***REVIEWS FOR 12.8.08***
ALONE II – The Home Recordings of Rivers Cuomo
Part two of the Weezer frontman’s collection of home recordings originally
released at the end of 2007. Most of these tracks were recorded in Cuomo’s
home studio in Connecticut from 1993-2006 and tell the story of his various
bouts with depression, self-doubt and insecurities as an unlikely rock star.
While some tracks were demoed for proper Weezer albums, others were just for
fun or manifests of Cuomo’s relentless, unfiltered drive for
self-expression. RIYL: Weezer, Rivers Cuomo, Weezer, Rivers Cuomo
BANG BANG ECHE “self-titled”
No, not En Esch. Bang! Bang! Eche! They are from New Zealand. Old people
will hear the keyboards and think of The Police. Kids will hear the same
thing and think of The Killers. For once everyone is correct. It’s
definitely not a unique sound, but it is of fill-in quality for what’s
popular these days. It’s a five-track EP, self-titled. “4 to the Floor”
leads off quietly, a little bit Flock of Seagulls, a little bit David Bowie.
“Time Mismanagement” has a bit of a Panic at the Disco feel to it. Very
likable!RIYL: Killers, Panic at the Disco, The Police
SYSTEM AND STATION – A Nation of Actors
System and Station returns with its fourth full-length album, A Nation of
Actors, to deliver its most solid work to date. Principle songwriter and
anchor of the band, RFK Heise, introduces elements of the gentle ambiance
formerly reserved for his side project Protest Hill.RIYL: Drive Like Jehu, Built to Spill, Jawbox
VARIOUS ARTISTS – “Electrostatik Volume 2″
This is a compilation of electronic music featuring Centipede, Baconflex,
Violedy, Fewfuzz, Perfect North and more. RIYL: Daft Punk, 80s synth pop Electronic music… all the tracks are
different
LEAH – “I’m Not Goin’ Nowhere”
Not since Des’ree told us “I Ain’t Movin’” have we been notified of an
artist’s whereabouts so specifically. This five-track EP seems short,
considering that if she really isn’t goin’ anywhere then why couldn’t she
record a full-length album in the process!RIYL: Paramore without the angst, happier Pink
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ARTIST SPOTLIGHT (NOVEMBER): The Hearts of Palm UK
Every time I play The Hearts of Palm UK on my show, I get a phone call about them; “Who is this? I really like this!” Thus I decided they would be a great spotlight for our first KSCU artist spotlight. So, raise your hands up if you’ve heard of the Hearts of Palm UK and knew they were part-Bay Area band. Yeah, I had no idea either. I just assumed after hearing the album that they were some band out of, well, the U.K.�most likely Scotland, judging from the sounds of their dreamy bedroom shoe-gazery pop songs. Nope. Lead singer Erica Elektra is a Bay Area native–though the band now resides in Los Angeles. Shoot, had I known that I wouldn’t have put off reviewing this surprising Cali hit-with-me for a near month! Shame on me! Any way�if you dig sexy female vocals layered over indie-electro loops (and cello!) then you will definitely appreciate this album. Hearts of Palm UK are a three-piece, mostly driven by lead vocalist Erica Elektra. The songs all started life as recordings of Elektra singing and accompanying herself on the guitar, and she added most of the other sounds later using a Korg workstation. Elektra seems to have that special kind of talent. And the album closes with what, in retrospect, feels like an inevitable cover version of Roxy Music’s “More Than This.” And really–who doesn’t love a little Bryan Ferry? If you like music in the vein of the Sea and Cake, Metric, Ivy, Helium, Broadcast or Au Revoir Simone then you will love Hearts of Palm UK. Give this trio of Los Angeles, but by-way-of Bay Area females some lovin’!
You can catch Nicole spinnin’ tunes as DJ Schrute host of the Beet Farm Tuesdays from 7-11 a.m.
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Supergrass- Diamond Hoo Ha
Well into their second decade, these Britpop stalwarts are back - with their sixth and most rockin’ and rollicking studio album to date. The title track sets the stage with its super fuzzed out guitar tones and ramshackle drumming and marks a nice change of pace from 2005’s rather subdued and introspective Road To Rouen. As with most of their previous albums, Supergrass proudly display their affection for 70s pop and glam – with piano and guitar laden romps that mine the best of Bowie and T. Rex. Despite the obvious stylistic nods, they still manage to sound fresh and vibrant for a band easing into their middle ages. Review by: Mr. Power Pop (June 2008).
The Fratellis- Here We Stand
I admit that prior to hearing this album I expected to be completely underwhelmed. I imagined some eye-rolling and “I don’t get it” shrugging, thinking to myself—”what’s the big deal? There are a billion other bands doing this exact same thing”. Only after a couple listens, I felt completely different. While there is a definite liking to the now-Brit-sound of bands like the Arctic Monkeys & Swedish rockers the Kooks, there’s something a little different about these Scottish brothers. The singer, Jon Fratelli sounds like a cross between Alex Turner (Arctic Monkeys) and Colin Meloy (Decemberists) with some Gallagher Brothers (Oasis) & Adam Schlesinger (Fountains of Wayne) thrown in for good measure. The music is pretty comparable to all those bands as well—which is far from a bad thing. The songs on Here We Stand start off much like standard versions of songs by their contemporaries; though magically take you in a surprisingly different—better—direction, full of combined pop-harmonies and catchy 60s-inspired hooks. There’s no sophomore slump here for the Fratellis, just some great power-pop/Brit-pop inspired tunes that always leave you with a smile rather than a shrug. No shrugs here—I completely get it. Review by: DJ Schrute (June 2008).
