Belle And Sebastian - Days Of The Bagnold Summer (Matador, 2019)

Belle And Sebastian
Days Of The Bagnold Summer
Matador
2019

Rating: 7.5 long-haired gravity bongs out of 10

Is a movie soundtrack also considered a new album if only one band is responsible for every song on the soundtrack, as is the case here with “Days Of The Bagnold Summer” by Belle And Sebastian?  I think most would say yes, assuming the plurality of the material is of the “typical song” variety.  But what if that material is a mix of new and old songs, does it still count as a proper release?  Well, now we’re getting into murkier water, but as the lone judge in this particular collection of word vomit, I’m going to narrowly rule in favor of this counting as a proper release.  Also, not one bit of this fucking matters, but at the same time this is the sort of shit that I will ruminate on for hours on end.  My brain might be broken.  Twenty five years into my fandom and I’m still not sure if it’s Belle “And” Sebastian or Belle “&” Sebastian, and for some reason this matters.   

And before you waste the same amount of time I have trying to sort out what the hell “Bagnold” means, apparently it’s the last name of a famous English playwright (Enid Bagnold), and knowing that has gotten me no closer to the definition.  I suppose you’ll have to watch the movie, which I’m sure I will eventually.  For now I’m just going to assume it means “stodgy & verbose,” since that’s the first thing I think of when an English playwright comes to mind.  The movie is based on a graphic novel of the same name, and seemingly has no connection to ol’ Enid.  The world is a confusing place sometimes. 

Rambling aside, let’s say at least a couple of things about the actual music…if you’re a fan of B&S you’re already aware of “I Know Where The Summer Goes,” and you sure as shit know one of their most famous songs of all time, “Get Me Away From Here I’m Dying” – the versions of these two tracks are slightly different here, new recordings and all that, but basically the same.  Of the other tracks, the one that really stood out on the first few listens was “Safety Valve” – my initial reaction was it sounded A LOT like it would fit right in with the very early B&S records.  Turns out, according to band leader Stuart Murdoch, it’s actually one of the oldest songs the band ever wrote and recorded, but I guess it just never found its way to a proper release.  The instrumental track “Jill Pole” reminds me heavily of John Barry’s “Midnight Cowboy” theme song (excellently covered by Faith No More in my high school years, which is why I know the song so damn well).  The two tracks aren’t exactly the same, but they sound like they could be siblings.  Plus there’s “Sister Buddha,” which feels like an old song because they’ve been playing it live for a while, but apparently this is the first official recording of it. 

“Days Of The Bagnold Summer” is a good record.  It doesn’t quite feel like a regular album, nor does it feel like a soundtrack either.  It also feels both new and old at the same time, for obvious reasons.  This is a no-brainer for long time fans, but also stands on its own for any lost soul that might find the group via this route. 

Jay Reatard - See Saw 7'' (Matador, 2008)

Jay Reatard
See Saw 7''
Matador
2008

Rating: 7.5 inmates with face tattoos out of 10

Thankfully (and I wish more bands/musicians did this) the good folks at Matador decided to compile all of their Jay Reatard singles into one full-length album, thus making this seven inch not quite as vital as they sometimes can be.  That said, with the title track being one of my very favorite songs by Jay, when I saw it sitting in the used bin at a local record store for a decent price I figured why the hell not own it?  Just because something is unnecessary doesn't mean it's not worth adding to the collection.  WHY CAN'T I HAVE NICE THINGS TOO?!?  

R.I.P. Jay - you were a damn fine songwriter and performer and drugs are stupid. 

Pavement - Trigger Cut Plus Two 7'' (Matador, 1992)

Pavement
Trigger Cut Plus Two 7''
Matador
1992

Rating: How do you rate perfection?  Oh yeah, 10. It's a 10.

How to put into words the strength of my feelings of one of the greatest songs ever, from one of the greatest albums ever, recorded by one of the best bands ever?  Let's go with...it's pretty good.  Pavement could do no wrong for the bulk of the nineties, and if "Trigger Cut" isn't the top of the heap it's real damn close.  

And I know the b-sides here nearly as well as the title track...I'm not even sure how I know "Sue Me Jack" by heart (maybe an old mix tape?), but "So Stark (You're A Skyscraper)" was also on the bootleg "Stray Slack," which I might have as memorized as I do all of "Slanted & Enchanted."  From an era when bootlegs had real value, and I may have spent WAY too much money on a few import ones. 

