Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Queens Of The Stone Age - Make It Wit Chu' (7", Polydor)


I have to admit that I'm not a fan of QOTSA. Their brand of stoner rock/death metal has never appealed to me. That's probably why I like "Make It Wit Chu'" so much.

"Make It Wit Chu'" is perhaps the bluesiest track QOTSA have ever written, with a side of booty-shakin' funk. The track was first played live at the Desert Sessions (with PJ Harvey on backing vocals), and appeared on the bands live DVDs. It finally made its way to an album with 2007's Era Vulgaris.

Lyrically, there's not much to the track. It's a lovers lament, with Homme doing a seductive falsetto over a pseudo-funk riff that will stick in your head. Here Homme’s ultra melodic delivery makes perfect sense, fluttering over a slow, soulful boogie. There’s something Neil Young-like in the shuffle of piano and drums, and particularly in the long-noted guitar solo. It’s also as close as QOTSA gets to a love song, jaded about life ("Sometimes the same is different/But mostly it’s the same"), but unusually direct and open-hearted. The only downside about the song is the way it finishes, in a series of big distorted guitar notes that are totally out of place in this track.

The album version of the single (pictured above) is backed with "Needles in the camel's eye", while the acoustic version is backed with a cover of Billy Idol's "White Wedding".

Thursday, October 23, 2008

It Hugs Back - Carefully (7", Safe & Sound)


With a name like It Hugs Back, you'd expect a lovely, big, warm embrace of a sound, wrapping its arms around you and caressing all the troubles of the world away. And that's just what It Hugs Back provides.

It Hugs Back create a carefully crafted sound, inspired by Stereolab, Sonic Youth and Wilco. On "Carefully", lead singer Matthew's engagingly delicate voice is combined with unusual arrangements like an upright bass and subtle horns to form an exceptionally distinctive sound.

Flip over to the B-side for the instrumental "Sometimes the Sun", and you'll be treated to more glorious sounds. Hand claps, whistles and deftly plucked chords transport you to a more idyllic place.

It Hugs Back have yet to release an album, but get your hands on all five of their singles. They're keepers.

Noah And The Whale - Five Years Time (7", Young And Lost Club)


"Five Years Time" is a happy song. That's putting it mildly. This saccharine-laced track can leave you with a sugar high or a mild headache (there's only so much sugar one can take), depending on your mood.

Lyrically, it's a tale of what might happen to a relationship over the course of five years. You could be walking around a zoo, laughing at each others jokes and generally having a blast, and lead singer Charlie Fink will "look at you and say it's the happiest I've ever been". All this cheer is wrapped up in whistles, lightly strummed ukuleles, violins, hand claps and the lovely Laura Marling on backing vocals

Of course, there's the chance it could all go horribly wrong and "In five years time, I might not know you". But that's far too negative, and with a song like this, even the most melancholic of us will look forward five years time and know that everything's going to be okay.

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Your 33 Black Angels - Lonely Street (LP, no label)



Your 33 Black Angels (or Y33BA for short, not to be confused with The Black Angels), are one of those bands that should be famous, but aren't. And that's a good thing.

I found out about these guys late last year. I ordered their self-released, limited-edition debut album online (only 250 pressed, mine's #152), and was hooked immediately. The hand printed, silk-screened cover (no two are alike) is a work of art as well.

Y33BA have brilliant wry lyrics coupled with lo-fi sound and a DIY garage rock recording. Y33BA's lead singer Josh Westfal sounds remarkably like Lou Reed. However, Y33BA are not about emulating the Velvet Underground. Their sound is distinctly unique, from the gorgeous, jangly "Town and Country" to the unbelieveably catchy "Psycho On Your Side". Not to forget a song about a girl named Sue.

Y33BA also caught the attention of Rolling Stone Senior Editor David Fricke, and he named them one of Fricke's Picks. These guys are going to be real big real soon, so get them while you still can.

Y33BA have also released their second album, Tales of My Pop Rock Love Life, which is sure to be as much of a stunner. Pick up your copy at the Y33BA website. I'm waiting for mine to arrive.

Monday, October 20, 2008

Die! Die! Die! - Sideways Here We Come (7", Too Pure)


Too be quite honest, there's not too much I know about New Zealand. Apart from the fact that they have a lot of sheep. Well, now I also know that they have some pretty good punk bands. Or at least one, as Die! Die! Die! are the only Kiwi punk band I've heard.

I personally hate it when bands liberally pepper their names with punctuation marks, but in Die! Die! Die!'s case it is justified. To leave out the exclamation marks from the bands name would do them a great injustice, as it effectively conveys their disorderly and thrilling sound.

"Sideways Here We Come" is a punk track at heart, but with a soul of pop (the oooh-oohs can hardly be called punk). The band take their influences from The Cure, The Misfits and a Warsaw-era Joy Division, albeit with a rawer, more edgy vibe. For instance when lead singer Andrew Wilson states "You're the type of person who needs to learn there's no difference between a knife in your hand and a gun in your back", it's somewhat unsettling.

