It’s a she, not a band, but her band, like her, is probably from Canada. “Straight Line” sounds like three other CDs I’ve reviewed today. For those who aren’t here (i.e., not my cat), let me put it in other terms: She sounds like Julie Doiron or Caroline Smith. Better?
Danielle Howle and Blair Tefkin fans alike will like “Sleep Away the Winter.” You don’t have to sing like a girl or farmer’s market songstress to be proficient in the indie rock department, and this track is proof.
“Foxes” is a well-balanced track that defines Terra Lightfoot quite accurately. A subdued banjo peeks in and out during the four-plus minutes. I also like “Parking Lot.” It’s truly paradise.
The last track is “Creases.” It is stringier but otherwise like the rest of the tracks. In retrospect, maybe all the songs sound a little alike, but so what? At least they’re repeating a sound that works.
Archive for the ‘Music reviews’ Category
Terra Lightfoot “Terra Lightfoot”
November 13, 2011The Decemberists “Long Live the King”
November 13, 2011I know their fans hate it when I say it, but Colin Meloy, today’s James Taylor, is back with an EP. “E. Watson” is first and does what the Decemberists do so well: tell stories.
“Foregone” reminds me of the Jayhawks. Death Cab for Cutie fans will appreciate “Burying Davy.” That’s my favorite on this record. A treat is the home demo of “I4U & U4Me.” This sounds like James to me, and I do appreciate the Circle K shout out.
If you want something a little more country, give “Row Jimmy” a spin. The last track is “Sonnet.” I have no idea whether the lyrics actually are one.
Yamantaka // Sonic Titan “YT//ST”
November 13, 2011Ha. Every time I see “noh wave” I giggle. But that is what they call this stuff. Proof that modern Japanese music doesn’t have to be J-pop, these guys gives us weird, brooding dream pop with progressive chords. “Queens” is like Cocteau Twins if they did prog rock.
“Reversal Crystal//Murder of a Spider” is very proggy. Good stuff for progtologists everywhere. (That’s keyword density right there, folks.) The other track I like is “A Star Over Pureland.” Wailing guitar and wailing vocals for your wailing souls. This song hits you like a shark attack. There’s not a lot of selling here. You’re either into that opera/prog sound or you’re not.
The Devil Makes Three “Stomp and Smash”
November 13, 2011I used to work with this sweet old lady named Veronica Davis. Her son opened for The Devil Makes Three at the Catalyst in Santa Cruz. It was a favor to him I guess that they asked him to open for them (enough pronouns?), and so now I will return the favor on his behalf and review this record.
The Devil Makes Three are your standard banjo-based, hardly strictly bluegrass band, if there ever were one, with an edge. “Statesboro Blues” is a good introduction to the genre if you have no clue.
This is a live album (recorded at the Mystic Theater in Petaluma), by the way, which gives you all the proof you need that this band has actual fans. Similar to Woody Allen’s “Midnight in Paris,” there’s a large segment of the population that wishes things were like they were in the perceived good ol’ days, and that same segment loves shit like this. Give “Tow” a spin and reminisce about days that probably never existed, even if your grandpappy says otherwise.
“Graveyard” makes me think of what the Eagles would sound like if they had been a little bit country. I enjoyed “They Call That Religion” even if the song is just preaching to the choir. Actually, it’s much deeper than that, but with such a polarizing title, no one will notice.
You can get jiggy with “Black Irish,” which is probably racially insensitive, but those are the risks you take with puns. Actually, it’s one of the best tracks on here.
The Good Natured “Skeleton”
November 13, 2011This act reminds me of Baxter: vaguely industrial with a female lead singer that doesn’t hide her British accent. “Your Body Is a Machine” reminds me a bit of Dubstar as well. So electronic Britpop it is, for you pigeon-holers out there. I love it. It’s not trippy, like Portishead. It’s much more like Lush.
“Wolves” is more ’80s in sound at the beginning, like Berlin, before regressing into Metro Station-type vocals. However, there are also parts that remind me of Men Without Hats’ “Moonbeam.” High praise, indeed.
Although songwriting isn’t generally the strength of these types of acts, “Prisoner” throws a bone to those who want mildly thought-provoking lyrics. You’re better off focusing on the music with this genre, though. That’s why it exists.
The last track is a remix of “Skeleton.” I prefer it to the original version. This one is for Republica and Sahara Hotnights fans. I know a few of those are left.
