This is a standard-issue rock band, whose lead singer reminds me a bit of Pat Benatar, except there is a guy who sings, too, who might as well remind me of John Cougar Mellencamp. There is also a lot of organ, which sounds mixed in after the fact. You know how when you’re in a crowded room how you can hear one voice above the others, and it’s always that same guy in a Harley-Davidson T-shirt? That’s the organ on this record.
“Mirrorball” has vocals that remind me of Psychedelic Furs. The piano is brought out for “California,” and whatever production is done on Cecily Hunt’s voice was top notch. It reminds me a bit of Sinead O’Connor here.
“Fade to Grey” uses the Queen’s spelling of “grey,” and the uptempo nature of the track lends itself quite well to this, although the melody is tired. “Elvis Presley” is very Mellencamp and replete with namedropping.
There’s a lot of potential here, but they aren’t there yet. The next record should be better, though.
The Lightfighters “Behind the Tides”
October 10, 2010Fitz and the Tantrums “Pickin’ Up the Pieces”
October 10, 2010I met these guys at Holocene in Portland, Oregon, when they opened up for Blue Skies for Black Hearts. They are new and from Los Angeles. They are a fun R&B bar band with soulful male and female vocals. In a lot of ways, it reminds you of the Motown greats of the ’60s, with a little more organ. I’ve used this analogy before, but these songs would all work at the end of a Murphy Brown episode. So many keywords … .
“L.O.V.” adds hand claps to this melting pot of delicious soup or chowder or whatever it is they’re making for dinner. Don’t save room for dessert: It can’t compare. “Don’t Gotta Work It Out” could be the song that breaks them. It’s more polished than the rest, and it would fit right in on any Julia Roberts movie soundtrack.
“Tighter” is the last track and is thoughtfully put together. I really enjoy this album. It has both kinds of music: rhythm and blues.
Cotton Jones “Tall Hours in the Glowstream”
October 10, 2010Basketball Jones’ brother Cotton is a band, and Whitney McGraw has a nice voice. The back of the album has a guy in a trucker hat, so combined with her last name, you expect country music. It’s maybe like Neko Case, if anything, but it’s much more contemporary than that.
Apparently Cotton Jones are a big deal. I hear a lot of hipsters talk about them, and I can see why. This is right up their asshole. More importantly, it’s not pretentious. It has a distinct local sound, but they seem to be from elsewhere (not St. Elsewhere).
“Somehow to Keep It Going” showcases Michael Nau’s voice well. (See? I like the dudes, too.) But “Glorylight and Christie” reminds me of Kate Bush, as McGraw effortlessly carries the duet. The one thing missing is that I bet they are boring live, but hipsters like that anyway, so it works out for everyone.
“Soft Mountain Shake” really ought to be a Mtn. Dew-flavored milkshake, but it’s not. I can always dream. It’s one of those instrumental interludes, except it’s got harmonizing so it isn’t an instrumental, but it sounds great to talk over.
“Goethe Nayburs” is a little faster and very catchy. I’m sure the title is some sort of euphemism. They get that benefit of the doubt. “Dream on Columbia Street” could be a Velvet Underground cover, but it’s not.
Knock yourselves out. Your kids will want to know why you liked them, but remember: Being defensive to your kids makes them defensive and, by extension, beaten up.
Miss TK and the Revenge “The Ocean Likes to Party Too”
October 10, 2010It’s hard for me to get past the lack of a comma before “too,” but I will just have to move on. This is one of those party records for college kids. It’s harmless synths and lyrics, like Dominatrix meets Peaches. I bet it sounds better if you’re coked up.
“Red Lites” is as good as any. All the songs are good, but they all sound the same. Once you’ve found the right mix, after all, there is no reason to deviate from the happy path. “Saturday” will be a favorite because it’s about Saturday. No one got rich singing about having some fun drinking beer at noon on a Tuesday.
“Posi Tip” and “Just Wanna Dance” pick up the rear by making you want to move yours. This act is the new generation’s Ace of Base. Hmm, that act did have two dudes and two chicks, so maybe they fooled around.
The Vaselines “Sex With an X”
October 10, 2010This could mean so many things, that album title. An X could be a type of adult toy. Or maybe it’s about a Malcolm X fantasy. It could also be about an ex, perhaps named Xavier. At any rate, the title track seems designed to shake the rust off. It’s a good idea placing it second — the first track is a bit of an introduction, unofficially — to ease the listener back into the Vaselines experience, which has nothing to do with Mr. T.
The band really gets it going with “The Devil’s Inside Me.” It’s half Neko Case, half Hope Sandoval. And “Overweight but Over You” is remarkably clever. If you’re going to get older, this is the way to do it. This is the album’s apex, thus making this track top-heavy?
They finish with “Exit the Vaselines,” natch. They sound spent, as if the entire album were one last fling. Glad they went to the trouble!
You can tell the duo had a lot of fun putting this record together. When they tour, I am sure there will be a lot of smiling and fuckups of the “So what?” kind.
Episode 1540 is up
October 10, 2010Episode 1539 is up
October 8, 2010Episode 1538 is up
October 8, 2010Joel’s Hit Show, Episode 81, 6 October 2010 Playlist
October 6, 2010Andreya Triana, Daydreamers
Kaia, Off
Kenickie, In Your Car
Mike and Ruthy, End of Time
Kepi, Hair of Gold (and Skin of Blue)
Kahimi Karie, Elastic Girl
Autolux, High Chair
Komeda, Rocket Plane
Korea Girl, Reunion
Jenny and Johnny, Big Wave
Kitten Forever, Fake Flesh/Voodoo
Knapsack, Skip the Details
Morcheeba, Mandala
The Kirby Grips, Tie It Into a Knot
Lady Lazarus, Master & Servant
Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band, At Night
Laika, Bedbugs
La Chansons, Beauty Queen
Spouse, 59
Ladybug Transistor, Six Times
Kung Fu U.S.A., In the Pink
Dirty Projectors, Two Doves
Ladyhawke, Back of the Van
Leerone, To Fill the Void
Colleen and Paul, TV Summer
Le Tigre, TKO
Defiance, Ohio, A Lot to Do
Laura Gibson and Ethan Rose, Old Waters
Lederhosen Lucil, Best Dishwasher I Ever Had
Las Rubias del Norte, Porque Te Vas
Sarah Jaffe, Wreaking Havoc
Mary Lou Lord, Bang Bang
Jenny Lewis, Carpetbaggers
Rogue Valley, English Ivy
Liam Finn + Eliza Jane, Plane Crash
Liesl’s Wet Dress, Elephant Woman
of Montreal, Coquet Coquette
Lil Pocket Knife, Red Hott
The Like, Wishing He Was Dead
Versus, Erstwhile
Loquat, Harder Hit
Los Campesinos!, Ways to Make It Through the Wall
Carissa’s Wierd, So You Wanna Be a Superhero
Blake Babies, Star
A Fine Frenzy, Elements
Esquimaux, When You’re Gone
Courtney Yasmineh, Stars
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