Music that matters... well to me anyway

Rilo Kiley

2009-02-26T20:29:00.002-06:00

Portions for Foxes is the first song I heard by Rilo Kiley, but I don't remember how I came across it. Do you? They have quickly become a staple in my rotation. Here is yet another example of my experiencing a band in a piecemeal fashion thanks to the interweb, which they have on computers now by the way. I procured as many Rilo Kiley songs as I could get and they were a hodgepodge from their different albums pre-Under the Blacklight. I feel that it is usually the case that when I learn about a band in this fashion and then an album comes out, the past catalog falls into place. I am able to create a context for it. That's not the case with Rilo Kiley. I think it has to do with the fact that I'm not crazy about Under the Blacklight. Apparently neither is the dude who reviewed in the link above. I picked up on the sex theme, but not to the degree that I should have, according to that review. Well, I still think they are a great band and it doesn't dminish their earlier work for me.

The majority of their songs are sung by Jenny Lewis, but there are a few that are sung by various male vocalists, such as the beautiful Rest of My Life, although this live version isn't great. There are some really beautiful songs on their first three albums, which for the record are Take Offs and Landings, The Execution of All Things and More Adventurous. These albums are full of great songs. Go Ahead, A Better Son/Daughter, and More Adventurous are three examples of really wonderful Rilo Kiley magic.

Chris Mills

2009-02-24T22:07:00.002-06:00

This fellow Northwestern alum has done me proud. I was introduced, musically, to Chris by a friend on a mix tape. You see last century, we had these devices for storing music called tapes because there was a long piece of tape inside and people would make mix tapes for each other. The song was Aren't You the One, which is short and wonderful. It's on his debut album Every Night Fight For Your Life, which was release in 1998. It's a fine album with a few gems on it. The aforementioned Aren't You the One, the equally-mellow Stakes Is High, the upbeat Fire For You, and the complex 1,000 Blue Eyed Girls are highlights of the album. All of the songs on are keepers. My only complaint is the jarring transition from Aren't You the One, to the second song, Delaware. I like Delaware, the songs not the state I don't know the state, but I'm feeling all nice and calm and then my nerves get jangled. Other than that, a first-rate piece of musical musings.

His second album, Kiss It Goodbye, picks up where Fight left off, in the parking lot of that Ralph's on LaBrea. What? I don't know. For me the crown jewel of the album is Watch Chain, which is a sad, but beautiful song, full of emotion. Throughout the album and in particular on Tooth and Nail, Chris makes fine use of the violin. Who doesn't like a nice violin? Napkin In a Wine Glass is an example of a lovely song that is disturbing and, well, sort of depressing.

I've had the pleasure of seeing Chris Mills play twice both times in NYC. The first time was at Time Cafe in Manhattan. I got to meet him and we shared NU and WNUR stories, we were both DJs and WNUR. The second time was in Williamsburg at this tiny bar and again I got to talk to him for a bit. He's a very nice fellow and he puts on a good show. OK then.

Belle and Sebastian, the early years

2009-02-21T20:15:00.008-06:00

I'm focusing on the early years because that's what I know. My first Belle and Sebastian album was If You're Felling Sinister or IYFS, to those in the know. Stars of Track and Field, the first song on the album was the first song that I heard. I bought it at Generation Records on Thompson St in the village by NYU, which was across the street from this girl I was sort of seeing. I bought it and brought it up to her place to listen. She questioned my purchase and I defended it. I don't remember how I heard about them. Maybe if I think on it, I will. Anyway, I remember not disliking it, which was good enough for me. Although I was expecting more female vocals. This was the summer of '98 and The Boy With the Arab Strap or TBWAS, again, for those in the know had not yet come out. September was the release date. I quickly processed IFYS, which is my way of saying that I listened to it enough to know if I liked it or not. I did and still do. Like I said, TBWAS came out in September and I got it right away and quickly processed it. Thumbs up. Then I got to see them on Nov. 1 at the Supper Club up on 42nd st, I think. I just found the ticket stub and it WAS Nov. 1 and it is on 47th st. It was a good show and I got to meet this guy Jonny because of it. Good times. I also ran into someone from Northwestern, I think.

