I am guessing it’s pronounced “ICE-is.” She is another singer-songwriter with a piano and beautiful voice. You can never have too many of these, and you should know going in whether this is of interest to you. I’ll take all I can get. “Love Is Won” is a good example of what you can expect.
“Little Marriage” is a waltz and has ethereal backing vocals that complement the rest of the song perfectly. “Daphne” features Justin Vernon if you’re into that sort of thing. The title track has clapping to keep the beat while Ices wails away. It is a standout track in that the rest are much quieter.
Lia Ices “Grown Unknown”
March 13, 2011Corpus Callosum “Corpus Callosum”
March 13, 2011I’ve seen these guys a few times at Nickel City, so it only made sense that I would review their record as well. They’re a little bit country and a little bit offbeat. And I think one of the dudes in the band works at Barefoot Coffee in Santa Clara. That place was awesome until they got rid of Whim of the Barista. You could order that and never know what you were going to get. It was perfect for an indecisive bastard such as myself. Now, when you try to get them to do it, they grudgingly oblige, but they never seem really happy about it. Luckily that guy can always fall back on his future in Corpus Callosum, a band that has great potential if it can stay true to its sound.
“The Ridgepole Sags” is as fine an example as any when it comes to their sound. There is some accordion mixed in, and it reminds me of Boris. I enjoy the CD packaging. It has a pull tab to get it open, so someday mint copies will be very scarce and worth thousands. Before disappointing their respective families by announcing a career in music, I bet at least half of them had marketing backgrounds.
“Riding Home” is a little stranger but again not out-and-out weird. The whole record is really a low-key excuse to broaden your horizons without having to join a cult or start smoking crack. Did you see “The Fighter”? Crack is tough to overcome.
“I Hate You” is a long story with a beginning, middle and end. You could play this when you have to go to Women’s Restroom 5 or Men’s Restroom 7. “The Siblings Greely” sounds like a male version of Sinead Lohan’s “No Mermaid.” The chorus doesn’t quite work, but the rest of the song is amazing.
Eux Autres “Broken Bow”
March 13, 2011Here’s a band our beloved traffic director can really get into. It’s pronounced “ooh oh-TRAY.” I saw these guys in San Francisco last year when they were touring. The easiest analogy is Nous Non Plus, because they both have female vocals and a French name. It’s not entirely off base, but the music is less eccentric and has more of an ’80s sound. Musically, I like them much better than Nous Non Plus.
“Queen Turner” has a bit of a twee sound, and the accompaniment is perfect. It reminds me of Sweetheart. “Under Rays” has tremendous power pop sensibilities to it. This could be one of the best songs of the year.
If you want something a little more male-dominated, “A Band Undone” does quite nicely. “You’re Alight” goes back to those lovely female vocals again. The piano in the background is good stuff, and reminds me of another band that makes me think of French, Of Montreal.
Muffs, Neko Case and Fastbacks fans may think “Go Dancing” is one of their own, only on Prozac. “Cover Rights” is the cherry on top of a fantastic item. If this is the future of music, then we’re in good hands.
Tristeza “Paisajes”
March 13, 2011They’re all instrumentals, and this CD can serve as a bed while you’re talking if you want. Subtle differences abound, but you really can’t go wrong with any of them. They recommend you listen to “Raise Your Gaze” and “Newbury,” although the onesheet is littered with typos, so who knows? Give me “Missoula” any day. It has better samples. (Remember when samples were called “sound effects”?)
The last track, Cholo, is also a little more upbeat, like “Newbury.” None of the tracks sound as if you’re on hold or anything, but these definitely work better. But beyond the standard of “voiceover music,” there’s little to recommend. But it is time to remake that “How to Make a Whopper” instructional video, isn’t it?
The Chromium Heart “Chrome”
March 13, 2011This band has nothing to do with Topps or Bowman Chrome, which is a shame, but it is still a CD worth collecting. “Bricks” is the first track and a little faster than some of those Death Cab for Cutie classics. The art of inoffensive indie pop rock has been perfected.
I get a good feeling listening to “This Feeling,” a slower number that must be dreadful live. Although the vocals don’t sound like it, musically it is reminiscent of famous Oasis ballads. “Rusty Veins” bridges the gap of those two songs, and really the 1997-2006 era is well-represented on the record throughout. The last track is “We Sail.” It’s another dragger, but the country hints give it a better sound.
Episode 1687 is up
March 13, 2011Joel’s Hit Show, Episode 98, 9 March 2011 Playlist
March 10, 2011Now, Now, Rebuild
Dum Dum Girls, Oh Mein M
The Duhks, Sleepin’ Is All I Wanna Do (Stars on a Sunny Day)
Distant Dice, Goodbye
Dynamite Club, Besame My Love
Dubstar, Anywhere
Black Math, Bottomless Sea
Dutchess/Duke, Let It Die
Elastica, Da Da Da
Tamaryn, Sandstone
El Perro del Mar, You Can’t Steal a Gift
Eisley, Telescope Eyes
Webelos, Inside My Head
Echobelly, Taste of You
18th Dye, Crank
Trashcan Sinatras, Send for Henny
Brand New, Mix Tape
Elizabeth & the Catapult, Just in Time
The Epoxies, You Kill Me
The Jezabels, Dark Storm
Espers, I Can’t See Clear
Erase Errata, Other Animals Are #1
Victoire, Like a Miracle
Esquimaux, In the Night
The Ettes, You Can’t Do That to Me
Salteens, Don’t Break My Heart
Evelyn Evelyn, Love Will Tear Us Apart
Eva & the Heartmaker, Please!
Neon Legion, Twin
Exene Cervenka and the Original Sinners, History Now
Fabulous Disaster, My Static
Kids of 88, Just a Little Bit
Fanfarlo, I’m a Pilot
Fading Collection, The Real Rotator
Malachai, Anne
Family of the Year, Let’s Go Down
Feist, My Moon My Man
White Sea, Ladykiller
Fastbacks, Goodbye, Bird
Orenda Fink, Sister
The Electric, Toot Toot (Freestyle) Radio
Fitz & the Tantrums, L.O.V.
The Fiery Furnaces, Inca Rag/Name Game
William Brittelle, Hey Child
Sarah Fimm, To Be Alive
A Fine Frenzy, Think of You
Eels, This Is Where It Gets Good
Flashing Red Airplane, It’s a Long Way Down When You Know Your Way
Florence + the Machine, Kiss With a Fist
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