Urban Turban: The Singhles Club by Cornershop

Released:  May 15, 2012
Rating:  71.67
Genre:  World Music; Pop; Etc

 

This is my third album by the multi-cultural, British quintet in the past 4 years (it's their 7th album since '95) and, in that time, they've gone three completely different directions.  The first album I picked up was Judy Sucks a Lemon For Breakfast in 2010, a 60s style pop album; last year's Cornershop And The Double O Groove Of was full-on Punjabi Pop/Dance; this is more of a mixed bag, some old fashioned AM pop, some dance and some Indian influenced world-style music.

Though of the three, this scores the lowest, it's still a lot of fun and worth a listen.  Try What Did The Hippie Have In His Bag (feature the children of the Welsh Castle Hill Primary School).  Or, better yet, go into Spotify to hear the whole album.

Trespassing by Adam Lambert

Released:  May 15, 2012
Rating:  68.00
Genre:  Pure Dance Pop

I was tempted not to admit I have this, or that I'm keeping it.  It's so mainstream compared to most of my 21st century collection.  And the low rating?  That's mostly the result of too many songs.  The album is 15 songs and nearly an hour long.  If he'd left off 4 songs (that are way too sappy for me) it could have made it into my top 10.

I will assume most of you are familiar with Adam Lambert, so I won't spend much time on his backstory (American Idle runner-up; came out of the closet after the show; got a little too wild for his own good; calmed down and cut a good album.) Stand out tracks (in my opinion) include:

• The 80s-style dance tune Trespassing
• The pseudo-funk song Shady
• Don't hold it against me, but try the Bon Jovi (Slippery When Wet-era) styled Outlaws of Love

Death Dreams by PS I Love You

Released:  May 8, 2012
Rating:  72.00
Genre:  Noise Pop

This is the sophomore LP for the duo from Kingston, Ontario, Canada.

They made a heck of an impression on the less-than-mainstream critics, getting a metascore of 77, but no mention from the New York Times, Rollingstone or All Music Guide.  The worst review the got (3 stars out of five) included the following:  "Lyrics ... come off as exceedingly everyday - as well as vital."  It's pretty cool stuff, but I'm slightly less taken.

To describe the sound, I'll quote from Paste Magazine:  "frontman Paul Saulnier on the glorious fuzzbath that is 'Future Dontcare,' his cracking, Tom Verlaine-esque chirp engulfed in radiant, distorted waves of electric guitar, firing sparks off Benjamin Nelson’s ricocheting snare rolls."  (By the way, Tom Verlaine is the lead singer for the New York band Television.)  Oddly, they also draw multiple comparisons to Cheap Trick.  In any event, they score way high on my "off-beat meter" and remind me a little of Wussy, though they're not quite up in that rarefied air.  For a sampling, check out

• The official video for Princess Towers; or
• The live take of Sentimental Dishes.

Neck of the Woods by Silversun Pickups

Released:  May 8, 2012Rating: 74.55
Genre:  Indie Dream Pop/Rock

The third, proper, full length studio album from the L.A. quartet, and their first since 2009.  This is the first time they've captured my attention, though not the first time I've listened to them.  It's a tremendous piece of work, though, oddly, in my opinion, the album. starts slow.  The second half is far more exciting, with my favorite being the eighth track, Pit.

The related artists list on spotify includes some of my all-time and recent favorites (e.g., Pearl Jam, The Pixies, My Bloody Valentine, The Flaming Lips, Sonic Youth, Modest Mouse and Metric). I'm not completely convinced of some of those relationships, but in any event, I highly recommend checking this out.  A good cross section (click the track titles to hear via youtube.com) includes:

• The somewhat sinister Busy Bees
• The cinematic, and somewhat harder rocking Mean Spirits (this vid is live on Letterman, please forgive the leading commercial.)
• My favorite, the tightly wound The Pit (this is also live on Letterman, you shouldn't have to watch the commercial again.)

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?)

Blunderbuss by Jack White

Released:  April 24, 2012
Rating:  75.38
Genre:  Punk Blues

First, let me just say that this albums kicks it.  (Which finishes out an April low on quantity, but high on quality.  All three albums made it into the top 10!)  This album slides easily into the number 4 spot.