Now I'll get to the music. As I said, IYFS starts of with The Stars of Track and Field and it's a strong start. I've linked to the BBC session version of the song, but you'll get the idea. Just bear in mind that it's not the album version. Me and the Major continues the good times very nicely. Fox In the Snow slows things down a bit. I don't know what the song is about it, but the lines "it's not as if they're paying you/ it's not as if it's fun, at least not anymore" strikes a cord. The video to which I linked is kind of interesting. The next song, Get Me Away From Here, I'm Dying picks the mood right back up. Actually, the music is very upbeat and makes you want to tap your foot while you're getting ready to hand yourself. Take a listen and tell me you disagree. The album ends with Judy and the Dream of Horses, which is a nice song that takes advantage of the ensemble that is B&S. I've linked to a video of the song that will blow you're mind. This is a great album from a great band.

TBWAS, it took me awhile to figure out what people were writing about when they used that abbreviation, but after countless hours and hundreds of dollars, I did. There was no let down from album 1 to 2 for me. It's full of good shit. The highlights are Is It Wicked Not to Care featuring Isobel Campbell, Sleep the Clock Around, Dirty Dream Number Two, and Chickfactor, which is sung by Stevie Jackson. I realize I haven't even mentioned Stuart Murdoch, the creative force behind the band. I figured you would have read the AMG bio and already known about him.

Tigermilk is a school project that Stuart Murdoch completed in 1996 that had a limited release, but was so popular it was eventually re-released by Matador in 1999. It's funny, processing this album, which was their first, AFTER already being so well-versed in both IYFS and TBWAS. Tigermilk is so clearly B&S, obviously. It's not as mature as their second and thrid albums, but for a school project it's amazing. There are a number of songs that would fit right in on IYFS, such as Expectations, with it's complexity and violins. I like violins. Then there's songs like You're Just A Baby, which at times sound like a school project. For example, I was listening to Tigermilk and my wife, who hates B&S, asked if You're Just A Baby was a different, worse band. I think all of this serves to illustrate just how talented they are.

They have gone on to release many more albums, but I sort of stopped paying attention. I enjoy the new stuff that I hear, but I just feel like they don't need my anymore. I'm sure if I were to put the effort in I would fall in love all over again. However, for now I'm content to live with them in the late '90s.

Velocity Girl

2009-02-19T18:45:00.002-06:00

At one time, Velocity Girl was my favorite band. They are still up there, but the magic has faded a little with time. I was introduced to them by Andrew Friedman in 1994. He played for me Simpatico, their second album and I was pretty quickly smitten. While they are not that similar to Belly, Belly had surely paved the road for Velocity Girl, at least on my front. Once I had my first taste of Velocity Girl I wanted more and I quickly devoured their catalog, which wasn't very extensive. Copacetic is their first album and I have to agree, in part, with the review that I just linked to. It's a great album, but it can be hard to listen to sometimes. I found that I enjoyed it most with headphones because of the wall of noise intermixed with the softer vocals. I think a lot of the songs are beautiful, but I always felt self-conscious playing it in the lab because all I heard was the noise because I imagined that was what everyone else heard. Wow, I just went to youtube to look for any videos by VG and found one for Audrey's Eyes, which is one of my favorite VG songs. I don't think that video could have been more dated. Crazy Town is another VG classic from Copacetic. Check out the video. This song is an example of one that is loud with very quiet, but beautiful vocals. I had forgotten how much I like this song, but once again the video is very dated. I had the pleasure of seeing them perform and the Aragon Ballroom in Chicago with Sugar and Magnapop. It was a very enjoyable show. I was able to see all of those bands again separately. Their third album 1996's Gilded Stars and Zealous Hearts was, for me, a bit of a let down. I was so excited when it came out, but it just didn't do it for me like the first two. I convinced myself I really liked it, but deep down I knew I didn't. I learned a valuable lesson that day, you can trust anyone. At least, I got to see them play one more time before they broke up. This time it was at the Metro, a great venue.

I think I should mention Archie Moore who I think of as the driving force behind Velocity Girl. If you care, the article I linked is pretty interesting. He was also in Heartworms, which you should check out for some good music. I need to go listen to them. It's good every so often.

Camera Obscura links

2009-02-18T08:14:00.002-06:00

If you like Camera Obscura, you may like...

Belle and Sebastian music
The Concretes muisc
Tallulah Gosh music
Sambassadeur
Heavenly music

Sufjan Stevens links

2009-02-18T08:13:00.000-06:00

If you like Sufjan Stevens, you may like...

