FRISSONIC

Well, it’s been a while since I’ve written about the Friday pick-ups from Graywhale. Blame my lack of … something. One problem I’m running into is that I generally try to rip my new music either the day of or at least over that weekend. Well, ha ha ha … guess whose optical drive is in a non-functional state. Go ahead.

Okay, there’s generally no connection between the two. So really, I don’t know why I haven’t written about the additions. Allow me to make up for it today.

If you’re expecting a long list, you’re going to be disappointed. However, if you’re in to quality music and new releases from semi-/established artists, you’re going to LOVE this week’s list.

As I mentioned in a previous post, Jesca Hoop’s “new” CD was actually released internationally in November of last year. That does not at all take away from the fact that her new CD is just as sonically inspiring and vocally lulling. Hunting My Dress was released domestically this past Tuesday in quality music stores (effectively ruling out Walmart, Blockbuster, Target, etc … not that those are quailty places to get ANYthing, but whatever), such as Graywhale.  

So here’s the list for today:

• Jesca Hoop – Hunting My Dress
• Samantha Crain – You (Understood)
• Sera Cahoone – Only As the Day Is Long
• The Ms – Future Women
• Interpol – Our Love To Admire
• The Reverend Horton Heat – Smoke ‘em If you Got ‘em
• Reverend Horton Heat – Revival

Sometimes, it’s all about quality vs. quantity.

My man Kyle hooked me up with Windham Hill Chill Vols. 1 and 2 as well for the cost of nothing. Thanks, Kyle! He also threw me a free movie pass for “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.” The screening in a bit of a drive from my house, but it’d be worth it, right? Free movie? Just need popcorn. Yah. Pretty cool.

I’m stoked that Samantha Crain has a new CD out. Surprised, too. I didn’t see anything about it anywhere! Now that I check her site, it’s all over the place (of course).

Gah. I can’t wait for fall and winter. The upstairs at the U of U Graywhale is frickin’ hot. Maybe it’s all the amazing music. No air conditioning can contain the heat!

</stupidly unacceptable cheese>

Moving on, I’m stoked about the haul this week. Lots of great stuff. I threw in Pretty Girls Make Graves’ The New Romance on the way back to the office. Only got to hear a couple of tracks, but it was like Metric met the Raveonettes. Not at all a bad mix!

Here’s the rest of the grab.

• Prinzhorn Dance School
• Power Solo – Egg
• Hello Blue Roses
• Joker’s Daughter – The Last Laugh
• Benjamin Gibbard & Andrew Kenny
• Deborah Bonham – Duchess (John Bonham’s litte sister!)
• Colonel Claypool’s Bucket of Bernie Brains – The Big Eyeball in the Sky
• Boss Hog (
• Emelie Autumn – Opheliac (deluxe edition)
• Collide – Like the Hunted (DVD)

I’m stoked to watcht the Collide DVD. KARin can sing … reminds me of a subdued Maria Brink of In this Moment fame. Hello Blue Roses came highly recommended from a buddy of mine, so when I saw it sitting on the shelf, I grabbed it. Power Solo … not sure what to expect. I don’t know if these guys are intentionally trying to look like nerds or what, but I guess we’ll see.

Colonel Claypool is, of course, none other than Les Claypool of Primus fame. He loves to create side projects, doesn’t he? Oysterhead, Sausauge, Flying Frog Brigade … boy’s busy.

Deborah Bonham’s CD should be interesting. Jason Bonham, Joh’s son, plays drums on one of the tracks.

We’ll see how these pan out!

After a long hiatus of not posting new music, it’s time to update. Yes, another trip to the fantastic Fat Fin, another fantastic haul. 12 CDs for $37. I can handle that!

This is not the first time I’ve bought new music in a few weeks … it’s just the first time I’ve posted buying new music in a few weeks. In several weeks, actually. Chalk it up to busy Fridays at work and forgetting to write when I get home, or being out of town, or … something.