Beginning in 1999, Jack White and (and his now ex-wife) Meg (guitar/vocals and drums, respectively) put out the first White Stripes album, by 2007 they had released 5 more albums and won two Grammies (for 2007's Icky Thump: Best Alternative Music Album and Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group).  While the White Stripes were still performing, Jack White joined the Raconteurs as a guitarist, which released two successful albums (in '06 and '08.)  In 2008, Jack White met Allison Mosshart (of the Kills) when the Kills opened for the Raconteurs.  They released two albums as the Dead Weather (in '09 and '10) with White on drums.

In his spare time he opened his own studio, produced albums for a couple dozen other performers, contributed to movie soundtracks (Cold Mountain) did guest appearances with a number of other performers, from Alicia Keys to Dangermouse and has appeared on film (TV and movies) a dozen times.

And this is his debut album!

Picking just a couple examples off this record is about as hard as it gets. There are just too many great songs, but I've tried to do my best. Click on the following links (full length versions, compliments of YouTube.com)

I'm Shakin' is my favorite. It's got a boogey woogey thing goin' on, reminiscent of some of the angrier early (i.e. '50s) rock.

Sixteen Saltines is a raw, angry song with an angry video to go with it. This is the official video, so you get to sit through a 15 second commercial. It's worth it.

Folila by Amadou and Mariam

Released:  April 10, 2012
Rating:  73.33
Genre:  Worldbeat/Afro-Pop

Folila (which means music in English) started as two albums of the same material.  "Same songs, tunings, and tempos...with Yeah Yeah Yeahs guitarist Nick Zinner, Santigold, Theophilus London, members of TV on the Radio and Antibalas, the Scissor Sisters' Jake Shears, and Bertrand Cantat. The other was a Malian offering, cut in Bamako with master musicians, including Bassekou Kouyaté on ngoni, Zoumana Tereta on sokou, and Toumani Diabaté on kora, to name a few."  They ended up blending it into a single release with the western and African instruments combined.  The songs are sung in English, French and Bambara.

This is just a lot of good music from a married couple with a fascinating back story (see below).  To get a taste, click the song titles below for a link to the full songs on youtube.com:

• Dougou Badia, featuring Santigold
• Wily Kataso featuring feat. Tunde & Kyp of TV on the Radio (this is the official video)

If this whets your appetite, then go to Spotify and listen to the full album or, better yet, BUY IT!

Mariam Doumbia was born in Mali in 1958, became blind at the age of five and taught music and dance at Mali's Bamako Institute for the Young Blind.  Amadou Bagayoko was born in Mali, in 1954, began his musical career in 1968, became blind as a teenager due to a congenital cataract, and attended the school where Mariam was teaching.  Amadou & Mariam met in 1975.  In 1980, the pair married and decided they would make a good collaborative musical team. Over the next five years, they performed in their home country. In 1985, the two toured out of country for the first time. Their first major label release wouldn't come out until 1999.  They've released six more studio albums since then.

Locked Down by Dr. John

Released April 3, 2012
Rating:  76.00
Genre: New Orleans Blues and R&B

March was amazing for new music.  I picked up 6 killer albums and 4 of my 2012 top 10 (so far) were released in March.  At least in terms of numbers, April was much slower, with only 3 new discs deemed appropriate for the collection.

We start off with, what is likely to be, the oldest performer in this years collection.  Dr. John, born and raised in New Orleans, will be 72 in November this year.  This is Southern R&B and Blues.  The AMG reviewer, Thom Jurek, describes it this album very well: "It melds primal rock, careening R&B, and electric blues in an irresistible, downright nasty brew." Dan Auerbach (of the Black Keys) produced the album, shares writing credits and provides most of the guitar work here.  The album is nearly perfect.  Every song absolutely smokes. To hear great examples, click on the song titles below to hear full streams courtesy of YouTube.com

• Ice Age is reminiscent of his hit, Right Place, Wrong Time
• Getaway has a killer solo by Auerbach.
• My Children, My Angels is early-70's psychedelic.

Dr. John's recording career goes back to the 1950's.  Originally a guitarist, he had to give it up when he received a gunshot wound to his left ring finger (while defending a bandmate).  He tried bass guitar and finally took up the piano.

Dr. John has nearly 30 albums, five Grammies (his first in 1989 and his last in 2008) and only one major hit song (1973's Right Place, Wrong Time.)  He was inducted into the Rock & Roll hall of fame in 2011.

Sonik Kicks by Paul Weller

Released:  March 27, 2012
Rating:  70.77
Genre:  British Trad Rock
Guitarist/vocalist/songwriter, Paul Weller, released his first recording as the leader of the English band, the Jam in 1977.  This is his eleventh studio Album since beginning his solo career in the early '90s.  He still has some of that punk/new wave sound goin' on, but with a definite 21st century spin.

