Casual Listening
Extra!
Los Lonely Boys – Forgiven (rock)
This is a good rock-and-roll ride. Hendrix-inspired guitar work, with spot-on vocal harmonies, and an occasional South-of-the-border spice. A cover of Spencer Davis Group’s “I’m a Man” captures the spirit of where this band is at.
South – You Are Here (rock)
Released several weeks back, I just caught this today. Fragile songs, extensively arranged, give this group a sound that’s richer than your average brit-pop youngsters.
Casual Listening
a review of cool new music
by Jeff Pinzino
* The Locos – Energía Inagotable (ska)
Horns and guitars balance frenetic, party-spirited songs en español. Third-wave ska fans will have a ball with this group.
Craig G and Marley Marl – Operation Take Back Hip Hop (rap)
These guys were recording ten minutes after the birth of hip hop, and more than 20 years later are trying to redirect an art form they feel has spun out of control. They’ve added in the multi-layered production style that’s evolved since their early days, and pull in guests such as KRS-ONE and Talib Kweli among others. As much a manifesto as a comeback album.
A true-blue American rock record for the 4th of July. Power chords and hook-driven tunes give you a perfect excuse to open up the t-tops on your Trans-Am and rock out.
Adron – Adron (folk)
Bossa Nova channeled through a next-generation American songwriter. Adron’s voice has a pinch of Nora Jones and easily shuttles back and forth between northern and southern hemispeheres, resulting in a smooth, mellow mood.
Nels Andrews – Off Track Betting (rock)
Andrews conveys a deep
Kofi – Rocking Eternally (reggae)
Top-shelf contemporary reggae. Kofi’s expressive vocals are easy to love, and a mostly electronic background works to drive a slow, urgent groove with an occasional dose of dub psychedelics.
In The Blog: Los Lonely Boys, South.
* highly recommended
! highest recommendation
Check out the blog at http://casuallistening.blogspot.com . To subscribe or unsubscribe, or just to say hi, send an e-mail to jeffpinzino@gmail.com.
Casual Listening
Extra!
Gilberto Gil on Democracy Now
He’s been a musical innovator, a political prisoner, and is now
Au – Verbs (folk)
Ry Cooder – I, Flathead (rock)
Big Blue Ball – Big Blue Ball (world)
Kutless – To Know That You’re Alive (rock)
Withered – Folie Circulaire (metal)
Amos Lee – Last Days at the Lodge (R&B)
Immortal Technique – The 3rd World (rap)
Given the ridiculous number of reviews already this week, I won’t be writing in detail about any of these. I’m not sure I’d spend money on Au, but it’s a big mind-opener. Ry Cooder is hit and miss space-rockabilly. Big Blue Ball is Peter Gabriel and friends, and is a broad mix of world beat. Kutless is Christian rock that really rocks. Withered is one of the most listenable black metal albums I’ve come across. Amos Lee is notable blues-folk in a Tracy Chapman vein and might have made the list on a slower week. Immortal Technique is revolutionist hip-hop, and whatever you think of his politics, there’s no doubting that he’s part of the minority of rap artists who believe in the power of words.
Killing Karma, Saturday,
Check out some cool alternative metal at the Elbo Room in
Casual Listening
a review of cool new music
by Jeff Pinzino
* Niyaz – Nine Heavens (world)
Global goth with Indian and Persian flair (remember the oud lesson from last week?). Imagine a Bollywood film scored by Dead Can Dance, and you’ll be in Niyaz’ magic neighborhood. This is 21st century music for ecstatic dancing.
* Dr. John – City That Care Forgot (funk)
Masterful party-time
* Crooked Still – Still Crooked (bluegrass)
A bluegrass-inspired lineup playing beautiful, non-traditional folk. You’ll hear fiddle and killer banjo rub shoulders with cello and expressive alto vocals and duets. For those still mourning the loss of Nickel Creek, Crooked Still is your rebound band.
* Watermelon Slim – No Paid Holidays (blues)
Watermelon Slim is one of the freshest voices in blues today, and this album shows he just keeps getting better. Screaming slide guitar and dastardly harmonica drive a blues-rock sound that brings the essence of the blues into unconventional jams. Add to this the absolutely transcendent acoustic track “This Traveling Life,” and you’ve got a must-hear blues album.
Sigur Rós – Med Sud I Eyrum Vid Spilum Endalaust (rock)
The dulcet, ethereal tones that have endeared this band to the indie scene are here, but jolted to life with a mix of songs that verge on peppy. The translated title captures a piece of it: “With a buzz in our ears we play endlessly.” Put away your Coldplay album, and try on something more…well…Icelandic.