The pounding drums, driving bass and waves of guitar have all been done before, but what elevates this track above anything masquerading as punk is the earnestness of their performance.

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Donavon Frankenreiter - Pass it Around (LP, Lost Highway)


On his third album, the former surfer and friend of Jack Johnson returns with another serving of laid-back singer/songwriter soul. This time around, there's not as much energy and fewer memorable songs than on 2006's Move by Yourself. It feels a bit of a step back from that album's ambition and drive, but results in a perfectly good record (just not exceptional).

Who knows, this may be the direction Frankenreiter wants to go in. As he says on the album opener, "Life, Love & Laughter", "Don't look back, it won't do any good/Don't look ahead, you'll just be misunderstood".

The inventive arrangements of Move by Yourself gives way to a smooth & sophisticated sound. The album has a much more professional feel, with less of a "dude and his friends hanging out on the beach" kind of vibe. This could be because Frankenreiter took on co-writers for most of the tracks on the album.

That being said, Frankenreiter does give us some heartfelt performances, like when he begs you to "Take your time, don't live so fast / You've got to sing a song if you want to make it last" on "Sing a Song". Or when he declares "We should be together, maybe forever/We don't need no enemies" on the final track "Come Together".

Part of Frankenreiter's charm on his first album was his innocence, while on the follow-up it was his ambition. Here, it feels like he made this album because he had to. That's not so bad, because the album is good. But we expect more of him, and hopefully this album is a pause for breath. This is an album fans will like. Not love, but that's okay.

The album is out on limited-edition blue vinyl and includes a bonus full-length CD, which comes in useful as a coaster for your beer.

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Ray Rumours/François - Mr. Bear/Swimmers, Drifters (Split 7", Too Pure)


This split 7 inch is a release from the Too Pure Singles Club, featuring "Mr. Bear" by Ray Rumours (of Electrelane fame) and "Swimmers, Drifters" by François (a sometime member of Camera Obscura's live band).

"Mr. Bear" is a sweet, delicate track that can best be described as ethereal. The Mr. Bear in question is probably allegorical, but could very well be about a teddy bear. This is no rock n' roll number, but a harmonious acoustic delight.

On the B-side of this split is François with "Swimmers, Drifters". This track carries on from where "Mr. Bear" left off with the same ethereal quality, albeit with a little more muscle. François, the multi-instrumentalist/singer/artist, will gently seduce you with his enchanting, effortlessly charming score.

Both these tracks take time to grow on you, but that is what they will surely do. Probably one of the best releases from the Too Pure stable, these are low-fi pop songs that stay with you long after the first listen.



Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Bombay Bicycle Club - Evening/Morning (7", Young And Lost Club)



Bombay Bicycle Club's new single displays a mature approach for a band who's collective age is around 70. Named after a North London chain of curry houses, the band were discovered when they won the 'Road to V' competition.

"Evening/Morning" starts off delicately enough, with a soft guitar intro that lulls you into a false sense of security. Then the distorted bass confronts you. This carries on, with the track twisting and turning in on itself, boasting some remarkable guitar riffs.

I'm not too sure what lead singer Jack Steadman means by "I am ready to owe you anything", but it's one helluva catchy hook that is the most memorable part of the track. The track is a simple, indie-pop effort, not even attempting to break any of the rules in the book, let alone re-write them. And it's all the better for it.

The B-side, "You Already Know" couldn't be more different, sounding almost folky. It's two sides of a band who could well become very big soon. As Jack Steadman stated at the OnesToWatch Revue last month, “Good evening, we are Bombay Bicycle Club and we are ones to watch”. No arguments there.

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

The White Stripes - My Doorbell (7", XL Recordings)


The White Stripes always seem to have something new up their sleeves, and they always manage to suprise. And what a surprise "My Doorbell" is.

Not a bad one, however. The second single taken from Get Behind Me, Satan is a strutting piano soul number that has an immediately nagging melodic hook over Meg's stomp-like percussion. This is not the usual guitar & drum track we're used to from the White Stripes, but can best be described as a piano & drum track. One can only wonder what Jack is referring to when he sings "I'm thinkin' about my doorbell/When ya gonna ring it, when ya gonna ring it"

This is a catchy little track that will immediately get stuck in your head. The single is available on limited edition red vinyl and marbled white vinyl.

Monday, October 13, 2008

The Black Angels - Directions to See a Ghost (3LP, Light in the Attic)


The psych-drone Black Angels take their name from a Velvet Underground classic, "The Black Angel's Death Song". Their logo is even based on on an image of Nico.

Naming themselves after one of VU's most amelodic songs should have been a warning to me, but I decided to give them a listen anyway. Their debut album, Passover, piqued my interest a little, but was more drone than psych.

