A new 7-song EP was released by Mr. Charles Thompson recently and I just bought it. Those of you who really know me will understand how odd that is when it comes to anything this man records...
Black Francis - When They Come To Murder Me
So Frank Black/Black Francis has returned to his roots of solo work by changing his name back to his Pixies frontman persona and stepping away from the pedal steel guitar. After a long period of Memphis influence, we find The Catholics sound back in favor.
Reminiscent of his work on Pistolero, the song stays true to the composition style he pioneered with the Pixies, with an uneven time signature and his old guttural menace singing of loss.
7 weeks left until Cas and I die from awesome overload.
I was speaking to Cas on the phone last week and he mentioned how he hadn't heard any of the new tracks off of the recent Black Keys album, Attack & Release. It's a vast departure from most of their work, as they're playing with additional studio musicians (normally it's just the two of them) and Danger Mouse is producing.
I couldn't let that void go unfilled, Cas. Not since they'll absolutely be playing the new songs when we see them. So, cue Ad-Rock, 'cause here is the new style...
The Black Keys - All You Ever Wanted
The perfect first track for this album: a literal bridge between what you're used to and what is coming. Just a sonic revelation when that sunlight breaks through. Gary interviewed Danger Mouse recently and he's really proud of this song. I concur.
The Black Keys - Same Old Thing
Whoa, now. Flutes? Tribal chants? A ton of voice filters? Yeah, this isn't the same old thing from The Black Keys. Or is it? I think it still holds tight to the rawness and sheer weight of their previous work. Patrick Carney (drums and, previously, production) has claimed he loves the new sound.
The Black Keys - Oceans & Streams
I really love this song. It's produced by Brian, for sure. But I feel like he successfully pulled his influence back enough to expose more of their core sound - especially after listening to the tracks on their last album, Magic Potion, and seeing where Carney was heading. But he still injects some great additions, like the organ towards the end. There's a fullness to the wall of sound in this song and it's a refreshing change of pace.
The Black Keys - I Got Mine
The album's not all super-produced, though. I Got Mine is one of many tracks that return to form, almost entirely. YouTube performance from Letterman, who is noticeably impressed afterwards:
Are you ready, Cas? I want that beard. Rock n' roll, bitches.
The Raconteurs - Together
Jack White doesn't always sing, despite what the radio singles reflect. Brendan Benson, a successful solo artist prior to this band, takes the helm and lets Jack fill in the blanks. A real comfortable song.
Ray LaMontagne - Bring It On Home
As usual, one extra track unrelated to the concerts in October. This one comes courtesy of Annie, who introduced this Ray LaMontagne feller to me. A cross between The Band, Van Morrison, and a younger, soulful Joe Cocker. The guy's 34, fer crissakes.
8 weeks left until the concerts. In the mood for some bluesy love songs?
The Black Keys - I'll Be Your Man
Check out this standard from Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney. Simple and achingly honest, you can't help but hope he gets the girl. This is The Black Keys.
The Raconteurs - Steady As She Goes (Acoustic Version)
An acoustic, and in my opinion better, recording of the first single from The Raconteurs. They're looser, more comfortable, and you get candid studio comments and a humorous moment from Jack White. The most energy of either version, this should've made it on the album.
Urge Overkill - Emmeline
Urge Overkill frequently balanced atop both straight-up guitar riffs and complex narrative (quintessential raconteurs, if you will). From their album The Supersonic Storybook, this song bridges both styles and defines some of my best feelings about the Chicago band. Urge also happens to be the source of 'National Kato.'
