Chew On This

Instead of twiddling my thumbs and wondering what to post next, I'll just post this. Skip James. You'll never come across another voice quiet like it. Very unique instrument. This is why Youtube is alright by me.

Warm Up From 'Dem Winter Chills

Two things. First, this video clip is ridiculously fantastic. Horace Andy and Josey Wales 'ridding da ridum' in true dancehall fashion. Thing number two. Head over to Pitchfork.tv's One Week Only feature 'Tokion Soundclash' to learn more about the fertile grounds that gave birth to these sounds. And Hurry! Clocks ticking!
Edit: too late :(

Top 9 of '08

Well, you know what they say about opinions. They all stink! But of course we all love our own particular brand of stink. So without further adu, please allow me to throw my own thoughts on top of the smelly heap that is the internet. This year didn't provide the consistency of awesomeness like it's year old sibling '07, but it did offer some tasty treats for those in need. In retrospect, I am glad to say that these albums are not just well crafted but are also just flat out enjoyable. The organization of this list just so happened to end up as a sort of grouping of works. Richman, Dr.Dog, and Little Joy all share a warm, human sensibility in their sound and subject matter. The Walkmen and Beach House both create gorgeous soundscapes that are shrouded with a hint of unsettled eeriness. El Guincho and High Places use layers of sound to weave a wonderful array of textures and color. Wait, can sound have color? I vote yes. And the top two, Thee Oh Sees and Man Man just plain kick ass in a similar no holds barred fashion.
9. Jonathan Richman - Because Her Beauty is Raw and Wild. If the title alone doesn't pique your interest then perhaps you should get to stepping. Jonathan wears his heart on his sleeve at all times and this album is no exception. I've found it a bit dicey navigating his catalogue of work. His stuff from the 80's and early 90's in particular. Some incorporate too much studio embellishment and mask his directness which I find to be his greatest asset. This album does well to present his songs in a style similar to his stage performances and if you haven't seen him live then please put that on your to-do list for '09.
8. Dr. Dog - Fate. Some people hate on these guys for borrowing too much from the bands that inspired them. Elements of The Beatles, The Band, The Beach Boys, or I suppose any other band that begins with a 'B', can be quite easily picked out of any given song. I look at it like this. Yeah, it's true but hey, it sounds great and not a lot of groups can pull that feat off this well. Also, I feel that sometimes originality is given too much significance when considering the validity of certain music. Sure it's great to bring new ideas to the table but sometimes reconfiguring elements from the past in a new light can be just as rewarding. In a way, it's a form of sampling. Besides, if we didn't borrow from the past we'd still be painting in the caves. In the end, it's the songs that matters. And I like their songs.
7. Little Joy - Little Joy. More like... A LOT OF JOY! LoL! But seriously, this stuff is quite pleasant.
6. The Walkmen - You & Me. To be honest, I've never spent much time listening to The Walkmen before this album. I've always known that they were around but never inquired as to much more than that. I'm still too lazy to investigate their previous works but I am grateful to have this record fall into my lap. It's one of those albums that create their own little world that you enjoy stepping back into time and again.
5. Beach House - Devotion. Similar to The Walkmen, 'Devotion' creates it's own space with lovely aching tunes. Sophomore slump need not apply.
4. El Guincho - Alegranza! Okay, some dispute whether or not this is a truly a 2008 release or an '07. To them I say, with all due respect, "shut up stupid face." Some say this album is the work of a latino Panda Bear fan boy. To them I say, "yeah, you're probably right." After all the talking is done and the music is played this record speaks for itself. And it says things like "fun" and "excitement" and I'm okay with that. This guy has great potential.
3. High Places - High Places. This duo road the wave of underground hype before formally releasing their first proper album. Sometimes this can be a curse disguised as a blessing but this seems to be one of those rare cases where all the hoopla is well earned. They deserve all the accolades that they receive for the sweeping beauty of these tracks.
2. Thee Oh Sees - The Master's Bedroom is Worth Spending a Night In. If you've met me or if you have read this blog at some point during the past few months then you know of my undying affection for this band. I said all year that this was going to be my number one choice but I decided against it. Mainly because I feel that these guys have the ability to put out some marvelous work in the near future and I wouldn't want them to hog the top spot for too many years in a row.
1. Man Man - Rabbit Habits. I was fortunate enough to catch their album release show in Philly this past year and it's true what they say. No one puts on a performance like these guys. Wild, zany, passionate. Twist and turns all over. This record showcases all of their finest attributes. Sure they owe a good portion of their sound to the likes of Zappa, Waits, and Cpt. Beefheart but as I mentioned back with the Dr. Dog situation, it's the songs that matter and no other album this year threw in a more ambitious and exciting display than 'Rabbit Habits'.
Man Man - "Top Drawer" (I'm experiencing technical difficulties with getting their mp3 to work. This will suffice.)