So here’s what I got today.

• The Lost Patrol – Songs About Running Away
• De Giacomo – Asa Nisi Masa
• The Tight Connection – I Am the World Trade Center (2002 release date … I’m very curious to hear what this sounds like)
• First Aid Kit – Drunken Trees (recommended by John! THANKS!)
• John Wilkes Booze – Five Pillars of Soul
• Liars – There’s Always Room on the Broom EP
• McLusky – She Will Only Bring You Happiness
• Burning Brides – Fall of the Plastic Empire
• The Caribbean - Plastic Explosives
• Champaigne Kiss – Dancing in the Pocket of Thieves
• Clinic – Walking with Thee
• Controlling the Famous – Automatic City

Yes, I know … it’s been a while. Life happens. I can’t do anything to stop it.

And I don’t *want* to do anything to stop it. The highs are too many to discount it based on a few lows. Sometimes the lows suck, sure. But the highs … much goodness and enjoyment.

For example …

We all have those friends from our high school days who we remember upon having the cobwebs shaken loose from our deepest recesses, where the vague tends to mingle with the suspicion of forgotten. With a word or a song, maybe a smell … perhaps something we see, the memories come flooding back, and we sit back and reminisce with ourselves while we smile to no one in particular. Those present, assuming anyone else is around, might question the grin with an ounce of trepidation, for such looks are normally immediately chalked up to a diminished mental state.

Such was my experience the other night when I was transported back to my senior year of high school. As is so often the case when I look at old friends’ pictures on Facebook, I found a picture of a girl with whom I have not spoken since at least May 1990. This friend and I used to dance together at church youth functions. I’m pretty sure that she was a couple of years younger than I. I’m equally sure that I didn’t care. The sincerest and warmest smile is what I remember. Friendly, approachable, fun … quite the combo.

And away I went to college. Never saw her again.

Flash forward almost exactly 20 years. Facebook. Friends. Friends of friends. Jennifer Morrow. Memories. Now Jennifer Morrow Burrell. “Add Friend.” And just like that, we were back in contact.

The musical connection, thus making it a relavent blog post, is that she is now an aspiring musician with ambition and talent.  Her works can be found on iTunes under the name “Paisley Rose.” At the moment, they only have two songs listed in their catalog, but I know more are coming, and I’m *really* excited to hear what they’ll offer.

She and her husband, who is also in the band, have graciously agreed to a phone interview in the coming weeks! I know they’re super busy with life and stuff, so the fact that they are willing to take time out of their busy schedules to answer a few measly questions for me is flattering beyond words. When I get the interview finished and transcribed, I’ll post it for your reading pleasure. It might be a couple weeks, but it’ll be worth it!

Thanks, Jennifer!

So, I got an email over the weekend. An old friend asked me to listen to Sleigh Bells, with a caveat–”Don’t read anything about them before or while you’re listening to them.” So I didn’t. And now I’m listening to them.

Well, okay … about 8 songs in, I finally caved and wondered, “Who ARE these guys?!”

“These guys” are Alexis Krauss and Derek E. Miller. Miller was looking for a vocalist for his music project. Alexis’ mom actually recommended her while she was working in a diner in NYC. I bet Derek’s glad she did. They’re one of the hottest things hitting the music scene, and they’re doing it from pretty much out of nowhere. They’ve already played Coachella–before their first release hit the market (May 11th). That’s saying something.

Her voice is dynamic. At times, it’s breathy and child-like; other times, she belts it and lets you have it square in the face. Or ears, I guess. Heavy on the keyboards and distorted guitar, lots of bass that further distorts the other sounds. At times, it feels like the mixing was intentionally left unrefined. It doesn’t necessarily detract from the awesomeness of the overall sound, but there are some parts where it could have used a little touch-up.

