Published by James May 31st, 2006
in Singles and Review.
While it really isn’t a single it is one of my favorite cuts by Tyner. “Love Samba” appears on the 1974 album Atlantis and has been regarded as one of Tyner’s last works to be heavily influenced by his old band leader John Coltrane. I am so taken by the track partly because of the modal style that Tyner weaves and swirls about with his piano and how Azar Lawrence’s raspy soprano sax swoops, laughs, and howls its way through each solo as well as the churning bottom end being held up Joony Booth. But in the end it is the frantic rhythm section of Wilby Fletcher and Guilherme Franco that truly draws me in. Their energy and drive to keep the tempo moving at such a breakneck pace, even when they pull back for the bass solo. It makes the song ignite and burn ever so hotly.
If you are a fan of Coltrane and haven’t heard Tyner’s solo work than grab this album. If you are unsure of Jazz but like things that move and stretch like a cat darting about the house than give it a listen. You won’t be disappointed as the track is a tightly coiled work of art that manages to sound loose and free.
Both eMusic and Amazon have the album for sale.
Published by James May 22nd, 2006
in Singles, Review and 2005.
“Restless” is a quiet number playing through hushed beats of static and languid vibe pad that softly fills the background. It closely approximates a slow R&B burner but in a more abstract way as if it were being performed in a world of Philip K. Dick’s imagining. It is the perfect fit for a Monday morning when your head is full of cotton and time is suspended as it is the perfect blend of movement and unobtrusiveness.
Judging by this track and a quick listen to the others over at MySpace this will be a release added to my shopping list. You can grab “Restless” over at XLR8R or stream the album over at their label, Statler & Waldorf.
Published by James May 3rd, 2006
in Singles, Review and 2006.
The Maccabees’ Latchmere is blisteringly poppy number. Clocking in at just over seven minutes its jangly and angular guitar hooks are infections and the drumming will pound each song like a nail into your skull. Granted there is nothing ground breaking about their music but it is damn fun and catchy. The title track features shifting dynamics with some truly frenetic drumming with machine gun snare fills and crisp hi-hat work and the refrain “Please return to your cubicles” certainly does warm the heart of this wage-slave office worker. The remaining two tracks pack as much energy in about 2/3’s the time. “Happy Slap” is a loose number that hops about from quietly creeping about to frantic sprints in the chorus.
The Maccabees are definitely worth checking out and are a band I’ll be keeping my eye on. You can grab the the song single over at eMusic or sample some more of their music over at Myspace or their website.
Published by James April 12th, 2006
in Free Tracks, Singles, Review and 2006.
Damn. I really wish that I could write a scintillating review, one all filled with kittens and rainbows extolling my love for Shadow. I pounded this track into my head for over an hour hoping for a glint of something praiseworthy. I am empty handed.
Scissorkick flagged me down via the RSS expressway so that I could listen to this track and I almost want to kick him in the head for it but hey I’m the one who listened to it. I’ll agree with Steve that I too must be entering that geriatric stage in my life as I find the hyphy thing a touch silly. But there our opinions diverge as I find “3 Freaks” to be insipid. Sure the production is tight but hell there isn’t much to be loose about as there is not much that sounds either fresh or new. Bland, boring, and not at all what I expected to hear from him.
The track makes me think that Shadow is doing it to satisfy a debt to his meth dealer and that the only way he could bring himself to lay it down was by huffing three or four cans Krylon Gold Metallic. Seriously, some one needs to stage an intervention before he cuts another track like this.
Published by Scott April 2nd, 2006
in Singles, Review and 2006.
I wrote in my Saturday Play List last week that I listened to this British art-punk band’s ‘04 album, Fashionista Super Dance Troupe. I was undecided at the time about whether or not I was into it but since then the album has started to grow on me. I did a search at Emusic to see if they had anything by them and turned up their new single. I usually check daily to see what that fine music service has added but somehow this one slipped by unnoticed. So of course I pounced on it and fired up my mp3 player.
