CD REVIEWS
explore - take a leap of faith
TOP ROW: The Feelies, Thurston Moore (Sonic Youth), A.J. Croce.
BOTTOM ROW: Keith Richards, Tom Waits, John Gorka.
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There is an enormous amount of amazing music out there, most of which has never become mainstream. More serious music fans may know many of the artists featured here - others may be hearing them for the first time.
CD Reviews = great albums that we highly recommend
Must Hear = the very very best of the great albums that we highly recommend
For fans of the artists listed below, Canadian Rose Cousins should be a welcome discovery. The Send Off (Cousins’ 2nd album) consists of well-written songs within a generously-produced arrangement. Tune styles are eclectic - a little swing, a little jazz-infused cabaret, plenty of contemporary folk. Seeing her open solo acoustic for Richard Shindell recently at Club Passim in Cambridge, MA was a treat. Hello Rose! Looking forward to hearing more. Check out a live show here. GENRES: Contemporary Folk, Mellow Rock.
BUY IF YOU LIKE: Shawn Colvin, Antje Duvekot, Sarah McLaughlin, Tori Amos, Mindy Smith, Heather Masse.
MUST HEAR TRACKS: “I Were The Bird,” “The Send Off,” “The Dancers,” “Celebrate.”
Rose Cousins - The Send Off (2010)
Rose Cousins' website---->
Chris O’Brien writes articulate, well-versed contemporary folk songs that fall squarely in the contemporary folk genre, and Lighthouse is a thoroughly enjoyable album. Perhaps the songs on this worthy release can best be defined by their clear commonality with the songs from some of this genre’s elder statesmen – Richard Shindell, Ellis Paul, John Gorka, Chuck Brodsky, Freedy Johnston, etc. A warm, clean production, some engaging tunes encompassing his songs' soulful purity. I looking forward to hearing more from O’Brien. GENRES: Contemporary Folk.
BUY IF YOU LIKE: Amos, Lee, Ellis Paul.
MUST HEAR TRACKS: “Rosa,” “Lighthouse,” “Blues Skies,” “Cigarettes and Rain.”
Chris O'Brien - Lighthouse (2007)
Chris O'Brien's website---->
With some 15+ albums to his name, Lloyd Cole is no “discovery.” But he’s no household name either. Broken Record is awash in artistic conception, in the same sense that Talking Heads, Leonard Cohen and Lou Reed and often approach their music from an artistic, poetic, almost aurally theatrical standpoint. This is a tight, professional, almost intentionally glossy recording, and it feels like an “album” in the old sense of the word – a deliberately orchestrated group of connected songs, a unified premise, a single vision with integrated parts. Cole is clearly a talented songwriter, blending a sense of avant-garde with a folk-pop sensibility. Plenty of catchy tunes, memorable lyrics, perhaps even commercial listenability (there’s an oxymoron for you), but the worst part is…he gets away with it. GENRES: Folk Rock, Rock, Mellow Rock.
BUY IF YOU LIKE: Robin Hitchcock.
MUST HEAR TRACKS: “Like a Broken Record,” “Writer’s Retreat,” “If I Were A Song,” “That’s Alright,” “Double Happiness.”
Lloyd Cole - Broken Record (2010)
Lloyd Cole's website---->
This second EP from The Day’s Weight offers easily accessible indie rock songs stripped to their pure essence. Production is earthy/organic - this is no-frills stuff limited to electric guitars, drums, bass, organ – no synthy tweets, very un-2011, and more power to them! Despite occasionally formulaic song structures – tranquil chord progressions evolve, build momentum and achieve anthemic crescendo - Norfolk Sessions demonstrates a band focused 1st and foremost on writing a decent song, often founded on captivating riffs and melodies that settle in easy (try “Won’t Be Long” on for size). Interestingly, “Follow Me Down” shatters the formula, evoking shades of Lyle Lovett and Fleet Foxes, and is perhaps the most interesting song on the album. GENRES: Rock.
BUY IF YOU LIKE: Eddie Vedder, an acoustic-based indie/pop format.
MUST HEAR TRACKS: “Brandywine,” “Won’t Be Long,” “Follow Me Down.”
The Day's Weight - Norfolk Sessions (2010)
The Day's Weight's website--->
TRACKS FROM NORFOLK SESSIONS CAN BE SAMPLED & DOWNLOADED FOR FREE BY CLICKING THE ALBUM COVER ABOVE.
