Goodie Bag 2/26
Okay, I'll admit that I've been a little lazy in posting on this site, and it's time I pick up the slack and uh... be a little more consistent... without further ado - the first goodie bag in over two months.
The first quarter of 2007 has brought many strong albums from a variety of artists. Here's a few choice cuts from some of those new (and not-yet-quite-released) records as well as some older tunes that are must listens.
Ted Leo and the Pharmacists - Bottle of Buckie - 'Living With The Living' may be Ted Leo and the Rx's finest record yet. The band storms through a variety of styles and unleashes ferocious hooks that don't leave your head for days. I'd debated either to put this or another fave, "La Costa Brava" up, but through the lobbying of obviate media's own Evan Thorne, the right track won out.
Modest Mouse - Florida - Modest Mouse's new album is a bit of an anomaly. It certainly doesn't contain the claustrophobic elements of their earlier work, nor does it have the spazoid carnival music vibe that 2004's 'Good News For People Who Love Bad News" so engaging. With the addition of former Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr (!!), the band forges an album contains thick guitar textures and soaring hooks - none more evident than on this track. Marr was a puzzling but ultimately welcome addition to the band, and here's hope he sticks around for a few more records to see what his influence further has on the band.
Kings of Leon - On Call - When their first record came out, Kings of Leon were a band that used to bore the shit out of me. It sounded a lot like just lazy country rock with a dude that really couldn't sing. When Aha Shake Heartbreak dropped two years ago, I started swinging in the other direction. There were some eyebrow raising tunes - especially "Milk" - so when I heard that another album was on the way, I got a little interested. 'Because Of The Times' is a knockout, mainly because the group is willing to take chances with their sound. The pot-obscured country sound is still there - but it's nested in a bed of atmospherics. Give this one a shot - it's the sound of a band going for broke - and do they ever succeed.
Joni Mitchell - Help Me - I really like Joni Mitchell. I don't think I realized this until the other day when I noticed I had four of her studio records. What's most interesting about Joni is that she never seems to make the same record twice. There's the acoustic nakedness of 'Blue', the weirdo jazz folk hybrid of 'The Hissing of Summer Lawns', and her 1979 collaboration with Charles Mingus, aptly titled Mingus. 'Help Me' is a cut off her 1974 classic, 'Court and Spark'. The record seems to position itself as the accessible pop record, and this is one of it's most memorable tracks.
Warren Zevon - Johnny Strikes Up The Band - It really upsets me that I knew next to nothing about Warren Zevon -until it was reported he had terminal cancer. Why? The man was a true rebel. His songs are all about suggestive shit - for example, the title track for the album that this particular cut is from 'Excitable Boy" talks about a dude digging up a girl and using her bones to make a cage. Hilarious. The guitar solos on this track are what deliver and merit repeated listening. Enjoy.
Prince - Raspberry Beret - You've heard it so many times already, but I'll say it again: Prince is one of the greatest musicians ever. Sadly, I'm not sure that many people will ever take him seriously because of all of his eccentricities over the years. There are so many worthy tunes to put on this post, but Raspberry Beret is the one that's getting the most spins in my rotation. Just wait - you'll be singing "Rassssspberry Beret! The kind you buy in a secondhand storeee..." That, or you'll be hoping he'll invite you to Paisley Park to play basketball and eat pancakes.
Kate Earl - Someone to Love - The best singer you probably haven't heard of. Mainly because she has yet to play a show outside of California. If you dig the piano-vamping-Fiona-moodiness, this lovely lady is for you. If not, she's still got a great collection of songs that pose the question: 'Why isn't she huge right now?' Corrine Bailey Rae, eat your heart out.
The first quarter of 2007 has brought many strong albums from a variety of artists. Here's a few choice cuts from some of those new (and not-yet-quite-released) records as well as some older tunes that are must listens.
Ted Leo and the Pharmacists - Bottle of Buckie - 'Living With The Living' may be Ted Leo and the Rx's finest record yet. The band storms through a variety of styles and unleashes ferocious hooks that don't leave your head for days. I'd debated either to put this or another fave, "La Costa Brava" up, but through the lobbying of obviate media's own Evan Thorne, the right track won out.
Modest Mouse - Florida - Modest Mouse's new album is a bit of an anomaly. It certainly doesn't contain the claustrophobic elements of their earlier work, nor does it have the spazoid carnival music vibe that 2004's 'Good News For People Who Love Bad News" so engaging. With the addition of former Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr (!!), the band forges an album contains thick guitar textures and soaring hooks - none more evident than on this track. Marr was a puzzling but ultimately welcome addition to the band, and here's hope he sticks around for a few more records to see what his influence further has on the band.
Kings of Leon - On Call - When their first record came out, Kings of Leon were a band that used to bore the shit out of me. It sounded a lot like just lazy country rock with a dude that really couldn't sing. When Aha Shake Heartbreak dropped two years ago, I started swinging in the other direction. There were some eyebrow raising tunes - especially "Milk" - so when I heard that another album was on the way, I got a little interested. 'Because Of The Times' is a knockout, mainly because the group is willing to take chances with their sound. The pot-obscured country sound is still there - but it's nested in a bed of atmospherics. Give this one a shot - it's the sound of a band going for broke - and do they ever succeed.
Joni Mitchell - Help Me - I really like Joni Mitchell. I don't think I realized this until the other day when I noticed I had four of her studio records. What's most interesting about Joni is that she never seems to make the same record twice. There's the acoustic nakedness of 'Blue', the weirdo jazz folk hybrid of 'The Hissing of Summer Lawns', and her 1979 collaboration with Charles Mingus, aptly titled Mingus. 'Help Me' is a cut off her 1974 classic, 'Court and Spark'. The record seems to position itself as the accessible pop record, and this is one of it's most memorable tracks.
Warren Zevon - Johnny Strikes Up The Band - It really upsets me that I knew next to nothing about Warren Zevon -until it was reported he had terminal cancer. Why? The man was a true rebel. His songs are all about suggestive shit - for example, the title track for the album that this particular cut is from 'Excitable Boy" talks about a dude digging up a girl and using her bones to make a cage. Hilarious. The guitar solos on this track are what deliver and merit repeated listening. Enjoy.
Prince - Raspberry Beret - You've heard it so many times already, but I'll say it again: Prince is one of the greatest musicians ever. Sadly, I'm not sure that many people will ever take him seriously because of all of his eccentricities over the years. There are so many worthy tunes to put on this post, but Raspberry Beret is the one that's getting the most spins in my rotation. Just wait - you'll be singing "Rassssspberry Beret! The kind you buy in a secondhand storeee..." That, or you'll be hoping he'll invite you to Paisley Park to play basketball and eat pancakes.
Kate Earl - Someone to Love - The best singer you probably haven't heard of. Mainly because she has yet to play a show outside of California. If you dig the piano-vamping-Fiona-moodiness, this lovely lady is for you. If not, she's still got a great collection of songs that pose the question: 'Why isn't she huge right now?' Corrine Bailey Rae, eat your heart out.
