Spencey Dude & the Doodles - Night Problems (California Clap, 2012)

Spencey Dude & the Doodles

Night Problems

California Clap

2012

Rating: 7 pizza boxes out of 10

Let's get this out of the way up front - despite the name, Spencey Dude & the Doodles is not a kids band.  Do not go into this expecting a newer, hipper Raffi. Not saying they wouldn't play for some kids, it's just the songs might be about drinking and partying and making out instead of the alphabet.  Stop sheltering your damn children I say.  Anyways, the debut LP by this Bay Area trio (featuring members of Gris Gris and Dreamdate) is catchy.  And I mean real fuckin' catchy.  I guess you'd just call it simple, dumb garage pop, and that's not intended as an insult at all.  It's probably the lyrical content but my first impression was this reminded me a little of Mean Jeans minus the heavy Ramones influence, or maybe Coconut Coolouts minus band members wearing banana suits.  The album starts off with an Enigma sample and then covers 17 songs in a little over 27 minutes - there is no fucking around here, except that it is all the musical equivalent to fucking around.  More specifically, this sounds like an afternoon drunk in someone's backyard, maybe playing some horseshoes and firing up the barbeque, possibly passing out on the couch by eight o'clock.  I dig it.   

You can download the album on the cheap here.  I think Goner has it too.  Get it.  

Liars - WIXIW (Mute, 2012)

Liars
WIXIW
Mute
2012

Rating: 7 terminal cancers out of 10

Somehow Liars have transformed into a completely different band and I don't hate them for it.  This is usually not the case.  They've seemingly aboned their harsh, confrontational sound and replaced it with laid-back "darkwave" techno something-or-another.  I have no idea what the hell "darkwave" is, it just seems like a word that would describe what Liars are doing...like a music score for a film about a creepy serial killer. I guess what I'm getting at is despite a shift in instrumentation, the vibe and lyrics of their songs are still taking the same, ominous course.  To be perfectly honest, this sort of music is usually doesn't shine my turtle shell, but I'm guessing my history with this band has kept me just interested enough to get hooked. 

As a side note, I can attest that despite a move towards more keyboard and electronics and away from the typical band arrangements, a recent viewing of their live show proves they will still completely rock your ass off. 

Moonface (With Siinai) - Heartbreaking Bravery (Jagjaguwar, 2012)

Moonface (With Siinai)
Heartbreaking Bravery
Jagjaguwar
2012

Rating: 8 fig newtons out of 10

For those unaware, Moonface = Spence Krug from Wolf Parade & Sunset Rubdown.  I absolutely loved the debut full-length "Organ Music Not Vibraphone Like I'd Hoped," so I was quite looking forward to how that would be followed up.  That debut was pretty much just keyboards, drum machine, and Krug's voice, so color me quite surprised when from the first note this record is chock full of real percussion, guitar, and other organic instrumentation.  It turns out Krug went to Finland and recorded the album with the band Siinai, some folks he knew from his Wolf Parade days.  This combination really gave the record a fuller, more robust sound than you'd typically expect out of Moonface, based on previous output.  Honestly, it feels like an entirely new band if not for Krug's voice.  The previous record was five epic tracks of organ noodling and "out there" lyrics; well, the lyrics are still pretty zonked but this album doubles the track length and outside of one song ("Headed for the Door"), drastically cuts down on the song run times.  It's almost...a pop record.  A pop record wrapped inside of a kraut/synth/drone envelope.  The third track "Shitty City" was an instant favorite, but nothing here disappoints.   

If you're a fan of Krug's work, it would be hard to imagine not liking this.  No matter how different the music gets, it's all held together by that instantly recognizable voice of his.  This will be on my best records of the year least, I can say this with no hesitation. 

Superchunk - This Summer 7'' (Merge, 2012)

Superchunk

This Summer 7''

Merge

2012

Rating: 7.5 horse jackets out of 10

Superchunk might be busy running a successful label, but lucky for us fans they still give us a few nibbles and tidbits to sate our thirst for new music by them.  The a-side is the title track "This Summer" - it sounds like it would have fit right in on their last record "Majesty Shredding," a record where they looked back to their punker days but still kept plenty of pop sheen.  As an added bonus, the song leans heavily on handclaps when it kicks off, and everyone knows songs with handclaps are awesome.  

