Recently Released Album Obsessions

Here are some newly released albums at the library that are definitely worth listening to:

Vestiges and Claws by Jose Gonzalez
Find it in the catalog!
Regular fans of the Swedish/ Argentinian guitarist Jose Gonzalez will not be disappointed by his latest effort which has been eight years in the making.  The album features his signature distinctive brand of spare, gloomy folk music (a favorite of mine) that he showcased on his two previous albums, Veneer and In Our Nature.  However, this time out he has more complicated musical arrangements (featuring flute and cello) and a slightly more upbeat worldview.
Repeat tracks:  "Forest," "Let It Carry You," and "Open Book."

Kintsugi by Death Cab for Cutie
Find it in the catalog!
This latest release from indie rock band Death Cab is a duel break up album.  Not only is it the first album since lead singer Ben Gibbard's divorce from Zooey Deschanel, it also marks guitarist Chris Walla's departure from the band.  Loss haunts this album, and it's got some pretty great heartbreak tracks on it including "You've Haunted Me All My Life" and "Binary Sea." The music, however, remains relativity upbeat and poppy.  Chris Walla's distinctive guitar style is always a big draw on Death Cab albums, and Kintsugi is no exception.  His presence will be missed in the band (at least by me).
Repeat Tracks:  "Little Wanderer," "Everything's a Ceiling," and "Good Help (Is So Hard to Find)."

Magnolia Electric Co. by Songs: Ohia
Find it in the catalog!

Didn't It Rain by Songs: Ohia.
Find it in the catalog!
These two deluxe edition album reissues represent the finest work of the late musician Jason Molina.  For those unfamiliar with Molina, check out fellow Media blogger Jason's tribute to the singer. Songs: Ohia has sort of an alt-country sound that can achingly haunting at times (especially the back half of Didn't It Rain) or hard rocking (like the first half of Magnolia Electric Co.).  Molina's singing voice is deep and rich, and one of my favorite things elements of these albums is his vocals. If you haven't listened to Molina before, definitely check out both these LPs!  For hardcore fans, there are additional discs with demos and outtakes for each record.
Repeat Tracks:  I love all three of the last songs on Didn't It Rain: "Blue Factory Flame," "Two Blue Lights, and "Blue Chicago Moon."  Off Magnolia Electric Co., my favorites are: "Farewell Transmission," "Almost Good Enough," and "Just Be Simple."

Music Roundup: My Top 10 Albums of 2012

Top Ten

The Seer - Swans
The music on The Seer is far more sophisticated than the Swans recordings of the early-'80s, when the band was about brutal noise and confrontation at the expense of all else. Michael Gira has refined his songwriting and expanded his thematic concerns throughout his long career, most notably with his Angels of Light project. But the dark drama and punishing intensity are still integral to the band's vision. The Seer is a sinister, droning masterpiece.

'Allelujah! Don't Bend! Ascend! - Godspeed You! Black Emperor
Certain artists inspire devotion, and GY!BE have had a devout following since their 1997 debut. 'Allelujah! is their first new record since 2002 (Yanqui U.X.O.);  a record comprised of two relatively long compositions and two shorter works that have been part of the collective's live repertoire. (The Guardian published a statement from the group coincident with the release of 'Allelujah!, providing some genuinely moving sentiments about the group's ambitions.) If you're unfamiliar with GY!BE, the ideal introduction is "The Dead Flag Blues," the legendary first track from the group's debut record. There's simply no better encapsulation of the what Godspeed You! Black Emperor is about. Follow that with the 'Allelujah! track "Their Helicopters' Sing" for further evidence of the visceral beauty of this group's music.

The Sun - Cat Power
Chan Marshall's career has had distinct musical phases that aren't always appreciated by the same audience; her stark, guitar-based recordings from the '90s often go unappreciated by those who favor her Southern soul influenced work. As a fan of her entire catalog, I'd like to think that The Sun represents yet another break/innovation. The soulful horn section has been replaced with warm synthesizers and electronic beats. There isn't much precedent for this type of production in Marshall's work, though it may have some superficial similarities with her guest spot on Handsome Boy Modelling School's 2004 record. The appeal of any Cat Power album is Marshall's voice, and it's invigorating to hear her sing with such directness on The Sun.

Four - Bloc Party
Bloc Party have always excelled at combining the best elements of  late-90s Blur and Radiohead with intense post-punk angularity. Those expected strengths are very much on display on the band's fourth record, but, really, nothing could have prepared me for the monster riffs of "Coliseum."

