SEA WOLF-Leaves in the River

Is it twee?

With a name like “Sea Wolf,” the band has got to either be that or heavy metal, right? And with an album title like, “Leaves In The River,” you’d be right to guess against metal. But we’ll get to the answer to our question later. For now, answer this one: Do you remember Sea Wolf? I reviewed their EP here, then picked it as one of the best EPs of the midyear. You may recall that Sea Wolf is essentially Alex Brown, a singer/songwriter whose brilliance is untainted by his youth. So, his band did the short version. Can they pull off a proper album?

Yes.

“Leaves in the River” is excellent. There’s enough variety here to keep the listener’s ears fixed on every note, never knowing for sure what will happen next. Will it be the low menace of “Don’t You Love Me Anymore?” Will it be the gentle, pensive title track? This is an album to lose yourself in. Records don’t get a whole lot better than this nowadays.

And as for the question, yeah, it’s twee. You got a problem with that?

The Garden That You Planted

You’re a Wolf

HEALTH-“Health”

Health’s new album starts of slow. 30 seconds of near silence slowly builds into tribal drum and solemn organ. Eventually, the guitars start to hit and the cymbals crash and the entire first song, “Heaven,” crescendos into silence, followed, after a few beats, by a loan chime of the organ. So, is this a gentle instrumental record? No. In fact, it fits in more with the noisy, up-and-downs of Husker Du, Parts & Labor, Black Dice . . . It’s not the kind of sound you immediately fall in love with. At least I didn’t. But there’s an energy here, a vibe of excitement and anything-can-happen randomness in tunes like Girl Attorney and Triceratops, that rewards hard listening. If you’re looking for something accessible, this isn’t for you. But if you’re a fan of the offbeat and inventive, this may just be the ticket!

Crimewave-Health

Triceratops (CFCF remix)-Health

REFLECTIONS: DOGS WITHOUT FEAR OF DYING

“What the hell is that weird crap on the stereo?” You’re likely to get that if you crank “Reflections: Dogs Without Fear of Dying” in a crowded room. But you’ll also probably get a couple T-Rex or Gary Glitter fans who say, “Wow! What the hell is that weird crap you have on?”

The new release, from the tiny indie label Civil Defense League (founded by Jim Ward from Sparta), is the debut solo album by Clint Newsom, who used to be a part of the Austin band, Rhythm of Black Lines. It features psychedelindie ditties with titles like “Magical Medicine” and “The Doctor’s Work” – which should give you an idea already of what it sounds like. At times it also seems a little folk-y, but don’t let that stop you if you’re an anti-folkster. It’s not folk like The Mountain Goats or old Bob Dylan. There’s nothing like a single guy screaming about war over an acoustic guitar. It’s folk like Crosby, Stills, and Nash or 1966 Grateful Dead albums: Actual songs that aren’t too dark but also don’t make a lot of sense.

The album jumps around a little: “Half Brothers” features guitarwork reminiscent of The Byrds, while Hooghly Through the Howrah skirts the edges of My Morning Jacket covering Donovan. Then “Letter Writing Digital Cash” has an upbeat “Jeepster” groove. Fun to listen to, constantly changing, this is a solid retro release that should grab some bloggers’ ears.

Letter Writing Digital Cash

10 REASONS I LEARNED TO LOVE OF MONTREAL

I like my tunes to be free of pretension, so when I heard of an album called, Hissing Fauna, Are you the Destroyer?” I said thanks but no thanks. When I was forwarded the first single, “Heimdal’s Gate Like a Promothean Curse,” I said thanks but no thanks. I even listened to it and found it completely inaccessible. That was in January. Then the hype started and I even ran a post on the band responsible, saying that I didn’t care for their original material but their covers were interesting. A commenter pointed out that half of the live tunes I had posted were actually originals, but still I said, thanks but no thanks. Plus, I’d heard their prior album and wasn’t moved by it.

Sometimes, I can be so damn stubborn.