The b-side is a cover of Bananarama's "Cruel Summer," probably chosen just because the name fit so well with the title track.  You'd actually probably think it was another new Superchunk song until they get to the chorus, as this is not a note for note remake.  This may not really stick like their classic covers - "100,000 Fireflies" by Magnetic Fields or "Brand New Love" by Sebadoh for example - but it's an interesting lark.    

La Gran Perdida de Energia - La Gran Perdida de Energia (Fluttery, 2012)

La Gran Perdida de Energia

La Gran Perdida de Energia

Fluttery

2012

Rating: 6.5 large mountains out of 10

La Gran Perdida de Energia - according to Google Translate it means "the great loss of energy."  My high school Spanish skills ain't what they used to be that I had to look that up, but you don't use some of those words when ordering tacos and that's about the only time I use Spanish anymore.  La Gran (as I'm going to call them) come from Patagonia in Argentina, but except for the song titles they could be from anywhere.  You see they play what everyone calls "instrumental post rock", a sound you'll find from bands the world over.  It really is a universal language it seems.  They probably remind me the most of Tristeza, but you can hear elements of all of the stalwarts here...Mogwai, Explosions in the Sky, Sigur Ros, etc.  Some of their songs almost enter a modern jazz territory of the sort you might hear on Galaxia records - Ray Barbee, Tommy Guerrero, the Mattson Two, and that ilk. There is a small amount of vocals here and there, but after listening you definitely feel like you've heard an instrumental album. 

La Gran aren't setting the world on fire with this self-titled record, there is no new musical territory broken.  But there is still value in a band that plays pleasant music and does it well.  You can grab the record at the link above, one of those name-your-own-price scenarios.  It's worth a few bucks I think, if you dig these sorts of jams.  

Morrissey - Suedehead 10'' (Liberty, 2012)

Morrissey

Suedehead 10''

Liberty

2012

Rating: 6.667 out of 10 (the exact formula of two perfect songs and one shitty one)

This Morrissey single was released as a part of the 2012 Record Store Day festivities.  The A-side is a weird remix of the title track, and honestly I can't imagine who this appeals to.  Morrissey purists certainly aren't backing this bastardization of a classic, and I don't see it being useful in winning over new fans.  On the plus side, one only needs to flip the record over for two unreleased live versions of the classics "We'll Let You Know" and "Now My Heart Is Full" from the BBC.  They sound great, and combined with this being a picture disc make this worth seeking out for his super fans.  Shitty remix be damned. 

Wood Ear - Steeple Vultures (Churchkey, 2012)

Wood Ear

Steeple Vultures

Churchkey

2012

Rating: 7 art collectors out of 10

They say music rots your brain and isn't educational, but in looking up a website for the band Wood Ear I also learned that in addition to playing fine music, it's an edible fungus most often found in Asian cuisine...but then again, what isn't used in Asian cuisine?

I was under the impression that Wood Ear was a new group, but apparently they've been around since 2003 but have only released one other self-titled record in 2007.  This five piece sounds very much a part of the local scene, equal parts mellow, spacy indie rock and heartland alt-country.  I hear a lot of Lucero in their music (though not in the vocals); some late-era Replacements (a very underrated phase of that band that doesn't get enough credit) in the song-writing; and the vocals...honestly, I can't put my finger on what that reminds me of.  A couple of songs make me think of the band Seldom that was around in the early 2000s that I might have been the only one listening to, but other than that I'm stuck.  One thing that doesn't have me confused is the greatness of "Leave My Walls," the undisputed champion of the record and one of my favorite songs of the year.  And lucky for everyone, you can grab that song for free here.  

The Walkmen - Heaven (Fat Possum, 2012)

The Walkmen

Heaven

Fat Possum

2012

Rating: 6 pepper plants out of 10

I've liked The Walkmen for a long time, and I dug Jonathan Fire*Eater before that, but I'm not all that enthusiastic for their new record "Heaven." The defining heavy organ use is still there and Hamilton Leithauser's vocals still dominate their sound, but something about them isn't clicking for me anymore.  Too clean?  Too adult?  Maybe it's Phil Ek's production that is sitting weird with me, but then again he's been gold with everything Built to Spill has released.   Maybe I just hit my internal quota for Walkmen songs, and I'm not willing to give up their "Bows + Arrows" or "A Hundred Miles Off" memories and replace it with these new songs.  New track "Nightingales" comes the closest to capturing that old magic for me, but there are just too many tracks here that come and go and leave no impression.  This isn't a bad record though, and certainly many people will enjoy it.  It might find it's way to a few car commercials.  It probably won't find it's way back to my ears too terribly often, instead choosing one of their older works if I'm in the mood. 

