Memphis garage rocker Jay Reatard, who broke out last year thanks to Watch Me Fall, has died at the age of 29, Reatard’s label Matador Records confirmed. According to Memphis’ Commercial Appeal, Reatard was found dead in his Memphis home at 3:30 am this morning and reportedly died in his sleep. “We are devastated by the death of Jimmy Lee Lindsey Jr., aka Jay Reatard. Jay was as full of life as anyone we’ve ever met, and responsible for so many memorable moments as a person and artist,” Matador Records said in a statement. “We’re honored to have known and worked with him, and we will miss him terribly.”
I’m really stunned. The last two times I saw Jay, he put on an unbelievable show. I’ve been checking daily to see if he was going to be coming back to the area soon, but now I’ll never be able to watch him perform again. That’s tragic, because he was probably the most interesting musician to read about (via his own Facebook statuses, tweets, or on other websites) and listen to. Just on Monday he threatened to kill kids because they slashed his tires. He was just that kind of guy.
1. “Gateway Drug” – B- 2. “Don’t Let Your Enemies Become Friends” – C- 3. “Good Graces, Bad Influence” – C+
Comments: I liken this band to Head Automatica, with evident styles in pop-punk and power-pop. Like HA, the Spill Canvas manages to (mostly) stay outside the obnoxious zone that so many bands of today tend to fall in. HA is a lot catchier, but this definitely is comparable.
Band: Magnetic Fields Release: 2010 Label: Nonesuch Records
1. “You Must Be Out of Your Mind”- B+ 2. “Interlude” – C- 3. “We Are Having A Hootenanny” – C 4. “I Don’t Know What To Say” – C- 5. “The Dolls Tea Party” – D 6. “Everything Is One Big Christmas Tree” – D+
7. “Walk Alone” – C 8. “Always Already Gone” – C- 9. “Seduced and Abandoned” – B- 10. “Better Things” – B+ 11. “Painted Flower” – C- 12. “The Dada Polka” – C 13. “From A Sinking Boat” – C
Comments:Realism comes off as a joke, considering the lyrical content and light instrumentation. Even at their most amateur, Merritt and crew fail to win “cute” points, if that’s what they were shooting for. Jens Lekman, oft compared to Merritt, does well in that department (which, by the way, is a musical aesthetic not a physical characteristic). Some songs succeed when the cheese level is turned down. This album isn’t utter shit, but you have to be a patient listener to appreciate it.
1. “Before Destruction” – C 2. “Is Love Forever?” – C+
3. “Mystery Zone” – B- 4. “Who Makes Your Money” – C+ 5. “Written In Reverse” – B+
6. “I Saw the Light” – B- 7. “Trouble Comes Running” – B 8. “Goodnight Laura” – C 9. “Out Go the Lights” – B- 10. “Got Nuffin'” – A 11. “Nothing Gets Me But You” – B-
Comments: Warning Spoon: never again put an average song as an album opener. Fans pretty unfamiliar with your music might be disappointed. “Before Destruction” sounds like a song that was purposely done pretty shitty to sound artistic. “Is Love Forever?” is a tad better, but still runs on a rather weak beat. Almost as expected, “Mystery Zone” is an improvement, but isn’t any sort of true achievement at all; quite close to filler material. “Who Makes Your Money” features what seems like a 50 Cent sample. “Written In Reverse” comes off as the album’s high point (at this point). The first thing that came to my mind was a similarity to Cold War Kids. “I Saw the Light” has some sweet effects, but that’s only original and cool up to a certain point. Unfortunately, not every song on here can be as good as “Got Nuffin'”. It’s got a catchy guitar pattern and a really great bass line.
Daily Telegraph (Australia)
EVER wanted to know what Black Lips would sound like performing your favourite song of all time?
Trying something new, St Jerome’s Laneway Festival organisers have lined up Black Lips, Philadelphia Grand Jury, Dappled Cities and Danimals to perform cover songs harking back to the music they respect or just have fun playing – whether personal or legendary.
Titled PUMA Archive Uncovered, they pay homage to the art of the cover song. To find out more about the day on January 31, head to http://www.lanewayfestival.com.au
What if your favorite song of all time is by the Black Lips? Get to hear it twice?!
Kids Like You & Me (KLYAM) 