Category Archives: Album of the Week

Hot and Bothered by the Handsome Furs

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“Evangeline“:

The Handsome Furs finally made their way to San Francisco this week and, well…this was pretty much what the show was like – HOT! Their energy, connection, passion and performance on stage was raw and magnetic. The husband and wife duo bared it all for the audience (figuratively speaking), pouring their souls into their music and each other, feeding one another into a frenzy and into heaps on the floor several times throughout the night.

There were moments when I thought Alexi Perry was going to dive through her drum machine back into the Matrix, only to be brought back from the edge by the dashing Dan Boeckner’s embrace and kiss. For real, people! It was truly amazing and inspiring to watch two people so connected and effusive. If it wasn’t rock and roll it might have even been a little sappy. 

Oh, and I haven’t even talk about the music yet.  I love these guys and have been remiss for not featuring their new album, Face Control, on this site yet.  It’s sure to be on my top album list of 2009.  Just like their sleeper debut Plague Park was in 2007.  Face Control is definitely more upbeat and dancey, likely inspired by their romp through the clubs of Eastern Europe.  Boeckner’s straightforward rock and songwriting shine in this album. as it does in his work with Wolf Parade. I’ll take him over Spencer Krug any day.

Grizzly Bear’s Veckatimest is Far From Hype

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Grizzly Bear, “Ready, Able“:

I had been hearing the hype on Grizzy Bear’s Veckatimest all year long. After being force fed tracks like ‘Cheerleader’ and ‘Two Weeks’ for months upon end, I wasn’t quite convinced of all the hullabaloo. Then I saw them perform at the Central Presbyterian Church in Austin, TX at SXSW this year and I became a believer. Having the foresight to arrive at the church a good three performances before the show, I was one of the lucky disciples to make it in.  Inside this cozy little chapel, we all sat silently and squished in our pews anxiously awaiting what would be our first full drink of their forthcoming album, Veckatimest.  

The band, and the setting, did not disappoint.  Not by a long shot.  Watching the band at the altar, with the setting sun glowing through the stained glass windows while the angelic harmonies of Ed Droste and Daniel Rossen floated up through the arches of the church was both heavenly and transcendental.  I had goosebumps the entire time.  I was especially moved during the track ‘Ready, Able’.  Something about the haunting orchestral arrangement of that song just gets me every single time. It’s by far my favorite on the album and the refrain, “They go we go, I want you to know,what I did” has been permanently etched in my brain.

That performance was the highlight of SXSW and one of my most memorable so far this year.  And hearing the album unfold in all of it’s haunting beauty, beyond the chamber pop appeal of tracks like ‘Two Weeks’, made me a convert. It is really that good and entirely worthy of the praise, and your attention.

Grizzly Bear will be performing two nights at The Fillmore in San Francisco this month, June 21 and 22, with Here We Go Magic. A great line up.  Get tickets while they last.

Album of the Week: Band of Skulls

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Artist: Band of Skulls
Album: Baby Darling Doll Face
File Under: Indie Rock
Recommended if You Like: The Kills, anything Jack White influenced – White Stripes, Raconteurs, Dead Weather
Featured Tracks:

“I Know What I Am”:

Boy, catching up on the mountains of email in my mailbox really paid off this weekend.  Namely in the discovery of this hot little London-based three piece calling themselves Band of Skulls and their debut album, Baby Darling Doll Face Honey.  It’s been on heavy rotation ever since.  Their sound smacks heavily of that stripped down garage rock sound, tinged with a little of that 70s inspired rock vibe I love so much.  And the vocal play between Russell Marsden (guitar & vocals), Emma Richardson (bass & vocals) definitely evoke images of not only the White Stripes but also Jack White’s new venture, Dead Weather, featuring The Kills’ vocalist Allison Mosshart.   Especially on tracks like ‘Death by Diamonds and Pearls‘, ‘I Know What I Am’ and ‘Blood’.

Luckily for all of us San Franciscans, Band of Skulls will be performing at this week’s The Rumble on June 3 at Harlot.  Oh, and did I mention it’s free?  Just RSVP here.