It’s rare for a band like Sleigh Bells to surprise me like they have. At once  dance-style electronic, as the CD progresses, they branch out into more guitar-based songs (I’m listening to you, “Straight A’s”). Again, could be synthed keyboards, but … whatever. It sounds cool. I know this much–it has my attention, and I’m not much into … however you’d classify them. But these guys … whoa. Tommy likey.

At first brush, I’d say they’re kind of like Muse meets Chemical Brothers meets Cibo Mato. If you’re familiar with those bands, listen to this CD and tell me I’m wrong.

“Tell ‘em”, the opening track, opens with some thundering bass and guitar mixed with keyboard and synth. I wasn’t ready for Allison’s voice. Keep in mind that I listened to this track before I did some poking around online. Can’t understand what she’s saying half the time, but there are moments when the lyrics are more clear than others.

The beginning of “Kids” sounds like the beginning of “Stinkfist” from Tool. Sort of. It kind of has that feel to it for about the first 5 seconds or so, after which you can hear some horn-type sounds. 

“Riot Rhythm” has a bit of a politcal message. “You gotta march!” At least, that’s what it sounds like. Maybe it’s “You gotta MARK!” I dunno.

“Infinity Guitars” actually has very little guitar work, and what there is actually sounds like a processed keyboard, and has precisely 4 chords. I think what they meant is that the song feels like it goes on for infinity, and every now and then there are some guitars.

Okay … I stand corrected. Big time. It heavies up at the 1:52 mark. A more accurate title would be “Infinite Bass with Some Guitar.” I bet that song sounds frickin’ hot on a high-end system.

Rill Rill has “single” written all over it. This could be a seriously great radio hit, if the band is interested in that aspect of marketing at all. Truthfully, the CD itself is enough of a marketing tool that “singles” are probably not necessary.

Truly, the treat of the CD is the last track, “Treats.” Think about the intro to the Smiths’ “How Soon Is Now?” and beef it up with a lot more bass throughout the song, and mix in more keyboards and synth. I’m totally digging this song.

That’s all the more songs I’m going to review. I’ve already over-extended my normal quota of 3-4 songs per CD. If you want to know how great this CD is, get it. iTunes, Amazon … whichever. You will probably really dig this CD if  you like:

• female vocalists
• lots of bass
• music to jump around to (yes, I ended with a preposition. so frickin’ what?)
• out-of-nowhere song transitions
• infectious, addictive songs

Just get this CD. Do it.

It has been a wicked crazy week and some. Work has exploded. I think I mentioned that my boss retired a couple of Mondays ago. From the frying pan and into the fire, as it were.

Yah, yah … excuses excuses. Make the time, right? So here it is.

While I’m thinking of it, for all you fat fin fans, GW has a Facebook page that’s not to be missed. Please add them and support local music shops!

Of course, went to Graywhale for a quickie. So to speak. Hmm. ANYway, didn’t really peruse much as time was limited due to some geotagging test driving. Brought my camera along for the drive, randomly taking pictures at stop lights and other various locations. So, I have this app called GeoLogTag. It’s supposed to tag pics from ANY camera. After doing some poking around, I can understand why they make the claim: all the app does is “waypoint” your location at X intervals. I have mine set to continual. I believe it waymarks a location every 5 seconds, which is SUPER great for geotagging with accuracy. Anyway, after I take a bunch of pics, I import them into Geosetter. This program takes the images and bats them up a .gpx file that has all the waymarks listed. The program accesses this set of waymarks a couple of different ways: 1) you can email it to yourself, or (my favorite method) 2) it turns your phone into a virtual server, replete with a temp IP address for connecting and downloading the file to a specific location. Nifty, eh? Anyway, once the .gpx file is on your machine, you open it in Geosetter. It compares the time the waymarks were logged to the time the pictures were taken, and it adds the geotagging metadata to the image so you can view your image in geo-social picture sites like Flickr or Panoramio. Anyway, the bulk of my lunch was spent driving around and doing that.

