More suggestive lyrics from everyone’s favorite Oakland pop tarts. My imagined top-secret affair with the keyboardist continues with great tracks such as “Hey Hey.” It’s a little longer than what I remember about this band, but so what? More of them to love.
I almost feel guilty about the Oakland A’s pending move to San Jose when I hear “Green & Gold.” They are true fans, knowing to make reference to Kurt Suzuki and Coco Crisp, the two A’s who are least likely to be traded. Can you imagine if they had sung about having to wait five days for Gio Gonzalez to come around? Well, that’s exactly where it will stay: in your imagination.
When searching YouTube for a performance of this, the string was pre-selected for me, meaning others have already searched for it. However, the lack of relevant responses means it’s time for me to see them live so I can film it and give the public what it wants.
“Boogie Nights” is the last track and a slow-dance number. There’s nothing wrong with it, but “Green & Gold” just sucks the air out of the room with its presence.
Archive for April 2012
The Hot Toddies “Bottoms Up EP”
April 15, 2012Joel’s Hit Show, Episode 147, 11 April 2012 Playlist
April 11, 2012Dragons Power Up!, Educate Her Hair
Drugstore, Alive
Dreamdate, Wait for You
The Spiracles, End of the Affair
Dressy Bessy, Small
The Dresden Dolls, The Sheep Song
Laura Gibson, The Rushing Dark
The Dry Spells, Rhiannon
Drink Up Buttercup, Even Think
Tigertown, Still Breathing
Dum Dum Girls, Wasted Away
The Duhks, You Don’t See It
Elk Bell, A Little Cold Outside
Dynamite Club, Athena
Dubstar, Not So Manic Now
Young Magic, Slip Time
Ear Pwr, Melt
Dutchess/Duke, Let It Die
Mazzy Star, Lay Myself Down
Heather Duby, Terrabyte
Echobelly, Bellyache
The Lovely Bad Things, Old Ghost
Eels, Baby Loves Me
Elastica, Da Da Da
The Chambermaids, China Blue
Eisley, Memories
Ed Hines Band, Cindy Said
Heartless Bastards, Low Low Low
Eddie Loves Debbie, Making Friends
18th Dye, D.
Only the Sea Slugs, Big Sky
Emblems, Summer Air
El Perro del Mar, You Belong to the Sky Now
Ariane Moffatt, In Your Body
Elizabeth & the Catapult, Everybody Knows
Elizabeth Woodbury Kasius & Heard, O Feche
You Say France & I Whistle, Cats
The Ericksons, Lie for You
The Ettes, The Rules
Nneka, Restless
Erase Errata, Other Animals Are #1
Espers, Meridian
Old Monk, More Peat Moss, Please
Esquimaux, Red Rover
Esben and the Witch, Argyria
Evelyn Evelyn, Evelyn Evelyn
Exene Cervenka and the Original Sinners, Sky Blue Pink
Eux Autres, You’re Alight
Joel’s Hit Show, Episode 146, 4 April 2012 Playlist
April 4, 2012Dragons Power Up!, Sea Legs
The Cribs, Victims of Mass Production
Cranes, Let Go
Foxy Shazam, Wasted Feelings
The Curious Mystery, Hot Port
CSS, Patins
Mazzy Star, Common Burn
Cub, My Flaming Red Bobsled
Dance Hall Crashers, Queen for a Day
You Say France & I Whistle, When Lovers Die
Damone, On My Mind
Damn Handsome and the Birthday Suits, Pink Flamingos
Ani DiFranco, ¿Which Side Are You On?
Dead Man’s Bones, In the Room Where You Sleep
Dealership, Two Turns
Vacationer, Trip
Dear Nora, ‘Round and ‘Round
The Dears, Stick W/ Me Kid
Dirty Ghosts, Battle Slang
Shenandoah Davis, Pellet Gun
Deerhoof, Offend Maggie
Heartless Bastards, Only for You
The Delgados, Get Action!
Defiance, Ohio, A Lot to Do
The Mallard, I Listen to the Lyrics Last
The Decemberists, Foregone
The Decks, What You Said
Mother Falcon, Fireflies
Deluka, OMFG
Diet Kong, A Forest
Cherri Bomb, The Pretender
Dirty Projectors, No Intention
The Distillers, Idoless
Rural Alberta Advantage, Barnes Yard
The Dishes, Girls Can’t Play
Dirty Mittens, Arcadia
Jessica Jalbert, Stupid Hollow
Natalie D-Napoleon, Even the Sweet Things Die
Julie Doiron, Dance Music
The Kabbs, Golden and Blue
The Donnas, Too Bad About Your Girl
Dollyrots, Cat Calling
Neverever, Venus
Tanya Donelly, Manna
Doctors & Dealers, Just Another Feeling
Sarah Dougher, Wide Eyed
The Do, The Bridge Is Broken
Kaiser Chiefs “Start the Revolution Without Me”
April 1, 2012This is kind of complicated. As I understand it, these Brits released “The Future is Medieval” domestically last year but not in the US. Then with a somewhat different track list they’re releasing “Start the Revolution Without Me” here. It’s barmy.