For the love of god, buy this if you ever come across it. 

Stephen Malkmus And The Jicks - Sparkle Hard (Matador, 2018)

Stephen Malkmus And The Jicks

Sparkle Hard

Matador

2018

Rating: 7 dried-out highlighters out of 10

It’s still completely lost on me what the difference is between Stephen Malkmus versus Stephen Malkmus And The Jicks, but this new record “Sparkle Hard” is the latter.  It’s very Jicky obviously!  Regardless of title, with Stephen’s voice and song-writing style it’s always going to sound like an extension of Pavement.  A pig is still just a bacon machine even if it wears a dress and dates a frog.  After a few years paying only middling attention, I really got into 2014’s “Wig Out At Jagbags,” and was subsequently quite looking forward to this one.  In three words: I’m digging it.  Does “I’m” count as only one word?  Anyways, while still operating in the well-established pocket he has created for himself these past few decades, “Sparkle Hard” feels…mellower, more mature even?  In this case ”mature” really just means there are some strings and not as many guitar solos and one song sounds a little country (that song is “Refute,” but it’s not as country as Pavement’s “Range Life”).  There are more keys/synths here than I remember him employing in the past, but that could be more my faulty memory than an actual stylistic change. 

I’m trying to imagine a Malkmus fan seeking out & reading this (or any) other review of “Sparkle Hard,” his eighth solo record after five Pavement releases, and trying to decide whether or not they might give this new release a chance…I can’t imagine this person exists.  These people already know how you feel about this man and his art.  If you’re not a fan, this ain’t changing your mind – he’s as Malkmus-y as ever.  And if you have no idea who he is, maybe you’re super young or you just woke from a nearly thirty year coma – just go buy “Slanted & Enchanted” and branch out from there.  

Belle & Sebastian - How To Solve Our Human Problems (Matador, 2018)

Belle & Sebastian

How To Solve Our Human Problems

Matador

2018

 

Rating: 6.5 rusty frying pans out of 10

 

1.    Technically the new Belle & Sebastian release “How To Solve Human Problems” is three EPs and not one single album, but I’m reviewing the whole lot at once because:

a.     I’m lazy. 

b.     I’m always going to listen to this as an entire single record, not three small ones. 

2.     There are a number of good songs here, but on the whole I’m not super enamored with this…hopefully it will grow on me.  You can’t win them all…I’ve consider myself a pretty big fan, but I’ve still barely listened to “Storytelling.” 

a.       For the record, those good songs include:

                                                               i.      We Were Beautiful

                                                             ii.      The Girl Doesn’t Get It

                                                            iii.      Everything IS Now (Part Two)

3.     It feels like this is the least Stuart Murdoch has ever sang on one of their releases.  Feels like a lot more lead vocals from the other band members…I love Stevie and the rest of them, but Stuart is the main draw here and let’s not lose sight of that. 

4.     Is this a much dancier record than in the past?  I may have said the same thing with 2014’s “The Party Line.”  Maybe it’s just the dancey songs that stand out and that’s why I feel that way.  Or maybe I’m an idiot.   

5.     My list-based OCD is forcing me to put a fifth entry even though I don’t have anything else to say. 

Yo La Tengo - There’s A Riot Going On (Matador, 2018)

Yo La Tengo
There’s A Riot Going On
Matador
2018

Rating: 1000 tasty hoagies from Hoagie Haven in Princeton, NJ

I’m a bald, overweight, white dude in his forties that’s listened to “indie rock” for pretty much his entire life…do you think there is a chance in hell I don’t love this new Yo La Tengo record, “There’s A Riot Going On”?  Or any new Yo La Tengo record?  Or anything with which Yo La Tengo is in any way affiliated?   Hell, it might even technically be illegal for someone with my particular demographic makeup to dislike them, but I’ll need to consult the “WFMU Rules & Regulations” handbook to be sure though. 

I'm sure there are already a shitload of smart reviews written by brainy people (likely also bald, middle-aged, and white) on why this record is great, and I ain’t trying to compete with them.  I’ll just say this is quite good, as if that wasn't already clear - it’s on the mellower/more atmospheric side of their sound more often than not.  I prefer their poppier fare, but this is still totally enjoyable.  Most importantly, this is the ideal time to re-post this gem from the Onion, as it’s one of the best things they’ve ever written. 