Give a listen to a few of my favorites by clicking the song title:

• The Brit pop Kling I Klang
• The orchestral By the Waters (live recording)
• The psychedelic Around The Lake

Noctourniquet by The Mars Volta

Released:  March 27
Rating:  73.85
Genre:  Neo Prog

This is sixth album in 9 years (my second) for the former members of the Texas band At The Drive-in.  Holding true to the axiom that my favorite albums tend to get a mix of critic reviews, Noctouniquet received critic scores from 4 1/2 stars to 2 Stars.

According to Spotify, the related artists range from Led Zepplin to Bjork, to Tom Waits, Pink Floyd and Yes. I don't get a clear sense of any one thing, so try to imagine all of these artists, tossed in a blender, and what comes out is the Mars Volta.  I may be mistaken, but I also hear a little Tommy Shaw (from Styx) in the vocal.

I don't think there's a better way to describe their music, except maybe for a few examples.  Click the song titles for a hyperlink to youtube to hear the full song:

Aegis (intense)
In Absentia (industrial noise rock)
Imago (my favorite - mournful)

I researched both the band's name and the album name for this entry.  The short answer is:  Cedric Bixler-Zavala and Omar Rodriguez-Lopez are not your ordinary rockers.  Mars Volta is a combination of Mars ("we're just fascinated by science fiction ") and "Volta is taken from a Federico Fellini book about his films, what he characterizes as a changing of scene, or a turnaround; a new scene to him is called Volta. Y'know, changing of time and the changeover."  Noctourniquet is a "mental mantra to stop the night from bleeding, because nighttime is synonymous with darkness and bad things happening."

Rocket Juice And The Moon by Rocket Juice And The Moon

Released:  March 26, 2012
Rating:  73.33
Genre:  Alternative Afro Funk

This is another Damon Albarn project (Gorillas, The Good The Bad and the Queen, etc.)  This time he's teamed with bassist Flea (from the Red Hot Chili Peppers) and drummer Tony Allen (from the Nigerian Fela Kuti's band).  They also have a number of guests, including Erykah Badu, The Hypnotic Brass Ensemble (from Chicago) and a host of African hip-hop artists (none of whom I know by name.)

It's a long album:18 songs and nearly 53 minutes.  It's difficult to draw comparisons to more familiar music, but, if pushed, I hear hints of Sly and the Family Stone, Senegal's Orchestra Baobab and even James Brown's Funky Drummer.

This whole album is worthy of a listen and I feel challenged to select on a few cuts, but let's go with Hey Shooter, featuring Erykah Badu, Poison, with Damon Albarn on vocal, and the killer drum on Rotary Connection.

Port of Morrow by The Shins

Released:  March 20, 2010
Rating:  74.00
Genre:  Indie Pop

It's been 5 years since the last Shins album, Port of Morrow.  In the intervening years founding member, vocalist/guitarist James Mercer (and the only member from the original band on this album) has worked on a number of side projects, including my favorite album from 2010, Broken Bells with Dangermouse.

Thanks to a couple of really spectacular pop-folk-rockers, this album onto my top 10 with a score that has a very goo chance of staying there.  It takes on a lot influences from other contemporary artists,
including Canadian alt performer AC Newman, country rockers Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit and any myriad of modern folk rockers.

Check out the excellent Bait And Switch (which has perhaps one of the most insipid choruses I've ever heard - I'm just a simple man/Cursed with an honest heart - but I love the music and the vocal.)  Or try Port Of Morrow, which reminds me of last years Rome, by Dangermouse and Daniele Luppi (this is the live performance from Letterman). 

Open Your Heart by The Men

Released:  March 6, 2012
Rating:  72.00
Genre:  Post-Punk

 Because in every life, a little punk must be heard. 

Fast guitars, hammering drums and shouted vocals.  I'd give them a favorable comparison to the mid '70s bands Wire or The Sex Pistols .  They have blown the critics away, with a meta-score of 86 on this album. Although I've probably not put them on that level, this is still great album for the punk fans out there.  This is a blast. 

The Men, from Brooklyn, formed in 2008 and put out their first album in 2010. This is their third since then (I think).  There are at least four different bands that have gone by this name, so on-line research can get a little confusing.  Even some of the websites mix them up or combine the histories.

