Skipped It 'Til Now: Sleater-Kinney - The Woods

Why did I skip Sleater-Kinney's 2005 album, The Woods? I really don't have an answer for that. I've been a fan of the band since I first heard Dig Me Out back in the day. A new S-K record was an event... so now I'm confused as to why it took me such a long time to check their final album out. Well, I recently purchased The Woods from a clearance rack for the ridiculous price of $4, and it boggles my mind as to why such an awesome album could be ignored by anyone.

The usual brash and sassy sound of Sleater-Kinney has changed a bit on The Woods. There's an overall classic hard rock sound here. The record is LOUD, with cracks and pops adding a certain rawness to every song. It works pretty well from the very beginning as the opener, "The Fox," charges at you with distorted guitars and pounding drums. Singer/guitarist Corin Tucker's Aesop fable-worthy lyrics would seem to be in contrast with the raw music, but her voice (some people hate it, I love it) fits into the mix so well that she could say anything and it would work. Guitarist Carrie Brownstein and drummer Janet Weiss are in top form as usual. The whole album continues in a similar fashion throughout, as hard rockin' behemoths like "Entertain" and "Let's Call It Love" threaten to blow out your speakers (can you believe I listened to it with headphones?). Even the lighter "Modern Girl" (oddly, my favorite) is pretty hard. Songs like "Wilderness" and "Rollercoaster" are more typical S-K fare, but they fit in with the rest of the songs well. For all its Hendrix-like aspirations, The Woods can be compared to previous S-K albums if you'd like, because there are a lot of flashes of things they've done in the past, but they all culminate into something new and forward-looking, making for a rather enjoyable listen from beginning to end.

The Woods is an extremely well-crafted album by an extremely competent band, and I'm ashamed of myself for taking so long to listen to it. There aren't any real issues with the record in my opinion. Can't say that there are any lulls or filler anywhere to be found, and it begins and ends strongly. I have read elsewhere that other listeners weren't fond of the quality of the recording, and while I can understand it, I think it works wonderfully. If you haven't heard The Woods, do yourself a favor and pick it up. It looks like it's selling for ridiculous prices.

- Jake

Song of the Day: Hungry Villagers' "Tree Full of Ghosts"

There's a song that keeps popping up when I'm listening to MP3s, and I can't seem to escape it. "Tree Full of Ghosts," by the Texas band, Hungry Villagers, is the song that I speak of, and it's a pretty nice song. I've been listening to this song for a couple of months now, and I've liked it from the first moment that I heard it, but after listening to it multiple times every day this week, I've decided that I love it.

"Tree Full of Ghosts" is a dark, melodic song that starts out with a bit of a folk-rock sound and then eventually builds into a bouncy, almost-gospel track with 4/4 drums. I'm not quite sure what the lyrics are about, something about a "heart full of soma" and an "occupation" that "files slowly past your door," but I get the idea that it deals with an inability to let things go and letting problems constantly live around you as a reminder of what may have happened in the past ("carving out your name/ in your hard wood/ of your tree full of ghosts"). Perhaps I'm totally off and that's just what I want it to be about because that's the type of thing that I deal with on a regular basis. Either way, it's an interesting listen, and the sound of the singer's voice really adds that melancholy vibe to it. The overall sound of the song is reminiscent of bands like The National and Interpol, just a little folksier.

Photo Courtesy: Last.fm

I don't know a lot about Hungry Villagers, but I'm interested in finding out more. They are a promising band with an already strong sound. I've read that they have relocated to Georgia to work on their full-length album, so maybe I'll be able to check out their live show. In addition to "Tree Full of Ghosts," check out "Little Fingers."

- Jake

In Rotation: Modest Mouse - No One's First, and You're Next

I’m always excited when there’s a new Modest Mouse release, even if the material isn’t new. No One’s First, and You’re Next is a collection of B-sides from the Good News for People Who Love Bad News and We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank sessions, and while all these songs have been previously released in one way or another, having them all compiled onto one disc makes for a pretty good EP.

No One’s First features 8 songs that sound like the two albums that they were originally made for, so if you’re a fan of those releases, then you’ll find a lot to like here. “Guilty Cocker Spaniels” features typical MM almost-rap/ranting vocals over layered guitars, and “Autumn Beds,” with its wonderful sing-along chorus, is possibly the catchiest track on the EP. The lengthy guitar workout, “The Whale Song,” is reminiscent of some of the stuff on The Moon and Antarctica. The common Modest Mouse themes of life, death, God, and the Devil are here in full force, and they are conveyed in the weird and feverish way that only singer Isaac Brock can convey them. The only qualm I have with the disc is that I would have preferred another B-side in place of “I’ve Got It All (Most)” considering that the song has been the most widely available track (it was on the “Float On” single as well as the deluxe edition of Good News..), and I’m not sure that it really fits here.

No One’s First, and You’re Next is another good Modest Mouse EP in the vein of 1999’s Building Nothing Out of Something and 2001’s Everywhere and His Nasty Parlour Tricks, collecting the odds and ends of their most recent albums. It’s not as strong as those other releases, but it’s definitely worth checking out.

