Massive Attack, Girl I Love You
Please Do Not Fight, Up Up Up
The Watson Twins, Modern Man
Basia Bulat, Heart of My Own
Joan of Arc, (Track 5)
Stringer Belle, Take This Song
Akai, Satellite
Twin Tigers, Passive Idol
Mixtapes & Cellmates, All of the Above
Innocent Bandits, When Another Sun Shines
Olof Arnalds, Klara
Balbec, How to Achieve God-Like Status
Soft Cotton County, Cosy Little Life
Sonya Kitchell, Snowing
Hildur Victoria, Four Young Sons
Archive for April 2010
Joel’s Hit Show, Episode 61, April 25 2010 Playlist
April 25, 2010Drive-By Truckers “The Big To-Do”
April 23, 2010For those of you scoring at home, this is record number 10. Maybe the hair is thinning a little bit, but not much else has changed. They still sound like Soul Asylum’s cooler younger brother. “Daddy Learned to Fly” reminds you of a time when Democratic presidents weren’t automatically considered socialists and instead were just fucking their interns.
“Birthday Boy” puts the Wallflowers to shame. It’s the same rooty-toot guitar, but with more texture and even soul. It’s a perfect microcosm of a band who has generally stayed just outside the glare of the spotlight. You can’t help but feel good about this act.
“The Wig He Made Her Wear” is one of the better ones. It tells a fun story about what has to be done before sex and why these things are important.
Shonna Tucker gets her time in the son as well. “You Got Another” shows a remarkably strong voice and heretofore unheard piano. The rest of the record is good too, although it does start to sound the same after a while. That’s what Drive-By Truckers do, though. This much-anticipated album will not disappoint.
Episode 1372 is up
April 23, 2010Episode 1371 is up
April 23, 2010Communist Daughter “Soundtrack to the End”
April 21, 2010The record starts with “The Lady Is an Arsonist” and ends with “Minnesota Girls.” That’s how you get my attention. And the songs themselves are catchy, upbeat and fun, which never hurts.
“Soundtrack to the End” is a little slower but still has pep. It has more of a folk feel, although the whole album definitely would receive a folk rock subsidy if such a thing existed. If Jesus and Mary Chain weren’t so busy trying to be edgy, they would sound like this. The copious use of organ makes this track stand out.
“Fortunate Son” is the most rock ‘n’ roll of the tracks, and if the band ever decides to go in this direction, we’ll all be better off. It feels as if they have relieved themselves of the shackles of being a sleepy rock band and instead have just relieved themselves. It’s as cheerful as the rest, but this one really can get you excited if you let your guard down.
It’s a solid effort, although I fear they would be boring live.
Episode 1370 is up
April 21, 2010Episode 1369 is up
April 20, 2010Shearwater “The Golden Archipelago”
April 19, 2010It is hard to write a review of this without resorting to the hyperbole. It has a late ’80s modern rock vibe, full of lush soundscapes and fanny packs. “Runners of the Sun” sounds like a Tears for Fears B-side. Most of the other tracks have rich instrumentation and, although not very adventurous, make for some easy, good-time listening.
“An Insular Life” has more of a Peter Gabriel/Sting bent, but it is still more of the detailed and flavorful music of that era. The rest of the album just kind of goes, striking a chord with some listeners, a nerve with others I am sure. It’s a faithful homage, this.
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