Shop our Big Takeover store for back issues, t-shirts & CDs
Follow The Big Takeover
Whirr – Distressor EP (Teepee)
For fans of My Bloody Valentine, Slowdive, and Catherine Wheel’s Ferment. This EP, recorded live, marks my favorite shoegaze set in ages. Hear it yourself: http://whirrband.bandcamp.com/album/distressor
Thomas Dolby – Oceanea ()
Here’s another short set (following the digital release of the rootsier Amerikana) to tide fans over until the release of Dolby’s long-awaited A Map of the Floating City. The restless and inventive Dolby has taken his sweet time developing the concept for his full-length album, engaging his fan base through exploitation of social media, special digital releases, and his newly-unveiled immersive interactive experience at http://www.floatingcity.com
The Decemberists The King is Dead ()
Apparently, Colin Meloy grew up with the same R.E.M. albums I had. Only HE was able to get Peter Buck to come play on his loving tribute (with plenty of roots and country licks thrown into the mix).
The Kinks – Orpheum Theatre (Boston, MA) 11.11.1972/Late Show (Wolfgang’s Vault)
The Kinks of ’72 would have made a heck of a double bill with the Replacements of the mid-80s. Drunken mistakes abound, even in the novice-level barre chord intros for “Til the End of the Day” and “You Really Got Me,” and Ray Davies drops a line here or there, as in “Sunny Afternoon.” After some silly verbal sparring with the crowd, there’s a bit of trouble pulling “Apeman” into synch. Nonetheless, the raucous rock and roll spirit carries the day. Despite the frayed edges, I wish I’d been in the room to see the proceedings in all their ragged glory. The set list mirrors much of disc two from the Kinks live/studio combo Everybody’s in Show-Biz. John Gosling‘s piano add sentimental flourish to “Waterloo Sunset” and barrelhouse swagger to “Skin and Bones.” The band’s horn section fills out songs like “Here Comes Another Day” and “Brainwashed” well, since they were built with horns in mind. The trumpet hits during “You Really Got Me,” however, seem out of place. Ray introduces himself as “Merle Haggard” when launching the country-rock of “Muswell Hillbilly” from the band’s 1971 studio album Muswell Hillbillies. It would be nice to hear more of Dave Davies‘s guitar during the bluesy romp through “Lola,” but such is the limitation of board mixes like this one.
Françoiz Breut – À L’Aveuglette ()
Daniel Lanois – Belladonna
Talk Talk – Laughing Stock
The Kinks – The Kinks (Sanctuary)
The bulk of my time with the mighty Kinks is spent listening to Ray Davies‘ more evolved songwriting from the albums between Something Else and Muswell Hillbillies, but once in a blue moon it’s great to hear his younger self belting out lusty pop like “I Took My Baby Home” and “You Do Something to Me.” This album’s immortal track is “You Really Got Me.” The song remains dangerous to this day, thanks to Dave Davies snarling dog guitar and the pent-up libido of Ray’s lyric. Imagine hearing it fresh for the first time in 1964! Though “Stop Your Sobbing” was never a personal favorite, the single has aged gracefully and still packs plenty of personality. This set includes 28 tracks on each of two discs. The original album on disc one is augmented by bonus tracks, while disc two includes mono mixes, interview clips and other outtakes.
The Zincs – Black Pompadour (Thrill Jockey)
Saga – Heads or Tails Live (Eagle)
Though founding frontman Michael Sadler has since returned to the fold, this live set documents fine work by Rob Moratti during his relatively short time singing for Saga. Heads or Tales remains a fan favorite. Although it was the follow-up that failed to capitalize upon the commercial success in the United States which Worlds Apart enjoyed, it was Saga’s most successful in other parts of the world – and a linchpin to the band’s continued popularity in Europe. Set list mainstays in the twenty-eight years since Heads or Tale‘ release, “The Flyer,” “Cat Walk,” “Scratching the Surface” and “The Pitchman” are all included in the running order. Their live versions are rendered with the spark of Brian Doerner, the band’s drummer since 2006 (whose first official act in Saga was to anchor Trust, the band’s exceptional return to form during that year). The precision and progressive interplay of founding members Jim Gilmour (keys) and Ian Crichton (guitar) fan that ignition into full burn.
