The ongoing listening series formerly known as MusicMonday continues in its re-imagined form. 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 last week’s 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
Sexton Blake, Plays the Hits! (2007 original, 2012 re-release on vinyl) A friend turned me onto this record after he learned I liked STRFKR. Sexton Blake is another side project of that Portland synth pop band's main dude, Josh Hodges, but is a bit more low-key and laid-back while retaining the melodic breeziness of STRFKR. Plays the Hits! finds Hodges & Co. covering a bunch of random charters, many of them not necessarily ones I dig in their original forms but that gain a new dimension and color on the re-imaginings, which are particularly charming in Air Supply's "Making Love Out of Nothing At All" (which I don't like in real life at all), LL Cool J's "I Need Love," ELO's "Evil Woman," and "Daniel" by Elton John. Plenty of other gems on here, too.
Willy Mason, Carry On (2013) A singer-songwriter of non-traditional roots music, Willy Mason writes lo-fi folk-blues odes dusted in light electro-percussives and twinkling melodies, and delivers lyrics like "Why can't I see when you're talking to me?" and "She's got a pick-up truck, sleeps in the back when she gets stuck" in golden lower register intones evocative of artists like Mark Knopfler and Bruce Hornsby. This album is becoming a favorite. Check out the rad video for "Talk Me Down" after the jump along with the rest of this week's entries…
JOEL WEISS | 97x Music Director
INVSN, “Distorted Heartbeat”
I’m not as familiar with Dennis Lyxzen’s output outside of now-legendary Swedish punks Refused, but this chugging Jimmy Eat World-esque number is uncharacteristically restrained and melodic.
Nine Inch Nails, Hesitation Marks (2013) While I never sought reviews of this album, what I stumbled across was overwhelmingly positive. I’ve been through Hesitation Marks at least six times, and all I really dig is “Copy of A.” By no means does it suck, but if you’ve been reading it’s the best NIN since The Downward Spiral, I’d recommend more realistic expectations.
X Ambassadors, “Unconsolable.” If you’re digging electro-tinged rock of groups like Awolnation and Imagine Dragons, this Brooklyn band is right up your alley. I’ve been obsessed with "Unconsolable" for about a month. Based on this song, I hope more material will reveal X Ambassadors as that oh-so-rare mix of being interesting and accessible.
ALEX FEDELE | Local musician in Auto!Automatic!!, Poetry n’ Lotion, The Fix Up, The Apes
So, I've been on a huge nostalgia-influenced ska kick lately. I'm not exactly sure what has caused this; maybe it's linked to my recent re-learning of the trombone, or the fact that I've officially become a member of a ska band (The Apes). Call it research, call it what you will… While most of my listening has been distant bands/albums from my childhood days (The Hippos, Slapstick, The Suicide Machines), one band in particular, of which I had no prior knowledge, has become extremely addictive — The JB Conspiracy. "This Machine" below.
Aside from this over-indulgence of childishness, I haven't been able to stop pumping the new Emancipator album, Dusk to Dawn (RIYL – Bonobo, Blockhead, Flying Lotus) and Jaga Jazzist, Live with Britten Sinfonia (RIYL – Jaga Jazzist, Jaga Jazzist)
INFINITE SKILLZ | Emcee; promoter/owner/main dude, B.A.S.E. Inc. Music
Geto Boys, "Mind Is Playing Tricks On Me." I've been listening to this on repeat in an effort to console myself for having to miss the Geto Boys concert this Sat., Sept. 21, at State Theatre.
ANDREW SILVERSTEIN — J Roddy Walston and The Business, Essential Tremors (2013)
I'll quote a good friend, because he captured the essence of this album in one easy phrase: "Like Kings of Leon if they still gave a shit about music." Essential Tremors boasts a delightfully unhinged Southern style you could easily mistake for Kings, but with twice the ferocity and half the ego. Listen to "Heavy Bells" on full blast (audio below). If you don't feel like flipping over a table by the end of it, you might not have a soul.
GABE ECHAZABAL — Marc Bolan, At the BBC (2013)
Been digging this massive new six-CD box set all week now … fitting as its the 36th anniversary of the loss of Mr. Bolan, the undisputed king of glam rock. The box is crammed with rare radio sessions Marc recorded for British radio and in-depth interviews throughout the all-too-short lifespan of his career. It covers the time periods of Marc's stint as a member of psych/garage rock outfit John's Children through his trippy mystical time as Tyrannosaurus Rex on through his more familiar period as a 1970's teen idol and hitmaker. There's a whole lotta Bolan to get through here but it's well worth the experience.
JOE D'ACUNTO | Thx Mgmt Presents
Black Joe Lewis, Electric Slave (2013)
Jel, Late Pass (2013; plays live at New World Brewery Oct. 24)
Mr. Bungle, California (1999)
Royal Bangs, Brass (2013) – "Better Run" video below.
