Casual Listening 7-27-07

Casual Listening

a review of cool new music

by Jeff Pinzino

July 27, 2007

* La Plebe – ¡Hasta La Muerte! (Spanish rock)

Boisterous, political punk-en-español. The lyrics switch back and forth between English and Spanish, but the guitars are so loud you won’t even notice. A horn section opens the throttle even further, to where it’s hard to keep from bouncing around the room while you listen.

* Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Is Is (rock)

Crashing guitar and Patti Smith-inspired vocals drive this EP. Raw production gives the band’s sound a jagged edge. Four out of the five songs here are gems.

Preservation Hall Jazz Band – Made in New Orleans: The Hurricane Sessions (jazz)

America’s best-known traditional jazz band shares some rare tracks salvaged from the studio after the Hurricane, along with a few new recordings. The jazz is hot, but it takes on particular resonance knowing what the people of that city have been through. There’s a whole new level of heartache attached to “Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans?”

Riders in the Sky – Public Cowboy #1: A Centennial Salute to the Music of Gene Autry (country)

Faithful remakes of some great old cowboy tunes. Gene Autry helped put the “western” in country & western, and Riders in the Sky keep the campfire flame alive. Full vocal harmonies, strings, accordion, and even some lightning-fast yodeling characterize these classic arrangements.

* highly recommended

! highest recommendation

Check out the new blog at http://casuallistening.blogspot.com . To subscribe or unsubscribe, or just to say hi, send an e-mail to jeffpinzino@gmail.com.