And as I’ve likely said before in every other equally un-enlightening blurb I’ve ever written about this trio, if you’re totally unfamiliar with the work of Yo La Tengo, just snag a copy of their 1997 album  “I Can Hear The Heart Beating As One” and go from there.  That record perfectly encapsulates what is so good about them in one tidy package. 

Chavez - Cockfighters EP (Matador, 2017)

Chavez
Cockfighters EP
Matador
2017

Rating: 8 electronic moons out of 10

It's been twenty years since Chavez released anything new, and then out of the blue (at least to me) they release a three song EP called "Cockfighters" that sounds exactly like Chavez of old.  The release has the same label, same font, same design aesthetic, same heavy, melodic jams.  Is that a good thing, that there has been no growth of their sound?  It certainly works for me, but then again my taste is pretty well entrenched in the nineties and I listened to Chavez's two full lengths "Gone Glimmering" and "Ride The Fader" a LOT all through college.  This was gold to my ears, especially coming from a band I had never considered might reform.  As always, the band sounds big, almost polished, but still with an edge...think the "heavy alternative" type of music Foo Fighters plays, only Chavez is awesome and not roundly mediocre.  

The real question: is there more to come?  Sometime soon, or in twenty more years?  I would be shocked if they even told us...some new music will just show up again in a year or ten, and it will probably be rad, and then I'll be left wondering if there is more music to come yet again... 

Superchunk - The Breadman 7'' (1991, Matador)

Superchunk
The Breadman 7''
1991
Matador

Rating: 10 embroidered shirts out of 10

Another Superchunk gem - the title track is still an exciting one to hear, and the band still plays it occasionally.  You can also find it on the "Tossing Seeds" compilation if you're so inclined.  The real story though is side b, "Cast Iron" - if not my very favorite Chunk song, it's at least top three.  It was also my very first favorite song of theirs, which I'm sure colors my overall ranking at least a little bit.  If "Slack Motherfucker" was that first taste that got me interested in the band, "Cast Iron" was the full shot of heroin that got me totally addicted for life.  This is the seventh physical copy of this song I've owned - this seven inch, LP/CD/cassette of "No Pocky for Kitty" (the full-length it appeared on after this single), and lastly the LP/CD/cassette of the already mentioned "Tossing Seeds" compilation.  I've not got a problem, you've a got a problem for not being as stupid about this band as I am!

Portastatic - Naked Pilseners 7'' (Matador, 1994)

Portastatic
Naked Pilseners 7''
Matador
1994

Rating: 7 furry criers out of 10

The second seven inch from Portastatic.  Why was this on Matador and not Merge?  Who knows.  Well, Mac probably knows, based on his Instagram that dude never forgets anything.  The title track here is also on the debut Portastatic full-length "I Hope Your Heart Is Not Brittle."  Both b-sides only seem to appear here - "Feel Better" and the highlight of the wax, "Josephine," a Magnetic Fields cover.  Mac really likes covering Magnetic Fields, and why shouldn't he, Stephen Merritt writes fantastic songs.    

Kurt Vile - B'lieve I'm Goin Down... (Matador, 2015)

Kurt Vile 

B'lieve I'm Goin Down...

Matador

2015

Rating: 7.5 giant chocolate chip cookies out of 10

I often wonder if my brain would automatically think of Kurt Vile and War on Drugs at the same time if I didn't already know of their connection, because it's what I always get stuck in my head whether I like it or not.  The War on Drugs went in more of a rock direction ala Tom Petty or Dire Straits, and Vile likes to hang out in the folkier/Bob Dylan-esque part of town - but the same vibe is there for me for both artists.  I kinda feel like either act could cover the work of the other and make it feel like they were the original authors of the songs.  Why does any of this matter?  It doesn't, but my stupid brain was really stuck on this topic as I listened to "B'lieve I'm Goin Down...". 

Long story short, this record is probably Vile's best work; "Pretty Pimpin'" is an amazing opener and the best song on the album; and I'd give anything to hear War on Drugs take Vile's folky songs and get real loud and stretchy with them like they do so well. 

