October 2006
Record
Lucero
Ali Farka Toure
Goldfrapp
The Slits
Micah P. Hinson
Scanners
The Mars Volta
Razorlight
Stars of Track and Field
Scissor Sisters
Citizen Cope
Emily Haines & The Soft Skeleton
Record
Lucero
Rebels, Rogues & Sworn Brothers
Liberty and Lament/ East West
Lucero's 5th studio release opens with the love-child of Springsteen and The Pogues, then
flies into the '80s power-pop of "I don't wanna be the one," with its pogo-inducing keys and
a booty-shaking beat that could conceivably rock Cheap Trick's world. Not until song
three-the sexy roadhouse stumble of "San Francisco"Ð does the listener get a categorically
"Lucero-type" song. Influences throughout the record range from Black Sabbath to Don Henley
and touch upon the occasional appearance of the young band that dealt out the twang-rock of 2005's
Nobody's Darlings.
Rogues is both Lucero's farthest stretch out on a limb and their most down-home record to date.
It works because no matter what genre peeks through there's just no denying that this is Lucero's
music. Ben Nichols' comforting Jack-and-gravel vocals tie it all together by reading true throughout
and Lucero rocks with the southern grit the band's respected for. It also helps that producer
David Lowery (front man for Cracker and Camper Van Beethoven) channeled the band's exploration
and ended up with a surprisingly cohesive record that all can be proud of.
But times are changing--Nichols' lyrics are broadening and developing in style, and guitarist
Brian Venable has excelled so much that Van Halen-styled hammer-ons can even be occasionally heard
above the lonely cry that listeners love. Rebels, Rogues & Sworn Brothers is not the record fans
were expectingÐit's better, but it may take the die-hards a couple of listens to recognize the fact.
Rogues is epic in its intentÐstating Here stands a band doing exactly what they want to do, and it's
clear that they're having a damned fine time doing it. With raucous, sweaty live shows and records
tumbling out with increasing breadth and ability Lucero guarantees they won't be the only ones
enjoying the ride.
- Katie Ball
Ali Farka Toure
Savane
Nonesuch
This is one of the biggest and most anticipated releases of the year. Mali
music has been a big source of inspiration for music the world over. Some say
that the blues did not start at the magical foot of the river Mississippi, but
actually the wistful river Niger. Also this album was made during the last days
of Toure. He had been diagnosed with cancer. Many bands now talk about death
in music, but Toure has some real urgency in making this great album. This
music is at once blues-like and much like some Indian and African folk music. I
am not sure what he is singing about, but it sounds amazing. The guitar picking
is solid. Even Ry Cooder is a fan. I especially like the tracks "Yer Bounda
Fara" and "Savane." This record has some of this most innovative guitar work.
There are also some more rhythmic tracks. He worked with some of the best
musicians from Mali to make this. Actually Martin Scorcese made a movie about
Toure a few years ago. It was a tribute. Definitely this is an excellent record
from start to finish. For those, like myself, who have only just started
listening to him, it is exciting to find out more. I bought a copy for my mother and
she was into it.
Goldfrapp
We Are Glitter
Mute
Goldfrapp has become quite popular in the past few years. I remember when I
first read an article about them in Q Magazine years ago. They were sort of
like a new version of Portishead or Moloko. It seemed like every band from ten
years ago was compared to Portishead if they had a female singer. Goldfrapp sort
of outlasted those bands, which although influential in their time, now seem
obscure. Goldfrapp has become more durable, and more worthy of a DFA or
Ladytron remix. You know what is hip! These are some of the songs you might have
heard in clubs. There are a few electro remixes by T. Raumschmiere and Benny
Benassi. There are a few by some unlikely groups, ones you wouldn't liken to
Goldfrapp, such as Mum and The Flaming Lips. Mum does a spaced out version of "You
Never Know" and The Flaming Lips created a folk version of "Satin Chic." A
lot of this record bleeps and bubbles. Mum makes "Number 1" sound like Sigur
Ros. But there is some heavy disco and house sounds too. Goldfrapp doesn't want
to alienate her gay fans. The DFA remix "Slide In" sounds like The Rapture
and Goldfrapp have got together to make music. With any Goldfrapp record, there
is always a surprise. In this one there comes a Goldfrapp remix of "Strict
Machine." This is mostly an instrumental. In eight years, Goldfrapp has put out
three albums, a few EPs and remixes, and a DVD. There are not many bum tracks.
