Defending a Genre

Last week Say Anything released its follow up to 2004's ...Is A Real Boy, the beautifully constructed indie rock opera that catapulted the LA band onto the national stage. Their latest release, In Defense of the Genre is an album sculpted along many of the same lines, but as a 27 song double disk there's even more to the show this time.

I had absolutely no expectations for this album, which was my own doing as I refused to think or read about it until I had a chance to listen. I did this because its just impossible to really know what makes the band tick and where their drive and inspiration for this album would come. The main reason for this lies with frontman Max Bemis, who is bipolar, which is a medical term for bat shiat crazy. Listening to ...Is A Real Boy you really get an understanding of just how out there his mind is, but what's refreshing is the openness with which he writes. Say Anything's songs are arguably some of the most honest out there, as Bemis hides nothing and shys away from no topics or points.

So where does In Defense of the Genre fall? That's a tough question, and honestly I don't think I can answer that yet. It takes me awhile to really digest their songs, more than most other bands for me, and coupled with the length of the album its gonna take a while to get a real opinion on the album. There are songs that I have really started to enjoy, and some which I think aren't as strong, but that's about all I can say right now. This album could end up in my top 5 for the year, or it might not even come close.

I know my description is pretty lame, but I just wanted to post on this album while it's fresh and post a couple of the tracks that have stood out for me so far, especially since I'm not really in love with the first single they've chosen. So here are a couple of the tracks I've started to really dig and hopefully you will too, and then check out In Defense of the Genre.

Say Anything - No Soul
Feels like a continuation of "Admit It" but with the added bonus of a Notorious BIG sample, or James Mtune if you wanna get technical

Say Anything - That is Why
'50s era tune that sounds like it should be in the movie Grease, except for with a modern twist

Say Anything - Spores
" You know I still know how, how much your love costs.
You know when I peel back your layered lip gloss.
You know I still know how to fuck your eyes crossed.
It's your loss.
It's your loss."

Say Anything - Church Channel
Interesting song dealing with Max's mental health problems and the compassion of a girl


There, I did my best. Really all I can say is check out the album for yourself, because there's a lot to it. Old Say Anything fans should find a band that has expanded its horizens, but not lost sight of its roots, and I think people who are new to Say Anything will find a very unique band that meshes a range of styles into a sound that mixes well with the eclectic and interesting lyrics written by Bemis.

-Alec

Sharon Jones and Neo-Soul

The Neo-soul movement has been making some real headway lately, and at the forefront has been Amy Winehouse, and her smash album Back to Black. Now Ms. Winehouse is a great singer and I love her album, but my favorite artist in this whole movement is Ms. Sharon Jones. She tours and releases albums under her name along with her backing band...Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings. In fact, the Dap-Kings were the same band that was hired to record Back to Black for Amy Winehouse (produced by Track Nine fav Mark Ronson). That was a nice one-time thing, but Sharon Jones gets to take advantage of their soul all of the time.

100 Days, 100 Nights is the new album that was just released by Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings just a few weeks ago. Get it. Now. If you are not bobbing your head and tapping your foot by the time you are 20 seconds in...you have negative soul. Her previous album, Naturally, is real solid as well, and either are a great introduction not only to Sharon Jones, but neo-soul if you haven't heard it, and hell, maybe it will get you into the old-school soul music that influences so much of what we listen to today.

'How Long Do I Have To Wait For You' is a track off of Naturally that begins with a drum break, then the horns kick in with a muted guitar rhythm that complements very well. From the first note you can tell that Sharon's voice hearkens back to the old soul singers that were so popular (see Inez Foxx, Clea Bradford perhaps...). Nobody's Baby' is a track off of the new album 100 Days, 100 Nights. It's a little more sultry than the first, as Sharon sings with a bit more sass, which suits her quite well. Just as catchy, just as good. The last track is called 'Be Easy' which has an off-beat feel to it. A bit more subdued than the first two, this is one to stroll along with on your iPod.

Hope you enjoy the soul!

-Kyle

Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings - How Long Do I Have To Wait For You

Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings - Nobody's Baby

Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings - Be Easy

In or out?

I'm kind in a bit of tight spot with regards to things to post about right now. I just got a bunch of new albums from bands that I like but haven't had enough time to really listen to them enough yet to the point where I want to post on them yet. But at the same time I've been striking out with new music lately and haven't found anything thats really grabbed my attention. So instead I'm just gonna present several of the groups that are in my "maybe" spot right now where I just can't tell how good they are yet. These are just gonna be links cause I don't have anything downloaded from these groups yet.

