WDCE

90.1 FM

University of Richmond Radio

 

 

 

 

10

Album Reviews

Music Worth  Hearing

 

My Brightest Diamond: A Thousand Shark's Teeth (Asthmatic Kitty) -  My Brightest Diamond is Shara Worden.  She blends chamber music, art rock, opera and cabaret into a refreshingly engaging works with subtle trip-hop undertones.  For her second album the emphasis is on the strings.  Her wide ranging, highly expressive vocals are omnipresent, as detailed arrangements incorporate woodwinds, keyboards, koto, balofone, worldly percussion and more.  As you may expect, the delicate beauty isn’t immediate, yet definitely worth your time.  Recommended. 

Alla: Es Tiempo (Crammed) - Es Tiempo (“It’s time”) is the debut album from Chicago based Mexican-American trio Allá (“Over There” - pronounced Aye-ya).  Brothers Jorge (guita  rs, keyboards, production and composition) and Angel Ledesma (drums and percussion) craft lavishly psychedelic pop influenced by Brazilian Tropicalia, 60s symphonic pop and post rock.  The soft, breathy Spanish vocals of Lupe Martinez largely blend into the layered sonic tapestry.  Think Juana Molina on Quango.  An enjoyable journey.  Recommended. 

Tilly and the Wall: O (Team Love) - For their 3rd LP, officially untitled – known as o for its cover art, Omaha-based five-piece Tilly and the Wall go for a fuller sound.  Their depth of their trademark tap percussion is bolstered by recording them through various amplifiers and floors, while textures of horns, squeezebox, bells, toy piano, and pedal steel add additional dimension.  The harmonized boy-girl vocals are still there, however the male counterpoints are largely sidelined – yielding generally more bitter lyrical perspectives.  Hints of 80s rock, southwestern, and psych appear here and there.  Good. 

Cineplexx: Picnic (Portia) - Barcelona based artist is Cineplexx (Sebastian Litmanovich) was born in Buenos Aires.  Picnic is a fitting title for his airy bedroom psych.  The emphasis is on the soft, pillowed layers of sounds: guitar, hazy keys, strings, etc.  Multi-tracked, mostly Spanish vocals have ample do dos and oh ohs which glisten throughout – perfect for those fields of grass and daydreaming.  Assistance from friends Duglas Stewart (BMX Bandits), Norman Blake (Teenage Fanclub), Federico Aubele (ESL Records) and Jad Fair (Half Japanese).  Recommended. 

Hot Cha Cha: Rifle, I Knew You When You Were Just a Pistol (Exit Stencil) - Cleveland, Ohio female quartet Hot Cha Cha create dirty post-punk with a psychedelic edge and echoes of Sonic Youth.  It’s a rhythmic affair that’s balanced by dueling guitar swells.  Lead singer Jovana Batkovic’s (a native of Bosnia who spent time in Germany) delivery is in French, German and English – an unexpectedly cool addition.  Recommended. 

My Morning Jacket: Evil Urges (ATO) - It seems hanging out in the balcony and enlisting the support of producer Joe Chiccarelli (The Shins, White Stripes) has the guy’s minds wondering.  My Morning Jacket's 5th studio album has them jumping genera like brethren jam/indie stalwarts Ween.  Elements of funk, R&B, country, southern rock and reggae swirl as falsetto vocals bring some context to the varied vignettes.  As the sound resonate and smoke rises, visions of Flaming Lips also appear.  Recommended. 

The Notwist: The Devil, You + Me (Domino) - Closing in on 20 years, the German ensemble the Notwist resurface under their popper name with their first LP is about six years.  Threads of their post-hardcore origins, shadowed gothic and dub add texture to their layered, melodic indie-pop structures.  The sophisticated works unite live instrumentation of guitar, harpsichord, pipes, strings, percussion, etc. with electronic backdrops of beats, glitches, shutters and processes.  Soft vocals seem to explore the continuum of time and mortality crossroads.  Recommended. 

The Saturday Knights: Mingle (Light in the Attic) - Miracle is the debut LP from Seattle hip-hop trio Saturday Knights.  Rhyme-swappers Tilson and Barfly deliver the lighthearted party lyrics, while DJ Suspence presides over the feel-good beats and live instrumentation fusions of soul and rock.  All four tracks from their strong lead-up [ep] re-appear, and a few other noteworthy tracks do too.  With an eclectic guests list including The Dap-Kings, the Muscle Shoals Horns, Kim Thayil (Soundgarden) and Jack Endino (Nirvana producer), the party is on - time to get moving.  Good.

Benji Hughes: A Little Extreme (New West) – It’s been 10 years since New West has taken a chance on a new artist.  It seems they have picked a winner in North Carolina’s Benji Hughes.  He takes you on a playful romp through sugared 60s pop, electro-hop, and mellow balladry.  With a harmonious voice and a wry sense of humor, he sings of relationships, women, and more.  LA   Though compared to beck, I think Busy Signals is more accurate.  Recommended. 

[His debut album, A Love Extreme, is slated for July 2008]

 

Todd Sickafoose: Tiny Resistors (Cryptogramophone) - Though bassist / multi-instrumentalist / composer Todd Sickafoose pays the bills by regularly performing in duo/trio settings with alt-folkie Ani DiFranco, this album proves his downtown Jazz credentials.  Tiny Resistors features an 8-piece New York band, plus notable guests Andrew Bird and Ani DiFranco.  From a foundation of tricky poly-rhythms grows multi-faceted, structured works which carry a rich global musical cargo up the Mississippi.  Dynamic bass, plucked guitars, muted horns, Wurlitzer, vibes, violin, twinkling bells and more are aboard for this refreshing musical journey.  Recommended.