Master Of My Make Believe by Santigold

Released:  May 1, 2012
Rating:  70.91
Genre:  Alt Pop and Electronic/Dance

 

Sometimes I understand why a performer spends a lot of time worrying about external issues, like their name:  typically, there isn't much real substance underneath it; or, occasionally, it can be they were cursed with a name that misrepresented what they were trying to do (e.g., Chaim Weitz, better know as Gene Simmons).  But Pennsylvania-raised Santi White (her first album was released under the name Santogold; she had to change to Santigold when she was sued by professional wrestler Santo Gold) brings the goods. 

If I come across less enthusiastic about this album (her second) than I did her debut, it's only because the sound is no longer completely new, although that's not to say this is just more of the same.  With writing support from Alt Rockers Nick Zinner (the Yeah Yeah Yeahs),  David Andrew Sitek (TV On the Radio) and others, there's a lot to discover.  (One suggestion, do not listen to this immediately after Norah Jones.  The contrast is too great and can cause pain.)

Suggested tracks:

• The opener, GO!, with Karen O from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs.
• The alt rocker, Disparate Youth (this is the official video).
• The Keepers, which seems to blend Prince with David Byrne.

 As a mildly interesting side note, all four characters on the album cover are Santi White.

...Little Broken Hearts by Norah Jones

Released:  May 1, 2012
Rating:  75.00
Genre:  Pop Jazz
First, this was produced (in addition to co-written and performed) by Dangermouse, aka Brian Burton.  Those that have followed by blog know my mantra: If Dangermouse is involved, buy it.  This album only reinforces that for me.

I get a real sense of two artists, strongly influenced by their own recent past, coming together to make something wholly different.  From Jones I hear a hint of her country side-project, the Little Willies, and lot from her last album, which she stated was influenced heavily by Tom Waits.  From Dangermouse comes parts of Broken Bells (his project with Shins vocalist James Mercer) and Rome, the Dangermouse/Danielle Luppi homage to the Spaghetti Western soundtracks.

Click the song titles to hear full length cuts via youtube:

• My favorite and the heavily Dangemouse influenced Say Goodbye performed live on Letterman.
• The smoky/sweet After The Fall, also live on Letterman
• The country/pop crossover, Happy Pills, the official video

A couple interesting notes/coincidences here:  Norah Jones first worked with Dangermouse only last year on Rome; On Rome, Jones split the vocals with Jack White; Jack White released his latest album only a week before this came out.  Finally, did you already know that Norah Jones' father is Ravi Shankar?  I didn't, but I think I should have.  (Do you know who Ravi Shankar is?)