They’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.
The Staves “Mexico EP”
April 15, 2012Panic 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.
Joel’s Hit Show, Episode 147, 11 April 2012 Playlist
April 11, 2012Dragons Power Up!, Educate Her Hair
Drugstore, Alive
Dreamdate, Wait for You
The Spiracles, End of the Affair
Dressy Bessy, Small
The Dresden Dolls, The Sheep Song
Laura Gibson, The Rushing Dark
The Dry Spells, Rhiannon
Drink Up Buttercup, Even Think
Tigertown, Still Breathing
Dum Dum Girls, Wasted Away
The Duhks, You Don’t See It
Elk Bell, A Little Cold Outside
Dynamite Club, Athena
Dubstar, Not So Manic Now
Young Magic, Slip Time
Ear Pwr, Melt
Dutchess/Duke, Let It Die
Mazzy Star, Lay Myself Down
Heather Duby, Terrabyte
Echobelly, Bellyache
The Lovely Bad Things, Old Ghost
Eels, Baby Loves Me
Elastica, Da Da Da
The Chambermaids, China Blue
Eisley, Memories
Ed Hines Band, Cindy Said
Heartless Bastards, Low Low Low
Eddie Loves Debbie, Making Friends
18th Dye, D.
Only the Sea Slugs, Big Sky
Emblems, Summer Air
El Perro del Mar, You Belong to the Sky Now
Ariane Moffatt, In Your Body
Elizabeth & the Catapult, Everybody Knows
Elizabeth Woodbury Kasius & Heard, O Feche
You Say France & I Whistle, Cats
The Ericksons, Lie for You
The Ettes, The Rules
Nneka, Restless
Erase Errata, Other Animals Are #1
Espers, Meridian
Old Monk, More Peat Moss, Please
Esquimaux, Red Rover
Esben and the Witch, Argyria
Evelyn Evelyn, Evelyn Evelyn
Exene Cervenka and the Original Sinners, Sky Blue Pink
Eux Autres, You’re Alight
Joel’s Hit Show, Episode 146, 4 April 2012 Playlist
April 4, 2012Dragons Power Up!, Sea Legs
The Cribs, Victims of Mass Production
Cranes, Let Go
Foxy Shazam, Wasted Feelings
The Curious Mystery, Hot Port
CSS, Patins
Mazzy Star, Common Burn
Cub, My Flaming Red Bobsled
Dance Hall Crashers, Queen for a Day
You Say France & I Whistle, When Lovers Die
Damone, On My Mind
Damn Handsome and the Birthday Suits, Pink Flamingos
Ani DiFranco, ¿Which Side Are You On?
Dead Man’s Bones, In the Room Where You Sleep
Dealership, Two Turns
Vacationer, Trip
Dear Nora, ‘Round and ‘Round
The Dears, Stick W/ Me Kid
Dirty Ghosts, Battle Slang
Shenandoah Davis, Pellet Gun
Deerhoof, Offend Maggie
Heartless Bastards, Only for You
The Delgados, Get Action!
Defiance, Ohio, A Lot to Do
The Mallard, I Listen to the Lyrics Last
The Decemberists, Foregone
The Decks, What You Said
Mother Falcon, Fireflies
Deluka, OMFG
Diet Kong, A Forest
Cherri Bomb, The Pretender
Dirty Projectors, No Intention
The Distillers, Idoless
Rural Alberta Advantage, Barnes Yard
The Dishes, Girls Can’t Play
Dirty Mittens, Arcadia
Jessica Jalbert, Stupid Hollow
Natalie D-Napoleon, Even the Sweet Things Die
Julie Doiron, Dance Music
The Kabbs, Golden and Blue
The Donnas, Too Bad About Your Girl
Dollyrots, Cat Calling
Neverever, Venus
Tanya Donelly, Manna
Doctors & Dealers, Just Another Feeling
Sarah Dougher, Wide Eyed
The Do, The Bridge Is Broken
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
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