However their sophomore release, Directions to See a Ghost, can best be described as a swampy psychedelic miasma. The Black Angels aren't afraid to display their influences unlike most bands, which is part of their charm. You hear hints of The Velvet Underground, Jefferson Airplane and the 13th Floor Elevators (yes, that is an electric jug on "Never/Ever"). There's also a very strong Doors vibe on the opening track, "You on the Run". The first time I heard the track, I thought it was Jim Morrison intoning "Yeah, you've got the FBI / They ain't on your side". Alas, the Lizard King isn't a Black Angel.

While Passover took several years to sell out, the vinyl version of Directions to See a Ghost is already sold out. I'm not sure if Light In the Attic is planning a second pressing, but the first edition is already going for a small fortune on eBay, so grab your copy soon.

Sunday, October 12, 2008

Belle & Sebastian - The Blues Are Still Blue (7", Rough Trade)


I'm a sucker for colored vinyl singles. Just singles, mind you - colored vinyl LP's don't look as cool.

"The Blues Are Still Blue" is the second single to be taken from Belle & Sebastian's album The Life Pursuit and is pressed on sky blue vinyl. This is one of the few tracks you will want to keep repeating till the point of nausea, and will keep your foot tapping uncontrollably throughout the process.

"The Blues Are Still Blue" is definitely the the sweetest love song that uses a trip to the laundromat as a metaphor. Well, it's the only one. But you know what I mean. All the usual Belle & Sebastian ingrediants are present - catchy melodies, harmonies & jangly guitars. However, Belle & Sebastian add a glam style boogie, which can only be described as the bastard child of Marc Bolan and David Bowie.

"The Blues Are Still Blue" is an upbeat, soulful affair, which while far from groundbreaking is definitely a keeper. Belle & Sebastian get extra points for the B-side, which has to be the best cover version of "Whiskey in the Jar".

Thursday, October 9, 2008

Iron & Wine - The Shepherd's Dog (LP, Sub Pop)


Sam Beam is the aural equivalent of a blanket - warm and comforting. His latest album, The Shepherd's Dog, is no different. While this album is a departure from the low-fi beginnings of his previous albums, The Creek That Drank the Cradle and Our endless Numbered Days (his first album was recorded and produced entirely by Beam himself in his home), Beam retains his trademark intimate finger picking and harmonised vocals.

With The Shepherd's Dog, Beam takes his craft to a new level while not resorting to the conventions of a traditional singer-songwriter. Instead of the gently strummed acoustic guitar and occasional banjo that characterized his first recordings, Beam surrounds himself with lush and imaginative arrangements. Gone is the lo-fi, dude-in-his-bedroom recording, replaced by a clearer more inclusive production. However, Beam's flawless phrasing and whispered vocals remain firmly at the epicentre.

The tracks on the album are not recognizably Iron Wine, from the bouncy opener "Pagan Angel and a Borrowed Car" to the psychedelic swirls of piano on "Lovesong of the Buzzard" and the thick electric guitar lines and sitar of "White Tooth Man".

Without a doubt, this is Beam's most experimental moment, with nearly every track tangled in crisscrossing melodic lines, whether the fuzzy pedal steel and handclaps of "Boy With a Coin" or the squawky harmonica of "House by the Sea". Beam is at his best, however, on the uncluttered "Flightless Bird, American Mouth", which has one of the album's most effective hooks.

The Shepherd's Dog is definitely Beam's most adventurous release to date, and though one might miss the discarded, sparse sound of early Iron & Wine, the beauty & splendor of The Shepherd's Dog will leave you wanting more.

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

The Wave Pictures - I Love You Like A Madman (7", Moshi Moshi)


The Wave Pictures are gloriously lo-fi rock. David Tattersall's vocal style is extremely appealing, and colorful ripples of trumpets and trombone punctuate the chorus. The track is extremely catchy, and will certainly get your toes tapping.

The slightly neurotic lyrics make this track all the more endearing - "I'd buy you bras instead of pickled eggs / Chocolate instead of chutney / Good red wine instead of bad red wine / Next time I'll remember your birthday". If that isn't true love, what is?

This track is also on their Moshi Moshi records-released debut album, Instant Coffee Baby. Unfortunately, the album isn't out on vinyl yet. Something to look forward to, but if the single is any indication, the album should be a blast.


Symptoms of a vinyl addict...

Do you own (or aspire to own) a copy of every pressing of every record produced by your favourite artist? When people ask you "Does vinyl ACTUALLY sound better?", do you give them a pitying look, like they should know better? Does your music collection consist of 3000 albums on vinyl & 10 CD's (because they weren't issued on vinyl)? Do you have countless lists of albums you would like to own? Do the words 'MP3' & 'iPod' make your flesh crawl?

If the answer to any of the above is "Yes", join the club. I'm a vinyl addict, and proud of it.

This blog is of dubious purpose, but you'll definitely find some good music. Just leave the iPod behind...