Something is in the air. It reminds me of 10 years ago, 1997, when I had moved to Oakland and started school there. Along with the new environment and life there came a crop of albums that made all my other albums obsolete. Look at a small list of albums released that year :
Radiohead – OK Computer, The Verve – Urban Hymns, Spiritualized – Ladies and Gentlemen We are Floating in Space, Ween – The Mollusk,The Flaming Lips – Zaireeka, Supergrass – In it for the Money, Elliott Smith – Either/Or, Yo La Tengo – I Can Hear the Heart Beating As One, Chemical Brothers – Dig Your Own Hole, Portishead – Portishead, Built to Spill – Perfect From Now On, Bjork – Homogenic, Modest Mouse – The Lonesome Crowded West
Let’s fast forward to now. We certainly don’t have any albums that measure up to any of the above. Not yet. But there is good music out there and I’m starting to hear more of it. I’m lucky enough to come across more music these days because I’ve been getting more press work from music labels which usually means a free cd. Here are some bands I’ve seen or heard or have been hearing a buzz about plus some re-releases and oldies.
Here’s what I’ve been listening to:
Feist - The Reminder: The more I listen the more I like. It’s a must buy for fans of Chan Marshall or for anyone who likes smart songs (that your parents would probably like too). And the two music videos she has are fucking fantastic (for you cinephiles out there both videos are shot in a single take and wonderfully orchestrated).
Feist : La Sirena
Elliott Smith – New Moon: I am a fan but you gotta wonder how long the Tupac syndrome is going to infect Smith too. I mean, how many albums can a dead man have? If you like Elliott Smith then get this album, it’s a nice collection of songs.
Elliott Smith : High Times
Of Montreal – Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer?: It’s a good rocking, less quirky album. And check out their EP ‘Icons, Abstract Thee’ because it’s really good.
Of Montreal : Little Rock
The Shins – Wincing the Night Away: Good album but some great songs.
The Shins : Sea Legs
Voxtrot – Your Biggest Fan: Speaking of the title, I was a big fan of these guys at first. But I feel a pussy-fication going on here. Nothing wrong with some pussy in your music, when it’s intentional it can be cool, I guess. But after seeing them live and then hearing their latest release it’s safe to say that their main vibe from the music is the “i want to hold your hand and invite you over for cheese fondue and take you out to poetry readings so we can wear silly hats while i try to fingerbang you” type of thing. It’s like turning Morrissey into a nice guy. What’s the fucking point? But then again they’re not the Smiths.
Voxtrot : Kid’s Gloves
Bjork - Volta: I’m a huge fan of Bjork and I was expecting to get disappointed because I was not that crazy about Medulla. This album leans more on the enthusiasm and energy of her ‘Post/Homogenic’ albums. It’s not nearly as strong but overall it’s an album worth checking out…and see her live, she’s wunderbar.
Amy Winehouse – Back to Black: The album sounds excellent and they really got that “Dusty Springfield” sixties sound down pat. Amy Winehouse, from what I hear, is a bit unstable and her live shows will either be great or she’ll take off is things aren’t working out for her.
Amy Winehouse : You Know I’m No Good
Low – Drums and Guns: I kind of blew Low off after they got rid of their bass player, who was the balls of the band. I had seen them live at the Bowery Ballroom and I felt like i was hearing a non-fat version of the band. But I will admit the album is pretty darn good and it’s produced by Dave Fridman so it sounds great.
Low : Hatchet
Electrelane – No Shouts No Calls: Okay, I like them but I rarely put them on. In fact I can’t think of the last time I was like, “I want to listen to some Electrelane.” But they got a new album and it’s….pretty good.
Electrelane : To the East
Rodrigo y Gabriela – Rodrigo Y Gabriela: It’s music your parents would like if your parents are anything like mine. It’’s basically two nylon string guitar players who rock their guitars, and not just the strings but the whole guitar. It’s a little rock, a little flamenco a little classical. Kind of like if the Gypsy Kings tour bus got hijacked by wolverines in Dublin and only two escaped and became a couple. Kind of like that.
Beirut – Gulag Orkestrar: The first time I heard this album back in January I was like, “What the fuck? This sounds awesome!” And it still does. I missed their Bowery Ballroom show but from sources I heard the live shows were really good.
Thunderbirds Are Now! – Make History: It’s good shoegazey pop. Not much more though.
Arcade Fire – Neon Bible: I’m not that impressed. It’s good but at least for now I don’t have a hard on. Maybe my tastes are changing but I find that they don’t impress me like the initially did. With that said it’s still a pretty good album. I’m reminded of an earlier Springsteen album ‘ Darkness on the Edge of Town’ thats been updated by a lot of Canadians.
Arcade Fire : Black Mirror
Modest Mouse – We Were Dead Before the Ship Sank: What? Is this like their millionth album? Feels like it. MM is a band I’ve always appreciated but I can’t say I’ve always enjoyed them, at least in that album sort of way, because Isaac Brock writes a lot of fucking songs and puts a shit load on every album. This may be why one of my favorite album of theirs is ‘Interstate 8′ because it’s got 5 really good songs, then 6 live songs. Anyway. What makes this album a little different and what makes it a little stronger is the addition of Johnny Marr (yes, the guitarist/songwriter for the Smiths) on guitar. The album weaves Brock’s fiery temperment with a gorgeous and explosive array of songs. This may be MMouse’s most consistent and solid album yet. Go to their website to listen to a lot of their music or the myspace page.
http://modestmousemusic.com/
Blonde Redhead – 23: Weird for me to say oldie but goody but Blonde Redhead are adding up in the years now. It seems like they’ve been listening to a little Slowdive.
Blonde Redhead : 23
Polyphonic Spree – The Fragile Army: Check it out and see them live (all 26 of them).
Polyphonic Spree : Mash Up
Polyphonic Spree : Mash Up
On th
e quick list:
Fujiya-Miyagi – I don’t have anything but a few tracks from them but they sound great. And their website is fucking awesome.
Lavender Diamond
Dynasty Handbag
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FJP
Dj Neil has a great lineup set for tonight at the 