With a dry emusic queue one week, I finally snatched up “Hissing Fauna, Are you the Destroyer?”. As soon as I put on “Suffer for Fashion,” I was hooked. I don’t know that I have anything new to say about Of Montreal, but I figured they deserved an eat-my-words post. This is a strong album, with enough hooks to be accessible but not so many that it qualifies as pop. It’s more art pop. I can’t say I’m moved by this one any more than their prior album, but I sure enjoyed this one a lot more. I know, people will say it’s more mainstream, sellout, blah blah blah, but there’s no accounting for taste and this album just hits me better. Plus, unlike a lot of albums that I liked at first but don’t find myself returning to that often, I’ve lived with “HF,AYTD” for months now and I like it more each time I hear it. At the same time, I find its intentional obscurity a little hard to take in large doses. I don’t think I’ve ever listened to it straight through more than once. I tend to listen to about half the tracks and then I need to clear my brain out with something less complicated, like spatial geometry. Or maybe a cover?

Heimdal’s Gate Like a Promothean Curse-Of Montreal (from Hissing Fauna, Are you the Destroyer)

Tropical Iceland (The Fiery Furnaces Cover)-Of Montreal (live)

More Than a Feeling (Boston)-Of Montreal (live)

Don’t Stop Believin’ (Journey)-Of Montreal (live) Seems like everyone is covering this tune these days, but this one was done before the Sopranos finale.

Rasberry Beret (Prince)-Of Montreal (live)

Moonage Daydream-David Bowie-Of Montreal (live)

I Need You Tonight (INXS)-Of Montreal (live)

The Live Music Blog has a few live cuts (follow link)

Daytrotter Session has a few more(follow link)

Of Montreal-The Stills

Of Montreal Tour Dates:

Sep 28 – Carrboro, NC – Cat’s Cradle * AA
Oct 02 – Knoxville, TN – Bijou Theater ^^^ AA
Oct 03 – Urbana, IL – The Canopy Club ^^^ 18+
Oct 04 – Milwaukee, WI – Pabst Theater ^^^ AA
Oct 05 – Minneapolis, MN – First Avenue (EARLY SHOW) ^^^ AA
Oct 06 – Chicago, IL – Metro ^^^ AA
Oct 07 – Chicago, IL – Metro ^^^ AA
Oct 08 – Oberlin, OH – Hale’s Gym @ Oberlin College ^^^ AA
Oct 09 – Detroit, MI – Majestic Theatre ^^^ AA
Oct 10 – Buffalo, NY – The Tralf ^^^ AA
Oct 11 – Philadelphia, PA – The Trocadero ^^^ AA
Oct 12 – Boston, MA – The Roxy ^^^ AA
Oct 13 – New York, NY – Roseland ^^^ AA
Oct 14 – Baltimore, MD – Ram’s Head Live ^^^ AA
Oct 31 – Athens, GA – 40 Watt Club ^^^ 18+
Nov 01 – New Orleans, LA – House Of Blues ^^^ 18+
Nov 02 – Houston, TX – Numbers (EARLY SHOW) ^^^ AA
Nov 03 – Austin, TX – Fun Fun Fun Fest ^^^ AA
Nov 04 – Dallas, TX – Granada Theater ^^^ AA
Nov 05 – El Paso, TX – Club 101 ^^^ AA
Nov 06 – Tempe, AZ – The Marquee ^^^ AA
Nov 07 – Tucson, AZ – The Rialto ^^^ AA
Nov 08 – Los Angeles, CA – Avalon ^^^ AA
Nov 09 – Los Angeles, CA – Avalon ^^^ AA
Nov 10 – La Jolla, CA – Mandeville Auditorium @ UC-San Diego ^^^ AA
Nov 11 – Pomona, CA – The Glasshouse ^^^ AA
Nov 12 – San Francisco, CA – Great American Music Hall ^^^ AA
Nov 13 – San Francisco, CA – Great American Music Hall ^^^ AA
Nov 14 – San Francisco, CA – Great American Music Hall ^^^ AA
Nov 16 – Salt Lake City, UT – In The Venue ^^^ AA
Nov 17 – Denver, CO – Ogden Theater ^^^ 16+
Nov 18 – Lawrence, KS – Liberty Hall ^^^ AA
Nov 19 – St Louis, MO – The Pageant ^^^ AA
AA=All Ages
* w/ Psychic Hearts
^^^ w/ Grand Buffet & MGMT

10 REASONS MY BLOG WILL LEND YOU SOME SUGAR

As promised . . .

