(a snapshot from the year when I moved
to California.
pre-ipod. pre-irony. more like happy,
general impressions in awful HTML)
I am currently in love with:
April
showers bring really amazing music:
John
Vanderslice -- "Cellar Door" and anything else you can get your hands on
...
Finding out
about the exquisite John Vanderslice was a curious adventure in degrees
of separation.
And I feel
as though the story is really just starting.
| "Cellar Door"
is his latest album, but basically everything I have heard is stunning,
intriguing, and captivating. John sings with the effortless clarity of
a skilled musician who never resorts to gimmicks or attention-grabbing
spectacle. Listening to any album is like attending an exquisite poetry
reading or discussing your favorite books and classic movies with a clever
intellectual. But with none of the annoying pretention. Here is a man who
is truly an artist. His photographs make me seriously stop and consider
the moment. His lyrics are equally stunning. And his phrasing just flows,
as his voice and guitar blend into some of the most heartfelt independent
music I have ever heard. How can you not love a man who writes an entire
song about his faithful four-track recorder ("Me and My 424"), stating
"goodbye to model two / cause they discontinued you / I got parts and I
got spares / unlimited repairs for my 424". This, from the album "Life
and Death of an American Fourtracker". Coming from anyone else, it might
seem contrived or goofy. Maybe it still does, but this is also the John
Vanderslice who built and runs tiny telephone, one of the most amazing
analog recording studios, hidden away in a strange little neighborhood
in the grime heart of San Francisco.
"Cellar Door" opens with "Pale Horse", a sonically complex introduction to an overwhelming beautiful album wrapped in layers of sounds, emotion, and some damn catchy keyboard/effect noises. Is he really talking about lions, the apocalypse, horses, knives, corpses, and maybe the freedom of the human soul? At 75orless.com, Leslie describes the album as such: "Remember the first time you ate brie? It felt weird in your mouth and you weren't sure why your friends were so insistent you eat some, but you grudgingly chew and swallow. Eventually, you decide maybe something there is worth revisiting. Your third trip to the table, you're passionately convincing someone else how they absolutely had to try it because it was so awesome? That's Cellar Door." And I totally agree. Another thing
John has done is make some of his best songs available as MP3's at his
website. Really, download them all and send him a note if you enjoy them.
Or go see him live. He is one of the best guitar players I have ever seen
- confident, beautuful and right at home with his equally talented band
members. To find out more about him, check out http://www.johnvanderslice.com
|
My photos of John Vanderslice live in San Francisco are here:
http://alex.pecanbiz.com/JohnVanderslice/JohnVanderslice.html
January/February/March:
Nada Surf -- "The Proximity Effect"
Matthew Caws, at UC-Davis. Photo by Alex Myers.
|
Yes, this is my second recommendation for nada surf on this page. But it's a damn good record! This is the "lost" European album, released between "High/Low" and "Let Go". It's now available stateside (thanks to Amoeba records for my copy!) and is worth tracking down. It is far more rocking than most of "Let Go", but Matthew Caws is still the same songwriter at heart, capable of singing heartbreakingly beautiful and passionate songs. My first exposure to this album was actually when they played these songs live. I think my heartbeat might have lurched right after the line from "80 Windows" that declares "I feel far away from you, so what else is new? ... The moon is closer to the sun than I am to anyone". Eat your heart out Conor Oberst. The rest of the album is a fantastically drifting mixture of slower songs and pounding declarations. Solid drumming and well-timed breaks in the songs help shift the moods from accusatory to revelatory. This is a great album to find after already falling in love with "Let Go" -- if you ever see it at the record store, go on and pick it up. |
The Weakerthans -- Left and Leaving
Photo from subcity.net
