Company "Parallel Time"

"Parallel Time" is off kilter. Dont get me wrong, I love this record. I would call it folk but as far as describing the music, that falls painfully short, more like new wave/punk performed as folk music or like someone stretching, trying to grab an object that is just out of reach while still emiting a beautful and ackward presence at the same time while watching it fall into their hand.

Yeah, sorry about that. The record is a joy to listen to but some people may find it a stretch.

Swan Lake "Beast Moans"

Spencer Krug (Wolf Parade, Sunset Rubdown and Frog Eyes), Dan Bejar (The New Pornographers and Destroyer) and Carey Mercer (Frog Eyes) are Swan Lake. Something of an Indi supergroup. This record is something of a mystery, with moments of feeling tossed about on a raging ocean and other more soothing times. Feeling somewhat like sitting in a resturaunt with everyone talking at once. I find myself drowning in the swirling sound that is Beast Moans.

Rocky Votolato "The Brag and Cuss"

This is, I believe, the 5th solo album by Rocky ( formerly of Waxwing) and finds itself leaning to a little more of a country vibe. That said, this is a wonderful introspective recording with themes of missing, drinking, fighting, driving etc. A road worthy record likely influenced by his heavy touring. With this record he just keeps building momentum yet manages to sound like a friend sitting in your livingroom having a chat.

Stolen Babies "There Be Squabbles Ahead "

WOW, From the opening screams of this record I was left reeling... Shifting around stylisticaly within grindcore, prog rock, circus/carousel music, Sousa marches, techno and ska yet keeping a dark GOTH (for lack of a better word) vibe thru out. At times it reminded me of Nitzer Ebb Meets Oingo Boingo on a bad day. This record is amazing! A metal band with tuba, accordion, etc. more suited to a modern version of "Something Wicked This Way Comes" or a dark London theatre than say Ozzfest. Absolutly brilliant.

The Cramps "Live at Napa State Mental Hospital" dvd

This is a nice 20ish minute document of early Cramps from 1978 tainted mainly by advertisements. That said, I do believe it is a must see for any fan of the Cramps, Southern Culture On The Skids, Reverend Horton Heat etc. Although, I don't think I will ever understand how on earth anyone would ever let the Cramps talk to someone in a mental institution let alone perform in one. this does however provide us with some interesting video for our consideration.

CSS "CANSEI DE SER SEXY"

"CANSEI DE SER SEXY" by CSS is the latest export from Brazil. Blending the line between punk, 80's new wave and electronic dance with a liberal dose of attitude. CSS is agressive but dancable with lyrics that are just a touch "naughty", this record can make most anyone smile. Favorites include Alala, Lets make love and listen to death from above, Artbitch, Fuck off in not the only thing you have to show, Music is my hot hot sex and This month day 10.

Joseph Arthur & the Lonely Astronauts "Let's Just Be"

The strangely noisy, "let's just be" is Mr. Arthurs second record with the Lonely Astronauts. A unpolished, difficult record that will take a little while to sink in(and ultimately take its place in heavy rotation on my player). At times beautiful yet unafraid to get ugly, it bounces back and forth between trance inducing repitition and a rough noise. Moments of bliss slide in thru the disarray and back out again perhaps in parallel to the current state of our world with small moments of beauty eclipsing a sad dark reality. There is a freedom to be found here seperate from the beautiful sadness and hope I find in his other recordings.

Calexico "Feast of Wire"

Mmmm. Calexico. 2003s feast of wire is a brilliant example of what alt country can be. Call it whatever you want, Idiosyncratic Arizona Texican, Desert Rock or Alt country it does not really matter. What does matter however is the consistent quality of the music these guys make and make it they do.

Sufjan Stevens "Seven Swans"

Bliss drone banjo may best describe this recording. Like waking quitely at the morning table with a cup of tea and watching the mist rise mirroring the steam from your cup inside the knowledge that anything is possible.
This gentle recording has an intimate feeling like sitting in the living room with friends, an ephemeral quality that is constantly sliping away with, thru and because of my experience.

