Quite the week for a lot of different reasons. There are some great new records to talk about this week, and I’m going to discuss them below. For Sony, note that both Cathy, head of communications here, and myself posted responses in this thread (mine is here). If we can direct conversation there and keep this about records, that would be cool. I don’t want these albums to get overlooked.
Elvis Costello, Secret Profane and Sugarcane: If there were ever a Music Dork Bingo (a la Hipster Bingo, etc), a tile would have to be: “Having a Favorite Late-Period Elvis Costello Record That You Like to Declare an Overlooked Treasure.” I think almost every Elvis record post-Armed Forces has at least some following along those lines. And certainly with a voice as iconic and moving as Elvis’, it’s an understandable reaction.
Me, I don’t have one. Though I consider myself a big Costello fan, I stick very much with My Aim Is True, This Year’s Model, Live at the Hollywood Bowl and Get Happy. I’ve dabbled with others (and have probably made declarations about a few), but when push comes to shove, this is what I listen to.
Will Secret Profane and Sugarcane make the cut? Probably not. It sounds pleasant and fine — nothing offensive in the least — but my heart is already kinda set on what Elvis Costello I like.
PS: And a big PS at that. Joe interviewed Elvis Costello last week in what was for sure the most nerve-wracking jukebox jury ever. Joe played Elvis some Loretta Lynn and Carter Family and things of that ilk, but he also played him Girls. The eMusic Selects Girls. And he liked it! Compared it to Spiritualized! Yay Elvis! Read it all here.
Eels, Hombre Lobo: I’ve tried with the Eels. Swear. I’ve tried as much as I can knowing that this is not music for me. I don’t even like Beck, so why would I like this? I can definitely hear the melancholy charm of “That Look You Gave That Guy” from the new album – and listening again, maybe I do like the Eels, or that song anyway. But overall, their popularity has always befuddled me.
Deastro, Moondagger: I’m very interested to hear reactions to this record, because I have a feeling we might disagree. I responded very much to the rough edges of Keeper’s — I liked the bleeding levels and the homegrown feel — whereas a lot of folks specifically disliked that part of the record. This album is way more pro — he signed to Ghostly International from eMusic Selects! — and for me it loses just a tiny bit of charm as a result. There are definitely songs that I really like (and I really do like the record), and I’m going to be watching with interest to see how much this record takes off. As you might guess, I’m rooting very hard for our dear Randy. The sweetest boy.
J Dilla, Jay Stay Paid: More Dilla beats. Not sure of the origin of these, but they sound great. Which surprises me 0.0%.
Lee Fields, My World: Oh hell yes. Do you like ’70s R&B that sounds like the greatest love you ever had wrote an album for you about how much they miss and love you, how the loss of your love would be the greatest pain they have ever felt, and they sing and play it like… I don’t even know what. Sexy wizards? Benevolent demons? Something AWESOME.
Thee Oh Sees, Help: Missed posting this one before as it came in late. West Coast psych-rock that’s all weed and nihilism. Very good.
The Intelligence, Fake Surfers: Always loved this band. I always refer to them as A Frames offshoots (because I love the A Frames unconditionally) but at this point they’re probably big enough on their own. It’s really messy pop-punk garage stuff, pre-Wavving Wavves and all of that shit. Unbelievably I haven’t listened to this record yet.
Blood and Chocolate is my personal “post-Armed Forces” Elvis Costello — not that anyone asked. It’s the singing; he sounds wild-eyed and disheveled, like your drunk, unshaven uncle staggering into the room wearing a bathrobe at 2 in the afternoon. (Know what I mean?) On his early records, he just sounds…pinched.
I’m way excited for the Elvis record. I can’t wait to hear it! Personally, my favorite of his is Spike but that was also the first one I heard of his. Really, I don’t think I’ve disliked a single thing he has done. Not even one note.
As for the Eels, also majorly excited about this one! I’ve been a fan for a while, but it was Electroshock Blues that really slayed me. To go through the amount of emotional pain and anguish as E did and still produce that amazing work of art, music that while acknowledges the pain and how much it sucks, yet transcends the sadness and sees the bigger picture life. Man. I get chills just thinking about it.
The Lee Fields record is amazing — his earlier stuff on Desco was good, too. A few to add:
Sanity Assassins, 14 Big Hits: I don’t know much about this band, but the songs sound great — super trashy and catchy and punky in the same way that Nobunny and the Okmoniks are. Kinda shit-fi and fun.