Pop. 1280 - The Horror (Sacred Bones, 2012)

Pop. 1280

The Horror

Sacred Bones

2012

Rating: 7.5 soft towels out of 10

I saw Pop. 1280 live a couple of months ago and described the show like this: "they sounded like Shellac, Ministry and US Maple got greased up, stuffed in a sack and shaken.  Dark, industrial, aggressive, and pretty enjoyable."  I'm now finally getting to spend some time digesting their debut record, and I'm not sure my initial gut reaction was all that far off the base.  You could probably throw a Suicide comparison in there too.  Liars as well, and I guess that would be the most contemporary measuring stick.  There is definitely a heavy industrial-punk vibe to their music, very dark and mechanical.  The piece of a tin roofing sheet they beat the crap of live can definitely be heard on the record, particularly on what is probably their strongest track "Bodies in the Dunes."  This is not party music or fun music, unless maybe you're running an S&M club or staging a reenactment of scenes from the film "Se7en."  But I really really like it. 

Centro-Matic - 24 Songs (Self-Released, 2012)

Centro-Matic

24 Songs

Self-Released

2012

Rating: 10 electric knives out of 10

This isn't a real review of a Centro-Matic album as much as it is a (tardy) notice that they put up a free record consisting of 24 songs (hence the name) on bandcamp.  It's basically a self created sampler of all of their albums spanning their entire career, and a great place to start listening to this enjoyable group of Texans.  The music would get a pretty damn high rating - the fact that it's free makes it a can't-miss if you don't already have all of the band's records. 

Grab the album here. 

Aesop Rock - Skelethon (Rhymesayers, 2012)

Aesop Rock

Skelethon

Rhymesayers

2012

Rating: 7.5 light blue bottles out of 10

Aesop Rock has always been one of those performers that I like, that I tell myself I should listen to more of, and that I then forget about.  I go through this every time I hear a new song or album by him.  In that moment when I'm listening, I'm totally engrossed and enthusiastic about what I'm hearing...and then it turns off and it's like I get amnesia. 

I've got no reason to assume anything will change this time around either, but as I listen to "Skelethon" while I write this, it's a strong record.  Damn strong even, as strong as he's ever released and that's saying something.  Aesop Rock has his strong underground following and it seems unlikely he'll ever bust out of that, but the man definitely deserves a wider audience.  I have no doubt that his long-time followers will dig this record plenty, but it's a dark record even by his standards...and I'm not just talking lyrical content (or at least what lyrical content you can decipher from his rather cryptic words), the songs sound like a rainy day.  Put this on in your headphones when you're walking around on a gloomy afternoon, and I'd imagine it's a marriage made in heaven. 

Future Islands & Ed Schrader's Music Beat - LAMC Vol. 2 7'' (Famous Class, 2012)

Future Islands & Ed Schrader's Music Beat

LAMC Vol. 2 7''

Famous Class

2012

Rating: 7.5 world news agencies out of 10

The two best things about the Baltimore music scene have put their powers together like Wonder Twins Zan & Jayna and given the world a fantastic seven inch.  The way these LAMC releases work is they get a band to record a new song for them, and then that band picks someone they think are an up-and-comer and have them record the b-side.  It's no great surprise that Future Islands would pick Ed Schrader's Music Beat since the Islands take them along as openers on nearly every one of their tours.   

Anyways, the music is what is important here, and all tracks get a thumbs up from me.  Future Islands give us "Cotton Flower," a very strong entry into their canon that I plan to listen to a bunch more times.  This band just keeps getting stronger and stronger.  ESMB gives us two short songs on the flip, both slow-to-mid-tempo numbers that cover such topics as britches and transvestites.  These songs aren't going to change their love-them-or-hate-them image, but since I'm firmly in the love camp it's more greatness to me.  Definitely a seven inch worth seeking out, and most likely limited so don't sleep on it.  

