check your goddamn pulse! (If your pulse is there then I'm just a bigger loser than I thought.)
The "garage-punk" label is appealing, but there seems to be a lot of different things going on here. In The Red records, who continue to put out some of the best rock 'n' roll records around today (Dirtbombs, Reigning Sound…), suggest the record "For fans of VU, Back From The Grave, girl groups and Jaques DuTronc". It's a suggestion not a guarantee… and if you find the idea of throwing the above mentioned titles/artists in a metaphorical blender and having a folky, harmonizing garage-punk and pop smoothie appetizing, then I'd say they're right.
Week of 2/17/08
Pat's Picks
The Swayback - "Long Gone Lads" [Self-released]
This is the long awaited full length from these Denver boys. The trio draws out thier arty rock'n'roll once again and includes a few songs that have been staples of what we play from them (thanks for the radio advances!). Concrete Blocks, Forewarned, and my favorite cover of the classic Velvets song, Waiting For My Man. Thank god they have finally put these down with a slew of other great songs so they don't just stick out like sore thumb singles.
No Kids - "Come Into My House" [Tomlab]
Coming out of the cute indie pop band p:ano, this is 3 of the 4 members making even BETTER pop music. Bascially it's a good mix of indie pop with a helping of soul to it. If you've been up on the Radio1190 rotation, it'd be a mix between Hey Willpower and Architechture in Helsinki. The first song is a star, and the most slow, sad, beautiful, heartbreaking song on the album. It picks up after that so give it more than one song consideration.
Various - "BIPPP French Synth Wave 1979 - 1985" [Everloving]
I reviewed this back in the summer, when it was an import and so you can scroll down and find the actual commentary on the record. Just know it's the French equivalent of the italo disco sound that has been growing and growing in the last 5 years. I just wanted to remind everyone that this record is incredible, and is now available on Everloving records so it won't cost you an arm and a leg to import it.
Week of 2/3/08
Pat's Picks
Bonaparte - "Too Much"
Somewhere between garage rock and electro, Bonaparte decided to make music. It's hard to pigeonhole, and sometimes that works against them as it feels all over the place, but the 6 or 7 songs that come together good, are really really good. From Berlin, and really nice people, Bonaparte have a circus quality to them that makes the live shows something different. As stated on the website, they have three types of live shows...CIRCUS SHOW = band + dancers + animals + fire + confusion, BAND SHOW = a band standing around holding instruments, SOLO SHOW = mr. bonaparte with mrs. computer, guitar & mask. Anyways, I've never seen them, but the CD is quality, and that's what matters.
Vanishing Kids - "Skies In Your Eyes" [Bright As Night]
From Portland, these guys haven't put out a CD in a while, but it was well worth the wait. These psych/shoegazers are mixing the best elements of your favorite drug laced bands of the last 20 years. Get on it while they're still hip, because if you don't you'll be like me, sad that you missed the boat on Spaceman 3.
The Big Sleep - "Sleep Forever" [French Kiss]
Metal from French Kiss asskickers. Stepping out of the normal French Kiss mold for bands, The Big Sleep wails on the instrumental tracks, and while the vocals seem to take away from it, the album is still solid from first to last. Start the headbanging, these guys rule and this album is a step up from the last.
Brian Harnetty - "American Winter" [Atavistic]
Appalachian history and culture is represented on these recordings that the Berea College sound archives have kept for years. These field recordings, radio programs, and interviews all are pieced together to form a strange, but completely engrossing composition that has historical importance permeating every note.
Conor's Picks
Various - "Wayfaring Strangers: Guitar Soli" [Numero Group]
Adhering American roots music with nontraditional experimentation is what pioneering finger-picker John Fahey coined the “American Primitive”. In the same vein as the inventive genius Fahey, Wayfaring Strangers (another exceptional compilation from Chicago’s Numero Group), features fourteen of the lesser-known names aliened in the tradition of the Takoma Records school of solo guitarists. The collection of material spans from 1968-1980. Wayfaring Strangers is a precious release in that it brings to life fourteen lost, forgotten and obscure recordings from some of the finest acoustic guitar innovators in American history.
Boscoe - "S/T" [Numero Group]
Hailing from Chicago’s South Side and birthed from the same early-70’s scene as the Art Ensemble of Chicago, the Sun Ra Arkestra, and Phil Cohran’s Artistic Heritage Ensemble—Boscoe, though pushing the envelope of “Great Black Music” has unfortunately been buried in obscurity. On their solitary recording/self-titled debut, Boscoe abolishes the boundaries of jazz, soul, and funk and lays down grooves so imaginative and immaculate that the reverberations “depict every facet of life” (Steve Cobb)—resurrecting Malcolm X, the corrupt nature of capitalism, the strength of love and the perseverance of black survival. The horn section is inconceivably astonishing, morphing motifs in and out of the pieces structure and ultimately dominating the scope of the sound.
Human Bell - "S/T" [Thrill Jockey]
Human Bell is the instrumental collaboration of Baltimore natives Nathan Bell (Lungfish, Arbouretum) and the leader of Arbouretum Dave Heumann, who has also worked with Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy and Papa M. The name of the duo is an amalgamation of the two guitarists last names—quite innovative I know. Human Bell’s self-titled debut was recorded by Paul Oldham (brother of Will Oldham) and mixed by the mastermind behind Tortoise, John McEntire. The duo grippingly melds atonal droning with melodic interplay, simplicity with intricacy and a thorough expression of time and space in a charted but interesting voyage through a diversity of terrains from; psych to folk to drone metal, and from minimalism to Eastern-modal structures.
Steve Reid Ensemble - "Daxaar" [Domino]
Steve Reid is a renowned jazz drummer from the Bronx who has played with James Brown, Sun Ra, John Coltrane, Marvin Gaye, Fela Kuti and countless other legends. He may be the most exciting member in the contemporary jazz community, new or old. Reid has a beautiful sense of finding fresh talent and melding his signature percussive elements with young and exciting blood. Over the past few years Reid has been dragging electronic guru Kieran Hebden (Four Tet) into the depths of out-jazz and on Daxaar, Hebden continues to tweak knobs. Daxaar was recorded in Africa and features an all-African cast, except Reid and Hebden. On bass is Dembel Diop, percussionist Khadim Badji, trumpeter Roger Ongolo, guitarist Jimi Mbaye, on keyboards is Boris Netsvetaev and on Korah is Isa Kouyate. Daxaar is fascinating, fantastic and diverse.
