They are tasty and addictive and even if you're supposedly avoiding carbs, you will eat the whole package and prattle away on the keyboard, fueled by the sugar as you attempt to remember all the new music that came your way in the busy week-and-change past....
Tuesday, March 1:
1. GREG KING - Cinematics (DVD)
Rachel’s (yes, with the possessive) were fantastic in concert this night, the double projectors showing evocative, slow motion imagery while the cello and violin created melancholy beauty. A perfect way to spend my birthday evening.
I chatted with Jason Noble before the show, a face-to-face meeting after a telephone interview many years back. Charming fellow. There will be more on this.
2. IDA - Angel Hall
A beautifully packaged letterpress package of a live-to-DAT performance of Ida, Low, The Secret Stars and His Name is Alive, recorded at a Brooklyn (yea, Brooklyn, my hometown!) benefit for people with HIV. What we heard on the ride home from the show (Ida opened for Rachel's) was truly lovely.
3. POLYVINYL 2005 sampler
19 tracks of intriguing sounds from a hip little label - Of Montreal, Joan of Arc (once a Pazz and Jop Top Ten fave of mine; recently too indulgent for my taste), Ida and more.
4. EMBRACED – Out Of Nothing (Lava)
(out May 3)
5. THE CLICK FIVE – 4-track sampler of tracks from Greetings From Imrie House (Lava)
(out this summer)
6. ANNE HEATON – Give In (Q Division Records)
She’s a feisty white woman, but according to her bio, Heaton was signing in a Harlem Gospel Choir when its director introduced her to jazz drummer Max Roach, and she torued with him through Europe, singing jazz standards, spirituals and original Roach songs. But she sounds like a bright popster, with hints of country. Her debut, “Black Notebook,” didn’t stick with me, but this sounds catchy on first listen.
(out late spring, it says)
Monday, February 28
Purchased:
7. JANE SIBERRY – Shushan the Palace (Hymns of Earth) (Sheeba)
8. JANE SIBERRY – Jane 101 (Sheeba)
Siberry is a fascinating, occasionally frustrating woman, one of those artists who does her own thing, damn the consequences and dares you to come along for the ride. She’s not quite of this world, god bless her, and the few times I interviewed her, she was gracious but obtuse. Sometimes just attempting to follow her line of thought left me grasping for the thread (not unlike young Michael Stipe). Writing her preview story of the Post click herewas a hard task – conveying how much I admire her without wanting to bring in newcomers not ready for the full Siberry effect. With or without my recommendation the concert was packed, and wonderful – and yes, sometimes inscrutable. Visit the website (www.sheeba.com) and get a taste. That’s where I ordered the Shushan CD, a new collection of interpretations of classical and other pieces, along with a strange but cozy Sheeba hat and scarf. Jane 101, a sampler of five Siberry songs from across the years, starting with the heart-breaking “You Don’t Need” and moving to the divine “Calling All Angels,” was a bonus.
Sent
9. THE FENIANS – Every Day’s a Hooley (Mizen Head Music) “Night Visiting Song” made me think of the Who, which is odd for a Celtic band. Some of the lyrics are real ear-catchers. Not sure about the guy’s voice. Need to revisit.
Saturday, February 26:
Purchased:
10. VAGENIUS – S/T (self-released) Saw this female-led trio open for the amazing Kings of Leon (more on them anon), and was compelled to buy the CD – which will not, I’m sure be the one that makes them famous, but they have definite potential. If I did A&R, I would tell them to change the name, play down the retro new wave party vibe (a shoulder-strapped keyboard?!), roughen up the Euro-trash sound, and go for the Blondie/Gwen Stefani smart pop effect. The chick singer has a fine voice, but needs a stylist who’ll tell her why thigh-high boots, zebra stripe tights and pink lace panties are a messy mixed message. Diamonds in the rough, Vagenius was blessed with a receptive crowd and made the most of it.
Kings of Leon, meanwhile, kicked major ass. And that is not a term I use lightly or often.
Sent:
11. BLACK 47 – Elvis Murphy’s Green Suede Shoes (Gadfly Records)
Friday, February 25:
Purchased:
12. PRINCE – Musicology ( ) My husband’s been asking me to buy him this CD for months – and threatening to buy it at full price (he’ll pay $17 for a CD without blinking, while I balk at anything over $13). I finally remember to pick it up, bring it home triumphantly and when I hand to him, he laughs out loud. He had just bought me a copy for my birthday, acknowledging that it is as much a gift to himself as to me. The kicker – he got the better deal - $12 at Target versus the $13 I spent at Best Buy.
