Ready for this? From their bio: “Juez is a breakbeat-klezmer-jazz band of Orthodox kids from D.C., Chicago and New York.” I could get my head immediately around all those concepts with the exception of “klezmer.” Translated it means “the human being becomes the bearer of the song.” I like that. I back it. I’m pretty sure klezmer is the flavor of these already spicy, improvisational jazz joints. If you’re an aficionado, hit the comments to shed further light on the klezmer scene…
Daydream Nation
No, this ain’t the sixth album from Sonic Youth released in October 1988 getting its own entry here on 3hive, and it’s not a Sonic Youth cover band. Daydream Nation is actually a Canadian duo doing their own thing, which is a mysterious combination of Brit pop from the ’60s invasion and the ’90s revival influenced by other notable Brits like the Cure and Swervedriver, although their sound is not as “shoegazer” as they and others would lead you believe. These songs are from Bella Vendetta, their second album.
Magnolia Electric Company
Apparently there’s this guy named Jason Molina whose jangly voice and honky-tonk geetar owe a great debt to Neil Young and who had a band called songs: ohia. Apparently he renamed his band after one of the latter band’s album titles. And apparently the hazy barroom rock sounds as sweet as Tennessee bourbon whiskey on Magnolia Electric Company’s debut live release. If you’re wondering why all the parenthetical talk, it’s because Molina’s as new to me as he might (or might not) be to you. And apparently I’m kicking myself for not discovering him about five years ago.
Flogging Molly
Allie told Jared about the Celtic punk intensity of Flogging Molly, and this is what he told me (Allie was at the dentist, or I’d have asked her, too): “Sometimes you’re just in a happy mood and want to listen to something upbeat, like when I’m driving around in Minnesota with my friends, running red lights and honking at people and acting crazy. That’s a good time to listen to Flogging Molly, you know.” But of course, young man, but of course. And thanks, kids.
Personally, I’m loving the memories these tunes evoke, like the time when Sam and I went to see The Pogues but Shane MacGowan passed out dead drunk during the first song (I’m pretty sure it was “Boat Train”) and Spider Stacy sang the rest of the set. Yeah, Flogging Molly should have been the opening act who ended up playing all night long.
I Am Robot and Proud
Great minds really do think alike! I Am Robot and Proud has been queued up here at 3hive just waiting for the right day to post, and a kind reader of 3hive sent in an email to the suggestion box, well, suggesting I Am Robot and Proud. It gives us the chance to again ponder the question, “What is it with big corporations and their raiding of indie-dom for music for their commercials?” This time it’s adidas, and they’re using “Winter at Night.” I Am Robot and Proud is Toronto’s Shaw-Han Liem, and he makes a beguiling electronic (but not robotic) pop that is both warm and refreshing. Layers of melodies, alternately purposeful and tinkering, merely hide the rhythms that can get a little groovy. Proud indeed.
Jennifer Gentle
Don’t let the name fool you, Jennifer Gentle is a couple of Italian cats. One used to be an ice cream man in Berlin. Among their choice of instruments is a deflating balloon (“I Do Dream You”). Sound weird enough yet? It’s all true. Brace yourself for fine, imported psychedelia and quirky, contemporary pop recorded like it’s 1967.
David Sylvian
I have a couple confessions to make. First, I feel asleep during a U2 concert. I’ve never been a big fan. I respect the band tremendously, but their music, and that concert in particular, just don’t do it for me. My second confession: I cried at a David Sylvian concert. Not that I wept out loud or anything, but his voice, its rich timbre, literally brought tears to my eyes. He has a long musical history, beginning with the band Japan, then his solo work. The first track, “Mothlight,” is an ambient piece composed as an accompanyment to a group of photographs. The remaining tracks include vocals and give a better sense of David Sylvian’s well-honed craft.
Soft
Another from the suggestion box… Soft play majestic pop, driven by crisp drumming and plethora of effects pedals. Though we won’t name them here, the influences are many, but not blatant. However, any fleeting resemblences to Tim Burgess are coincidental, but appropriate. “Monkey Monkey” is excellent; it’s not first in the download list, but start there.
Damon and Naomi
This one’s for Clay, as a bookend to his Dean and Britta post and a celebration/lament of the amount of time we both spent listening to Galaxie 500. While Dean Wareham was off with Luna, et. al., the rhythm section — Damon Krukowski and Naomi Yang — made some beautiful music of their own. Subtle, soaring, and consistently artful, D & N’s sixth album comes out in February on their own 20/20/20 record label. “I Dreamed of Caucasus” is off 2002’s Song to the Siren.
The Changes
Continuing in my tour of OPLs (Other People’s Lists), I found this gem — amidst Blockhead, Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, and Comets on Fire — on Scissorkick‘s eclectic hit parade of 2004. (Convenient comparison alert!) The Changes are modern-day Chicago’s answer to Haircut 100: bouncy, dreamy pop that makes you want to smile at complete strangers or maybe, just maybe, swing from a vine in a Hawaiian shirt. However, unlike Haircut 100, these guys appear to have a longer career in them.