The Guggenheim Grotto - These guys are probably the best group out of the ones in this post. An alternative/indie group with influences of folk and touches of pop that craft come pretty cool tunes. And their Irish, which is sweet. If they wrote a song about Guinness then they'd definitely be in.
Be sure to listen to - Told You So

Edison Glass - This Long Island group has a nice sound that fits in that indie/pop region that I tend to like. Their sound is nothing revolutionary, but they manage to be unique in a way.
Be sure listen to - Let Go

State and Madison - These guys just make me think of Gatsby's American Dream, one of my all time favorite bands and crafters of 2005's runaway number one album Volcano. SAM is still pretty unpolished and are in need of some better producing, but they have some talent. If they make it big there's a decent chance they'll sign to a label that will push their sound to a more generic poppy side, which was what Gatsby's always managed to avoid. But for now they're still pretty raw.
Be sure to listen to -A Waltz

Peter Adams - "violin-soaked punk folk rock" is how Mr. Adams bills himself. I guess if his music career doesn't pan out he can just be a publicist for some other band. He's got all the tools needed to create music that college students eat up, but does he do enough with them?
Be sure to listen to - Cementalisque


Should these groups be in or out? That's what I'm trying to decide right now, and I guess its for you to decide as well. Feel free to post comments if you particularly like/dislike any of them.

-Alec

My Favorite Canadian Artist: Neil Young

I just spent the past weekend with our neighbors to the North at Queens University in Kingston, Ontario. Here are a few things to note about Canada. 1) They do say 'eh' as much as you think they do, I was laughing at their speech all the time. 2) They seem to do the same amount of stupid shit that American college kids do aka flipping over boats, a game that involves slapping each other in the face with an OJ jug, and lighting fireworks in the middle of an insanely crowded street. 3) They may have the best drunk food ever, and it's called Poutine. Take fries, intersperse melty cheese curds throughout, and top with warm gravy. Delicious. 4) It is really cold. And last but not least 5) They produced one of the greatest songwriters of our parents' and our generations...Neil Young.

Young began with Buffalo Springfield, then hooked up with CSNY, and all the while developing his own solo career. I'm sure that you can read more about Neil Young, and hear more from people much more knowledgeable about him than I...so I'll let most of his history slide to your own research. Young released my personal favorite album of his, Harvest, just after CSNY broke up in 1970.

Harvest, which is probably one of my top 5 albums of all time, opens with a great track called 'Out on the Weekend' which brings in a lazy harmonica, and a line that makes you want to start a new life with a pickup as well. Some people get turned off by Young's higher-pitched voice, but after a few listens you'll realize how striking and solid it really is. After the first track brings you into Neil Young, check out his biggest hit 'Heart of Gold.' From the first 3 chords, every dad in America will know this tune. The harmonica then kicks in, and you will realize that it's an instant classic. It's a good song to listen to as the leaves turn colors and fall off the trees...or harvest-time...hey, how about that. The third song here is called 'Old Man', which tells a little story from the perspective of a 24 year old who has so much more to see. The banjo adds quite a nice effect before the soaring harmonies in the chorus. So learn some lessons, listen to some of the best music ever, enjoy autumn, and take a trip to Canada.

Neil Young - Out on the Weekend

Neil Young - Heart of Gold

Neil Young - Old Man

-Kyle

The Evolution of a Band Part IV: Rory Allen Phillips

It was really too bad when Slowreader disappeared into nothing....kind of like it arrived. But out of it came Rory's thirst to still make music. Now, Rory (the brainchild behind the whole evolution) had been gaining momentum as a producer over the years that he had some downtime.

So, what did he do? Rory decided to re-release a few b-sides (totally revamped and reproduced) and new songs from his earlier years in a free downloadable CD. He did all of the instrumentation and production himself, and released it as kind of a 'demo cd'. However, it's pretty damn good. Rory reverts back to a more rock-oriented feel with perhaps a few disco-ish touches on his new demos. A few are posted below.

'Invisible' begins with an electronic feel accompanied by Rory's soothing voice. It bounces along until the chorus where he really begins to let loose and show a grittier, rock side. And just as soon as it explodes, it's back to a smooth, bouncy rhythm. That is, until the next chorus. 'Hope' is pretty much a straight up pop tune where the chorus will have a hard time leaving your head. 'Love Won't Be Enough' is probably my personal favorite, with interesting drumming, and vocals that fade in and out quite nicely. Rory now has a full band that tours with these songs and others....so if you can catch the last remnants of the Impossibles....do it. Hope you enjoyed the evolution!

-Kyle

Rory Allen Phillips - Invisible

Rory Allen Phillips - Hope

Rory Allen Phillips - Love Won't Be Enough