1. Hey Ya-Low

2. Hey Ya-Fuzz

3. Hey Ya-Ryan Miller. An awesome acoustic alt-country version.

4. Hey Ya-Supersuckers.

5. Hey Ya-Starbuck of Ekoostik Hookah

6. Hey Ya-Drive By Truckers

7. Hey Ya-Razorlight

8. Hey Ya-Weeping Tile

9. Hey Ya-The New Amsterdams

10. If you can figure out why I selected this picture for this post, and e-mail me with the answer and your mailing address, I’ll send you a prize copy of a great new CD by Girl Nobody. (Read my review of it here.)  There’s also a few second-place prizes to give away, so go for it now!

LAUGHING OUTLAW RECORDS

Is that Americana? Nope. Alt Country? Kinda, but not really. It’s Aus Country! I just got a huge package from Laughing Outlaw, an Australian indie label with a tremendous catalog of, as you might guess from the label’s name, good old fashioned shitkicker tune. I haven’t listened to every album all the way through yet, but I will, but I’ve put them all in at once and started a random sampling while I threw a coat of paint on the wall. And from what I’ve heard, it’s all good. So I figured I’d do a rare “label post.” Here’s just a few of the worthwhile things you can find on that label. I wish I could do a proper post on every album, but I’m so overloaded with submissions right now. Please don’t take the fact that there’s several bands listed here as meaning that I less then heartily support them. This is an awesome record label and all of these artists are really good.

Perry Keyes-Meter and Last Ghost Train

In the tradition of Fred Eaglesmith, Perry Keyes makes barroom blues and alt country that forces you to tap your toes and think at the same time. Although many of his songs are deep and full of longing, none are depressing or dull. According to his press, he’s a taxi driver by day and a singer-songwriter by aspiration. Of what Laughing Outlaw sent me, this is my favorite artist. Really great stuff. I may even give Perry his own post, sometime later in the year. Meter is a double-album, which will take me a while to really listen to. We’ll see if it grows on me. Last Ghost Train is his ’07 release, but L.O. isn’t promoting it on their website, so it may not be out yet (they didn’t enclose any press materials). But it is similarly excellent. I’ve offered “At the Speedway” as a taste. You must listen to the lyrics–they’re outstanding. Plus, this album has a song named after Joe Strummer, so come on. Support the man!

At the Speedway

Beer and Cigarettes

Sandra’s on the Way

Discount Bottle Shop

Sam Shinazzi-Stories You Wouldn’t Believe

Continuing through the Laughing Outlaw mailbag, in order of preference, we come to Sam Shinazzi. Sam’s album is dedicated to Elliott Smith, so right away you get an idea of what this singer-songwriter’s stuff is like. The lyrics on this album are nothing short of brilliant. Check out Game Over, for example, with its refrain: “I awoke to the sound of you leaving/That’s not true, I was awake I wasn’t sleeping.” Or Breakdown, which begins the album with the line: “Don’t you ever get the feeling you’re falling apart?” This is another one that is simply fantastic and deserves (and will receive) a closer listen from me. Give the album a try, or at least check out these tastes below. I’m begging you. I don’t throw the word “brilliant” around often.

Game Over

Scotty Come Home

George Byrne-Foreign Water.

Next: Foreign Water by George Byrne. This album has a little more twang than you’d expect from a moody pop album obviously influenced by 1980s mood pop–it’s even produced by Tim Powles, drummer of the prog-rock band, The Church and Jonathan Burnside of Sleepy Jackson. (Remember them? Whatever happened to them?) and Tim Powles (The Church). Great ballads, sweet music. Again, highly recommended and deserving of its own post. He’s got downloads on his myspace page, and I’m recommending you taste this song, my favorite one I’ve heard so far.

Light Years

Bek-Jean Stewart-Junior Years

The only female singer-songwriter sent to me by Outlaw Records, with a voice as good as Melissa Etheridge in her prime, great lyrics delivered by a breathy, sexy throat, and complex acoustic guitar . . . And contributions from Perry Keyes to boot! Junior Years was her 2006 release (she used to be in a band with a member of Catherine Wheel, called Eva Trout). More good stuff. I’m trusting Laughing Outlaw more and more!

Bleed Like a Woman

Halfway-Fairwell to the Fainthearted and Remember the River

Their website introduces them by saying, “Welcome to Halfway Country!” And that’s about the most apt band description I can think of. Half country, half rock; half bluegrass, half folk; half pop, half honky tonk. Nice!

Dearest Mother (From Remember the River).

Six Hours From Brisbane (From Farewell to the Fainthearted)