KEPLERMIX
Keplermix will eventually become a podcast. Each month, I make 30 song
mixes and distribute them to my friends. I've decided to bring that to
this
website and share this music with you. I'll review 30 per month. They
are
all off albums that have been released recently, almost exclusively in
2007.
1. Maximo Park - A Fortnight's Time
from Our Earthly Pleasures (Warp Records)
Maximo Park are quickly becoming my favorite band. They were part of the
wave of bands that followed in the wake of Franz Ferdinand that
included Bloc Party and the Futureheads. Their debut, A CERTAIN TRIGGER is
better than anything the other three bands have produced. This song is off of
their new album, OUR EARTHLY PLEASURES, which was produced by Gil
Norton who did the Pixies' DOLITTLE. They've got the rocking catchiness of Blur
in their prime with an over the top lyrical sensibility that recalls my
favorite band in high school: Marillion. Musically they are
fantastic, the tightest British band since.... Blur? Stay away from me at the gym
when I'm running to this song I simply can't resist singing the chorus (possibly
my favorite moment on the album) out loud:
"Would you like to go on a date with me?
And I know, it's old fashioned to say so
Five times five equals twenty five
Don't you know your times tables by now?
Don't you know?"
2. Of Montreal - Gronladic Edit
from Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer? (Polyvinyl Record Co.)
Of Montreal performed utter sacrilege by selling "Wraith Pinned To The Mist
And Other Games" to Outback Steakhouse last year. It is one thing to sell
out to a car company, but Outback Steakhouse? Thus the holier than thou
indie rock minions were brandishing their knives looking forward to carving
up this year's followup HISSING FAUNA, ARE YOU THE DESTROYER? Of course,
that isn't going to happen because it is brilliant, possibly one of the
greatest breakup albums of all time and certainly a front runner for the
best album of 2007. "Gronlandic Edit" is possibly the best song on it. From
its thumping bass heavy groove, to its over the top wall of sound harmonies,
to its lyrical description of the struggle to hold religious beauty despite
the ugly forms it takes on earth. Awesome.
3. The Arcade Fire - No Cars Go
from Neon Bible (Merge Records)
Funny thing about the Arcade Fire. While I agree that they are overrated,
I love some of their songs. They are also a great live band. There were
four songs on Funeral that were exceptional and there are three songs on
NEON BIBLE. "No Cars Go" is one of them. In fact it is probably the closes
they come to their career highlight "Rebellion (lies)" on NEON BIBLE. Of
course it has been re-recorded having originally been on their debut EP but
it still has the passionate groove of their best work. It is amusing that
at their best the Arcade Fire reminds me of the Feelies trying to sound like
Bruce Springsteen. Despite that new Feelies car commercial, its not the
stuff you'd think the hipsters would rally around.
4. Modest Mouse - People as Places as People
from We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank (Epic Records)
I can't say I'm not disappointed in the new Modest Mouse album WE WERE DEAD
BEFORE THE SHIP EVEN SANK. Though it is quite an improvement on the very
spotty GOOD NEWS FOR PEOPLE WHO LOVE BAD NEWS, I naively expected much more
resulting from the Smith's Johnny Marr joining the band. Marr's
contributions are mixed way down and only tangible on the song "Fly Trapped
in Jar". Still there are some wonderful songs here. The production by
Dennis Herring, whose work on Camper Van Beethoven's KEY LIME PIE is
masterful, is pretty excellent here as well. People being the places that
we want to go to, that's a sentiment I can get behind.
5. The Kaiser Chiefs - Love's Not a Competition (But I'm Winning)
from Yours Truly, Angry Mob (Universal Records)
This is one of the great tracks on the Kaiser Chief's disappointing sophmore
LP, YOURS TRULY, ANGRY MOB. A moving ballad with a great title, a sweeping
"Under the Milky Way" sounding acoustic guitar and some nice vocals from Ricky
Wilson flicked with some Johnny Marr styled lead guitar, the Kaiser Chiefs
at their best.