- Jake

A Sunday For Sad Songs

Today, I'm feeling tired and sad. Some people would eschew music as unnecessary entertainment when feeling blue, but I find I seek it out when I'm feeling like this...hoping for solace, perhaps a boost. Sometimes you just want to find that perfect song that allows you to wallow in said sadness, sift through it and figure out if any good can come from it.

I'm in need of that kind of music this morning and right now a couple songs seems to be working for me.

Frightened Rabbit - Fast Blood

Photo Courtesty: Last.fm

This track's got it all, an overall melancholy feel with guitars that seem to moan and whimper at the same time. The vocals are raw and emotional, allowing me to quietly contemplate or let a few tears slide from the corner of my eyes. The lyrics are sweeping and simple at the same time, letting you interpret them how you so choose.

"This is the longest kiss good night
Good night
And then I fall down
I stumble
and she said, she said, she said good night"

I'm choosing to interpret that long last kiss as sad and hopeful at the same time. and that's what the best sad songs do...allow you the means to feel the sadness, but look for the underlying hope, the possibility the sadness will lessen.

White Lies - Death

Photo Courtesy: Last.fm

You can interpret this song as simply a song about someone who's scared to death of the thought of death...but that's not how it works for me. Nope. It's more about dealing with the fear, embracing it and the sadness and even anger it might bring with it, and choosing how you're going to deal with it.

The lyrics themselves are the sadness, the driving beat and rising crescendo of the song are the hope that comes when sadness is really looked at and understood.

If anyone else is having a sad Sunday, I can hope these help. I feel a little bit better for having blogged them, for the repeat listens as I blogged. The sadness, very much still there, is tempered with some hope, lots of determination and a sense that giving up isn't the right option right now.

Music made this happen for me. Enjoy the rest of your Sunday or wallow in a little sadness with me.

Skipped It 'Til Now: Colin Stetson - New History Warfare, Volume 1

This week’s album that I “Skipped ‘Til Now” is one that I didn’t necessarily mean to skip, but I did so because I let a friend borrow the disc before I even listened to it. Now that I have it back, I’ve taken a listen to saxophonist Colin Stetson’s 2007 record, New History Warfare, Volume 1, and I’m rather pleased. The album definitely isn’t for everyone, but fans of more experimental stuff will probably love it.

Colin Stetson has played with people like Tom Waits, The Arcade Fire, and TV on the Radio, but I was first introduced to his brand of sax music when he opened for The National back in May. I didn’t quite know what to expect when he picked up his massive bass saxophone, but when he started to play, I was thoroughly impressed. He ain’t Kenny G, that’s for sure. That’s not an insult to Mr. G because they play two different types of music. Actually, I’m not sure that different is really the word to describe Stetson’s style. Stetson’s music is more akin to the glitchy electronic stuff made by Tim Hecker and Nobukazu Takemura (track 9, "Nobu Take," is obviously inspired by the latter), which is pretty interesting considering he’s doing it with a saxophone. He played his heart out (really, it looked like he was about to explode) during his live set, which couldn’t have been any longer than 25 minutes, but it was definitely enough to make me run to the merch table and buy his CD.

After seeing Colin Stetson play live, I knew what to expect from the 48-minute instrumental album. Most of New History Warfare’s 11 tracks can’t really be described by comparing them to any sort of genre, but there are moments where jazz, tribal sounds, and even hip-hop come to mind. The first song, “And It Fought to Escape,” sets the mood for the rest of the album in its 8 minutes. It is an atmospheric, vaguely Chinese-sounding piece with an insistent melody and pulsing bass line, all demonstrating Stetson’s amazing breath control and ability to “multitask” in his horn-playing. “Stand, Walk” couples a sinister bass line with percussive breaths that act as the song’s drum kit. Played live, this is the track that had everyone in the crowd excited, inspiring the dude standing next to me with the bandana tied around his head to have his own personal dance party. Song #3, “Groundswell,” sounds like a training scene from a kung fu movie with its pseudo-flute melody driving the track. The way that Stetson tends to make his saxophone sound like several different instruments despite it only being one is very impressive. He even uses his mouth and breath to beatbox on the hip-hoppy “Tiger Tiger Crane” (all that’s missing from this song is a verse from a Wu-Tang member).

The songs on New History Warfare make it hard not to envision some sort of scene or imagery in your head while listening. Everything sounds like something I’ve seen or some place that I’ve wanted to go to. The aptly-titled “As a Bird or Branch” makes me think of a forest at sundown (or something similar), and you can practically see a couple breaking up on a rainy day in the mournful jazz of “Our Heartbreak Perfect.” Okay, those images are kind of corny, but you get the picture. You may think of something else, but you’ll be hard-pressed not to think of SOMETHING.

Press Photo Courtesy of ColinStetson.com

Colin Stetson is obviously a master of his instrument, and New History Warfare, Volume 1 is the perfect showcase for his talent. The album has its meandering moments, and some people will undoubtedly call it noise, but it’s an interesting record either way. It’s a good purchase, and I strongly recommend his live show.

Colin Stetson - Groundswell
Colin Stetson - Nobu Take

- Jake

Flash Back Friday...

