Friday, May 27, 2011

Ringo Deathstarr - "Chloe"

Ringo Deathstarr - "Chloe": "It's so shoegaze by numbers that everyone from Jesus and Mary Chain to the Swirlies should probably get a songwriting credit, but I continue to be a sucker for it anyway. When the "oooh / next to you" chorus kicks in, with the predictably hushed vocals over a wall of distorted noise, I'm already sold. This song is also an excuse for me to point out to everyone that it's (almost) Mem-orial Day:"

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Soft Cell - "Chips On My Shoulder"

Soft Cell - "Chips On My Shoulder": "Another great song from a band who should be known for more than 'Tainted Love'. I could dedicate this song to a bunch of folks today, but I'm going to be nice instead..."

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Curtis Mayfield - "(Don't Worry) If There's A Hell Below We're All Going To Go"

Curtis Mayfield - "(Don't Worry) If There's A Hell Below We're All Going To Go": "Putting aside my obvious (tongue-in-cheek) reason for posting the track today, let's talk about the reasons this song is amazing: the fuzz bass intro (one of my favorite bass lines ever), the contrast of the girl talking about the Bible with Curtis' incendiary call-outs in the intro section, the drama of the orchestra strings and horns, the inherent funkiness of the rhythm section...ok, really, everything in this song is great, as is Curtis for having the guts to put it out in the first place. A great song should make you think and illicit a clear reaction, whatever it may be."

Friday, May 20, 2011

Urge Overkill - "Effigy"

Urge Overkill - "Effigy": "The grit is closer to Exit The Dragon than Saturation and Eddie 'King' Roeser's vocals have become even more sandpapered than before, but this is a tight, rocking number from their new album, their first in 16 years, and much better than one would expect."

Thursday, May 19, 2011

The Psychedelic Furs - "In My Head"

The Psychedelic Furs - "In My Head": "Apparently, there's not a lot of love for the final Psych Furs record - it's out of print physically and only available digitally - but it's an undervalued blend of melancholy rockers (like this one), ballads, electro-tinged snarled tunes and more. It's perhaps still a bit polished like their middle-period records, but balances the energy of earlier works (if not as outright punky) with a certain maturity in viewpoint and songwriting."

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Suede - "Animal Nitrate"

Suede - "Animal Nitrate": "Definitely one of my Coachella highlights. I was wary of what present-day Suede would be like, but Brett worked the stage like his life depended on it, belting out classics like this one like it was still 1992. As fey as he may be, he had massive stage presence and the only thing that made me sad was that there weren't enough people there to see it, because it was magic.
[Coachella - Saturday 3/16]"

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Soul Coughing - "How Many Cans?"

Soul Coughing - "How Many Cans?": "I hadn't listened to Soul Coughing's Irresistible Bliss in quite a while but, after a re-listen last week, I realize it's a tighter, more solid listen than I remember it being - to the point that it's over much too fast. But since it does have to end, this is a great closing number - all late night rattle and atmosphere, kicking in a bit harder near the end after a subtle build, and then fading away. It's slightly ominous in an intriguing way, almost presaging the darkness to follow on much of the follow-up, El Oso."

Monday, May 16, 2011

Peter Bjorn and John - "Tomorrow Has To Wait"

Peter Bjorn and John - "Tomorrow Has To Wait": "The great opening track from their new Gimme Some, which sounded equally great live in S.F. on Friday night at Great American Music Hall. I was expecting a quick 1 hour show or less, but got an epic 1 hour 45 minutes instead. I was impressed with how PB&J streamlined their need for loops and backing tracks by reworking the tunes either slightly ('Nothing To Worry About') or completely ('It Don't Move Me') to make the show more raw, more rock and less studio recreation. Certainly a lot of bang for the buck."

Sunday, May 15, 2011

The Spinanes - "Lines and Lines"

The Spinanes - "Lines and Lines": "I don't even know where to start: Not only did Rebecca Gates just play in S.F., but she did this amazing Spinanes song (which sounded great solo acoustic), but she also did new songs and a cover of 'St. Ides Heaven' (which is sort of not a cover, since she was on the original), but she also talked about her band and new music perhaps even maybe this year, but she also talked about coming back to S.F. in a couple of months with her band, but she also made me realize that Ted Leo was in her Arches & Aisles band before I knew who he was, but she also gave me a hug!!!! [HEAD EXPLODES DUE TO EXCESS OF AWESOMENESS]"

Saturday, May 14, 2011

Lamb - "Trans Fatty Acid"

Lamb - "Trans Fatty Acid": "This was supposed to be a post from the other night, as a great 'late in the night' track...except, as I was listening to it - late in the night! - I was too tired to make the post. So here it is. (Sam - for you and, technically, from NARM, one of the 'exotic places' you seem to think my SOTD comes from.)"

Sunday, May 08, 2011

The Smiths - "Hand In Glove"

The Smiths - "Hand In Glove": "This is a slightly belated post in honor of The Eagle, my favorite bar in SF that is very sadly (and very recently) no more. Putting aside the great staff, great rock'n'roll DJs, an amazing patio and lots of other great features, there was an electic mix of live music every Thursday night that is hard to duplicate, even in SF. You could get up and coming bands, you could get drag torch singers, you could get hardcore metal...it could be anything. On The Eagle's last live music night, this song played between bands and the thrice-repeated line 'I'll probably never see you again' suddenly, sadly jumped out at me. There is indeed a void now left in my SF lifestyle that I don't know how to fill. I realize something unexpected may surprise me and pick up where The Eagle left off - but, for now, I'm just sad."