Welcome back to another week of hot topics. Ha! Somehow I missed the band Puressence who began in the 90s. I'm more surprised to learn that they are from Manchester England as well. All I can say is I can't know everything! After reading about them not too long ago, I picked up "Don't Forget To Remember" from 2007. Wow! What a superb album this is! Compared to Radiohead, Oasis and The Charlatans I just think they've got their own sound going on and the singer has a fabulous voice and the songs are excellent. ***** I just picked up their collection "Sharpen Up The Knives" from 2009 so I'll be checking that one out soon.
The amazing and underrated folk singer Kath Bloom is back with "Thin Thin Line" (2010). She has done several albums with the also amazing guitarist Loren Mazzacane-Connors. This new solo album is on Mark Kozelek's (Red House Painters) label. Songs of hope and longing wrapped in Kath's fragile delivery are intimately beautiful and engaging. ****
A Broken Consort-"Crow Autumn" (2010) is the 2nd full length out and I'm sad to say I'm rather disappointed a bit with this release. The 2009 release "Box Of Birch" is really terrific heavily layered textures/drone pieces that sound great. Perhaps this new album was put together too quickly? Nothing really grabbed me too much. **
Aidan Baker-"Liminoid/Lifeforms" (2010) has a huge catologue of music over the past 10 years. I hadn't become aware of him until 2008 when he released an album on the Alien8 label. This new release is spectacular! With what must be a fantastic collection of musicians these pieces soar and I just loved listening to it. **** 1/2
Ben + Vesper-"Luvinidlesness" [EP] (2010). The husband/wife duo return with a nearly throwaway EP. If it wasn't for "I Ask Because I Can" it would have been completely worthless. Disappointed. *
The Vandelles-"The Vandelles" [EP] (2007/2010) A Re-release as a precursor to a full length. It begins as a successor to the Jesus and Mary Chain throne and then quite quickly evaporates into "Huh?". I was scratching my head by the end over the half baked ideas that could have, but weren't developed. If they are continuing on I hope they put in more thought. "Lovely Weather" is pretty darn good though. **
City Center-"Spring St." [EP] (2010). I loved their debut last year so I'm left perplexed over this new release. I didn't get this one.
Pillars and Tongues-"Lay Of Pilgrim Park" (2010). They came to my attention via having done something with Bonnie Prince Billy. They are from Chicago and definitely have a sound all their own. I wanted to like it more than I did. Perhaps I'll have to give it another spin before I can really say either way. JURY OUT!
Theodore-"Hold You Like A Lover" (2010). ***** This is my favourite pick album for the past week's listening. This is an excellent album from beginning to end. I read about this band from St. Louis somewhere and being intrigued just picked up their new release. I didn't expect it to be so amazing. Apparently this is their 4th album so I must dig deeper now. It has aspects of alt-country but there is really so much more going on here as well. This is definitely a hard working band who deserves to be heard now and I can see why they've played with the likes of Lambchop, Damien Jurado, Deertick, Richmond Fontaine to just name a few. I'm sure this will be in my top picks of 2010!!
You Say Party! We Say Die!-"XXXX" (2010). Around since 2003, this band is still slowly gaining attention. There is definitely an 80s synth vibe going on and there are a few moments when the singer Becky conjures up Siouxsie almost eerily exact. But that vibe does not persist throughout. Caught somewhere between new wave/punk/electro is where they find themselves. For the most part I rather enjoyed this new album. ***1/2
The Album Leaf-"A Chorus Of Storytellers" (2010). I've loved Jimmy LaValle's work as The Album Leaf for the past 11 years. This new release has him working in a "band" situation instead of playing everything himself. This is my 2nd top pick for the week. It's another fantastic release from this highly underrated musician and if you want to hear some great new music then pick this up immediately! ****1/2
AM-"Future Sons & Daughters" (2010). His "Soul Variations" album from 2007 was especially delicious and then he released a duets album last year. Therefore I was looking forward to this new release. Obviously something happened on his way to making this album. Whatever it was, I don't care for it much at all. Mostly the songs left me empty. There are 2 saving graces here: "It's Been So Long" and "Self Preservation". Otherwise; whatever! *
Various Artists-The Wire Magazine Presents: Cafe Concrete Plymouth College City Project (March 2010 Magazine issue free CD). Usually, the Wire delivers some amazing music on their compilations. However, this isn't one of those. Aside from 2 very interesting pieces, the rest of this is rather unforgettable. Rarely am I disappointed in their selections as a whole but this one not so much to like.