In any case, the first track is “Little Shocks” and sounds like what you’d expect from them. I enjoy the occasional keyboard in “Heard It Break.” I’m not sure what it is about England’s music scene that makes it so great, but I bet it has to do with universal healthcare.
“Starts With Nothing” is a pensive piece that belongs in a romantic comedy movie soundtrack. For those who miss the rock party anthems (as opposed to the party rock anthems) that Big Audio Dynamite would provide, “Cousin in the Bronx” will bring back some memories. This track also reminds me of Happy Mondays.
The best song is probably “Man on Mars.” The band again uses bits of synths to lubricate the song a little bit, and it does go down pretty easily so good on them. I also like “Can’t Mind My Own Business.”
The last track is “You Will Have Me.” It sure is nice to have Kaiser Chiefs still making music. Hopefully, they will keep it going for a little while longer.
The Chieftains “Voice of Ages”
April 1, 2012Those who know me may think I like this band because of the hockey reference. The real reason is their appearance on “Brak Presents the Brak Album Starring Brak.” Twelve years later, I can return the favor and review this compilation.
So unlike that record, this one features all Chieftains stuff, and it’s the vocalist who is a guest. Pick your favorite act or read on for my favorites:
- On “Carolina Rua/Reel – The Ladies Pantalettes” Imelda May provides great lyrics
- Bon Iver slows it down with “Down in the Willow Garden”
- Punch Brothers do well on both “The Lark in the Clear Air/Olam Punch” and “The Frost Is All Over”
- The Decemberists give completists another song to download with “When the Ship Comes In”
- Paolo Nutini is downright nutty on “Hard Times Come Again No More”
- NASA Astronaut Cady Coleman helps out on “The Chieftains in Orbit,” which has to be heard to be believed
Fanfarlo “Rooms Filled With Light”
April 1, 2012More of the same from these guys. I’ll maintain my crush on Cathy Lucas. The lead singer still sounds like David Byrne. “Replicate” is the first track and has prominent strings. Much better than anything Coldplay has ever tried. Don’t act so surprised.
Minimalists will appreciate “Lenslife.” Sometimes you don’t have to be complicated to make a good indie rock song. I was hoping “Tunguska” would be a ska song, but although it isn’t, it’s still my favorite track on the record.
The talking backing vocals (backtalking?) of “Tightrope” make that track particularly enjoyable. Every band seems to have a song named “Bones,” and Fanfarlo is no longer an exception. This sounds more like their older material. I also liked “A Flood.”
The record put me to sleep a little bit but just so I could dream about Lucas.
The Decemberists “We All Raise Our Voices to the Air: Live Songs 04.11-08.11”
April 1, 2012Two CDs. Two hours. All Decemberists. Not sure what else to say. Pick your favorite song of theirs and see whether they played it. The longest ones (over 10 minutes each) are “The Crane Wife 1, 2, and 3”; “The Mariner’s Revenge Song” (which is really good live); and “I Was Meant for the Stage.”
You do get the witty banter you should expect from the act. Honestly, if you’re going to listen to a live album, why else would you do it? The sound will never rival what you get from a studio recording.
For those living under a rock, this is a good primer for what the Decemberists bring to the table. “The Infanta” has the same melody as Electronic’s “Forbidden City.” The “Calamity Song” performance is top notch.
The audience is mocked in “We Both Go Down Together.” This one is just fun. The live rendition of “Leslie Ann Levine” is also very good. It’s not enough to make me want to see them live, but it is enough to make you want to.
If you want to hear yodeling, it’s at the end of “The Rake’s Song.” And all that is just the first CD.
The second CD has a few choice winners as well, including “Billy Liar.” This is just a really good song more than it’s anything special about the live version. In the same way I also liked “All Arise!” and “This Is Why We Fight.”
Nneka “Soul Is Heavy”
April 1, 2012I played Nneka several times on my show, but this is the first record of hers I’ve reviewed. She’s what comes on when I’m in an R&B mood that errs on the calypso/reggae/island side. So Lauryn Hill with an edge.
The first track is outstanding. In “Lucifer (No Doubt),” the Nigerian scams my heart away. And for those who think soul means deep, passionate voices, well, you’re wrong, but you get proof with “My Home,” which has hints of JoJo McDuffie, Diana Ross, and Tina Turner.
“Restless” is a piano ballad at first, but during the chorus it turns into a song with the same beat as John Mellencamp’s “Wild Night.” Considering Meshell Ndegeocello is the guest vocalist in that one, you can’t help but wonder whether it was inspirational. Nneka’s voice also occasionally hints at Macy Gray on this track as well. If there were a single, this would be it.
A more accessible sound is also found on “J.” The upbeat pop tempo and horns provide the perfect background while comparing outfits for a girls’ night out. Natasha Bedingfield will particularly like this.
You can hear Nneka rap on the title track. The choruses on this record are all well-developed on this album, but on this track it goes a step further. Another song that starts as a piano ballad can be found with “Valley.” This one builds into a complete song with a Carlos Santana wannabe on guitar at the end. Great stuff.
“Camouflage” is the other track that has a rap focus. Musically it reminds me of Lionrock. The last number is “Still I Rise” and also a good one to listen. Lots to explore on this release.
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