Voxtrot are back with their first new release on the PlayLouder label. While the title track and “Trouble” are more in the vein of what they’ve recorded before, the song “Sway” is a full-on ballad that ventures into new sonic territory for them. You can hear the whole thing here.
I bought a copy of this album for a friend’s birthday and when he opened it, it turned out to be the SCRITTI POLITTI album Songs to Remember. I don’t know what that has to do with anything, but it was funny, so I thought I’d share that. Regardless, this album is still growing on me with every listen and will probably make my year-end Top 10 list. I’m really looking forward to seeing them next week!
A mind-blowing collection recorded live at a now defunct jazz club here in West Philadelphia back in 1972, it features bandleader Khan Jamal on vibes as well as Jamal and drummer DWIGHT JAMES on clarinet. I can’t recommend it enough. You can read more about it here.
I got this DVD a few months back, but I just got around to watching the bonus footage the other day. If you’re a fan of this amazing band (and if you’re not and you like UK indie-pop, well you should be), this is a treat to behold with two live performances at the Troubadour in Los Angeles from 2004 along with an interview and session for KCRW’s Morning Becomes Eclectic show hosted by NIC HARCOURT.
After not listening to them for a while, watching this DVD and listening to the versions of these songs on here reminded me of why I’m such a big fan of theirs. Their music has the grace and grandeur of pre-rock artists like their namesake, yet it’s fully steeped in the UK indie-pop tradition as well as being emotional to the core.
One of the best shows I’ve seen all year and perhaps even better than their unbelievable Bowery Ballroom show back in April! They have the kind of sheer power and intensity that few bands can match. Anyone who dismisses this band probably hasn’t seen them live.
One of the more unexpected releases of the year (this is their first record in twenty-five years), this is neither a classic on par with their classic debut Cut or their two excellent Peel Sessions though nor is it bad, either. It’s only three songs long with one song being a dancehall/rap-influenced and another being a ‘77-style punk blast. It’s notable that this newly reconstitued version of The Slits features MARCO PIRRONI as well as former SEX PISTOLS drummer PAUL COOK, though neither of them were on hand when I saw them play here the other night. You can read my fellow Big Takeover blogger STEVE HOLTJE’s review here.
Although they were noticably sloppy at times, ARI UP and her newly assembled Slits lineup (featuring original member TESSA POLLITT on bass and Tessa’s daughter on guitar along with other newer members) delivered a lively, spectacularly weird performance that featured lots of audience interaction, culminating in an audience member singing one full song. This was definitely one where the audience was as wild as the band and Ari has to be one of the kookiest people I’ve ever seen up on stage. As for the openers, I really enjoyed local band Bad News Brats’ take on early ‘90s Riot Grrl luminaries such as BIKINI KILL and BRATMOBILE, though I could have done without the other two bands.
Jefito blog
One of my favorite blogs has been posting some great stuff as of late, including a PATTI SMITH show from 1979 and rarities compilations from both CHRIS STAMEY and MARSHALL CRENSHAW. Enjoy!
Gilmore Girls (Tuesday, CW)
I was really worried that this show would suffer this year because of the departure of the crack writing team of DANIEL PALLADINO and his wife AMY SHERMAN-PALLADINO. However, it’s picked up right where it left off last season and is moving along nicely. I look forward to the rest of the season and to Rory’s graduation from Yale as well as finding out whether Lorelai ends up with Christopher or Luke, not to mention more appearances by some of my favorite musicians!
The funny and odd title aside, this book (which I picked at Tower a few days ago for 20% off) is a fun, light, quick and entertaining read. I recommend it highly if you’re a fan of rock and roll trivia or if you want to know the real stories behind some of rock’s most enduring myths and urban legends.