Pavement - The Secret History, Vol. 1 (Matador, 2015)

Pavement
The Secret History, Vol. 1
Matador
2015

Rating: 9 distant voices out of 10

A compilation of B-sides, Peel sessions, live records, and miscellaneous other tracks from one of my favorite bands of all time, Pavement.  If you're already a fan like myself, you'll recognize the B-sides from some of their seven inches, but it's nice to have them all in one spot.  The recordings on the Peel sessions are obviously excellent as is usually the case with Peel sessions.  The live recordings are all from a 1992 concert in Brixton, and these are A+ as well - and as someone who's seen a couple of "phoned in" Pavement gigs, it sounds like the band is on their game here.  Owning this is a no-brainer for fans like myself; anyone new to Pavement would probably still enjoy this, but I'd suggest grabbing a copy of "Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain" and/or "Slanted and Enchanted" first. 

Belle and Sebastian - Girls in Peacetime Want to Dance (Matador, 2015)

Belle and Sebastian
Girls in Peacetime Want to Dance
Matador
2015

Rating: 8.5 lenticular trading cards out of 10

I thought I had already written a review of this new Belle and Sebastian record a few weeks ago, and yet I don't see it here on the website?  Did I dream this?  Maybe it was one of those fever dreams you always hear about in the movies?  After all, this template autosaves the shit you write into it, so I have no explanation. 

Anyways, it's the band's first new record in five years and their ninth full-length by my count, and they still haven't lost that magic touch.  Bear in mind that the person reviewing this has flown both to Montreal and Miami just to see them perform, and I'm driving to DC for the same in a few months...I often claim I'm fairly biased in reviews, but my superfandom of B&S might put them at the top of the list. 

To put it simply, "Girls in Peacetime Want to Dance" sounds like the band wrote and recorded a typical album, and then decided to throw some dance jams in to appeal to the kids.  Kids love dance jams right?  First there is the disco-infused "The Party Line," then the New Order-esque "Enter Sylvia Plath," and finally the calypso-infused "Play for Today" that sounds like it would be at home on a film soundtrack from the eighties (not that there's anything wrong with that).  The film would most likely star Andrew McCarthy.  I like those upbeat tracks just fine, but the two best and most classic-style B&S songs are the first two on the release, "Nobody's Empire" and "Allie."  "Ever Had a Little Faith?" towards the end of the record is also a strong classic-sounding song.  Not a dud on the whole thing though, which continues the bands streak of never ever releasing a bad song.  Listen, I already told you I'm kind of a fan...

Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks - Wig Out at Jagbags (Matador, 2014)

Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks
Wig Out at Jagbags
Matador
2014

Rating: 7.5 rural postcards out of 10

As someone who has spent the better part of his life listening to Pavement for hours and hours and hours, frankly it's impossible not to hear a new Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks record and compare the two.  Is that fair?  Probably not, but when you formerly fronted one of the most important bands in my personal development, that's just the kinda shit that's gonna happen. 

Anyways, personal bias aside, this is pretty good record.  For whatever reason I've not been paying much attention to this Stephen Malkmus solo stuff outside of his first one "Pig Lib," and perhaps that was a mistake on my part.  And bias or no bias it still sounds pretty much like a Pavement record - how could it not with Malkmus writing and singing the songs?  "The Janitor Revealed" and "Houston Hades" especially sound like outtakes from the Pavement record "Terror Twilight" or maybe "Brighten the Corners."  I'm not complaining, this shit makes me feel young again. 

As a side note, if the album title "Wig Out at Jagbags" isn't cribbed directly from something Robert Pollard said, you just know at a minimum it's a phrase he uttered at some point in his life.  It's just way too Pollard-y not to have come from his brain, if even telekinetically. 

Guided By Voices - Plantations of Pale Pink 7'' (Matador, 1996)

Guided By Voices
Plantations of Pale Pink 7''
Matador
1996

Rating: 8 right wing conspiracies out of 10

This is from the golden era of GBV and my nostalgia forces me to love it, but it's not the band's strongest work from that era.  Six songs, three on each side, and not really a star in the bunch but no stinkers either.  Typical Pollard pop from start to finish.  I don't really have anything else to say about this. 

