Hmm, lots of women, a few old dudes, and some African banjo. Wonder how that happened? What did I leave out?
St Vincent, Actor (4AD)
Say hello to the kind of experimentation that helps redefine pop psychedelia, and applaud the young Brooklynite for creating an amalgam of tunes that soar, crackle and confuse while still remaining inviting. How does such elaboration make a dent? Maybe it’s her breathy vocals (which usually enhance some arcane lyrics); probably it’s her grand arrangements (which always storm the castle, even when in stealth mode).
Various Artists, Dark Was the Night (4AD)
The two-disc Red Hot comp is where I found all the hip youngsters – Dirty Projectors, Grizzly Bear, Yeasayer, Beirut – to be the most palatable. Guess that’s because it’s a one-track-apiece scrapbook; maybe it’s because the collabos (Projectors and David Byrne, Feist and Ben Gibbard) make it a bit more novel. It just might be due to the fact that its dreamy atmosphere dominated a good portion of my late night hours.
Lily Allen, It’s Not Me, It’s You (Capitol)
Willing to indict her dreamboats, happy to chastise thoughtless consumerism, and able to consistently place her ideas in a string instantly catchy melodies, the Brit wiseacre dropped a disc that was a tad too cheeky by half. I actually like that math. It may be little more than a series of nifty quips, but Allen’s barbs ping around your brain for weeks.
Neko Case, Middle Cyclone (-Anti)
I try not to use the term “siren” too often, but Case’s voice is a bewitching instrument, the one element of her music – sorry oddball songcraft, sorry hazy lyric posy – most likely to initially woo and ultimately convince listeners of her very fetching art. From the heart-broken tornado at the start, to the frogs and crickets at the end, it’s a vivid song-cycle.
Nellie McKay, Normal As Blueberry Pie: A Tribute to Doris Day (Verve)
You could see it coming; she’s been name-checking the ‘50s film star in interviews and covering her tunes on stage for awhile now. But whoda thunk that McKay’s big smooch would tickle so consistently? Humor helps. Nellie’s a pro-whimsy performer and the program’s many jazzy elements (“Crazy Rhythm”) mesh nicely with the scad of sentimental moments.
Ida Maria, Fortress ‘Round My Heart (Mercury)
Here she is, ladies and gents, the Kelly Clarkson for Pretenders fans. The Norwegian rocker DOES hook up, and from “I Like You Better When You’re Naked” to her guitarist thinking he’s a drummer when kerranging those strings of his, this blast of pop-punk is a genuine thrill, able to explode all sorts of small moments.
Marianne Faithful, Easy Come, Easy Go (Decca)
Hal Willner’s song curation is more insightful than usual on this memorable covers affair, giving the ravaged thrush great emotions to invest in. From Dolly to the Decemberists, Faithfull slips inside the drama, nodding to melody, trusting the atmosphere, and leading us along rather than daring us to follow. Bessie Smith jazzmatazz, Billie Holiday ennui, and Keith Richard’s guitar twang help make the whole thing flow.
Bela Fleck, Throw Down Your Heart: Africa Sessions (Rounder)
The banjo kingpin rolled through Africa, spending time in Mali, Tanzania, Uganda and other countries, interacting with string players, percussionists, and singers galore. He was looking for a historical context for his instrument, but he came away with an addictive swirl of voices, lutes, koras, and a 15-foot marimba. Travelogue, true. But one that comes up with a bevy of effervescent goods that walk on the folkie side.
Loudon Wainwright, High, Wide & Handsome: The Charlie Poole Project (Second Story Sound)
The runaway wit and trenchant poignancy that’s marked Wainwright’s work for 35 years bubbles through this set of tunes by and about Charlie Poole. Loudo’s found himself a historic landmark that may turn out to actually be a forebear. The hard-drinking hillbilly could be silly or serious (mostly silly), and from “I’m The Man Who Rode The Mule Around the World” to “No Knees,” this rather telling portrait thrives on both zest and sympathy.
Sonic Youth, The Eternal (Matador)
I’ve got nothing against extrapolation, and there’s not a dissonance-prone outfit that has made more hay with long and windy skronk that Team Thurston. But pith has always upped their power quotient, and on this collection of concise baubles, the thorns are bolstered by focus. That also enhances the intensity and raises a flag for the less-is-more formula remaining a winning rock strategy.
TEN MORE GREAT TITLES
K’naan Troubador (A&M)
Franco Francophonic Volume 2 1980 – 1989 (Sterns)
Yeah Yeah Yeahs It’s Blitz! (Interscope)
Phoenix Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix (Glass Note)
Leonard Cohen Live In London (Columbia)
La Roux (Cherry Tree Records)
A.C. Newman Get Guilty (Matador)
Willie Nelson Willie and the Wheel (Bismeaux)
Miranda Lambert Revolution (Columbia Nashville)
Raekwon Only Built 4 Cuban Linx, Part II (ICEH20)
TOP 10 SINGLES
Black Eyed Peas “I Got A Feeling”
Jay-Z “Empire State of Mind”
Miranda Lambert “Dead Flowers”
Sean Kingston “Fire Burning”
Brad Paisley “Welcome To The Future”
Black Eyed Peas “Boom Boom Pow”
The Lonely Island “I’m On A Boat”
Kelly Clarkson “I Do Not Hook Up”
Jay-Z “Run This Town”
The-Dream “Walkin’ On The Moon”
Brad Paisley “Welcome To The Future”
