At last, some decent new releases…
Let’s face it - the last few months haven’t seen much that’s decent in the way of new releases.
I suppose that everyone basically gives up over Xmas and doesn’t start putting anything good out until March. But suddenly, we’ve got a bumper crop of stuff - that seems to be getting uniformly good reviews all round. Here’s the CDs that have arrived so far.
Rufus Wainwright: Want Two. He does go on, doesn’t he? If you’re thinking: ‘I really loved Want One…so I must rush out and buy this’. Think again. It’s more a case of: if you really loved Want One, you have no reason to get this as it’s more of the same. Soupy strings, plaintive voice, bitter sweet lyrics wrapped in lovely memories. Yes, it’s lovely…but we’ve heard it before and listening to this actually makes you like Want One a little less. He sings two songs in French for chrissakes - and we all know that’s never a good idea. Even if you’re French.
Verdict: I’m assuming Rufus is OK for a few quid at the moment, so I think everyone should steer clear of this one…to give him a nice loud: ‘Must try harder’.
The Kaiser Chiefs, Employment. Another more than decent indie/pop album to file next to Kasabian, Razorlight, Franz Ferdinand, Killers etc. The single ‘Oh My God’ is one of those songs that you have to be brain dead not to love. Xfm have been treating them like deities for most of this year - which is a little over the top. It’s quite a long way off a masterpiece, but it’ll do for now.
Verdict: Whether or not you like it, is sort of irrelevant. You have to own it to prove your ‘I might be over 30 but I can still cut it with the kids’ credentials.
Antony and the Johnsons. I Am A Bird Now. Word magazine called it the most pretentious album of the year. The booklet inside the CD looks like something from a graphic design student’s end of year show. It’s all very ‘genderqueer’ (their word). It has roots in New York cabaret. Lou Reed is involved. You get the picture - and it doesn’t look good. Unless you’re a drama student. But ooh, yes, what a pleasant surprise. Definitely weird and a teeny bit twisted - but also very listenable. I can pretty much guarantee that Antony grew up with a David Sylvian poster on his wall, and there’s moments when he sounds not a little like Rufus W. Both of which are no bad thing. Deserves the general gushing that has greeted it. A more than pleasant surprise. Find out more here.
Verdict: Easy listening with a twist. Perfect dinner party stuff.
Matt Pond PA: Winter Songs. Yes, I know it came out a while ago…but like I said, I’ve been busy. A mini album, seven tracks, three covers (Neil Young, Richard Thompson, Linda Buckingham - you get the idea) and two instrumentals. They can be forgiven for this placeholder because they did two albums in 2004 and frankly deserve a break. Pleasant melodic indie stuff. Gentle but not bland. I like them a lot. I think bands should put out more mini-albums like this: ‘we’re quite busy at the moment working on our magnum opus…but in the meantime, here’s a few things to keep you happy.’
Verdict: Pre-dinner drinks. But if you really want the full MP PA experience better to start with Emblems.
Andy Votel: Folk Is Not A four letter word. A few tracks into this - and listening to a jazzed up version of Strawberry Fair (yes, you read that right) - I thought it was a 100% hippy-shit stinker: the first truly minging album I’d ordered in a long time (thanks to my patent-pending CD purchasing process..which I’ll reveal in a later post).
Then, a couple of tracks popped up while iTunes was on random and I thought: ‘oooh, that’s nice…’ and before you know it, I’m something of a fan. Even that version of Strawberry Fair has its attractions.
Jon Savage took the bit of the late 60’s/ early 70’s musical ven diagram where folk and rock crossed over for Meridan 70…Andy Votel’s got the bit where folk and jazz overlapped. He calls it acid folk, or something like that. And, I think we can safely assume that a lot of kaftans were worn during the making of this album.
Verdict: Worth playing at dinner parties after Antony and the Johnsons to show of just how completely ‘out there’ your music taste is.
Annie, Anniemal. When you grow up, there are two types of pop music - the type that those with sophisticated musical taste buds can knowingly say things like ‘that’s a great pop song’ about; and the other type that is called manufactured rubbish. The problem is: I’m never quite sure which is which - so I tend to steer well clear of the stuff in case I make a wrong call and end up doing the modern day equivalent of painting ‘Rick Astley’ on my rucksack. However, I have it on excellent authority (my friend Steve, who knows about these things, and good reviews in broadsheets etc) that this is the right kind of pop. It might have a sugary exterior, but it’s got real substance to it. And she’s Scandinavian.
Verdict: Worth playing at dinner parties after Antony and the Johnsons and Andy Votel to show that while you’re ‘out there’ you still know good pop when it slaps you in the face.
Ted Leo and the Pharmacists: Shake the Sheets. I think I prefered him when he was a bit more of an American Billy Bragg, and a bit more pared down than this full-on new wave/ scratchy power pop. It’s ok. I suppose. And
Verdict Only if you have space in your life for ‘new wave’ moments
And meanwhile I’m waiting for. Ambulance Ltd, The Bravery, Ben Lee and Brendan Benson, not to mention Beck’s Guero - all of which sound excellent.