The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion - "Jukebox Explosion Rockin’ Mid-90’s Punkers" [In The Red]
Along with the likes of Wild Billy Childish and Mick Collins (Gories, Dirtbombs), Jon Spencer has been one of the most vital figures of the punk/garage revival. From his legendary skuzzy punk act Pussy Galore, to the primitive slaying of Boss Hog and the Blues Explosion to his latest stint in the psycho-billy duo Heavy Trash, since the early-80’s Jon Spencer has been at the forefront of elemental rock n’ roll. Jukebox Explosion is a fatal compilation of rare 45rpm singles and unreleased gems from 1992-1995. The compilation is a raunchy blast of energy, out-of-control, and an accommodating window into the feral world of Jon Spencer.
Week of 1/20/08
Conor's Picks
Various - "I Hate CD's: Norton Records 45 rpm Singles Collection Vol. 1" [Norton Records]
Norton Records “specializes in wild rock”! From R&B to punk, rockabilly to garage, 50’s rock n’ roll to power pop and instrumentals to harmonized ballads. I Hate CD’s is a collection of the labels popping, scratchy, and completely timeless 45’s. The collection spans from the late-50’s to today. It astonishing how much terrain I Hate CD’s covers—Link Wray, Big Star, The Ramones, Andre Williams, the Creation and so much more. The album is a download only release, and can only be obtained at Nortonrecords.com. “Who Will Save Rock and Roll?” The answer is clear: Norton Records.
Nels Cline Singers - "Draw Breath" [Cryptogramophone]
One of the few avant-garde jazz guitarists; Nels Cline (Quartet Music and Wilco) expands upon the monstrous sound of Sonny Sharrock and James Blood Ulmer. But Cline does not only stick just to jazz. His chameleon abilities allow him to morph in and out of any genre imaginable. On Draw Breath Cline is joined by bassist Devin Hoff and percussionist and electronic wizard Scott Amendola, not to mention fellow Wilco comrade Glenn Kotche on the albums finale, “Squirrel of God”. Draw Breath is creative, vigorous, enchanting and profound.
Magnetic Fields - "Distortion" [Nonesuch]
Consistent, fluid, shrewdly comical and brilliant—Stephin Merritt, the pop-architect behind the Magnetic Fields is constantly moving in new directions while balancing an unswerving sound of his own. Like Merritt’s 1999 triple-disc classic 69 Love Songs, Distortion is aptly titled: the album melds Brian Wilson-esque pop vocals with super fuzzed-out Jesus & Mary Chain riffing. From the brilliant instrumental opener, “Three Way” followed by the satiric surf gem in which Merritt bashes over-tanned “California Girls”, to the darkly hilarious chanting of “sober, life is a prison…” in “Too Drunk to Dream”, Distortion is an adventurous, wonderfully crafted, sinister yet mirthful oeuvre which makes for a peculiarly blissful experience!
Pat's Picks
Hey Willpower - "PDA" [Tomlab]
Jammin to that slow R'n'B style vocals, and thick beats, this is a collaboration between Will from Imperial Teen and Tomo from Tussle. It's party music, it's something you'll hear as background to the dance offs of the century, and it's what I thought Panther would always sound like (he doesn't by the way).
Night Wounds - "Allergic to Heat" [Corleone]
Really abrasive, and while good on the first few tracks, this records SHINES on the song Nineteen. It has a killer bassline and vocals that sound like Numbers...but not that new record from them, the older ones. If you dig that song, go check out Numbers before they settled down, they used to rock hard. There was no info on this band, which is why the review sucks and is mostly about a different band. Sorry.
Hello Blue Roses - "The Portrait is Finished and I have Failed to Capture Your Beauty" [Locust]
DAN BEJAR IS ON THIS RECORD! DESTROYER, NEW PORNOGRAPHERS! Okay, I freaked out like that when I heard that news, but it was really disappointing. The record is good, but it's not Dan Bejar. It's his wife. She wrote the songs. She sings the songs. Dan just plays backup stuff...so if you're looking for a new Destroyer record, skip this. If you are in love with Bejar as much as I am, and will geek out about him just singing backups, then check it out. And why the hell is it on Locust? That's weird.
Times New Viking - "Rip it Off" [Matador]
The Vaselines perfected this sound a long time ago, but Times New Viking is louder, more distorted, and make funny lyrics. Matador tried to make me feel like a dumbass for not knowing who this band was, but really, I don't think they were as cool as they are on this record. Highly recommended, but make sure to turn your stereo down a bit, this is recorded way hot and I almost blew everything up in my office when I put it on. Real fuzzy pop stuff.
Week of 12/9/07
Conor's Picks
Burton Greene - "Bloom in the Commune" [ESP-Disc]
Burton Greene’s “Bloom in the Commune” is a fiery statement in “open-free- communications music.” With Burton Greene on piano, piano harp, and percussion, Marion Brown on alto, Henry Grimes on bass, Frank Smith on tenor, and Dave Grant and Tom Price on percussion, “Bloom in the Commune” is an utter free-jazz binge. Originally titled the “Burton Greene Quartet” and released in 1965, “Bloom in the Commune” is an ESP-Disc reissue featuring the full-album along with some damn potent interviews. Greene talks about LSD, despising capitalist America, being an ex-patriot in Holland, Coltrane, and a slew of other great topics. In discussing the legendary Slug’s Saloon show, where Burton preformed with Albert Ayler (the “Holy Ghost”), Rashied Ali, Henry Grimes, Marion Brown and Frank Smith, Burton relays that the performance was such a vociferous blowout that the piano bench was bouncing three to four feet off of the stage.
Fire on Fire - "Fire on Fire" [Young God Records]
Produced by the legendary Michael Gira (Swans & Angels of Light) on his very own Young God Records, Fire on Fire is Gira’s latest endeavor. Gira has helped birth the likes of Devendra Bandhart, Akron/Family, and Mi and L’au.
This is what Michael Gira has to say about Fire on Fire, “They used to be the art-punk prog-chaos collective Cerberus Shoal, but they ditched their electric instruments, went into hiding for a while, and now play all acoustic—stand up bass, mandolin, banjo, harmonium, accordion, acoustic guitar, dobro etc etc, and they all sing and harmonize on the songs. Live, they do it “old school” and just use two mics placed in front of them on the stage, like a bluegrass band. They all live in the same house up in Maine, across from rusting green oil tanks, apparently” (www.younggodrecords.com).
