I’m a fan of the T’Wolves because, when one of their players makes both free throws when he’s at the line at the Target Center, they play the coin sound effect from the original Super Mario Bros. Well, guess what they do in Cleveland when the visiting team misses both free throws. That’s right, they play the SMB music that you get when Mario dies.
Archive for February 2010
The Cleveland Cavaliers do the Minnesota Timberwolves one better
February 4, 2010Downer Party/Hot Toddies/Tempo No Tempo/Fighting the Villain review on Spinning Platters
February 4, 2010Episode 1294 is up
February 4, 2010Gigi “Maintenant”
February 3, 2010If you like the girl groups of the early ’60s then you will love this record. It stays fairly true to the era and presents an amazing list of guest singers. It has a slightly British feel to it with its liberal use of horns. Damn liberals.
“No, My Heart Will Go On” leads off and reminds me perhaps of the Dixie Cups. “Impossible Love” does the same thing. “The Hundredth Time” is to die for. Male vocals with female backing, and it reminds me of a stack of pancakes with Smuckers Boysenberry Syrup on top.
“Alone at the Pier” has guest Rose Melberg and is awesome. “Won’t Someone Tell Me?” features special guest Mirah Yom Tov Zeitlyn, who you are more likely to know, simply, as Mirah. What’s not to like?
“The Marquee” features guest Katie Eastburn and is a bit of a departure. With strings to go with the horns, it has a grownup feel. If you’re a secretly miserable yuppie having the people from accounting over for cheese, this song is the one you play in the background. Just remember not to get into an argument with your wife while you’re entertaining guests. It can wait.
Two things I don’t like about this album: The track listing is completely wrong, and the cover art has egregious errors. They show what we are led to believe is an old-timey intersection with a pre-hoopty-era car parallel parked on the street, while a young couple decked out and looking boss are walking up the street. However, you can see a newer-model vehicle parked further up the street, and it seems the male half of the couple is wearing a messenger bag over his skinny tie. In addition, I think they are talking about American Idol.
Early nomination for album of the year!
Episode 1293 is up
February 3, 2010Episode 1292 is up
February 2, 2010Episode 1291 is up
February 2, 2010Blue Skies for Black Hearts “Serenades and Hand Grenades”
February 2, 2010This album makes me giddy, what with its overflowing powerpop Moog, guitars and occasional falsettos. Portland’s Blue Skies for Black Hearts sound exactly as you’d expect them to. Backing harmonies from this four-piece of dudes are like a Snickers bar at 3 p.m.
“Siouxsie Please Come Home” gets the album off to a great start with a musical style that reminds me of The Mamas and the Papas. “Ambition” has saxamophone, and it definitely fills in the cracks to make the song a whole unit. The lyrics seem to be mixed a wee bit lower on this one, but I always have trouble with lyrics, so it could just be that.
“Jenny & Steve” is horny and tells a good story. I want to hear this band cover the theme song to “Are You Being Served?” Not only does it have trumpet but it has tuba too, which my dad would appreciate. A key point here is that the brass complements the song. Sometimes when an act throws an unconventional instrument into the mix, it’s for novelty purposes and it destroys the integrity of the track. Not here.
“I Still Wish That You Were Around” reminds me of the Posies. The mid-’90s feel is unmistakable. The song’s construction is a bit simpler than the other tracks are, but this stripped-down atmosphere really works here. It’s something I would have listened to while on the bus to Arby’s for my closing shift.
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