It is impressive.
The Slits
Revenge of The Killer Slits
SAF records
The Slits came out with some reissues last year. It was one of my favorite
records. I didn't listen to them much in the early days. They were one of the
punk bands that it was hard to get a copy of. And then, they didn't really fit
in with the rest of the dumb ass punk bands. They were years ahead of their
time. Now here they come with an EP. It only has Ari Up and Tessa Pollit from the
early days. They have brought in Marco Pironi (Adam and The Ants) and Paul
Cook (Sex Pistols). This is a good sign of things to come. "Slits Tradition" is
a very modern track. "Number One Enemy" is an old song. It's pretty exciting
to have them returning. The new line up should be interesting. Most of us
have never seen this band in any form. This is a good single to have.
Micah P. Hinson
Micah P. Hinson and the opera circuit
Jade Tree
This record sort of stood out for me too. It is much like Richard Hawley and
Iron & Wine. This Texas songwriter is very interesting on his second full
length. The songs are simple and brilliant. I like songs like "Digging A Grave"
and "Jackeyed." Hinson seems like he inhabits are very unique world. Sort of
like looking into glass balls that you shake up. There is a bit a Tom Waits in
a few songs like "It's Been So Long." The string parts sound amazing. The
guitar playing is evolved. Hinson has a lovely voice that can carry me through a
song. This is definitely a surprisingly damned good record. I look forward to
checking out more of his records.
Scanners
Violence Is Golden
Dimmak
I remember when these guys blew through town recently. I was curious about
them. Was it another overblown sensation? I brought this record with me to my
recent vacation to Portland. I have been listening to it for a few weeks. The
songs have seemed to catch my attention. They seem a little like The Sounds, but
with better influences. There is a mix of new wave and electronic sounds. But
there is a lack of retro backward glancing. Immediately I like "Joy" and "In
My Dream." Then there is "Lowlife" which is a little like Placebo with
female vocals. The guitar sounds are complex and fresh sounding. One of the best
songs is "Bombs." This band is from London and been compared to PJ Harvey and
The Pretenders. It is real good and new sounding. One of the best English bands
right now.
The Mars Volta
Amputechture
Universal
The Mars Volta has always been ambitious and massive. There live show is one
of the best. I am not so crazy about their subjects, but it is exciting music.
I hung out with Omar Rodriquez-Lopez at a show in New York City two years
ago. He was excited about just having returned from Brazil and then mixing
Frances The Mute. Last year they released a live album. Right away we another new
album and tour. This album is not a concept album. But it has similar themes.
"Vicarious Atonement" sounds a lot like the previous two albums. It also deals
with themes of loss and despair. "Vermicide" deals with killing some unknown
pests. This is a wild album. There are the flourishes of sound and intricate
horns. There is John Frusciante adding some out of control leads. The Mars Volta
is a very interesting group. This may be their most safe album. Even though
it is middle of the road, it is musically advanced than most of the stuff out
there.
Razorlight
Razorlight
Universal Motown
Razorlight seemed like one of the best bands in England a few years back.