Cancer4Cure - El-P
The music of El-P is so idiosyncratic and distinctly his own that it's almost instantly identifiable. Forever at the margins of whatever can be considered "mainstream" hip-hop, El-P has consistently crafted innovative and intriguing music that reveals a profound appreciation for classic sampling. C4C is unquestionably one of El-P's finest records; a wild melange of samples and sounds that is, strangely, the most focused he has ever sounded.

Key to the Kuffs - JJ DOOM
You can pair MF DOOM with just about anyone and the results will, at the very least, be interesting. But his recent collaboration with MC/producer Jneiro Jarel is considerably more than a curio. Key to the Kuffs isn't a perfect record; and it suffers by comparison to Madvillainy, DOOM's beloved 2004 collaboration with Madlib. (To be fair, every recording suffers by comparison with Madvillainy.) Taken on a track-by-track basis, this is some of the best work DOOM has done in years. "Guv'nor" is almost certainly the standout, with its woozy production and lyrics that range far wider than DOOM's typical concerns.

awE naturalE - THEESatisfaction
I first heard TheeSatisfaction as guest artists on one my favorite records of 2011, Black Up by Shabazz Palaces. awE naturalE is the Seattle duo's debut full-length, and it easily exceeds all expectations in its seductive beauty and the seemingly effortless interplay between the singer (Cat) and the emcee (Stas).

Don't Be a Stranger - Mark Eitzel
My appreciation for this record may, to some extent, be tinged with nostalgia for the magisterial dolorousness of classic American Music Club. (Along with Red House Painters, A.M.C. were the demigods of slow-core.) But, taken on its own terms, Don't Be a Stranger is a beautifully crafted record that makes the most of Eitzel's unique voice and songcraft.

Between the Times and the Tides - Lee Ranaldo
As guitarist and co-founder of the band Sonic Youth, Lee Ranaldo's legacy as a rock innovator is secure. But, like his band-mates Kim Gordon and Thurston Moore, he has pursued various solo projects throughout has career. While the numerous side projects by Gordon and Moore are still pretty recognizable as Sonic Youth recordings (to the extent that Sonic Youth can be said to have a recognizable template), Ranaldo is pursuing musical ideas far afield of his full-time gig. From the darkly pulsing opening track, "Waiting on a Dream," to the gentle lyricism of "Stranded,"Between the Times and the Tides is a beautiful record that displays Ranaldo's maturation as a songwriter.

Mature Themes - Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti
Mature Themes is as strange as Ariel Pink himself. You just need to accept that Pink is working on another level, and the more time you spend with his songs, the more resonant they become. (Though I'm not sure there's any way to make sense of the almost unbelievably odd "Schnitzel Boogie.") Mature Themes isn't all experimentation and obfuscation; "Only in My Dreams" is as direct and charming a pop song as you could ask for, and the album's closer, "Baby," is a surprisingly soulful cover that just may be my favorite track of the year.

Other Highlights

2012 featured new music from some of my longtime favorites: Deerhoof (Breakup Song), Sun Kil Moon (Among the Leaves), Spiritualized (Sweet Heart, Sweet Light), Nas (Life Is Good), Mount Eerie (Clear Moon), and a late-entry from Big Boi (Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors). There were also a handful of newcomers who made an indelible impression: Frank Ocean (Channel Orange), Death Grips (The Money Store), and the surprisingly divisive pop singer Lana Del Rey (Born to Die). Say what you will about Del Rey's debut album, her single "Video Games" is an evocative song that feels emblematic of its moment in time, an impression that is only enhanced by its accompanying video.

The Rise and Fall of Wu-Tang: An Infodiscography

An enterprising designer named Jess Bachman has assembled an "infodiscography" of the legendary hip-hop group, Wu-Tang Clan. These visually striking graphics offer an insightful overview of the myriad Wu-affiliated releases, and are particularly useful for exploring the members' solo projects. The three-part series sets out to highlight the rise, fragmentation, and decline of the group. I would argue that the enduring artistic influence of the Wu-Tang Clan precludes anything like a decline, but it's a well executed project that can be especially useful to beginner or intermediate Wu aficionados. If you'd like to know which of these solo projects are available through the library, you can take a look at the list I've compiled in bibliocommons.

