Album Review - Death Cab For Cutie

Death Cab For Cutie - Narrow Stairs [Atlantic Records; 12/05/2008]

Depends on who you're talking to, Plans was a successful record, being that it won the band a ton of new fans and the music continued to be catchy. Long time fans have been sceptical of the band ever since selling their souls to the evil of a larger record company, that being Atlantic Records. Time has flown and it's time for the Cutie's second outing on Atlantic. In a quote that was posted on the Wikipedia late last year had me frothing at the mouth for the follow up as some of the quote mentioned a "10 minute long Can jam", anticipation ensured. Being excited as I was for the release of Narrow Stairs I was duped into a faux version of the record, some German band? Feeling the sting, finally a real version was released.

On first listen I was a little underwhelmed as i was wanting/expecting an album full of space flavoured jams but after a few more listens the songs really started to reveal themselves. For starters "I Will Possess Your Heart", (the first single and the song in which the quote came from) is song of the year material, strangely different from past material, smooth and excitingly creative. In fact the album sports a few song of the year candidates, as in opener "Bixby Canyon Bridge" Gibbard showcases his influences in beat poetry with his lyrics over an incredible slice of musical bliss. "Grapevine Fires" apparently written about the fires which spread across L.A last year is the Cutie at the top of their game. The album is certainly a mixed bag of sorts as "Long Division" is the upbeat rocker and "You Can Do Better Than Me" is the Death Cab trademark insecurity song, which carries over the similar themes from past albums and "Pity and Fear" could be that song to become your favourite song on the album after listening to the others too much. Guitarist/Producer Chris Walla is at the helm of the bands sixth effort and he does it justice.

Being a guy who hasnt been with them since the beginning (as I'm far too young) it's great to see a record of such quality even if there is no comparison to some of their Barsuk material, depending on the listener and when they started with the band I still really feel this is a really fine album. For those who haven't already dismissed the band for becoming to popular expect to see Narrow Stairs at the top of a few polls at the end of the year.

Sean.


Lullaby Recommended


Stay Tuned for Lullaby's Best Music of 2008 so far...

Live Review - My Morning Jacket

My Morning Jacket
Date: 25/06/2008
Venue: The Leadmill
City: Sheffield, United Kingdom

Louisville, Kentucky's My Morning Jacket hold the reputation of unleashing one the best live shows around and despite the Sheffield's Leadmill only sparsely filled, those who attended the bash (MMJ's first on the current tour) left with the performance well and truly ensconced in their memory.

My Morning Jacket are a different proposition in the live arena. Their expansion in musicianship is undoubted, with bassist “Two Tone” Tony's bouncing bass throbs simmering underneath the guitar combustion of frontman Jim James and fellow axeman, Carl Broemel.

'Evil Urges and 'Highly Suspicious' are falsetto driven numbers that explore a new avenue for My Morning Jacket, even more so live, with a trajectory that doesn't compare between the respective mediums. The zenith of MMJ's catalogue is certainly 'Gideon'; jam packed with bass notes that make one numb, the turbulent spasms and guitar breakouts end with James, TTT and Broemel coalescing to the centre of stage for a rock 'n' roll conclave. The swelling grooves of 'Lay Low' and 'Anytime' follow in seismic waves where guitar freak-outs and swirling bass jams have bystanders glued to this assault.

The no-nonsense swathe that is 'Smokin from Shootin' and the reverberating trance of 'Touch Me I'm Going to Scream Pt.2' rank among the highlights off Evil Urges , while It Still Moves' country bumpkin stomp that is 'Golden' is a lush rendition of southern fried rock. 'One Big Holiday' closes the show with more of an epic vibe and rocking hybrid in comparison with the record cut.

Although Jim James is the obvious epicentre, each band member extrudes a unique virtuosity that almost appears to be purposely tucked away on record. Material off Z is expanded upon in ferocious fashion, appearing as the obvious yardstick in the 'Jacket's arsenal, despite the haphazard brilliance that material off Evil Urges possesses. There's no doubt whatsoever that My Morning Jacket immerse themselves when “playing” live, exceeding expectations and mesmerizing the masses along the way.