Fanfarlo-"ITunes Session" [EP] (2010). What can I say about this band? How about that they delivered one of the BEST debuts of 2009 with "Reservoir". It's amazing and if you don't have it yet then you owe it to yourself to hear what was right in music in 2009. This EP has live interpretations of songs from that album and a couple of non lp trax as well. LOVE THEM! ****
The Explorers Club series is back with #2 Paris-Madrid. The first one which I reviewed before was excellent. This one a bit disappointing. It has Minotaur Shock (not good), Smile Down Upon Us (also not so good), and Snowbird (VERY GOOD!). So, one out of three...
The Felice Brothers-"Mix Tape" (2010). This is a mixed bag release. It's not perfect like their other proper albums but there is still much here to like. These guys are amazing and under appreciated just like Richmond Fontaine are. There are some stunners here like: "Let me come home", "Forever Green", & "Old Song". Additionally "White Limo" is quite great. Their mediocre stuff is better than most people's releases! ***1/2
Field Music-"Field Music (Measure)" (2-CD) (2010). Ambitious new release from the interesting Field Music. This, their 3rd release is a long, and at times drawn out affair. I'm still trying to forgive the pointless 9 minute album ending track here. There are moments of greatness here but there are also an equal amount of frustrating moments. I read that their goal was to release what would become one of the classic double albums. Sorry boys, this isn't it. ***1/2
The Wooden Birds-"Montague St." [EP] (2010). More delicious songs from the ever prolific Andrew Kenny formerly of American Analog Set. ****
Moon Wiring Club-"A Field Full Of Sunken Horses" [EP] (2010). Downtempo and out there electronic stylings from the mysterious MWC. The first 2 trax are excellent and the other 2 are just kind of there. **1/2
She & Him-"Volume 2" (2010). The upcoming second collaboration between M. Ward and Zooey Deschanel. I will say that I did not much care for the first album Volume 1. It wore on me real quick and I barely made it through it. Therefore I had NO hopes for this new release. Imagine my surprise yesterday when I listened to it on a free pre-release stream and REALLY enjoyed it. This new album is much stronger than the debut. Perhaps I'll have to re-listen to the debut and see if I like it any better now but this new album is definitely a step in the right direction. I'll save my rating until I listen to it again. It's out next Tues.
Local Natives-"Gorilla Manor" (2010). Ok, this is my next TOP pick for the week! This album is spectacular!!! The next super sensation from Silver Lake in Los Angeles. This year this is the band they'll be talking about instead of Silversun Pickups who made a great impression the past few years. This year belongs to Local Natives. When you hear the voices on these songs and the excellent arrangements you too will be won over. Stylistically very hard to pin down. There is an absolutely perfect cover of the Talking Heads' "Warning Sign" that I can't get enough of. Everything else here is theirs and it's an impressive debut. Don't wait on this one! ****1/2