The remaineder, of course, was spent acquiring more great music. Maybe it’s the loyal Western New Yorker in me, but today kind of had a theme. First off, I owned no Ani DiFranco. I now own 4 CDs. I owned no Natalie Merchant CDs. I now own 3. Still no 10000 Maniacs though. That’s bad. Didn’t even think to check for that. Oh well … something to hunt for next week, right?

So here’s the list of what I got today.

• Faceless Wolverines – Pardon Me, Are Those Your Claws on my Back?
• Ani DiFranco – Evolve
• Ani DiFranco – Dilate
• Ani DiFranco – Out of Range
• Ani DiFranco – Imperfectly
• Natalie Merchant – Leave Your Sleep
• Natalie Merchant – Ophelia
• Natalie Merchant – Motherland

Sweet merciful crap. What a list. This is two Fridays and Record Store Day on the 17th, plus some assorted iTunes/Amazon raiding over the last couple weeks. It’s been … well, let’s put it this way: I’ve had more frugal weeks.

• Noisettes – Wild Young Hearts
• Noisettes – What’s the TIme Mr. Wolf
• Dessa – A Badly Broken Code
• Paz Lenchantin – Yellow My Sky Captain
• Las Ketchup – Hijas del Tomate
• Double – Blue
• Echo and the Bunnymen – Discography
• The Gathering – Discography
• Frente! – Discography
• Jewel – Discography
• Bryan Adams – Reckless
• Letters to Cleo – Discography
• Madonna – Discography (yes, you are reading that correctly)
• Mighty Mighty Bosstones – Discography
• Beth Orton – Discography
• Moonspell
• Lois – Maffeo and Brendan Canty – The Union Themes
• Julie Doiron – Heart and Crime
• Nedelle – From the Lion’s Mouth
• Freakwater – Old Paint
• Heather Duby and Elemental
• HIM – Sworn Eyes
• Morcheeba – Charango
• Morcheeba – The Antidote
• The Standard – Albatross
• Spiral Beach – Ball
• The Von Bondies – Pawn Shoppe Heart
• Endochine – Day Two
• Moonraker – Peeg Vater
• Brothers Creeggan – Discography
• Kevin Hearn and Thin Buckle – Discography
• Songs Ohia – The Magnolia Electric Co.
• From Bubblegum to Sky – Nothing Sadder than a Lonely Queen
• Colour Revolt – Colour Revolt EP
• Coughs – Secret Passage
• Blue Bird
• Juliana Theory – Deadbeat Sweetheartbeat
• Juliana Theory – Love
• !!! – Me and Guiliana down by the School Yard
• Breaking Pangea – Cannon to a Whisper
• Evangelista – Hello, Voyager
• Cantinero – Championship Boxing
• Cat on Form – Structure and Fear
• Scout Niblett – I Am
• Dum Dum Girls – I Will Be
• Acid House Kings – Sing Along with Acid House Kings
• Athlete – Beyond the Neighborhood
• Jennifer O’Connor – Here with Me
• Cassettes Won’t Listen – Small-Time Machine
• Brazilian Girls – Talk to la Bomb
• The Do – A Mouthful
• Death by Chocolate
• Nana Grizol – Love It Love It
• The Aliens – Astronomy for Dogs
• Milemarker – Ominosity
• Vivian Girls
• The Album Leaf – Seal Beach EP
• Mumble & Peg – This Ungodly Hour
• Lovedrug – Everything Starts Where It Ends
• The Honorary Title – Scream & Light Up the Sky
• Ambulance Ltd – New English EP
• The Blakes
• Blake Babies – God Bless the Blake Babies
• House & Parish – One, One Thousand
• Howlin’ Rain – Magnificent Fiend
• Annie Haden – The Enemy of Love
• The Lovely Sparrows – Bury the Cynics
• Das Oath – Mini LP
• The Elevator Drops – People Mover
• Dulcesky – Lands
• Dulcesky – Film EP
• Mara – It’s Who I Am
• The Graduate – Anhedonia
• I Like Trains – Progress Reform
• The Lovely Feathers – Fantasy of the Lot
• The Geometrid – Looper
• Lansing-Dreiden – The Dividing Island
• Kilowatt Hours – The Bright Side
• Manchester Orchestra – Live at Park Ave.
• The Ms – Furture Women
• Hayden – The Closer I Get
• David and Naomi – The Wondrous World of Damon and Naomi
• Dressy Bessy – Electrified
• AM Syndicate – Empire
• Cart!  – DEMO
• Holopaw
• Hor – A Faster, More Aggressive Hor

