It’s that time of week again, folks — time to get your jam on, that is. The ongoing listening series otherwise known as The Well-Played List features 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
Queens of the Stone Age, …Like Clockwork (2013) Pretty stoked that the grinding psych-stoned West Coast alt rockers are stopping through town and virtually playing in my backyard (more info about that right here, tickets on sale Friday). So I've been jamming their darkly brooding lightly grungy latest, on my Best of 2013 shortlist to be sure…
Cate Le Bon, Mug Museum (2013) Been seeing this songstress' name pop up alot lately, took a spin of her just-released third full-length, and feel drawn to her odd lilting vocal phrasing (she's Welsh-born and apparently sings in that Celtic language, too), which kinda reminds me of Stereolab's Lætitia Sadier when she hits the lower-reaching registers. Her sound has a post-punk/art rock/folkadelic vibe ala Velvet Underground or Television and modern Brit invasion Blur-ishness. I need to listen to this some more… video for first single "Are You With Me Now?" after the jump.
KEITH ULREY | owner, Microgroove, New Granada Records
Yesterday I read an article in Under the Radar where Robin Guthrie (of Cocteau Twins) talks about the band's 1988 album Blue Bell Knoll (not only my fave CT album, but one of my all-time fave albums ever). Never at a loss for words, Mr. Guthrie had this to say about bands that somehow came to define the era, leaving others as "cult" bands: "The Cure and OMD and stuff like that, I was aware of them at the time, but they were this annoying fucking background noise … Perhaps if our personalities were a bit more hipster we would have made a bigger splash. We were too busy making records to be hipsters. It must've been difficult, all the time that you have to spend being Morrissey, not making records. He had to spend all of his time doing interviews and getting his fucking hair done."
Classic Guthrie.
Below is the video by Cocteau Twins, "Carolyn's Fingers," that blew my mind as a teenager when I first caught in the middle of the night on some pre-120 Minutes MTV show.
JARED FAGER | music fan and scenester with discerning taste
Bimini, Bimini EP (2013) Bimini is a project by Sander Travisano, bass player in Florida instrumental post rock quartet The Mercury Program. This new four-song EP calls on the talents of brother Whitney Travisano, longtime collaborator Dave LeBleu and fellow Pagan Girl bandmate Peter Bartsocas.
Nitemoves, Longlines (2012) and Themes (2013) Nitemoves is the electronic nom de plume of musician/producer Rory O'Connor. He started making music under various monikers for more than a decade using a four track and an Arp Odyssey, and since then has been putting out complex, melody rich arrangements that call on his rhythmic sensibilities as a life-long drummer. He frequently tours wiht Ghostly International vets Com Truise and Tycho, and has issued two full-lengths on ambient wizard Jakub Alexander's Moodgadget label. "Glen '79" below.
STEPHEN TODD | Mojo Books & Records
Lou Reed and John Cale, Songs For Drella (1990) Songs for Drella is the late Lou Reed and John Cale’s tribute to the deceased Andy Warhol. This is an extremely enjoyable album: it is both funny and touching, offering insight on the early days of the Velvet Underground and the aftermath years of both the post-Velvets' and Warhol’s careers. This album goes through a range of moods but they all feel very intimate: there are no drums, an exclusion that highlights the lyrical matter of the songs as well as some tasteful synthesizer and guitar playing. Available on vinyl at Mojo.
Townes Van Zandt, Our Mother The Mountain (1969) A country album full of tracks of mournful longing. I suppose this description could sound off-putting, but I really believe Townes Van Zandt is suffering and that is somehow refreshing. He sings songs that feel genuine, and take on an added authenticity when you consider the facts from his life (episodes include electroshock therapy, bi-polarism, jumping out of a window, drug abuse and alcoholism). Available on vinyl at Mojo.
The Feelies, Only Life (1988) I am a fan of The Feelies, but I had only listened to their first two albums before Only Life came into the store, and this third one really delivers. It's hard to classify their music, but the quintet is a no-nonsense guitar-driven rock band and this album has some great tones. I like that their recordings really draw the sound from both clean electric as well as acoustic guitars rather than using distortion or fuzz that can cover and hide. There are some lead guitar solos — I want to describe them as laser-like, reminiscent of those on Television’s Marquee Moon, full of sustain, the effect of light overdrive and a little reverb — that sit extremely well over thick, clean-strummed chords. The vocals remind me of Lou Reed and you can’t help but give in to the vibe of this music. Not to make assumptions, but a guy in a Disturbed t-shirt sitting at the café was tapping his foot when this was on the store’s turntable. I guess it won him over. Available on vinyl at Mojo. "It's Only Life" below.
SARAH GECAN | Daddy Kool Records and No Clubs Entertainment
Masked Intruder, Masked Intruder (2012) What is honestly more endearing than four masked men singing love songs, wanting to be yours from 25 to life? Put that theme into some pop punk tunes and you have what I've been listening to all week, Masked Intruder. Their songs are catchy and hilarious, and they put on one of the best live shows I have ever seen.
Andrew Jackson Jihad, Candy Cigarettes & Capguns, Issue Problems! and Such (2011) The motif for this week has been music that makes me laugh. Andrew Jackson Jihad's 2011 release does just that. Their sound is on the indie/alt country side of punk and lyrics tell screwed-up hilarious stories. "I'm a lady killer and you're a pretty lady so that means I'm gonna kill you," or better yet, a song making fun of hipsters. I love it.
Small Faces, Ultimate Collection (2003) In anticipation of the uber-deluxe career-spanning retrospective due for release in January, I’ve been revisiting all things Small Faces this week. The ultimate Mod band from Britain’s first musical invasion and aptly named group of pint-sized rockers made quite a ruckus during their all-too-short lifespan. Mixing heavy R&B-influenced grooves with subtle drug references and plenty of pomp and attitude, Small Faces were just as mighty and powerful as any of their 1960’s contemporaries. Led by the dynamic and effervescent Steve Marriott, the band’s trajectory shifted from straight up soul-influenced dance tunes to psychedelic, trippy rockers, and this fine 2-CD compilation brilliantly sheds plenty of light on both phases of the band's existence. So much great music on here — repeated listens are sure to ensue!
This article appears in Nov 14-20, 2013.