Various Artists – Stroke: Songs For Chris Knox
Out now (digitally) on Merge
The tribute to the New Zealand rocker features covers from Jeff Mangum, Bonnie Prince Billy, Stephin Merritt, Yo La Tengo & many more. Digital version is available for download right now, with a 2xCD physical release to come on 2/23.
Gigi - “I’m Not Coming Out Tonight”
Gigi is a project that exists almost entirely because songwriter Nick Krgovich and producer Colin Stewart acquired vintage plate reverb units, a central component of Phil Spector’s classic recordings from the early ’60s. Though in some ways it is disappointing that those two men and their various collaborators chose to emulate those old records rather than attempt to make something totally new with the same technology, who can blame them when that sound is so specific and seductive? I’m sure in the future we’ll have people rediscovering vintage autotune software and making their own T-Pain music. The album is basically like a costume drama, with various singers slipping into the aural equivalent of period clothing and delivering studied approximations of mid-20th century pop mannerisms.
It’s not all so self-conscious, though. “I’m Not Going Out Tonight,” a song recorded with Syndey Vermont and Marissa Johnson, is so stunning in its composition and emotionally affecting in its execution that the plate reverb falls back to being a supporting player rather than the star of the show. This is how it ought to be, obviously. That sound may be a beautiful thing, but the primary reason it has so much cultural resonance is because it was applied to expertly crafted songs that conveyed earnest desire. This is why so many artists cop this sound or lift the “Be My Baby” beat — it is cultural shorthand for the work of artists who found a way to perfectly express innocent, starry-eyed passion. “I’m Not Going Out Tonight” is successful because it’s less about context and nostalgia, and more focused on conveying a powerful longing in its melody, lyrics, and vocal performance. This is heart-melting stuff, especially as the girls sing “I love you so much I can’t stand it” with a lovely angelic cadence as the music reaches its crest. Whereas the other tracks are decent compositions written for the plate reverb, this is a piece of music that truly earns the effect.
Buy it from Amazon.
Milwaukee band Jail, whose record There’s No Sky, Oh My was pointed out to me by Tom the Great Pumpkin back in April, have just signed with Sub Pop, who actually made them change their name to Jaill, so as to avoid any confusion with an old ’70s German band. The band goes into the studio in January to begin recording their Sub Pop debut.
MP3: Jail – “No Mindless Love”
(thx Tim)
I’ve just got one thing to say about this week’s new release list: I hope you like vinyl!
CD
Jawbox – For Your Own Special Sweetheart
Vinyl
Avi Buffalo – What’s In it For?
MP3: Avi Buffalo – “What’s In It For?”
Blue Roses – Does Anyone Love Me Now?
Dinosaur Jr – Pieces b/w Houses
Morrissey – 7-Inch Singles 88-91 Box Set
The Notwist – Come In b/w Boneless
Nurse With Wound – Chance Meeting On A Dissecting Table Machine and An Umbrella
Okkervil River – Black Sheep Boy Definitive Edition
MP3: Okkervil River – “Black”
A Place To Bury Strangers – Keep Slipping Away
Tamaryn – Mild Confusion b/w Light Shadows
MP3: Tamaryn – “Mild Confusion”
Sebastien Tellier – L’amour Et La Violence/Fingers of Steel
Trans Am – What Day Is It Tonight?
John Vanderslice – Vinyl Reissues
MP3: John Vanderslice – “Time Travel Is Lonely”
Billy Corgan premieres a new song at Spinner.
Groovemine interviews music bloggers.
Lightning Dust plays a tiny desk concert at NPR Music.
NPR Music reviews the new 71-disc Miles Davis box set.
Trudging through the behemoth collection of Davis' music in the past few weeks was a bit like the jazz equivalent of the Death March of Bataan — albeit a cooler, far more swinging journey. Recorded between 1955 and '85, it bears witness to his perpetual restlessness and growth as a musician and bandleader. These digitally remastered recordings range from the lyrical (if sonically inferior) Paris Jazz Festival date to the extended funk-rock jams of his twilight years on We Want Miles.
Times New Viking – “Born Again Revisited”
Liars – “Scissor” The first track from their forthcoming new album, Sisterworld, due out early next year on Mute.
