What the Creative Loafing music team is listening to this Monday to get us through the day and rocket launch the week… Click here to check out previous entries.
Gabe – Ryuichi Sakamoto, Moto.Tronic (2003)
Career overview of the brilliant Japanese composer who'd previously fronted ground-breaking electronic act Yellow Magic Orchestra. The purpose of this compilation is to showcase the diversity and all the styles Sakamoto is capable of pulling off. The set ranges from moody piano pieces to traditional Brazilian samba. Guest vocal appearances by Iggy Pop and Japan lead singer David Sylvian are a nice bonus. If you've never had the pleasure of experiencing the genius of Ryuichi Sakamoto, this is a great introduction to the man and his music
Joel – Iron Maiden, The Final Frontier (2010)
Iron Maiden never shied away from theatricality in metal: “Phantom of the Opera,” “Hallowed Be Thy Name,” “Rime of the Ancient Mariner,” and so on. But The Final Frontier builds songs to the point of Broadway musical excess. These 10 songs are long-winded, melodramatic, and unlike their 1980’s output, uninteresting. Not since The X-Factor, their bloated 1995 Blaze Bayley-fronted effort, has this band spent so much time doing so little. The goodwill created by their 2000 renaissance album Brave New World has since eroded in the face of the band's increasing mediocrity. The Final Frontier tests both the physical limits of the compact disc and my patience.
– Further Seems Forever, The Moon is Down (2001)
Since finding out last week that the original lineup was getting back together to possibly tour and record a new album, I haven't been able to put this one down. While I fell in love with this album nine years ago as a much younger/less cynical "boy," I can still appreciate the saccharine longing oozing out of hopelessly-romantic love letters and songs about falling in love with tourists. The intricate, over-the-top playing is a huge bonus. I still love this album and the nostalgia it evokes of a simpler and more volatile time in my life. I can't wait to see what they come up with next spring. Best tracks: "Monechetti," "The Moon is Down," "Pictures of Shorelines."
Deborah – Caribou, Swim (2010)
This Monday morning, I'm in desperate need of something to keep me focused while my brain transitions from weekend to workweek. The new release from Caribou is fitting the bill perfectly: techno/house full of pulsing bass, electro effects, flute, cowbell, and oodles of atmospheric echoes. It's not a complete departure from the '60's influenced sounds of 2007's Andorra, retaining just enough psychedelia to feel somewhat familiar; but this album is definitely more danceable. It's keeping my head bobbing and fingers typing this morning, and building my excitement for their October 17th show at Crowbar.
This article appears in Aug 26 – Sep 1, 2010.