See?! Told ya the list was sick. I believe the term is “binge.”

In light of today’s tragic ticket debacle, I’m pretty sure this isn’t the end, either. So, those Rush tix went on sale at 10. Apparently, Firefox doesn’t have 128-bit encryption–a requirement for buying pre-sale online. I can sort of see the point, but … come on. Either that or their stupid anti-bot word-typing thing was just severely fubar, which wouldn’t surprise me in the least. Anyway, in short, I didn’t get any tickets, and I ended up having to buy a new keyboard

Another Friday, another trip to Graywhale. The things I learn from going there …

For example, tomorrow is Record Store Day. At Gray Whale, all used CDs are buy 2, get one free. WHAT?! WHAT!? Yah. My morning was going to be about getting ready for game 2 of the Sabres/Bruins series (hockey, for all you who are not “in the know”). That has changed. Since I own a Killer Whale card–a must for anyone within 50 miles of a Graywhale store–I get in at 9. An hour or so of perusing, cavorting, etc, then home for the game. That’s the order of the day.

So here’s the new list of what I picked up today.

• The Juilana Theory – Love
• The Juliana Theory – Deadbeat Sweetheartbeat
• Evangelista – Hello, Voyager
• DulceSky – Media Luna EP
• Blue Bird
• Coughs – Secret Passage
• Colour Revolt
• From Bubblegum to Sky – Nothing Sadder than Lonely Queen
• Lois – Bet the Sky
• Lois – Butterfly Kiss
• Scout Niblett – I am
• Bettie Serveert – Log 22
• Cat on Form – Structure and Fear
• Cantinero – Championship Boxing
• Breaking Pangea – Cannon to a Whisper
• !!! (Chk Chk Chk) – Me and Guiliani down by the School Yard

I have other stuff by some of these bands, but not many. I already have Bettie Serveert’s “Log 22,” but only in mp3s. I’m familiar with Scout Niblett’s work, so I’m glad to have found that CD. I’ve heard a few snippets of some Juliana Theory material and I’m familiar with their history, but I don’t have any of their stuff. Well, okay … NOW I do, but I didn’t. That’s my point.

The Breaking Pangea CD interests me on name alone. I’m listening to the Juliana Theory’s Deadbeat Sweetheartbeat at the moment. It’s a shame these guys broke up after making this CD.

Dulcesky is a local band. In fact, they’re playing tonight at the Woodshed in downtown Salt Lake. Wish I had known that earlier today.

Anyway, more tomorrow. Probably.

So, the other day, I got a friend request on Facebook. I had no idea who this guy was, so I checked out his page. Turns out he’s a local musician. I sent him a message asking him how he found me, thinking he found this blog. In actuality, he found me on The Depot‘s Facebook page. I told him about this site, and he said, “Well, hey. I have some stuff. Wanna review it?” Downloaded it, listened to it, and … well, here it is.

Drop Side Nine is comprised of Scott Peterson and Brandon Larsen, life-long friends who grew up in the same small town, went their separate ways, and ended up doing exactly what they’ve always wanted – making music. The result is what we’re given in A Perfectly Orchestrated Breakdown.