Flashback Friday posts were one of my favorite parts of the old SoM blog...so it's definitely one part of the old I want to bring into the new.

I went for a run tonight and generally a dark and slow song like this one wouldn't give you the extra something to get up a hill, but I've always loved the Jesus and Mary Chain.



I admit it. I loved Live back in the 90's. Back before they got preachy and holier than thou. Back when they rocked. This is from a concert in the early 90's. The track is from their first release, a 4-song EP. Sound quality isn't perfect. But they were awesome. And young. Of course, so was I in the early 90's.




Since I've been fighting a pretty constant battle against insomnia lately, I decided that the "recent" flashback should be the "posterchild" for insomnia. I've always thought this song should be the theme song for anyone who takes part in ultra-endurance sports.



Have a great weekend! Mallie

Still Flyin' Are "Entourage" Bound

A few days ago a new friend introduced me to a used to be from Athens, now make their way in San Fran band called Still Flyin'. He's friends with the band and wanted to share his appreciation. The track he sent me definitely embodied the Athens, GA sound I recognize after years of reviewing discs from Happy Birthday to Me records. Here's the track:

The Hottchord is Struck

I liked it. I thought about blogging about the band after that listen, but it just didn't really immediately grab me, making me want to shout out to the blogosphere.

Fast forward to this afternoon. I got an e-mail from previously mentioned new friend and he shared some good news. His pals had sold a track to the highly popular "Entourage" TV franchise. Way cool. And, let me tell you. The way cool link he sent me definitely got me to that "blog it" state.



What's so special about it? Could it be the almost "rah-rah", "go team" cheerleader-esque female vocals that pulse throughout? Could it be the quirky, but vaguely familiar video? The bouncy jangly guitar goodness? Probably it's all three smashed up and rolled together for one super-duper listening shebang.

I'll let you decide. If you've never heard them...let me know what you think. If I'm too slow on the uptake for you, meaning you've known of their awesomeness FOREVER, at least glory in their good news.

Mallie

Sunday - Skipped It 'Til Now: The Fiery Furnaces' Blueberry Boat

CD shopping is one of my favorite things to do. Even in this age of downloading and ordering on the Web, I still love to actually go out and look for CDs. There’s an indescribable joy that I get from rifling through stacks of cases and happening upon discs that I didn’t expect to find. A lot of times, I’ll come across something that I wasn’t looking for and isn’t too high of a priority to me, but I’ll buy it anyway. Whenever this happens, it’s a toss-up whether or not I listen to it when I get home or much later on. This feature is all about albums that I’m just now getting around to listening to for one reason or another.

I picked up The Fiery Furnaces’ album, Blueberry Boat, from a clearance rack a few months back. I know I’m pretty late to the game, and I know this album is considered a real gem. I had every intention of buying it back when it came out in 2004, but always hesitated because I was unsure as to how I’d feel about the album considering that I wasn’t overly impressed by what I had previously heard from them. Well, after listening to the 76+ minute epic, I’ll say that I made a pretty good purchase, but my worries were not completely unwarranted.

Blueberry Boat is a rather ambitious record, with all kinds of things packed into every song. Brother-sister duo Eleanor and Matthew Friedberger have made sure that the listener won’t get bored, as they never let a whole song sound the same for very long. The 10-minute opener, “Quay Cur,” begins with a spare electronic beat with a snare that sounds like stretched-out sample of a chirping bird. Add some piano and organ as well as Eleanor’s child-like vocals, and the stage is set for a nice experimental pop song. After about 3 minutes, the song completely changes to Matthew and his acoustic guitar work that lasts for a while before changing into something completely different. Most of the songs on the album follow this kind of pattern, which reminds me of a stage play with several scene and costume changes. It’s very fitting, as all of Blueberry Boat’s songs are of the long and theatrical sort and wouldn’t be out of place in a musical.

With the theater connection being made, I’ll have to say that Blueberry Boat is a bit of an exhausting listen that I’d have to be in the mood for to completely enjoy. The album starts out pretty strong with the electro-weirdness of “Quay Cur,” the kinda-sorta ragtime jam, “Straight Street” (my favorite track), and the cool pirate battle story of “Blueberry Boat.” After those songs, though, all of which I could probably listen to anytime, I find myself getting a bit tired. Don’t get me wrong, every song on the album is good, but there’s so much to process (never mind the instrumental changes, what about the verbose lyrics?), that I feel that a nap is in order before continuing the listen.

Blueberry Boat is a very well-done album that I am glad that I finally picked up and listened to. For fans of theatrical, operatic pop, it really is a gem. The wordy storytelling and near-constant song change-ups make it an interesting record throughout. Just make sure you’re well-rested and ready to pay attention.

- Jake

Saturday - Spanning the Globe: A is for Austria

Inspired by Filter, Smashing Pumpkins and the Foo Fighters, Austria's Intracardial, wants music to be visual as well as sonic. Makes me think of what V.A.S.T. was trying to do during their early run. He's been working a while to get his sound out, and put out this video in '07. It's not true metal and not really nu-metal. I don't know if you'd call it metal at all. It's hard enough not to be sappy, but melodic enough to inspire a listen.