IT IS TIME! I’ve been awful and not doing reviews of new music, so I’m going to tackle it now and make it short and sweet. If you have further inquiries, make them in the comments and I’ll get back to you.
The Decemberists Hazards of Love – I love this. Not quite the level of Crane Wife or “Mariner’s Revenge Song,” but darnwell close enough. Shara Worden as the Queen in “The Wanting Comes in Waves/Repaid”?!! *fans self* Whoa. That lady can belt some notes. And the fact that the supposed single is a song about infanticide? So Decemberists. J’adore. And the creepy children’s choir in the third reprise? Oh, Colin Meloy. I would offer to have your tweegoth babies if you weren’t already happily settled. This literary Portland group has yet to fail me.
Mindy Gledhill Feather in the Wind – Mindy is a Utah artist, and like 98% of the artists from Utah, only 2% of the population know about them. It’s a shame because they get insulated and not able to spread their wings, so to speak. Not too long ago, she posted on Twitter that she was performing for orphans in Eastern Europe, and how can you not like a musician for that? Mindy has a fabulous and lovely voice, not affected like most female artists. But the substance of her music is not something that grabs me. I’ve got a good row or two of CDs of female singers who have similar music, and it’s not something I go for much anymore. She great, don’t get me wrong, but her light and airy songs are not what I typically seek out. But I know a number of people on my flist and what-not who would/will adore her, and will be passing on the vibes.
Vivian Girls Vivian Girls – I read about this band in a few magazines, didn’t hear the songs, but knew I needed to check them out. So on my recent trip to Georgia (and the requisite combing of my favorite indie music stores) I found a copy at Wuxtry and felt I’d achieved something. It’s a short album of typical punk-influenced bursts of song, and very retro in mood. I could hear this album being made over 40 years ago and not being all that out of place. If they were more raucous, this trio of females would be on Tarantino’s playlist. Very lo-fi and awesome.
Creature No Sleep At All - A random find, so I know almost nothing about the group itseld, but rooted in punk inflences and fun to listen to. My favorite being “Bridgitte Bardot.” Excellent dance beats, ripe to mixes and remixes. Kind of like a more fun loving CSS with some of the guys from The Sounds. Bands like this just make me happy.
The Von Bondies Love Hate and Then There’s You – The Von Bondies had the respect of the hipster community for all of five seconds back in 2003/2004, but were then completely overshadowed by lead singer Jason Stollsteimer getting pwned by Jack White in a Detroit nightclub in late 2003. Poor band gained fame because their lead singer’s face was beated to a pulp and everybody knew it. So that’s what I think of when I think of the Von Bondies. Sorry guys. The new tunes aren’t much of a departure from their 2004 mainstream breakthrough Pawn Shoppe Heart, but it ain’t all that bad, either. “Pale Bride” is alright, but it really just sounds like what you did five years ago. And yet I still feel drawn to it. Maybe the next release will actually have something to inch past the Jack White Shadow.
I need to keep this up. If you hear of anything good, pass it on!
