Tracey Thorn "Record (Merge)"
I’ve never read an album described as having come after someone’s “mid-life” and while they are “embarking on a whole new no fucks given phase of life.” (Tracy’s words). But then again, I’ve never heard anything quite like Tracey Thorn’s new record Record (Merge). Forgive me as I try to restrain myself from writing a “who’s on first” bit here with the record being called Record. It would probably involve the band The Band as well… oh well… Tracy refers to the tunes here as “nine feminist bangers” and she’s not wrong. The tunes here are synth-driven, bouncy, and all under 3-minutes (which I think is the definition of “bangers”, right?”) If you were a fan of Tracey’s work in Marine Girls, or from Everything But The Girl, or just a fan of slick, artful pop music, then Record is for you. It’s like Annie Lennox, late-era Talking Heads, and Liz Lemon all met in a bar and recorded this great record… er… Record. Check out the funky “Sister.”
Various Artists "Hexadic III (Drag City)"
For the third collection of Hexadic music Ben Chasny, aka Six Organs Of Admittance, tried something new–not appearing on the album. Hexadix III (Drag City) is a compilation of various artists dabbling in Ben’s self-created manner of songwriting. He’s devised a system where by you deal yourself cards and let those cards determine the chords played. After 2 albums of that, he’s decided to let his friends in on the deal (pun intended). The big difference here is that when Ben does it, he generally sticks to acoustic guitars, giving the whole thing a strange folk flavor. But the bands on this album (Jenks Miller, Moon Duo, and Meg Baird to name a few) did things their own way. So wether it’s Jenks’ spindly guitars, organs, and echo-ladened vocals on “The Hanging Man”, or Moon Duo’s subsonic pulses and reverb-soaked guitars on “Square Of The Sun” the results are strikingly original, leaving the whole thing a varied yet cohesive affair. Check out the aforementioned “The Hanging Man” by Jenks Miller.
YoshimiO / Susie Ibarra / Robert Aiki Aubrey Lowe "Flowers Of Sulfer (Thrill Jockey)"
There’s free jazz, and then there’s Flowers Of Sulfer (Thrill Jockey). A rare combining of three avant-garde musicians that could only be out-weirded were John Zorn involved. SAICOBAB and OOIOO multi-instrumentalist YoshimiO teamed up with percussionist Susie Ibarra and multidisciplinary artist Robert Aiki Aubrey Lowe for a performance in (take a guess) Brooklyn for what is one of the weirdest recordings I have ever heard (and I’ve heard some weird recordings!) Imagine, if you will, the drum-only soundtrack from Birdman with the addition of vocals from Yoko Ono and keyboards by… I don’t know… a cat walking on a casio set to “funky clav”? I’m not kidding. There is funky clav in here. Seriously, this thing is nuts. It’s haunting, disturbing, at times peaceful. There are also passages of beauty to be found in these four 15 minute long songs. If you’re not a fan of off-kilter (and off putting) music, then this is not the one for you. But if you like your music like you like your superhero doctors… you know, strange? Then this is the release for you. Check out “Aaa.”
Hurry "Every Little Thought (Lame-O)"
Who has the best record collection of the BRM/RTP roster? Is it Matt Scottoline from Hurry? Is it his love of Aztec Camera, Nada Surf, and Teenage Fanclub make him the man i most want to go record shopping with? Actually, Every Little Thought (Lame-O Records) really reminds me of the Martin Rushent produced Go Go’s album “Talk Show”, and that is really big compliment (can i say that is my 2nd favorite Go Go’s album?). Really. Check it out. Meanwhile between “Every Little Thing” and “Heatwave” who is writing catchier pop/punk? WHO WHO? Betcha can’t name anyone…. Check out “Waiting For You” and help me get Jane Wiedlan to play second guitar!