Silkworm - Never Met A Man I Didn't Like 7'' (Matador, 1996)

Silkworm
Never Met A Man I Didn't Like 7''
Matador
1996

Rating: 7.5 pans of gold out of 10

Silkworm seems to have had a bit a renaissance/resurgence lately.  Someone made a documentary about them and I've heard a bunch of folks talking about the band, probably more than I ever heard talking about them when they were active.  Anyways, here's what is going on - the title track is also on their record "Developer," a fine track that is pretty indicative of this band's version of rock music.  The highlight for me is the other side, a cover of "You Ain't Going Nowhere" which I always think of as a Byrds song even though Bob Dylan wrote it.  The Byrds recorded it first though, so they get at least some clain to it.  They also recorded it better than Dylan.  It's true. 

Belle and Sebastian - The Third Eye Centre (Matador, 2013)

Belle and Sebastian
The Third Eye Centre
Matador
2013

Rating: 8 marine parks out of 10

This is the second singles compilation from Belle and Sebastian, following 2005's "Push Barman to Open Old Wounds."  And by "singles" I mean all the songs that weren't on their regular full-length albums.  I love these collections, because not only does it make it easy on us fans who haven't kept up with the smaller releases, but it's a whole lot easier to listen to them as a long player rather than flipping seven inches over after every song.  Sure, it's not a cohesive "album" where each tracks plays nicely into the next, but it's still a great group of songs.  You get some interesting remixes ("I'm a Cuckoo," "Your Cover's Blown," etc.), some great tracks that totally should have been on their regular records ("Suicide Girl," "Your Secrets," "I Believe in Travelin' Light," etc.) and even some strange business (their attempt at second wave ska, "The Eighth Station Of The Cross Kebab House," and it's a decent effort).  This is a must for any fans, and good enough to stand on it's own for newcomers. 

Belle and Sebastian - Last Trip 7'' (Matador, 2010)

Belle and Sebastian
Last Trip 7''
Matador
2010

Rating: 8.5 pleasing pizzas out of 10

This Belle and Sebastian seven inch came with the purchase of their album "Write About Love," though I recently grabbed it out of the bargain bin at Amoeba in LA. I'm an unabashed lover of this band so it should come as no surprise that I love both tracks here, both the title track and the flip side "Suicide Girl."  At the time these songs were exclusive to this seven inch, but the band has since released "Third Eye Centre," a collection of b-sides and other detritus.  You can grab this one pretty cheap though if that's your bag. 

Guided by Voices - Tigerbomb 7'' (Matador, 1995)

Guided by Voices
Tigerbomb 7''
Matador
1995

Rating: 10 neon lights out of 10

Six songs on one seven inch?  It's gotta be Guided by Voices.  Or maybe a hardcore band, except it's definitely GBV cause I'm listening to it right now.  Don't argue with me.  This includes different versions of two of GBV's greatest songs - "My Valuable Hunting Knife" and "Game of Pricks," plus four other truly great additional songs.  It's entirely possible these alternate versions are even better than the originals, big words coming from me.  Out of every seven inch I own, I've probably listened to this one the most. 

Chavez - Repeat the Ending 7'' (Matador, 1994)

Chavez
Repeat the Ending 7''
Matador
1994

Rating: 10 symbol cymbals out of 10

In the pantheon of bands who never got their due, Chavez has to be top 5. They had a big rock sound with catchy songs and a high level of musicianship.  I listened to their full lengths basically on repeat for much of my college years.  This record, on Coke bottle clear vinyl, was one of a handful of records I transferred to cassette so I could listen to it in my car.  Eventually I purchased the "Pentagram Ring" EP, where both the title track and the b-side "Hack the Sides Away" could also be found.  Later on they were also released on the compilation "Better Days Will Haunt You."

Now if we could just get Matador to re-release their two full-length albums on vinyl (they both seem to go for north of 50 bucks), I would be a very happy man.   

Yo La Tengo - Fade (Matador, 2013)

Yo La Tengo
Fade
Matador
2013

Rating: 7.5 sippy cups out of 10

I'm not sure what can or needs to be said about a new Yo La Tengo record other than it fits nicely in their oeuvre and is a pleasure to listen to.  You probably either like the band, don't like them, or have never heard of them.  Like the band?  Get this record, it's chock full of the Yo La Tengo awesomeness we all love.  Don't like this band?  You're a strange person and I wish not to associate with you.  Never heard of them?  "I Can Hear the Heart Beating as One" is my favorite, and that would be my suggested starting point.  But you're not going to go wrong starting with this newest record either.  They've had their sound down to a science for more than two decades now.