Basketball 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.
Archive for the ‘KSCU’ Category
Cotton Jones “Tall Hours in the Glowstream”
October 10, 2010Miss 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.
The Vaselines “Sex With an X”
October 10, 2010This could mean so many things, that album title. An X could be a type of adult toy. Or maybe it’s about a Malcolm X fantasy. It could also be about an ex, perhaps named Xavier. At any rate, the title track seems designed to shake the rust off. It’s a good idea placing it second — the first track is a bit of an introduction, unofficially — to ease the listener back into the Vaselines experience, which has nothing to do with Mr. T.
The band really gets it going with “The Devil’s Inside Me.” It’s half Neko Case, half Hope Sandoval. And “Overweight but Over You” is remarkably clever. If you’re going to get older, this is the way to do it. This is the album’s apex, thus making this track top-heavy?
They finish with “Exit the Vaselines,” natch. They sound spent, as if the entire album were one last fling. Glad they went to the trouble!
You can tell the duo had a lot of fun putting this record together. When they tour, I am sure there will be a lot of smiling and fuckups of the “So what?” kind.
Sarah Jaffe “Suburban Nature”
October 3, 2010Sleepytime faux-lk music. Her voice has plenty of texture, and the backing music is generally quite complementary. There’s a vibraphone, a misspelled “accordian” and marimbula to help out with that.
“Wreaking Havoc” and “Summer Begs” are twin pillars of vocal strength. The whole record holds its own, however. “Pretender” has a Sundays feel, even if the voice is different. What makes the album work is that they let the voice run front and center rather than try to hide it behind a bunch of layered instrumentation. The balance means the sound guy deserves a raise.
If you’re looking for something faster, “Watch Me Fall Apart” has a peppier rhythm. But generally it’s all slower music, possibly good for making out. Let me know how that works out for you.
Defiance, Ohio “Midwestern Minutes”
October 3, 2010Yeah, I don’t have a lot of nice things to say about Ohio. This guy from Toledo calls my show every week, and he’s just insane (and not in a good way), so when I see his number in the caller ID, I just let it ring. I feel bad for the rust belt states; I do. But their expectations confuse me. If we move manufacturing jobs back to Ohio, they will require such high wages that no one will buy the goods after they are made because they will cost too much.
So emerging from the soon-to-be ashes of Michigan’s favorite punching bag come Defiance, Ohio. “A Lot to Do” stands out as an energetic yet moody song. It makes you want to sing along, even if you don’t know the words.
This whole record sounds like band therapy to me. So when I don’t get a song, I don’t take it personally. They decided to rock out with their cocks out (where applicable), and now they feel better. Who I am to disagree?
“Hairpool” reminds me of Antenna, with a little bit of Tripping Daisy mixed in. “The Reason” has an introduction melody that reminds me of the “Muppet Show” theme.
The CD says everyone sings, which is technically true, but the guy that sings the most shouldn’t be. The whole album is OK. They’re probably really cool to tour with because they have no legitimate claim to pretense.
Of Montreal “Coquet Coquette” (maxisingle)
October 3, 2010There’s a radio edit, an album version and two remixes. But only the radio edit is clean. It sounds like a good of Montreal song. That’s what it is. Not every song has to be a surprise. Sometimes it’s just good. Like this one.
Dub Seeds “Feelin It”
September 12, 2010They’re more reggae than dub, but Dub Seeds provide society with more post-Sublime music about getting high. If they were a football player, John Madden would call them a guy.
Someday a band will do a song about how brownies are more effective than smoking, but this isn’t the one. But at least I can guess with a fair level of accuracy how the members are going to vote on Proposition 19.
They’re a fun party band, I am sure. And I can guarantee Faco will like it. The lyrics are all variations of “What’s up, man?” “Trenchtown” is as good a song as any. “Little Bit of Trouble” reminds me of when Jimmy Pop gave reggae a try with Bloodhound Gang.
White guys do a much better job with reggae than they do with hip-hop. I don’t know how that perception came to life, but if Wally Whiteguy tells you he raps, you roll your eyes. If he tells you he is in a reggae band, you say, “Cool! You got any weed?” I guess if you’re going to be stereotyped anyway, it might as well be a fun one.
“Pressure Down” is a little more of a story. It sounds like a second single. It exemplifies the mid-90s reggae crossover sound. Also, the cover art is surprisingly good.
Jesca Hoop “Hunting My Dress”
August 29, 2010Yes, it’s folk, but fear not. The woman with an awesome name channels another woman with an awesome name, Hope Sandoval. Rarely the voice is a little shrill, but generally it works, and it’s a lot better than the guitarist at the farmers market.
“The Kingdom” is a complete song, full with lush sound and penetrating vocals. “Bed Across the Sea” is also worth a recommendation.
The title track is last and also has good instrumentation to go with the singing. There’s not much to say. It’s a standard folk record with a good singer and an excellent pick if you’re into this sort of thing.
Versus “On the Ones and Threes”
August 29, 2010I remember these guys. I think they opened for Sleater-Kinney with the Subdebs. There might have been apples, which would mean it was at the Fillmore, but it’s hard to say at this point. I thought they were OK. I guess I still do. “Invincible Hero” has the same melody as that Franz Ferdinand song that’s on Rock Band that everyone knows.
“Into Blue” sounds like a single and will remind many of Lush. It really doesn’t get much better than this. The male lead takes over on “Gone to Earth,” although the female backing vocals are what carry this tune.
“Erstwhile” is a good story, or at least I assume it is. It’s nearly seven minutes long. Why else would you have a song be that long unless you were telling a really compelling story, right? “Scientists” sounds like a Velocity Girl track. It’s another winner.
If you want another track with the dude singing, the title track is another good one. If he ever gets bored he could be in a She Wants Revenge cover band.
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