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May 21, 2012Test
May 21, 2012test
Imelda May “Mayhem”
September 18, 2011Beat-wise, this has the party atmosphere that Bow Wow Wow has. The voice is much sultrier, however. “Pulling the Rug” tugs at your heart as she flirts her way through it.
The best slower track is “Kentish Town Waltz.” There’s nothing ish about it — this is a bona fide waltz. “Eternity” and “Proud and Humble” are for alt-country fans.
If you liked “Goodbye” by Save Ferris, you’ll appreciate “Bury My Troubles.” One would never confuse Imelda May as a ska vocalist, but regardless, many appropriate comparisons can be drawn here.
“I’m Alive” is a happy sort of iced-tea-on-the-balcony good time. The vocals are mixed slightly higher, and there is a bit of a tropical beach theme. Better make that iced tea a Corona.
Natalie Walker “Spark”
September 18, 2011So the music has a beat, but it’s for soccer moms who never actually go to the club, instead only speaking with their little sister about it while living vicariously through her. She thinks this is what they play, right after a Colbie Caillat mix. Who are we to argue with her delusions?
All the cool kids like “Cool Kids.” It’s not the most original melody out there, but it is easily accessible to Annie Lennox fans. Galliano fans should appreciate “Against the Wall.” It’s more of the same inoffensive reserved dance pop. If you came of age with Book of Love, maybe this is your speed, but how do you not admit that you’re old when you listen to stuff like this? It’s just too embarrassing to admit you like Natalie Walker.
“Experimental Love” is the other notable song on here, but they’re all more similar than I care to admit. It’s that Southern California pay-to-play syncopated rhythm, headed for a rom-com near you, soul not included.
Eleanor Friedberger “Last Summer”
September 11, 2011Eleanor Friedberger sounds like the lead singer for The Fiery Furnaces. “My Mistakes” sounds like a power pop version of that band, anyway.
So I just did some research online. She was the lead singer for The Fiery Furnaces. Go, me. No, I don’t ever go back and rewrite my reviews as I listen to the record.
The rest of this review will talk about other songs I liked, but the first paragraph sums it up. “Heaven” has good backing harmonies that stand out in an otherwise simply composed track. In my own little world this was the first song she did on her own, so that’s why it is so basic. Still very good, though.
“Roosevelt Island” sounds more like a The Fiery Furnaces track. There’s a bit of keyboard action here that makes everything fit perfectly. A slower track can be found with “One-Month Marathon.” It reminds me of “Some Senseless Day” by The Reputation because it’s slower than what you usually get, but it still sounds natural.
More The Fiery Furnaces-sounding stuff can be found with “Owl’s Head Park.” It’s a story-telling song, like “My Dog Was Lost But Now He’s Found” was.
So the whole record is good. It’s exactly what you would expect it to be. Have at it.
Medals “Dancing in Ceremony”
July 17, 2011I took this one because the band has someone Japanese in it, and my grandma is Japanese. As far as the music goes, it’s a little trippy and a little noisy. “Lonestars” is the first track and is synth-heavy and sounds better with headphones.
I’d like Modern Mark to play “The Modern.” I think it would work on his show. Although slightly repetitive, it has a good melody. “Dickens” has synths similar to You Say Party We Say Die’s “Laura Palmer’s Prom.” The vocals make me think of the Cult. It’s a pretty good combination.
The aptly titled “Bossanueva” is slightly off-key but still a good show of Medals’ versatility. The last track is “Puzzle,” and it is good for fans of progressive rock and newer Yeah Yeah Yeahs (although with a dude singing). All in all, it’s a vaguely modern alternative rock band.
Does It Offend You, Yeah? “Don’t Say We Didn’t Warn You”
May 8, 2011I’ve heard a lot about this band, and I’m only hip enough to recognize the name. “John Hurt” samples Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock’s “It Takes Two.” They must also like the Whopper. “Wrong Time Wrong Planet” was a little psychedelic but not too much to make you uncomfortable.
Fans of Apollo 440 should like “Wondering.” I don’t know what to do with this type of music, but it is fun if nothing else.
By the time I get to the end of this record, I am expecting to hear something quirky disguised as normal, and so the quirkiness is what keeps me going. Well, when I hear “Broken Arms,” it never gets weird. So the song is fine, sure, but I wasn’t expecting a straight-ahead shoegaze type of song. Flaming Lips does this to me as well sometimes. How dare they do one song normally! And I most certainly was not warned!
Liam Finn + Eliza Jane “Champagne in Seashells”
May 8, 2011It’s an EP. I don’t know enough about music to know whether “Plane Crash” is in C, but Rilo Kiley fans would like this one nonetheless. “Long Way to Go” is catchier and has jangly guitar as well as some synths. This is one to dance to. In fact, I think I’ve heard this before. I have. The chorus has the same melody as “Do You Wanna Hold Me?” by Bow Wow Wow.
“Won’t Change My Mind” is slower and has the same music as “Another Day in Paradise” by Phil Collins. How is that even possible? It’s subtle, but it’s there. “Honest Face” has a peppy rhythm and a mid-90s power pop sound. Picking up the rear is “On Your Side.” It’s a fun amalgamation of sound.
This isn’t the first record of theirs that I’ve listened to, and I hope it won’t be the last. These guys are a lot of fun.
Eux Autres “Broken Bow”
March 13, 2011Here’s a band our beloved traffic director can really get into. It’s pronounced “ooh oh-TRAY.” I saw these guys in San Francisco last year when they were touring. The easiest analogy is Nous Non Plus, because they both have female vocals and a French name. It’s not entirely off base, but the music is less eccentric and has more of an ’80s sound. Musically, I like them much better than Nous Non Plus.
“Queen Turner” has a bit of a twee sound, and the accompaniment is perfect. It reminds me of Sweetheart. “Under Rays” has tremendous power pop sensibilities to it. This could be one of the best songs of the year.
If you want something a little more male-dominated, “A Band Undone” does quite nicely. “You’re Alight” goes back to those lovely female vocals again. The piano in the background is good stuff, and reminds me of another band that makes me think of French, Of Montreal.
Muffs, Neko Case and Fastbacks fans may think “Go Dancing” is one of their own, only on Prozac. “Cover Rights” is the cherry on top of a fantastic item. If this is the future of music, then we’re in good hands.
Joel’s Hit Show, Episode 83, 15 October 2010 Playlist
October 15, 2010Reporter, Silent Running
Cotton Jones, Goethe Nayburs
Magic Kids, Phone
Fitz and the Tantrums, Don’t Gotta Work It Out
Rogue Valley, English Ivy
Jesca Hoop, Hunting My Dress
Carissa’s Wierd, One Night Stand
Colleen and Paul, You’re My Globe
of Montreal, Coquet Coquette
Neon Indian, Deadbeat Summer
Preaching to the Animals, Mercy Me
Dirty Projectors, Ascending Memory
Sarah Jaffe, Summer Begs
Why?, Gemini (Birthday Song)
Miss TK and the Revenge, Beach Master
Land of Talk, Cloak and Cipher
Margaret Cho, Intervention
