Archive for March 2011
Episode 1691 is up
March 15, 2011Episode 1690 is up
March 15, 2011Episode 1689 is up
March 15, 2011Episode 1688 is up
March 15, 2011Ben + Vesper “Honors”
March 13, 2011Maybe “Vesper” is the woman to complement Ben. It is some sort of Rilo Kiley-sounding thing, except Ben’s vocals sort of stand out in a strange way. They’re fine, but it is as if the lead singer of Fanfarlo took a visit to Saddle Creek.
“Knee-Hi Wall” is a key track on this one. Lots of harmonizing and a beat that is prominent but not overpowering. I also like “Cheer Up, Cheers!” It’s a bit more somber than the rest, but sometimes happy does not a good song make.
“All Is Forgiven” reminds me of Simon and Garfunkel, if Art weren’t a dude. The title track is the last track. Something has to have the honor of being the last track. It might as well be this one.
The songs are generally all good on this one.
Kitten “Sunday School”
March 13, 2011How many bands have been called “Kitten” before? Surely this is neither the first nor the last. This EP starts with “Kill the Light,” and it sounds like newer Yeah Yeah Yeahs. The sound here is definitely typical of today’s female-fronted modern rock bands. “Chinatown” sounds like “Kill the Light.” It is a little more ’80s, I guess, like Missing Persons.
“Johnny Johnny Johnny” and “Allison Day” mindlessly went by. Nothing wrong or right with them. “Kitten With a Whip” is luckily better than a cliche to wrap up the record. It has bits of Marianne Pillsbury’s “Fixer Upper Lover” and some random Pretty Girls Make Graves in it. The synths clinch the track’s spot as “best track on the EP.” Bully for them.
Lia Ices “Grown Unknown”
March 13, 2011I am guessing it’s pronounced “ICE-is.” She is another singer-songwriter with a piano and beautiful voice. You can never have too many of these, and you should know going in whether this is of interest to you. I’ll take all I can get. “Love Is Won” is a good example of what you can expect.
“Little Marriage” is a waltz and has ethereal backing vocals that complement the rest of the song perfectly. “Daphne” features Justin Vernon if you’re into that sort of thing. The title track has clapping to keep the beat while Ices wails away. It is a standout track in that the rest are much quieter.
Corpus Callosum “Corpus Callosum”
March 13, 2011I’ve seen these guys a few times at Nickel City, so it only made sense that I would review their record as well. They’re a little bit country and a little bit offbeat. And I think one of the dudes in the band works at Barefoot Coffee in Santa Clara. That place was awesome until they got rid of Whim of the Barista. You could order that and never know what you were going to get. It was perfect for an indecisive bastard such as myself. Now, when you try to get them to do it, they grudgingly oblige, but they never seem really happy about it. Luckily that guy can always fall back on his future in Corpus Callosum, a band that has great potential if it can stay true to its sound.
“The Ridgepole Sags” is as fine an example as any when it comes to their sound. There is some accordion mixed in, and it reminds me of Boris. I enjoy the CD packaging. It has a pull tab to get it open, so someday mint copies will be very scarce and worth thousands. Before disappointing their respective families by announcing a career in music, I bet at least half of them had marketing backgrounds.
“Riding Home” is a little stranger but again not out-and-out weird. The whole record is really a low-key excuse to broaden your horizons without having to join a cult or start smoking crack. Did you see “The Fighter”? Crack is tough to overcome.
“I Hate You” is a long story with a beginning, middle and end. You could play this when you have to go to Women’s Restroom 5 or Men’s Restroom 7. “The Siblings Greely” sounds like a male version of Sinead Lohan’s “No Mermaid.” The chorus doesn’t quite work, but the rest of the song is amazing.
Eux Autres “Broken Bow”
March 13, 2011Here’s a band our beloved traffic director can really get into. It’s pronounced “ooh oh-TRAY.” I saw these guys in San Francisco last year when they were touring. The easiest analogy is Nous Non Plus, because they both have female vocals and a French name. It’s not entirely off base, but the music is less eccentric and has more of an ’80s sound. Musically, I like them much better than Nous Non Plus.
“Queen Turner” has a bit of a twee sound, and the accompaniment is perfect. It reminds me of Sweetheart. “Under Rays” has tremendous power pop sensibilities to it. This could be one of the best songs of the year.
If you want something a little more male-dominated, “A Band Undone” does quite nicely. “You’re Alight” goes back to those lovely female vocals again. The piano in the background is good stuff, and reminds me of another band that makes me think of French, Of Montreal.
Muffs, Neko Case and Fastbacks fans may think “Go Dancing” is one of their own, only on Prozac. “Cover Rights” is the cherry on top of a fantastic item. If this is the future of music, then we’re in good hands.
Tristeza “Paisajes”
March 13, 2011They’re all instrumentals, and this CD can serve as a bed while you’re talking if you want. Subtle differences abound, but you really can’t go wrong with any of them. They recommend you listen to “Raise Your Gaze” and “Newbury,” although the onesheet is littered with typos, so who knows? Give me “Missoula” any day. It has better samples. (Remember when samples were called “sound effects”?)
The last track, Cholo, is also a little more upbeat, like “Newbury.” None of the tracks sound as if you’re on hold or anything, but these definitely work better. But beyond the standard of “voiceover music,” there’s little to recommend. But it is time to remake that “How to Make a Whopper” instructional video, isn’t it?
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