In any event, click the links to check out a couple of the songs:

• Open Your Heart
• Turn It Around

Always by Xiu Xiu

Released:  March 6, 2012
Rating:  70.00
Genre:  Alt Rock


This is a terrific album. While there’s nothing that grabs me like the title track from 2010’s Dear God, I Hate Myself, there’s a lot to love here.

Formed in San Jose, CA, Xiu Xiu released their first album in 2002. Both the music and the vocals are intense, dramatic and dark.  They took their name from a pretty dark 1998 chinese film (Xiu Xiu: The Sent Down Girl.) 

Factory Girl is arguably their darkest song to date (watch out for the language) and the opener, Hi, are excellent examples of what you're in for here.

If it wasn't for the exrtemely disturbing 5th track, this could have gotten into my top 10 so far this year.

Black Radio by the Robert Glasper Experiment

Released:  February 28, 2012
Rating:  68.33
Genre:  Jazz and R&B

A quartet featuring jazz pianist Robert Glasper, bassist Derrick Dodge, drummer Chris Dave and Casey Benjamin on sax and vocoder. The album is described by Angelika Beener, in her liner essay, as "representative of the veracity of Black music" which has been "...emulated, envied and countlessly re-imagined by the rest of the world...."  It melds jazz, hip-hop, adult contemporary R&B, neo-soul, even rock into a journey of sorts.  With covers that include Erykah Badu on Afro Blue (made popular by John Coltrane) Lalah Hathway on Sade's Cherish the Day and a very interesting take on Nirvana's Smells Like Teen Spirit (this is cool live take) and some very nice original material, like Move Love.

This is a really laid back listen and should be the background to every dinner party this spring and summer.

Soul Is Heavy by Nneka

Released:  February 28, 2012
Rating:  69.33
Genre:  Soul

Nneka's father is Nigerian (she was born in Nigeria) and her mother German (she currently lives in Germany); she sings , mostly, in English with strong influences from R&B, reggae and hip-hop.

The reviewer from MusicOMH.com probably has the most accurate description:  There's a lot to recommend in Nneka's third album, though if it was slightly shorter, it could be considered a great album rather than merely a good one."  The album is 15 songs and almost an hour long.  There are seven songs I'd call great and the rest are good to very good.

A couple highlights include the reggae Lucifer (No Doubt) or the 70's style R&B tune Shining Star (this one is the official video.)  Click the hyperlinks to stream the full songs.

Visions by Grimes

Released:  February 21, 2012
Rating:  67.69
Genre: Witch House or Grave Wave

Okay, so it's it's a style more than a genre.  But I couldn't resist when I discovered it as a description of Grimes (the alias of Vancouver native Claire Boucher.)  It's also a pretty apt description of the slightly haunting, intense, electronic dance music, accompanied by a wispy vocal track.

It's not for everyone, but if you're feeling a little adventurous, or if you just like House Music or electronica, I could suggest you check out the official videos for Nightmusic or Oblivion.

Animal Collective by Shearwater

Released:  February 28, 2012
Rating:  70.91
Genre:  Alternative

Starting off as a Side Project for Okervill River's Will Sheff, Shearwater's been around since 2000 and this is their seventh album, but it's my introduction to them..  It's a solid record with a lot to love.  I'll be interested to see if it has staying power for me.  The opener Animal Life (click the link for the official video) is great folk/pop/rock.  You As You Were (again, click the link for the official video).

Vocalist Jonathon Meiburg's voice is a beautiful falsetto, and their music has been compared to Nick Drake and The National.  I'd be really appreicate other's opinions.

The Russian Wilds by Howlin' Rain

Released:  February 14, 2012
Rating:  74.00
Genre:  Pure Classic Rock

Howlin' Rain is unapologetically steeped in '70s, blues based, hard rock.  There're hints of Aerosmith, Deep Purple, Uriah Heep, Grand Funk and Steely Dan; with smokin' guitar solos and pounding drums.  The quintet, fronted by Ethan Miller (from Santa Cruz, CA) debuted in 2006. This is their second line up and third album, produced by Rick Rubin

Check out a couple of highlights:

Phantom In The Valley starts off like Quicksilver Messenger Service, then morphs into Abraxas era Santana; 

Cherokee Wolf could have been done by Big Brother and The Holding Company; and

Collage is a actually a cover of the James Gang from 1969's Yer' Album, full of Crosby, Stills and Nash harmonies.