I’m pretty crazy about this one. I hope we get more of their stuff in.
Fun. “We Are Young”
November 13, 2011It’s just a single. Standard modern indie rock fare focusing on a dude singing, especially in the chorus. It does the job of getting you excited, so here’s hoping I can hear a full-length to see whether there’s any creativity with this band. No obvious hooks, but the song flows well and belongs on most college radio shows. Oh, and it features Janelle Monae, who everyone seems to love. See? Now you care.
Meshell Ndegeocello “Weather”
November 13, 2011Sultry yet sleepy vocals and acoustic guitar dominate “Feeling for the Wall.” It’s such a basic song, but it’s put together flawlessly. “Rapid Fire” is another storytelling track, but the synths make it quite compelling. You can’t help but drop what you’re doing, even if it’s taking a shit, to focus on this one.
If you want your music to brood, “Dirty World” will give you what you need. The synths are more retro sounding, but it all comes together pretty well. This belongs at a piano bar when the pianist is on a break. It keeps you in the mood for when the ivory tickler returns.
“Crazy and Wild” has a dude singing, but I can handle it. It’s almost midtempo, which is uptempo for this album, but it’s very smooth. Unfortunately, “Dead End” is neither a cover of the DDR song nor a tribute to my favorite feature in the Twilight Zone pinball machine. However, it does have one of the fastest beats of any song on the record. It needs it, too, because the track exceeds five minutes. This one also has the best vocal quality.
Stephaniesid “Starfruit”
November 13, 2011More rock than indie, Stephaniesid offer a modern look at what Pat Benatar would sound like today. There are still some eccentricities here and there, but they’re nothing that would make Bjork blush. “Closer” isn’t a Nine Inch Nails cover, but the band is on Nine Mile Records. The song itself uses xylophones or similar to give an otherwise straightforward alt-rock number a bit of an edge.
I’m still feeling an ’80s vibe when “Cadiz” comes on. The vocals are similar to Altered Images, but thankfully the lyrics aren’t. “Cinematic” sounds like one of those rap songs on The Sims, except the lyrics are in English. The melody is similar to the chorus of Ke$ha’s “Tik Tok.” The rhyming doesn’t hurt, either. In other places, the melody mimics En Vogue’s “Free Your Mind.” This band is wasted on Generation Y.
The band continues its tribute to the Reagan years with a cover of “Life in a Northern Town.” They’ve made it their own, but fans of the original will still appreciate it.
I like “I Like It Too” even though it is missing a comma. That comma is fast disappearing in American English anyway. (Do you see what I did there?) There’s a lot of whispered human-made sound effects, which is kind of cute. Curious to see how that would look live.
The other track I like is “Multiply,” which sort of goes with another song, “Life of Pi.” At any rate, “Multiply” is slower and more modern sounding, so if you want to play something hip, that’s probably the way to go.
My Brightest Diamond “All Things Will Unwind”
November 13, 2011This sort of melodic, female-fronted indie rock’s days are numbered, sadly, but I’m enjoying every minute of it that I can. Somehow, if beautiful music had survived, this is what it would sound like today. “We Added It Up” showcases pitch-perfect vocals and well-orchestrated accompaniment. Perfect for Regina Spektor and Bat for Lashes fans.
More of the same on “In the Beginnning.” This one uses more strings, but again it’s the vocals that dominate. “Be Brave” is hypocritically more subdued but still worth a listen.
“There’s a Rat” is the type of story a Fiery Furnaces song would tell. Musically, the song is absolutely gorgeous. The other track I like is “Everything Is in Line.” It reminds me of some Rasputina songs.
Lots of winners on this record. Lots.
Dreamers of the Ghetto “Enemy/Lover”
October 30, 2011I don’t understand the band’s name, and I’ll try not to be offended by it, because I don’t have enough information about it to be objective. What I do know is that the lead singer sounds like Bruce Springsteen. “State of a Dream” has all kinds of music going on at the same time, and it all adds up to a pretty standard rock song for a pretty standard rock band.
Good male-male harmonies dominate “Regulator.” The synths during the chorus are a nice touch as well. “Phone Call” is more of the same, among the better tracks. It has an early ’90s feel.
The other track I like is “Night Hawks.” The chords provide a nice hook, and the chorus reminds me of Siouxsie and the Banshees, of all things.
Although not generally my cup of tea, I can get behind this act.
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