Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Morning Drive - September 29, 2010


I've been a huge fan of indie pop legends Belle and Sebastian for years now.  But just recently did I allow myself to explore their new millenium catalog.  1990's B&S has always been great music for any mood, and I will always hold those albums in the highest regard.  Now that I've spent some time with the newer, "shinier" records, I have come to appreciate the Scottish duo in a completely different capacity. 

The Life Pursuit consumed most of my drive this morning, and I loved every minute of it.  I am still caught slightly off guard by "Song for Sunshine" though; I'll admit.  It sounds like something that danced right out of an episode of The Electric Company.

Will we ever see another B&S offering that wears its Nick Drake influences on its sleeve?  It doesn't look that way.  But if they keep recording Kinks and early Billy Joel style tunes, I'll continue to listen.

Monday, September 27, 2010

First Impression: Sufjan Stevens - The Age of Adz


2010 has been a great year.  New releases from Arcade Fire, The National, The Tallest Man On Earth, Josh Ritter, Band Of Horses, New Pornographers and Jimmy Eat World have all hit the shelves (or virtual shelves) this year.  However, the artist that I've longed for new material from the most might just be Sufjan Stevens.

I won't go into the utter brilliance of 2005's Come On Feel the Illinoise! here, as I could write all day on that very subject.  Let's just say that it made a fan out of me.  And then, low and behold, Sufjan releases an EP (an hour long EP at that) and a full-length in 2010.  Pure joy.

The All Delighted People EP had a little bit to love for every Sufjan fan.  Long, sweeping epics bookend the more traditional examples of acoustic balladry that originally drew me to the man from Michigan.  Needless to say, this EP delivered the goods and had me even more excited for the soon to be released full-length The Age of Adz.

This is where this entry might get confusing, as I haven't quite wrapped my head around this work after just one measly listen.  No banjo?  Where are the organic ballads?  What's with all of this electronic glitchery?  There aren't even any geographical landmarks being discussed here.  Well, maybe one. 

Wow.  Well let me tell you what I do hear.  I hear some Kid A in here.  I hear my friends making fun of me for liking that there's some Kid A in here.  I hear some Flaming Lips.  I hear some stuff that sounds like it jumped out of an 8-bit NES cartridge.  I hear the Sufjan standard orchestral trills.  I hear some Prince-worthy guitar work.  I hear an album that is often beautiful and never boring. 

I thought it took me a while to embrace the intricacies of Illinoise.  Adz will probably take longer.  I will say, however, that getting past the fact that the folksy balladeer has traded in his weathered acoustic for cold dials, switches and keys is going to be easier than I anticipated.  Be sure to check back for the "Ten Spins Later" feature on this album.

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Morning Drive - September 23, 2010


In Texas, you don't normally start feeling the cool crisp breezes of fall until well into October or even November.  On this particular morning, however, I could almost hear leaves crunching under foot as I listened to the most recent EP from The Tallest Man On Earth.  I can't quite put my finger on the reason as to why the acoustic (and in the case of one track here, electric!) strummings of Kristian Matsson seem to remind me of autumn.  The cover art even seems to depict a spring or summer setting.  Perhaps it is the organic and raw quality of the music.  As in his prior works, simple melodies along with vivid lyricism draw me in.  As usual, I feel like I should be wearing flannel or a hoodie.

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Review: Jenny and Johnny - I'm Having Fun Now

August 31,2010
Warner Bros.

Rating:  6.8/10

Jenny Lewis, known mostly as the charismatic eye/ear candy songstress from Rilo Kiley, lends her versatile talents to a project simply titled "Jenny and Johnny."  The other half of this pop rock duo is Jenny's former touring buddy and current love interest, Jonathan Rice.

Rice supported Lewis on her 2009 Acid Tongue tour.  Bus rides, hotel downtime, and backstage jam sessions seemed to have supplied an ample slate for the creation of this rather enjoyable album.  Handily crafted pop tunes with Byrds-esque harmonies and surf's up style guitar melodies drive across a consistently pleasant plane that lasts just long enough to cover my morning commute (if I hit play after a fill-up at QT). 

For my tastes, I'd prefer a little more Jenny and a little less Johnny.  Their voices blend well though, and there is a tangible chemistry that comes across in the music.  Airy and accessible, there's not a lot here to break down any walls into unchartered musical playgrounds.  Taken for what it is though, no shame should be felt while singing along to the infectious "Big Wave" or the unshakeable "Just Like Zeus."

Fans of past works take caution.  There are no twins singing back-up here, and the partnership with the dude from Salute Your Shorts has been placed on indefinite haitus.  This Jenny is more Stevie, less Loretta.  Past moments of smokey solitude disappear as if someone cranked the windows down on a classic Mustang bound for the PCH.  As much as I would like to have seen Johnny in the backseat again, he's apparently called shotgun.  But hey, Jenny's happy and having fun now.  Who are we to judge?

http://www.jennyandjohnnymusic.com/
Jenny And Johnny on Facebook
Buy on Amazon

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Welcome.

Completely new to the blog world, I intend to add a bit of flavor to your day through a series of music related tidbits.  Content will vary based on mood, season, and the time I have available to write.  I look forward to stomping out a few tracks into this previously blank canvas of snow.