The Hold Steady - Stay Positive
Artist: The Hold Steady
Album: Stay Positive
Label: Vagrant Records
I haven’t liked a true rock album in quite a few years, but I think that Stay Positive is coming at a good time: it is a hot summer in New York, and I am missing the balmy, easy streets and trees of Georgia. The Hold Steady, who are based in Brooklyn, give me hope that I can recover that warm and carefree feeling.
The album itself is thick and growling. Lead singer Craig Finn has that rough, almost phlegmy, voice that reminds me of Lucinda Williams’s growl. The music is dense. Your ear tries to find an empty spot to rest, but up pops a gruff chorus, a beating piano, or a horn blast. The music cannot be ignored. Neither can the lyrics. Several moments had me laughing or skipping back, including “One for the Cutters” (“When one townie falls in the forest, can anyone hear it?”) and “Sequestered in Memphis” (“In barlight, she looked alright; in daylight, she looked desperate. That’s alright, I was desperate, too”). You’ll no doubt have moments of your own:
The Hold Steady – “Constructive Summer”
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Is this the summer song of 2008? I’m betting yes. The lyrics are really good, and the driving guitars and buddy-chorus shouts generate great heat and energy. I wish I had heard this a couple months ago; I would have been more motivated.
The Hold Steady – “Slapped Actress”
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Hmm, well maybe this is the summer song of 2008? No use choosing; this album is filled with gems. I’m not sure what is going on in this song, but I’d like to think of it as a drunk scam artist’s version of Bonnie Raitt’s “Something to Talk About.”
Definitely check out this album: at the band site or at their myspace. Buy the album and enjoy.
Filed under new album, summer | Comments (2)California Oranges - Imperial Hearts
Artist: California Oranges
Album: Imperial Hearts
Label: Darla
California Oranges has that smooth pop sensibility that would have made them a hit in the years of Marshall Crenshaw and The La’s. Unfortunately, their polished guitar melodies and light vocals may work against them in the current music scene, in which a certain roughness—a memorable voice, a strange instrument, a rough production, or an exaggerated tweeness—is often a selling point. During the first few listens, I found the album divided between these very strong powerpop songs, which I have included below, and softer tracks more in line with The Innocence Mission and (maybe even) Sixpence None the Richer. With each listen, though, the album grows on me and becomes more coherent. Definitely worth a listen if you remember those early-90s pop bands fondly or love bands like Nada Surf and The New Pornographers.
California Oranges – “Brand New Spine”
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(Warning: there is a strange interference buzz at 1:40. It came that way. Don’t be scared.)
Sharp percussion, simple and strong guitar chords, and upbeat vocals make this a really good summer song.
California Oranges – “Travel Writer”
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I’m trying to put my finger on something, but I can’t find the band or song. Something about this song (the chorus specifically) reminds me of 2005 while I was DJing in Athens. Help, anyone? It makes me happy, whatever is triggering my déjà vu.
Right now the album is only available through download, but there will be a limited CD pressing through the band’s label in mid August. Check out the band’s myspace page for more songs. Oh, and buy the album.
Filed under cute, easy pop, new album, summer | Comment (1)Thomas Function - Celebration!
Artist: Thomas Function
Album: Celebration!
Label: Alive Records
This album won’t work in winter. It is too warm, too hot and sticky and fun. It is a summer record, and I have been playing the hell out of it lately. The songs are busy—it’s true—but once your ears warm up to their sound, the whole mix is very enjoyable. Nothing is too overpowering: there are equal moments for the guitars, the bass, the drums, organ/piano, and vocals. The melodies are quite good, too, so it is also satisfying on a cursory listen.
Thomas Function – “Can’t Say No”
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Rough and upbeat, this is my favorite track on the album. The chorus is addictive: “When you’re screaming my name, I can’t say no!” And of course, I’m always a sucker for a dynamic bass line.
Thomas Function – “Snake in the Grass”
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This is one of the more driven songs on the album (other tracks I would consider more jangly or bobbing, if that makes sense). Again, most of the sounds are well balanced, though Joshua Macero’s soft yelping dominates at times.
The full album is worth a listen, so check out their label site and buy the album. There are also a couple pretty good reviews of the band (here, here) worth checking out if you want more info.
Filed under jangly, summer | Comment (0)