January 2006
Record
Clor
Editors
The Strokes
KT Tunstall
The White Stripes
Bloc Party
Monsters Are Waiting
Morningwood
Saint Etienne
Mellowdrone
The Earlies
Robert Pollard
The Minus Five
The Mutts
Songs of Green Pheasant
Original Soundtrack to "The Aristocrats"
Beck
Seventeen Evergreen
Nick Cave
Reviews
Clor
Clor (Parlaphone)
The recent success of the likes of Franz Ferdinand et al has led to an excavation
of all things that trailed in the wake of punk's short, burst of white noise. Where
punk has enjoyed countless reappraisals, it is only now that people are unearthing the
bounty of musical invention that post-punk; the era that followed punk's
explosion-implosion and took its DIY ethics and applied them to a less rigid musical
sensibility which was dazzling in its taut, kaliedoscopic variety.
It is this era that Clor tap into while remaining a thouroughly modern proposition.
The South London five piece tear up the musical rulebook in the spirit of their
angular forebears, their debut bristles with frenetic musical invention. The
opening three tracks are a prodigious trio; possibly the most perfectly thrilling
introduction to a band you will hear all year. Chaotic bursts of noise introduce Good
stuff before it quickly settles into a pristine pop vignette, a surge of exhilirating
electro-rock quivering with sexual tension. Outlines is better yet, an almost
scientific examination of the dating game (a recurent motif throughout). It shakes and
twists through an assault course of hooks with eye-popping precision or rather 'animal
accuracy' as the song says. 'Love and pain flickers wilidly between call and response
verses and a soaring chorus that culminates in some beguiling, twitchy Sparks-style
operatics. Amid all the squelchy synthetics, guitarist Luke Smith dips nimbly between
staccato, punky thrash and lovely sad clown textures. Smith's experience as a
computer games music maker clearly informs the gloopy polyphony of this robot rock.
References points are tricky; the idiosyncratic geek-synth squad Devo spring to
mind. Even Prince is referenced on the priapic Magic Touch, which marries a relentless
declaration of amorous prowess to some rumbling 'White Lines' style basslines. Singer
Barry Dobbin possesses an arch, martian yelp that recalls such luminaries as Eno and
Numan. Ultimately though, their knack of structuring a song that juts out at
unexpected angles is a hallmark of a unique talent. That said the album's highlight is
possibly the Kraftwerkian Dangerzone, a pulsating ode to romantic dysfunction which
builds to an ecstatic climax with its vertiginous electronics. It is followed closely
by Garden Of Love' which rides in on a synth fanfare reminiscent of 70's Saturday
sport shows before being swept up in a torrent of almost proggy musical mayhem. Like
many Clor songs it sounds like a car crash waiting to happen but is pulled back at the
crucial moment by a keening pop sensibility. Lurking in this panoramic cacophony are
two exquisite slices of Clor's sweeter side. Gifted is a stark ballad, its picking
and lovelorn tone make it seem like a compact version of the Velvet's Pale Blue Eyes.
The bitter sweet closer Goodbye repeats the trick in a hazy, DIY baroque setting with
its gently rocking 808 beats & cascades of guitar.
There are many reasons to love Clor; their sonic palette is rich, their skewed
take on love uncovers the unhealthy obsessive- compulsive psyche at the core of all
great pop. They sketch out a musical landscape on their debut that is more bountiful
than most band's careers. If anything that's one of the record's few flaws; the heady
concoction of ideas sometimes makes for a breathless listening experinence. This
febrile selection of songs with their bizarre tangents points toward a rosy future.
Where many great debuts come packaged in a hermetic, tightly woven series of
reference poiints (the strokes, for example), Clor is expansive in its schizoid
textures, alive with possibilities.
