What the Creative Loafing music team is listening to this Monday to get us through the day and rocket launch the week…
Gabe – Imperial Drag, Imperial Drag (1996)
Not long after the demise of superior pop band Jellyfish, the band’s keyboardist and co-songwriter Roger Manning formed a new group and most of the core Jellyfish fans were elated. The album boasted a fresh modern pop sound while borrowing heavily from psychedelic and glam rock predecessors. Unfortunately, the sound didn’t really catch on and the record (and ultimately, the band) disappeared without much fanfare. I still listen to this record often. It’s a classic case of bad timing; had this record surfaced a few years later when well-crafted pop music was having a small resurgence and bands like Weezer and Fountains of Wayne were getting their due accolades, Imperial Drag would have gotten more recognition. Think Cheap Trick meets T.Rex with plenty of hooks to spare. A forgotten gem.
Leilani – Bonobo, Black Sands (2010), and Live Sessions EP (2005)
Aestheticized just confirmed a Sunday, November 14 concert at Crowbar featuring UK ambient trip hop DJ/producer Bonobo. He's one of my favorite electronic artists, so I've been back and forth between these two albums all day. One thing about Bonobo: dude always knows how to catch a groove and ride with it. There are no climaxes or tension built to be released, just steady laid-back rhythms with synth , deep bass pulses and bursts of sonic adornment — clarinet, saxophone, chimes, bells, swells of strings, well-placed samples — providing low-key drama. Black Sands is Bonobo's latest, and he brings a jazz-soul-R&B vibe with guest singer Andreya Triana bringing some soul and R&B vibe, adding Latin and Afro-beat percussion flourishes. Live Sessions takes songs from Animal Magic (2001) and Dial 'M' For Monkey (2001) that were electronically produced, and presents them as performed with live instrumentation — bass, drums, sax, keys, cello, guitars and electronics. Bonobo is supposed to be on the road with a full band for his "Black Sands" tour, and I can't wait to see what he does with the album live.
Here's the video for "Eyesdown" featuring guest Andreya Triana:
Ivan – Heroes del Silencio, Avalancha (1995)
Produced by Bob Ezrin, Avalancha was the Spanish group's final studio album. It is considered one of the most influential "Rock en Español" albums of the '90s. Think Zeppelin meets Van Halen, with Jim Morrisson on vocals. The lyrics are poetic and the imagery — which meanders through sick riffs and steady, four-on-the-floor drumming — is powerful.
This article appears in Aug 26 – Sep 1, 2010.