Number 27: January 2010
Happy 2010, mon petit freaques. Happy happy!
And what's going to make this year so great? Aside from the World Cup and the reconstruction of Barack Obama's spine? How about a new book called Rock and Roll Will Save Your Life all about those of us who are a little too into the bands we love, who follow them into bathrooms and buy them liquor and memorize the words to their most obscure B-sides ever. And how about if this book also contained:
- A reluctant exegesis of "(I Bless the Rains Down in) Africa" by Toto
- Many stupid lists
- An ode to my wife and Kip Winger and Kip Winger's, uh, man part?
Would reading something like that make you feel less alone with your drooling fanaticism? Or would that just be gross?
Wait, don't answer that.
But if you are interested in details, and where I'll be reading this Spring, just click here. Otherwise, simply take two of the medications described below and continue to rock, unreasonably, at all hours.
Nicole Reynolds
Wolves Won't Eat Us
(Nicole Reynolds Records, 2006)
A small acoustic masterpiece reminiscent of Dylan's early work. Reynolds sings with the voice of a wood sprite and the poetic ferocity of a Biblical prophet. "Will you love me with my face blown away?" she asks, in the voice of a disfigured soldier, and the question hurts—as it should.
Gil Scott-Heron
I'm New Here
(XL Records, 2010)
The single most eloquent voice in American music returns with an album of fierce beauty. The sparse arrangements—bone-crushing drum loops and somber strings—showcase the epic power of Gil's voice, which slides from tenderness ("I'll Take Care of You") to searing confession "On Coming from A Broken Home"). A masterpiece of haunted soul.
Richmond Fontaine
We Used to Think the Freeway Sounded Like a River
(Décor, 2009)
Richmond Fontaine frontman Willy Vlautin always looks like he just got up, like, ten seconds ago. God, I love that. Willy is what happens when Raymond Carver, Lou Reed, and Waylon Jennings get hammered and wind up canoodling in a dive bar. Not only does he write sly, riveting novels, but his best songs set them to woozy, intoxicating riffs. "The Boyfriends" tells us more about the human heart than 95 percent of the books out there.
Chuck Prophet
Let Freedom Ring
(Yep Roc, 2009)
Prophet's wiry Stratocaster and SoCal drawl take aim at the brutal economic hangover of the go-go Bush years. "Let there be markets, let them run wild," he sings, on the irresistible title track, "as the sisters of mercy just laugh/All the lost brothers can drink themselves blind/While good fortune breaks hard work in half." How often does a rock star tell that sort of truth—and make it impossible for you not to sing along?
Guest Tip from Josephine Almond, Age 3
Alistair Moock
A Cow Says Moock
(Moock Music, 2009)
"I want to hear Cow Says Moock, Papa! It's my most favoritest CD in the whole world. Now, Papa. Put it on the stereo! I want to hear ‘Belly Buttons Are Fun'! I want to hear ‘Two Mommies.' Papa, Cow Says Moock. Put it on. Hurry. Hurry, Papa!" Dude, I'm on it.
Butch Walker
I Liked It Better When You Had No Heart
(One Haven Music, 2010)
Walker glides from roots to power pop to electrified doo wop without missing a beat. "She Likes Hair Bands," with its monster hook, vintage handclaps, and girl-group backing vocals, might be the most delicious three minutes you'll spend this entire year.
John Wesley Harding
Who Was Changed and Who Was Dead
(Popover Corps/The Rebel Group, 2009)
I first saw JWH play in 1990, at a gig in El Paso, where he was monitored onstage by law enforcement. Such was the subversive power of his songwriting. Who Was Changed... will likely result in his home being surrounded by a SWAT team. It's dangerously catchy, razor sharp, and, when sliced just right, achingly tender.
Herman Dune
Not on Top
(Track and Field Organisation, 2005)
There's something enchantingly guileless about David Ivar, the French dude who fronts Herman Dune. Maybe it's the accent, or the shambling seductive melodies, but I could listen to his strange little autobiographies for days. For those hoping to shot the gap between Leonard Cohen and the Mountain Goats, your chariot awaits.
Guest Tip from fifth Beatle and first-time papa Tomas DeMarchi
Dan Bern
2 FEET TALL
(DBHQ Records, 2009)
Big-Balled Messiah and prolific folk monster Bern releases a kid's album containing 38 lullabies? Yessir. Yessir. Even your favorite non-breeders will eat up these catchy songs ... num num num. Bern reminds us that we're all born to sing. Hail the awesomeness of "Tummy Time." I think you heard me right.
Guest Tip from the Artist Currently known as The Close
Silversun Pickups
Swoon
(Dangerbird, 2009)
This Los Angeles-based foursome comes at you like a rocket, all power chords, and then—watch out—they turn sweet and lowdown, all caresses and sugar kisses, poppy like you like it. Swoon is godly in all the right places, but the two preceding records, "Pikul" and "Carnavas," are every bit as worthy of your worship. And you will. Kneel now. Do it.
Tip Singles (Our Sop to the i-Phone Generation)
Gillian Welch
"Look at Miss Ohio"
(From Soul Journey, Acony Records, 2003)
Play this for anyone who tells you they don't "get" Gillian Welch. "I wanna do right/but not right now" should be our national slogan.
Nikka Costa
"Stuck to You"
(From Pebble to a Pearl, GoFunkYourself Records, 2008)
Girl groups, meet Soul Diva. Handclaps, meet drum loops. Bliss, meet ears.
Ike Reilly
"Lights Out, Anything Goes"
(From Hard Luck Stories, Rock Ridge Music, 2009)
The two functions invariably performed by every Ike song (breaking your heart and rocking your ass) is augmented here by a supernatural third: shutting down your electricity. Enjoy the dark.
Okay, enough of my yammering. Get hammering. Let's make 2010 something we can remember without wincing.