When Prince is good, he’s amazing, and when he’s bad, he can be pretty annoying. At first listen, this one seems to be solidly in the first category though I’d prefer the funky dance tunes to outnumber the slow jams.
Sent:
13. IDA - Heart Like a River (Polyvinyl Record Co.)
I honestly, honestly, honestly couldn’t find the copy of this CD a kind publicist sent last year and with the hush-core ensemble coming to town (on my birthday, no less!), I humbly requested a new one. Lovely stuff -
three songwriters crafting a spare, bittersweet sound with beautiful harmonies. Mournful but not depressing, perfect wintery sounds. Even at the Black Cat, where a sometimes boorishly loud crowd can spoil quiet numbers, the group had a respectful audience, and did a gorgeous Brian Eno cover.
Ida opened for Rachel’s (see above).
14. GREATER CALIFORNIA – Somber Wurlitzer (Earthling Records)
(out April 5)
Combining chill-worthy lounge with late 60s British pop (think Zombies and Hollies) this Long Beach-based collective may well be favorite discovery of recent weeks. This, the group’s second CD, was written specifically to take advantage of a newly-acquired instrument’s hypnotizing tones (hence the title), but it’s no novelty act. The press bio says that it was purposely recorded “in dimly lit rooms between the hours of midnight and 5 a.m.” and it feels like it. Not hangover music, but true mellow chill, with some of those deep, up all night revelations. Neat.
15. DEANA CARTER – The Story of My Life (Vanguard)
Thursday, February 24:
16. JON CLEARY and THE ABSOLUTE MONSTER GENTLEMEN – Pin Your Spin (Bason Street Records)
Concert previewed for the Washington Post. click here
17. VARIOUS ARTISTS – Genocide in Sudan (Waxploitation)
The guilt of being a bad global citizen was eased only slightly by bidding on ebay auctions from Waxploitation records, with all proceeds going to the victims of genocide in Sudan, but it’s a start.
This CD is a compilation of artists like System Of A Down (in truth, a band I admire but don’t truly enjoy), Thievery Corporation (DC hometown heroes) and a real mixed bag from artists like Gorillaz, Kinky, Danger Mouse & Murs, Jill Scott, Angelique Kidjo, The Pretenders, Toots and the Maytals. The auction listing said I was bidding on a copy signed by Aesop Rock, El-P, and Rjd2, but the one that came in the mail has only one scrawl on it (I think it’s Rjd-2.) Am I disappointed? A little. Will I complain? No. Do I sound like Donald Rumsfeld when I ask myself questions? (eeewwwwwww!) Proceeds will go to groups such as UNICEF, and UNHCR. No regreats at all. (http://www.waxploitation.com/html/genocide.html)
Wednesday, February 23:
18. KYLE RIABKO – 3 from “Before” (free sampler)
19. ASLYN – 2-track S/T (free sampler)
Obtained at the Ryan Cabrera-headlined show at the Birchmere click here , to which I took three teenage girls, ranging from barely-know-who-Ryan-is to I’m-gonna-marry-Ryan. (Grace was the one in the middle, interested but not fanatical.) Cabrera did his thing and the audience of YM, Seventeen, Cosmo Girl readers squealed on cue. It was relatively harmless, but Ryan’s handlers nearly derailed the love with the post-show meet-and-greet restrictions. If you paid $20 (!!!) for a copy of the CD you no doubt already owned, you could stand on the line and say hello to Ryan and have him hand you a signed CD booklet. But no other purchase of merchandise qualified you and if you were simply a fan who wanted a personal moment, tough luck. Shameful.
Kyle Riabko, on the other hand, is a real musician and, as an opening act looking to make new friends, stood by the merch area throughout the night, chatting with fans, posing for pictures, signing anything you asked him to. Granted, it wasn’t the kind of mob scene Ryan might have generated, but it lacked that sickly mercenary feel. Kyle’s the one that Grace wants to marry.
20. ELECRIC EEL SHOCK – Go USA! (Gearhead)
21. ROBOTS – soundtrack (Virgin)
22. LOST CITY ANGELS – Broken World (Stay Gold Records)
(out April 5)
23. HARP Magazine with free CD - ATO Records New Music
People I know I like – JEM, Mike Doughty, Orbital, My Morning Jacket - a few I’m not crazy about – Govt. Mule, David Gray, - and a few to decide upon- Ben Kweller, Vusi Mahlasela, North Mississippi Allstars, Patty Griffin.
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