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10

Random Albums

To Hear This Week

 

Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks: Real Emotional Trash (Matador) - Stephen Malkmus is pretty much the poster boy for low-fi indie rock.  His work with Pavement has defined a whole genre of music.  On this, his third solo effort, he is back with The Jicks, who now include Janet Weiss (of Sleater-Kinney fame) on the drums.  Her hard hitting style is a great compliment to Malkmus' still amazing guitar work.  Everyone expects great things from this man, and he certainly doesn't disappoint.  

Highly Recommended.

Monade: Monstre Cosmic (Too Pure) - The 3rd LP from Monade, led by French chanteuse Laetitia Sadier (Stereolab singer and lyricist), is very much awash in the warm electronic Stereolab sound of guitars and electric pianos.  Even so, the group’s sonic theme of capturing the feel of winding down a river, and discovering how darkness and light meet are truly realized on many levels.  [Pitchfork 7.1]  Recommended

New York Art Quartet: s/t (ESP Disk) - The New York Art Quartet featured an atypical front-line of trombonist Roswell Rudd and Danish altoist John Tchicai, supported by drummer Milford Graves and bassist Lewis Worrell.  This is the first of only 3 discs done by the quartet in the mid 1960s before disbanding when Rudd joined Archie Shepp's Quartet.  Reflective of the turbulent times, these engaging and adventurous statements are recommended listening.

Ghostland Observatory: Robotique Majestique (Trashy Moped) - Austin, Texas duo Ghostland Observatory is vocalist Aaron Behrens and producer/beat-maker Thomas Turner.  With a pulse of analog synths, sequencers and drum machines, Aaron’s soulful wails take you back to the days of Queen’s Freddie Mercury and early Prince.  In the right dose, it’s a real high, but too much might do you in.  Dancefloor participation is key in bringing life to their electro-based music.  Good.

State Bird: Mostly Ghostly (Record Machine) - Sophomore LP from Ohio duo and friends take you on an intercontinental folk journey with stops in Germany, Bulgaria, Nigeria, Bamako, rural Kentucky, Motown and crossroads in between.  The core elements of accordion, Wurlitzer and guitar are blended with jubilant horns, sing-a-long choirs, washboards and more.  Highly Recommended.  RIYL Beirut   

Devotchka: A Mad and Faithful Telling (Anti-) - DeVotchKa wrote the score to the movie Little Miss Sunshine and they have been gaining fame ever since. Part gypsy music, part Slavic folk, part American punk and part mariachi fiesta, this band is all over the map in a really cool way.  

RIYL: Calexico, Gogol Bordello.

Gutter Twins: Saturnalia (Sub Pop) - The Gutter Twins are Mark Lanegan (of the Screaming Trees and Queens of the Stone Age) and Greg Dulli (of the Afghan Whigs and the Twilight Singers).  They describe themselves as "satanic Everly Brothers."  This is a dark and almost spiritual album named after a Roman festival where the slaves became masters for a day.  A very good album from two very talented men.  Highly Recommended.

Ryan Blotnick: Music Needs You (Songlines) - The debut disc from Denmark schooled, NY-based guitarist / composer Ryan Blotnick takes the standard form “language” of jazz and grow it with classical chord structures and lyrical sensibilities for a fresh and contemporary sound that’s cool and spacious, yet full of depth.  Recommended. 

Chris Joss: Teraphonic Overdubs (ESL) - French producer / multi-instrumentalist Chris Joss takes you back to the colorful age of 1960’s cinema.  Layered flutes, sitars, marimba, harpsichord and more color the wah-wah guitars, elastic bass and organ riffs.  Turntable action and breakbeats bridge the divides.  Recommended. 

The Dirtbombs: We Have You Surrounded (In the Red) - Fueled with a volatile blend of high-energy rock'n'roll and soulful vocals, Detroit’s Dirtbombs explode with chunky garage punk.  Urban paranoia reigns high as Armageddon appears around ever corner.  Recommended. 

 

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