Dream Baby Dream

You wouldn't expect a band by the name of 'Suicide' to write an inspirational song... or maybe you would, what do i know.. but here it is. Suicide's 'Dream Baby Dream' or 'Keep Your Dreams' is short on words but high on intensity. Accompanying it here is Bruce Springsteen's take on the song. The two compliment each other well with Suicide's atmospheric haze being displayed along side of Bruce's earthy grit. Suicide's live recording is one case where the crappy video quality of YouTube actually seems to enhance the mood and feel of the video. It looks as though it might of actually been recorded inside of someone's dome piece as they ventured into the land of slumber. And fair warning, Suicide's Alan Vega sneaks up on you... quickly. You'll see.

Hank! Hank! Hank!

There's something about Hank Williams that sets him apart from all other musicians. The way his songs are delivered exudes the sincerity of a long lost friend who has something that they've been meaning to tell you. There's a certain earnestness in his voice that cannot be imitated or feigned. All of these attributes shine through the recent release of previously unreleased recordings found here. This three disc set prominently features songs originally intended for the ears of farmers, small-town merchants, housewives and shut-in's preparing to start their day across rural America. Thanks to a few miracles, these recordings have been saved, preserved, and returned to the masses almost 60 years after the fact. Hank's ascent to stardom at the age of 25 was thanks in large part to the track "Cold, Cold Heart" (found below, along with some others that I dig on). He lived a short life dying at the age of 29 but he has left an indelible mark on the landscape of music.
On a side note: It really irks me when people refer to certain music as being "old" first and foremost. Granted, this music belongs to a period in time that seems distant, but that fact is far down the totem poll of noteworthy characteristics. Music is the product of raw human emotion (when it's done right). Do we also refer to other forms of personal expression as being 'old'. When we laugh or cry do people say, "man, you're being so prehistoric!". My point is that music floats in a space that exists beyond time. Besides, time is only relative. Our own existence is but a slice from the tip of an eyelash. Rant over.

An Ode to Flamenco

To me, flamenco embodies all that is great about music. There's a certain rawness and honesty embedded within its sound. It's exotic and primal. It's human. The guitar strings the beat of the heart and... whoa. I don't think it can be described without waxing all poetic like. I also just developed a sexily mysterious mustache in the process of writing this post. The end.

Made in China

I just happened to stumble across this video recently and have been pretty much watching it on a daily basis ever since. These guys need to tour the states immediately. Notice how they tear the roof off the mother sucker without that aid of electricity. I wonder if this is available as a ring tone...hmmm

What Does Become of the Broken Hearted?

I don't know exactly how it happens. You hear a legendary song throughout the years of your life and perhaps it becomes taken for granted; pushed into the background. Than all of a sudden it comes rushing out towards you as if you've never heard a note of it before. That was the case for me with Jimmy Ruffin's 'What Becomes of the Broken Hearted.' If I had to describe the song in a single word it would be 'massive'. There are just so many beautiful elements to soak in. The horns, the vocals, the lyrics, the passion. Simply massive.

And We Thank You

Got some sad news for fans of all things great. Alton Ellis has moved on to the big dance hall in the sky. Luckily for us he was kind enough to leave behind some righteous tunes that help make this world a little bit more special. He is often times regarded as the "Godfather of Rocksteady". Rocksteady was a relatively short lived genre but it's impact on music is historic. It cooled down the up tempo sound of ska, setting the stage for the inception of reggae (which is also referred to in certain circles as "that stuff Bob Marley played"). It has a distinctive motown flavor that often times sang of love and protest. The following tracks were all taken from the record "I’m Still in Love With You". It has some great songs on it that he sang with his sister Hortense Ellis. R.I.P. Alton.

