Published by James December 13th, 2006
in Album, Review and 2006.
All Is Fair is a meditative album. It slowly stretches, winding its way through folk forms from nearly every continent while managing to fold in elements of Jazz, Rock, and the Western Classical tradition all of which results in a fine example of Fusion. If you are a fan of Kronos Quartet, and in particular their trance-like work Night Prayers, then you might find yourself drawn to the work on here as it possesses many of the same qualities though approaching them from different angle as Gojogo blend together upright bass, violin, tablas, with various brass and woodwinds to create a sometimes dark yet warm tapestry of sound.
“All Is Fair In Love and War”, nestled near the middle of the album and by far one of my favorite songs on the album, shows the group shaking loose the somnolent work of the prior tracks in the opening bars with a rhythm section built upon an angular tabla line and flanked by a very aggressive staccato violin and bass. Layered on top of it is a slightly restrained guitar line that growls and paces like a caged cat growing more pensive as the piece moves forward. At the midpoint it all crashes, falling on top of itself, and out of it emerges a plaintive melody on trumpet carried by soft woodwinds. Gojogo, in this track, demonstrates a keen ability to construct a narrative through the composition and choices in arrangement. Conversely, “Taal Mama”, which you can stream over at Myspace, is likely one of their more Trance-like pieces as it built around a cluster of simple rhythms and melodies that ensemble makes use of to hang variations on themes. It is understated but very enjoyable at the same.
All Is Fair is a breath of fresh air as it seamlessly blends together so many disparate musical traditions capturing the Trance elements of Modal Jazz and Abstract Electronic with Folk forms of Africa, Europe, and the Americas while maintaining a sense of urgency often found in Rock. It makes for a compelling listen and I highly recommend it. All Is Fair is one of my picks for Best of 2006.
Published by David October 20th, 2006
in Free Tracks, Album, Review and 2006.
Austin’s The Lovely Sparrows, produce sweet soulful harmonies backed by breezy acoustical guitars, combined with a multitude of various instruments on their latest five track EP Pulling Up Floors, Pouring on (New) Paint. This is their second release, the first being a 7″ released earlier this year. They have a similar sound to fellow Austinites American Analog Set, as well as influential mixture of The Kinks and Big Star in a similar fashion to way The Shins set up their compositions but more carefree. Lead singer and songwriter, Shawn Jones provides illuminated narration to the bands open and airy landscape. The setting is soft around the edges, like a fluffy cloud mixed with mini bursts of tiny explosions of percussion.
All of the songs are blended together rather inconspicuously and release an overall soothing impression. Upbeat finger-snaps and hand-claps nestled together with a harmonious jangling guitar strum and the robust patter of the percussion construct the third track “The War Has Seen the Best of Me”. In turn it is followed by “Attention Disorder Kid” which openly critiques how our nation is drugging our children and turning them into drones: “Attention disorder kid, they want to replace with you robots. All things not cool, come round, come round. You’ll hear them say settled down, settle down”. The piece is slightly scattered and has it ups-and-downs (as well it should) and concludes by seamlessly blending into the first 45 seconds of the final track “Let’s Watch the Tourists”. We watch the tourists as they shuffle along with another mixture of clatter and clanging, loosely meshed together as it closes the 20 minute collection rather nicely. But guess what, my two favorites are the first two tracks “Chemicals Change” and “Your Flowers Will Bloom” as they are both a bit more polished and shine ever so brightly. This EP sets up a promising future for The Lovely Sparrows that I am looking forward to hear.
Freebies
A high quality version of the lead off track Chemicals Change. Pick up the EP at eMusic or iTunes or order the actual CD from Abandoned Love Records.
Published by Scott August 15th, 2006
in Free Tracks, Review and Concert.
Elf Power recently headlined a night of the Team Clermont Ball at the 40 Watt in Athens and played two sets. The first consisted of their own material and the second was all covers, including eyebrow raising fare like “Ghostbusters” (actually a lot of fun) and that annoying theme song from The Greatest American Hero. I finally got a chance to listen to the whole show, generously made available by Sloan Simpson at his great Southern Shelter blog.
I jumped on the covers set first because I was very curious to hear the band’s versions of those songs. Novelty tunes aside, Elf Power has excellent taste. They play loose and likable versions of The Beatles, VU, Dylan, Stooges, Sabbath, Neil Young, and Bowie among others. Their take on My Bloody Valentine’s “When You Sleep” is especially good. Nothing’s Going To Happen, their ‘02 covers album, is also worth checking out if you can’t get enough of them playing other people’s songs.
The first set is pretty cool too. They give a nice sampling of their catalog, with a song or two from each of their albums except for their debut, Vainly Clutching at Phantom Limbs. (That’s the only one I haven’t heard, incidentally. I’m still hoping for a reissue that lands on eMusic some day.) The band sounds like they’re having a fine time as they run through some of their best material. “The Separating Fault” and “Skeleton” are particularly strong. But the real standout for me is the jangly, slightly faster version of “All the World Is Waiting” from their most recent album, Back to the Web. It loses most of its glam swagger but the scrappy, stripped down translation calls attention to just how good a song it is.
Elf Power has played several times in Atlanta or Athens in the last few months, but I haven’t caught any of their shows. I hope to get another chance to, not only because I want to see them again, but also so I can get my hands on a copy of their tour only rarities collection, Treasures From the Trash Heap. I must have that album!
Published by Scott March 27th, 2006
in Meta-Chatter and Free Tracks.
Sad news about Nikki Sudden’s passing on Saturday. I came across an excellent history and interview with him just the other day. He was a busy guy, in the midst of writing an autobiography, touring, and recording a new album at the time of his death.
I was fortunate enough to see him play last summer at Athfest. He was on the second stage and only played a six song set but I was really impressed. He even played a song from his old Swell Maps days, “Midget Submarine.” I remember he gave a nonchalant intro for “Countess,” saying you meet all kinds of interesting people when you travel the world and have a career like his.
Emusic has a wealth of Nikki Sudden available. Topping the list of recommendations is the classic Swell Maps album, A Trip To Marineville. His solo material is quite different than the Maps’ art punk, more like Dylan meets the Stones. Disc one of The Last Bandit provides a good overview of that work. And his band with brother Epic Soundtracks (who was also in Swell Maps) and Dave Kusworth, The Jacobites, is worth checking out too. Robespierre’s Velvet Basement in particular is excellent.
You can also grab a bunch of stuff for free at the Secret Canadian mp3 page. That label has reissued a pretty big chunk of his catalog in recent years, including The Jacobites and Swell Maps.
So have yourself a Nikki Sudden fest in tribute to this legendary but underappreciated icon. He’s left behind some truly wonderful music.
