Mark Kozelek from Red House Painters. Josh Hayden from Spain. John Prine (without the country). Mazzy Star (but not a girl). Nick Drake. Bob Dylan. Richard Hawley. Classic sad singer-songwriter material, quiet and mellow soul-searching, like the best ’60s slow-pop. These tracks are for the long drive, the deep, dark night, the El trip home from the bar alone. “Darlin” and “The Nights are Cold” are my favorites, or let’s make it favourites, from this forlorn Brit. Cheers.
The Bird and the Bee
I love me some soundtrack music. I’ll admit it–there have been countless films that have plucked my heartstrings with a song and sent me off searching the internet for a song that may or may not exist based on a snippet of a lyric that I think I can remember. I usually never manage to find the songs I’m looking for, but some time ago I managed to find an Inara George song I’d heard on a film or tv show somewhere and I was thrilled. I was even more thrilled when I heard about The Bird and The Bee, who boldly embrace explicit sentiment and then make a milkshake out of it with today’s electro-pop goodness. Wikipedia calls B&B “a jazz influenced electro pop project.” I call it “yum.”
New MP3 from Thee More Shallows
Chet
An old radio colleague of mine, Chet Tapp (imagine the coincidence), used to do this radio show called “Smooth As Chet.” See, Chet was a big fan of “smooth” pop. He was a complete freak for Everything But the Girl, China Crisis and The Blue Nile. Especially The Blue Nile. The band Chet gives off a nice, unhurried and controlled smoothness that I think my friend Chet would appreciate. I can imagine Chet wrapping up another hour of his supreme chill with a track like “Don’t Let Your Cruel Heart Count Me In,” or the laid-back, jazzy tune “Fight Against Darkness.” Their grandiose, over-wrought vocals may take some getting used to, but acquired tastes often become one’s preferred tastes, so be sure to give this one a few listens. In a big, cushy easy chair with your feet up and a tasty cool beverage in hand.
The Like Young
“For Money or Love,” the second song on The Like Young’s Last Secrets really says it all about the Like Young: for the love of their music, for the love of the band, for the love of each other (they’re married), Amanda and Joe made sacrifices to do what they loved, despite the struggles with money. Last Secrets explains it all, and perhaps, fittingly, was their last album before they retired the band back in August. Many more songs of their duo-punk-rock from earlier releases can be downloaded from their site.
The Thermals
Like that sullen kid in high school who was aggressively straight edge and pissed off because no one else knew what it meant, the one who deliberately got every question wrong on the ACT because it’s harder than getting every question right, like Minor Threat 25 years earlier (jeez, is it already that long?), The Thermals have something to say and they want to make sure you don’t miss it. Offering loud, sloppy, aggressive “post-pop-punk” as they like to call it, this Portland band’s brand of anti-establishment, high-octane anger is gaining so much ground it made The New York Times a few weeks ago. The top two tracks below are from their most recent effort, The Body, The Blood, The Machine, recorded by Fugazi’s Brendan Canty. (See, there is a Minor Threat connection.)
The Blow
It’s been a little bleak here on Wednesdays, and I’ve been MIA for a couple of weeks — but hopefully you will all enjoy today’s musical selection and forgive the midweek blackout of late. The Blow, consisting of Khaela Maricich & Jona Bechtolt from Portland, OR, have been carrying me through a busy time. The music is rife with slick modern beats, but there is a super pop, super earnest candy center. Throughout the album there are many, many references to how hard it is for girls and boys to come together and I admit (with a blush and an eyeroll) that when Khaela sings “really you just injured my pride” I had a moment where I was like “um, did I write this song???” As usual, file under: better late than never.
Pile of Gold [MP3, 2.9MB, 160kbps]
Sam’s original post: 01/10/05
I was going to wait for Valentine’s Day to post this, but couldn’t because I’ve been waiting long enough as it is. The Blow is one unassuming Khaela Maricich whose catalog of come-ons is sultry, clever, and disarming enough to lure even the most reluctant players to bed. When I say players, I don’t mean Fabolous or Jermaine Dupri. I mean the mysterious outsiders, the John Cusacks of the world. To some such player, Khaela sings, “I’d love to make you nervous/I’d love to make you sweat/I’d love to make you breakfast the morning after…” How you gonna say no to that? And if you do, would you be pal and pass her number along?
Walker Kong
I dreamt I had already posted Walker Kong. I searched our archives assuming I’d find this Minneapolis band somewhere among the many pop gems from the past. You’ve heard what happens when one assumes. In order to avoid any name-calling, here we go with Walker Kong: happy-go-lucky tunes with a touch of Grateful Dead, especially the vocals and the vocal melodies on “Andy Warhol.” The comparison’s a stretch, but I’m running with it. Listen for them to name-drop this site on that same song. Another stretch. Work with me here. The next two tracks are examples from previous albums. Fleeting moments of Lloyd Cole and Beulah provide further terms of endearment. Which reminds me: over the weekend I read a great article by the playwright Lisa Loomer, who was particularly depressed over this quotation: “97% of what people perceive is what they already believe.” Apply that to music and I’m guilty as charged. If one band sounds like another that I know and love I’m drawn much quicker to that new band. And this world is in desperate need of smart, literate, pop bands. Walter Kong…perceive and believe!
Northern State
Northern State, while not typical of most bands, does have a typical experience: little band writes some good stuff, tours like crazy, goes big, gets written up in Rolling Stone and Spin and the rest, gets signed to a major label, tours some more, then bolts from said major label and gets back to doing their own thing. These ladies from Long Island have been working with Chuck Brody (Shitake Monkey) and the Beasties’ Adrock on their new album, which has them moving from hip-hop to a more Luscous Jackson-like vibe. New songs can be heard at their myspace site, but check out this oldie with the best ever rhyme from Prynn about her Native American ancestory.