na: colleen, eddie bond
Seems like it’s been a while since we’ve had a new arrival worth raving about, but a new album from Colleen and a stellar rockabilly collection from Eddie Bond have put us back on track.
Colleen, Les Ondes Silencieuses: I raved about this record a month back, and I’m no less enthusiastic about this album now, having spent more time with it. “Sun Against My Eyes” is my favorite piece by far, a softly mourning number whose beauty is inescapable. A lot of us were disappointed by that last Bjork record, and this is a perfect place to turn for redemption.
Eddie Bond, Memphis Rockabilly King: The album title says it all, and it ain’t lyin’. A contemporary of the Sun crowd, Bond plays Chuck Berry-riffing rockabilly, playful and hollering and just a bit ribald. Bond’s forays into country (Hank’s “My Bucket’s Got a Hole in It”) are equally credible, as well. I like “Boppin’ Bonnie” best.
Prince Jammy, Destroys the Invaders & Wayne Jarrett, Chip In: Two stellar releases from Greensleeves today, one dub and one roots-based. The Prince Jammy record is a great mix of digi- and roots-dubs, laidback with just a bit of electro buzz as well. The Jarrett is classic roots, just straight-up songwriting and crooning. Originally recorded in 1982, and just now seeing a proper worldwide release. Great album cover, too.
Southern Tenant Folk Union, Southern Tenant Folk Union: Fairly traditional bluegrass in terms of arrangements, but the vocals have a bit of a rock lilt that adds a nice balance. Nothing groundbreaking here, just pleasant.
Is The National’s new disc, The Boxer — available today — worth downloading?
The National record is incredible. It’s available outside the US today, available in the US tomorrow. Check my post about it last week, the Pitchfork review today or Joe’s review that will post tomorrow. It’s an extremely good record. I dunno yr exact tastes, Daniel, but if you dig, say, Tindersticks and Neil Young then I think you’ll like it lots. The first two songs are my faves.
Oh, and by the way, I like the Tinariwen record quite a bit! Through the first two songs it felt too self-consciously “world music” to me (if that makes any sense), but I finally just relaxed and let the album come to me. Listened to it several times over the weekend. Good stuff, and thank you!
I can second The National . . . heard it a few weeks ago and a few times since, and it’s very good. Haven’t listened enough to compare it Alligator, but its definitely not worse.
I’m glad you like the Tinariwen disc. My favorite song on it is the penultimate track, Assouf. Heretical it may be, but Assouf faintly reminds me of a stripped-down, slowed-down Led Zepplin track.