Simple Sounds of the World

Person to Person - Foreign Born

David Byrne is the king of mixing elements of world music and generating expert skilled pop miracles. Foreign Born have taken the success of recent upstarts such as Vampire Weekend and Ra Ra Riot to heart, embracing the sounds of African Pop music and reinterpreting it into their own. The difference and success here falls with the efforts of the band to hop around to more than one continent. Sounds come from South America, the islands and they mix healthy doses of folksy guitars to round it all out. At times they sound clean and tight like a post punk 80's collaboration; say Aha etc., and at times they dabble with the workings of something more accustomed to say String Cheese Incident. It actually sounds a whole heck of a lot better than I just described it.

The overall sound of the album does drone a tad and tracks wash into one another at times but it stands strong as a complete piece of work. Blood Oranges, the opening track is solid as are the first few songs, but when you reach Winter Games you realize this isn't just another indie band to toss into the mix as the decade ends. They are sincere contenders. Not bent on blowing you away with a single or riding the hottest trend, the skills displayed here indicate a band ready to ride it out for a while and win over fans one by one until the collective ear pays attention and recognizes how good this all is.

Rating:

Move through the room like ambulance drivers

Beck is becoming a bit of a generation next David Byrne; changing his hair styles so many times now... While Jack White has barely taken a moment to breathe in the last year producing, recording, touring and managing a label and a new store, his pal Beck is taking time to reflect and enjoy himself.

The Beck website has never been a perfect machine, often more confusing to navigate than needed, but now Beck is presenting the basics. Good content, easy access.

For the past few weeks Beck has been inviting friends to swing by the studio and record a one time recording of a famous album. Nigel Godrich (the mastermind behind a few recordings from the likes of Beck, Radiohead, U2, Pavement and Paul McCartney) has his hands in the mix, recording, producing and contributing. So far the debut from The Velvet Underground and Nico is the album of choice and some interesting work has come from it.

Record Club: Velvet Underground & Nico 'Waiting for My Man' from Beck Hansen on Vimeo.

Beck also is trying his hand as a DJ. Stream the funky beats of No. 1 Autobahn Hologram from the Planned Obsolescence series, a real treat for avid Beck fans as it is quick to see where he draws from and the arrangements that work in his head.

Finally, he is conducting interviews know as Irrelevant Topics. Posted of late is Tom Waits x Beck Hansen : Part 1 of an interview with Tom Waits, and I must say it is everybit as interesting as you might think that should be.

Beck is Beck.

Bright Is the Music

Dark Was the Night - Various Artists (all super duper cool indie acts though)


Dark Was the Night has been getting plenty of Internet buzz and rightly so, it's practically a attendance sheet for who's attending the "in scene" for 2009 indie music. There is plenty of new material here from the standard bands in the business, most of which is really damn good. There's the whole notion of this being a charitable album as well, so that gives it even more credence.

The album is produced by Aaron and Bryce Dressner of the National in association with the founder of the Red Hot Organization. The sweep of styles and approaches makes for a compelling listen that doesn't drag or lull ever. The songs are interesting in structure, length, originality and feel. The title comes from an old Blind Willie Johnson tune, which is featured on the album, along with several other covers and remakes.

The bands seem be having fun with themselves, pushing creative limits and breaking out of the shell of writing songs for an album, rather a stand alone track to can just let loose.

Since it's a compilation it is difficult to rate the album as a whole, not just to those artists that blow the door off the hinge and those that played it safe. So, in just accreditation, I am reviewing each track with a few words and a * to ***** ranking. * of course being the opposite of *****, which is of course awesome. I'll review the most worthy tracks.

Knotty Pine - Dirty Projectors and David Byrne: From the onset you realize this album is taking itself seriously and putting forth real music from eltie artists. Knotty Pine is one of the strongest tracks on the album. I'm not overly familiar with DP but they have certain sensibilities that flush up perfectly with King Bynre. ****

Cello Song - The Books featuring Jose Gonzalez: Playful pop tune that works well with the vibe of the album, I like this track more with each listen. the vocals are crisp and rolling. ***

Train Song - Feist + Ben Gibbard (DCFC): Great rendition of this x song. Feist just has such a beautiful voice, soulful and smart with the right amount of lift. Ben does a great job of balancing, but his voice has grown raspier of late, lost are the sweet whisper tunes of DCFC. ****

Brackett, WI - Bon Iver: Bon Iver is going to have a big year, very big. He has a formula and it simply works. The more ghostly his vocals the more endearing the song. The arrangement on this track keeps the song progressing at a great tempo. ***

Deep Blue Sea - Grizzly Bear: Dude just has perfect lyrics. Dark, swelling, moody song. ***

So Far Around the Bend - The National: They took pride with this project and lay down one of it's top tracks. Man this band just gets better with time. The brass is a wonderful delight of an addition to their sound. Lyrically, The National's songs tell the best narrative and dig deeper into characters than anyone out there. *****

