They’re Dutch so they’re more than much. I thought one of the dudes on the cover art was a woman so I grabbed this CD to review. My mistake. But it’s not all bad because their sound is accessible enough to me that I can still appreciate it.
“Electric” is the first track and sounds like a Killers/Franz Ferdinand throwback. Fans of Bang! Bang! Eche! will recognize the style of “Hey DJ.” This is probably the song that would break them. I say “would” because I don’t think there is enough that distinguishes this band.
For those that miss the mid-’80s rock songs that would show up in movies everywhere, “Nicer” is a trip down memory lane. “Oh No (We Stayed)” is another good track, especially the chorus.
There are a couple extra tracks, but it reminds me of those blasters of Topps baseball cards you buy at Target, which read something like “10 packs plus one extra pack.” But they’re all the same. Just say there are 11 packs. In any case, “Smoking on the Balcony” is an extra track, but it sounds good to me. This is another Bang! Bang! Eche! soundalike, with hints of the Farm as well.
Archive for the ‘KSCU’ Category
Go Back to the Zoo “Benny Blisto”
April 15, 2012The Staves “Mexico EP”
April 15, 2012They’re sisters. They’re British. They’re all folked up. The guitar is enough to promote them to Azure Ray/Watson Twins status, except of course there are three of them — not two.
It’s more of a single with two B-sides, but it’s not for me to say. I’m not in the band. At any rate, the title track is first. It sounds like Stevie Nicks and Caroline Polachek (Chairlift). “Icarus” isn’t about Nintendo but still a good song. It makes me think of Mumford and Sons.
The last track is “I Try.” The melody is better than it has to be. There’s nothing really imaginative about this stuff, but there usually isn’t a need for that sort of thing. As reliable as macaroni and cheese, you’re a fool to come away unfulfilled from listening to the Staves.
Panic Years “The Month’s Mind”
April 15, 2012I thought I was listening to Ben Gibbard doing it with James Blunt. No, it’s probably just some band that is somebody’s indie darling right now. I’ll consider “Panic Years” to be a reference to the Bush 43 administration because it’s fun, but it probably has nothing to do with anything so deep.
“Bad Faith” has progressive keyboard, but the guitar is too comfortable with itself. This song is more Weezer than prog. The beginning of “Anomie” sets the stage for a dance rock number, but that just isn’t how this act rolls. Instead you get some weird She Wants Revenge knockoff with emo vocals.
There are clean versions of “Two Hearts” and “The Month’s Mind (Reprise)” at the end, which was nice of them. There’s also another edit of a track but it’s not as good so don’t worry about it.
Dirty Dishes “The Most Tarnished Birds”
April 15, 2012Not Dishes, who I miss tremendously. But Dirty Dishes are from Boston, so that’s something to be excited about as well. The first track is “Hush” and has nothing to do with the sound of the Red Line gliding effortlessly on the tracks.
“Gaze” is awesome and reminds me of when Tanya Donelly was the guest singer on Catherine Wheel’s “Judy Staring at the Sun.” Actually it’s better than that. I’ll always be a Donelly fan, but sometimes she used her voice as a crutch. Jenny Tuite certainly could do the same, but she doesn’t.
But the track I like the most is “Bloom.” It sounds like Juliana Hatfield’s “Dying Proof” with bits of Neko Case (yes I know she is not from Boston) mixed in. I absolutely freeze when I hear this, and it has something for everyone. Even noise fans will want to hear this.
The single-word titles continue with “Break.” It’s a bit more somber than the rest. The last track is “Blur” and sounds a little like Letters to Cleo. Those that want more of the mid-’90s Boston sound should look no further.
Anya Marina “Felony Flats”
April 15, 2012Anya Marina is a former KSCU DJ, but she was before my time, like Mike TV. I was here for Faco and Naked Rob, though. You can’t have everything in life. I have to admit I wish I was around to meet her, because musically she’s fucking amazing. Good for her for being on Atlantic. I wish her the best.
“Body Knows Best” gets the album off to a good start with some straightforward power-pop, complete with tambourine in the chorus and la-la’ing in the bridge. The sound is a bit trapped in the mid-to-late ’90s, with a bassline reminiscent of Harvey Danger’s “Flagpole Sitta.”
Absolute bliss can be found with “Hot Button,” which is not about a stolen dose of heroin. Overall, this is a slower track and an excellent choice as a leadoff track when performing live.
“Flinty” is catchy. The melody is similar to Tegan and Sara crossed with Blondie’s “Hanging on a Telephone.” The guitar is simple but effective. The hot summer ballad is clearly “Heart Stops.” It’s the music to play in the background when you’ve been playing the same Zelda title for eight weeks, and you’re this close to beating all the side quests.
The title track is last and broods with piano and Marina’s voice. It’s another fine effort, the whole album. Not really hearing anything compromised on the sound, and that’s a good thing.
Josephine Foster “Perlas”
April 15, 2012I think these songs are all in Spanish. None of them are a cover of “Ciega Sordumuda,” unfortunately. The first track, “Puerto de Santa Maria” does have the same guitar, though.
When you come to the hill, be sure to be listening to “Cuando Vienes del Monte.” iTunes spells it “monto,” but it is wrong. The harmonica is a little shrill, but otherwise this sounds like something Tomas Petty would perform if he were a woman named Josephine Foster.
“Dame Esa Flor” is about giving someone a particular flower. One time I was listening to EO, and I discovered he doesn’t know how to read Spanish. None of this music belongs on Dekadance, but hopefully he’ll find it in his heart to play this when he is filling in for someone. I enjoy hearing him try to read it because it humanizes him.
Marge Simpson fans won’t particularly like “Perlas,” but it is a good excuse to snuggle your homie-womie-romie-domie. All in all, this album is full of that minimalist guitar and higher-octave crooning you get from the Larkin Grimms of the world. That it happens in Spanish is easily overlooked.
The Hot Toddies “Bottoms Up EP”
April 15, 2012More 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.
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.
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