Matthew Lindsay
Editors
The Back Room
Kitchenware/Fader
It is 2006 already, and we have maybe the first exciting new band of the
year. I first heard this record on the Rodney Bingenheimer show one late night. I
thought it was a new obscure Interpol track. Of course I heard the whole
album, and it seems that there is another band from England who loves Joy Division
and some of the more forgotten post-punk bands. Singer Tom Smith even sounds
more like Ian Curtis than Paul Banks does. On the first two tracks, Editors
have the atmosphere of U2 (1982) more so than Joy Division. Like some post-punk
bands, like Echo and The Bunnymen, Editors have a lot of dynamic with their two
guitars, rather than being bass driven like Joy Division. Some of the songs
like "Blood" and "All Sparks" are very catchy and remarkable. This band is no
copyist. There are slow moody pieces and faster dancey songs like "Someone
Says" which is more like Bloc Party. When you think that there is nothing left,
they come up with a killer track like "Bullets" which has the repeating
phrase "You don't need this disease." There is a very hopeful yearning on most of
the songs. The presentation is rather sparse and architectural. Most of the
songs have one-word titles. Editors is all about saying more with less. I look
forward to seeing them play live.
The Strokes
First Impressions of Earth
RCA
We are in the fifth year of the new rock revolution. The war is still
ongoing. If you don't have bands like the Strokes you are often forced to the tepid
condition of American Idol. Their last album was okay but not very daring. It
was easily forgettable and forgotten. The Strokes are at that point in their
career where they can just be another band or move into the higher echelons of
classic rock and roll. "You Only Live Once" and "Juicebox" are a shock to the
system. This is a band really evolving. Other songs like "Heart In A Cage"
and "Razorblade" have some cool guitar work. One of the highlights of the
album is "On The Other Side." The Strokes have continued to stay in that Cars
meets Tom Petty idiom, but they have really outdone themselves. "Vision of
Division" has some prog rock moments in it. There is a lot more musical jamming on
the whole album. "Ask Me Anything" is almost like an electro track. The
Strokes seem to have that world-weary thing down. Most of the album is about trying
to relate to the world. The album is long but the trip is worth it. For people
who may have been turned off The Strokes in the past, this might be a good
place to discover them. They are more mature, more interesting, have something
to say, are making interesting music, and doing something worthwhile.
KT Tunstall
Eye To The Telescope
Virgin Records
Every few years you pick up Q Magazine and read about some female singer
songwriter, who is compared to Stevie Nicks and Joni Mitchell. Gemma Hayes, like
KT Tunstall, was nominated for the Mercury Prize. KT is also almost 30 years
old, so you think she might appeal to middle aged women like Dido does? But she
ends up sounding pretty cool once the dust clears and all the comparisons are
exhausted. KT Tunstall is from Scotland anyway. So she is very unlike that
country of musicians. "Another Place To Fall" reminds me of Feist. "Black Horse
and the Cherry Tree" is more like Shelby Lynne. Country Music is popular over
there for some reason. KT played this song on Jools Holland and blew everyone
away. Of course it is easy to stand out when you are next to some bands like
The Cure and The Futureheads. Actually looks a little like actress Emily
Mortimer and French singer Keren Ann. Well that helps. Other songs remind me more of
early Fiona Apple. It is pretty good stuff after all. I must check out the
live show.
The White Stripes
Walking With A Ghost
V2/Third Man
The White Stripes had another great year with the release of the album Get
Behind Me Satan. It was so effortless that we might have had a dŽjˆ vu moment.
The White Stripes are one of the great bands of the era. Here they already have
an EP out. "Walking With A Ghost" is a song by Tegan & Sara. It is not too
different from "Blue Orchid." You have some live tracks from their recent 2005
tour. It was an amazing show. I got to see them twice. "Same Boy You've
Always Known" and "Screwdriver" are recorded in Brazil to some big audiences.
"As Ugly As I Seem" and "The Denial Twist" (their latest video) were recorded
in the studios at KCRW during their stint in Los Angeles in August 2005. This
is another great collectable.
