pic: derekerdman.com
This weeks' not as awesome...However, in continuation of staying for a whole album...creating a mood, etc., here's what developed:
Lucero: 1372 Overton Park
Lucero: Rebels, Rogues & Sworn Brothers
I'm seeing them live on Sunday and decided to do a couple of their albums for refresher. Heard they kicked it last weekend at SXSW, FYI. The rock is there more than country or punk I'd say. Though all their online reviews call them a mix of the two. I don't hear it. I hear good music, but the sound is on its own.
Lead singer Ben Nichols' vocals are rough. Not in a sexy howly kind of way (a'la KOL)...or a desparate poetic Cobain way either. They're straight up raw. They get really good in parts, but sometimes they're distracting. As a whole, though, I'm a fan and happy they're gracing the 757 with their presence.
Helio Sequence: Keep Your Eyes Ahead
It's a subtle album. More genre-defined than Lucero...but shifting seamlessly between atmospheric, indie, great intricate guitar, straight rock...They're my favorite new discovery of 2010, even though random songs have ended up on my IPOD for two years now. Hearing them cohesively is sometimes a dealbreaker when it comes to bands you find on Pitchfork, etc. In this case, Helio has made the cut.
The soft strumming of "Shed Your Love"....for fans of Bright Eyes, Decemberists, Ryan Adams...then the very next song is "Keep Your Eyes Ahead" which is more fast paced with blurred indie edges, happy/poppy poor man's Smiths vibe but with slightly more guitar...love the secret little drum rolls throughout...
pic: userserve-ak.last.fm
After hearing Lucero and Helio...naturaly progression would be Ryan Adams...he ties the punk and alt-country together better than Lucero (for me)...he's not as rough around the edges...has a bit more pretty in his pissfire. Also, he's got the Helio Sequence connection--while he doesn't do it all on one album, if you listen to Ryan Adams' catalogue, he's got a LOT of genre morphing going on.
\Ryan Adams: Gold
This is the kind of album that sucks you have to say is one of your favorites. It's his most commercial. Weird twist of fate his first single post-Whisketown was in Fall 2001 and entitled "New York New York."
It became an unofifical anthem and hopefully helped his career...I can't help but remember feeling similar to the feeling when your parents discovered Facebook.
But I love it. Love Sylvia Plath and harmonica. Love New York. Love "Stars Go Blue."
Ryan Adams: Love Is Hell
Off the bat, genre is flipped right round from Gold.
"Lyrical Scientist" begins...
Piano starts by itself. Then slows. Then Ryan's voice fast talking a'la Thom Yorke jibberjabber. But you understand all the words.
Then he's singing and playing and basically gives Tori Amos a giant run for her money. I'd love to see them duet/battle. How did I not notice this is Radiohead meets Tori? Any DJ's think they can mash this up? If you're reading this, DO IT! POST IT!
Album continues is its lazy day frolick. By now, Ryan's graduated from Whiskeytown and moved onto a Dean Martin highball. If anyone regularly reads my Saturday playlists, you know I'm a fan of good covers. Ryan's version of "Wonderwall" by Oasis shows up here.
Haunting. Exactly what a cover song should be. He takes it and knocks it on its side. It's no longer pop. It's pain. I read Oasis took Ryan Adams on tour. Wish I'd seen that.