Ed's Picks
The Urges - "Psych Ward" [Off the Hip]
Debut full-length by Dublin, Ireland's manic garage/punk quintet The Urges. Recorded in the all analogue studio of Circo Perrotti in Gijon, Spain with Jorge Explosion on production duties (Billy Childish, The Cynics), Psych Ward (Off The Hip 2007) is a savage energy filled ode to the earliest days of punk. Paying homage to underground heroes of the 60's like the Seeds, Q'65, and 13th floor Elevators, and following in the footsteps of latter day madmen like, "Wild" Billy Childish, The Chesterfield Kings and The Cynics, The Urges deliver 11 cuts of pure garage trash! Jim Walters vocal delivery and lyrics are powerful, moody and venomous. Glen Lee Flynn puts down some killer fuzz and tremolo soaked guitar licks which, when paired with Gary Clarke's organ grinding, might just induce a freakin' aneurism (dig the brilliant instro-mental "Salvaje"). Fans of early Satelliters or locals The Omens will FLIP!
This record was released on both Australia's Off The Hip Records and Ireland's Stomping Ground Records. The LP version is available courtesy of Germany's Screaming Apple Records.
The Tempos - "Speaking Of... " [Norton]
The Tempos “Speaking Of...” was originally released in ’66 on North Carolina’s Justice label. Here, Norton records serves up a straight re-issue of the Alabama quintet’s full length. The record is highlighted by The Tempos moody garage/R&B originals “Two Timer”, “You’re Not Here”, “Pardon me” , “You’re Gonna Miss Me” (not the be confused with the 13th Floor Elevators tune of the same name), “I’ve Got A Girl”and “To Conquor This World.” There’s also a pair of surf tunes, a so-so cover of “Miserlou” and an aggressive fuzzed-out numner called “Heartbeat”. Definitly worth checking out if you’re a fan of the Rolling Stones early records garage and obscurities. If you already have Collectibles ’95 CD re-issue this is the perfect opportunity to add this gem to your vinyl collection.
Billie Holiday - "Rare Live Recordings 1934-1959 " [ESP Disc]
ESP disc serves up a healthy 5 disc set of rare live material by one of the world's most legendary female jazz/blues vocalists. Live recordings from New York's Metropolitan Opera House and Savoy Ballroom among others, audio from Arthur Lubin's 1947 film "New Orleans", scarcely heard material and multiple versions of classics such as "Willow Weep for Me", "Them There Eyes", "Fine An Mellow", "God Bless The Child", "Lover Man", as well as a host of warm-ups and introductions by a large cast of musicians and radio personalities, are all made available here. Though some listeners may find some of these live out-takes a bit much, from 20 second clips of the orchestra tuning, to short interviews or histories, the majority of the material offered is a real treat for Holiday fans.
Week of 11/25/07
Pat's Picks
His Name is Alive presents "A Tribute to Marion Brown" [High Two]
The guitarist from His Name is Alive started playing Marion Brown covers and interpretations a while back, and then decided, "Hey, let's make this into an album" so they did. This is a tribute to a very under appreciated avant alto saxophonist of the 60's and 70's. Marion first played on Ascension (remember when Milkman Dan played that at 7am for you on his last show? Yeah, that was this guy, and Coltrane) and went on to record albums on the labels that Radio 1190 holds in such high regard, Impulse!, Fontana, and ESP disk. But back to the album. It's a combination of live cuts and studio recordings, and they all shine. The first track is around 9 minutes and doesn't let your mind stray for a second. Pay attention, this will be one of those underground sleepers that in 2 year everyone will be quizzing you about.
The Woods - "How to Survive In/In the Woods" [Shrimper]
So Meneguar buddies Jeremy Earl and Christian DeRoeck decided to make this band Woods. They took a bunch of friends up into the woods, recorded a few songs, and then released it. This is the second album by them, and as I explained last night to someone that had never heard it before: "These guys are making low-fi folk music, that gets a little crazy sometimes (think Microphones crazy), but just drives all those feelings right up from your tummy into your throat." I think that gives it justice. Song 9, Broke, is a personal favorite.
Starfucker - "EP" [Self-released]
This EP and the review below it go together, as I just got them this weekend (I know I know, I'm slow, and I was even in Portland for 2 months this year!) but they are both incredible albums with the same frontman. Josh Hodges started this somewhat electronic, folk inspired project, and has one song on the PDX Pop Now! 2007 compilation as well as this hand burned EP. Now, there are only 2 songs with lyrics on them, and one is the song that appeared on the PDX Pop Now! comp. but the other one is just as good, and those two together with fun beaty instrumentals make this 7 song EP absolutely amazing. Just go listen to German Love 1 and Ronald Gregory Erickson 2 and if they don't get stuck in your head, I will give you some candy.
Sexton Blake - "Plays the Hits!" [Expunged Records]
As mentioned, this is Josh Hodges again, only with a full on rock band. Yet it's still a pretty mellow sound, and Starfucker is like Sexton Blake without guitars and a laptop instead. Just to put it in perspective. Now, this album is ridiculous. Straight up. It's a precursor to that Bonnie 'Prince' Billy cover album of ridiculous songs, and on "Plays the Hits!" we have tracks from Bruce Springsteen, Elton John, LL Cool J, and even Milli Vanilli! Imagine that with a soft rock band! Really! It's amazing. Anyways, this came out earlier this year but...it's still worth mentioning, especially in light of the Madonna cover album Into the Wilderness and Bonnie 'Prince' Billy's "Ask Forgiveness" EP being released.
Conor's Picks
Sun Ra & His Astro-Solar Infinity Arkestra - "Night of the Purple Moon" [Altavistic]
From a distant planet—as you can imagine it is quite difficult to locate and release an alien’s musical output; especially considering Sun Ra would not give accurate release dates for many of his Saturn label releases. However, in recent years gobs of Sun Ra’s obscuro releases have been re-released. Originally from 1970, The Night of the Purple Moon features Sun Ra leading a quartet comprised of Danny Davis on tenor, percussionist John Gilmore, bassist Stafford James and Sun Ra on rokischord, moog synthesizers, and wurlitzer piano. Though not as ‘out-there’ as many of Sun Ra’s compositions, on The Night of the Purple Moon Sun Ra still manages to be quite the impressive innovator.