Beautiful.

Amy Winehouse "Back to Black"

Do not be deceived by the cover of this recording! Dont take this wrong but this record has three things I love... Tits, Tats and Tone. My god, what a voice. Lost somewhere between jazz and soul this stunning young woman seems out of place mainly in appearance and age. Again, man what a set of pipes. She is a Brit of english and jewish heritage and is way more interesting than anything currently passing for soul coming out of the states.

"12 rounds "my big hero

My big hero by 12 rounds is both beautiful and evil. lovely and creepy. The stunning Ms. Sarnes voice is awkwardly gorgeous and haunting. There was a time that 3 people thought I was driving them into the night to kill them because I was listening to this recording. Rumors has it that album #3 has been shelved by Nothing. Which is a pity because I've been waiting years for another release. I guess I would have to classify this somewhere between trip hop and vampire pop. Like love songs for halloween. Makes me want to brew up a pot of tea with kava and sit lightly drugged in the dark while the light cuts slices through the drawn shutters illuminating motes of dust. This is a beautiful and noisy recording. I think it is sad that they never made much of a splash. Beauty and bliss in a grissly murder kind of haunted way. Find it. Love it.

Laura Veirs "Saltbreakers"

From the opening lines of 'Pink Light', "Sorry I was cruel, I was protecting myself. Drifting along with my swords out flying. Tattering my sails. And I tattered yours, too" I feel this recording in my heart.
This Recording is a more up-tempo than the others and features new backing vocal duties for her band mates as well as a name change. With this recording "the Tortured Souls" become "the Saltbreakers".
As always, this album is excellent. The lovely Ms. Veirs is nothing if not consistent. Her ability to move my emotions is aided by talented help, yet it is the simplicity of tracks like “Wrecking” before the violin comes in, (sorry Eyvind, I do love your violin.) that reaches inside to the core of me.
While excellence is not hard to come by when she surrounds herself with such an amazing band and guests, I have every confidence she could do it all without them. But then, why should she want to.
Listening to her records makes me reminisce about seeing Karl play a free show at “The Shop” here in Spokane before a screening of "Breakfast at Tiffanys". I wish Laura had come to. Perhaps I will get the pleasure of seeing the Saltbreakers in the near future.

Lily Allen "ALRIGHT, STILL"

alright, still is a wonderfuly suprising record. Fun. Light(sort of). I expected Lily to be kind of innocent and sweet and in a way she is. but this is balanced by attitude, at least in the lyrics. I expected a happy light recording and got a wonderful little in your face record. Balanced somewhere between percieved sweetness and the words she is saying are pleasant songs that are not so nice. this record is lite pop charm with some realistic lyrics. I believe she could develop into a real talent if she doesnt get washed away by the latest sensation. She is nothing if not outspoken (her comment that ever one who bought Paris Hiltons record should be killed comes to mind.) and will probably skrew it all up (her refrence to celebrating with "gak") before she is done but I admire her attitude. This could all just be a flash in the pan, but I do enjoy this record.

[ANDREW BIRD] [ARMCHAIR APOCRYPHA]

[ARMCHAIR APOCRYPHA] is the new album from critically acclaimed composer, singer and violinist Andrew Bird. A continuation, if you will, of the brilliance that was found on "the mysterious production of eggs”. Mr. Bird lives in a weird little world filled with witty wordplay.

"I dreamed you were a cosmonaut

of the space between our chairs

and I was a cartographer

of the tangles in your hair"

from "armchairs" is a nice example. I think I would be fascinated simply reading these words. Regardless of how bright the music shines, I find myself waiting for the next turn of phrase to delight. Don’t take it wrong, I do love his music, but if you strip that away, I believe the prose is capable of standing on its own. I feel a lot of modern music is lacking in the lyrical department. This recording cannot be said to be one of them.