| This is not actually the newest release (that would be "Reconstruction Site"), but this is what I first fell in love with several months ago. You wanna talk lyrics? This is an album full of clever little turns. Lines that make you think and then smile a few hours later. If you are already a Rhett Miller/Old 97's fan, this album will please you. The band is a Canadian four piece quite fond of touring all the time. I have a feeling they'd be good live. But the album -- "Left and Leaving" starts with one of the most stunning first songs, "Everything Must Go!". This is the entire song: |
|
Garage Sale. Saturday. I need to pay my heart's outstanding bills. A cracked-up compass and a pocket watch, some plastic daffodils, the cutlery and coffee cups I stole from all-night restaurants, a sense of wonder (only slightly used), a year of two to haunt you in the dark, a wage-slave forty-hour work week (weighs a thousand kilograms, so bend you knees) -- comes with a free fake smile for all your dumb demands, the cordless razor that my father bought when I turned 17, a puke-green sofa, the outline to a complicated dream of dignity, and a laugh (too loud and too long). For a place where awkward belongs, or a phone call from far away with a "Hi, how are you today", and a sign that recovery come to broken ones. Or best offer. |
| Similarly, "This Is a Fire Door Never Leave Open", blends heartbreak with a damn catchy rhythm. Every single song on this album stands out and deserves yout attention. "My Favorite Chords" is sung with the tenderness of a lullaby, filled with lines like ... "I'd like to fall asleep to the beat of you breathing" and "Wish I had a socket-set to dismantle this morning. And just one pair of clean socks. And a photo of you." |
Jason Mraz -- Live at Java Joe's
// Austin City Limits performance //
Waiting for my rocket to come
Photo from his journal
at jasonmraz.com
| Jason Mraz is one of those people who made themselves known to me months before I actually got the album. Somehow saw his video on MTV2 and thought "Hey, that's kinda cool ... and look, he made a decal for his car that says MRAZDA." Pretty easy to remember his name after that. Actually bought this album for my mom as a random thank you present. Then, went home a few weeks later. We both tuned into "Austin City Limits" on PBS and promptly fell in love. This boy can MOVE his fine ass! But more than that, he can really wail. He somehow can scat and jive like a black man (maybe having Toca Rivera in the band helps), hit every note, and manage to give sexy looks to the ladies ... all at the same time. He clearly loves to improvise and has a playful energy about him. The recordings from Java Joe's are pure, raw, and amazing. Don't ever let anyone tell you he is just another over-produced singer songwriter. One listen to his live show or one viewing of Austin City Limits will convince you that he is a force to be reckoned with. Or will be very soon. I have great hopes for his second album, currently being finished. His website has several songs available (including MP3's), plus videos. Listen to "curbside prophet" from "Sold Out" (another live album) -- he manages to tell his life story eloquently and humorously in this always-evolving song. Jason Mraz is one of those artists you can savor before everyone else catches on to his appeal. Plus, he writes one of the funniest, most honest weblogs on his excellent website. Go read it and let yourself fall in love with his craziness. |
* Am also listening to:
Atom and His Package - Attention Blah Blah Blah
The Von Bondies - Raw and Rare
The Beatles - 1
Blink 182 - Blink 182
Matt Tritto (of the Headlands Band)
The Mountain Goats - We Shall All Be Healed
November:
Household Names is featured on the
MTV.com download page this month. Scroll down to "pop music".
http://www.mtv.com/music/downloads/
They also have a fun new video for
"Hold On Tight". Click
here to watch the video in Windows Media Player format.
THE STROKES -- "Room on Fire"
Photo of Julian Casablancas, taken by the amazing Chris Buck (http://www.chrisbuck.com)
| Yeah, it really is that good. It's
everything you liked (hopefully) about "Is This It?" with some reggae-ish
guitars (like The Clash) and straight up 80's Cars handclapping. You can
download the singles from their website as MP3s and that's super nice of
them. This is a hot, short album about being young and restless in New
York. The charm is that it could be about any girl or any guy, stumbling
through house parties and failed hook ups. The line "please don't slow
me down if I'm going too fast" sums up the reckless speed of this recording
and the delightful disregard for lessons learned along the way.
