May 2006
Record
Wolfmother
The Coup
The Rakes
Liars
The Vacation
Elefant
Islands
Fleeing New York
Matthew Herbert
Lambchop
Junkie XL
T Bone Burnett
The Sound The Hare Heard
Amps For Christ
Neil Young
The Bellrays
Alejandro Escovedo
The Duke Spirit
The Streets
The Charlatans UK
The Ark
Reviews
Wolfmother
Wolfmother
Interscope/Modular
This is probably the most exciting record of the year. Just a few days ago
Wolfmother blew everyone away at Coachella. Now we have this self-titled record
to deal with. A few songs that were on the EP show up here like "Dimension."
Those songs are solid. Then we have some of the songs that form the other part
of Wolfmother like "White Unicorn." I know a lot of people compare them to
Black Sabbath, but they are missing out on the whole story. There are many
chapters in this book called Wolfmother. They are also as much like White Stripes
and The Datsuns. I think this music comes out of a shared loved for blues and
heavy rock. I don't think it has anything with copying one band. Then we have
the one word song "Woman." This is the coolest single of the year. Much rock
music has come out of depression and dark stuff. This song single-handedly
gets rock and roll back on track, with its monolithic love. Some detractors
probably haven't heard "Where Eagles Have Been" which is an epic rock and roll
journey. "Apple Tree" is basic rock and roll. Some songs like "Joker & The
Thief" and "Vagabond" remind me of a mix between Thin Lizzy and Devendra Banhart.
The heavy rocking song "Colossal" takes no prisoners. "Witchcraft" explores
some weird rhythms. "Tales" is more pure psychedelic rock. This album is 13
songs of rock and roll, blues, folk, heavy metal, and every good about music
right now.
The Coup
Pick A Bigger Weapon
Epitaph
Usually when I hear a new rap record I fall asleep. Rap music is so
mainstream that it never seems very fresh. Most of the songs seem like some stupid idea
I had from 15 years ago. We don't need to know about the ghetto anymore. If
we need to know more about Compton, you can take the Blue Line train and she
what is going down in Watts and Compton for yourself. You don't have to listen
to any record with brothers pretending to be hard. But The Coup is an amazing
group. This record is witty and funny and entertaining. I especially like
"Laugh/Love/Fuck." There are a few comedy skits, and a few R&B moments. The Coup
doesn't really look like most of these lame rap groups today either. Boots
Riley looks like Undercover Brother. His sidekick is a girl DJ. They are from
Oakland and they are here with some killer tracks. I will be playing a lot of
this record this year. There is a good mix of sex and politics. Boots is the man!
This is rap music for the next decade.
The Rakes
Capture/Release
V2 Records
The Rakes are one of the best recent British bands. They blitzed into LA late
last year and took the city by storm. They have brilliant songs like
"Strasbourg" and "22 Grand Job." Their songs are about everyday and ordinary things.
One of the best songs here is "Retreat." The remix is amazing too. There are
some intense songs like "Open Book" and "The Guilt." They have some more dub
reggae moments like in "Violent." The Rakes are hard to pin down. The mix
all the best genres of music and create their own deal. This record has been
released in England a while ago. They have conquered Europe. They are one of the
bands ready to take over in America. This new American release includes the
new song "All Too Human."
Liars
Drum's Not Dead
Mute
Liars are a very artistic band from New York City. They have recently moved
to Berlin and expanded the sound. Five years ago they were the hippest band out
of Williamsburg. They kicked a few members out of the band. They did an
unconventional second record that had people scratching their heads. I saw one of
their first shows in New York with the new lineup. It was bizarre. Once I heard
the album, I knew it was great. A second show in Los Angeles confirmed my
judgment. But still people misunderstood them. I think on this third record, the
sounds are more pure. They are an artistic band with knowledge of avant-garde
stuff. The music is mostly percussion and weird sounds. Angus Andrew's vocals
are more musical this time too. Most of the album is part of a story. It's a
concept album dealing with two characters. The album also includes three sets
of videos for each song. This is probably the most unconventional album since
The Fiery Furnaces last one. Liars have done a much better album that will take
much time to sink in. We live in an iPod generation where everyone listens to
two tracks from each album. Liars have made an album to be listened to by
itself.
The Vacation
The Vacation
American Recordings
The Vacation are one of the most exciting bands that I know. They released
this album a while ago. Now it comes out in this new version, and hopefully it
will reach the people. They come from St. Louis, but insist they are a
Hollywood band. They are straightforward rock and roll. "White Noise" hits you hard.