Tanya Donelly links

2009-02-18T08:12:00.000-06:00

If you like the Tanya Donelly, you may like...

Belly links

2009-02-18T08:11:00.000-06:00

If you like Belly, you may like...

Throwing Muses
Tanya Donelly
Breeders
Pixies

New Pornographers Links

2009-02-18T08:10:00.001-06:00

If you like the New Pornographers, you may like...

Neko Case

Mates of State links

2009-02-18T08:09:00.001-06:00

If you like Mates of State, you may like...

Tilly and the Wall
Rilo Kiley
New Pornographers
Eisley

Camera Obscura

2009-02-17T21:22:00.005-06:00

I don't remember how I learnt (they're Scottish, so I Used the the British spelling) of Camera Obscura. I'm sure it was Belle and Sebastian related. I immediately liked some of their songs, but others I just didn't get. My early experience with them falls into the mp3 category that is to say I heard about them and then downloaded whatever I could find. This must have been in 2003. So, basically I had Camera Obscura songs with no tie to an album. I'm pretty sure that the first song I heard from them was Suspended From Class off of Underachievers Please Try Harder. I also had some songs from Biggest Bluest Hi-Fi, but like I said it all felt very nebulous and vague. But then Let's Get Out of This Country (LGOTC) came along and changed everything. Suddenly I cared about the songs that was listening to. Once I got LGOTC under my belt, the other albums fell into place.

Shortly after LGOTC came out, I got to see them in concert. I had not enjoyed a show like that since the first time I saw The Butchies, completely different style. I'll tell you about them one day when you're a little older. They were, as the AMG review of LGOTC (I'm getting tired of typing that) suggests, enchanting. The show was a lot of fun just like the album. The opening song, Lloyd I'm Ready to Be Hartbroken, is perfect in that position. The video for the song, which I linked to back there does such a great job of capturing the fell of the song. On the other side of things, they couldn't have created a better close to the album then Razzle Dazzle Rose. They closed the show with it and it was amazing. I've linked to a live version, which does it justice, more or less. The vocals could have been a little louder, but I hope you get the idea.

They have always been compared to fellow Glaswegians, Belle and Sebastian. I'm a huge fan of Belle and I have to agree that there are a lot of similarities beyond just the spatial. I guess Underachievers was often compared to If You're Felling Sinister by Belle. It's pretty apt, but I agree with AMG that LGOTC is an album that has put them on the same level as Belle and Sebastian. Anyway, they're a great band and I highly recommend getting to know them.

You might want to try these bands.

Mates of State pt. 2

2009-02-17T17:41:00.005-06:00

Team Boo is the third release by MOS; it was released in 2003 on Polyvinyl. I have to say it's my lest favorite of their five albums. There had to be one and this is it. I've been thinking about it since yesterday when I finished up my first post on the Mates. At first, I was thinking, well I just don't know it as well. While that is true, maybe the reason I don't know it as well is because I don't want to listen to it when I can listen to their other albums. Don't get me wrong, I don't dislike it. It has songs that I enjoy, like Ha Ha, Whiner's Bio, and Fluke but as a whole it just doesn't do it for me, or rather Team Boo doesn't do it as well as the other albums. I feel a little bad right now for what I've said. I'm sure when they read this they'll be ok.

From least favorite to most favorite (redundant? yes, but I did it for effect). Bring It Back is the single greatest human achievement. Think Long is the single greatest achievement on that greatest human achievement. It really is my favorite song right now. I dare you to listen to it and not be a different person. Go on. OK, the link I just put in above is a youtube clip of the song wiht a picture of the band and there's 3 minute of silence after the song, so just listen to the song and ignore the disappointment that is the video clip. It has great harmonies and moves all over the place yet it's coherent and under 5 minutes. Fraud in the 80's follows and continues the genius train. Remember when I said I could hear the seeds of what was to come in their first album? Well here is the fruit those seeds bore. Good stuff. Oh, by the way they had a daughter shortly before this album came out. If you want to read about their experience touring with their child check this out. Anyway, I just can't say enough about the excellence of this album.