Wiley - "Playtime Is Over" [Big Dada]
I’m not usually one for British hip-hop or grime; I think the beats are dope, but the rhymes are asinine. Nonetheless, Wiley, a.k.a Eski-Boy, the self-proclaimed “Godfather of Grime” is a definite exception. He is a producer/MC and unlike other grime artists his flows and beats are inventive and clever. Though Wiley has dropped plenty of underground singles, Playtime is Over is his third full-length release. The album is harder, less childish, and fresher than his previous efforts and he even attempts to squash his beef with fellow grimester Dizzee Rascal on the track “Letter 2 Dizzee”. Whether you like British MCing or not, it is always entertaining to learn the new London slang.
Various - "Brit Box: Uk Indie, Shoegaze, and Brit Pop Gems of the Last Millennium" [Rhino]
After the success of the British Invasion of the 1960’s, the U.K. music scene was trapped in a realm of uninventive and hollow rubbish. However, the broken economy of the late-70’s brought a fresh breath of air with punk rock acts like the Clash, the Buzzcocks, and the Damned. After punk fizzled out, it was replaced with more shabby sounds, as the emerging radio-friendly new wave scene hit the isles. Nonetheless, after punk plenty of talented and tasteful DIY groups started springing into action.
The Brit Box: Uk Indie, Shoegaze, and Brit Pop Gems of the Last Millennium is precisely what the title suggests. Starting with the post-punk of the early-80’s and ending in the mid-90’s, though a little scattered this Rhino box set has compiled an amazing slew of the most significant British acts of the past twenty years. Featuring the Smiths, My Bloody Valentine, Sapcemen 3, New Order, the Jesus and Mary Chain, Teenage Fanclub, Ride, Lush, and numerous others!
Week of 11/11/07
Conor's Picks
Bonnie "Prince" Billy - "Ask Forgiveness" [Drag City]
Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy, the greatest (that’s a fact) of all the contemporary singer/songwriters returns with oddball folk duo Meg Baird and Greg Weeks of the Espers. Ask Forgiveness is an extensive covers EP featuring renditions of songs by R. Kelly, Bjork, Phil Ochs, Danzig, the Mekons, Mickey Newbury, Frank Sinatra and an original by Sir ‘Prince’ Billy himself. The title of the EP comes from the quote, “better to ask forgiveness than permission.” Like previous efforts, by falling on a pendulum between humor and sincerity, Ask Forgiveness illuminates the stunning honesty of Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy’s music. Moreover, being joined by the Espers and recorded by Greg Weeks is a pleasant addition to the remarkable Palace catalog.
Various - "Skull Disco: Sound Punishments" [Rough Trade]
Skull Disco is London's premiere dubstep collective and label. Run by innovative dubstep producers Appleblim and Shackleton; the duo are persistently at the forefront of London's vibrant future dub and dubstep scene. Soundboy Punishments is a double-disc compilation of Skull Disco's greatest hits, if you can call underground club anthems hits. Interestingly, Soundboy Punishments is not out on Skull Disco, but rather the legendary London label and record store, Rough Trade. All tracks from the compilation have been lifted from 12" singles and include tracks from Appleblim, Shackleton, and Gatekeeper.
Pat's Picks
Einstürzende Neubauten - "Alles Wieder Offen" [Potomak]
These guys have a) Been around forever b) Been making challenging music forever c) Are German (rad right?) and d) Usually make my head hurt. This new album though, is so different than almost all the stuff I have heard before. It's not 'easy listening' but it's much more easy to listen to. The songs have a understandable structure and the instrumentation doesn't include saws and fire like on other releases...so if you've been a fan for a while, this might not be a good change, but for us who appreciated these guys for what they had done but never really liked it...this is a step out of the box and a good one.
Grizzly Bear - "Friend EP " [Warp]
Okay okay I was slow on it. I'm sorry. We love Grizzly Bear, in fact there is a signed poster hanging right behind my computer screen, that's how much we love them. I'm the one who let this pass under my nose without giving much of a look at it other than the words Grizzly Bear and EP together meant it would go into our library since an EP can't have that many songs that are playable. WRONG, Gravely wrong. My apologies for being so short sighted because this EP is probably one of the most interesting things to come out from Grizzly Bear. Including covers by CSS (really!?) and Band of Horses...who are both wonderful buzz bands right?...this EP might as well be an album and is worth every penny you would spend on it.
Various - "Look Directly Into the Sun: China Pop 2007" [Bloodshot]
Martin Atkins was the drummer for Public Image Limited. He's a badass. He has a new band called China Dub Soundsystem, and he was in China for some period of time recently. There's the background, now the important stuff: Martin described the music scene in China as close to the late 70's/early 80's NYC and 70's London scenes as you could get today. Think Punk, Post-Punk, and that whole mixing of the genres that was happening in that time, only it's happening again now, and in Chinese. This is a compilation of bands from that scene and has been described as "China via Chicago."
Degenerate Art Ensemble - "Cuckoo Crow" [Tellous]
DAE is a collective of musical artists, performance artists, and regular...traditional artists that decided to mash it all together and say a big fuck you to your senses. It's incredible. Bouncing around this record sometimes gets tiresome because of how all over the place it seems, but the complete ideas make you think, challenge your normalcy, and that alone sets it above the piles of mediocre CD's that pass over my desk.
Katherine's Pick
Zs - "Arms" [Planaria]
Zs formed in New York City in 2000 as a byproduct of the Wet Ink Collective, a group of musicians and composers dedicated to contemporary music. The members play saxophone, guitar, keyboard and drums. They are an avant-garde group whose music relies on tight, heavily repetitive instrumental unison rather than melodies. Out of this aural onslaught comes songs that are challenging, refreshing and awfully interesting.
Week of 10/21/07
Katherine's Pick
Tullycraft - "Every Scene Needs a Center" [Magic Marker]
Tullycraft formed in 1994 from the remnants of Crayon and Wimp Factor 14. Since then they have played a huge part in shaping the American movement of twee pop, probably the cutest genre of music in existence. The album starts off with one of Tullycraft's best songs to date "The Punks Are Writing Love Songs", a fast, catchy pop-punk song that's up there with "Twee." The rest of the album's got many more pop-anthems that you would expect from Tullycraft. It also features back-up musicians from some of Seattle's other indie pop bands, including BOAT, Patience Please and the Math and Physics Club.
