Archive for February 2010
Episode 1305 is up
February 15, 2010Episode 1304 is up
February 15, 2010Episode 1303 is up
February 15, 2010Joel’s Hit Show, Episode 56, February 14 2010 Playlist
February 14, 2010Urban Legend, The World Keeps Spinning
Ivy, Be My Baby
Fan Death, Reunited
Internal/External, Anchordown
Massive Attack, Pray for Rain
Innocence Mission, Martha Avenue Love Song
Phantogram, Mouthful of Diamonds
Inner Circle ft. Slightly Stoopid, Mary Collie Weed
Family of the Year, Let’s Go Down
Ida, Man in Mind
False Alarm, Cant See the Sun
The Icicles, Margie
Gossip, Standing in the Way of Control
Imperial Teen, You’re One
Willowz, Everyone
Hanne Hukkelberg, In Here/Out There
Psychology of Genocide, Pearl Harbor Jon
Lida Husik, Ein Symphonie Des Gravens
Tulsa, Shallow Water
Danielle Howle, Passing Through
Shayna Zaid & the Catch, Blow
The Husbands, Pretty Lil Baby
Emily Rodgers, Great Depressions
Bright City Music, Hotel
Frida Hyvonen, You Never Got Me Right
Radagun, Not the One
The Hot Toddies, What’s Your Sign?
V.V. Brown, Quick Fix
Hope Sandoval & the Warm Inventions
Hannah Georgas, Chit Chat
Hooverphonic, 2wicky
Brooke Waggoner “Go Easy Little Doves”
February 12, 2010There’s a lot of texture in what otherwise would be consider a simple and stripped down piano record. “Go Easy Little Doves, I’ll Be Fine” runs on pretty well. These songs have lots of string instruments including a double bass.
“Chromates Soft Love” has an older feel to it. I keep expecting Bugs Bunny and Elmer Fudd to poke their eyes into the room when the intro to this one comes on. The music on this album is as beautiful as it comes. It isn’t something to listen to while driving all night to Las Vegas, but it certainly is called for when you’re taking the cat to the vet.
“Find Her Floods” has a little more energy behind it and is more in the Jenny Lewis or Slumber Party vein. “Body” is a little more dated and reminds me of Sinead O’Connor.
“Burden of Our Courage” has an oboe in it. Anytime you can use a word that is 3/4 vowels (there’s an idea), you should take advantage of it. This song makes me think of Peter and the Wolf for some reason.
Although it is not entirely groundbreaking, this is a solid effort for fans of the genre and deserves their consideration if they want more stuff in their iPhones.
Episode 1302 is up
February 12, 2010Via Audio “Animalore”
February 11, 2010This album has its emergency brake on. There’s plenty to like, with entertaining guitar and a music box on “Goldrush.” It has a vaguely late-’80s feel. But there is something dragging the album down. I can’t quite put my finger on it.
You know how sometimes you just didn’t get enough sleep, so you sort of space your way through the day, bumping into things and making verbal commitments to social events that you’ll just flake on later? That’s what this album is. It focuses on natural talent, but you feel that they are holding back, as if they are recovering from a night at the Hemlock Tavern or something.
“Babies” is another fun one, carrying a melody reminiscent of Men at Work or A.M. Sixty. “Lizard Song” doesn’t make me want to save 15% on my car insurance, but the alternating tempo or whatever it is that it’s doing provides the hooks you need to be fully successful.
The last track is called “Happening.” It’s very quiet and slow, but it does leave you wanting more or at least hoping that the next record will have a sense of urgency.
I like this album because it sounds like something I can listen to over and over again. I can’t help but think, though, that the potential is there to be so much more.
Episode 1301 is up
February 11, 2010Soft Cotton County “Soft Cotton County”
February 10, 2010I like what they’ve done here. And just like the Shitty Beatles, it’s not just a clever name. “On a Roll” should be called “Jelly.” The lead singer channels Dot Allison and Kate Bush here, and praise doesn’t get much higher than that.
“Ursa Minor DJ” reminds me of Stereolab, only with all-living band members. It’s a little faster than the other songs, or at least it has percussion. I don’t know how these things work. But what you have here is something stripped down yet compelling to the ear.
“Cosy Little Life” has a dude singing, and he kind of sounds like Peter Gabriel. There’s no way you can get through this entire album without finding something that you like. The guitar sounds like Gin Blossoms. It’s just an early ’90s celebration, it is.
“Live in Town” features both singers and has haunting synths to keep you up late at night. There is a Peanuts reference here, but I can’t quite formulate it. But suffice it to say I love Peanuts, and I love this band.
“I Can’t Sleep (Sleep Stations)” is also a good song, but I have nothing clever to remark about it. Everything is good on this one, really. I wish they hadn’t released this on Christmas (who does that?), because I would have loved to have given this a shot at Album of the Year. Oh well, at least I can still enjoy the record.
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