Song Selection #3
Melvins – The Smiling Cobra [Nude With Boots; Ipecac Recordings, 2008]
As statement in the recent rant regarding this fine band's new album, this is the pinnacle tune. Stoner rock defined, really. Screeching guitars that form into a stomping chord foray. When all is said and done, you only need to look at the song's title. The title, the song, the sound, it all points to an ear gouging mess.
Tom Waits – Clap Hands [Rain Dogs; Island Records, 1985]
A song that's a bit easier on the ear, Waits is arguably at his best when his songs flow, and 'Clap Hands' certainly rises to these attributes. That whiskey/cigar addled voice we've all come to love leads from the front, with the clanging of instruments and that out of tune bluesy guitar riff following closely behind. Add the trademark lyrics of the protagonist hanging around seedy spots in underground America and you have Waits seemingly in a nutshell.
The Hold Steady – Magazines [Stay Positive; Vagrant Records, 2008]
It borders on lameness, cheesiness and the rest of the things we throw in the basket and deem as mediocre, and let's be honest, it would be if The Hold Steady didn't deliver it. As I said in my latest assessment of Stay Positive they get away with murder and to be honest, good luck to them. It's good to see a band heaping praise for literal thinking. The tune itself is vintage Hold Steady.
Death Cab For Cutie – I Will Posses Your Heart [Narrow Stairs; Atlantic, 2008]
With a five minute instrumental that leads into the opening words from Ben Gibbard, it's an interesting selection for a lead single. The instrumental is an elusive bass line that glides in and out of a riff that symbolizes Death Cab's 'niche'. Those heart felt lyrics of love once again fail to escape the clutches of Gibbard's vocal chords, ending the song in fine fashion.
Tom Waits – Clap Hands [Rain Dogs; Island Records, 1985]
A song that's a bit easier on the ear, Waits is arguably at his best when his songs flow, and 'Clap Hands' certainly rises to these attributes. That whiskey/cigar addled voice we've all come to love leads from the front, with the clanging of instruments and that out of tune bluesy guitar riff following closely behind. Add the trademark lyrics of the protagonist hanging around seedy spots in underground America and you have Waits seemingly in a nutshell.
The Hold Steady – Magazines [Stay Positive; Vagrant Records, 2008]
It borders on lameness, cheesiness and the rest of the things we throw in the basket and deem as mediocre, and let's be honest, it would be if The Hold Steady didn't deliver it. As I said in my latest assessment of Stay Positive they get away with murder and to be honest, good luck to them. It's good to see a band heaping praise for literal thinking. The tune itself is vintage Hold Steady.
Death Cab For Cutie – I Will Posses Your Heart [Narrow Stairs; Atlantic, 2008]
With a five minute instrumental that leads into the opening words from Ben Gibbard, it's an interesting selection for a lead single. The instrumental is an elusive bass line that glides in and out of a riff that symbolizes Death Cab's 'niche'. Those heart felt lyrics of love once again fail to escape the clutches of Gibbard's vocal chords, ending the song in fine fashion.
Bark Psychosis – Eyes & Smiles [Hex; Virgin Records, 1993]
Simon Reynolds was right when he coined this London collective as, “post-rock”. Although not in the modern conventional sense, Bark Psychosis are a brooding listen. The atmospherics in the vocals from Graham Sutton mess with your mind while the riff noodling evokes a quality deriving from funk and even the blues. This track is certainly the best the band have recorded.
Mercury Rev – Holes [Deserter's Songs; V2, 1998]
The rich vocal from Jonathon Donahue lays the platform for one of the 'Rev's finest songs. I guess with the anticipation of the band's forthcoming LP, that Mercury Rev have been getting some heavy play time around these parts. There's plenty of goodness within their catalogue of work, and this is somewhere near the top of it.
Tricky – Council Estate [Knowle West Boy; Domino 2008]
More high fives for literal thinking. Tricky delivers one of his latest album's finest cuts with rancour as he rants about his upbringing in the South of England. Not only an autobiographical insight into his childhood around the estate of Bristol, but perhaps his latest batch of sounds could form as an inspiration for others living a similar lifestyle to the boy once from the Knowle West.
By Simon K
3 comments:
the label are the ones who choose the single brah! (DCFC)
Head dude named them as the 'future of warner'... ok
oh and Simon - The Future of Drugs, check out their latest, incredible band
Oh, true.
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