KEITH ULREY | Microgroove, New Granada Records
I had the pleasure of seeing Depeche Mode (along with everyone else in Tampa) last week (my third time seeing them). My personal fave from the early days of DM is 1983's Construction Time Again. Arguably (with myself), my fave DM song ever is "Everything Counts" and I had a field day with this one on Sunday. (My wife told me she could hear me singing across the house and stomping my feet at the computer while jamming this out! Official 1983 video for "Everything Counts" below.) Bat For Lashes killed it, as well. Really blew my mind…
JULIA STEWART | MoonGoddess Entertainment LLC
Chromeo, "Over Your Shoulder" off 2013's White Women
The first new release by the self proclaimed "only successful Arab/Jewish partnership since the dawn of human culture" in nearly three years is wildly catchy. If nothing else, 2013 has shown us that disco is certainly not dead and Chromeo's latest release is no exception. "Over Your Shoulder" with its funky basslines and dance-inducing grooves is an end of summer anthem definitely worth a listen.
Kung Fu, "Do the Right Thing" off Tsar Bomba (forthcoming, 2013) The new single off Kung Fu's soon-to-be-released album showcases what the band does best; pure, unadulterated FUNK. A timeless recipe that has propelled this act into a national treasure within the jam community. Funk, jazz and improvisational rock come together seamlessly in "Do the Right Thing." The end product is a tight, tasty jam that would undoubtedly make the likes of Herbie Hancock and Funkadelic proud. Kung Fu hits the Crowbar stage this Fri., Sept. 20, with support from Cope! Info here. Track below.
PHIL BENITO | Brokenmold Entertainment
The War on Drugs, Slave Ambient (2011)
Peoples Blues of Richmond, Good Time Suicide (2013)
Playing New World on Wed., Sept. 25 with the Woolly Bushmen, for free.
O'Brother, Disillusion (2013)
Playing Crowbar in Ybor next Thurs., Sept 26.
CHRIS NADEAU | non-musician,
Permanent Makeup
I just discovered Justin Robert's Fireant album last week even though it was released in 2005. Dig the science fiction math-y post-rock ambient directions the album takes throughout its sweeping 13-track journey.
Also, I've been listening to new tracks recently put online by St. Petersburg garage punkers Kid Aids and loving the blistering raw power screaming out of my speakers. For fans of Thee Oh Sees, Billy Childish, etc. I think they have a lot of shows coming up, but I know for sure they are playing tonight (Wed., September 18) at Epic Problem in Tampa. "Hostile Hostel" below.
DAN DRUMMOND | Mojo Books & Records
Big Star, Nothing Can Hurt Me (2013) This double album soundtrack to the recent Big Star documentary features remixes and outtakes. Sounds remarkably fresh for songs that were recorded in the 70s — a good introduction to the iconic power pop band. On vinyl at Mojo.
White Stripes, Elephant (2003 original, 2013 re-issue) The limited pressing sold out fast when this album was reissued on Record Store Day. Take heart — it's available again on vinyl at Mojo.
Sebadoh, Defend Yourself (2013) Super fresh new arrival from a recharged Sebadoh. The whole Mojo staff is loving this one. Somewhat reminiscent of Guided by Voices. In-stock on vinyl. "I Will" video below…
JERRY DUFRAIN | DJ Lazy, Orpheum co-owner
Ra Ra Riot, Beta Love (2013) This band has been selling out rooms all over on their latest tour. The new record is pretty pure synth pop bliss. The tunes get in your head and simply refuse to get back out. They're coming to the Orpheum Sept 24, right after playing Leno! Wow.
La Dispute, Wildlife (2011) This band came to Orpheum several months back in support of Hot Water Music. The show was packed but there were some unexpectedly youthful faces in the crowd. Those faces made their way to the front and mouthed every word of the set by support band La Dispute. I made a mental note to see what they were all about. But life and responsibility got in the way. Finally, I got back around to listening to Wildlife. I haven't had a visceral, emotional response to a new record in quite some time (maybe years) like I did to TWO DIFFERENT SONGS on one album. Rumor is they are coming back to town. I for one am excited! "I See Everything" below.
JESS GROOM | Local music fan with discerning taste
It's an all covers kind of week. The ones I'm jamming: STRFKR, "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" (Cyndi Lauper cover; show at the Social on Wed., Sept. 25); Freelance Whales, "Girl U Want" (Devo cover); and Chromatics, "I'm on Fire" (Bruce Springsteen cover).
SHAE KRISPINSKY – Bill Callahan, Dream River (2013)
I don't try to hide the fact that I'm a bit besotted with Bill Callahan, so I've been looking forward to this release since it was announced many months ago. After dropping the Smog moniker, Callahan's music has softened; the music could pass as easy-listening, elevator muzak with its muted tones and simple repetitions while the flutes and hand drums offer more of a New-Age feel. But the subject matter of his songs (rarely love, sometimes lust, often mankind's powerlessness against nature) and his deep, deadpan, death-and-dirt roads voice prevent everything from veering off into Pure Moods territory. And if I'm being honest, the main appeal of listening to any Callahan album is that voice. Here, it sounds better than ever. I've read that he's started viewing singing as a skill to be practiced, as opposed to a part of the musical process that simply had to be done. It shows. Bill Callahan's become a bonafide crooner.
This article appears in Sep 12-18, 2013.