Tightrope - Yeasayer: Another band ready for a big year. This song is phenomenal. Love what these guys have going on, there sound is unique but so catchy. *****

I Was Young When I Left Home - Antony + Bryce Dessner (the National): Antony's voice is magic. Beautiful song, reminds me a lot of Richard Thompson. ****

You Are the Blood - Sufjan Stevens: WOW. This song is epic. Sufjan has been out of my loop for some time but I am more than intrigued after this winner. Possibly the best track this album has to offer. *****

Well-Alright - Spoon: Spoon simply never disappoints me. Perfect pop. This tune hags with my all day, great sound for him and I love the heavier layered guitar work. *****

El Caporal - My Morning Jacket: I've come to complete terms with this band, they are doing exactly what they want and be it great it not it always sounds swell. Just a fun song, that isn't over the top as some of Evil's tracks. ***

The rest:
Feeling Good - My Brighest Diamond ***
Dark Was the Night - Kronos Quartet ***
Big Red Machine - Justin Vernon (Bon Iver) + Aaron Dressner (the National) ***
Sleepless - the Decemberists ***
(Die) - Iron and Wine ****
Service Bell - Grizzly Bear + Feist
Lenin - Arcade Fire ***
Inspiration Information - Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings ***
With a Girl Like You - David Sitek (TV on the Radio) ***
Blood Pt. 2 - Buck 65 (remix) featuring Sufjan Stevens and Serengeti ****
Hey, Snow White - the New Pornographers ***
Gentle Hour - Yo La Tengo **
Another Saturday - Stuart Murdoch **
Happiness - Riceboy Sleeps ***
Amazing Grace - Cat Power and Dirty Delta Blues **
The Giant of Illinois - Andrew Bird ***
Lua - Conor Oberst and Gillian Welch ***
When the Road Runs Out - Blonde Redhead + Devastations **
Love vs. Porn - Kevin Drew *

Overall, would have been an insane single album, songs on the second disc begin to loose me, but all are worth a listen. Clear that these artists were looking to impress/inspire one another as well. Great compilation.

ROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's here, the initial lineup. I am going this year if it takes all I've got to get there.

Ther have been a lot of rumors and false posters making there way around the information superhighway the last few weeks, but the core stayed true; PHISH will headline two nights (F-YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!) and Bruce and the Late Night TV emsemble band will headline the final night (snooze, if it's anything like the Super Bowl I'll be in the early exit line headed home).

Have to say I am pumped about PHISH, perfect festival band for Bonnaroo, I've always felt like this fest was built for Phish, they've just had to deal with WSP for years until this day came. From there the list gets very interesting. I've seen the Beastie Boys twice now, once at the Gwinnet Civic Arena outside Atl, freak nasty production and then most recently saw them at a tiny venue in Charlotte, very different feel, like what the old club shows must have been like. This will be a great part of the fest, hope they jam out a lot. NIN has potential to be a sick latenight show, as does Paul Oakenfold. David Byrne returns, and after his recent Charlotte show I am amped to hear him again sporting more of his solo work from the last 10yrs or so. Wilco, been a long time since I've seen them, an outdoor fest seems the ideal way to get back into this band. AL GREEN! Makeout session. Erykah Badu, very cool. The Mars Volta should be nasty in their Roo return. TV on the Radio will be a must see for me. From there some of my fav acts scatter the field; Andrew Bird, Band of Horses, The Decemberists, Girl Talk, Bon Iver, Bela Fleck, Rod and Gab, Galactic, Del Mc, ANIMAL COLLECTIVE!!!, Santogold, Grizzly Bear, Crystal Castles, Brett Dennen(fills the Jack void), Elvis Perkins in Dearland, YEASAYER, Delta Spirit....can't wait to see who else will be added. Lot of great names here.



Looking forward to this!

5 ALBUMS YOU’VE PROBABLY NEVER HEARD, BUT SHOULD

Marquee Moon – Television

In the heyday of post-punk and pre art rock of New Wave there were a handful of bands making music that mattered, the rest were overdubbing synthesizers and buying hairspray by the truckload. These visionaries formed a cult of sorts and they held their chapter meetings the in sacred CBGB in NYC. Alongside Talking Heads, The Ramones and Blondie, Television was creating a sound that would surpass the next generation of music alluding its due respect and understanding until the 80’s had all but passed and grunge cast its sulky shadow. Marquee Moon is filled with epic songs that believe in the power of real chord progression, the coolness of punk and the smarts of underground New York. Although never reaching the commercial success of it contemporaries, Television masterminded the transition from punk to pop, without ever writing a pop song. Named among Rolling Stone’s Greatest albums ever made, Marquee Moon is mostly unheard by those outside ‘the know.’ Modern groups such as My Morning Jacket pay homage to the band, but it is a crime that these fellas aren’t heard more.

