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Happy Spring everyone! Pretty crazy here in Seattle. The lack of rain and everything blooming has me a bit worried, but the abundance of new music will have to soothe my concerns. Sherman has been busy over the past month. Consuming as much music as he can possibly hold.
The new Damon & Naomi (check out their new logo) is gorgeous. The Earth is Blue is the first self released (on their 20/20/20 label) album and was long awaited and so very worth the wait! You may remember Damon & Naomi has founding members of the much missed Galaxie 500, along with Dean Wareham of Luna. This is the perfect spring record. Listen to it while hanging out with friends, taking a walk or on a Sunday morning with your New York Times and a cup of coffee. It is perfection from start to finish. Just wait until you hear Naomi's take on "While My Guitar Gently Weeps". Yes, you read that right. There is an unpsoken innocence to this album, something missing in much of today's music. By the time you reach the last track, you have a feeling of comfort, warmth and hopefulness that you just want to share with everyone.
The next release that is rattling my world is by Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings. I have been reading about them in URB, XLR8R and other music magazines. I have to say I was intrigued by the reviews of Naturally. Then I caught them on the Conan O'Brien Show (video is currently available on their website). That was it! They now had a fan for life. The minute you first hear them you think it's 1971! There is a soul to their music that just grabs you. I cannot stop listening to this record! Even the sound makes you think you are listening to vinyl. Sharon Jones fronts the band and has a charismatic style that is entrancing! "How Long Do I Have To Wait For You" is the stand out track on this release! You'll be shakin' just about every part of you when you hear it! We are so very lucky that they will be coming to Chop Suey in May with full band!!!! I cannot wait for this show! This is one people will be talking about for some time to come! Please check them out. I guarantee you will not be sorry.
I was really looking forward to the latest from Clem Snide. This is a group that I knew nothing about until a couple years ago when they opened for Ivy at the Crocodile. Didn't know who they were and I was pleasantly surprised. I really liked their sound. The latest release End of Love doesn't do much for me. I still like their overall sound, but the lyrical content is a bit out there for me. Eef Barzalay suffered some serious tragedy during the course of recording this album and it is reflected here. He lost his mother and mother-in-law. Devastating for anyone. Some of the pain comes through here which is sad, but overall it's just not a strong release. "Made For TV Movie" is the stand out track and about the only one getting any airplay. I think I will look forward to the next release, but put this one aside for now.
Ok, occassionally a release comes along that just makes one stop and say "people ARE making ground breaking music nowadays"! The CD that is making everyone I know say that is Boom Bip's Blue Eyed in a Red Room. Cincinnati's Bryan Hollan, a.k.a Boom Bip, has gone beyond breaking new ground. He has shattered it! This electronic release is a stunner. Comprised almost entirely of analog instrumentation and breathtaking vocals, Boom Bip can no longer be pigeonholed as a hip-hop experimental artist. This release is one of THE standouts of 2005. People will refer to this for years to come. The textures and atmospheres in this release will stay with you long after the record is done playing. GO out and buy this now!!! All hail Boom Bip!!!
Here are a few notes on other releases Sherman has been adoring. The new Beck release Guero is fantastic! So great to have something new from him. Even better that you can listen to it without crying unlike the heart breaking "Sea Change". This record will be everywhere this summer! My favorite re-issue of the moment comes from Bettye Swann. I know, who is Bettye Swann? Let me just say this: Bettye recorded during the mid-60s and never got the recognition of her contemporaries (Aretha Franklin being the main one). This self-titled collection is released by Astralwerks and Honest Jons. It is a compilation of cover songs she did from pop and country artists of that day. Wait until you hear her take on "Stand By Your Man" & "Today I Started Loving You Again". I am so happy that a treasure like this can resurface and sound so good today. Not sure how I feel about some of the tracks I have heard from Moby's new release, Hotel. I am waiting to hear it in its entirety before passing judgement. I adore him and hope it exceeds my expectations! Tried to check out his restaurant in NYC last week, but the power went out in the subway on my way there. Really wanted to see Teany. Maybe next time! Check out the new Antony and the Johnsons release, I Am a Bird Now. Hard to describe, but gorgeous. How can a man sound like Nina Simone? Just heard the new Verve Remixed 3. Need to spend more time with it, but love what I heard from Postal Service, Bent and Album Leaf. I think they just raised the bar on this series. New albums coming soon from Saint Etienne, Dressy Bessy and Architecture in Helsinki! Cannot wait! Hope to see you all at the Stars/Apostle of Hustle show and Album Leaf. Lots of great live music in Seattle in April! Next month Sherman will be travelling to the Coachella Music Festival! Stay tuned for reports from the desert! Take care everyone! Be nice to each other! (karen.03.05)
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