6. The Black Angels - Black Grease
from Passover (Light in the Attic Records)
Oddest thing about this song is that it has the exact same beginning as the
Secret Machines "Sad and Lonely" though when it kicks in it becomes a
totally different animal. While the Secret Machines Brandon Curtis sounds
like a younger Wayne Coyne (Flaming Lips), the Black Angels Alex Maas sounds
like a hazier Jim Morrison. This song just flat out rocks. I caught them
at the new Luna Lounge in Williamsburg last month and they did not
disappoint. They are an awesome live act. Spiritualized fans should jump
on this band from Austin and their debut album PASSOVER, which was put out
by the excellent people at Seattle's Light in the Attic Records.
7. LCD Soundsytem - North American Scum
from Sound of Silver (DFA Records)
Quick! Here this song before it gets ruined by a commercial. It's got an
irresistible groove, strangely reminiscent of Elastica's hit "Line Up" (what
the hell happened to Justine Frischmann?) and hilarious lyrics extolling the
virtues of all night parties in New York and a government free existence:
"new york's the greatest if you get someone to pay the rent
wahoo north america
and it's the furthest you can live from the government un huh huh
some proud american christians might disagree
here in north america
but new york's the only place we're keepin them off the street".
8. Bloc Party - I Still Remember
from A Weekend in the City (Vice Records)
Yet another disappointing sophmore album, I had to really sift through Bloc
Party's latest WEEKEND IN THE CITY, to find this John Hughes Soundtrack
sounding song. It is a touching song about unrequited love between two
school chums. If only one of them had to guts to make a move but alas,
neither did. You have to love the lyric "Every school bench screams your
name, I kept your tie". Or do you? It's funny that Bloc Party went from
being a politically themed Gang of Four derived band to this. Still
its a beautiful song.
9. Immaculate Machine - On/Off
from Ones and Zeros (Mint Records)
The Immaculate Machine is fronted by Kathryn Calder who is Neko Case's
understudy in the New Pornographers. Thus it is no surprise that the New Pornographers
come to mind upon hearing this song. It is a wonderfully short burst of indie pop about the quick demise
of a relationship with full on harmonized lead vocals and a cute blippy
synthesizer. The Immaculate Machine at their best. I'm very much looking
forward to their upcoming record FABLES in June.
10. Midlake - Young Bride
from The Trials of Van Occupanther (Bella Union Records)
Midlake has blown up this year as a result of being on tons of year end
polls. In fact it is the album from last year that I've listened to the
most this year. These guys have listened to a ton of Neil Young's AFTER THE
GOLD RUSH. This song has an excellent drum/violin/organ loop that builds
throughout the song, slowly adding bass then more violin and eventually a
synth solo. This is the thirds song from THE TRIALS OF VAN OCCUPANTHER to
make one of my mixes, and while it doesn't touch "Roscoe", it has an
addictive beauty to it.
11. Fields – Isabel
from 7 From The Village EP (Atlantic Records)
Don't miss their show on May 19th at the Mercury Lounge!
Fields are one of the more promising new bands I've heard recently. They are half Icelandic, half English and have recently been signed by Atlantic Records. This song is off of their first EP, 7 FROM THE VILLAGE. They take the shoegaze sound of Ride's GOING BLANK AGAIN era, and add elements of British folk music to it, giving them quite a unique sound. Their debut album, EVERYTHING LAST WINTER was recently released. Check them out. It's about time for a shoegaze resurrection.
12. The Shins – Australia
from Wincing The Night Away (Sub Pop Records)
This is the fourth song I've mined for my mixes from the Shins third album, WINCING THE NIGHT AWAY and I think I'm finished. Very disappointing considering I've listened to CHUTES TOO NARROW an uncountable number of times. James Mercer just didn't add enough charm to these songs. Australia is pleasant enough. It brings to mind the Kinks in their ARTHUR period. The chorus is typically strong and melodic but like the rest of this album, drifts by without much impact.
13. Beth Orton – Heartland Truckstop
from Comfort of Strangers (Heavenly/EMI)
While I've never been much of a Beth Orton fan, there are some incredible songs on her current record. She's gone for a more organic folk-based approach on this record and its single "Shopping Trolley" was one of the best songs of 2006. This song is in the same vein, galloping along with a beautiful combination of piano, drums and acoustic guitar, with Beth Orton's gentle vocal expressing the regret of not being able to commit to a relationship.