Bloc Party
Silent Alarm Remixes
Vice/Dimmak
You can never have enough Bloc Party. Their album was one of my favorites of
the past year. Many thought it was the album of the year. They are an exciting
and energetic band. They are constantly being played at clubs. This comes out
about the same time as Death From Above 1979. Vice seems to like to come out
with these remixes, that you only ever hear at clubs, or they are included as
B-sides, but rarely as a whole album, so soon. Some of the hits are here such
as "Like Eating Glass" and "Helicopter" and of course "Banquet." The choice
of remix artists is odd too. You have Ladytron, DFA 1979, and M83. But you
also have ones by Four Tet, Mogwai, and Nick Zinner (Yeah Yeah Yeahs). Pretty
Girls Makes Graves is on here too. The DFA 1979 version of "Luno" is not so
much a remix as a recreation. This is a great album to play to friends and figure
out who is who.
Monsters Are Waiting
Monsters Are Waiting
Holla Hoop Records
Monsters Are Waiting is one of the new bands from Los Angeles to be on the
lookout for. The year of 2006 may be theirs. They sound a little like The Cure
and Interpol with female vocals. Maybe it's a little like Cranes too. This is
their first EP. Not really a bum track on it. "Ha Ha" is a stand out track.
Annalee Fery is capable of bringing glamour back into music. Monsters Are
Waiting has an interesting range. A little goth, rock, and new wave. This band is
promising. 2006 will be more glamorous and sexy.
Morningwood
Morningwood
Capitol
I have seen Morningwood at a few shows this past year. I ended up missing
them. I finally saw them when they opened for the Gang of Four reunion tour. Gang
of Four was one of my favorite bands growing up. I don't think I was going to
pay no mind to some opening band from New York City. What happened was
Morningwood blew the old men of GO4 off the stage. Morningwood was way more
memorable. On some songs on record they sound like a pop group from hell. But when
they get onstage it is a really entertaining glam rock band. Lead singer Chantal
Claret is like a mix between Debbie Harry and porn star Sue Nero. Of course
she is a lot younger and sweeter than those chicks. Morningwood is like a cool
punk band with occasional catchy hits. "Televisor" is like the Sex Pistols.
Nothing is catchier this year so far as "Nth Degree" and "Jetsetter." The
opening to the song "Jetsetter" is amazing. If you see some of their videos, you
see that this band has a great sense of humor. "Take Off Your Clothes" and
"Babysitter" and "New York Girls" are really funny songs. Morningwood is a
little like Art Brut and a little like Young Heart Attack. I know this catchy and
dumb, but Morningwood is smart too. There are a bunch of emo punk bands that
will only cause disgust and fear. Morningwood is different. Morningwood is
really sexy. It is time to make babies.
Saint Etienne
Tales From Turnpike House
Savoy Jazz
Saint Etienne is one of the most accomplished British groups of the last
fifteen years. They have released almost ten albums and several collections in
that time. In 1992, they were one of the few bands that started off the Britpop
movement. Although they were very much unlike Suede and company, they still
stood out. They were the only new indie band that combined French pop with
northern soul and dance music. Their albums Good Humour and Sound of Water were
great accomplishments. Their previous record Finisterre was almost an electro
record. They have appeal to people who like dance music and the gay crowd too.
Turnpike House is almost like a Georges Perec novel. It's a concept album based
on a bunch of people who live in the same building. The album draws on all
their previous periods of music. "Side Streets" is a bossanova tune. "A Good
Thing" is much like the Techno pop of Good Humour. One of the best songs is
"Lightning Strikes Twice." The hard rock of "Oh My" is very refreshing. This is a
great album for a band that is all almost 40 years old. It's much like a
greatest hits album. It's very moody and evocative.