|
October Selections:
The Deathray
Davies
"Day of
the Ray"
|
Yeah, yeah, it took me moving to California to finally get this album. And a friend gave me a copy from a disc he bought used at Amoeba. Forgive me by going out and doing your best to find this album (or other fine works, including "Midnight at the Black Nail Polish Factory") locally or online from goodrecords. Anyhow. This is good, pure pop rock from musicians who are having fun. John Dufilho is beyond hot (and married) and one of those rare types who can sing about love, but not get all sappy or angsty. These are witty lyrics backed by just the right amount of rock guitar. No annoying solos. No overproduced intros. Fun, upbeat drumming. But it never becomes bubblegum. I'd say that these kids succeed where bands like Spoon can fail. Plus you can drink with them at the Barley House in Dallas or anywhere in Austin! And if you ever see a double bill for the Deathray Davies and Household Names, get to the club. I think Jason (of Household Names) is secretly John's twin. |
Image from
the Superdrag Tour section of deathraydavies.com
The Lucksmiths
"A Good Kind
of Nervous"
"Where Were
We?"
|
I know nothing about this band. My friend Adam showed up with these albums and said "just listen". They sound British. They sound like a happy version of Belle and Sebastian. I know nothing about B&S but hey, I've listened to their albums too. I do know that the sound is a bit like early, happy Blur. Anyhow, the Lucksmiths have this great way of jumping between depression and just manic delight. Songs like "T-Shirt Weather" are damn infectious. I mean, WAKE UP! It's T-Shirt Weather! is a cute line. These are the kind of albums you can enjoy without knowing anything about them, like ... hey, Google says that they're an Australian three piece! But what really really got me was this opening verse on "Where Were We": |
And your loyalties are divided
Between digital and vinyl
But I'm biding time
Until the cassingle revival
Because you promised when
it happens
You'll return
Check out this decent inteview: http://www.erasingclouds.com/02oct.html
http://www.thelucksmiths.com.au
September was fun, and here's what I had to say. Wow.
Full update later, but this month my selection includes:
The Weakerthans
The Mountain Goats
The Pine Hill Haints
and I am still delighted with Jesse
Malin (I plan to photograph his next show)
AUGUST PICKS:
Mercury Rev - "Deserter's Songs"
|
I just got this album at Amoeba. I knew nothing about them (and don't know much more right now) but I just saw "Laurel Canyon". The film features this breathtaking sequence set to a Mercury Rev song. Basically, the song starts right as an airplane lands in LA and two characters drive up into Laurel Canyon. The combination of aerial shots and driving shots just works perfectly with this song. Or maybe the other way around. So I went and just picked two albums without any prior research. I also bought "See You On the Other Side". What do they sound like? The clerk at Amoeba said "the Flaming Lips" and he was right. This is a good one to add for variety. Plus the well-timed song "Goddess on a Hiway" features the line "there's a river running dry because of you and me" and that's hot. |
Modest Mouse - "The Moon and Antarctica"
|
Maybe I'm late joining the crowd, but this is a great album for certain moods. It's kinda dark and funny and I had to look up the lyrics. The lead singer seems to have no problem admitting that he's an asshole sometimes. Refreshing. I like to work out to parts of this album. Example of great lyrics ("Dark Center of the Universe"):
I might disintegrate into the thin air if you'd like
This album features some really strange phrasing, great bass playing, and just a generally good flow. Sometimes the vocals just merge right into the instruments and sometimes they stand out and really break your heart. |
Here's the best photo I could find. They need better press photos. Why do most black and white press photos suck?
Uncle Tupelo - "No Depression" REISSUE.