Little Girls, Tambourine: Another Joe fave, kind of shoegazey and screwed up, droney vocals — not unlike Crystal Stilts, but a little more focused.
Japandroids, Post-Nothing: Garbage-fi seems to be the theme — more trashy, vaguely poppy trash-pop. I like. Yancey does not.
Pocahaunted, Island Diamonds: Love this one — spooky and atmospheric, second track almost sounds like outer space dub.
The Curtains, Common Rocker: This is my big winner: dour, Brit-poppy, drawling, sarcastic, huge hooks — fans of the Forster end of the Go-Betweens and Cinerama should find much to love.
Emptyset, As Neat As a New Pin: This one came in a while ago, but I just got around to listening to it. Highly, highly, highly recommended — gentle and twee but with a smartass sense of humor. Fans of Belle & Sebastian should dig.
I’m digging Thee Oh Sees. I’m just short on dls.
On the “you know what was good? Hip hop ten years ago!” tip, Torae and Marco Polo do a decent approximation of a Heltah Skeltah record:
http://www.emusic.com/album/Marco-Polo-Torae-Double-Barrel-MP3-Download/11464805.html
And on the same tip, the new AZ:
http://www.emusic.com/album/AZ-Legendary-MP3-Download/11464679.html
Guest spot from Hell Rell on this one, who I think might secretly be 57 years old.
Joe’s right: Japandroids is v. good. I don’t get The Eels, either. But I love a lot of Beck’s work, and don’t see the comparison between those acts.
Late era Elvis pick: “All this useless beauty.” Awesome album.
Of course, nothing beats “This year’s model” for me
FR
I can’t wait to listen to the Lee Fields album. I’m a fan of the Truth & Soul record label. I’m curious about the Deastro, Elvis Costello, and the Eels, so I’ll at least sample those.
I’ve just discovered the new Jenny Owen Youngs. I think I have listened to the song “Clean Break” 15 times in the past 24 hours.
“All this Useless Beauty” is such a gorgeous song — I’d completely forgotten about it until you mentioned it.
Daniel: I’m with you on the Eels, too. I’ve tried a bunch and just have not been able to make the connection. I get what he does and I respect it, but it just doesn’t resonate with me.
Oh, and on the new reggae tip: the first track here sounds killer.
Yeah, wow, revision: that reggae track is amazing.
The guy on the cover of that reggae album looks like Rasta Gallagher.
Another yes for the Lee Fields album.
The Elvis Costello and Eels aren’t available in the UK so I’m going to shove my 2p’s worth in for the Broken Records album that arrived yesterday – http://www.emusic.com/album/Broken-Records-Until-The-Earth-Begins-To-Part-MP3-Download/11454358.html
epic sounding indie – think Arcade Fire with a Scottish twist. If you’re not convinced by the album, go and see them live (I’ve been 3 times now!), well worth an evening of your time.
Coffe Bean Brown Comes Alive — Tea Leaf Green, The Band-esque 70s folk rock jam band.
http://www.emusic.com/album/Tea-Leaf-Green-Coffee-Bean-Brown-Comes-Alive-MP3-Download/11457358.html
Bluegrass Hits and Heartsongs — Mac Wiseman
http://www.emusic.com/album/Mac-Wiseman-Bluegrass-Hits-And-Heartsongs-MP3-Download/11468132.html
The Johnny And Shuggie Otis Sessions by Charles Brown
http://www.emusic.com/album/Charles-Brown-The-Johnny-And-Shuggie-Otis-Sessions-MP3-Download/11450511.html
Misfits — Eliza Gilkyson
http://www.emusic.com/album/Eliza-Gilkyson-Misfits-MP3-Download/11467999.html
Panama!2 Latin Sounds, Cumbia Tropical & Calypso Funk On The Isthmus 1967-77 — NEW SOUNDWAY
http://www.emusic.com/album/Various-Artists-Panama-2-Latin-Sounds-Cumbia-Tropical-amp-Calyp-MP3-Download/11464653.html
New Panama! from Soundways.
That’s all I have. I’m embarrassingly ignorant of everything Elvis has done other than This Year’s Model and Americana.
Oh and
Live At The 400 Bar by Koerner & Glover
http://www.emusic.com/album/Koerner-Glover-Live-At-The-400-Bar-MP3-Download/11464916.html
AND OH MY GOD THIS IS A CLASSIC YOU GUYS
Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music, Vols 1 & 2 by Ray Charles
http://www.emusic.com/album/Ray-Charles-Modern-Sounds-in-Country-and-Western-Music-Vols-1-MP3-Download/11464673.html
I totally missed volume 2 of the Panama series. I enjoyed the first one, despite the two messed-up tracks.