Mellowdrone
Box
Columbia/Red Ink
Mellowdrone is a cool new band from Los Angeles. They are more like
Sparklehorse and Eels than your typical LA band. There is a lot of setting and mood in
their songs. Their music may be ultimately more intimate and subtle. There is
an influence of 1980s indie rock and grunge at times. But Mellowdrone is an
original band. It's sort of a one-man project, but they are a band too. They are
recently doing a residency at Spaceland. Such residencies have meant bigger
and better things for most bands. They have also played with The Killers, The
Secret machines, and Elbow, and have held their own, and have gained new fans.
Even Johnny Marr is a fan. "Beautiful Day" is a cool song. This may be one of
the bands to look out for in 2006.
The Earlies
These Were The Earlies
Secretly Canadian
This is a psychedelic band that is from both Texas and Manchester. The
Earlies released a bunch of far out singles and LSD-inspired EPs. They had a love
for the Beatles and Brian Wilson and anything trippy. There are four core
members but sometimes they have a lot more people playing with them. It often
reminds me of how Mercury Rev's Deserters Songs hit me eight years ago. These songs
are just simple ballads and blues that spiral out of control. Hopefully the
Psychedelic/Prog Rock revolution takes hold of the imagination this year. I
thought that since Mars Volta and Secret Machines had some success that we were
experiencing a full-fledged movement. While there are a few of these bands on
the margins, it is still an underground movement, with the exception of Mars
Volta, who seem to attracted a bunch of emo punks and casual drug takers, who
have chosen them erroneously. The Earlies are a step in the right direction.
Robert Pollard
From A Compound Eye
Merge
Robert Pollard was the genius behind Guided By Voices for over twenty years.
I flew back to Los Angeles just to see their last California show. I was
standing next to longtime fan Dennis Cooper. He was the one who told me about the
band in the first place. He also told me about JT Leroy. While JT Leroy is a
made up person, Robert Pollard and Guided By Voices is the real deal. They are a
very delicate rock and roll band. Robert Pollard continues on the tradition.
It is stripping away all artifice. Some songs like "A Flowering Orphan" are
very emotional and lovely sounding. There is some basic GBV rock and roll here.
"Love Is Stronger Than Witchcraft" is a stand out track here. Robert Pollard
combines a feeling for modern music and has a high level of literacy. Pollard
often has the touch of a poet. This is a great album to wake up to. This is
the best record from Merge in a while.
The Minus Five
The Gun Album
Yep Roc
The Minus Five is the brainchild of Scott McCaughey. Peter Buck, Ken
Stringfellow, and members of Wilco, Decemberists, and the Long Winters join forces
with him. There is a vibe that is distinctly the Beatles and the Byrds on this
record. There is a country flavor. The songs are very cool, like "Rifle Called
Goodbye." There are a lot of great melodies and clever lyrics. "Twilight
Distillery" reminds me of Dylan. There is a lot on impressive guitar strumming.
It's all free and easy. I am not sure if this is a real band, or a side project
by McCaughey, who was once in Young Fresh Fellows. With Peter Buck in the
lineup, this might be a band worth checking out live. Meet me there.
The Mutts
Life In Dirt
Fatcat Records
The Mutts are a new punk band from Brighton that started almost five years
ago. This is their first record. They are into The Ramones, MC5, and Motorhead.
"Engines" sounds like early Joy Division on speed. Much of this music is very
fresh considering the influences. Punk rock is often bad music played by
people who can't play. In the USA, bands like Fall Out Boy are considered the
current state of punk. It's obvious that The Mutts can actually play their
instruments, and they are definitely a band that can breathe new life into an old
corpse. "Let Me See You Face" is much more like early Motorhead. The Mutts are
pretty good.
Songs of Green Pheasant
Fatcat Records
Fans of Devendra Banhart and Joanna Newsom might like this one. Songs of
Green Pheasant is the work of Duncan Sumpner. This is a very lo-fi recording that
sounds much like some trippy records of the past like Lansing-Drieden and The
Langley School. The sounds of new weird America have touched those in
Sheffield. Sumpner did these recordings three years ago, and sent them to a label, and
it took a while to get back to him. The result is something very unique. Sort
of reminds me of some muddle versions of some early Eyeless in Gaza stuff.