Seun Kuti and Fela’s
Big brass over driving percussion is the essence of Afrobeat, the influential jazz-pop form created by Fela Kuti, Seun’s father. Seun inherited the bandleader role in his dad’s band, and delivers a set of definitively thick grooves that would make Fela proud.
Eliza Carthy – Dreams of Breathing Underwater (rock)
Carthy brings a harder edge to the British folk-rock scene of which her parents were key figures a generation ago. Bold but tender vocals spin vivid ballads across a broad array of traditional and modern instruments, including violin, flute, electric guitar, and plenty of concertina accordion.
T-Model Ford – Jack Daniel Time (blues)
Just an old man with a guitar and a lifetime of hard living he channels into his music. Ford does blues standards plugged into an amp that sounds as old as he is, with a band that provides a minimum of adornment. If Lightnin’
Be Your Own Pet – Get Dangerous (rock)
This EP consists of the three songs this band’s label thought were too edgy to put on BYOP’s latest album. Biting, punk-inspired tunes with gutsy female vocals and over-the-top vengeful lyrics that rewrite the yearbook on high school angst. I’d happily take these three songs over the full-length release.
In The Blog: Gilberto Gil on Democracy Now, Ry Cooder, Peter Gabriel’s new project, and many more.
* highly recommended
! highest recommendation
Check out the blog at http://casuallistening.blogspot.com . To subscribe or unsubscribe, or just to say hi, send an e-mail to jeffpinzino@gmail.com.
Casual Listening
June 20, 2008
Coldplay -- Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends (rock)
What you'd expect from Coldplay, only moreso. Brian Eno's production blunts the soft edges even further, and makes it feel more swirly.
Judas Priest - Nostradamus (rock)
What you'd expect from Spinal Tap, only moreso. A nearly 2-hour metal opera tribute to the great prognosticator. More interesting for the novelty of the project than for the music.
The Briggs -- Come All You Madmen (rock)
The Briggs aren't afraid to wear their influences on their sleeves, and this time they're definitely wearing The Clash. Loud, political lyrics over solid guitar punk. They've got the sound right, and the songs are pretty good, too.
The Mannish Boys - The Supreme Genius of King Khan and the Shrines (blues)
Blues chameleons that echo several different areas of the music's evolution. In their skill and eclecticism, this group most closely resembles Rising Sons, the 60's blues band that launched both Taj Mahal and Ry Cooder. I wouldn't be surprised to be hearing similar accolades for these bluesmen in the years to come.
Dan Tyminski -- Wheels (bluegrass)
If you remember the Soggy Bottom Boys from "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" you'll know Dan Tyminski as the voice grafted onto George Clooney to sing "Man of Constant Sorrow." Tyminski is also know as the lead of Allison Krauss' backup band. his first solo album is Kraussian bluegrass, a slightly airbrushed version of string-band country.
In the blog this week: Coldplay, Judas Priest, The Briggs, The Mannish Boys, Dan Tyminsky
* highly recommended
! highest recommendation
Check out the blog at http://casuallistening.blogspot
Casual Listening
a review of cool new music
by Jeff Pinzino
June 20, 2008
* Kirsten Price - Guts & Garbage (R&B)
The frontwoman for this soul revue has a killer set of pipes. Great backup singers and strong beats give Price's sound a feel like a 21st century Aretha Franklin. Hot!
* Grupo Fantasma - Sonidos Gold (Latin)
The original spirit of salsa -- huge horns, lots of percussion, and a deep groove that the players stretch out in. Music with a funky edge that defies you to sit still.
Amos Hoffman - Evolution (world)
Mavrothi T. Kontanis - Sto Kafaseli Sokaki (world)
This week I've come across not one, but two great albums featuring the Middle Eastern lute instrument called the oud. It's got a more percussive, haunting sound that enhances a variety of folk music. Hoffman is Israeli, and his expressive, minor-key runs are supported by flute and tambourine, bringing together virtuosity and a heritage sound. Kontanis's arrangements of Greek-inspired tunes are supported with more spare arrangements, but are equally illuminating.
King Khan and the Shrines - The Supreme Genius of King Khan and the Shrines (rock)
A dose of Indian kitsch adds a crazy twist to a classic garage rock sound. Shouted lyrics, fuzzy guitars, saxophone, and occasionally spooky organ keep the power chords coming. Barely on the sane side of Screamin' Jay Hawkins.
In the blog this week: Coldplay, Judas Priest, The Briggs, The Mannish Boys, Dan Tyminski
* highly recommended
! highest recommendation
Check out the blog at http://casuallistening.blogspot
Casual Listening
Extra!
! Death Cab for Cutie – Narrow Stairs (rock)
A gorgeous album of bittersweet songs, painstakingly produced using instruments from electric organ to tabla. Boyishly naive vocals add an emotional lift. This one's topping the charts for a reason.