Thanks for pointing out the new Soundway disc, Amanda. And OMG, the soundscan for the ninth song — “Dreams,” by The Duncan Bros. — is SPECIAL. Play those liquid-sounding wah-wah guitars over and over again; trust me.
All This Useless Beauty is definitely underrated – very good Attractions reunion. But goodness gracious man….no Imperial Bedroom? Now there’s a masterpiece!
Haven’t had time to digest the new one yet. My initial sense is that it’s nice but perhaps not as trenchant as I like Elvis to be.
I LOVE Eels. Have from the first note I heard. Don’t like this record much at all. I’d give it no more than a 4 out of 10. Even though I’ve had my eye on this one for months, I might grab a track or two at most.
I freely admit that his records tend to sink under their themes. If you’re interested, I recommend Shootenany — great songs, theme free, an eclectic delight.
I agree with you, Yancey, that post- Get Happy Elvis just isn’t the same, and it’s funny to me to watch people push themselves through knotholes trying to convince me of the hidden gems I’m missing. I’m glad for Elvis, though. He deserves fans who stick with him, ie, not me.
BTW, the one and only non-emu purchase I’ve made since 2006 was the two-disk reissue of My Aim is True.
I also agree that we disagree about Deastro. I only barely got into the first one — mostly downloaded it out of loyalty. But I’m LOVING this one. It’s not so much the sound — I liked the sound of Keeper’s (and hey, what’s up with that apostrophe??) fine, but didn’t feel like the songs were all there. The songs are ALL here. I kinda wish I’d heard this one first, and came back to Keeper’s as his early bedroom demos. NOW I get the fuss….
Andy: Gotta say, I agree.
adding to what someone else said about late era Elvis…”Blood and Chocolate” is brilliant; as is “Brutal Youth”. It doesn’t count, but the limited edition “Costello and Nieve” release was the highlight of his career.
I’m a huge Elvis fan, and I don’t think he’s made too many bad ones over the years. The highlight for me is his own blurb in the liner notes for the early 90s re-issue of “Goodbye Cruel World” where he opens with “Congratulations, you’ve just purchased our worst album”.
Maybe Elvis will write a song about the day that emusic died. Well, I hope you at emusic are as nervous about keeping your jobs as all those who are about to quit your service. Good luck.
Simon, thanks for pointing out Broken Records…the video for the title track is sweet as hell. Unfortunately it’s not available in the US. Dammit.
The Oh Sees and Intelligence records are both awesome, with a definite edge going to the latter. You guys need to get Castle Face on Emusic so people can get the amazing Fresh & Onlys album.
Sorry but there is no more ‘business as usual’. I can’t even bring myself to use my current downloads, the whole thing makes me sick.
I’m crossing my fingers for Broken Records tomorrow in the US. I’m in a hopeful mood.
My late-period Costello record was the one he did with Burt Bacharach, “Painted From Memory.” I’ve yet to find another Costello fan who has anything nice to say about it, but that doesn’t spoil it for me.
Also in the “genre experiment” folder, I really liked his collaboration with the Brodsky Quartet, “The Juliet Letters.”
Yes, by all means, “Painted From Memory” is right up there for me with “Imperial Bedroom,” “Trust,” and “King of America.” But I always find something to like on all of them, so I’m grabbing the new one now…
I actually think that Shootenanny! is the least of the Eels albums, though I’d still give it a 7/10. It’s hard to explain what I like about the Eels, but part of it is certainly E himself, his matter-of-fact tone of voice, his homegrown sound, and his frank lyrics. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t, but at the end of the day, I don’t know if anyone can match his musical honesty, if that makes any sense.
Lukewarm on Lobo so far, after only one listen, but SUPER glad this went up before work today. You guys rock!
I’m definitely giving the new Elvis a spin. I’ve got a soft spot for the old stuff, mostly, but All This Useless Beauty was the last new one that I really dug. I wouldn’t classify Imperial bedroom as late-period, though…. that came out in 1982! When I was Cruel (2002) had some good stuff on it, but is mostly unmemorable…
No one has mentioned the new release of another 80’s pop smartypants who’s still making records: Marshall Crenshaw. His new one, Jaggedland came out today, too. His music and Elvis’ are inextricably linked to me, because of the influence of an ex-girlfriend who was crazy about both. She had really good taste… in music.
