Music Community

(Music Review) 

British Sea Power - Decline of British Sea Power (2003)

This album really took me by surprise. It got little press, but extremely good reviews. Based on the name of the band alone, I thought it'd be another fun britpop band (something I've been known to be a fan of). What I got instead was a weighty post-punk album. Kinda like the Weakerthans (another band I'm a fan of), with even more political and social influences, and with way more moving music.

This album has all the makings of a great album. Chilling intro, bang of an opening, musically amazing pop tracks, lyrically intense ballads, and of course, the requisite 14-min epic. Its hard to find fault with this album, even especially for a debut album. Some of my favorite tracks: "The Fear of Drowning", "The Lonely" and "Carrion", but by all means, the gap that separates these tracks from the rest is practically non-existent (I only list these track recommendations because I felt they were obligatory in case you want to quickly sample their sound).

Put this one on your short list of to-buy's next time you're at the record store.

(Music Review) 

Hooverphonic - Jackie Cane (2003)

Jackie Cane is Hooverphonic's latest album. It was the title of one of their most popular songs from their last album, Magnificent Tree (one of my favorites). Hooverphonic has always been a bridge between Trip-Hop and Indie rock, which is why they always appealed to me.

It seems though, that they've progressively become more mainstream, and they're losing a little of the trip-hop sound which was their staple on the albums which made them famous, and A New Stereophonic Sound Spectacular. There are a lot of strong songs on this album, especially "Sometimes", where Geike sings with a much stronger and more pronounced voice, "Human Interest", a classic Hooverphonic song similar to what you'd find on Magnificent Tree and "The World Is Mine", a total departure from their traditional sound, but still a well put together pop song.

They haven't completely ditched their original sound however. Songs like, "Opium", "One" and "Shampoo" are songs we'd expect from Hooverphonic, but they do add new facets to their sound with songs like, "The Kiss" and "The Last Supper", where Geike sings ballads with a piano.

Jackie Cane isn't a revolutionary album, but rather just an evolutionary step for Hooverphonic. Overall, I'll still say this is a strong album. While some people argue about whether they like the direction Hooverphonic is taking themselves, I personally won't mind, as long as which ever direction they go, they still put out quality albums such as Jackie Cane.

(Music Review) 

Junior Senior - D-D-Don't Don't Stop The Beat (2003)

Junior Senior is one of the best party albums I've heard in a looong time. They're a duo hailing from Denmark. Junior is kinda scrawny, clean cut, and straight while Senior is a big, blonde, gay man with facial hair. Their lyrics are pretty much shallow and nothing to study too closely (one of the more memorable lines is, "Shake your coconuts until the milk comes out"). They mix 70's, 80's and maybe some 90's party beats. So how is it that this album can be so appealing? Simple.. it makes you wanna get down and get busy. I'm convinced I could play this album at a senior's bingo game, and bring the house down (well, it might be a stretch, but that's the feeling you get listening to it).

D-D-Don't Stop The Beat is one of the finest albums this year. Not for musical genius in the traditional sense, but because it does what it aims to do so successfully.

(Music Review) 

Children's Hour - SOS JFK (2003)

This band signed with Minty Fresh, the same label that carries The Cardigans, Ivy, Tahiti 80 and Veruca Salt. This is a Chicago folk/indie-duo of Josephine Foster and Andy Bar. I originally heard about this band through Zwan. Billy Corgan was so impressed with them, that he invited them to tour with him on Zwan's first official tour.

SOS JFK, is their first album that I know of, and its a really one. Its really light, fluffy folk music, if those adjective can be used to describe music. Foster has a really beautiful voice (she was trained as an Opera singer), which goes well with the great instrumentation from Andy Bar (mostly acoustic guitar).

The music is very charming, think Beth Orton sharing the spotlight with a great guitarist. There's a hint of Lisa Germano here too. I can't pick a favorite song; its one of those albums where you're content to play it from start to finish, instead of just fast forwarding to your favorite songs.