Re-arrange Us is their latest album and their second on Baruk records. I've listened to it a few times and am diggin' it. The album opens with Get Better, which is a bit different, but not. How's that for descriptive writing? You know what? I never claimed to be a good writer, so you can take your attitude and shove it up your ass! I'm sorry that wasn't me it was the gin. I just found out yesterday that MOS is going to play at the Varsity Theatre, which is a great place to see a show. It's tiny and had great accoustics. I saw Camera Obscura there in 2006 and it was a great show. You know what I'm going to tell you about Camera Obscura next.

Mate of State pt. 1

2009-02-16T18:10:00.005-06:00

Oh, The Mates of State, where do I begin? We've had our ups and downs. On average the good times have been of greater amplitude and duration than the not good times. We've reached a new level in our relationship. I won't go into their very charming back story, but check out what AMG has to say about them. I've had the honor of seeing them in concert three times, in three different states. I don't think I can say that about any other band. The first time was at the Bowery Ballroom in NYC in 2001. They opened for Beulah and they signed my copy of My Solo Project. The second show was in San Diego in some place that felt like a youth center in a church basement in 2002. They opened for The Anniversary and the name of the place is the Epicentre (I just looked it up). I didn't get to see the Anniversary because one of the people I went with got sick. Finally, for now, I saw them at First Ave in Minneapolis in 2006 with the husband of the friend who got sick at their 2002 show. I enjoyed each show and went with different people to each show.

Their first album, My Solo Project, came out in 2000 and quickly climbed into my heart. Luckily they were very small at the time and I was able to have them removed win a non-invasive procedure. I have to admit I really don't like the opening song, Names, which is a dream-sequency version of the Cheers theme. The rest of the album more than makes up for the opening disaster. That was kind of harsh, but it needed to be said. I believe in tough love. Proofs is the second song and is a very represntative piece of their music, organ-heavy, good beat and mingling vocals. Nice Things That Look Good stands out for being calm, kind of like the eye of a hurricane. That''s pretty apt, actually; this album has a lot of energy. Coming back to this album with the experienc of their newer efforts makes me listen to it with a new ear. I can hear the seeds of what they will become, the complexity of their songs is present even in these early days.

Our Constant Conern is their sophomore effort released by Polyvinyl in 2002. I think it picks up where MSP left off. There is growth and they are certainly perfecting their style. I was going to say that it sounds the same, but that's neither quite accurate nor fair. They have a unique, easily recognizable sound, so it's going to sound the same, but it's different all the same. I feel like the songs are becoming more complex and the intertwining vocals move from tight to harmonizing with ease. I think of DNA being transcribed by DNA Polymerase I when I listen to their vocals. For those of you Biology majors out there, you feel me. At some points it's still tight and double-stranded, but then DNA Pol I comes along and pulls the DNA apart into single strands, like their vocals separating and harmonizing. OK, I'll stop with that line of thought now. I have to admit that I had not listened to OCC in awhile and am thoroughly enjoying it. I seem to have a lot of admissions tonight. That's better than the usual emmisions that I have. OK I will talk about the other three albums tomorrow.

Sufjan Stevens

2009-02-15T21:42:00.003-06:00

Apparently you pronounce the J like a Y in Sufjan Stevens' name. That's what I've been told, I guess I haven't confirmed it, but I trust my source. No you can't know who my source is. Sufjan is a little different than most of the others bands/musicians to which I listen. He was introduced to me by my brother-in-law, well really my wife's brother-in-law, who is not my brother. He played for me the Illinoise album, which is his fifth album and second state album, the first being Greetings from Michigan: The Great Lake State. I have both of his state albums, but only really konw Illinoise since I pretty recently obtained the Michigan one. I have to say, I like Sufjan despite not wanting to like him. First off, he's a dude and it takes a bit for me to like dudes. That is noting to do with my masculinity, I'm comfortable with my masculinity. I have a crush on Brad Pitt, which seems cliche, except I have a crush on his mind not his rock hard abs. How not gay is that? Not very, is the answer, that's pretty not very not gay, which is gay. OK then. He also strikes me as a bit pretentious and that's based on nothing, really. Now that I've fallen in love with Illinoise I take back all of the horrible things I've said about him and sent to his mother. Just kidding, of course. Chicago is a brilliant song. I put it on a mix I made for my friend Mark and he told me it made him believe in God or maybe he just said he liked it, I can't remember, but the point is it's awesome. Here is a link to a youtube video of the song live. If you just want to hear the song skip ahead to the 2 minute mark. For as wonderful as Chicago is the song John Wayne Gacy, Jr is disturing. Remember how I said I don't pay attention to lyrics? Well after about five listenings to this song, I started paying attention and it makes killing puppies seem nice. The contrast between the lyrics and the beautiful meoldy is jarring. I wish I didn't know what it was about, but here we are. The album opens with Concerning The UFO Sighting Near Highland, Illinois, which reminds me of a song that would be played over a montage in black and white. I just found this youtube clip that is just that. Pretty odd, huh? OK then. Up next... Stars

