Two 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.”
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The Decemberists “We All Raise Our Voices to the Air: Live Songs 04.11-08.11”
April 1, 2012Nneka “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.
Audra Mae and the Almighty Sound “Audra Mae and the Almighty Sound”
March 18, 2012I guess before she was a solo artist but now is leading a band. I’m not clear as to whether her songwriting is getting any better, though. “My Friend the Devil” is a catchy tune, but the lyrics are a little too cliched for me. That I even noticed the lyrics is not a good sign.
“Annie Get Your Gun” is better, especially if like slower songs. If you want a waltz, “Old Italian Love Song” is as easy as one-two-three. This track is slightly more melodic as well, evoking thoughts of Neko Case.
The slightest of rockabilly can be heard in “Climb.” There are a lot of different styles on this album, perhaps to see what sounds the Almighty Sounda are capable of. The last track is “Two Melodies.” It’s an acoustic, slow song, and the songwriting here does get a little better. It’s all coming together for Audra Mae, et al. The next album should be the one.
Jesse Thomas “War Dancer”
March 18, 2012I’m having trouble classifying this balladeer. She’s a bit like Sheryl Crow, and her Kentucky roots show from time to time. All her songs are really slow. The record is mixed a bit poppy, but it doesn’t seem fair to put her in the same class as Taylor Swift, because she is a better songwriter.
Also better is “Better Geography.” I’m not afraid to say I like “Brave” as well. “Back to Fighting” and “Madeline” round out the highlights of this album.
Sharon Van Etten “Tramp”
March 18, 2012Her name rings a bell, but I can’t figure out why. Sharon share alike, I guess. Typical of Jagjaguwar singer-songwriters, she has a strong voice with just bits of musical accompaniment. “Give Out” is a good example of this.
Another pretty display of vocals can be found on “Kevin’s.” Absolutely breathtaking singing quality goodness here. Would you like another descriptor? How about scintillating? Great stuff.
Slower among a slew of slow tracks is “All I Can,” a great Laura Gibson impression. I also liked “Magic Chords” and “I’m Wrong.” She sure does sing a lot about herself.
Some fun tracks here if you’re into sleepier, stronger female artists.
Pink Mink “Pink Mink”
March 18, 2012Let’s just skip the formalities: Pink Mink should open for Wild Flag when they go on a nationwide tour. That’s where they belong. I bet they’re upset that the Runaways movie came out because now everyone thinks they’re just copying them, but it’s obvious they’ve been at it for longer than that.
“Earthquake on the Loose” has similar guitar to Bow Wow Wow’s “I Want Candy” and David Bowie’s “Modern Love.” Vocally, there is a definite Pat Benatar/Joan Jett vibe. If you want something a little slower, as in a ’60s vibe, “End of the World Delight” is for you. Not generally crazy about namedropping, but you get to hear about Jett, Lydia Lunch and John Waters movies. You get license to do that when you cut a record, so who am I to say you can’t do it?
Fans of Pretty Girls Make Graves will like “Seekin’ Scott Seekins.” This one is a lot of fun. The other track I like is “Shot Down.” It’s a straightforward rock song. Gimme a beer.
Various Artists “Team Mint 20”
March 18, 2012What an absolute treat. Some of my favorite acts have been on Mint (Operation Makeout, Neko Case, Pansy Division, etc.). Although none of them are on this retrospective, we still get great tracks from the New Pornographers, Cub, and Huevos Rancheros. Here are the highlights:
- The Pack a.d. sound like the Quails on “Sirens”
- Vancougar sound exactly like their name (meow!) on “Distance”
- Bella is a poppier version of Vancougar (more synths, better backing vox) on “Give It a Night”
- Immaculate Machine’s lead singer sounds a bit like Neko Case on “Jarhand”
- P:ano is a country version of Suddenly, Tammy!, and “Pure Evil” is anything but, unless sweet melody leads you astray
- The Organ is appropriately named and is half Siouxsie, half Kim Wilde, on “Brother”
- Young and Sexy have appropriate male-female vocals and sharp lyrics in “The City You Live In Is Ugly”
- Volumizer is a rock ‘n’ roll good time and makes me wish I could change my name on “I Promise You, Thomas”
- The New Pornographers’s best song ever — EVER — is on here (“Letter From an Occupant”) and gives you a chance to hear Neko Case in all her awesomeness
- Carolyn Mark’s best is on here as well (“Edmonton”) and is folking amazing (although the melody is a little too similar to “American Pie” to be a coincidence)
- cub is cub, as they always are, on “New York City” so not much else to say about that awesomeness
All the songs are good, and most feature piano and tend to have power-pop sensibilities. That’s Mint in a nutshell, so of course that’s how it is here, too.