(Music Review) 

Shivaree - Rough Dreams (2002)

More Shivaree!! They are such a great band, but I can't fathom why their label would choose NOT to release their latest album stateside. Is it because intelligent, adult targetted music doesn't sell? How sad it is... but all is not lost, you can get it in Europe, in the import section of your record store, over the Internet, or on Ebay like me :)

Rough Dreams is a continued evolution of Shivaree's sound. This album is even more upbeat than their first gem, I Oughtta Give You A Shot.... My favorite songs are "All Because You Told Me So" (a funk / jazz vocal piece / classical ), "John: 2/14" (a poignant jazzy, indie rock number), "Reseda Casino" (a catchy pop song that rivals with the best of them), "Thundercats" (a traditional rock song with looping samples).

Anyways, call my review biased since I love everything this band comes out with, but I gotta give this album some of my highest accolades.

(Music Review) 

Shivaree - I Outta Give You A Shot In The Head For Making Me Live In This Dump (1999)

I'm going back to give you my impressions on a few older albums. Shivaree is one of my favorite bands right now. They are a vocal jazz, folk / indie pop/rock band. The lead singer, Ambrosia Parsley, has one of the most amazing voices ever. Its a little Beck mixed, a little Nina Nastasia, a little Patsy Kline, a little Tom Waits,

I Oughtta Give You A Shot in the Head... is Shivaree's debut album. The only song that got radio play was "Goodnight Moon", which is an amazing song, but the album is filled with gems like that though, from "Bossa Nova" to "Idiot Waltz". You can't go wrong with this album. Look out for their second album, Rough Dreams, which I like just as much, if not more.

(Music Review) 

Constantines - Shine A Light (2003)

This is The Constantines 2nd full length album, although I can't honestly say I've listened to the 1st (although it was highly reviewed). The Constantines are a Canadian hard-rock band, with a little couple different styles added in for effect. Some songs are screamy metal-like numbers, while others feel like they have a soul/blues feel. But don't be dissuaded, they are still very much a rock lover's rock band.

I don't typically listen to this type of music, especially when it gets very thrashy, but the Constantines do it in a way I can swallow. I recommend it.

(Music Review) 

Beth Orton - Other Side of Daybreak (2003)

This album is, as the album name describes, a complement to her most recent album, Daybreak. Its basically a lot of remixes of those songs by some famous DJs. Remember, Beth Orton got her start by actually singing vocal accompaniment for DJs such as Chemical Brothers and William Orbit. After she got enough exposure through those cameos, she started her career as a solo singer, releasing Trailer Park.

Since she usually just sings with an accompanying guitar, I feel that some of her best songs (in my opinion) were remixes of her originals. The adding production and sounds from other DJs fill in more of the background silence of her music. One of my favorite songs from her 2nd CD, Central Reservation, was actually the remixed title track.

Enough background, you want to know about this album. Its in many ways better than the original. Four Tet, a DJ group I also like, remixed two songs, Daybreaker and Carmella into version arguably better than the originals. She has a good live acoustic version of Concrete Sky, the first single off Daybreaker.

There are a few new songs as well, including Ali's Waltz, which is totally better than Ted's Waltz, a song off Daybreaker. I don't know the significance of either of those names though.

Anyways, definitely check this album out. I can't say its better than Central Reservation, but I do like it better than Daybreak.

(Music Review) 

Alizée - Mes Courants Électriques (2003)

Dunno why I'm mentioning this album since its not really amazing or anything. Actually, I know why. Its because Alizée is amazingly hot.

Anyways, the songs are on par with most Britney songs with the one caveat, she sings in French (Well, she has 1 song in English, but its kinda sad actually). They follow the same style of insanely catchy songs written by mega-talented songwriters sung by a woman who is insanely beautiful. Well, given that they've sold zillions of albums, who can argue with that formula. Even I'm not immune.

(Music Review) 

Athlete - Vehicles and Animals (2003)

This Athlete album came out in April and has been difficult for me to put the album down. Its some 60's, britpop, mixed in with modern indie rock. Too many good songs here. The starting from the opener, El Salvador, Athlete just cranks out catchy tunes one after the other.

One of my favorites at the moment.

(Music Preview) 

Travis - 12 Memories (2003)

Btw, I don't think there's a more consistent band than Travis.

October 13th is when the new Travis album comes out. From what I've heard, the pace is slower if you were hoping for faster though. You can find the first single off the album, Re-Offender in stores now. I got it and I like it a lot.

(Music Preview) 

Dido - Life For Rent (2003)

Dido's new album is coming out soon!! I've heard the White Flag single, which is cool. Definitely pre-order the album, I'll post my review as soon as I get it.