Album of the Week: Cymbals Eat Guitars

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Artist: Cymbals Eat Guitars
Album: Why There Are Mountains
File Under: Indie Rock
Recommended if You Like: Pavement, Built to Spill meets The Polyphonic Spree
Featured Tracks:

“And the Hazy Sea”

One of the drawbacks of travel when you’re a music snob is losing control of your musical destiny.  Such was the case the other day as we were sailing around the Aegean Sea being force fed hefty doses of Cheap Trick. (By the way, if that’s the worst form of suffering I have to endure on this trip, I’ll take it.) After the third listen, I couldn’t help help but kindly suggest that maybe the captain might like this new band called Cymbals Eat Guitars?  The band name is certainly kick ass enough for his classic rock sensibilities anyway.  And their sound kind of has that Cheap Trick meets Polyphonic Spree meets Built to Spill vibe.

I don’t know if he’ll follow up on that suggestion but he should.  Cymbals Eat Guitars’ debut release Why There Are Mountains is likely one of the best ‘Indie’ releases this year.  And I say Indie in the true sense of the word because the album was actually independently released.  I’ve been listening to it repeatedly on this trip and it’s really grown on me.  A real grower, not a shower as they say.  This is indie rock at it’s finest, folks. Their songs are ambitious and epic (most tracks clocking in at more than 5 minutes each), with waves of smashing guitars and distortion that ebb and flow as effortlessly as the Agean Sea we’re sailing on.  Brilliant.

Album of the Week: Jeremy Jay – “Slow Dance”

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Artist: Jeremy Jay
Album: Slow Dance
File Under: Indie Pop
Recommended if You Like: Early Bowie meets Jonathon Richman
Featured Tracks: “In This Lonely Town”

While on holiday in Greece, nothing has bridged the gap for me musically better than Jeremy Jay.  It’s just the right mix of down tempo electro pop fitting for the sunny Mediterranean climes I’m inhabiting at the moment, and the perfect transition from the Euro electro madness I’m assaulted with on a daily basis.

Described by Pitchfork as “the type of guy who tours with Deerhunter but covers Madonna,” Jay’s latest album, Slow Dance, is disco done right.  With just the right touch of that 80s synth, early Bowie sound, it really is the perfect album for my European vacation – cool and sexy. Listening to it is comfortably familiar and, just like the soundtrack of  a John Hughes film, it nails my ethos perfectly.

Obits – I Blame You

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Artist: Obits
Album: I Blame You
File Under: Garage Punk
Recommended if You Like:  Drive Like Jehu, Hot Snakes
Featured Tracks: 

“Pine On”:

Meet Obits, the latest musical incarnation for the creative force known as Rick Froberg (Drive Like Jehu, Hot Snakes). I Blame You is the band’s first album and I have to say – I like this band, I really, really do.  Even more so after seeing them live at SXSW.  Their sound is raw and adrenaline inducing.  It’s the kind of music you want to put on when you need a kick in the ass, or are getting ready to kick some.  As of late it’s been my de facto wake up and go album. Better than two cups of coffee…and much healthier.

Do not miss them live.  They are on tour supporting their new release now and will be playing San Francisco’s Bottom of the Hill on May 20.

Speck Mountain – Some Sweet Relief

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Artist: Speck Mountain
Album: Some Sweet Relief
File Under: Dream Rock
Recommended if You Like:  Neko Case, Mazzy Star, Cat Power
Featured Tracks: 

“I Feel Eternal”:

Have you met your musical soul mate yet? Karl Briedrick and Marie-Claire Balabanian of Speck Mountain have – each other. Self-described “musical soul mates,” Briedrick and Balabanian write as a team, communicating in intuitive, womb-curled melody, exploded texture and spiky rhythm.  

Their new album, Some Sweet Relief, is atmospheric, sexy, headphone hypnotica – or ambient soul as the duo likes to classify it.  A fitting sound for the theme of their latest effort, which is about desire and fidelity. Balabanian has a beautiful voice with a timbre very much like that of Neko Case – a sleepier, sexed up version of her. It’s a great late night listen, especially on such a sultry evening as tonight where ‘Some Sweet Relief’ from this heat would be nice.  Time to check out and tune in.

Here’s the video for “Angela“.

