Music Reviews: November 2005

Jamie Lidell – Multiply (Warp Records)
Mr. Lidell is one-half of SuperCollider (w/Christian Vogel) and has been making brilliant experimental/pop/electronica records for years. When I heard he was releasing a soul record, I didn’t know what to expect. I thought Jamie was setting himself up for crucifixion, especially since his catalog is more at home in Berlin than Memphis. What’s more, he’s a white kid. (Hey, I’m being honest. Lock Otis and an Everly Brother in a room and see what happens...) And then I listened to the record. Holy shit. It’s as if Mr. Lidell dropped my nay-saying ass off in church and said “I Told You So.” Classic soul harmonies and instrumentation with just
enough modern production flavor resulting in a pretty tight record. Testify, my soul cracker!

Get these: "Multiply," "When I Come Back Around," "What's the Use"
Wax it if you like: Otis Redding, Stax, Rick Astley if he didn't suck


Jennifer Gentle – Valende (Sub Pop)
Magically twisted. Beautifully warped. I want to have dinner with Ms. Gentle, because I’m sure I'd end up eating with my hands. Great songs, an unforgettable voice and Sgt. Pepper-esque production that creeps up on you like a nice big rash. Only it’s not a rash. It’s a kazoo!!! At least I think that’s a kazoo. Seriously, there's a Kazoo. Marvelous. I imagine Frances Bean Cobain will make a record like this one day when she's touring the vaudeville circuit.

Get these: “I Do Dream You,” “Hessesopoa,” “The Garden”
Wax it if you like: Coco Rosie, The Ronettes helmed by a present-day Phil Spector, Judy Tenuta, being medicated


Jim Murple Memorial – Five ‘n Yellow
This is a truly random summer record. Or winter. Fuck it - music shouldn't be seasonal, but I can't listen to this right now cuz it's cold. Anyway, picture a 1930s Janis Joplin fronting an early lineup of the Wailers. Occasionally in French. I’m sure that this is blasting out of every café in St. Barts, but I’ll probably never find out because airfare is so damn overpriced due to our handjob President who… Oops. Sorry. Thought I was writing my moveon.org entry.

Get these: honestly, they all sound the same...
Wax it if you like: the idea of sitting on a beach in St. Barts watching Janis fronting the Wailers


KT Tunstall – Eye to the Telescope (EMI)
Someone said Ms. Tunstall reminded them of Dido. They are both women. At least I think Dido is a woman and not a Flintstone's character. That’s where the comparison ends. Perfectly crafted songs, simple instrumentation and a remarkable voice powered by a little set of nuts that she must've borrowed from James Dean. Acoustic rock with a little twang. “Black Horse and the Cherry Tree” evokes the same strung-out southern emotion as Jeff Buckley’s “Be Your Husband,” which is no easy task, especially since she’s from Scotland. Shit I sound like David Fricke. Sorry.

Get these: “Black Horse and the Cherry Tree,” “Heal Over,” “Another Place to Fall”
Wax it if you like: Sia Fuller (from Zero 7), Fleetwood Mac


Ray LaMontagne – Trouble (RCA)
Ray holed up in a studio in Maine for a few hundred years and came out with this. Seriously, just look at the dude's beard. Now that’s what I call a creative process. As a result, this record is free of any shout-outs to Jacob or Access Hollywood babble. This guy sings about love, both lost and found, like it’s his last day on earth. If you don’t feel the emotion you’d better check your pulse. This record is real and it would be difficult to do anything other than sing its praises. Bravo, Mr. LaMontagne. Now lock your ass in a shack and make another one.

Get these: “Trouble,” “Shelter,” “Burn”
Wax it if you like: Jeff Buckley, Van Morrison, Neil Young


Sidestepper – 3AM (In Beats We Trust) (Palm Pictures)
This record has been the hold music at the studio for a while now, and I wish I had a dollar for each time someone asked me who it was. I’d probably have 50 bucks. A true fusion of Cuban son, dub and dancehall anchored by blissful, atmospheric production. I can honestly say that I have yet to hear anything like it. And it's perfect for hanging out in Tompikins Square with all the crusties.

Get these: “Deja (Mary),” “No Me Gustas,” “Mas Papaya”
Wax it if you like: Ruben Blades, Chaka Demus and Kruder/Dorfmeister in a blender


The Spanish Harlem Orchestra – Across 110th Street (Red Ink)
There was a time when a Salsa bands ruled the world. And I'm not talking about the crap they play on NYC's La Mega 98.9. From the VIP room at the Copa to the underground Mamacita in the Bronx (I made that place up but I want to go there anyway), throbbing percussion and banging horn lines would transform any room into a tropical paradise. This Grammy-winning record is evidence that Salsa never went away, it just got overshadowed by the Lambada and, more recently, the truly forgettable Reggaeton. If we are to learn anything from this, the message is simple: If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Featuring Ruben Blades, this record twists your arm and forces you to shake your ass.

Get these: “Un Gran Dia en el Barrio,” “Escucha el Ritmo,” “Te Cantare”
Wax it if you like: a beach filled with hot Latin chicas (or chicos; not sure what you're into)


Clap Your Hands and Say Yeah! – Clap Your Hands and Say Yeah! (Self-Released. Fuck yeah!)
I miss my childhood. Ice cream trucks, amusement parks and some scraggly clown on acid trying to hypnotize me into his mini clown car. Wait a minute… Oh, I’m sorry. I was just listening to the first track on this record. Yes, these guys are hyped by the HPB (Hipster Press Bandwagon) but the first track alone makes it a must-have. Winding, hypnotic melodies. Simple, playful instrumentation. Not compelling, and we’ll probably forget about these guys by yesterday, but…wait…what was I writing about???? Oh, clowns. Clowns are scary. Did you see Capturing the Freidmans???

Get these: “Clap Your Hands…,” “Is This Love,” “Over and Over Again”
Wax it if you like: early Talking Heads, Arcade Fire, Clowns on acid


Innaway – Innaway (Some Records)
I was speaking to someone the other day about the lost art of making an album. It seems as though no one has the time to sit through 10 tracks as an entire work, but this record begs you to do so. The core of instrumentation is very organic – bass, drums & guitars – but they manage to twiddle the knobs enough to create a dream-like atmosphere that ties the songs together without sounding forced. “Tiny Brains” sounds like a Chris Isaak/Air mash up, so kudos for pulling that off.

Get these: "Tiny Brains," "Follow Moon," "Strings of North Egg"
Wax it if you like: Pink Floyd, Radiohead, Grand National