Tanya Donelly

2009-02-15T19:54:00.005-06:00

Tanya Donelly was the driving/creative force behind Belly and has an amazing career to her credit. She, along with her step sister Kristen Hersch formed Throwing Muses, the first American band to be on the 4AD label. Tanya left the Muses because she wanted more creative control and Kristen was the queen bee there. She briefly joined the Breeders for their Pod album, which was Kim Deal's creative vision. Tanya was supposed to do a second album, whcih was to be her baby, but it never happened and she instead formed Belly. Go Belly!

Since Belly disbanded in 1996, Tanya has put out four albums. The first, Lovesongs for Underdogs, was released by Warner in 1997. I just read the review on AMG, that is linked to this page. It's an interesting idea that Belly would have overwhelmed these songs. However, I don't agree with the assessment that nothing stands out. Pretty Deep is a strong opening song that moves well. I think Mysteries of the Unexplained is a beautiful song. It's just one that moves me. Bum is a fast-paced song that's catchy and stands out. I'm listening to the album as I write this. It's been awhile since I've listened to it, but it takes me back to my first days in NYC. It's a great album full of songs that exude Tanya's talent. This is going back into my regular rotation.

Her second solo album, Beauty Sleep, seems to have been better received than her first. Inbetween Lovesongs and Beauty Sleep four and a half years passed and Tanya became a mother. I guess some would argue that this album is more Tanya than Lovesongs, but I don't know that I agree with that 100%. It certainly has that ethereal sound that I associate with Tanya and it's in full display for the opening Life Is But a Dream. The second song, The Storm, would be right at home on Lovesongs. I sort of feel like I'm trying to attack Beauty Sleep to strengthen Lovesongs. I don't want to do that. I enjoy Beauty Sleep immensly.

I will write more about album's three and four later.

Belly

2009-02-13T18:42:00.011-06:00

Belly is a major mile marker in my musical life. They turned me down the indie path and were really the first female-fronted band in my life. Prior to Belly, I listened to the likes of the Cure, the Smiths, Soupdragons, Depeche Mode, and New Order. Those are all fine bands and I still count them among my top 20 or 30, but Belly changed things. I don't remember actually buying Star, but it was the very beginning of freshman year in college. My soon-to-be friend Josh and I bonded over the album, well that and his red hair. We went to see them play at the Riviera in Chicago. Radiohead was an opening band and it was one of the greatest concerts I've been to. I saw Belly two more times, both in 1995 in support of King.

Their first album Star received a lot of critical acclaim and won some awards, I think. Feed the Tree made the charts. It was certainly the song for which they are most known by non-fans. It's a good song, but I'll take Full Moon, Empty Heart or Untogether or Stay any day of the week, except Sunday because that's the Lord's day. I wonder how an 18-year old freshman in college woud perceive Star now. I often wonder if a lot of the music that I like is dated. Some of it certainly is. Hysteria by Def Lepard has to be one of the most dated albums I ever liked. Granted I was in 8th grade, but I listened to that maybe 5 years ago and it's not good. I loved it at the time, though. So, the point of this digression is that I don't think Belly is dated.

King came out Valentine's Day 1995, which is 14 years ago tomorrow. I have to admit, it took me awhile to get into it, but now I think it's better than Star. Pretty much every song on the album strikes a chord with my being. Seal My Fate, Super-Connected, and Red are the three best songs on the album, but the others are nearly equally as amazing. In addition, my favorite Belly song, Thief is a b-side on the Now They'll Sleep single. I just linked to a video on youtube for Thief. It's a bunch of shots of a cemetery, which is irrelevant. I just wanted you to be able to hear the songs. They released two singles from this album and the b-sides are all chock full of meaty goodness.