14. The Roots – Baby (Feat. John-John & Malik B.)
from Game Theory (Def Jam Records)
Another excellent track from the Roots' GAME THEORY. Though best heard in the context of the entire record, this tracks gives the listener a representation of how genre-less the Roots have become. Black Thought raps over handclaps, a noodly guitar, some really nice bass playing, a chorus of background singers, and John-John, who sounds exactly like Andre 3000 from Outkast, singing to not be held responsible for his actions to his girlfriend.
15. Archie Bronson Outfit – Dart For My Sweetheart
from Derdang Derdang (Domino Records)
Lead singer Sam Windett has one of those memorable voices that you want to compare to someone else but you just can't. Domino records has a pretty clear aesthetic and you can definitely hear some Franz Ferdinand and Clinic in here somewhere though this is much more blues based. I was surprised to learn that they're a three piece as this song is very full sounding. It has a really addictive groove to it.
16. Peter, Bjorn & John – Let's Call It Off
from Writer's Block (V2 Records)
Writer's Block from Sweden's Peter, Bjorn & John continues to impress me. The single, Young Folks, with its addictive whistling, really sounds like classic one hit wonder syndrome but there's a lot more to be found on Writer's Block. I've never really gotten into much Scandinavian music, I'm not sure why. This song is very reminiscent of vintage sixties acts like the Zombies and more recently, Belle and Sebastian. They have two shows at Webster Hall this week (see upcoming events).
17. Aqueduct – Keep It Together
from Or Give Me Death (Barsuk Records)
Aqueduct has a really distinctive sound. Between David Terry's voice, and his combination of synth and piano, you can immediately identify an Aqueduct song. Though I found them disappointing on their last tour, apparently they've grown into being an actual band on this album and you can really hear it. Modest Mouse fans should love this band.
18. Nas – Let There Be Light
from Hip Hop is Dead (Def Jam Records)
One of the centerpiece's of Nas excellent HIP HOP IS DEAD, Let There Be Light has a high hat heavy drum beat and is coated with really schmaltzy bible quoting R&B vocals by Tre Williams. Yet somehow it works. He raps about one of the main themes of the album: what does it mean to stay true to hip hop once you've become successful and made a lot of money? The songs ends with a bang as Nas challenges his accusers:
"When your fours years in the game we can have a conversation
Eight years in the game I'll invite you on vacation
Ten years in the game
After I've enjoyed my fame,
only then I'll let you pick my brain"
19. Rickie Lee Jones – Nobody Knows My Name
from The Sermon on Exhibition Boulevard (New West Records)
Following last year's returns to form of Ray Davies, Bert Jansch and Paul Simon, I can't help hoping that 2007 will continue that trend with some women this time. Rickie Lee Jones newest, THE SERMON ON EXHIBITION BOULEVARD, is a great start to that hope. This song kicks off the record and features some of Rickie Lee Jones best singing in many years. It starts out and builds very much like Velvet Underground's Heroin only she's singing about wandering around the street of Los Angeles as Jesus but anonymously.
20. White Magic - The Light
from Dat Rosa Mel Apibus (Drag City)
White Magic's Mira Billotte sounds remarkably like Mimi Goese, singer of late 80's band Hugo Largo. White Magic's music is similarly esotheric. The Light is built around a repetitively haunting piano riff, drums and Mira Bilotte's hypnotic voice which also sounds like Grace Slick in her prime. I am quite excited to see them live.
21. Jarvis Cocker – Heavy Weather
from Jarvis (Rough Trade)
One of the better and more Pulp sounding songs from Jarvis Cocker's solo album. A downbeat ballad about being abandoned by your lover prominently featuring a 12 string guitar, "Heavy Weather" nicely uses storms as a metaphor for a dying relationship. This song typifies this album, there's nothing amazing about it but its a solid addition to Jarvis Cocker's catalogue.
22. Panacea - Pulse
from Ink is My Drink
As an indie rapper, what is the easiest way to bring the Native Tongues to
mind? Use the beat from a Tribe Called Quest's "Bonita Applebaum". "Pulse"
does that and yet throws in enough scratching, saxaphone and some pretty
great rapping... Enough to make the beat its own. This song is modeled on
the type of old school hip-hop song that makes you want to get up and dance
and rap along with it. The chorus is pure joy.
