With a name like Caitlin Rose, I was expecting pop sensibility from an ironically named singer. Nope. This country-sounding folked-up name represents a country-folk singer. Huh.
The tracks are a little long for this type, but “Learnin’ to Ride” defeats this as the four-plus minutes fly by. Or perhaps mosey by on a horse, given the song title.
“For the Rabbits” is in the Joanna Newsom/Edith Frost vein. This is almost good enough to be in an iPhone commercial. “New York” has a more traditional sound and is good for Neko Case fans, as is “Things Change,” especially for those who like The Virginian.
The harmonizing in “Sinful Wishing Well” make this one folking fun. All in all, this record delivers what it promises once you actually listen to it.
Archive for the ‘KSCU’ Category
Caitlin Rose “Own Side Now”
October 9, 2011Big Harp “White Hat”
October 9, 2011Saddle Creek has definitely evolved to the point that you know what a band will sound like, just by knowing it is on that label. In that context, Big Harp don’t surprise much at all. In this case the band is a husband and wife. Chris Senseney does the singing, including on lead-off track “Nadine,” whose song title probably doesn’t make Stefanie Drootin-Senseney jealous.
“Goodbye Crazy City” has a country tinge to it. Pure Saddle Creek. Also, BTW, Saddle Creek pioneer Rilo Kiley bassist Pierre de Reeder did the recording and mixing on this record. It’s a small world, just like in Silicon Valley.
Velvet Underground fans will appreciate “All Bets Are Off.” A familiar melody embraces “Here’s Hoping.” It is some sort of homage to ’50s slow dances, perhaps. The accompaniment is a little too hyper to do the job well.
There’s a bit of soul in “Out in the Field.” They done well with this one.
Don’t expect a lot of male-female harmonies on this one, but can you imagine the on-stage banter when there’s infidelity afoot? See these guys live.
Sleeping in the Aviary “You and Me, Ghost”
October 2, 2011How am I not supposed to think of these guys as a Weezer ripoff? Maybe that’s what they want, though. You can tell from the whimsical nature of the music and lyrics that the band takes itself a little less seriously than it could. The loose attitude removes whatever pretense remains with these goofballs.
The title track, “Are You Afraid of Being Poor?” and “Pathetic Housewife Remembering Her First Martini” are the standout tracks here. Fun times with falsettos and a mix-and-match of singing and ’60s mod-group harmony more complex than the New England Patriots offense dominate throughout.
Alessi’s Ark “Time Travel”
October 2, 2011We could just write this band’s review as “two-minute versions of Mazzy Star songs” and be done with it, but what fun would that be? There’s not much else to say, though. The best songs are “Time Travel” and “Stalemate,” but they’re all good. “Stalemate” in particular has thought-provoking lyrics. You can’t go wrong, so don’t worry about it.
Sentinel “For Days Deep”
October 2, 2011This band is from Oakland. How is it that I’d never heard of them? Clearly this is an oversight on my part. In short, this act follows the footsteps of other local greats Minipop and Julie Plug. It’s female-fronted indie-pop all the way on “Kinda Light Up.” This instantly is my new favorite record.
“Locator” located my heart and seized it. But the best track on here is “Whaley.” The backing vocals do what parsley never could: make an entree taste better. Oh yes.
When you name the last track “Sunset,” it makes you wonder whether “Kinda Light Up” is a reference to the morning overcast Oakland often gets. I should ask them. At any rate, a good record. Let’s hear more.
Emblems “Our Bare Bones”
October 2, 2011It’s an EP. “Summer Air” has lots of whistling in it. This song has a completely different meaning once you see they are from Chicago. Is the wind blowing out? We need to know!
“Goosebumps” isn’t about the children’s book series. It’s a phenomenal indie rock song, though. It just doesn’t get much better than this. “Morning Breath” has well-orchestrated strings.
Sometimes the noise doesn’t turn into a cohesive song. “To Your Door” unfortunately has this problem. But the last track quickly puts this song’s memory in the dust. “Coyotes” is frank when it takes the viola and says, “Viola!”
Some good stuff on here. With time they should be able to learn and make a full length with all strong tracks.
Maria Taylor “Overlook”
October 2, 2011I used to live on Overlook Avenue in Hayward, so this is the perfect CD for me to review. You get more of the same from Azure Ray’s better half. The percussion is mixed a little higher on “Masterplan,” but that doesn’t make it a rock song.
“Like It Does” could be a Neko Case cover, musically. It also reminds me of Mazzy Star and Innocence Mission. Nice company to be in. Something in the classic Azure Ray/Maria Taylor vein is “Idle Mind.” I have a special appreciation for this one because my last name is “Edelman,” and people used to call me “Idle Mind.” Well, some did.
The other track I can really get behind is “This Could Last a Lifetime.” Little bits of Kate Bush leak out in this one. Absolutely love this record. In the battle of Taylors, Maria once again kicks James’s ass.
The Decemberists “An iTunes Session”
October 2, 2011This act is an institution, and even if they’re headed into the December of their career, they can still bring it, even on Spirit Airlines. Fans will recognize all of these songs. Just consider it an opportunity to hear your favorites done anew.
“Calamity Song” is from their newest but sounds as good as some of the older tracks, such as “Shankill Butchers.” My favorite track is “This Is Why We Fight,” although that doesn’t have much to do with this rendition.
If you like their slower stuff, you’ll have to do with “The Hazards of Love.” There are worse things in life. Pick your favorite song and play it. No surprises here.
The Jayhawks “Mockingbird Time”
October 2, 2011No one took this one, and the Jayhawks are an institution, so I had to make sure they got their due. They sound the same to me as they always have, a band many associate with the mid-’90s, even if they’ve been around since 1985.
“Hide Your Colors” gives you what could be described as a power-pop ballad. “Tiny Arrows” is a little slower with hints of country. Like a lot of the tracks on this record, this one is long.
A straight-ahead ’70s rock sound mixes with power-pop on “High Water Blues.” The folk card is played during “Stand Out in the Rain.” The backing harmonies during the chorus are pretty sweet.
“Guilder Annie” also is a little bit more country. It tells a nice story. And that’s all we really want out of life is nice stories, right? The guitar stands out on “Pouring Rain at Dawn” and makes me think of Creedence Clearwater Revival.
If you know the Jayhawks, it’s exactly what you would expect. Otherwise, pull up a seat and check out what you’ve been missing.
Jared Mees and the Grown Children “Only Good Thoughts Can Stay”
October 2, 2011This is what today’s kids think a rock band is, showing the influence that the indie scene has had on the mainstream. I thought they were from the Midwest, but no, it’s our good friends in Portland again, doing what some call “uptempo major chord progressions.” Music types are as bad as wine snobs, I swear.
“Hungry Like a Tiger” sets the stage with male leads and female backing vocals. Hints of britpop and subdued power-pop leave a lasting finish. You want to make out with women that like this band, period.
The vocals are mixed really high in “WWJBD.” Despite this, I can’t figure out the wordplay from the title. I mean, it has to be a reference to WWJD, right? I couldn’t infer a damn thing.
The chorus of “Inaudible Song II” is some of the best on the record, and admittedly I can hear the Portland staple of female harmonizing here. The chorus of “Even Little Mountains” is also good. The organ is an excellent idea here.
“Juicy Fruit” combines the different elements of the album into one song. It’s a smart choice if you want to introduce people to the band. The last track is “Shake.” It does all the things last tracks do: lots of buildup to send you off in a fervor.
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