Conor's Picks
Six Organs of Admittance - "Shelter From the Ash" [Drag City]
Once again Ben Chasny unleashes a godsend with Shelter From The Ash, Six Organs of Admittance’s ninth record in their less than decade long career. Ben Chasny, also of Comets on Fire, August Born, and Bangerlore, only reaches the level of freedom and enchantment with his most powerful brainchild, Six Organs of Admittance. Shelter From the Ash is a multifaceted masterpiece. Blending majestic finger picking, with swirling noises, soaring guitars, drones, and enchanting vocalization. The album features fellow Comet’s on Fire member Noel Harmonson, Magik Markers front-woman Elisa Ambrogio, Tim Green of the Fucking Champs and Matt Sweeney of Chavez. Six Organ’s previous albums find a grove and fully explore the grove from start to finish. However, the diversity of Shelter From the Ash takes many directional changes, resulting in the sonic transformation of fractured light. When the Armageddon comes and the volcanoes begin to spew, Six Organs of Admittance may be humanity's only Shelter From the Ash.
The Abyssinians - "Satta Massagana (Deluxe Edition)" [Heart Beat Records]
Formed in the late 60’s in Kingston, Jamaica; The Abyssisans harmonies are equivalent to the Zombies and the Beach Boys, but with added soul and extraordinary roots raggae and dub beats. Sata Massagana was recorded in 1968 and means “give thanks and praise” in Amharic (the language of Ethiopia). This pressing of Sata Massagana on Heart Beat Records is a deluxe edition with four unreleased tracks. If you are not captivated by the Abyssinians smooth and gorgeous vocalization then you are truly soulless.
Pat's Picks
Dri - "Smoke Rings" [Range Life]
Somewhere between the beatyness of Daedelus and the vocals of Esthero is Dri. From Lawrence Kansas, on Range Life records (White Flight), this is the newest project from those famed musicians The Anniversary. Dri was the keyboardist for that band, and is now making music that is completely unrelated to the sounds she used to put out. With production that might as well be from the beat makers of S.F., and vocals that just completely take over, this is one of the best debut CDs to cross my desk in a long time. It was also the runner up for CD of the Month...if that means anything extra to you.
Sally Shapiro - "Disco Romance" [Paper Bag Records]
Italo disco from Sweden. Completely weird right? Well Sally Shapiro is here to prove that wrong. With catchy, slow disco jams littering this CD, it's hard not to move to. Get into it, it's somewhat cheesy but once you get over that, you'll be in love.
Week of 10/14/07
Conor's Picks
Various Artists - "Box of Dub 2" [Soul Jazz]
Once again Souljazz Records is on the forefront of East London’s stimulating and fresh dubstep and future dub scene. Box of Dub 2 is a misleading title; the compilation is neither a box set nor traditional dub. Nevertheless, the compilation is stronger than the previous installment and it portrays the quick evolution of both dubstep and future dub. There are two striking differences in the genres progressions. First, vocals are now more prominent, especially considering the music used to be primarily instrumental. Secondly, the codeine induced pace now seems to be laced with cocaine.
Om - "Pilgrimage" [Southern Lord]
Om, the renowned rhythm section for stoner-metal goliaths Sleep return with their third LP. On Pilgramge Om’s sonic textures are clearer than ever due to Steve Albini’s (Big Black, Rapeman, & Shellac) engineering. Al Cisneros colossal bass lines are hypnotic and Chris Hakius’ drumming still sounds as though demons are dragging victims in chains down to the underworld. Pilgrimage is a dark spell casting work that captures listeners and drags them through majestic woods and foggy bogs. I bestow Pilgrimage five pentagrams.
Charalambides - "Likeness" [Kranky]
Since the early 90’s husband-and-wife duo the Charalambides have been experimenting with ambient space and psychedelia. Tom and Christina Carter have been described as “rural space progenitors”. On Likeness, their eighth full-length, their exploration into the lethargic depths of the universe is prolonged. New discoveries have been made along the way, proving their slow and delicate voyaging does expand the possibilities of new terrain.
Ed's Pick
Resonars - "Nonetheless Blue" [Get Hip]
Who knows if Lenny Kay realized the effect his Nuggets compilation of 60’s garage, pop and psych gems would have on future generations when it was released in ’72? One thing’s for sure though, Arizona’s The Resonars are a product of the, then and now, revived interest in that sound. The swirling guitar and synched vocal harmonies lead by front-man, multi-instrumentalist and mastermind, Matt Rendon are proof. Rendon’s songwriting breathes new life into a style popularized some 40 years ago. Out on Get Hip Recordings “Nonetheless Blues” is the band’s 4th record and impressive in it’s ability to mimic but not steal the Psychedelic-Pop sound defined by bands like The Hollies, The Millennium and The Zombies of “Odyssey and Oracle”.
Week of 09/30/07
Pat's Picks
Old Time Relijun - "Catharsis in Crisis" [K Records]
Back to more of the same from Old Time Relijun. The best part of this band doesn't come across on the record, because it is the tight biker shorts and enthralling dance moves of their lead singer. In case this is news to you, these guys have been around for a hell of a long time, they provide a great beat for dancing and going nuts, and then skronk over the top of it. While it isn't the most incredible step forward, it's another solid album from these guys.
Yikes - "Whoa Comas or Blood Bomb" [Kill Shaman Records]
So I know I'm a little creepy when I open this CD up and instantly recognize John Dwyer from a profile picture because he's holding his guitar up to his chest, probably destroying everyone's ears and minds. John Dwyer used to front the Coachwhips, and they rocked harder than most bands in the world jumping on top of TVs and knocking shit over all the time. He also is the front of the more subdued OCS or Oh Sees. Even deeper, he was in Pink and Brown and has been one of my favorite musicians of the last 5 years. Okay, beyond this though, the Yikes record is more song structured than Pink and Brown, which is to say it isn't just noise music, and way less structured than the Coachwhips garage throwback sound...so if you like dirty garage rock say, the Sonics, and you idolize Lightning Bolt and Wolf Eyes' noise collages, this record is probably right there in the middle for you.
