Before you get your Thanksgiving on, take a listen to some of the most listened-to, jammed-out songs, albums and artists of the week as submitted by the CL Music Team along with a rotating crew of tastemakers — local music promoters, record store and venue owners, music fans and scenesters, DJs, musicians, and a radio personality or two; check the past several week’s worth here. Audio and video included, along with any applicable show information. And on that note, what are you jamming this week? Tell us in the comments…
LEILANI
Trying to narrow down my Best of 2013 album nominees, and taking a last listen to some music I missed or only briefly skimmed before narrowing down my shortlist contenders. So far, the self-titled third album from groovin' post-punkish/psych pop outfit The Features and vet rapper Aceyalone's Leanin' on Slick go directly onto the shortlist, while I've been able to give a definitive 'no' to pop rock sisters trio HAIM (I dig the single "Forever" but not completely sold on the rest), Janelle Monáe's The Electric Lady (great first single, "Q.U.E.E.N." with Missy Elliott) and Local Natives' Hummingbird (got bored two songs in, same as the last few times I listened), and am still on the fence about Foals' Holy Fire and the new What If It Is EP from hip hop songstress K.Flay. Much more listening to do in the coming weeks…
The Three O' Clock, The Hidden World Revealed (2013)
An exquisite collection that honors the best band from the early 1980's "Paisley Underground" movement. Hailing from southern California, the band went through a name change (they were formerly known as Salvation Army before a potential lawsuit thwarted that) and recorded for indie labels Frontier and I.R.S. before being personally singled out and recruited by Prince to join his Paisley Park Records roster. This collection focuses on the band's early work and contains key album tracks and plenty of rare and unreleased material. Lead singer Michael Quercio's unique breathy, high-pitched voice is as unique as it is engaging. The band's jangly, infectious pop hooks are sure to please any powerpop fan. Standout tracks include the band's classic "Jet Fighter" (below) and a spectacular cover of Pink Floyd's "Lucifer Sam." It's nice that this overlooked band is getting some due credit thanks to this loving tribute.
ADAM KUHN | music fan and scenester with discerning taste
Sandrider, Godhead (2013) My personal AoTM. Stoner rock from Seattle at times sludgy in the vein of Electric Wizard shifting to full speed riff-heavy Mötörhead-style metal, these guys might be a worthy successor once the Melvins decide to finally hang it up. Full album available for streaming here.
Nightmare Boyzzz, Bad Patterns (2013) This may be the first time I've spoken of the state of Alabama in any sort of positive context, but these garage powerpop dudes from Huntsville seem an exception to the rule. Loud, fuzzy and hook heavy, fans of Exploding Hearts and Gentleman Jesse take notice. Get with it.
The Limiñanas, Costa Blanca (2013) French male-female yéyé duo, their previous releases were trended much more in the fuzz/garage direction but this edges them ever closer to Serge Gainsbourg territory. Cocktail party music that almost makes berets seem cool. Almost. "My Black Sabbath" below.
SARAH GECAN | Daddy Kool Records and No Clubs Entertainment
Sam Russo, Storm (2012) A gruff, sometimes pain-strained vocal with a hint of a British accent is set against acoustic guitar in the songs of Sam Russo. Sometimes he reminds me of The Honorary Title, while other moments Chuck Ragan or Frank Turner comes to mind. Russo's 2012 release is perfect music for the cloudy winter days we've had so often recently.
The Honorary Title, Anything Else But The Truth (2004) I've been a fan of The Honorary Title for nearly a decade and listening to Sam Russo made me yearn for Jarrod Gorbel's vocals, and in particular the track "Everything I Once Had" (video below). Gorbel yells and his voice cracks when he utters, "for you I cared." The pure and unadulterated honesty of the song and the way he performs it gets me every time. Both Honorary Title albums are incredible, but the debut is always the one I return to. Gorbel's music reminds me of the songs they'd pipe in the background of Eternal Sunshine of The Spotless Mind. I aspire to be in Montauk, laying on the ice, and having "Anything Else But The Truth" playing the background.
JERRY DUFRAIN | DJ Lazy, Orpheum co-owner
This week I got a chance to check out the Funk Volume documentary, Independent Living, at once a tour journal and label/artist bios for Hopsin, Dizzy Wright, Jarren Benton and Swizzz. The doc offers a pretty healthy sample of the Funk Volume catalog alongside live footage that'll appeal to hardcore fans and first time viewers/listeners.
I may have seen one or two too many VH1 behind the music episodes, but I couldn't help but feel at least a moderate sense of dread about the wheels coming off this freight train. The featured artists are learning to deal with fame and the trials and daily grind of touring for the very first time and not all of them seemed to handle it in the best possible way, though they are at least honest about fortune, fame and their shortcomings throughout. Dizzy Wright, particularly, proves to be an arresting personality and an artist to definitely watch out for in the future.
Hopsin, the label's biggest star right now, is set to release his long awaited album Knock Madness album this week (Nov. 26), and his tour hits the Orpheum on Fri., March 7th. Documentary trailer below.
'Independent Living: The Funk Volume Documentary' OFFICIAL TRAILER from APLUSFILMZ on Vimeo.
ANDY WARRENER | freelance writer, CL & TBT.
I'm back on a Western kick again. This week I stumbled on The Hacienda Brothers. This Arizona-based group really drives the twangy genre with instrumental selections that could be in a Clint Eastwood western, like 2005's Saguaro and 2006 follow-up Son of Saguaro. The bass line on "Cowboys to Girls" is infectious and the The Hacienda Brothers spice up their vibe with a little soul.
I'm also rocking Lucinda Williams this week. Williams is celebrating the 25-year anniversary of her original self-titled release with a re-release of the album set for January 14 of next year. The gravely crooner's voice only seems to get better with age. Her most recent offering from Lost Highway Records is Blessed but I consider 2001's Essence her best album with signature cuts like the title track and "Lonely Girls."
JOE D'ACUNTO | THX MGMT Presents
I remember listening to "In the Sun" by Joseph Arthur on the Vinyl Fever staff picks station when it first came out; recently had the lyric run through my head so it's back on repeat. And I typically have a lot of guilty pleasures, but my latest is Lorde, "Royals."
MELANIE CADE | Mojo Books & Records
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Live from KCRW (2013)
Black Friday is almost upon us! Battling people for electronics is fun, but Record Store Day Black Friday is unarguably more fun. One reason: Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds are releasing a live, stripped-down performance featuring songs from 2013's Push the Sky Away, as well as classic Nick Cave material. Available at Mojo on vinyl this Friday.
Bob Dylan, Side Tracks (2013)
Another highly anticipated Black Friday release — 30 tracks of Dylan rarities, including alternate versions of “You're a Big Girl Now” and “Forever Young,” live takes of “Visions of Johanna” and “Isis,” soundtrack contributions and more. To own Side Tracks, you can either A) Get it on CD by buying a massively expensive retrospective CD boxset or B) Get a numbered, 180gram vinyl, triple album independent of any boxsets. I know which way I'll be going. Technically it hasn't been jammed yet, but it surely will be this Friday.
Angel Olsen, Half Way Home (2012) Angel Olsen first came to our attention as vocalist for The Cairo Gang during 2011's Bonnie 'Prince' Billy & The Cairo Gang in-store at Mojo. Since, Olsen has released an EP, LP and 7” under her own steam. On Half Way Home, her voice is an instrument, alternately piercing, warbling, humming, cracking and sighing. And this Sunday, Dec. 1 at 7 p.m., Olsen will be back at Mojo playing a free in-store. "Acrobat" video below.
Spotify playlist below…
This article appears in Nov 28 – Dec 4, 2013.