The exciting conclusion: Day 5 of 5 …
Mike’s Songs
1) ‘Dry Clothes’ by Annuals (Be He Me)
While reviewing the opening track “Brother” awhile back, this track would pop up. I don’t think this song is nearly as perfectly constructed for the whole length, mostly because of the diversion into a fusiony guitar solo reminiscent of a Bruce Hornsby 90s album featuring Pat Metheny. Man does that sort of kill the song for a few bars. But they do sort have that sugary California indie pop sound that sometimes sounds like it could be the Beach Boys or Weezer but then bring out these swelling little burbles of sounds and off key vocal harmonies that are actually fairly memorable. This band is young and could very well be a flash in the pan, but they really have the potential be strong if they stick around.
Greg’s Songs
1) ‘March of the Smallest Feet’ by Tin Hat Trio (Book of Silk)
These guys are great, and suprisingly listenable. I’m not sure how to classify the sound- jazz I guess, since there is a lot of improvisation, but it also borders on non-traditional chamber music. This one starts with accordian chords, violin melody, and some interesting guitar (or banjo?) stabs. The violin sound reminds me a civil war fiddle lament. This would be a good, short, no-lyric filler song in a mix tape. If I rememember right, Tin Hat Trio has a good website with lots of samples tracks for listening. I have no idea how good the other albums are, but this one is quite interesting- I listen to often for background work music.
Aryn’s Songs
1) ‘One and One’ by Miles Davis (On The Corner)
Nice. One from the crazy funky years. This immediatly invokes that emotion of walking through a strange city environment. Who can’t love the growling bass, jingle bells, hi-hats, and crazy sax/trumpet runs. I do like that recorded horn sound from the 70’s, or maybe just the recording practices of the whole record.. Pretty simple but effective production. I think the only thing lacking is a really nice orchestrated bridge that they could all jump in on. If only I was in Mile’s band, I could have set him straight on this thing.. ha! (Amazing album cover too by the way)
Bonus: I know its only supposed to be 5 songs, but Antichrist Television Blues by the Arcade Fire from the album Neon Bible came on next. Wow this is really an awesome song. A nice change from the out-funk I was just listening to. Thats it. If I were a professional reviewer I would give the Neon Bible 4 out of 5 possible Gideon bibles on the Motel sidetable reading scale (note: this scale not commonly used anywhere outside of the States)
Thanks for listening, again feel free to email us at [email protected] or leave comments here if you like. I guess its time to start sifting through the thousands of responses we got to find the best hello.usersubmitted.shuffle!
Is Fat Albert anywhere on that cover? :)
He should be. I have never seen the cover before ( as the copy I have is digital only ). Its amazing to see things from years past that were thought of at the time to be hip ( by whoever made them).. Makes me wonder about the covers that I have made.. and how I need more cartoon people hanging out jamming to our music.
I have never heard that Tin Hat Trio album but I remember when it came out. Its on Ropeadope yes? For awhile that label could do NO wrong with quirky hybrid type musicians. Last I heard they were simply called Tin Hat now.
As for the Miles, even to this day its known for being a controversial era for Miles and jazz in particular. I think as time has gone on, more and more people are acknowledging how great and inspired this music was…it just wasnt that Kind of Blue sound that people wanted. Gotta hand it to Miles for always pushing the envelope, always finding a new sound.
I mean jeez HOW many different styles of jazz did he help found? Cool jazz? Chamber jazz? Modal jazz? Post Bop? Electric modal? Fusion? Hip hop jazz? I mean honestly his worst music was early in his career when he tried to hard to imitate Clark Terry and Dizzy in the bop era, and even that shit was great. Always a decisive figure, sometimes seen as bitter and tortured, but I think that anger (esp. in regards to race in the 60s) fueled his music with such ambition and searching qualities. This is a great funky record that surely inspired a whole lot of hip hop artists years later.
And yes the cover kicks ass.