|
Damn those smart executives for adding new tracks to every Uncle Tupelo album, in addition to the Anthology 89/93 release. My dad bought me the re-issue, nicely snagged from the freshly used bin at Amoeba. The clerk was proud of me for spotting it. So what's the big deal? The new version includes a nice, acoustic version of "Whiskey Bottle". The twangy demo of "No Depression" is much more bright than the album version, which sounds like they were standing in an underwater traffic tunnel. The demo of "Blues Die Hard" sounds like it escaped from a recording session for the Doors and is just rockin'. Plus the liner notes include a great story about the early days written by Mike Heidorn (you know, the *other* other guy in the band, not Jay or Jeff). Highly recommended, especially if you've never indulged. |
Left to right: Jay Farrar, Jeff Tweedy &
Mike Heidorn at Lounge Ax, Chicago IL 1991 Photo:
© Marty Perez
Beck - "Sea Change"
|
Oh my. This sounds nothing like that techno groove funky dance stuff that populated the airwaves in the late '90s. It's sweet ballads! And clear vocals! And it's really damn good and now I'm starting to understand why Beck got a spot on Austin City Limits. The first time I listened to this album was as John and I drove into LA. Rush hour traffic and drizzle and oh god it was my first trip to LA. It somehow made the Inland Empire breeze past. This is a man who's had his heart broken. And uses a pedal steel? I'm still falling in love with this album and feel kinda silly for not embracing Beck earlier. I've always liked his visual style and art, but who knew he could be so seductive and had such a rich voice? I've always shared Winona Ryder's choice in errant pretty men (think Ryan Adams, Matt Damon, Pete Yorn, Conor Oberst), and I should have just trusted her on this one sooner. |
Photo
taken from beck.com
.... July selections:
Jesse Malin
- "The Fine Art of Self-Destruction"
Photo from jessemalin.com
|
UPDATE: I just saw Jesse Malin play at the Bottom of the Hill in San Francisco on August 31, 2003. I wrote up this little summary months ago, when I was still enamored with him but couldn't find much information. Well, now I can tell you the following. Go see this boy live. He is fantastic. And he's short! And from Queens! He has the best accent ever. And he tells amazing stories in concert and after the show. He even bought me a shot of tequila, declared "To Debauchery!", and handed me his beer as a chaser. But don't let my enthusiasm overshadow the fact that Jesse has some serious talent and a refreshing ability to get out on the road and be so damn nice to everyone. WHAT I SAID BACK THEN: Handpicked protege of Ryan
Adams. Maybe a better lyricist (the line about the Tilt-O-Whirl sold me
on the album).
|
NADA SURF - "Let Go"
|
They sound nothing like you think you remember from "Popular". They were on Elektra back then. Just look at how far that got the Old 97's (would you judge them solely by "19"?). Now they're indie and beautiful. Matthew Caws took his time and gets it right. This is intelligent rock, played by the insightful son of a brilliant mother and equally talented band mates. "Let Go" is a slow record. It pulls you in with its first track of drumless guitar strumming and witty lyrics. Like the Coney Island-esque roller coaster of the second track, the pace of the record picks up as the band weaves through New York nights and hopelessly romantic solitude. The opening drum line of "Hi-Speed Soul", combined with powerful guitar playing, creates a song that is one of the most rocking dance tracks, just this side of indie disco. By the end of the ride, which manages to include a detour into untranslated French lyrics, Nada Surf has created something overwhelming and worth considering. |
(Daniel, Ira and Matthew)
|
UPDATE: (February 2004) These three men are amazing, kind hosts and were gracious enough to let me photograph them at Davis, CA and The Great American Music Hall in San Francisco. You could not ask for a nicer band. Really, go see them on tour. Ira is an amazing drummer, with years of strange rock history behind him. Daniel plays bass in the most sublime, beautiful way. And Matthew is just an all-around gentleman. I am overwhelmingly delighted to have met these boys and look forward to their future shows. |
My photos are here: http://alex.pecanbiz.com/else/else.html
Slobberbone - "Slippage"
Something deep and dark must have happened to
Brent Best. Either that or he has one damn good imagination.
This is the kind of album I find myself listening
to on public transit and long walks down the sidewalk.
It's not overwhelmingly Texan, but it's soaked
with blood and alcohol. Kinda like Uncle Tupelo.
Make damn sure you order an extra beer or two
before they take the stage.
I heart iTunes.
I shop at Good
Records.
Bands
I pimp for in public:
Rust Belt Music ( http://www.rustbeltmusic.com)
Household Names (http://www.householdnames.org)
Hijack the Disco (http://www.hijackthedisco.com)
The Long Winters (http://www.thelongwinters.com)