Black Bananas “Rad Times Xpress IV”
March 18, 2012I wonder whether these guys are inspired by Black Grape, because, well, that would be pretty clever. I’m going to take that liberty. There are a lot of similarities between the two. It’s odd, though, because you would never eat just one grape, yet how often do you eat more than one banana? These guys are musicians, not pedants, so I will just have to move on, I guess.
“It’s Cool” sounds exactly like the cover art. The whole album does, really. Jennifer Herrema even sounds like a cross between Shaun Ryder, Don Henley, and Mick Jagger. And I don’t mean a female version of them. I mean, she sounds like them. This band has no reason to become kind of a big deal.
If you want something with a little more soul, “Acid Song” gets the job done. There’s a wee bit of estrogen in this song, but nothing too noticeable. I think my girlfriend thinks these are all dudes.
I really like “RTX Go Go.” It reminds me of Len. Remember them? This song really steals my sunshine. It’s odd, because when Damone got shitty, it was when they tried to do this sound. They must have just sucked at it, because Black Bananas does it right.
“Rad Times” probably sounds good live. In fact, this could serve as a theme of sorts. Can’t you picture them playing this at the beginning of every set? I also like “Foxy Playground.”
If you liked the Party Posse, you’ll like “Nightwalker.” The same vocal effects are used, and even Milhouse can be sexy then. This is definitely a good album for hipsters that still wear trucker hats even though they “know they’re not cool anymore.”
Justin Robinson and the Mary Annettes “Bones for Tinder”
March 11, 2012I’ll admit my ignorance of not knowing a thing about Justin Robinson. Apparently he came to power as part of Carolina Chocolate Drops, a band name that’s hard to get away with. In any case, on tracks such as “Bright Diamonds,” you get some folky, stringy stuff with female backing vocals. It’s very good singing, writing, and music with none of the pretense you tend to hear these days.
“Butcher Bird” is fine. I really like “Nemesis or Me!” The strings are similar to Julie Choi’s “Sorry Song,” although the melody does unfortunately remind you of Plain White T’s “Hey Delilah” from time to time.
A good story accompanies “Vultures.” Musically this would work better in a rockabilly style. It sounds kind of restrained as is, especially the drummer, who seems poised to go off at any moment but can’t because of how the song is composed.
“The Phil Spectors” is more accessible, commercially. The vocals are mixed a little bit higher, and the strings don’t compete with the rest of the song. Although I wouldn’t expect to hear it on a Top 40 radio station anytime soon, this would sneak into a Triple AAA format fairly well.
Elika “Always the Light”
March 11, 2012Elika is a they — not a she. And they opened for Asobi Seksu, the sexiest robots around, so that’s quite the pedigree right there. The lead singer doesn’t have the diva thing going on — nor does she have the ethereal vocals you often find with this type of music. Instead, you get a half-Madonna, half-Liz Phair style of singing with the requisite synths and drum machines.
Tracks such as “Stay Beside Me” provide a nice bridge opportunity for those interested in dance music but are otherwise scared off by the too many perceptively random sounds they encounter most of the time.
Madonna fans will also like “Count Your Steps,” which has a similar melody as “What It Feels Like for a Girl.” I also like “No One Gets Lost,” even if I disagree with the premise.
The other track I really like is Trials. It’s more of an indie pop song in the Dot Allison vein. This is a hard record to hate.
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