MV and EE with the Golden Road - "Gettin' Gone" [Ecstatic Peace]
Here's another record, like that Sea Wolf album I wrote about the other week, isn't near as good as it's preceding EP/Album, "Green Blues," would make it out to be. The slow droney freak folk/psych folk group has changed a bit since the heyday of their 12 minute jams. Not to say length is the only downfall here, MV & EE with the Golden Road have somewhat left the full 13 songs on this album with something to be wanted. They just didn't deliver the full reverb drenched, droned out, psych heavy sound that they had before, and who knows why. Maybe it's the subdued female vocals that were needed to make the male vocals not terribly out of key (or at least harmonize with) that have backed off and don't appear as frequently as they did on "Green Blues". But something positive should be said here, the album isn't lacking in great songs, it's just a smaller percentage of the whole, maybe 2 or 3 that sound great, which when compared to the previous release that was only 7 songs, that isn't too bad. This is long winded and not very positive but in the end, the point is, check out "Green Blues" even if you hate "Gettin' Gone."
Jenny's Picks
Konono No. 1 - "Live at Couleur Cafe" [Crammed]
KONONO No 1 was founded over 25 years ago by Mingledi, a virtuoso of the likembé, which is a traditional instrument sometimes referred to as the “thumb piano.” It’s made of metal rods that are attached to a resonator. The band consists of three electric likembés equipped with hand-made mics built out of old car parts. There’s also a rhythm section which uses traditional and makeshift percussion, like pots, pans and car parts. There are three singers and three dancers.
The group is from Kinshasa, Congo. Most of their instruments are made of salvaged times from a junkyard and their amplification consists of a microphone carved out of wood fitted with a magnet from a car alternator. The band has had to incorporate the originally unwanted distortions of their sound system, but it now is a contributor to their unique sound. The band has recently toured with Bjork and appears on her new album, “Volta.”
Various - "Guilt by Association" [Engine Room Records]
All right all you hipster music snobs, this album is for you! Do you feel guilty when you find your old Spice Girls CD (or tape), put it on, and still remember all the words? This album is full of covers of your favorite one-hit-wonder songs, as well as those catchy gems you listened to on repeat for three years. “Guilt By Association” features some hip artists of today remaking songs of yesteryear. Don’t feel bad if you feel a strong connection to the covers of your favorite old songs…just embrace it!
GBA features artists like Devendra Banhart, Luna, The Concretes, Jim O’Rourke (producer for Joanna Newsome, Wilco, Beth Orton) Will Oldham, Superchunk and Mike Watt (among others).
Various - "Brazil 70: After Tropicalia" [Soul Jazz Records]
“Brazil 70: After Tropicalia” is the follow up to “Tropicalia: A Revolution in Sound.” “Brazil 70” starts exactly where the first album left off, still mixing styles of Brazilian music influenced by American and British underground rock music from the early 70s. Although Brazil’s Tropicalia movement only lasted a little over a year due to the country’s dictatorship, Brazilian artists continued to make music that was banned by the government. Brazil experienced oppression the most during this decade. Artists from the Tropicalia period of the late 60s such as Gilberto Gil, Caetano Veloso, Tom Ze, Rita Lee (lead-singer of Os Mutantes) and Gal Costas started mixing rock, funk, samba and soul with new, like-minded artists, like Novos Baianos, Raul Seixas, Nelson Angelo and Joyce and more. Although they were constantly worried about being imprisoned for making this music, they still continued to create art that covered topics like identity, sexuality and society in a revolutionary way.
Conor's Picks
Mick Turner/Tren Brothers - "Blue Trees" [Drag City]
Dirty Three guitarist and painter Mick Turner returns with a compilation of vinyl only releases and previously unreleased material. Joined on the first six tracks is Dirty Three drummer Jim White, who has worked with Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy, CatPower, and Nina Nastasia. Together, Mick Turner and Jim White are the duo Tren Brothers. Blue Trees, like other Mick Turner solo material is skeletal but complex. With beautiful fragmented guitar lines and intricate drumming, Blues Trees is a gorgeously mysterious collection of instrumental sounds.
Damon & Naomi - "Within These Walls" [20/20/20]
After fifteen years as a duo (following the breakup of the legendary slowcore/shoegaze group Galaxie 500), Damon & Naomi are still releasing gorgeous and strikingly interesting records. Within These Walls is their seventh release and picks up from their 2000 release Damon & Naomi with Ghost, with the addition of Japanese psychedelic-guru Michio Kurihara (Ghost, White Heaven The Stars, and recently Boris) on guitar. With the accumulation of strings and horns, Within These Walls is lush, sonically more massive than their previous efforts, and an absolute masterpiece.
Robert Wyatt - "Comicopera" [Domino]
Now 72, Robert Wyatt has been releasing records since 1968’s Soft Machine [Volume 1]. Divided into three acts (I: Lost in Noise, II: The Here and the Now, III: Away with the Fairies), Comicopera is an amazing exploration into the depths of a remarkable songwriter. During Act Three, Wyatt shifts from singing in English to Italian and Spanish as an anti-war protest. Joining Wyatt on Comicopera are his friends Brian Eno, Yaron Stavi, and many others—he wrote of this experience as follows, “Music isn't just an abstract pleasure, it is company, when you play a record. Why I like Duke Ellington and Charles Mingus, the Big Bands - is because every character in the band is identifiable as that person - there's this group of humans in a room."
Old Time Relijun - "Catharsis in Crisis" [K Records]
Drawing from Captain Beefheart, free-jazz, and no-wave, Old Time Relijun continue in the same vein they have always flowed through. Marking theirdecade career, Catharsis in Crisis is the group’s eighth release. Like usual Catharsis in Crisis features plenty of scronking saxes, hip-shakin’ beats n’ bass lines, fragmented guitar lics and Arrington De Dionyso’s bizarre vocal blurts!
Sir Richard Bishop - "Polytheistic Fragments" [Drag City]
Sir Richard Bishop of the Sun City Girls has been releasing solo material since1998. Polytheistic Fragments is his first record on Drag City and
is least experimental work to date. It is his first album since the breakup of the Sun City Girls, due to percussionist Charles Gocher passing away in early 2007. Polytheistic Fragments is as diverse as Bishop's musical knowledge. Delving into flamenco and Spanish classical styles, Pan-Asian modalities and Indian ragas, and Appalachian folk pieces. Though Polytheistic Fragments doesn’t reach the bewilderment of his lengthier pieces, the album is still an astonishing display of virtuosity.