Setlist:

1. Evil Urges
2. Off The Record
3. Gideon
4. I'm Amazed
5. Highly Suspicious
6. Lay Low
7. Touch Me I'm Going To Scream Pt.1
8. What A Wonderful Man
9. Sec Walkin
10. Golden
11. Thank You Too!
12. The Way That He Sings
13. Remnants
14. Smokin From Shootin
15. Touch Me I'm Going To Scream Pt.2

Encore:

16. Wordless Chorus
17. It Beats 4 U
18. I Will Sing You Songs
19. Run Thru
20. Anytime
21. One Big Holiday

Photos:







Review & Photos by Simon K

Album Review - Errors

Errors – It's Not Something But It Is Like Whatever
[Rock Action Records; 03/06/2008]

In many respects, Glasgow's Errors are a version of Mogwai that you could hit the dance-floor to. It's no coincidence that the latter have drafted this young trio in to releasing their debut album on Rock Action Records (the 'Gwai's own label). After all, RAR's roster of artists all claim to present one raging similarity; making noise and equally doing it in fine fashion.

Much like Errors' debut EP How Clean Is Your Acid House?, It's Not Something But It Is Like Whatever contains a fair underpinning. 'Dance Music' is a sardonic title that we've witnessed Mogwai using throughout their career. Errors portray this well enough, with flowing beats that are catchy and equally raw enough for the village idiot to shy away from.

'Salute! France' stands as the album's finest moment with it's melodic drive created by a gliding keyboard encapsulating what Errors set out to achieve on their debut, albeit if it's only momentarily. 'Still Game' provides the come down, with a more guitar orientated dirge, while closing track 'Alot of the Things You Don't Isn't' maybe just that, hauntingly closing the album with darkness and mystique.

Although the basis prevails with solidarity, at times, INSBIILW feels like a chore, with large pieces of deadwood floating in between the finer bits; most of which are mentioned above. If Mogwai made dance music then it would probably sound like this, but unlike Errors, when they lay foundations, you'd well and truly know about it. It's hard not to sit Errors next to their label mates, but as they say, when you've made your bed...

By Simon K

Album Review - The Fall

The Fall – Imperial Wax Solvent
[Castle; 28/04/2008]

Mark E. Smith has recently come under scrutiny, being harshly scathed for his alleged self-parody and cynicism of certain quarters in England and for that matter, the World. However, as always, Smith will just fob this off and probably write about it for The Fall's next album. In fact, there's no “probably” about it. Imperial Wax Solvent is once again Smith throwing musicians on the conveyor belt to re-define the boundaries his band have disintegrated time and time again over the 30 plus years of The Fall's existence.

“I'm A 50 year old man, and I like it” spits Smith, during '50 Year Old Man', which entrenches us right into the now of The Fall. With bass rhythms undulating with a post-punk trademark during tracks like 'Strange Town' and 'Tommy Shooter' it's lyrics of Smith that once again steal the show. Still taking a swipe at the working class beer consumers and weekly bingo attenders of his nation (none better than 'Alton Towers' and 'Senior Twilight Stock Replacer') there's a seismic shift during this affair, with the mocking undertones of 'I've Been Duped' rendering a steely pop aesthetic.

The Fall have never been pinned down and taken hostage by anyone over their three decade life-span. Constantly transforming mutant soundscapes, altering tactics with personnel, and the perpetuating scathing lyrical barrages from album-to-album, it's no doubt The Fall continue to prosper. Imperial Wax Solvent might not rate as the best Fall album to hit the shelves, but it's far from the worst and as long as the platform is still there, Mark E. Smith will continue to rant and do it damn well.

By Simon K

Album Review - Martha Wainwright

Martha Wainwright – I Know You're Married But I've Got Feelings Too
[Drowned In Sound; 10/05/2008]

The sibling of singer-songwriter, Rufus, Canadian born Martha Wainwright stole our hearts and trampled all over them in 2005 with her debut self-titled full-length. Full of vigorously written folk songs, a plethora of anger was let off the leash to cause havoc and distress, with the brashness MW employing clearly showing one message; this women could hold her own with anybody. Martha's second album, I Know You're Married But I've Got Feelings Too, follows a similar path in themes, but in the case of sound, there's a significant ushering.

