My introduction to Edmonton, Alberta’s Gilbertson was at Chromewaves, and they’re right about his self-titled debut (Pop Echo Records) being a throwback to a ’90s guitar-pop sound. I, for one, will always be a sucker for a dreamy vocal melody bouncing off of a simple overdriven guitar progression as is happening on “Get Going.” Add a rubbery string melody at the bridge and I’ll stand in one spot with hands in pockets nodding along in blissful agreement. Yes. I’m saying, yes.
[ myspace ] [ Pop Echo Records ]
St. Neil and a full children’s choir drive this meloncholy rig up and over yet another new horizon.
From his latest, Chrome Dreams II, the throwback to the other throwback.
[ website ]
Chris Bathgate - “Every Wall You Own”
To be completely fair to the “favorite” part of this blog project, I have to include one more by Mr. Bathgate.
The way “walls” here aren’t utilized for their more common metaphorical purpose of division, but rather as billboards to “let the name of your love be known,” is just killer. And the way everything nearly stops and just rests in the middle, to give everyone a chance to draw a massive breath for the fight in the last verse, is also just killer.
[ website ] [ myspace ] [ Quite Scientific Records ]
Chris Bathgate - “Do What’s Easy”
I really wanted to start off this first new week after Thanksgiving with a kick! But, rather than emerging from the icy shore to greet a winter wonder-party, I feel like this tip-off has broken free from the rest of the extended holiday season and I’m drifting in a warming fog.
Ann Arbor, Michigan’s Chris Bathgate has one of those voices that if I were to own it, I would no longer speak words. I’d sing them. A Cork Tale Wake is easily on my short list for album of the year , and for today’s fave I just picked one song at random (”Serpentine” and “A Flash of Light Followed By” are both perfection and are already on the Best of 2007 list), and this slow burn really works for the day’s mood. All these songs work–moody orchestration and Bathgate’s expressive, masterfully arranged voice feel real easy in these last weeks of autumn.
[ website ] [ myspace ] [ Quite Scientific Records ]
Happy Thanksgiving…
Great Northern - “Home “ [ website ]
…and one to party on from Chico, CA.
The Silver Seas - “The Country Life”
Like fresh cranberries popping in a boiling pot, the fave songs are going to be coming at you fast and furious this busy Thanksgiving week.
Here’s something that feels kind of like a sequel to Van Morrison’s “Jackie Wilson Said” from Nashville’s The Silver Seas (formerly The Bees) to help keep you on your dancing toes while you snap the green beans and sweep down the cobwebs.
You can find “The Country Life” on the recently released High Society (Cheap Lullaby Records).
[ website ] [ myspace ] [ Cheap Lullaby Records ]
Matthew Mercer - “Idiosynchronicity”
I don’t like the idea that there is any entire category of music that I am biased against, but I’ve never found anything I could wrap my hands around in the realm of contemporary electronic music. Especially anything utilizing that canned techno pulse. I’m not hating, I’m just not very energetic in my pursuit of the pulse.
But I do like this song by Chicago techno musician Matthew Mercer [thank you Red Threat]. Of course, any song from any genre is going to win me over if it steps into the room rockin’ a Polka.
Buy the song or one of Mercer’s two new EPs, Meanwhile and Meantime, at iTunes.
[ myspace ]
The Hives - “Tick Tick Boom”
Tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, tick … Life is too short to not appreciate the genius of making a sweaty garage-rock/pop tune called “Tick Tick Boom.” Howlin’ Pelle Almqvst says “tick” six times before the boom for crying out loud.
I don’t love this video as much as I love the song (first single from the new album, The Black and White Album), but the last scene does rule. Have a happy Monday!
[ website ]
Every town has one doesn’t it? That band you’d put up against any other out there? There’s a certain age group in Chico that would answer that question with the same band name in unison before it was finished being asked. I’m on the older side of that age group but it’s a no-brainer. Deathstar was, and in most ways remains a dozen years later the greatest musical experience of my Chico life. During a very fertile national underground musical climate Chico sustained itself throughout the ’90s with at least a dozen truly great bands, but the most potent was for sure Deathstar (the weekly Chico band … of the week).
Listen to this song! Even more than a decade later, Deathstar wins.
As I pump my fist.
[ myspace ]
The Futureheads - “Broke Up The Time”
Most importantly, the British accent is out front.
Actually, most importantly, these guitars have been wound super tight. I mean that in a really, really good way, like the guitars are unloading with the kind of energy that might break a finger if you stuck your hands up to protect yourself. I’m not suggesting that The Futureheads really shred. They don’t. They just don’t simply play their snappy riffs and hyper progressions, they throw themselves into ‘em. The boys got verve. I hear them, as well as their guitars.
(But man, I love the accent too.)
I’ve only ever heard the Sunderland, England quartet’s insanely perfect self-titled 2004 debut (with the backup vocals that will kill you–the good kind of kill). “Broke Up The Time,” the teaser track from the band’s upcoming third album (2008), is on par with rest while moving at a more hyper/punky clip.
The lyrics are fun too. I have no idea what’s going on, but it sounds fun. I dig the opening verse–”How do they know what it was like 2,000 years ago”–but I’m still working out the rest (”our cousins in the sea”?–Aquaman? Sub-Mariner). It don’t matter though. This thing moves! Kind of like the road scenes in the home-movie video for the tune [here].