{ Monthly Archives }
May 2008
Elvis Costello & The Attractions.
This Year’s Model. A band at its height, perfectly recorded.
Fuck Buttons.
I’m amazed by the popularity of this band, much like I was amazed by the popularity of Black Dice. Both seem to work and re-work the same song for entire albums. That song is usually really good, but still.
The Raveonettes.
Seems like someone should tell The Jesus and Mary Chain that their wallets have been stolen.
joan baez.
I think in classic rock radio talk they call this a double shot, sometimes a twofer.
Christian Fennesz.
There’s something undeniable about Christian Fennesz.
The Dragons.
There are at least five known bands who are (or were) called The Dragons and probably dozens more waiting to be discovered. Impossibly, I still think that it’s a great name. Can’t say that this album (BFI) completely killed it, but it definitely has grown on me. For your listening pleasure, The Dragons, the ones that sound like early-Chicago + Stereolab.
Pleiades XVI.
The okie in me is dying to say this first: I’m gonna tell you what, that Sean Thackery sure can blend the shit out of wine, which is to say that Sean Thackery works ancient texts on wine (apparently he’s familiar with seven languages) to help create a special blend called Pleiades. Though the varietals may vary from year to year in this wine, a core list generally appears: syrah, sangiovese, mourvèdre, barbera, carignane, petite sirah and viognier. Thackery blends to taste and doesn’t keep records of what he puts in (or so he says). A very thin tightrope, indeed. The wine itself is juicy, complex, and subtle, with a mouthfeel that defines balance. If you can find it, buy it. ($22). **
Thee Oh Sees.
Ridiculously abbreviated summary: a more mature and complex version of The Coachwhips joined by awesome-era Grace Slick. Everyone is talking about The Oh Sees, some just may not know it yet.