Standout tracks: Marquee Moon (some of the most powerful, yet simplistic guitar work recorded), Venus and Friction

An Acoustic Evening – David Byrne and Richard Thompson

I really cannot recall how I stumbled across this recording and I have yet to find it again, which frustrates me to the nth degree as I have lost many of the tracks. Post Talking Heads, David Byrne began to explore even deeper into his quest of integrating World music into pop music. He spent time in Africa and Asia learning the basic sounds of the cultures, something that would later inspire Paul Simon to record one of the greatest albums ever in Graceland. When he returned home he spent most of his time with friend and creative accomplice Brian Eno creating a myriad of recordings for the likes of Twyla Twarp and the New Wave culture. But here we find Byrne stripped down of the worldly percussions and complex song arrangements. We find him in a comfortable setting with one of the more underrated guitar players to ever pick up the instruments, a man with an engrossing voice and penmanship of Townes Van Zant, Richard Thompson. The album highlights recordings from both artisits, creating a unique blend of styles that taken out of the context of this recording would seem unfitting. Songs like Psycho Killer sound amazing taken down a time without any additional backup than a acoustic guitar and the voice of a legend. Despite my obsession with David Byrne and Heads (my favorite concert) I have to admit Richard Thompson steals the show and does so with a tune I had only previously heard from The Del McCoury Band in 1952 Vicent Black Lightning, aside from U2’s One, this is the only love song that actually plays out with sincerity and anguish.

Standout tracks: I Feel So Good, Road to Nowhere, 1952 Vincent Black Lightning

Sharpen Your Teeth – Ugly Casanova

He was booed off stage more than once and most kids thought the band sucked, flooding the Modest Mouse fan club with requests to find a better opening band. The dark, mysterious folkster stayed the course and finished out the tour and even cut a record deal, which in retrospect shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise considering it was Issac Brock’s project band. How the lead singer for Modest Mouse could sneak on and off stage as the front man for Ugly Casanova and no one noticed is beyond me, but I love that he did it. Supported, as much on lore as actual quality of recording, Sharpen Teeth is not an amazing album, its really not even that great, but it is worth a listen. I don’t hold back when it comes to praising Modest Mouse, there is just something about their work that grabs me. Maybe it’s the quirky song structures, the mixing of acoustic and electric instrumentation playing side by side with two sets of blasting percussion. I guess I really do know what it is though, it’s Brock and the way he delivers his words in a cadence, talk-like manner and he does it with some of the finest lyrics ever written, something often overlooked with this band. Ugly is all that I love of the early Mouse material, yet completely different. Backed by another one of my favorite overlooked bands, Califone, Brock made this album completely on his terms. He played it on his terms and ultimately let it go on his on terms. Once the shroud was lifted and the identity of the band was revealed record labels went up in arms as Califone and Modest Mouse were on different labels and Ugly was on yet another label. The moniker was dropped and the project was let go, but lucky for us you can still find copies of the little gem.

Standout tracks: Parasites, Spilled Milk Factory and Ice on the Sheets

The Honest Hour – Assembly of Dust

There was a time that I lived and breathed Jam Bands. The sounds were so new to me and the live presentation was irresistible. I have since grown away from the genre, but cannot deny its presence. In many ways it’s the growing separation from jam bands that makes this album so perfect to me. Known primarily among the ranks of alt-country, Assembly of Dust has an openness and free will to it that draws any listener in. Released as a full-fledged LP, Honest Hour is actually a live recording, giving it extra life and fervor. The songs grow on you over time and the stories told are relatable and comforting. “I took my car to a bar and I ordered myself whiskey; You know it’s my drink of choice and it fills me with charm. I know I’ve had too much when my head gets soft and dizzy. But if you ask my wife it does more good than harm.” Called 'country folk, tinged with jazz and philosophical lyrics,' AOD is just good listening music, and it suits a long day when you just need to unwind.

Standout tracks – Man With a Plan, Honest Hour and Bus Driver

Uberjam – The John Scofield Band

Its so weird it’s awesome. It’s Medeski, Martin and Wood meets Lee 'Scratch' Perry and a whole heap of jazz funk tossed on top. This album is one I like to call a grower, as it took me a couple of years to really get what was going on, but its now among most every road trip I take. Amazing jazz instrumentation mixed with sick sampling and layering of the bizarre brings this album to a central location from all over the map. The songs take wild turns, pump in familiar riffs and dive into the thrill of improv jazz. There are better acid jazz recordings and even better John Scofield recordings, but this is truly an amazing album and denied its due respect. I’ve never seen Sco live, but I can only imagine what it would be like…funkin’ trippy man. Despite any preconceived connotations the style of music may bring, you owe it to yourself to give this album a try, it won’t disappoint.

Standout tracks – Acidhead, Jungle Fiction and Animal Farm

Enjoy the Heat...