Some New Releases and my take.... My scale is 6 stars. You have to friggin' earn that 6th star.
Spoon - Transference
Spoon from Austin Texas, led by the electric Britt Daniel, is quite possibly one of my favorite bands of all time. They are in my Indie Rock hall of fame. Driving Piano, by Eric Harvey, sweeping idiosyncratic beats and rhythm that come from Britt Daniel's distracted and restless song crafting style. A slow start to the album, with anything to memorable in the first 2 songs. The Mystery Zone is a sophisticated diddy that has some nice dub beat background. It's slow but soothing. Good Saturday morn paper accompaniment. Who makes you money, the next one continues that same vein is lurid but not super playable. Written in Reverse, they played on Conan the other night. Nice beat, and anger growl from Britt's swaggering leadership. Good song. It is followed up by a grower, not a shower, called I Saw the Light. No.. not Todd Rundgren cover. Great groove that ends up going instrumental for the second half of the number with a dramatic shift change which Spoon loves to incorporate to confuse. The self produced album picks up steam here as the crunchy power pop of Trouble Comes Runningunveils itself. My favorite of the album, is probably the most accessible song from the album for the music Layman, or Lame Man. Unfortunately the song is kind of the only rousing, fist pumper. Nice and pretty numbers follow up the rocker, but fall a bit flat. Got Nuffin, the faster song at the end was released before so, that's a bit of a cheat. Spoon's worst stuff is so much better than so many other acts, it's worth noting, but would give 4 out of 6 stars.
Surfer Blood - Astro Coast
Wow, who are these guys. From West Palm Beach apparently, and despite the horrow show of a band name, which I Love, they are playing a Indie meets Phil Spector route here. Shades of the Clash and Beach Boys from older influence nicely pulled off. Tracks 1 and 2 are great, Swim is a brilliant song, with a falsetto lead vocal that is very reminiscent of Band of Horses and more importantly My Morning jacket. Album continues to be strong throughout, with the highlights of Harmonix which has some shimmery Gang of Four angular guitar at a shoegazers pace. Neighbour Riffs, has great throbbing baseline and sweeping cadence in a short instrumental. Twin Peaks is an awesome song that kicks this album into it's upper gear range. Fans of the Shins and Vampire Weekend should be happy here. 5 of 6 stars
Jay Reatard at the age of 29 found dead and Rock and Roll has one less of it's messengers.
Over the last 2 years I have been loving the quirky, jagged, driving Garage revival of Jay Reatard. Songs like "Know a Place", and "See/Saw" highlight his all too short career. He is definitely not for everyone, with a shrill and nasal, yet explosive delivery. Check out other classics of his like his cover of a Go song, Don't Let Him Come Back. Also, tough as it is to say, a great track of his "A Ugly Death" puts things in too much f'ing perspective. Painted Shut, It Ain't Gonna Save Me are strong examples of his fierce pace and delivery. He can get sort of pretty, yet creepy with the song "I'm watching You" Great track, nevertheless. Jay will be missed by me, and at least one other guy I know. Thanks for the support Rob.
What have I uncovered Lately... and why you may like
Band Album Songs to check out You'll like 'cause
Penetration - Moving Targets Don't Dictate, Nostalgia Heart meets the Sex Pistols
Magazine- The Correct Use of Soap My Tulpa, Rhythm of Cruelty You love synths with your
punk, don't you
My final thought.
Not bad first try, huh. Ah, we'll see. I am in a great moment in my life right now with a beautiful new baby girl, that I can unleash all my misguided musical energy on and try to bestow her the gift that is music appreciation. She seems to enjoy rocking and swaying to new wave and Power Pop like her old man. One other thing. Thanks to my beautiful wife Diane for letting me take over the Dj'ing around the house. She gets some Lady gaga and Rhianna sometimes, but mostly just carcinogenic levels of obscure rock. Thanks Dear.
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