Extra 9-12-08

Casual Listening

Extra!

September 12, 2008

More Women Rock

It's remarkable that all the top picks this week come from women, or in the case of Horse Feathers, a band that includes women. Even more remarkable is all the notable ones that didn't make the list. A quick roundup:

Jessica Simpson – Do You Know (country) She can really sing country! An assist from Dolly Parton doesn't hurt.

Joan Baez – Day After Tomorrow (folk) Despite the fact that her voice makes anything sound good, her sound continues to be pitched to an aging demographic. What Joan needs is a Rick Rubin/Johnny Cash-style makeover, or an album of duets with Ani DiFranco.

Dar Williams – Promised Land (folk) At the Otis Elevator Factory, baby elevators are lining up to be the first to play this album while making long, placid trips from floor to floor.

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Girl Talk – Feed The Animals(dance) I'm the last critic to review this one, but it's worth the pay-what-you-want fee to get it. With over 900 samples of recognizable songs, it's like a giant game of "Where's Waldo"

I Am Three (rock) The self-described "acoustic power duo" puts out a compelling mix of jazz and rap anchored in a folk-rock sound. Strong vocals make compelling listening for an unconventional but effective fusion. Self-released on MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/jesuistrois