Lightspeed Champion-"Life Is Sweet, Nice To Meet You" (2010). 2nd full length and this is another great new release. He manages to remind of another favourite band of mine, GENE, in his vocal stylings on many occasions. It's a BIG complement coming from me. Some of the songs here are better than others, but this is still a strong follow up to his great debut from 2007. "Marlene" is definitely a top single for the year! ***1/2
Ok now onto this week's new releases:
MARCH 16
1. THE AUDITION-“GREAT DANGER” (3/16)
2. SLIM CESSNA’S AUTO CLUB-“BURIED BENEATH THE BARN” (3/16)
3. CONFORCE-“MACHINE CONSPIRACY” (3/15)
4. DISCO BISCUITS-“PLANET ANTHEM” (3/16)
5. THE DUKE SPECIAL-“HUCKLEBERRY FIN” [EP] (3/9) + “DUKE SPECIAL PRESENTS THE SONGS FROM MOTHER COURAGE AND HER CHILDREN” (2/28) + “ THE SILENT WORLD OF HECTOR MANN” (2/28) ( IT’S FROM “THE STAGE, THE BOOK & THE SILVER SCREEN” A 3-CD COLLECTION COMPRISING THE SECRET WORLD OF HECTOR MANN, PRODUCED BY STEVE ALBINI WITH ED HARCOURT & NEIL HANNON)
6. DRIVE BY TRUCKERS-“THE BIG TO-DO” (3/16)
7. EDDIE CURRANT SUPPRESSION RING-“RUSH TO RELAX” (3/16)
8. EMANUEL AND THE FEAR-“LISTEN” (3/16)
9. EXTRA LIFE-“MADE FLESH” (3/16)
10. FLOBOTS-“SURVIVAL STORY” (3/16)
11. FLUXION-“PERFUSED” (3/16) (COMPARED TO BASIC CHANNEL, RICHIE HAWTIN, JEFF MILLS)
12. FURSAXA-“MYCORRHIZAE” (3/16)
13. MARY GAUTHIER-“FOUNDLING” (IMPORT) (PRODUCED BY MICHAEL TIMMINS OF COWBOY JUNKIES) (37.49) (3/16)
14. GLASS CANDY-“FEELING WITHOUT TOUCHING” [EP] (3/16)
15. ELLIE GOULDING-“LIGHTS” (IMPORT) (3/16)
16. ROBIN GUTHRIE-“SUNFLOWER STORIES” [EP] (3/15)
17. HAPPY BIRTHDAY-“HAPPY BIRTHDAY” (3/16)
18. HOODOO GURUS-“PURITY OF ESSENCE” (NEW STUDIO ALBUM, THEIR 9TH!) (IMPORT (3/16)
19. PHYLLIS HYMAN-“GODDESS OF LOVE” (FIRST TIME ON CD REISSUE FROM 1983)
20. I AM ROBOT AND PROUD-“UPHILL CITY REMIXES & COLLABORATIONS” (3/16)
21. KAISERDISCO-“PEZ GORDO” [EP] (3/15)
22. BILLY RAY MARTIN-“THE CRACKDOWN PROJECT, VOL. 2 (DARKNESS RESTORED: THE CRACKDOWN / FASCINATION) (3/15)
23. BRAD MEHLDAU-“HIGHWAY RIDER” (2-CD) (3/16)
24. NEON TREES-“HABITS” (3/16)
25. ONE FOR THE TEAM-“GHOSTS” (3/16)
26. JOHN PARISH-“SHE, A CHINESE” (SOUNDTRACK) (3/16)
27. GRAHAM PARKER-“IMAGINARY TELEVISION” (3/16)
28. POCAHAUNTED-“MAKE IT REAL” (LP ) (3/16)
29. THE RUNAWAYS-“MERCURY ALBUMS ANTHOLOGY” (2-CD) (3/16)
30. ULRICH SCHNAUSS-“MISSING DEADLINES: SELECTED REMIXES” (3/15)
31. THE SECRET HISTORY-“WORLD THAT NEVER WAS” (MICK RONSON’S DAUGHTER IS IN IT!) (3/16)
32. SOLID GOLD-“BODIES OF WATER” (3/16)
33. SOLID GOLD-“SYNCHRONIZE” [EP] (3/16)
34. STANDARD FARE-“THE NOYELLE BEAT” (3/16)
35. THE STRANGLERS-“DECADES APART” (2-CD BEST OF COLLECTION IMPORT) (3/16)
36. TALL SHIPS-“S/T” [EP] (3/15)
37. TWIN ATLANTIC-“VIVARIUM” (U.S. RELEASE) (3/16)
38. THE WHIGS-“IN THE DARK” (3/16)
39. THE WHITE STRIPES-“UNDER GREAT WHITE NORTHERN LIGHTS” (3/16)
40. JOSIAH WOLF-“JETLAG” (FROM WHY?) (3/16)
ENJOY!!!!
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