Andreya Triana, Daydreamers
L7, Pretend We’re Dead
Luckie Strike, Can’t Afford It
Defiance, Ohio, The Reason
Sara Lov, Timebomb
The Lovemakers, We Already Said Goodbye
Dirty Projectors, No Intention
Kirsty MacColl, You Know It’s You
Lykke Li, Little Bit
Maximum Balloon, Communion
Luna, Anesthesia
Lunachicks, Mr. Lady
Versus, On the Ones and Threes
Luscious Jackson, Under Your Skin
Lush, Ladykillers
The Hundred in the Hands, Young Aren’t Young
Mary Timony Band, Sharpshooter
Eleni Mandell, Artificial Fire
Agent Ribbons, I’m Alright
Manda and the Marbles, Boys Will Be Boys
Barbara Manning, Isn’t Lonely Lovely
Of Montreal, Coquet Coquette
Man of the Year, Thank Your Stars
Aimee Mann, Susan
Colleen and Paul, Please Be Kind
Manifold Splendour, Wonder Boys
Audra Mae, Snakebite
Carissa’s Wierd, Blessed Arms That Hold You Tight, Freezing Cold and Alone
Magnapop, This Family
Mascott, Opposite
Preaching to the Animals, Down and Out
Mates of State, Get Better
Laura Marling, Devil’s Spoke
Margaret Cho, I’m Sorry
Matt & Kim, Cutdown
Ida Maria, Oh My God
The Vaselines, Overweight but Over You
Marina & the Diamonds, Are You Satisfied?
Maps of Norway, Victory Lane
Norma Loy, Romance
Anya Marina, Move You (SSSPII)
Marine Research, Parallel Horizontal
Sarah Jaffe, Wreaking Havoc
Nena, Kino
Cub, Backwoods
Madonna, Nothing Really Matters
The Aislers Set, The Way to Market Station
Screaming Females, Adult Army
Archive for October 2010
Episode 1544 is up
October 13, 2010Episode 1543 is up
October 13, 2010Episode 1542 is up
October 11, 2010Episode 1541 is up
October 11, 2010Azure Ray “Drawing Down the Moon”
October 10, 2010It’s nice to see a new effort from them. Maria Taylor released a solo record, which was freakin’ amazing, but I’ll take the “greater than the sum of its parts” duo of Azure Ray. “Don’t Leave My Mind” feels like what the listener should be singing back to the band, because fans have not forgotten.
“On and On Again” is good for those that like their slower tracks. I mean, they don’t even front: The first track on the album is “Wake Up, Sleepyhead.” Well, duh. “Signs in the Leaves” is another good one.
“Shouldn’t Have Loved” is another faster track. I bet people will like it, but for me it’s too much of a departure. The synths are a little too loud and jarring, like during a chase scene in an action movie.
The whole album is good. It’s just what you were hoping for, plus a few suggestions of where they may head next. If they’ve been on a collision course with Yeah Yeah Yeahs, then they must be saying to Karen O, “Your move.”
The Lightfighters “Behind the Tides”
October 10, 2010This is a standard-issue rock band, whose lead singer reminds me a bit of Pat Benatar, except there is a guy who sings, too, who might as well remind me of John Cougar Mellencamp. There is also a lot of organ, which sounds mixed in after the fact. You know how when you’re in a crowded room how you can hear one voice above the others, and it’s always that same guy in a Harley-Davidson T-shirt? That’s the organ on this record.
“Mirrorball” has vocals that remind me of Psychedelic Furs. The piano is brought out for “California,” and whatever production is done on Cecily Hunt’s voice was top notch. It reminds me a bit of Sinead O’Connor here.
“Fade to Grey” uses the Queen’s spelling of “grey,” and the uptempo nature of the track lends itself quite well to this, although the melody is tired. “Elvis Presley” is very Mellencamp and replete with namedropping.
There’s a lot of potential here, but they aren’t there yet. The next record should be better, though.
Fitz and the Tantrums “Pickin’ Up the Pieces”
October 10, 2010I met these guys at Holocene in Portland, Oregon, when they opened up for Blue Skies for Black Hearts. They are new and from Los Angeles. They are a fun R&B bar band with soulful male and female vocals. In a lot of ways, it reminds you of the Motown greats of the ’60s, with a little more organ. I’ve used this analogy before, but these songs would all work at the end of a Murphy Brown episode. So many keywords … .
“L.O.V.” adds hand claps to this melting pot of delicious soup or chowder or whatever it is they’re making for dinner. Don’t save room for dessert: It can’t compare. “Don’t Gotta Work It Out” could be the song that breaks them. It’s more polished than the rest, and it would fit right in on any Julia Roberts movie soundtrack.
“Tighter” is the last track and is thoughtfully put together. I really enjoy this album. It has both kinds of music: rhythm and blues.
Cotton Jones “Tall Hours in the Glowstream”
October 10, 2010Basketball Jones’ brother Cotton is a band, and Whitney McGraw has a nice voice. The back of the album has a guy in a trucker hat, so combined with her last name, you expect country music. It’s maybe like Neko Case, if anything, but it’s much more contemporary than that.
Apparently Cotton Jones are a big deal. I hear a lot of hipsters talk about them, and I can see why. This is right up their asshole. More importantly, it’s not pretentious. It has a distinct local sound, but they seem to be from elsewhere (not St. Elsewhere).
“Somehow to Keep It Going” showcases Michael Nau’s voice well. (See? I like the dudes, too.) But “Glorylight and Christie” reminds me of Kate Bush, as McGraw effortlessly carries the duet. The one thing missing is that I bet they are boring live, but hipsters like that anyway, so it works out for everyone.
“Soft Mountain Shake” really ought to be a Mtn. Dew-flavored milkshake, but it’s not. I can always dream. It’s one of those instrumental interludes, except it’s got harmonizing so it isn’t an instrumental, but it sounds great to talk over.
“Goethe Nayburs” is a little faster and very catchy. I’m sure the title is some sort of euphemism. They get that benefit of the doubt. “Dream on Columbia Street” could be a Velvet Underground cover, but it’s not.
Knock yourselves out. Your kids will want to know why you liked them, but remember: Being defensive to your kids makes them defensive and, by extension, beaten up.
Miss TK and the Revenge “The Ocean Likes to Party Too”
October 10, 2010It’s hard for me to get past the lack of a comma before “too,” but I will just have to move on. This is one of those party records for college kids. It’s harmless synths and lyrics, like Dominatrix meets Peaches. I bet it sounds better if you’re coked up.
“Red Lites” is as good as any. All the songs are good, but they all sound the same. Once you’ve found the right mix, after all, there is no reason to deviate from the happy path. “Saturday” will be a favorite because it’s about Saturday. No one got rich singing about having some fun drinking beer at noon on a Tuesday.
“Posi Tip” and “Just Wanna Dance” pick up the rear by making you want to move yours. This act is the new generation’s Ace of Base. Hmm, that act did have two dudes and two chicks, so maybe they fooled around.
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