na: Weddos, Sparks and European antics

Guest bloggers? 17 Dots has hit the big-time, surely. Or we’re lazy. Either way, here’s eMusic freelancer Peter Parrish with some recent new arrivals.

Hello Dotters (or would that be Dottees?) This is my first UK-guest-person post here at 17 Dots, and like a trainee in a maternity ward I’m surrounded by new arrivals. Happily, few of them seem to be crying or soiling themselves—and only the Goth releases have a sickly pallor. So, with cheap gags and baby metaphors all-but exhausted, here are the swaddling-clothed goodies.

The Wedding Present – El Rey

How does he do it eh? If I’d been dumped as often as David Gedge (carbon dating places the figure somewhere between 471 break-ups and 58 AD), the last thing I’d be doing is writing songs about it. Unless my bed-bound blubbing counted as an experimental single. But what’s this, relocation to sunny America finds Gedge singing about jpeg image files and Seinfeld? Blimey. Terry Staunton assures us that it isn’t a problem:

Perennial warhorses of ’80s and ’90s British indie they may have been, the reformed Wedding Present are a more pleasing and accessible proposition since leader David Gedge’s move to California in 2006. El Rey paints from a much broader palette than past records, borrowing riffs from Dinosaur Jr., harmonies from the young R.E.M. and lyrical wit from Dave Grohl.

Steve Albini’s unfussy production brings focus to a set of intriguing songs that rank as high watermarks in the group’s busy canon.

Sparks – No.1 In Heaven

I was thrilled to see a deluge of Sparks albums show up on my watch, but then spent far too long deciding which one to highlight. In the end it had to be this somewhat unlikely collaboration with Giorgio “I Feel Love” Moroder, backed up by the 2:1 ratio of singles to album tracks (”Beat the Clock,” “No.1 Song in Heaven,” “Tryouts for the Human Race” AND “La Dolce Vita” all made it out in some form). Wry songs about the human condition with overblown, rhythm-centric disco stylings? Yes, please. Unusual and slightly bizarre—the sort of approach that’s about as Sparks as you can get.

Gustav – Verlass Die Stadt

Multilingual fun ahoy. Well, I say fun, but there seems to be a distinctly political edge to Gustav’s laptop-electronica-folk-core (yes, that’s the official genre, I’ve decided). Alas, due to my shameful linguistic ineptitude, I’m not sure the true depth always gets through to me. The parts I’m able to follow sound pretty tremendous though. It certainly doesn’t hurt that Ms. Jantschitsch’s firm enunciation is backed by dark glitches, subtle beats and … err … the occasional burst of oompah band (”Alles Renkt Sich Wieder Ein,” I’m looking at you). Impress visiting dignitaries by grabbing this and claiming to be an expert in pan-European affairs.

The Nits – Doing the Dishes

One of many excellent things about diving headfirst into the seemingly never-ending pool of new releases is emerging from the waters clasping a splendid discovery like a proud otter. If, like me, you’d never heard of the Nits before, they’re a Dutch art-pop group who’ve seemingly been cranking out albums since the late ’70s. According to my cursory research, they also stick to a rigid policy of ensuring few of their albums sound alike—which perhaps means this Dylan-fronts-XTC release is a one-off. In a way that would be a shame, because it’s brills.

Pia Fraus – After Summer

Bit of self-indulgence here, because this one has been up for a couple of weeks. I do love a bit of shoegazing though. If it jingles and jangles while trying its best to echo through into newer, gentler dimensions then I’m already halfway sold. These guys are from Estonia and they do exactly that. “Springsister” is a particular treat.

Steve Roach – A Deeper Silence

Sure, it’s early in the month right now, but come June 29th or so I know there’ll be people scratching their heads about what to do with one or two ’spare’ download credits. Allow me to suggest this new release from Mr. Roach. You know in those old fantasy films populated by Jim Henson creations when the hero is stealthily making his way through subterranean corridors hoping not to bump into any angry Trolls? Well this sounds a bit like the semi-spooky ambient music which would accompany that. In one track. For over an hour. Completely inappropriate for summer (unless you live in Gormenghast), but who cares.

Maggie Bell – Theme From Taggart: No Mean City

Detective show theme completists rejoice! Alright, fine, I admit this isn’t exactly a serious recommendation. I’ve just always enjoyed the way the lyrics act as an extended denial of what occurs in the programme. Glasgow is like a lover, apparently. And certainly ‘no mean city.’ This, despite the schoolroom beatings, nutters strolling around with shotguns and regular acts of arson. OK, Maggie. Whatever you say.