The first thing I noticed was the sound quality. I like the garage recording sound. We’re not talking Garage Days Re-revisited, but there’s definitely an awesome vibe to the recording … like they’re seriously just having fun. Gives it a very raw, unaltered sound. Having said all that, I’m also extremely excited to see what some more professional recording and mixing can do for these guys. There is potential. Lots. And lots. And LOTS.

As for the instrumentation, I’m … wow. There are two guys, right? Just two? I mean, there’s synth, piano, guitars, strings (violins? cellos? maybe it’s synth … hard to tell), standard drums, drum loops … there’s a lot going on here. I’m guessing a lot of this is track layering. I can see the need of a full, 4 or 5 piece band to pull off this stuff live. Probably two guitarists, a keyboardist, bassist, and drummer. Obviously, some of the elements are already there.

Brandon has a kind of pre-trained James LaBrie-type voice going on that with some proper training could seriously take off. I like that it sounds completely unprocessed. I *hate* processed voices that sound great on a CD, but then you go see a band live, and come to find out, the singer really sucks. Such is not the case here. What you hear is what you’ll get live. Again, with a bit of vocal training, we could have the next Geoff Tate.

It’s fairly evident from lyrics that either Scott or Brandon (or, both?) have been through some painful experiences–the genesis for many of the songs on the CD. (from “Broken Down”) “Make this go away, turn a page–a brand new day. Now I’m so alive. I know this time that I’ll get it right. Broken down, I’ve begun to bleed.” (from “Take”) “I want you all to see it. I want you all to hear it, and this is what I’m screaming so maybe now you’ll feel it, and I will say it again: the walls are closing and, and I can’t take it no more.” (from Something New”) “I’ve awakened from my downward slide. I won’t be a victim anymore. Take a hard look at yourself cuz I’m coming out swinging. Ready to take your ugly world and turn it into something new–maybe a taste of the blues will help you secretly.” They’ve taken their experiences and turned them into this first offering.

Overall, there is serious potential for these guys. It’s obvious from Scott’s Facebook page that there’s already a growing interest. Now is the time to “get on board” and have the chance to say, “Hey … I knew them and saw them before YOU did!” If they keep plugging away (get it?! guitar and amp joke!), there’s no telling where they can go. We, the fortunate ones, get to watch the entire ride.

To Scott, who I know will read this, thanks for finding me. It’s been my privilege and pleasure to listen to your stuff. I’m serious … keep this up.

I love it when I go to Graywhale and the guys start playing stuff they think I’d be interested in. That’s just awesome. Thanks!!

By that, I mean the new Scout Niblett CD that came out in January, Calcination of Scout Niblett. It sounded like new Joanna Newsom, but nothing I recognized. “No, man. This is Scout Niblett.” So she’s on my radar of things to watch out for.

Kyle also recommended Songs: Ohia’s last/Magnolia Electric Co.’s first CD, Magnolia Electric Co. He has pretty impeccable taste in music, so I just ordered it on Amazon.

Anyway, here’s today’s list.

• HIM – Sworn Eyes (this is not to be confused with H.I.M.)
• The Von Bondies – Pawn Shoppe Heart
• The Standard – Albatross
• Spiral Beach -  Ball
• Nedelle – From the Lion’s Mouth
• Julie Doiron – Heart and Crime
• Freakwater – Old Paint
• Moonraker – Peeg Vater
• Endochine – Day Two
• Morcheeba – The Antidote
• Morcheeba – Charango

I’ve heard some of Morcheeba’s stuff, but that was mostly from the mid-90s, circa Who Can You Trust and  Big Calm. Very Tricky/Sneaker Pimps type stuff.

Anyway, I’m feeling way under the weather today, so I’m leaving this post as-is for now and going to try to rest. I have some other stuff to discuss, but that’ll probably be later this afternoon or tomorrow. 5 words: the return of the king. And no–I don’t mean the movie (which is fantastic, and now out on blu-ray, but I’ll wait until the extended edition is released before I buy the set).