With IKYMBIGFT, proceedings flow a little smoother, with turbulence at a premium. Pink Floyd's classic hit 'See Emily Play' is covered in more of a come-down/folk fashion, while earlier tracks on the album such 'Hearts Club Band' and 'The George Song' sight the scope to more of an undercurrent of angst, which essentially is what the the album is all about.

Although not as in-your-face with the cold harsh fists and gashing red hot blood like her predecessor, IKYMBIGFT still alludes to personal set-backs and heartbreak. It's just in more of a metaphorical sense this time, making the listener work a little harder (album title being the exception). It shows that Wainwright can vent her anger through various channels, which for the most part, is commendable. Still, it sounded better when the boldness and feisty interplay was at the table.

By Simon K

Album Review - Silver Jews

Silver Jews – Lookout Mountain, Lookout Sea
[Drag City; 17/06/2008]

David Berman has always smashed boundaries in the aesthetic of your run-of-the-mill song-writer. Always in close company with the likes of Stephen Malkmus, the influences of the Pavement main main has always rubbed off on Berman, who has never called the proverbial spade a spade lyrically or musically.

Lookout Mountain, Lookout Sea is a Silver Jews album that many can relax and enjoy, posing as the most straight-forward of albums that Berman has penned since this project kicked started in the late '90s.

'What Is Not But Could Be If 'sounds like Johnny Cash's bastard son knocking out the land-locked blues. 'Suffering Jukebox' is a striking to-and-fro between Berman and his wife, Cassie, who adds a country twirl to the ditty. 'Strange Victory', 'Open Field' and 'Party Barge' are all in-you-face indie country numbers that are arguably the most accessible Berman has ever written.

Although the core base of Silver Jews' listeners maybe put off by the accessibility Lookout Mountain, Lookout Sea portrays, in truth this was an avenue that Berman was always capable of enduring upon. Now that he's actually taken this step, it may catch people a little off-guard. Rather than bending the listener's mind with ambiguity and instrumentation that's hard to pierce, his unearthed an album that one can indulge in with very little effort and for this it's just an extra string to bow of David Berman.

By Simon K

DVD Review - Gimme Shelter (Rolling Stones)

Gimme Shelter is a documentary/concert film that was released in 1970 portraying the Stones on their 1969 US tour. The film begins with footage shown from their famous Madison Square Gardens concert with some takes featuring on their live album "Get Yer Ya-Ya's Out", and random shots of them hanging about in hotels and listening to fresh cuts of their songs, but at the centre of the film is the tragic events that took place at their free gig at the Altamont Speedway in San Francisco. On December 6, 1969, merely only a few months after Woodstock, the Stones were to perform alongside Jefferson Airplane, Ike and Tina Turner and the Flying Burrito Brothers for charity at Golden Gate Park, though they were denied as another event was already taking place so through much stress a decision was made that it would take place at the then currently unused Altamont Speedway.

Not long after the film starts rolling we see a very emotional Jagger and Watts as they are dealing with the aftermath of the murder of 18 year old man Meredith Hunter that took place as they played. We then hear from the most prominent member of the Hells Angels, Sonny Barger telling his side of the story via radio. What is so special about the footage captured is not only the events that take place but to witness what it was like back then to be a music fan. Seeing people on drugs, the violence, the love making, producing a very real and somewhat intense portrayal of a time not so innocent as we might have thought. The intensity builds up throughout the film as the crowd infiltrates the stage and at one stage an Angel punching out Marty Ballin from the Jefferson Airplane whilst they are performing. For what sparked the act of violence that ended in murder is still a little shady, but rest assured this event remains one of the most intriguing subjects in music history. To find someone to blame for the unfortunate event would be hard to get to the bottom of as the Hells Angels, what were they really doing there? The fans, drugged up and seemingly aggressive, what about the music? All of these elements combine to what is frequently called the event that closed up shop in the department of peace and love of the 60's. This is purely a must for anyone who calls themselves a music fan, this is an intense and exhilarating documentation and most definitely essential viewing.

Lullaby Recommended

Sean.