Peter Brotzmann - "The Complete Machine Gun Sessions" [Altavistic]
The Machine Gun Sessions is an absolute onslaught; in fact that is quite an understatement. My piddly little words could never do the work justice. Recorded in 1968 in Germany, the Machine Gun Sessions is the most extreme improvisational piece I have even heard from the 1960’s. I usually prefer American free jazz to European outfits, however Peter Brötzmann has truly put me in my place. The only activity possible while listening to these sonic assaults is complete submission. The skronking is a relief, which is an incredible accomplishment. I have even heard the drummers had to record in tents because the horns section was so loud they couldn’t even hear their playing. If you can sit through The Complete Machine Gun Sessions without a break, you are a warrior!
Week of 09/16/07
Pat's Picks
Sea Wolf - "Leaves in the River" [Dangerbird]
Pretty easy to listen to folkish stuff here. The full length is good, but I really just wanted to write about them because the best song that is on the full length is also on an EP they did a while ago and I wouldn't want anyone to miss that connection. The EP is better than the full length in my opinion, so make sure and check it out. Although they do a good job, less is more for these guys and the more sparse the songs are, it feels like they have a larger weight and greatness.
Tunng - "Good Arrows" [Thrill Jockey]
What?! Tunng you say?! Well yes, this is back to that Why? style of music, the electronic indie rock/pop stuff with a strange beaty and experimental feel that comes from people with excellent production knowledge and a capability to innovate, coupled with the want to create something all together exciting. Books, Animal Collective, and old Figurine fans get behind this record, you've been sleeping if you didn't see it coming.
Calvin Harris - "I Created Disco" [Heavenly]
Cheesey...yes. Dirty...yes. Incredible...yes. Get your hands on this record if you like the way dance music has been heading with the thick synthesizers and deep basslines. This guy has some of the worst lyrics in the world, but you can overlook that he just said the stupidest thing you've heard in months because you can't stop dancing. He's huge in Europe. You should like him. Duh.
Magic Numbers - "Those the Brokes" [Heavenly]
So this got released in 2006, but only in Europe. It just now got sent to us over here, and if I had known it was out in Europe you can bet we would have had it a long time ago, because it's incredibly good. Just the first 4 songs make this record worth listening to over and over again. They have that 60s rock/pop sound, wear bell bottoms and their hair long, and write epic songs.
Brooke Waggoner - "Fresh Pair of Eyes" [Self-released]
The story behind this record is that my MOM of all people turned me onto this girl. I guess she works with Brooke's mom and the CD made it through their hands up to me. It's something like Nellie McKay, Regina Spektor, Feist...etc. Just a pretty girl doing pretty songs on a pretty piano. The cut that made this album for me was "So-So" which is all about being homesick and missing Colorado...which at the end of my internship was exactly how I felt.
The Good Life - "Help Wanted Nights" [Saddle Creek]
This album is in my top 10 for the end of the year definitely. If you don't know, Tim Kasher is the leading man in Cursive, and this is his side project that tones it down a bit and is straightforward. I think it's one of the best releases this year, easily. Folkish music with a tiny tinge of country rock and it's got songs that you connect to right off the bat.
Ed's Picks
Action Makes- "Charley and the CFF/Get the Joke (45 rpm)" [Magnificent Sevens]
Debut release by Toronto based quartet Action Makes, out on the neighboring Magnificent Sevens label, which has released four singles to date. The A-side is a garage/R&B inspired rocker full of fuzz guitar, backing harmonies, hand clapping, tamborine, wailing harmonica, and a genuine vocal delivery from front man Clint Rogerson. It's flip "Get The Joke" trades harmonica for keys and takes bits of the same style in a different and more modern direction; drawing on influences like Joy Division.
American Relay - "Corn and Oil" [Pygmy Mountain Music]
Like Bob Log III or R.L Burnside of recent years, Denver's very own American Relay (Nick Sullivan Guitar and Vocals, and Alex Hebert Drums and Washboard)take the blues strip 'em down, soak 'em with rock, light a match and suck in the fumes as they dance around the fire! Is that what people mean by "blues-punk?" In any case,the above mentioned artists got a head start and acts like the White Stripes and Black Keys continue to serve up worthwile material. American Relay however, add something new to the recipe by embrassing some real classic and southern rock sensibilities. Some of it will probably remind you of "Black Magic Potion", granted, but, these guys also aren't afraid to reach back into rock n' roll's past to borrow from one of it's earliest incarnation, rockabilly.
Conor's Picks
Albert Ayler Quartet - "The Hilversum Sessions" [ESP Disc]
The Hilversum Sessions were recorded at a radio studio in the Netherlands on November 9th, 1964 in front of a dinky audience. It was the last time Don Cherry, Gary Peacock and Sunny Murray played under the title of the Albert Ayler Quartet. “Ghosts,” “Spirits,” and “C.A.C,” later titled “The Witch” all appear on 1964’s Spiritual Unity. Like many of Ayler’s essential 60’s records, The Hilversum Sessions feature an uncanny balance between furiousness and melodic beauty. The language weaved together by each of the players is a seasoned force which is not only uncommon but incomparable.
Akron/Family - "Love Is Simple" [Young God Records]
Out on Michael Gira’s (Swans and Angels of Light) Young God Records, Love is Simple is the group’s fourth release. Though lumped into the free-folk gener, Akron/Family is much more than a folk outfit. Mixing experimentation and collapsed structures with melodic frames, the group always manages to take off in multiple directions while some how maintaining cohesiveness. Akron/Family has pretty much become the house band for Young God Records, in which they back Michael Gira in his latest effort, Angels of Light. Even though the group has always flirted with hippie jams and themes, Love is Simple pushes the flirting to full on lust.
M83 - "Digital Shades (Vol. 1)" [Mute Records]
Influenced by Brian Eno and Krautrock, Digital Shades Volume 1 is Anthony Gonzalez’ first collection of ambient works. M83 is a shoegazer electronic group from France and have been described as the electronic equivalent to My Bloody Valentine. Digital Shades Volume 1 is a gorgeous collection of slow, translucent and nocturnal tunes, which are primarily instrumental. The album is reminiscent of Krzysztof Penderecki’s 1960 piece Threnody to the Victims of Hiroshima.