“Midnight Garden” kicks off with an abrasive verse that segues into a chorus defined by a melodic lead guitar, slightly reminiscent of Sonic Youth’s “Teenage Riot.” There’s a middle section that settles into an erratic, almost jazzy groove with ethereal vocals backed by echo laden guitar careening through the stratosphere. Then it’s right back to that in-your-face verse. This all takes place in the confines of two-and-a-half minutes. It’s a brisk and satisfying song.
The best of the three, though, is “Mind Game Girl.” It starts out with a jerky rhythm as singer Leesey Frances unsympathetically takes a guy to task for being manipulated by a former girlfriend. About a minute in the song really gets interesting as it unexpectedly switches gears to a zippy synth pop chorus. The handclaps for this part are a brilliant touch, cheesy but perfectly fitting. My favorite put-down line is when Frances sings, “I knew there’d be trouble when I thought that she’d / Have to stand on a chair to look at me.” Take that!
The band throws a shoegaze changeup for the final track, “Twighlight Mountain.” It’s a decent song but feels out of place with its dreamy languid vocals buried under droning, distorted keyboards. Quite a contrast to the first two tracks, especially since it’s the only one without Frances singing as guitarist/vocalist Tom Denney takes over. But hey, it’s a single and it doesn’t have to work as a cohesive whole.
I don’t believe Help She Can’t Swim has an American label for distribution. AMG doesn’t even have them listed. This single may be your best way to pick up some material from a pretty cool band.
Published by James March 31st, 2006
in Free Tracks, Singles, Review and 2006.
I wasn’t to sure what to expect out of Kudu especially seeing as how they are being billed as a PG-13 version of Peaches which I suppose means that there is a lot less “Diddle My Skittle” going on. However, “Playing House” is a fun track, a throwback to 80’s New Wave style arrangements with a stripped down rhythm section and chic vocals that strut about reminding me a bit of Siouxsie Sioux with a splash of Deborah Harry. It is a radio friendly track that will likely feel right at home on a summer mix.
You can grab the track at Music.Download.com and the album over at eMusic or Amazon.
Published by Scott March 15th, 2006
in Singles, Review and 2006.
This new single popped up on eMusic today. They have it labeled as an advance (April 11) and exclusive to their service. There was no other information available. No mention of it at the French Kiss label or the band’s site either so I resorted to google. Found out it’s a special Australian tour cd single put out by Pop Frenzy. There’s an interesting history of that label here. Apparently they’re involved with promoting tours in Australia for indie bands in addition to being a record label. They also specialize in releasing exclusive material by the artists they promote, like the Les Savy Fav single. It must be coming out in the States on French Kiss in April.
These two songs are really good. I’m pretty sure it’s brand new material as opposed to previously unreleased leftovers. Singer Tim Harrington mentions it in a recent interview with the Australian site (another new discovery for me) FasterLouder.com.au. “When You Wake Up a Snake” has a simple, satisfying vocal melody set to an equally straightforward guitar and piano accompaniment. It seems to be about accepting your present circumstances rather than dwelling on the choices leading up to them or worrying about what will happen in the future. So if you happen to wake up as a fish, “Don’t dream of the time you spent before the line / Or how someone will sup when yours is finally up.” The second song, “Rage in the Plague Age,” is revved up art punk, completely the opposite of the elegant “Snake.” On the surface it’s a narrative tale about a king being turned out of his castle because he’s stricken by the plague. It probably has a deeper significance but I haven’t decided what it is.
Plagues & Snakes made me realize I need to listen to Les Savy Fav more often. I have a couple of their albums that I’ve heard a few times but never really got to know them. It’s just one of those things that happens when you’re awash in a constant stream of new music. I pulled out The Cat and the Cobra again and listened to the new single a good half dozen times. Really enjoyed them both. Noisy guitar based indie rock- my favorite!
