Category Archives: Music

CD Review: Primary Colours

CDReview

Band: The Horrors
Label: XL Recordings
Release: April 21, 2009

1. “Mirror’s Image” – 9.5
2. “Three Decades” – 9.3
3. “Who Can Say” – 9.6
4. “Do You Remember” – 9.5
5. “New Ice Age” – 9.5
6. “Scarlet Fields” – 9.6
7. “I Only Think Of You” – 8.7
8. “I Can’t Control Myself” – 8.3
9.  “Primary Colours” – 9.0
10. “Sea Within A Sea” – 8.7

Comments:
This is just one of those albums that’s been sitting in the queue since approx. July waiting to be reviewed. In fact, this is a first-time listening review. Present on this album are very enticing elements of ’80s post-punk. For instance, I thought right away on Mirror’s Image “damnit, this could be a boring one,” but it turned out awesome. There’s no fucking around on Three Decades with the creepy factor turned way up. It’s strangely engaging as well. Who Can Say has a poppy synth that plays at certain points beneath layers of guitar effects. I have to give it up to this band for being at least partially deceiving. Their formula for success is basically combining really dark elements of shoe-gaze with retro upbeat post-punk. A lot of bands have tried out this formula, but The Horrors really seem to possess a “catchy-bility” element like none other; i.e the reverb/delay effect on Do You Remember and the heavy-metal yet noise-pop New Ice Age. Scarlet Fields maintains a scary effect, but has a Pixies-esque bass line that reconciles dark with light. I Only Think Of You had me mistaking Faris Badwan for Calvin Johnson. The title track has a soothing flow to it. The final track has an ambient dance vibe to it that sort of works. Overall, I like this piece of work.

Grade: 9.2

Question of the Week…?

This question is entirely influenced by The Needle Drop, as is this entire segment. Here it is:

What does Punk Rock Mean to You? Examples?

Just to get the ball rolling, here’s what I think. Punk Rock means to me, freedom to act, sound, look, smell, or taste however you like. The elements of attitude, integrity, and passion are clearly displayed. Artists are NOTsigned to major labels, with exceptions to early “Punk” artists. Lastly, music that is cutting edge and/or distinctive. For modern examples, my favorite punk bands are The Black Lips, Jay Reatard, The King Khan & BBQ Show, No Age, Mika Miko, and Wavves.

Pleaseeeee Comment!

Chris

JAY REATARD + PIXIES = GREAT BIG WANG!


Earlier this month, Memphis garage punk Jay Reatard lost his rhythm section. Bassist Stephen Pope and drummer Billy Hayes quit Reatard’s band, an event that Reatard himself addressed on his Twitter with characteristic restraint and maturity: “Fuck them! They are boring rich kids who can’t play for ahit anyways … Say hello to your ugly and boring wifes opps I mean lifes guys suck it.”

But the Matablog reports that Reatard has already lined up replacements: bassist Anders Thode and drummer Jacob Elving, both of the Danish punk band the Cola Freaks. The two will join Reatard on a European tour next week, and in November, they’ll come to the U.S. for more shows, including some opening the Pixies’ Doolittle tour. All those dates are below.

Jay Reatard:

10-28 Paris, France – Maroquinerie
10-29 Cologne, Germany – Luxor
10-30 Munich, Germany – 59 to 1
10-31 Berlin, Germany – Lido
11-01 Copenhagen, Denmark – Loppen
11-02 Oslo, Norway – Parkteatret
11-03 Malmo, Sweden – Mejeriet
11-04 Hamburg, Germany – Logo
11-05 Prague, Czech Republic – Matrix
11-06 Vienna, Austria – B72
11-07 Bologna, Spain – Covo
11-08 Clermont Ferrand, France – Coop de Mai
11-09 Brussels, Belgium – Botanique Rotonde
11-10 Birmingham, England – Bar Academy
11-11 Glasgow, Scotland – King Tuts
11-12 Manchester, England – Roadhouse
11-13 London, England – Underworld
11-14 Bristol, England – Croft
11-15 Liverpool, England – Masque
11-16 Dublin, Ireland – Whelans
11-21 Chicago, IL – Aragon ^
11-22 Columbus, OH – The Summit
11-23 Pittsburgh, PA – Brillobox
11-24 New York, NY – Hammerstein Ballroom ^
11-25 Northampton, MA – Iron Horse
11-27 Boston, MA – Wang Center ^!!!
11-28 Philadelphia, PA – Johnny Brenda’s
11-30 Washington, DC – Constitution Hall ^
12-01 Chapel Hill, NC – Local 506
12-02 Athens, GA – 40 Watt Club
12-03 Atlanta – The Earl
12-04 Orlando, FL – Backbooth
12-05 Tampa, FL – Crowbar
12-07 New Orleans, LA – One Eyed Jacks
12-08 Houston, TX – Walter’s on Washington
12-09 Austin, TX – Emo’s Outside
12-10 Dallas, TX – Granada Theater
12-31 Milwaukee, WI – Riverside Theatre #

^ with Pixies
# with Spoon
– Pitchfork.com

Chris

CD Review: Is And Always Was

Band: Daniel Johnston
Label: Eternal Yip Eye
Release: October 2009

1. “Mind Movies” – 9.4
2. “Fake Records of Rock and Roll” – 8.2
3. “Queenie The Doggie” – 9.3
4. “High Horse” – 9.4
5. “Without You” – 8.9
6. “I Had Lost My Mind” – 9.2
7. “Freedom” – 8.9
8. “Tears” – 9.3
9. “Is And Always Was” – 9.4
10. “Lost In My Infinite Memory” – 8.9
11. “Light of Day” – 8.9

Comments: Daniel Johnston’s “outsider” shtick ended sometime ago, but his awkwardness in music still lives on. He’s just a funny guy at the heart of it all. Very simplistic and catchy tunes show a happy Daniel…a “Love Wheel” Daniel, but not as obnoxious. No more “True Love Will Find You In The End” or “Devil Town” downers. He even tries out a Dinosaur Jr./Built to Spill kind of thing with “I Had Lost My Mind.” I’m not falling over because of this album, but I’m glad to see Danny still kicking it around at the age of 48.

Grade: 9.1

CD Review: Born Again Revisited

Band: Times New Viking
Release: September 22, 2009
Label: Matador

1. “Martin Luther King Day” – 9.0
2. “I Smell Bubblegum” – 8.7
3. “City On Drugs” – 9.2
4. “Born Again Revisited” – 8.5
5. “Little World” – 8.8
6. “No Time No Hope” – 9.4
7. “Half Day In Hell” – 9.1
8. “Something Moore” – 9.3
9. “2/11 Don’t Forget” – 9.3
10. “These Days” – 9.2
11. “(No) Sympathy” – 8.9
12. “High Holidays” – 8.4
13. “Hustlers, Psycho, Son” – 8.7
14. “Move To California” – 9.2
15. “Take The Piss” – 8.3

Comments: Beneath the static there is some level of goodness on here. Unfortunately, the better part of this album suffers from “not as good as Wavves” syndrome. The better tracks are the cleaner tracks…you know, the ones that aren’t layered in fuzz up to the neck. A good balance of 40% lo-fi noise and 60% breathable pop (like No Age) would be nice rather than the 75%-25% madness going on here.

Grade: 8.9