Tunes for April

Well, it's about time to address something a bit lighter than the morbidly depressing news that's been coming from every corner lately (beheadings, the usual blind eye to the constitution, walling off the Mexican border, unmistakable signs that the earth is warming faster than expected, etc., etc.). Yes, it's time to talk tunes!

First off, a couple of items online that won't be around forever. Last week, one of my longtime faves, Gomez, was in KEXP (our local indy station that has a very good presence on the web) playing some selections from their forthcoming album, How We Operate (available for preorder at Amazon; releasing early May). If you're not familiar with the band, they came out with a bang with their debut album, Bring It On, which won the 1998 Mercury Music Prize (a more critically dominated best-of-year prize than industry-influenced awards like the Brits or the Grammies). They definitely owe a debt to jam bands like The Dead and Phish, but they're bluesier and far more willing to experiment with dubby electronic flourishes. They've also got one of the best soul singers I've heard in a long time in Ben Ottewell, who looks like a large, lanky computer nerd before his voice rips you to shreds. I've seen them three times, and they play a committed show.

Anyhoo, if you want to get a taste of what they're putting down, go to KEXP's site, where you can listen to their segment on the John-in-the-Morning show. At the Stream Archive page, select Tuesday March 21 at 8:34 am (you can then choose between Real or Windows Media). Promising stuff, but you've only got about a week left to listen to this archived broadcast. You can also catch the first single from the new album over at the official Gomez site or at the iTunes Music Store (iTMS). (Note that iTMS-noted links require that you have the iTunes software on your PC.)

Secondly, this week's Blue Room shows on BBC Radio 1 are, using the parlance of DJ Rob Da Bank, corkers. (Da Bank does the Saturday morning show, while compatriot Chris Coco does Sunday morning, and they're both usually quite delicious with a mix of acoustic, electronic, and dub-reggae chill.) BBC posts its radio shows for one week after its initial broadcast, so you can listen again via RealAudio over at The Blue Room page. Some of the highlights include an 80s electronic redux of Franz Ferdinand's "Outsiders" (a spindly guitar number on their latest, You Could Have It So Much Better--via Amazon or iTMS), new tune by French synth popsters Phoenix, a very creative sci-fi music mix, and an Homage ou Fromage battle between Cream and Ella Fitzgerald to see which version of "Sunshine of Your Love" reigns supreme. You have until late this Friday night (Pacific time, US) to listen to the shows.



Alright, what else have I got circulating through my iTunes playlist? Check it out on the flip...

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• I've been having a lot of fun with the Jack Johnson-penned soundtrack to the Curious George movie (at Amazon or iTMS. Some of it gets a little too sleepy (as Johnson can do with his regular albums), but I absolutely love the playful "Upside Down" and the funky "Sharing Song" (it is always more fun to share with everyone). I think I'll be spreading the joy of this album to some of my young friends Mari, Clara, and Netty.
  
  
• In my last tune-related post, I had just purchased the pre-release single to Sondre Lerche's new album, Duper Sessions (at Amazon or iTMS). It's a nice jazzy interlude, and not everything about it is successful, and I'm glad I've got it around, but I like his more pop-oriented albums a bit better. Best tracks: "Minor Detail," "Human Hands" (from Elvis Costello's Imperial Bedroom album)
  
  
• Facade Friend Kat slipped me Sun, Sun, Sun, the new album by The Elected, which is Rilo Kiley guitarist Blake Sennett's other band (via Amazon or iTMS). It's a nice 21st century take on sunny California 70s pop, and it's been hard to keep the brightly energetic "Would You Come With Me" off the stereo.
  
  
• Another thankful find from Kat is Mates of State, with the husband/wife duo playing just keyboards and drums. Sounds kinda gimmicky at first, but they make sweet pop music together on their just-released album, Bring It Back (Amazon and iTMS)
  
  
• Mrs. F was jonesin' for a lil' Stevie Nicks last week, so I showed her what instant gratification is all about by buying Bella Donna from iTunes and playing it within seconds. I have a feeling that "Edge of Seventeen" (oooh, oooh, oooh) might just be making it to my annual summer CD (you always need a good blast from the past).
  
  
• Speaking of ooh ooh's, one listen to "Gold Lion" by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and you'll be hooked.
  
  
• The latest Massive Attack single ("Live With Me" via iTunes) is up to their usual symphonic downbeat snuff, and it's got the wonderful Terri Callier doing vocals, giving it a soulful tinge. And yeah, it fits into this burgeoning theme with some whooo-hoo accents.
  
  
• Facade Friend Jeff Carlson delivered the velvety Veneer album by Blue Room fave José González to me (via Amazon), and it's a masterpiece of sublime acoustic chill. Best tunes: "Heartbeats," "Crosses"
  
  
• Other oldies that have been in the rotation include the 70s gem "Magic" by Pilot, the skaning "Enjoy Yourself (It's Later Than You Think" by The Specials, and Jason Falkner's take on ELO's "Do Ya" (the best cover on the disappointing Lynne Me Your Ears tribute album).
  
  
• Lord have mercy on my soul. Mrs. F and I get together with our friends Ty and Julie and have an occasional BurtFest--i.e., watch Burt Reynold's greatest filmic hits. So far, we've gotten to Smokey and the Bandit (of course), Hooper (a fave of mine when I was 11; funnily enough, it doesn't hold up), and Semi Tough (pretty forgetful). Last week was the latest installment--The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. I was slack-jawed throughout. To say that its message doesn't translate to 2006 is off the mark--it's actually got a lot of interesting thoughts on societally enforced chastity that would play quite well right now. But it's the execution of the dance and musical numbers that is just too campy to be believed (on par with the Village People's Can't Stop the Music)--complete with the gayest football team dance routine ever to be committed to film. And unfortunately, I couldn't get that damn Texas Has a Whorehouse In It tune (and its singer, the be-wigged Dom Delouise) out of my head for days. And now, I've shared the pain...
  
  Can't wait for Sharkey's Machine. At least there's no singing.