The "infodiscography" graphics themselves are quite large. Check out part one after the jump.

Music Roundup: My Top 10 Albums of 2011

My (Always Subjective) Top 10 List:


Apocalypse - Bill Callahan
I've said it before, and I'll say it again: If Bill Callahan puts out a new record, it will be my favorite record of the year. That's not mere dedication to a songwriter I've favored for two decades, but rather an acknowledgment that he gets better with each passing year. I would argue that Apocalypse, the latest from Callahan, is as evocative and frankly spellbinding as any work in the artist's catalog.
Standout tracks: "Baby's Breath" and "Riding for the Feeling"

Undun - The Roots
A percussive, soulful concept album that somehow, impossibly, improves upon the band's prior successes. By my count, this is the tenth Roots record that is an unequivocal classic. Tenth. Can you name another contemporary group with those credentials? I can't.
Standout tracks: This is such a cohesive work, there's little point in highlighting specific tracks.

Bad as Me - Tom Waits
Arguably less ambitious than your average Tom Waits album (there's no song-cycle or high-concept narrative on this one), Bad as Me still offers just about everything you could possibly want from the artist at this stage of his career: guttural crooning, dusty blues, early R&B, rockabilly, and, yes, Keith Richards and Marc Ribot on guitar.
Standout tracks: "Raised Right Men", "Get Lost", and "Hell Broke Luce"

House of Balloons/Thursday - The Weeknd
House of Balloons is The Weeknd's proper full-length debut, and it justifiably received most of the accolades. But the mix-tape that followed it, Thursday, was a compelling listen in its own right. I'm including both in my top ten list, because I can. The lyrics on these recordings range from amusing to clumsy, but the sound is guaranteed to make you woozy. In a good way. (These two albums are only available as digital downloads from artist's Tumblr page.)
Standout tracks: "What You Need", "The Party and the After Party" and "Lonely Star"

Bon Iver - Bon Iver
This self-titled album is the proper follow-up to Justin Vernon's critically acclaimed debut, For Emma, Forever Ago. Vernon's gentle voice and impressionistic lyrics are still the focal point, but this record features a much fuller sound. I think I favor the intimacy of the earlier album, but Bon Iver has some excellent songs that benefit from the enhanced instrumentation.
Standout tracks: "Calgary" and "Minnesota, WI"

Black Up - Shabazz Palaces
Remember the '90s rap group Digable Planets? Doesn't matter. Even if you were familiar with that group, you'd probably never have guessed that Shabazz Palaces is the current project for former Digable Planets rapper Ishmael Butler. This is an astoundingly relevant and forward-looking album, particularly as it comes from an artist who has been in the business since the Clinton Administration.
Standout tracks: "A Treatease Dedicated to the Avian Airless from North East Nubis"

Demolished Thoughts - Thurston Moore
A solo outing from Sonic Youth singer/guitarist Thurston Moore, Demolished Thoughts is essentially a singer-songwriter album that sounds a lot like Sonic Youth. I find that to be a pretty irresistible combination. The songs are uniformly strong on this record, but they reach greatness thanks to the gorgeous production, courtesy of Beck.
Standout tracks: "Circulation" and "Orchard Street"

W.A.R. (We Are Renegades) - Pharoahe Monch
This may be the most focused, concise Monch album yet. His lyrical delivery is always a thing to behold, and his work on W.A.R. just might be up there with his revered solo debut.
Standout tracks: "W.A.R." and "Black Hand Side"

Hot Sauce Committee, Part 2 - Beastie Boys
I never thought I'd be including a Beastie Boys album in my top ten, but here we are. I've enjoyed Hot Sauce Committee more than any Beasties record since...the '90s? This is a record by a group of guys who know their strengths and actually sound like they're having a good time. Bonus points for collaborating with Nas on "Too Many Rappers". I would endorse an entire of album of Nas rhyming over Beastie Boys beats.
Standout tracks: "Make Some Noise" and "Too Many Rappers"

Father, Son, Holy Ghost - Girls
I'll be honest, the big over-the-top climaxes on Father, Son, Holy Ghost don't always pay off. But when they do... If you can appreciate the idea of a decidedly idiosyncratic songwriter going all out, you owe it to yourself to give this a listen.
Standout tracks: "Honey Bunny" and "Love Like a River"

Runners Up/Honorable Mentions:

The Family Sign - Atmosphere

El Camino - Black Keys

Deerhoof vs. Evil - Deerhoof

The Book of David - DJ Quik

No Kings - Doomtree

I'll Never Get Out of This World Alive - Steve Earle

Ceremonials - Florence + the Machine

Tell Me - Jessica Lea Mayfield

The Only She Chapters - Prefuse 73

Fear of God II: Let Us Pray - Pusha T

Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang - Raekwon

The Whole Love - Wilco

Wild Flag - Wild Flag

Music Roundup: My Top Reissues of 2010

2010 and the latter-part of 2009 have been banner years for reissues. The canonical recordings of Bob Dylan and the Beatles were re-released in mono (yes, mono), the Rolling Stones' 1972 masterpiece Exile on Main St. was released in two variations of deluxe-ness, and the bonanza continued with a high-profile exhumation of the Apple vaults. What follows is a brief list of the reissues that stand out - for me - as definite musical highlights of the past year.

What we're listening to: BlakRoc

BlakRoc - BlakRoc
Find it in the catalog!

The Black Keys are singer/guitarist Dan Auerbach and drummer Pat Carney. Their sound is a gritty garage-rock hybrid of white-boy blues and earnest enthusiasm for the likes of Junior Kimbrough and Lightnin' Hopkins. Their string of outstanding records over the last decade has earned them a loyal following, but the BlakRoc project may seem like a curve-ball to even their loyalest of fans. BlakRoc is a collaboration between The Black Keys and a handful of preeminent rappers. Mos Def, RZA, Raekwon, Q-Tip, and others were enlisted to record rhymes over a bedrock of rhythmic Black Keys jams. If you're wary of another rap/rock crossover project, that reserve is more than justified. There have been very few successful pairings of these two broad genres, and quite a few notable failures, but the BlakRoc project succeeds on every level. The gritty precision of Auerbach's guitar and Carney's drums proves to be a perfect foil for these veteran emcees. There isn't a weak track on the record, but there are several highlights. "On the Vista" seems particularly noteworthy, as Mos Def makes a stronger argument for musical fusion on this two-and-a-half minute track than he managed on the entirety of his 2004 rap/rock album The New Danger. "Dollaz & Sense" is an opportunity to hear RZA (Abbott of the Wu-Tang Clan) alternate verses with Pharoahe Monch, which is a paring not to be missed. Perhaps the best example of the symbiotic sound these artists have created is the album's single. "Ain't Nothing Like You (Hoochie Coo)" features Jim Jones on the mic and Mos Def and Dan Auerbach harmonizing on the chorus. I challenge anyone to listen to this song and not sway along.

Previous albums by The Black Keys:

The Big Come Up (2002)

Thickfreakness (2003)

Rubber Factory (2004)

Chulahoma: The Songs of Junior Kimbrough (2006)

Magic Potion (2006)

Attack & Release (2008)

The forthcoming Black Keys album, titled Brothers, is due out May 18th.

What we're listening to: Astro Coast by Surfer Blood

It’s easy to hate West Palm Beach indie rockers Surfer Blood.  Their single “Swim” earned the band heaps of Internet buzz and critical praise before Astro Coast was ever even released. “Swim” made it on to Pitchfork’s list of the top 100 songs of 2009.  The band members are also really young, ages range from 20-24, and they look like a bunch of hipsters.  That being said, Astro Coast is a surprisingly good album that straight up rocks. Surfer Blood has a sound that can be loosely described as the Animal Collective meets early Weezer.  There is a lot of excellent, fuzzy guitar playing on this record that would make Brian Bell or Stephen Malkmus proud. Vocal harmonies and world music elements modernize the band's sound. However, this album manages somehow to avoid sounding like Vampire Weekend.  Some songs have a very different sound but still manage to fit on the album, like “Fast Jabroni” which could be on a soundtrack to a John Hughes' film or "Anchorage" which is reminiscent of  It's Never Been Like That-era Phoenix.  This is a fun, catchy, guitar-heavy indie rock album that will make an excellent soundtrack for the summer. 

Stand-out tracks:  The Animal Collective/ Beach Boys-inspired "Take it Easy" is probably my favorite on the album.  "Slow Jabroni" is also excellent, especially the last few minutes. 

Recommended for fans of: Built to Spill, the Feelies, Japandroids, No Age, Pavement, the Shins, Superdrag, Wavves, Blue-album/ Pinkerton era Weezer.