"I'm No Good" is a little more elaborate. "Cherry Cola" is mellow rocker.
One of their best songs is "Destitute Prostitute." That is one of the
highlights of their set. One of the songs that recalls The Dead Boys is "Make Up Your
Mind." A cool anthem, that is more like Tom Petty, is "Hollywood Forever."
They are a sleazy hard rocking band. This is best summed up in "Trash." It's
eleven songs. It's solid. Get with it.
Elefant
The Black Magic Show
Hollywood/Kemado
This is the glamorous New York band. This is their second album. They
provided some relief from the seriousness of bands like Interpol. Their first album
was an interesting foray in pop rock music. The center of the group is Diego
Garcia, the man, the myth. The second album seems more focused and more whole.
It's not just a collection of songs that some guy wrote when he was young.
There is more experience and shape in the sounds. There are some stand out tracks
like "Lolita" and "Uh Oh Hello." Their sound is explored more in "The
Clown." Some of the complicated rhythms give a new texture to the band's new sound.
"Uh Oh Hello" is a slight tip of the hat to The Who. There was a Britpop vibe
on the first album. Elefant has seemed to become more it's own thing. A more
Latin style is displayed in "Brasil." There is a cool mix of rock and
electronic sounds. No wonder Ed Buller is involved (Pulp, Suede). I am looking at some
of the pictures in the booklet and the press, and there are a bunch of
pictures of the band leering, like they have some secret knowledge about life.
Elefant is a type a band that should succeed.
Islands
Return To The Sea
Equator
This is Islands, formally known as The Unicorns. They decided to change names
for the second album. We encounter here more songs about the sea and death.
Gone are all the weird synths sounds. On this album we find the band trying to
do a Broken Social Scene parody album. This album sounds very serious for a
bunch of born bullshitters. For people who grew up on the Unicorns you will find
familiar sounds. This just sounds like a better version of their first album,
with more guys playing. There are no revelations, nor hits. There is a little
country, and a little rock and roll. The nerds grew up.
Fleeing New York
Fleeing New York EP
So Sweet Records
This is a new band from London. They are flying under the radar right now.
They may be big one day. It's a three piece. Russell Marsden on guitar and
vocals. Emma Richardson on bass and vocals. Matt Hayward on drums. "Hollywood
Bowl" is a popular song. It sort of mixes garage rock and surf rock. It has some
vocals on there that are like the Mamas and the Papas. "Up Up Up Up" is a
little more minimal and angular. They break out on "Scandinavia." This song is my
favorite. "Surefire" is a real rocking and original tune. There are some
cool songs are every day life. They are stories that are simple. It all ends with
a fold ballad "Here We Stand." This is supposed to be a greatest hits
sampling. It's pretty good stuff.
Matthew Herbert
Scale
K7 Records
Some girl long ago told me that Herbert was the equivalent in music of sex.
He makes sexy sounds. It's true. This is first real album in a while. It was
worth the wait. It mixes jazz, techno, dance, and everything Herbert has done in
the past. On this one he has collaborated a lot with Dani Siciliano. The
results are very dramatic. This is a cool musical journey. Even Matthew Herbert
sings on "Wrong." These songs are like movie soundtracks to a very good film.
It is a very cool album.
Lambchop
The Decline of Country & Western Civilization
Merge
This is a band I have been hearing a bout for a few years. They have released
a few albums. This is the first time that I can listen to them. It sounds
pretty good. There are many instruments on these tracks. It goes from gentle
ballads to rocking songs. It has a country sound but informed by indie rock too.
Lambchop has done a good record here.
Junkie XL
Today
Ultra Records
Junkie XL has done several records over the past years. Most of them have
been very commercial dance records. This one is more straightforward and basic.
It's more song based. It's not at all a dance record. Most of the songs are
guitar and vocals, with mostly Junkie XL himself. He is not relying on any cast
of characters.
T Bone Burnett
The True False Identity
Columbia
T Bone Burnett is one of the most influential musicians alive. This record is
another testament to that. It is pure and direct. The first few songs are
complex rhythmic numbers. "Palestine, Texas" is an early favorite here. A very
clever song. Some of these songs have much in common with songwriters like Tom
Waits and Randy Newman. There are few weird percussive tracks. "I'm Going On
A Long Journey Never To Return" is another favorite. The second half of the
record is quiet and more like spoken word poetry. This is one of my favorite
records of the year.