Nonstoperotik, Black Francis’ ’10 and most recent release, gets the same recommendation I made for Ryan Adams’ latest, III / IV (recommended on GTH too) – an interesting, if somewhat underwhelming, set of songs from one of the finest songwriters around. As an artist, he is supremely creative, artistic and trend setting, popularity and commercial success be damned, and more power to him. Nonstoperotik though may be a casualty of such integrity – this is a “B” album for him, and it still towers over most music produced these days. While this collection seems a little eratic, perhaps lacking focus/inspiration, I do put on a few tunes from the album each day and somewhat enjoy them….go figure. GENRES: Lite Alt, Rock, Mellow Rock, Indie.
BUY IF YOU LIKE: The Pixies, Sonic Youth, Wilco.
MUST HEAR TRACKS: "Cinema Star," TBD....
Black Francis - Nonstoperotik (2010)
Black Francis/Frank Black's fan website---->
Jamie Michaels’ latest release, The Man with the Time Machine, offers a trouble-free collection of well-written contemporary folk and lighter folk rock tunes. There is a relaxed element to these tunes, mostly band format (acoustic guitar, light percussion, piano, bass), which range from a Paul Simon/Graceland feel on “Wish On The Moon” to an overall stylistic and vocal likeness to Ellis Paul – smooth, intelligent, articulate folk rock. No rockets to the moon here – just a warm, pleasing listen. GENRES: Contemporary Folk, Folk Rock, Americana.
BUY IF YOU LIKE: Cliff Eberhardt, Ellis Paul.
MUST HEAR TRACKS: “Wish On The Moon,” “The Man With The Time Machine,” “Wild and Precious Thing,” “Black River.”
Jamie Michaels - The Man With The Time Machine (2011)
Jaime Michaels' website---->
No introduction needed here. Outer South is just a great album by one of the younger generation’s most creative songwriters. Unlike the most recent Bright Eyes release (Oberst’s other band), which feels techno-experimenty to the point that it lost me, these are highly accessible songs smack in the Mellow Rock/Rock genres. Lyrically, Oberst is as intelligent and interesting as they come. A Must Hear artist and Outer South is just a great album – definitely worth adding in the music library. GENRES: Rock, Mellow Rock,
BUY IF YOU LIKE: Elliott Smith, David Gray (old, before he got soft), Ryan Adams.
MUST HEAR TRACKS: “To All The Lights In The Windows,” “Ten Women,” “Bloodline,” “Spoiled,” “Worldwide."
Conor Oberst & The Mystic Valley Band - Outer South (2009)
Conor Oberst's website--->
Long-time listeners of 20-year veterans Cake may find this 6th release a tad subdued as compared to earlier work. Known for lively, often hilarious lyrics (often spoken, not sung) and highly diverse song styles, Cake forged its own sound - cutting edge alternative/indie at the core, a hint of techno, a smidge of retro: horns, strings, funky beats, bizarre lyrics, synths, layers upon layers of sounds, instruments, mutterings – anything goes. Although Showroom of Compassion is more rule-breaking that 95% of the stuff out there, they played it safe here with songs that may offer greater accessibility to the average listener. At their best, Cake defines creativity within the Alt Rock genre. GENRES: Alternative, Indie, Rock.
BUY IF YOU LIKE: Pavement, Beck.
MUST HEAR TRACKS: "“Long Time,” “What’s Now Is Now,” “Mustache Man (Wasted),” "The Winter."
Cake - Showroom of Compassion (2010)
Cake website---->
To sample a single song on The Belleville Outfit’s album Time To Stand is like inspecting a single block on a patchwork quilt – you get only a fraction of the full picture. There is a lot of joy in this recording, which bounces easily from Jazz Vocal/Swing to Country Western and everywhere in between. Musicianship and vocals are first-class, made more interesting by complex orchestration and arrangements. Here a waltz, there a Texas 2-Step, here a Tango, there a jitterbug. I hear occasional flavors of Ingrid Lucia and the Flying Neutrinos or Django Reinhardt in here as well. This genre is not one I know a lot about, but this album kicks, it swings – it rocks! Great stuff from a band whose pure energy is hard not to enjoy. Can only imagine their live show! GENRES: Jazz Vocal, Western Swing.
