The Joy Formidable with The Dig – Kung Fu Necktie (Philadelphia, PA) – May 7, 2010
Please see my full review here.
The Joy Formidable – A Balloon Called Moaning (Black Bell Records)
Although it’s been out for a little while in the UK now, this EP has now received a U.S. release thanks to Black Bell Records, the label founded by PASSION PIT‘s AYAL AL ADHAMI. Apparently, he was so impressed when The Joy Formidable opened for Passion Pit that he decided to release the EP here himself.
Listening to the EP, it’s not hard to see why. “Cradle” is the strongest track here, though “Whirring” and “The Last Drop” come close. While it doesn’t come close in intensity to their live show, the songwriting talent here mixed with the early ’90s fixation (think PIXIES/BREEDERS, SWERVEDRIVER or a heavier LUSH) makes for a great debut EP.
The Fall – Your Future Our Clutter (Domino)
The first Fall release since 2008’s mediocre Imperial Wax Solvent is, I’m thrilled to say, far better than it or its predecessor Reformation Post-TLC. On initial listens, very few of the individual songs are standouts, but the sound is great and the rhythm section is absolutely pulverizing and MARK E. SMITH thankfully refrains from the self-parody that’s marred his recent work. This is, by far, the best Fall album since 2005’s Fall Heads Roll or maybe even 2004’s The Real New Fall Lp.
Graham Parker with The Figgs – World Cafe Live (Philadelphia, PA) – May 2, 2010
Please see my full review here.
New Pornographers – Together (Matador)
Please forget what I wrote about this album last week. It’s really growing on me a lot and now I consider it to be the 5th great Lp in a row from CARL NEWMAN and company. There’s a bit less Carl on the new one as DAN BEJAR wrote and sang three sangs and NEKO CASE and KATHRYN CALDER take turns as well, but I don’t think that this is a liability as all as the writing and melodies are strong as ever.
Malcolm McLaren – Duck Rock (Island)
In a McLaren-themed list that I wrote about a month ago, a few days after McLaren passed away, I declared that I wasn’t as familiar with his solo career as I should be. Well, I rectified that situation a little by purchasing a used copy of this Lp for $2.99. Truth be told, my interest in his solo career stems from his association with bands he managed (or tried to manage) such as THE NEW YORK DOLLS, TELEVISION, RICHARD HELL and of course, THE SEX PISTOLS.
I’m glad that I picked it up, though, because it’s a thrilling, proto-world music mix that was clearly way ahead of its time, even if McLaren was reluctant to give songwriting credit to some of the originators of these songs.
The 13th Floor Elevators – The Psychedelic Sounds of the 13th Floor Elevators (Sundazed)
I’ve been listening to ROKY ERICKSON a lot lately and picked up this beautiful 180 gram vinyl reissue of the Elevators’ landmark 1st Lp recently. It’s a beauty and sounds great, as the album’s original, mind-expanding liner notes are reprised along with a lyric sheet.
The Joy Formidable – First You Have to Get Mad (self-released)
Before I saw them live yesterday, this limited-edition live Lp as well as a few recordings I’ve heard thanks to the internet sustained me. To be honest, though, I’d recommend starting with the debut EP and then going here (if you can find it). It’s great, of course, but as with most live albums, it just doesn’t compare to actually seeing them live.
Leatherface – Mush (Roughneck)
I’m sure that many of you reading this will already be well familiar with this 1991 classic. As I love Leatherface’s most recent Lp The Stormy Petrel, I’ve been going back and listening to their back catalog. Of course, it’s almost needless to say that this one is a standout amongst their catalog, but songs like “I Want the Moon” and “Not Superstitious” still thrill in all of their raggedy-voiced, hard-hitting, ultra passionate yet melodic glory.
Vivian Girls – Daytrotter Session EP (no label)
Vivian Girls recorded a Daytrotter session last Monday. There are four songs here, two previously released and two others unreleased. Of the previously released tracks, we get radically different versions of “Never See Me Again” and “Tell the World” that are far removed from their noisy, lo-fi contexts on an early single and their first, self-titled Lp. In other words, one can hear how tightly constructed and melodic this material really is without any distractions. The new tracks, “Death” (which was up on their MySpace in a radically different version) and “The Other Girl” are heard here in a similar fashion. You can listen to it here.
