Yeah, I can get behind this stuff. It reminds me of Primitive Radio Gods. It’s lightweight, poppy music with occasional nods to samples and grunge. Perry Farrell would be proud.
You can count on tracks such as “Census” to drive the point home. I also enjoy “Highchair.” But “Supertoys” is super rad. All the members do all the singing, so I suppose you find the one with the member you like and root for that.
“Headless Sky” is the best of the male-led tracks. The tracks here all remind you of mid-90s stars, whether it’s Flaming Lips or Pavement. There’s not much to say, because I’m sick of making Melrose Place references, but this one will be enjoyed by Generation Xers and today’s teens who think it’s cool to listen to the music their uncles and aunts like.
Archive for August 2010
Autolux “Transit Transit”
August 12, 2010Dirty Little Rabbits “Dirty Little Rabbits”
August 8, 2010There’s no mistaking it: This is a rock band. They probably play in smoky bars, and all the guys hoot and holler and say suggestive things to the lead singer that they’d never say if they weren’t drunk.
The resurgence of the female-dominated band is about complete. We’re right back to where we were in the Pat Benatar era 30 years ago and the Lilith Fair era 15 years ago. The wheat is starting to come with a little chaff attached, so enjoy it while you can. The Creed reunion tour can’t be far off, now.
So the album itself? It tries a little too hard. Sometimes it’s Picture Me Broken (“Simon”), other times Evanescence (“You Say”) and even still other times Bjork and Rush simultaneously (“Put It in the Rock”). And you know what? That’s just the first three tracks. Why listen to a compilation when you can have one band do the dirty work for you?
If the lead singer would calm down and just sing, something she surely can do but perhaps does not have the confidence to do yet, she could sound like Beth Sorrentino. I will wait.
“I Love You” is good for Leah Andreone fans. The song itself? It’s all right; it’s okay. “If” slows it down. I bet the band doesn’t want to do ballads, but they do them well. Nobody ever wants to do what people want them to do. “The Didn’ts” is a bit frenetic. It’s a guarantee they play this one live.
I don’t know what the band is trying to do on this record, but there’s one thing for certain. They’ve done something!
Episode 1477 is up
August 7, 2010Episode 1476 is up
August 7, 2010Episode 1475 is up
August 5, 2010Morcheeba “Blood Like Lemonade”
August 4, 2010After being gone for almost as long as they had been together, Morcheeba are back to see whether they’re still relevant. They may not make any new fans, but their old ones should be mighty chuffed that the band is having another go at it.
This record reminds me of Siouxsie and the Banshees’ “The Rapture.” It’s just a little too happy to really be them. And as sure as we were happy to hear “O Baby” then, we’re happy to hear “Even Though” now. And we can perhaps revel in their happiness, because 15 years is a long time to be depressed anyway. Hopefully they can give the members of Portishead a call to see whether they can be brought out of their funk as well.
“Mandala” is a nice interlude, complete with some classic samples. It’s the most true-to-the-original of the tracks. A pity that it’s less than three minutes long. Other tracks show the band’s evolution. “I Am the Spring” doesn’t even have percussion. It sounds like a Tracey Thorn track.
“Cut to the Bass” is another winner. It has the old sound but still has an original feel to it. This is what it’s all about. “Beat of the Drum” is a good one to take a nap to. Listening to Morcheeba always puts me in a special place.
Episode 1474 is up
August 4, 2010Spouse “Confidence”
August 3, 2010Very friendly power pop here. “No Sudden Moves” is the first track and sounds like something Tally Hall might do. I really like this. “What You’re Feeling” introduces a keyboard as well. You can’t help but smile. What a fun bunch of guys.
“Impressed by You” is the best of the best, however. It’s an easy-to-understand love story of a song and one I can relate to personally. Dinosaur Jr fans will especially like this because of the guitar work. “59” is in Spanish, which is nice. Underwater has the same chords or bassline or something as “Glycerine” by Bush.
Not much else to say. The album is so seriously good that I don’t want to make my usual assortment of ridiculous puns.
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