They are still a major act in the UK. They have only played a few shows in
America. They seemed as bland as Keane or Coldplay to maybe be a successful group
here. This album is definitely one of those second album slumps. "In The
Morning" has a mediocre melody stolen from some horrible 1970s band. "Who Needs
Love" has a watered down feel of Motown. This song would not have made it on the
Animal House soundtrack. Johnny Borrell is supposed to be bringing back the
sound of The Style Council. It always sounds like a joke. "America" could be a
cool song, if Razorlight had spent more than two weeks here. It is sort of a
ripoff of "Time After Time" by Cindi Lauper. This is the band that did once
great songs like "Magic Touch" and "Dalston." The song "Before I Fall To
Pieces" is a reaching back to that sound. I saw Razorlight open up once for Jimmy
Eat World. It was pretty funny. The audience was against them. This album
doesn't get any better. Time has passed. Bands like Razorlight and Muse are losing
it. The grip on the gold ring is slowly slipping. Very bland but may catch on
with dull witted Americans.
Stars of Track and Field
Centuries before love and war
Sidecho Records/Wind Up
I always am curious about bands with sports referenced in their band name. I
like The Joggers. This is another band from Portland. They played at the
recent Musicfest NW. This album sounds really good at first listen. It has good
emotion and texture. I am excited at the mood. It's not really rock music or fun
dance tracks. It may be a little like The Shins or Built To Spill. The songs
are really solid. I feel really interested in music like this. It's a very
modern sound. As you get more into the album, there are more electronic
influences. I like it all. This is a band who could be one of the biggest bands ever.
Look forward to the live show.
Scissor Sisters
Ta-Dah
Universal Motown
I have never been a fan of Scissor Sisters. They did one of the biggest
selling albums in the UK a few years ago. I just happened to see them at a special
show at Spaceland. There was a line around the block. There was a story about
this epic show in the NME the next week. I was thinking: what is the big deal?
They were performing on all those UK awards shows, and were still pretty
obscure in America. It sounds like the fate of every America band now. They had
some catchy tunes. I guess that it took about two years to convert some of that
Erasure crowd in the States. They have some good songs like "I Don't Feel
Like Dancin" and "Paul McCartney." The song "She's My Man" sounds like some of
those annoying records by Elton John from the 1980s. You know those videos of
him hanging out in pools in a straw hat? Some other songs remind me of Harry
Nilsson. The elaborate production seemed to have sucked away some of the
energy of this record. "Kiss You Off" sounds a little like a song by Shampoo. My
favorite here is probably "Ooh." This is like the closest thing they have done
that is like Chic. I can dig that. I am not sure why they didn't do more of
this Nils Rodgers stuff. Scissor Sisters do not get political very often, but
they send a message of good will with "Everybody Wants The Same Thing." This
is a pretty good record, but there are no obvious hits like Justin Timberlake.
Citizen Cope
Every Waking Moment
RCA
Citizen Cope has been around for a few years. I am probably more into this
music now than I was a few years ago. I have been to a few festivals and
sometimes you look for something different. Citizen Cope mixes folk, rock, blues, and
hiphop, in one big stew. It comes off like Tom Waits doing songs by Beck and
Gomez. It is pretty cool music. I do like some of these songs like "Every
Waking Moment" and "Friendly Fire." Citizen Cope is someone who can gets into
politics and reflect about the times, without seeming heavy handed. One of the
best songs is "Brother Lee." It's almost like a modern update of The Eagles.
There is a lot of range and different sounds. Some may see this as being a
little like Jam Bands. But this stuff is far more interesting than Ben Harper and
Jack Johnson. It's good stuff. This is a great voice.
Emily Haines & The Soft Skeleton
Knives Don't Have Your Back
Last Gang Records
Emily Haines is the lead singer of band Metric. I had seen members of that
band play in various group in New York City in 1998. Four years later they had
moved to Los Angeles, as I had, and were really hardworking. They were playing
any show they could. By 2004, they were like a local sensation. This was also
the time of Canadian bands like Arcade Fire and Broken Social Scene. I soon
found out that Metric were actually from Toronto. They were friends with all
those bands back there too. So we have a more piano driven record. There are
contributions from bands like Sparklehorse, Broken Social Scene and Stars. This
reminds me of that A Camp record by the lead singer of The Cardigans. Nina
Persson did a real serious record, and nothing like the pop records of the
Cardigans. Haines goes back to her Beatles influenced sound. It's a little stripped
down.
Alexander Laurence