Find it in the Catalog.

Upcoming CD releases from American Idol alumni

Some of the most unique and creative singers to perform on American Idol are releasing CDs within the next month. Kris Allen, last season's winner, releases his self-titled debut November 17. I'm excited to see that his album includes his cover of Kanye West's "Heartbreaker" as a bonus track! Adam Lambert, the season 8 runner-up, releases his CD, For Your Entertainment, on November 23. And last but not least, Allison Iraheta's Just Like You comes out December 1. For their originality in song arrangement and just being crazy-talented, Allen, Lambert, and Iraheta were my favorite three contestants from season 8. They took risks with their song choices and made the songs their own.

Jason Castro, from season 7, releases his debut on January 26, 2010. Many fans remember his versions of songs like "Hallelujah," "What a Day for a Daydream," and Mariah Carey's "I Don't Wanna Cry" (one of my favorite Idol performances ever).

Other CDs by former American Idol contestants that have already been released:
Heartbreak on Vinyl by Blake Lewis
Christmas from the Heart by David Archuleta
Play On from Carrie Underwood

A Hip-Hop Classic Revisited: Only Built 4 Cuban Linx...

In the mid-to-late-90s just about everyone even tangentially involved with the Wu-Tang Clan had a solo project in the works. The groundbreaking group had revolutionized hip-hop with their debut album Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), and while still very much a unit, the nine individual members were determined to prove themselves as viable solo artists. Of this first wave of Wu solo projects, there were two undisputed masterpieces: Liquid Swords (1995), by GZA, and Only Built 4 Cuban Linx (1995), by Raekwon the Chef.

Imagine Brian De Palma's Scarface crossed with a '70s blaxploitation flick filmed on the New York borough of Staten Island and you'll have some idea of what to expect from Only Built 4 Cuban Linx. Raekwon crafted a hard-edged, powerfully realized crime saga, made even more frighteningly real by the imposing presence of fellow Wu-Tang member Ghostface Killah. This cinematic narrative style was virtually unheard of at that time, but proved to be hugely influential, its mark unmistakable on the work of fellow artists such as Nas (who appears on the track "Verbal Intercourse"), Notorious B.I.G., and Jay-Z.

Raekwon's debut set the bar so high that his subsequent solo work almost invariably disappointed his hardcore fan base, and his repeated hints at a possible sequel to Cuban Linx were difficult to credit as the years passed. And yet, fourteen years later, on September 8th, 2009, Raekwon made good on his promise. Not just a worthy followup to the original album, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... Pt. II is a startling work of art that reaffirms Raekwon's greatest strengths: his intricate storytelling and his ability to choose complimentary collaborators. Ghostface is back and is no less intense in his role as Raekwon's foil, and producers Alchemist, Dr. Dre, Marley Marl, Pete Rock, and Erik Sermon lend their considerable talent to the project. (Track #2, "House of Flying Daggers", features beats by the late J Dilla, whose particular genius is still being felt three years after his early death.)

Only Built 4 Cuban Linx - Raekwon
Find it in the catalog!

Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... Pt. II - Raekwon
Find it in the catalog!

What we're addicted to...

"I Want to Know What Love Is" by Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey's new CD, Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel, is due out September 29. The single "Obsessed" has already been released. The next single is a cover of the Foreigner song "I Want to Know What Love Is." I listened to this song on YouTube and I love Mariah's version. The beginning has minimal accompaniment, with piano and snapping to go along with the vocals. You can tell she deeply feels the lyrics. By the time I post a link to the song on YouTube it will probably be taken down, but if you perform a Mariah Carey search you should be able to find it.

What we're listening to...

Right Place, Wrong Time - Otis Rush

Chicago blues-man Otis Rush has influenced everyone from John Mayall and The Bluesbreakers to Led Zeppelin, but he's always been true to the blues. The south-paw guitarist's first hit came in 1956 with "I Can't Quit You Baby," the first of a string of legendary singles for the fledgling Cobra Records. His masterpiece Right Place, Wrong Time was originally recorded in 1971, but was inexplicably shelved for five years due to hesitance on the part of Capitol Records, his new label. Eventually released by the small label Bullfrog Records, Right Place, Wrong Time has survived to become a central part of Otis Rush's blues legacy. Give this record a listen, and the last thing on your mind will be its tumultuous history. You'll be caught up in a swaggering masterpiece of Chicago blues.

Find it in the catalog!