Episode 1716 is up
April 13, 2011Joel’s Hit Show, Episode 104, 10 April 2011 Playlist
April 10, 2011Return to Mono, Dreamer
Perfect Vacuum, Number One Comrade
Black Math, Reckless Thoughts
Kitten, Kitten With a Whip
Tumbledown, A Thousand More Times
Sassaparilla, Bruised by Tears
Sister Sin, Sound of the Underground
Juliana Hatfield, Not Enough
The Dears, Easy Suffering
Neon Legion, Twin
The Golden Dogs, Darkroom
Imaginary Cities, Cherry Blossom Tree
Little Scream, Cannons
Puro Instinct, California Shakedown
Is/Is, Eating Hourglasses
Ida Maria, Forgive Me
Megapuss, Duck Duck People Man
Mean Red Spiders, Trains and Boats and Planes
Mekons, Secrets
Nellie McKay, I Will Be There
Mecca Normal, Frozen Rain
Kathy McCarty, Sorry Entertainer
Mavis, Gangs of Rome
Various Artists “The Acidsoxx Family Sampler”
April 3, 2011Sixteen tracks of psychedelic goodness. Whether it’s bacon in a pan or little half-inch squares of paper, there’s some serious frying going on here.
Perfect Vacuum don’t suck in their song “Number One Comrade.” Like a lot of the tracks on here, this one is a little quirky, but it’s not threatening. It’s as family-friendly as a trip to Walmart. The dance beat that comes and goes make me think of Big Audio Dynamite and B-52s. They also shine on “The River Is Dry.”
Dick el Demasiado & Lukas Simonis prove you can never have too much dick with “Fangio Angel.” The obviously Latin-infused track is horny at times and sounds like something at Berryessa Flea Market. Bring it on.
The best trip may be Erikka Sylphh’s “Die Trip Summertime Die.” This is the trip half of trip-hop. Good samples of various homages to summer as well. It’s like the halftime show on the Simpsons that was dedicated to halftime itself. Far and away the best track on here.
Let’s not forget Pan Parag. “Mapping Antarctica” is the most normal-sounding track here, perhaps buried at the end because it’s what you listen to when you’re coming down.
Kings of Leon “Come Around Sundown”
April 3, 2011I don’t even understand why a college radio station should have this record, but what do I know? The first track is called “The End,” which makes no sense, but then again, that is probably why they did it. But if I can be mocked for listening to Counting Crows when I was in college, then I suppose I should be able to mock fans of Kings of Leon today. At any rate, this track must sound good live. They can do the thing where one musician comes on stage at a time, and by the second chorus the whole band is out there and the #kingsofleon hashtag takes off, with everyone saying the same damn thing, lol.
“Pyro” has a wailing chorus. Guys should like this song so they can make out with women who like this song. Say what you will about Kings of Leon, but their fans are really hot. And it also brings new meaning to the song “The Face.”
If you like John Mellencamp’s “Wild Night” (well, Van Morrison, but you know), then “Back Down South” should sound really familiar to you. A pop song with good hooks can be found in “No Money.” All kidding aside, I guess Kings of Leon aren’t completely worthless after all.
I’m thinking “Birthday” is another single. It has a catchy chorus. “Pickup Truck” is the last track. I think it’s their way of trying to keep it real. After all, a big-time star would never own a pickup truck, right?
Is/Is “This Happening”
April 3, 2011It’s an EP. iTunes says it is metal. It is not. “So Long” is the first track, and it sounds like newer Social Distortion with a woman singing. Pretty straightforward rock, if you ask me. Two-thirds of the band is named “Sarah,” so there’s a lot of heart-string pulling going on for me, but I shall survive and emerge victorious from what is obviously just a coincidence anyway. That said, would it not be rad if they toured with Sick of Sarah? Oh yes.
“Pretty Girl” sounds like Kelley Deal is singing. Pass the Zima. The record says “Death Treat,” but iTunes says “Death Threat.” I think the former would be more fun, but it seems more likely that iTunes got this one right. The song itself is very structured. It seems easier to play than the others. It doesn’t necessarily need to be blurrier anyway.
The last track is “Eating Hourglasses.” Fun for fans of reverb, it leaves me wanting more. I am pretty excited about Is/Is’s potential.
Prints of China “False Fronts”
April 3, 2011It’s an EP. “Empty Vessels” has “EP” and “MT” in the first word, which is some sort of pun, I guess, although a pure coincidence. It was recorded at Fastback Studios in Seattle. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to find that association. I do like Fastbacks better, but whatever. At least Prints of China are better than Visqueen.
The title track is good stuff. It makes me think of old 10,000 Maniacs. The guitar has a nice power pop feel. “Power Heavy” has an ’80s near-gothic sound, although it’s not depressing, just, um, power heavy.
“No Shame” blew right by, and “Fluff and Fold” is not a Square One TV reference. It’s another one for power pop fans.
Puro Instinct “Headbangers in Ecstasy”
April 3, 2011It’s like I’m in college again. Little bits of Stereolab and Cocteau Twins abound, with maybe some Club 8 and Ivy thrown in for good measure. It’s a little more Splenda and a little less sugar, though. I love synthy dreampop, but this might be just a little too over the top. Soft Cotton County could teach them a thing or two on “Everybody’s Sick.” The lead singer sounds like a distorted Siouxsie Sioux, but why they are distorting her voice in the mix is beyond me. Is it still irony if I don’t get it? (Of course it is.)
“Silky Eyes” is more percussive, like Book of Love. Musically, this is pretty good. Those looking for the ’80s sound can look no further than “Stilyagi.” The song definitely has a shoulder pad feel to it. The singing is a little better here as well, and the samples are a nice touch. Not as good as Sing-Sing but close.
Popcorn synth lovers (think “Close to You” by the Cure) will enjoy “No Mames.” The lyrics are more Siouxsie-like again here, although the guitar stands out in a disruptive way. Something about the neck.
I was excited about “California Shakedown” because I was hoping it would be about earthquakes. I can’t tell what the lyrics are about because I suck at that stuff, but the vocal quality is definitely a lot better. It finally comes together for Puro Instinct on Track 13!
“Luv Goon” rounds out a somewhat disappointing record. My expectations are always really high with dreampop stuff, but poor production values, intentional or otherwise, serve only to depress my idealistic desires.
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