Guantanamo Baywatch - Chest Crawl (Dirtnap, 2012)

Guantanamo Baywatch
Chest Crawl

Dirtnap

2012

Rating: 7 German beer gardens out of 10

Between the name Guantanamo Baywatch and the label Dirtnap, I'm not sure what I was expecting this band to sound like, but I'm pretty sure dirty surf rock wasn't at the top of the list.  And I don't mean "dirty" as in the lyrics sound ripped off from 2 Live Crew, just not Ventures-style clean surf rock.  No, this is more like Shadowy Men from a Shadowy Planet combining with the Cramps to form some kind of unholy monster.  The music isn't anything new or special, but it is catchy and very listenable.  Sure, it's tough to make non-catchy surf rock, but I like the cut of this band's jibs.  And I'm certain they're a blast live, which might be more important than anything. 

Chain & the Gang - In Cool Blood (K, 2012)

Chain & the Gang

In Cool Blood

K

2012

Rating: 7 early risers out of 10

There's nothing really different or noteworthy about this third release from Chain & the Gang, and that is as it should be.  Ian Svenonious has honed his "garage soul" sound down to a science, and it is not to be trifled with.  Did I make up the phrase "garage soul"?  Doubtful, surely someone has used the phrase in a Dirtbombs review at some point.  If there is anything different to say about this at all, it's the addition of Katie Alice Greer as the female yang to Svenonious' yin, and she's not just singing back-up - she leads a few songs.  I prefer the Ian led songs, but tracks like "Nuff Said" where they play off of each other work great. 

Listen, if you're a fan of what Svenonious does, you're gonna like this.  If you're not, you won't.  And if you have no idea who the dude is, go out and get "13-Point Program to Destroy America" or "Plays Pretty for Baby" by Nation of Ulysses and realize why the man has so many idols like myself in the world.

Bargain Bin Dig Volume 2: Amoeba SF

Another year, another trip to SF to go watch my A's play, hang with friends, eat burritos, and bargain shop at Amoeba.  This time in two categories: CDs and vinyl!

CD list:
Barr - Beyond Reinforced Jewel Case (5RC, 2005) (weirdo nerd rap) 
Bedhead & Macha - Bedhead Loved Macha / Macha Loved Bedhead (Jetset, 2000) (everyone should love Bedhead) 
Birds of Avalon - The Oui EP (Volcom, 2008) (local psych shredders)
British Sea Power - Do You Like Rock Music? (Rough Trade, 2008) (not as good as their first record but still enjoyable) 
Richard Buckner - Meadow (Merge, 2006) (all-time best dude)
The Dipers - How To Plan Successful Parties (Omnibus, 2003) (side project of Intelligence)
Dub Narcotic Sound System - Sideways Soul: Dub Narcotic Sound System Meets the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion (K, 1999) (somehow missed this ever existing)
Shout Out Louds - Oh, Sweetheart EP (Bud Fox, 2004) (underrated Swedish pop)
South San Gabriel - The Carlton Chronicles (Misra, 2005) (Centro-Matic side project)
Strange Boys - Live Music (Rough Trade, 2011) (review here)
Various Artists - Zum Audio Vol 2 (Zum, 1998) (used to have a dubbed cassette of this; good to have a replacement)
Wilderness - (K)no(w)here (Jagjaguwar, 2008) (pretty sure I heard a song from them I liked a lot once)

Vinyl list:
The Midwest Beat - Gone Not Lost (Dusty Medical, 2011) (actually from the midwest!)
Misfits - Misfits (Plan 9, 1986) (a classic amongst classics)
Mono - One Step More and You Die (Temporary Residence, 2003) (amazing Japanese post-rock that may make your heart skip a beat)
Portastatic - The Nature of Sap (Merge,1997) (Mac from Superchunk's side project)
Society of Rockets - Our Paths Related (Underpop, 2007) (SF popsters I used to play basketball with)
Swan Lake - Enemy Mine (Jagjaguwar, 2009) (not the soundtrack to the movie)
Thomas Function - Celebration! (Alive, 2008) (catchy garage pop, too underrated)
Wax Museums - Wax Museums (Douchemaster, 2008) (catchy Texas punk)
Young People - War Prayers (Dim Mak, 2003) (a good record, their first one is pure gold)