I was incredibly sad when Belly ended it's brief run. OK "incredibly" on the scale of bands breaking up, not true tragedy. I just felt a little melodramatic and wanted to qualify. Regardless, Belly was and is my favorite band, so I was disappointed. However, Tanya's solo career has been there to ease the pain.

Tilly & the Wall

2009-02-12T20:29:00.000-06:00

I guess I owe my fondness of Tilly & the Wall to David Letterman. I had heard of them, but had not heard them when I happened to catch them on his show. I don't normally watch The Letterman show anymore, but I heard something about Omaha, which is where they are from AND where I am from (sort of, I was born there, but moved to Denver when I was 1, I was worried it was becoming a ghost town). Their performance was delightful, as so many things are to me, and I thought, hey let's invest in their music. I don't really differentiate their first two albums, Wild Like Children (2004) and Bottom of Barrels (2006) because I got them at the same time. They were both released by the Team Love label, which is related to Saddle Creek records in that it was founded by Conor Oberst. Omaha, Omaha, Omaha. Well actually, NYC, Omaha, Omaha moved to NYC. Clear? Good.

They have a little bit of a shtick in that rather than a drummer they have a tap dancer and clappers. I'm pretty sure some of the tracks have drums, but I'll have to get back to you on that. I have no qualms with the aforementioned shtick, in fact, I'm quite fond of it despite my extreme hatred for Stomp. Right now I'm listening to The Freest Man off of B.O.B and I think it has a bass drum. Although I guess they could have modified her tapping. Anyway, it's a great song. It's the penultimate song on the album and is followed by Coughing Colors, which is a little atypical of their other songs. I really enjoy it, though. It doesn't rate real high on the make me want to dance scale, but I'll take it and you should too. Up next... Belly

Maria Taylor

2009-02-10T21:29:00.001-06:00

Well, Maria Taylor is undoubtedly my favorite artist of the moment and she has sustained this place of high honor for quite some time now, which leads me to believe that she's going to join the Pantheon of greats. She will take her rightful place at the right hand of Tanya Donelly/Belly as one of the all-time greats. No pressure. I discovered her through her efforts with Azure Ray, a band that she, Orenda Frink, and Eric Bachmann formed in 2001. They released three albums: Azure Ray, Burn and Shiver and Hold On Love. I'll speak more of them in another post.

Maria makes beautiful music. Her voice, the simultaneous simplicity and complexity of the arrangements, and the lyrics (yes I pay attention to her lyrics) all combine to form music, the sum of which is much more than its wonderful parts. Her debut solo album 11:11 hit the streets in 2005 thanks to the Saddle Creek Label. I didn't happen upon it until 2007, but I was well versed in her craft thanks to Azure Ray and very quickly processed the album. I honestly cannot say that I have a favorite song on the album because (I know this sounds corny) whichever song I'm listening to is my favorite. Her songs are so powerful and gripping. However, I feel that I'm supposed to single out a couple of songs. Song Beneath the Song, which I believe features Connor Oberst, has received some attention and has been on some TV shows. I'll mention One For the Shareholder because it has a different feel than the majority of her songs. Check it out. I'm just flipping through the songs as I write this and they're all amazing.

Her second album Lynn Teeter Flower has something on it that I didn't think was possible. It has a song I don't like. I don't like the title track. It's one of the those minute-long throw away songs and I don't care for it. I guess she's human. The rest of the album approaches genius. A Good Start opens the album and it's a bit of a departure from her previous work in that it has a more, I don't know, produced feel, but that's relative. It's a great song and I think it has also received some TV time. The Ballad of Sean Foley tells a great story and I don't even really know what it's about, but every time I listen to it I feel like I'm listening to a great story. Does that make sense?

Her third album Time Lapse Lifeline is supposed to be released at the end of March. I'm very excited. Maybe she'll go on tour and I'll finally get to see her. Up next ... Tilly and the Wall

Maria Taylor links

2009-02-09T21:36:00.001-06:00

If you like Maria Taylor you should try...
Azure Ray
Loquat
Orenda Fink
Bright Eyes

The New Pornographers

2009-02-08T20:50:00.000-06:00

For once I didn't discover a band through Pandora. The New Pornographers were introduced to me by a friend years ago. The album was Mass Romantic and it changed the way I live my life. OK, that's a bit of an overstatement, but this Canadian supergroup touched my soul in the way only the gentlest of lovers could. OK, that's, also, a bit of an overstatement; I'm not real good with non-hyperbole. The point is that the album is great and it started me on a very pleasant journey. The title track opens the album and sets a delightful tone. The vocals of Neko Case are sublime and are complimented by the backing vocals of Carl Newman. Many of the members provide vocals throughout the album. Letter From an Occupant also features Ms. Case on lead vocals to excellent effect. I'm a big fan of female vocals. However, her absence from lead vocal duties on the remainder of the album in no way diminish the album.