Various Artists
The Sound The Hare Heard
Kill Rock Stars
This is a good collection. It has tracks by Sufjan Stevens, Laura Veirs,
Imaad Wasif, Colin Meloy, and others. A fairly mellow affair.
Amps For Christ
Every Eleven Seconds
5 Rue Christine
Amps For Christ is a provocative name. I have heard about them for a while.
It's mostly a one-man band. The songs go from extreme noise to Irish folk
ballads. This album has many collaborators. A strange record indeed.
Neil Young
Living With War
Reprise
The last Neil Young was probably his best in years. This one came out very
fast. This is all out anti-war album. The songs are good. The younger people and
musicians, besides Devendra Banhart, have had little to say about the Iraq
War. Leave it to Neil Young. "After The Garden" is a cool song, with a little
Beatles vibe. I also like "Let's Impeach The President." This is a major
album. People will be talking about this album for years.
The Bellrays
Have A Little Faith
Cheap Lullaby Records
The Bellrays are a cool band from Detroit that is getting some attention.
They are a little more musical than most bands. A little more like Curtis
Mayfield than Electric Six. Lisa Kekaluah is a cool singer. These songs are their
strongest yet. I look forward to seeing the Bellrays. I like "Chainsong" and
"Detroit Breakdown" a lot. This is cool music. Michael Dutcher is their manager.
Piper Ferguson took the photo. This is a band on the rise.
Alejandro Escovedo
The Boxing Mirror
Back Porch Records
Escovedo has been a musician and songwriter who has been very prolific. I
thought he died a few years ago, but I guess not. He has hooked up with John Cale
on this record. Most of his music is mellow rock with county and folk
references. Escovedo has written most of the songs here, with a little help. The band
is very large. Even Cale helps out on a few tunes. "Notes On Air" is a
brilliant song. It's good to see this class act back in business.
The Duke Spirit
Cuts Across The Land
Vagrant/Startime International
This is probably my favorite new British band. They have been kicking around
the scene for two years ago. I saw them play in New York City at the end of
2004. It took a while for the American release. It's been worth the wait. Liela
Moss is a great singer and a star. She is the closest thing we have now that
is like Nico and Patti Smith. Their music is like Primal Scream meets the Gun
Club. "Cuts Across The Land" and "Darling You're Mean" are brilliant songs.
There are a lot of songs on this version. There are no weak tracks. Some other
favorites are "Bottom of The Sea" and "Lion RIP." This band may be one of
the most exciting bands ever.
The Streets
The Hardest Way To Make An Easy Living
Vice Records
It's the third chapter for Mike Skinner, the biggest pop star from the UK.
Almost every album has been a number one if I remember right. The last album was
a concept album. This album is more about the spoils of success. It's less
unfocused than the previous two. "War of The Sexes" reminds me of some of the
songs on the first album. Some immediate favorites are "When You Wasn't
Famous" and "Hotel Expressionism." The first is about the pitfalls of become a well
known act. The second is aboutÉ. Not sure. Maybe about destroying hotels?
"Never Went To Church" explores to two great European narcotics: alcohol and
Christianity. It has a tune that is like "Let It Be" by the Beatles. We always
need a record to put on and smoke weed to. Here it is! The summer looks good.
The Charlatans UK
Simpactico
Sanctuary
I never really got into the Charlatans back in the day. But I started to see
Tim Burgess walking around town and hanging out at gigs. I attended this
exclusive gig at Little Radio and they shot a video. They played some new songs and
some old songs. I thought "Oh yeah, I heard that stuff. That was these
guys?" I am now a fan. "Blackened Blue Eyes" is a massive track. Many songs are
the life of Tim Burgess. He has a little about NYC and Los Angeles. I love it
all. I look forward to seeing them live again. They are going to play some shows
with the Rolling Stones this summer. That will be a great achievement for
this band. I watched a collection of their videos recently. That was great. They
deserve a second look no doubt.
The Ark
State of The Ark
The Rebel Group
I just heard about this band recently. I am going what the fuck is this? It's
supposed to be a little like the Scissor Sisters, and they are touring with
The Darkness. They are from Sweden. They look amazing. The Ark is a band that
doesn't so much sound like bands of the 1970s, like Queen and Bowie, as much as
they seem like that they are from that period. This band seems like they have
been transported in a time machine. They have a bunch of cool songs with
titles like "This Piece of Poetry Is Meant To Do Harm" and "One Of Us Is Going
Die Young." There are some new wave influences too. I love this band.
Alexander Laurence