This is another record to get into and dream about distant places. It is a good
opportunity to use your brain. Damn those who are preying to a god that
doesn't exist. Songs of Green Pheasant is truly brilliant.
Original Soundtrack to "The Aristocrats"
V2 Records
One joke told by 100+ comedians. It's funny as hell hearing this. It just
goes on and on, and takes the idea behind Raymond Queneau's "Exercises in Style"
to a new low. It is a laugh. I guess any proper review would attempt another
telling of the joke and I will do that. A guy walks into a talent agency and
says "I have the act for you. It is an amazing act. It's like family
entertainment. It's a mother and father, and a son and daughter. The stage is bare. The
son and daughter come out and the strip totally naked. They fuck. The parents
come out too and fuck. The daughter fistfucks the son. The father fucks the
daughter. The son fucks the mother. Before the show they all eat carne asada
burrito and exlax. At the proper time they all have anal sex with each other and
shit all over the stage and it gets on the audience, so they feel involved.
Then the family dog comes out and the whole family jacks it off and the dog
ejaculates in the audience so it's a little like Gallagher. After that when you
think that there could be no more to do. Their grandmother comes out and the
father shoots her in the stomach with a gun. The son then fucks the bullet hole.
The grandmother pulls out a glass eye. The son then fucks her in the eye
socket. There is blood, shit and come everywhere." The booking agent says: "That
sounds good. What do they could themselves?" The guy looks at him and says:
"They are called The Aristocrats."
Beck
Guerolito
Interscope
Beck "Guero" came out a year ago. He played live shows for a year. I went to
one of the secret shows. It was hot. I was standing next to Paris Hilton. Now
we have the remix. There are some usual culprits and people you think of when
you hear the name Beck. People like Air, Beastie Boys, Dust Brothers, and
other new people like Diplo, Subtle, Boards of Canada, and El-P. I thought Guero
was a weird album. This album stretches it out and sounds like one big funky
reggae party. Some of the hits like "Girl" are pretty entertaining. "Heaven
Hammer" sounds like a Gary Numan song. "Black Tambourine" is much more electro
than the original. Never does this record ever stray from the unique Beck
sound. It probably makes the album sound more like Odeley than the original.
"Rental Car" is one of the highlights of both albums. It is more greatness to add
to the mantle. This album has some cool artwork too.
Seventeen Evergreen
Life Embarrasses Me On Planet Earth
Pacific Radio Fire
Seventeen Evergreen is one of the new happening bands from San Francisco. In
a few months they have went from obscurity to the center of the new vibrant
scene. It's 2006 and it's time for the revolution. "Music Is The Wine" is a
cool song that is vocally complex and reminds me of some French pop.
"Constellation" sounds a little like Beck. "Lunar One" reminds me of Grandaddy. There
are some dreamy and moody songs throughout. It's influenced by some experimental
music and psychedelic rock. One of the best songs is "Haven't Been Yourself"
which surprises and erupts into joy. Seventeen Evergreen is a unique band
that demands to be heard. Check it out now.
Nick Cave
The Proposition OST
Mute Records
The Proposition is the new film by John Hillcoat. It is about outlaw brothers
in Australia in the 1880s. It has Guy Pearce, Ray Winstone, and Emily Watson.
Sounds like a winner to me. I think it may have a chance to win the Sundance
Film Festival. It is not so much anything like a Nick Cave or Dirty Three
record. It's more like some mood music for a specific time and place. It's mostly
instrument music. Some Violins by Warren Ellis here. Guitars there. "Down To
The Valley" is the only thing close to Bad Seeds material. It's very stripped
down. "Martha's Dream" is very ominous. Nick Cave has been pretty prolific
recently and this is more fuel to add to the fire. Punishment is forever.
Alexander Laurence