Remember how I referred to them as a supergroup? No, are you sure? Maybe you should reread the first half of the first paragraph. OK. Legend has it that the group started as a side project for Carl Newman or maybe just something to do after the release of his band Zumpano's sophmore effort. Then, in a rather organic fashion, the rest of the members joined the fold. They were all involved in the Vancouver music scene and it just sort of happened. It was awhile before there was any stability to the band with members coming and going. Regardless after three years they released Mass Romantic.

The follow up album Electric Version was released in 2003 despite the labile nature of the band. No worries of a sophomore slump here. For me, the signature song on the album is The Laws Have Changed. It's a wonderful, twirling mixture of Neko Case and Carl Newman, an organ, a great beat, and a hook. It gets me every time. The New Face of Zero and One is another gem that employs a combo of Neko and Carl. Carl takes the lead with Neko providing transcendent harmonies. Both of these songs rate very highly on the sing-along scale or the make me want to dance scale. Although, I have to admit I don't think I like It's Only Divine Right. It's ok, though I don't have to like everything they do. That's your job. I'm going to stir some soup.

Twin Cinema is the first New Pornographers album that I anticipated. I was introduced to Mass Romantic after Electric Version had already come out and so I got to know the albums together and never really separated them until Twin Cinema entered my life. For some reason it's existence compelled me to go back and appreciate the two as separate entities. I think that's a deficit of the electronic format of music, it's easy to have songs be blurred together with nothing tethering them to the solid world. Before I just had a New Pornographers playlist on my iPod and would hear them willy nilly. That's all fine and well for sheep, but what are we to do? By which I mean listening to them in the context of the album provided additional meaning and pleasure. Sing Me Spanish Techno, I think, is the biggest hit on the album or maybe it's just the song that I unintentionally encounter most frequently. Is anyone still reading? I realize that I don't know this album as well as I know the others. Does that make me a bad person? Maybe. Or maybe it's the voices in my head that make me a bad person. Actually, I would argue that it's acting upon the suggestions/request of the voices in my head that makes me a bad person. I guess it all boils down to what makes a man his thoughts or his actions. For a quick read on the subject I recommend The Brothers Karamazov by Dostoevsky.

OK breaking from the digressions, we approach the latest release of NP entitled Challengers. I don't know what anyone else is saying, but I think it's amazing. It's their best effort to date. OK to attach a link to the Challengers back there I looked at the review on AMG and they like it, too. They call it a grower, which means if you had water it gets bigger. No. It means that the album grows on you, like a fungus or a melanoma. The first time I listened to it, I knew I would like it, but I don't think I can say I immediately liked it. This isn't a bad thing. Some of my favorite albums, like Dino's, The Way I am featuring the smash-hit Tongue Kiss, took a few listens to get into. I know sarcasm doesn't always come across in writing or perhaps I should say one needs to be a good writer in order to convery sarcasm and I am not a good writer, but I was kidding about Dino. I guess getting the joke would requrie knowledge of Dino, something very few people have. Anyway, back to the awesomeness that is Challengers. I also agree with the assertion of Stephen Thomas Erlewine at AMG that the album is slower and more introspective. None-the-less it rates very highly on my sing-along scale. To hold true to form, I'll mention two songs that I really like on the album. Ready? Here they come. They are Challengers and Failsafe. Other much more capable writers have written about them, so I'll just mention them. OK then. Up Next... Maria Taylor

The Eames Era

2009-02-06T18:56:00.000-06:00

The Eames Era is a Baton Rouge, LA band that first caught my attention with their song When You Were a Millionaire. Odds are I discovered them through Pandora. Yeah, I did. I can remember it now. The song appears on their second album, Heroes and Sheroes, which, in my humble opinion is darn good. My favorite song on the album is either Copious or NC-17 and Dear Gabby is nice as well. It's just an all-round solid album with no real stinkers.