Just Max

I'm not quite sure what realm this was recorded in. What with the late Max Roach being encased in an angelic glow while being surrounded by a deep black void of space. There's something mesmerizing about the simplicity of the situation. You get the sense that there is a deep communication being witnessed.

Norma Frazer

This is a beautiful rendition of Cat Stevens "The First Cut is the Deepest" by Norma Frazer. I first heard this cover on the Studio One comp Full Up: More Hits from Studio One. I don't know much about the singer but at least we have this. So hit play and get hypnotized by the spinning groove.

Two Guys Singing a Hank Williams Song

It seems so surreal. Bob Dylan. Johnny Cash. Together. The music. The stories. Did this really happen? It's kinda like walking into a diner and seeing Batman and Superman just hanging out together, sipping on a cup of joe or maybe seeing Jesus ride a dinosaur or something. And yet here it is. It's like a wonderful dream realized.

Thee Oh Sees

That was a little snippet from the recent CD/DVD release "Thee Hounds of Foggy Notion" by Thee Oh Sees. This limited edition package features live takes shot in and around semi-remote locations scattered about their home base of San Francisco. It also includes some humorous scenes with the band thrown in there for good measure. Banter amongst the group and timely quips. Things of that sort. You know, just kicking it and such. The band's originator, John Dwyer, serves as the groups nucleus. His past credentials are too numerous to list here so just look here instead. (Do check out Coachwhips). Thee Oh Sees have gone through various incarnations in their brief history and not just in name alone. From OSC, to the Oh Sees, the Ohsees, and now finally as Thee Oh Sees. The former OSC originated as a bedroom project for Dwyer's sound experiments but it has evolved over time from that, to freak folk, to it's current form as a full fledged band that creates a sweet brew of psychedelic tinged garage rock. The majority of tracks on "Thee Hounds of..." are a bit more akin to their work prior to their latest effort, “The Master’s Bedroom…”. Here's a side-by-side comparison that does a better job of illustrating their sounds evolution. More so atleast than whatever generic genre terminology I can dish out. And in case you were wondering… no, the drummers expression never changes. Ever.

That Straight Natch'l Blues

I recently picked up a tasty nugget of bluesy goodness in the form of Fat Possum Records "the George Mitchell Collection". This colossal set features 45 bluesmen and women, each donating two, three, or four songs a piece. Clocking in at the 8 hour mark, this 174 track bonanza offers a variety of rural simplicity that is brimming with passion, joy, and sorrow (and at under $45 it's quite the bargain). I tried to provide a proper swath of what this set has to offer but it's been a difficult task to narrow the field down to just a few songs. Never the less, here are a few that I found particularly appealing. The last two are perhaps more indebted towards traditional gospel than that of "the devil's music". The final track by Robert Johnson (no, not that Robert Johnson) wastes no time in bursting out as a ritualistic chant that stirs the soul. Ready?

Stone Cold Groove Exemplified.

Fuck an ABAB song structure. Just play this riff till the end of time and then hit repeat. In case you've never been formally introduced to the infinite force that is Serge Gainsbourg.... here you go. The clip you just clicked was taken from the 1968 French film titled Le Pacha. Serge was quite the eccentric character in his day and has firmly established icon status in his native land of France. His lyrical prowess is supposedly second to none but I could never tell ya cause I can't understand a damn word he's saying! Speak the queens english or GTFO! Anyway, his musical styling ranged through out his career from jazz to ballads.... and there was also some mambo, lounge, reggae, pop (including adult contemporary pop, kitsch pop, yé-yé pop, '80s pop, pop-art pop, prog pop, space-age pop, psychedelic pop, and erotic pop), disco, calypso, Africana, bossa nova, and rock and roll. Basically any genre that Allmusic.com has to offer. I am not well versed on his entire catoluge but I can say with confidence that this live album is absolute quality. Straight loungy blues sex appeal. Oh yeah, almost forgot. This also happened. Cheers!