And unless the laws drastically change or I find a way to secretly charge you, the future reviews we be free as well. As I mentioned before this is now the new home for all things music related and I thought I'd start off by hopping on the good foot and doing the bad thing by posting some previous album reviews. All are from the last month or so and for the most part are still within the confines of my "Heavy Rotation" catalogue.
While I begin the journey with some short (some very short) reviews, I'd like to add that I will be posting more than just a few blurbs about what's flying of the shelves of your local record shop. Intermixed amongst the critiqery will be the occational laments on the state of the music business, upcoming shows and maybe even the slightest interjection of politics/news/entertainment for good measure. As always, I appriciate any comments, compliments or radical dissagreements.
April 19, 2007
So far, this year in music has been like Christmas ever week! I've had the pleasure of listening to so much great new music over the last month. I'm literally foaming at the mouth over some of the albums that have been stuck in my rotation. Since there are so many albums I'd like to mention, reviews will be a bit shorter than usual. So without further ado…...
Low – Drums and Guns. Ok, if you love Low, you're going to definitely dig their latest release. For those that haven't heard of this little band out of Minnesota Drums and Guns would be nice introduction. Low is credited with starting the SoftCore movement. Basically the idea behind softcore is that if you took punk and hardcore as far as you can and as intensely as possible, you would actually go full circle and end up with slow, syncopated, powerful music. Not clear? Then go buy their record. Drums and Guns picks up where Destroyer left off with the addition of more shiny guitar and attention to melody. Highly Recomended!
I'm From Barcelona – Let Me Introduce My Friends. So, you think you've accumulated some serious indie cred for being all into Pete Bjorn and John, well watch out, there's a new Swedish pop band in town. I'm From Barcelona is comprised of a large group (not cult – that title is still held by the Polyphonic Spree) of guys and girls from the land of fiords. This album is simply chock full of wonderful pop treasures and shows without a doubt that you CAN form a band out 28 Swedes who don't really know how to play any instruments.
The Slip – Eisenhower. I hate to admit this, but I discovered this band on that damn Guitar Playing video game (which is totally tits to play). The Slip's website refers to themselves as a Contemporary avant-rock trio, what ever the hell that means. The low down is this – Three Boston boys form a band that is equal parts jam band and indie rock. While the vocals aren't very strong, guitarist Brad Barr truly wails on this record with swooping solos and driving rhythm. Highly Recomended
March 12, 2007
3) Son Volt - The Search. For those lovers of all things Alt-Country, three cheers are in order for the reformed Son Volt. After a few years of what I can only describe as some "interesting" solo albums from front man Jay Farrarr, Son Volt leaped back onto the scene in 2005 with the raucous Okemah and the melody of riot. With a whole new lineup Son Volt sounded better than ever and they continue to do so with there newest release The Search. As of late, nothing seems to please me more than the sound of horns on a rock album and Farrarr and company deliver on The Search. The Picture, the first single off the album, starts off with wall of horns that would make Blood Sweat and Tears proud and keeps on rockin and rollin from there like only a Midwestern Alt-Country legend could. While diehard fans of the Son Volt of old will blog endlessly about how The Search doesn't even come close attaining the desperate beauty of Trace, I comfort them with some words of wisdom. Any self respecting musician usually tries their damnedest not to make the same record twice, so quit hoping Jay will do just that. Son Volt will never release another Trace and thank goodness because over a decade later these guys are still making great music. And that music is great do in large part to letting it grow and change with the times.
2) Arcade Fire – Neon Bible. Not to come off as a broken record, but I have yet to read a review of Arcade Fire's new album without the mention of how it's just not as good as their debut. AAHHHGGGG, it just pickles my peppers when pretentious rock critics (like me) don't allow artist to think outside the bun. Neon Bible kicks ass – debate over. With the exception of Wilco, the Montreal hipster-gods are making some of the most cutting edge-while-still-listenable music today and their latest just goes to prove my point. While track one, Black Mirror, isn't what I would consider a stellar opener, Keep the Car Running is to date the most enjoyable piece they've made and the rest of the album is chalk full of the same. In fact these guys are so brilliant I might just consider lifting my embargo on Canada (that's if they also decide to quit blowing all their cold air our way)
1) The Frames – The Cost. The Frames might just be the greatest band you've never heard. Coming from the rowdy streets (and bars) of Ireland, The Frames just dropped their 6th proper album last week. With soaring peaks and epic attitude this album is big on sound and little on filler. I had the pleasure of stumbling across The Frames back in 2005 with their previous album Burn the Maps. From there I've scoured music shops looking for older albums and came to realize that nobody was talking about this band. Being Irish and having a vast sound comprised of beautiful, soaring vocals has drawn comparisons to another little known band called U2, The Frames actually have little in common with their fellow countrymen. Their sound is more stripped down than U2's and doesn't seem to have Bono's penchant for politics. The standout track on The Cost is People Get Ready. Lead singer Glenn Hansard's vocal range on this track is literally aw inspiring. While its chorus may be a little ambiguous, Hansard's voice makes a believer out of me when he screams "we have all the time in the world." What exactly do we have all the time in the world to do? I say its time that should be spent getting this fantastic album.
*The following was an article commemorating the anniversary of an American Classic.
A decade an half later and still a great album
So anybody who's been lucky enough to carry on a conversation with me that lasted more than 10 minutes will know far too well my love for all things Wilco. In the midst of all this March Madness and Irish jubilance, this weekend also marks the 15 year aniversary of Uncle Tupelo's March 16 - 20, 1992 album.
A decade and half ago Uncle Tupelo (comprised of Jeff Tweedy, Jay Fararr and Mike Hiedorn/Ken Coomer) were sitting at the threshold of what could be their breakthrough album. After two extreemly promising effort - No Depression and Still Feel Gone - they were being told by record execs that their next release could be the one to catapults them to star status and put them on the Billbord top 200. This all could have been very possible too. With the growing popularity in the modern rock of the day, (I believe Rolling Stone called it Grunge er something like that) all the boys from Bellville had to do was turn up the fuzz and turn down the banjos and, who knows, they could have been opening for Pearl Jam.
Instead, they went and did the most PunkRock thing they could think of. They all took a week long trip to Peter Buck's house (yes the guy from REM) and recorde and album in 5 days. Although this would not turn out to be the riproaring rock record Sire (their label) was hoping for. Instead they made March 16-20, 1992, a beautifuly aucoustic outing consisting of a few original songs, traditional folk ditties and sad laments on the plight of the coal miners. If that isn't the coolest middle finger to corparte rock I've ever seen, than you have every right to slap me silly and call me Susan.
This album also holds a special place in the hearts of many Uncle Tupelo fans for it being the last truely cohiesive venture they had in them. While their last album, Anodyne, was without a doubt proof that Jeff and Jay had gone their separate ways and the end of an era was now in sight. But with March 16-20, 1992 you get a true Alt-Country gem. This record is filled with so much desolation, stark beauty, embarrassment and pride that it sets itself apart from the rest of the catalogue. It also contains this critics favorite Tweedy song of all those released under the moniker Uuncle Tupelo - Black Eye.
So in closing, if you have some free time and a few bones sitting around this weekend, run to your local music emporium and pick up this album. (not to mention, the rereleas has the awsome cover of the Stooges I Wanna Be Your Dog)