Their debut album Double Dutch was released in ought 5 and is also a solid piece of work. Once again, there's not a stinker on the album. Listen for the Sun and Year of the Waitress both really speak or sing to me. As I've posted before, I have no idea what the songs are about, but I love the melody and the arrangement. I'm telling you that I don't pay attention to the lyrics in case they're all girly, like loving your teddy bear, or twisted like, you know killing puppies.

They've also released an EP called Second EP, which has songs that have been featured on some TV shows. I try not to think about it. I'm one of those annoying people who likes to think that they "discovered" a band and then gets peeved when they go mainstream. Actually, I've gotten better about that and I'm happy that they're getting some well-deserved attention.

So, to sum up. Eames Era, Double Dutch, Heroes and Sheroes, Listen for the Sun, Year of the Watiress, NC-17, Copious, Teddy-bear Love, puppy killing, I discovered them.

Up next The New Pornographers...

Some Girls

2009-02-05T18:51:00.000-06:00

Some Girls is a girl "super"-group comprised of Juliana Hatfield, fellow Blake Babies alum and Mysteries of Life co-founder Freda Love, and Heidi Gluck. I say "super"-group because all three have had successful musical careers independently of their Some Girls project.

Once again, I owe my knowledge of Some Girls, to Pandora, a wonderful source for finding new music. Social Control off of their second album, Crushing Love, is the song that caught my attention. I like the whole album, but already find myself getting a little of tired of it. On My Own Again, He's On Drugs Again, and Rock or Pop are the three songs from the album that will stick with me. I feel that if I were to boil the album down those are the three that will stick with me. I guess what I'm trying to say that is of the 12 or 14 songs on the album, On My Own Again, He's On Drugs Again, and Rock or Pop, are the three that will stick with me. OK, I'll stop saying that. I envisioned that going on a lot longer sentence after sentence saying the same thing and always ending with the three that will stick with me, but I got bored.

Up next The Eames Era...

Helene

2009-02-03T17:43:00.000-06:00

Helene is a band that is fronted by London-born singer Helene. Their song Apostille caught my attention last year when Pandora suggested I may like it. It was right. Apostille is on the 2006 album Routines, which is their second album. This delightful collection of songs was released on the Series 8 label. I just learned this and am excited to puruse thier catalog. They also have a myspace page. Their first album, Postcard, was released in 2003 on the Global Warming label. I just found out that they released an album in 2009, Heliotrope, on the Pronoia label. I haven't heard it yet because, like I said, I just found out about it maybe ten minutes ago.

I am going to try and describe Routines a bit. I am easily smitten by female-fronted bands and go through phases or flings with bands. However, there are always those, that like Barry White, have staying power. This is one of those. Helene's voice is light and clean, but powerful. Her stlyle doesn't have a gimmick, she just has a beautiful voice. I don't sing well, but there are some songs that compel me to sing along and I do. Of the thirteen songs on Routines, 9-10 are sing-along good. The afore mentioned Apostille, in partcular, is a very moving, uplifting song. I have no idea what it's about because I don't really pay attention to lyrics. For all I know it could be about killing puppies. It seems unlikely, though. O Tina and Sammy is a Soldier Now also both touch a chord with me. Sammy is a simple, slow song that is highlighted by wonderful vocals. O Tina also starts simple, focusing on vocals, but builds up some nice energy towards the end. The album starts with No Choice, which feels playful to me. It's short and sweet. Now that I am paying attention to the lyrics I realize it's about having no choice about killing puppies, man that's twisted. No, its about having no choice about being in love. I can't tell if it's a love that's returned or not. I don't think it's relevant for the song. Anyway, it's a quite lovely as is the whole album.

While, I enjoy Helene's first album, Postcards, I don't like it as much as Routines. For the most part, it is a darker, moodier album. Helene's (the singer) vocals are just as beautiful, but I would describe them more as haunting on this album. Your Laughter is one of the more upbeat songs on the album. Peanuts is completely out of place on the album. It does not sound like them at all and it's not just because it's a duet with male vocals. It's very cheery-sounding and is about the comic strip. I like it, but it's just a strange song. Every time I heard it when I had my iPod on shuffle I was confused and couldn't figure out who it was. Eventually I looked. Alright, so that's what I think about that. Up next... Some Girls