[url=http://www.emusic.com/album/Marshall-Crenshaw-Jaggedland-MP3-Download/11464674.html]That link above didn’t work[/url]
I’ve not enjoyed a new Elvis Costello record for a while now – parts of When I Was Cruel were great – but I still find myself buying them. Don’t know if you can call it ‘late period’ since it was 18 yrs ago (how’d that happen?) but my flat out fave is 1991s ‘Mighty Like a Rose’ – everything that’s great about EC comes together on that record, though a lot of folk consider it a huge mess. IMHO it bests his first 7 studio albums: that good.
After a couple of listens I have to say I’m enjoying the Costello album more than I thought I would. It’s not really like any of his past country efforts. I never cared for Almost Blue (although the stuff on the Rhino reissue bonus disc is much better than the original album, which indicates to me that somehow producer Billy Sherrill messed things up), and King of America isn’t really country, just more acoustic than his previous work. Delivery Man is a different beast still. I don’t think this is as good as K of A, but it’s definitely worth the DLs.
JonathanL, agreed that Shootenany! is far from Eels best — just the one that I’ve most successfully used to bring friends gently into the fold.
I both love and respect Mark’s raw, raw emotion, whether harrowing (Electro-Shock Blues), joyous (Daisies of the Galaxy), or a weird mix (Souljacker…more often than not my favorite, but the first one, Beautiful Freak, is still special.) He’s also got a tender streak (Spunky, Fresh Feeling, etc.) that I think is unparalleled in pop music — especially striking because even THAT is expressed in really raw ways.
Okay dude, thanks to you, I’ve just talked myself into downloading the new one. There’s a principle at stake….
Eels and Costello are united, in my mind, by the fact that even their worst albums have songs in them that are flat-out great.
Just read the Keys interview with EC. Funny that Keys chose to play for Costello a song by Girls that features a Costello soundalike vocalist, but Elvis thought he sounded like Jarvis Cocker!
Is it too late? Is anyone still reading this post?
There’s a new John Wesley Harding album.
“I don’t want these albums to get overlooked.”
Sorry, with my downloads halved I’ll be downloading new releases from bands I know, not taking chances on albums like these.
Andy: I actually mentioned that to him after a bit, that a lot of people think the vocalist from Girls sounds like him. Elvis said he couldn’t hear the similarity at all (I think he was lying!) so I dropped it from the piece. But sitting next to him the minute the vocals kicked in on the song was by far one of the more surreal experiences of my life.
A few more listens into Hombre Lobo and I find it’s definitely the kind of “between” album that Mark Oliver Everett seems to make when he’s just made a statement. Like Daisies of the Galaxy and Shootenanny! it’s Eels through and through, but you don’t have to be a big fan of the style to get something from it. Lots growing on me, really enjoying his rough blues-rock return after its absence. Thanks to the eMusic interview I know it’s true, but it defintiely feels like an album about the Dog-Faced Boy, with some Souljacker dirty riffs and some Shootenanny! sentiment, with some of that kind-of-creepy blunt force trauma honesty us Eels fans like.
I don’t have other DL’s to spare this month yet, though. I do belive The Most Serene Republic is coming back around next week, and after Population, I’m absolutely giddy with excitement.
Will still check out Deastro, because the bleeding was what kept me from picking his last one up.
I would love to be able to download Elvis Costello’s latest rather than have to get an illegal copy from a bit torrent site, but emusic.com will not accept my payment and after six weeks of ongoing discussions with customer support and their inability to take my payment, it looks like I’ll have to go the bit torrent mode to obtain this album. It seems ashamed that technical issues such as mine lead people away from legitimate sites like emusic.com, but I really have to wonder about the wisdom of keeping associated with a company that can not take a customer’s money. Sorry for the rant, but I’ve just gotten done with another thread with customer support and needed a forum to vent.
I’ve been digging hard on Vampire Hands
From Chicago and very interesting Knife Prrty
These new albums, respectively (Eels and Costello), suck. When will Veckatimest be on emusic? I’d really like to know.
I can’t stop playing the new Elvis… it’ll be very much a soundtrack of the summer (perfect lying in the hammock sippin’ on a beer music…) While he’s got a great catalogue, I haven’t loved anything he’s done this much since My Aim is True. Or maybe I’m just getting old…