My Own Personal Jesus

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Artist: Dan Auerbach
Album: Keep It Hid
File Under: Vintage Blues Rock
Recommended if You Like:  The Black Keys, Heartless Bastards, The Raconteurs
Featured Tracks: “The Prowl”

If Clapton is God, then Dan Auerbach is Jesus Christ.  That’s what all the comments on my YouTube video say anyway, about a posting I made of a recent live performance of him covering The Animals “Inside Looking Out”. “Dan Auerbach is the Jesus Christ of all musicians….the man is THE KING……JESUS CHRIST, WHAT A VOICE!”   

And the comments just keep coming. I’ve been a longtime fan of The Black Keys so word of Dan’s new solo effort had me hot and bothered for months. But you never know how these solo gigs are going to go.  I had to see it, touch it, feel it to believe it.  Fortunately I had the chance to do so, right after his debut album (Keep It Hid) released, at Bimbos in San Francisco.  Without a doubt it was one of the best live shows of the year. One that has fueled my first, full-fledged musical obsession for 2009.  So much so that I have officially baptized myself to the Church of Dan.  

Is Jesus Christ going too far?  I don’t know, but it is Easter Sunday and he’s certainly a legend in the making. And quite frankly with the impressive body of work he’s generated recently, it’s hard to argue. In early 2008 he gave us the acclaimed album Attack & Release with The Black Keys, later that year they released a DVD Live at The Crystal Ballroom, then just months later his solo album Keep It Hid was unveiled – followed by an extensive tour that rolls right into another Black Keys tour.  Whew!  Call him whatever you want, but Dan is most definitely the man right now.

The Black Keys perform at the new Fox Theater in Oakland, Saturday April 18.

Album of the Week: Iran – Dissolver

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Artist: Iran
Album: Dissolver
File Under: Lo-Fi Indie Rock
Recommended if You Like:  Pavement, Elliott Smith, Brian Wilson, Sebadoh, TVOTR
Featured Tracks: “I Can See the Future”, “Buddy“

“I Can See The Future”:

“Buddy“:

“Somehow they all got it wrong/ and they all seem to like it that way/ I let it go on too long/ and I forgot what I really meant to say/ and it feels like I’m lying/ and I don’t even know the truth….”

No doubt about it, the Buddy EP hooked me on Iran.  The combination of  Kyp Malone’s  (of TV on the Radio) masterful guitar work and the pathos laden lyrics of frontman Aaron Aites works for me – utterly and completely.  I wouldn’t call Iran a side project however, this band is actually a pre-cursor to TVOTR.  Dissolver is their third release and is fairly classic in it’s construction – catchy, melodramatic pop-tinged lyrics dragged through lots of rock swagger.  Very reminiscent of Pavement, which is perhaps why I like it so much.  They’re not breaking any barriers with their sound here, but the familiarity feels really, really good. 

“Buddy” is certainly a stand out track for me.  To say I’m obsessed with it is an understatement.  “Airport ’79”, (reportedly an epilogue of sorts to John Lennon’s “Airport ’77”) is another excellent song  that’s been stuck in my head all week with it’s distorted, fuzzy guitar and catchy refrain ‘you won’t know who I am/ ’cause you don’t know who I am’.  Much of the album has that ballad-like quality which showcases Aaron Aites true lyrical talent.  It’s lovely.

Papercuts – You Can Have What You Want

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Artist: Papercuts
Album: You Can Have What You Want
File Under: Lo-Fi Indie Pop
Recommended if You Like: Beach House, Grizzly Bear, Vetiver
Featured Tracks: “Future Primitive”

Really?  I can have what I want?  I thought the saying was you can’t always get what you want.  But if the former is the case, I’ll take a walk in closet please.  And $10 million dollars.  Yep, I think that’ll do.

I guess that’s the difference between me and Jason Quever, the mastermind behind San Francisco’s Papercuts.  I grew up middle class bourgeois; he was raised on a commune in Humboldt County, orphaned, then wandered the West Coast before calling San Francisco home.  Knowing that will give you some insight into his music. Jason is an analog guy living in a digital world – using vintage organs and 4 track tapes to create that  hazy, lo-fi, dream-pop sound of a bygone era.  “Future Primitive” is an apt description.  Headphone heaven is the end result.

You Can Have What You Want is Papercuts third album, due out April 17. (Thanks AG for the advance!) Be sure to catch their April 24 record release show with the Finches and Cryptacize at Cafe du Nord in San Francisco.