Fleet Foxes, Sun Giant EP/Fleet Foxes
In Seattle, it is pretty hip to appear like a bum and/or homeless. In this regard, Fleet Foxes fit the bill. Seattle music was once equated with the grunge scene of the early to mid 90s. Fleet Foxes prove that this is no longer the case, blending Beach Boys harmonies with folks music that sounds like it was ripped off from the nearby Renaissance festival. I believe that I'll be listening to this record in ten years and that more than anything else is my ultimate litmus test.
Blitzen Trapper, Furr
Blitzen Trapper are buds with Fleet Foxes and they have a lot in common: the same label (Seattle's Sub Pop), both are from the Pacific NW (Portland, Or and Seattle), have similar folk influences and, you know, the whole beard/homeless look. Blitzen Trapper seem to draw upon The Band and 60s-era English folk for inspiration, reminiscent (to me) of The Kinks' Muswell Hillbillies. "Furr" and "Sleepytime in the Western World" are standout tracks.
Bob Dylan, Tell Tale Signs: The Bootleg Series Vol. 8
The voice; the moustache; the man. Not technically an album of new material, Tell Tale Signs is comprised of outtakes, live songs and alternate versions over the last twenty years of Dylan's career. Twenty years is a long time, but the strength of the material is apparent in the way in which the alternate takes stand on their own as fully realized versions of songs that went on to make one of Dylan's records. The fact that these alternate versions and b-sides eventually hit the cutting room floor but might still well be the envy of many a performer speaks volumes. Disclaimer: Dylan's voice now sounds like pure, unadulterated crap. However, I've said it before and I'll say it again: if fits the mood and lyrics of his songs. This last statement was not intended as a pun on the previous one.
My Morning Jacket, Evil Urges
Olivia describes My Morning Jacket's latest record as, "what happens when you try to sound like Prince but aren't Prince." I would have to agree with this assessment of two songs on Evil Urges, the title track and the completely cringe-inducing "Highly Suspicious." As awful as these songs are, I don't feel that they completely derail the the charisma of front man Jim James or the rest of the record, which for me plays like a mixtape of MMJ's influences. "Thank You Too!" recalls the Bee Gees, "Sec Walkin" has a Motown feel, "Two Halves" features Roy Orbison harmonies and "Aluminum Park" would fit nicely as a standout track on any of the band's previous albums. If you listen to this song and are not at least tempted to play air guitar, something may be wrong with you.
David Byrne and Brian Eno, Everything that Happens will Happen Today
From the lush opening chords of the title track on David Byrne and Brian Eno's first collaboration in 25 years, I knew I would dig the tune. The rousing, anthemic outro did not disappoint. Other strong tracks include "Strange Overtones" "Life is Long" and "Wanted for Life." I have read that this tandem, which previously teamed up on the critically acclaimed My Life in the Bush of Ghosts, set out to make a "secular gospel" record with this collaboration. I can't speak to that, but in this collection of songs I do sense the emotions of joy and hope in the midst of difficulty. Lyrics from "One Fine Day" certainly fit that mold: then a peace of mind fell over me/in these trouble times/I still can see/we can use the stones to guide the way/it is not that long 'til one fine day. I too aspire to strive for good and perseverance in times of hardship. At the risk of oversimplification, I'm still left with questions for this lyric by the end of the record: why? how?
Everything That Happens - David Byrne and Brian Eno
4 comments:
I've been trying to figure out if there's a connection between fleet foxes and MMJ...
oh, have you heard/what do you think of the Psalters?
I hope the other side of the world is treating you well.
The first time I listened to FF, I couldn't get past the similarity between the voice of the lead singer and MMJ's. I don't know if I just got used to it or what, but I don't hear it anymore. Similar voices but distinct. And the band's are quite different in sound.
sadly, I've only listened to a few of these albums this year...
But, some of the similarity between FF and MMJ is due to both singers using the "ahh....ahhh" in harmony and such. Also, the reverb levels are heavy and distinctive of both singers. They both sound like their in the bottom of an empty pool.
I saw the Psalters and liked them more on a conceptual level rather than musical. Their music (2 yrs ago) was too drum-circle, rennaisance fair-ish, for my taste.
Idealogically they are quite extreme and fascinating. dumpster-diving and such for their food...
Thanks! I'll have to listen more of both! Yeah, you definitely have to be in the right mood to take the Psalters. I suppose I'm a fan of the raw emotion (even if it distorts my ears); to me it hints at the untamable sovereignty and passion of our Lord in a very fresh and rarely explored way. I've really only listed to "The Divine Liturgy of the Wretched Exiles" and a bit from another album.
As for Dumpster-diving...well, i'm pretty sure that J.B. knows my dark past...
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