BUY IF YOU LIKE: Ingrid Lucia and the Flying Neutrinos.
MUST HEAR TRACKS: “Time To Stand,” “Sunday Morning,” “Nothing’s Too Good For My Baby,” “She Went Away,” “Love Me Like I Love You.”
The Belleville Outfit - Time To Stand (2009)
The Belleville Outfit's website---->
After some 19 years, The Feelies have regrouped and released their 5th recording, Here Before, with the lead song opening: “Is it too late, to do it again? Or should we wait, another ten?” Thank God they didn’t. Known for their alternatively gently rolling rhythms and hard-driving beats, The Feelies are simply one of the under-appreciated greats (along with Miracle Legion) from the late ‘80s/early ‘90s. Consider The Feelies a post-punk, modern Velvet Underground, or perhaps a less eclectic cousin to Yo La Tengo. This band is tight, and although the ratio of calmer tunes has inched up over time, this CD sticks to the basic Feelies formula: it’s all about the beat, steady percussion, the pulse, the textured groove, the layered rhythm, the warm, butter-smooth dual rhythm guitars, the Lou Reed-whisper-hum vocals. Here Before is a most rewarding album from a band I absolutely love!! Buy this CD! GENRES: Lite Alternative, Indie.
BUY IF YOU LIKE: Velvet Underground, Yo La Tengo.
MUST HEAR TRACKS: “Nobody Knows,” “Should Be Gone,” “Again Today,” “Change Your Mind,” “Time Is Right.”
The Feelies - Here Before (2011)
The Feelies' website---->
What a cool album this is! The Postelles’ brand of music is both a facelift of, and a tip of the cap to, two earlier eras - ‘60s Rock & Post Punk - and it works. Think: Alex Turner (Arctic Monkeys) belting out jangly, guitar-driven tunes that weave ‘50s/‘60s-style song structures/harmonies and melodies (Buddy Holly, etc.), but with more aggressive post-punk pop/rock overtones ala early Joe Jackson, Elvis Costello or The Smithereens. Sample “White Night,” “Hold On” and “Hey Little Sister” to get a gist of what these guys are up to. No musicianship or songwriting gymnastics here, but who cares – it’s a fun sound, these are well written songs and I find this CD just plain interesting! GENRES: Retro Post/Punk Rock
BUY IF YOU LIKE: Elvis Costello, Joe Jackson. The Wedding Present.
MUST HEAR TRACKS: “White Night,” “123 Stop,” “Boy’s Best Friend,” “Can’t Stand Still,” “Hold On,” “Hey Little Sister.”
The Postelles - The Postelles (2011)
The Postelles website---->
Canadian Rox Sexsmith may not be a household name, but he’s earned respect amongst fellow musicians as a talented songwriter, and Long Player Late Bloomer nicely demonstrates has skills. Sexsmith crafts intelligent pop songs that blend velvety vocals akin to Morrissey (not Bill, I mean The Smith’s singer) with the song-writing ingenuity and melodic versatility of Elvis Costello or XTC – add a crisp delivery / production (ala Boz Scaggs) and you get the picture. It’s rare that I recommend music that is catchy, perhaps even glossy, but if there is a role for smart, bright, catchy songs, it should be artists like Sexsmith who do it well. GENRES: Rock, Mellow Rock.
BUY IF YOU LIKE: Jules Shear, Elvis Costello, XTC.
MUST HEAR TRACKS: “Get In Line,” “The Reason Why,” “Miracles,” “Late Bloomer,” “Heavenly,” “Michael And His Dad.”
Ron Sexsmith - Long Player Late Bloomer (2011)
Ron Sexsmith's website---->
As with John Mellencamp’s No Better Than This (2010), this release finds Earle harkening back to a more elemental, raw Americana country-ramble feel, steering clear of pure folk or country. Song structure and production are often conventional: front-porch-mountain-country Appalachian folk one minute, traditional Irish drinking songs the next. Earle is a talented artist – like his prior release, Townes, this one is for true Earle fans. Those not familiar with him might want to start with Jerusalem, Transcendental Blues or even Grammy winning Washington Square Serenade. GENRES: Americana, Folk.
Steve Earle - I'll Never Get Out of This World Alive (2011)
Steve Earle's website---->