23. Lupe Fiasco – Tilted in Any Colour You Like
from Fahrenheit 1/15 Part II: Revenge Of The Nerds Mixtape
It is about time people started wrapping over Pink Floyd. Granted this is more of a mashup as Lupe drops what is clearly an earlier recorded rap called "Tilted" over Pink Floyd's "Any Colour You Like"from of course, DARK SIDE OF THE MOON. It works surprisingly well. Considering how brilliant the high points of Lupe Fiasco's debut album FOOD AND LIQUOR were yet how uneven it was, I am expecting a lot from his upcoming sophomore album.
24. Albert Hammond Jr. - Scared
from Yours to Keep (Scratchie/New Line)
It should be surprising that the Strokes rhythm guitarist should be an able songwriter. After all his father wrote the classic, "It Never Rains in California". "Scared" holds up pretty well regardless of who his father is. It is a nice slice of John Lennon sounding rock, descended from Abbey Road era Beatles, yet retains his distinctive guitar sounds. In another words, it sounds a bit like the Strokes finally growing as a band even though it isn't. I'll take YOURS TO KEEP over the last Strokes record in a heartbeat.
25. The Besnard Lakes - For Agent 13
from The Besnard Lakes Are The Dark Horse
The Besnard Lakes make choral sounding music along the lines of the Polyphonic Spree. "For Agent 13" sounds like a long introduction to Spiritualized song that never explodes like a Spiritualized song should. Boy do I miss Spiritualized. Still, the intros to Spiritualized songs are quite beautiful and this song nails it.
26. Air – One Hell Of Party feat (Jarvis Cocker)
from Pocket Symphony
Air's fourth album is quite a disappointment. This song, featuring Jarvis Cocker, is quite pretty but it doesn't go anywhere or do anything. It sounds as hungover as Jarvis Cocker's character is in the song. And while his singing performance is typically excellent, Air has simply lost whatever it was that made them one of the more interesting forces in music.
27. Jesse Sykes & the Sweet Hereafter – The Air Is Thin
from Like, Love, Lust & The Open Halls Of The Soul (Barsuk Records)
Jesse Sykes has been consistently putting out the type of alt. country music that people have expected Ryan Adams to for years. It helps that she works with his former guitar player from Whiskeytown, Phil Wandscher. It also helps that she has an incredibly expressive voice. While not as good as 2004's OH, MY GIRL due to the presence of a couple of clunky up tempo numbers, this is still a really great album. I'm holding out hope that they'll tour on their own sometime soon as their only area show was opening for Sparklehorse at Webster Hall.
28. Maria Taylor – Replay
from Lynne Teeter Flower (Saddle Creek)
Maria Taylor rests somewhere nicely between Suzanne Vega and Maria Mckee which I welcome whole heartedly considering Suzanne Vega hasn't put out a record since 2001 (though that will change this coming July). While her new record isn't as good as 2005's 11:11, this song is excellent and she sings admirably.
29. Emily Haines & the Soft Skeleton – Mostly Waving
from Knives Don't Have Your Back (Last Gang Records)
This song persistently moves forward like a horror movie, the words dripping out of Emily Haines' (Metric) mouth. The track is built around her haunting piano, and soars when its joined by trumpets and drums. She's trapped, buried alive in a persona she despises until her youth has slipped out from underneath her. Mostly Waving. Devastating. Watch this incredible video for Dr. Blind: http://www.emilyhaines.com/home.html
30. Phoebe Snow - Poetry Man
from Phoebe Snow (Shelter)
Okay, I'll admit it. I discovered this song while watching the film "Running With Scissors" and it was absolutely the best thing about the movie. I immediately sought out this album and have been listening to it every day for three months. I wasn't surprised to learn that it was 1974, since it really sounds like a song of Joni Mitchell's COURT AND SPARK, released the same year. I was surprised to learn that it was top five hit considering that I don't think I'd heard it before. Either way it is a stone cold classic and the rest of the album follows suit. If you're like me and you are frustrated by the downward spiral of Joni Mitchell's career post HEJIRA, finding this record is real blessing.
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