Sam's Pick
Various - "Home Schooled: The Abcs of Kid Soul" [Numero Group]
Home Schooled Kids is another wonderful compilation from Numero Group (they put out all the Eccentric Soul albums), this time it's a bunch of songs that were recorded by kids in the 60s and 70s. The Jackson 5 are (obviously) the most famous in the genre of kid stars making soul music at that time, but here are tons of examples of other kids who were doing the exact same thing all over the country. Some were pushed by overbearing fathers (like the Jackson 5), some were manufactured groups, and some were just kids looking to have a good time. But what ultimately comes from of this compilation is really honest music from the kids who aspired to 'make it' in the industry.
Week of 09/02/07
Pat's Picks
Jason Anderson - "Tonight" [ECA Records]
Oh so you thought Jason would stay on K because that's been his label for, like, ever...well so did I. Out on ECA records is this new and improved Jason Anderson record. With a more electric and almost soul feel to some of the songs. It comes out of the gates with a saxophone, piano, and full band song. I mean, who switches from sparse folk music to this big of a sound and makes you love it? Well it's Jason Anderson. He used to be Wolf Colonel so if that rings a bell, pick this disc up. Included is a reworked version of a song on his last album, So Long, and this one gets the royal full band treatment. Be ready to sing along, and if he tours within any bordering states, be prepared to roadtrip with me.
Various - "BIPPP French Synth Wave 1979 - 1985" [Born Bad Records]
Conor freaked over that After Dark compilation a while back, right? Well something tells me that this is the second dance album Conor will like this year. Somewhat in the same vein, this disc is from the time period that all those people on After Dark were covering originals of. It's sort of like the French equivalent to Italo disco, and while some is super cheeseball, it's also got gems that you will be hearing on any dance floor around...well maybe not in Denver, but let's hope.
Ed's Picks
Charlie Feathers - "One Good Gal/Cockroach (45 rpm)" [Norton]
With two full-length Charlie Feathers releases under their belts already, Norton records chiefs Billy Miller and Miriam Linna just can't get enough! And they're not alone! The "One Good Gal/Cockroach" single serves as a teaser for Norton's upcoming third Feathers compilation, which will consist mostly of never before released material from the often ignored rockabilly pioneer and country stylist who originally got his start as a session musician working for Sam Phillips at the legendary Sun Studios in Memphis, TN. "One Good Gal" is a hoppin' bop cut which showcases Feathers' genuine vocal style; the B-side is a hauntingly rhythmic instrumental. Both will most likely be featured on the upcoming full-length.
Various - "Psychedelic States: Colorado in the 60s " [Gear Fab]
The latest installment of Gear Fab records' "Psychedelic States" series is a two disc compilation of rare and previously unreleased tracks from the Centennial State ('65-'69). The sixties categorized a variety of sounds and styles and with the exception of proto punk garage, a la Sonics or most anyone featured on Crypt records’ “Back From the Grave” series, this set provides a range of them; from Dylan inspired folk-rock ballads, to early Stones-type R&B, and loungy sixties pop. Of course, this compilation also features psych/pop gems and complete audio hallucinations. Whether or not Colorado had a particular "sound" is yet to be proven, but acts like the Poor, Monocles, the Trolls, and Doppler Effect, if nothing else provide good evidence for a Colorado "scene".
*Sound quality varies due to the limited availability of the original records/tapes.
Conor's Picks
Magnolia Electric Co. - “Sojourner (Box Set)” [Secretly Canadian]
Split into four sessions, the Magnolia Electric Co. box set "Sojourner" features "Black Ram", "Nashville Moon", and "Shohola", all of which are full-lengths in addition to an EP of "Sun Sessions". Though some of the tracks are featured on other albums, most of them have been taken in new directions. "Nashville Moon" was recorded by Steve Albini at Electric Audio Studios and features the entire group. Whereas "Shohola" is the result of Jason Monlina on his own with his desperate voice and an acoustic guitar. Though "Black Ram" also features the entire band, the mournful tempos give the album a bare feeling. The "Sun Sessions" were recorded in Memphis in 2006, while Magnolia Electric Co. was on tour for their third album Fading Trails. "Sojourner" is not only an incredibly prolific project, but it’s also the most beautiful and honest material Jason Molina has released since his early days with Songs:Ohia.
Week of 08/19/07
Conor's Picks
Angels of Light - “We Are Him” [Young God Records]
Whether fronting New York art legends Swans, working in the instrumental outfit Body Lovers, doing spoken word poetry, or creating song-oriented material with Angels of Light, Michael Gira always has an unexplainable intensity and a sonic presence that is entirely original and unmatchable.
Released on his label Young God Records, We Are Him is the fifth release from Angels of Light. Though Gira’s sheer darkness and disturbing sound is not absent on We Are Him, it is his most approachable work to date. Fellow label mates Akron/Family join Gira and the outcome once again proves Gira’s uncanny ability to create genuine human expression.
Burial - “Ghost Hardware (12" single)” [Hyperdub]
Ambient dub producer Burial is one of the most innovative artists of the emerging South London dupstep scene. Burial creates a tranquil and dark atmosphere with creeping tempos, muddy samples and minimal but interestingly structured beats. Ghost Hardware is his second official single and first release following his 2006 self-titled full-length debut, which is now considered by many to be the quintessential dubstep album. The sound on Ghost Hardware is analogous to his self-titled debut, but with so little released Burial is far from treading on old ground.
Hala Strana - “Heave the Gambrel Roof ” [Music Fellowship]
Heave the Gambrel Roof is Stephen R. Smith’s (Jewelled Antler Collective, Thuja, and Mirza) forth album under the name Hala Strana. Smith started Hala Strana as an outlet to release material that would not fit with his other projects. Though usually dubbed as psychedelic folk, Hala Strana’s experimental approach cannot be packaged into such an ambiguous term.
“Havazi I Dy Motrave,” “Havazi I Dy Motrave” and “Wedding of the Blind” are derivatives of traditional Albanian folk songs. With droning strings and countless other instruments and noises and Faheyesque finger-picking, like plenty of Smiths recordings Heave the Gambrel is fascinating to say the least and at times very remarkable.
Katherine's Picks
Pictureplane - “Turquoise Trail” [Self-released]
Pictureplane, named the "Best One Man Band of Denver" by the Westword last year, is the work of art student/Rhinoceropolis resident Travis Egedy. For a few years now he's been making blasting beats with keyboards and samples that lie under his remarkably sincere vocals. His music is full of tremendous energy and emotion. One track on "Turqoise Trail" features Beirut's Zach Condon, who shares a homestate of New Mexico with Travis. This is Pictureplane's second album and it's all about travelling to the "turqoise dimension."