Author: Mike Farley (Page 6 of 63)

Lisa Papineau: Red Trees

May 19, 2010 / Mike Farley

RIYL: Air, Forget Cassettes, Zero 7

Singer/songwriter and electronic princess Lisa Papineau is back with Red Trees, the follow up to her critically acclaimed solo debut, 2006’s Night Moves. And while it’s hard to fault someone for being more experimental, as is the case on Red Trees from previous work (she’s worked with Air and M83 as well as with soundtrack composer Tyler Bates), it’s more difficult to full enjoy something when it’s lacking significantly in melody. That said, there is something eerily intoxicating about Miss Papineau’s music. It’s somber and moody and uplifting all at the same time, and a full set of her music packs quite a few surprises. And of course, her voice is intoxicating all by itself. One of the more melodic songs that stands out here is “White Leather Pants,” and there is an underlying lyrical theme that reflects Papineau’s move to France and the communication gap that ensued – such as on “Sorry I Cannot English.” But she also shines brilliantly on instrumental tracks like “Touch Time Out,” which has a freakishly haunting 30 seconds of climax. This album and Papineau’s music in general aren’t going to be universally loved, but that doesn’t mean she hasn’t catered to both current fans and those who seek something different in their music on Red Trees. (Sargent House 2010)

Lisa Papineau MySpace Page

CD QuickTakes, CD Reviews, Electronica

Air electronic music Forget Cassettes Lisa Papineau M83 Night Moves Red Trees Tyler Bates Zero 7

Peter Frampton: Thank You Mr. Churchill

May 13, 2010 / Mike Farley

RIYL: Rainbow, Jeff Beck, Bad Company

It’s easy to judge anything Peter Frampton releases based on his body of work, which includes Frampton Comes Alive, arguably one of the greatest live albums in rock history. So we almost have to cut him a bit of slack if he’s lost a bit of that powerful rock voice and some of his ability to write good hooks. But as he shows on his latest, Thank You Mr. Churchill, Frampton can still play the guitar like a madman; and as he was reunited with producer/engineer Chris Kimsey (who produced Frampton’s 1972 solo debut), he can still deliver epic classic rock songs with guitar solos that linger like they did in the ‘70s. It’s also what Frampton calls an autobiographical record, as the title stems from him thanking Winston Churchill for bringing his dad back safely from World War II and therefore giving Frampton a life. Rockers like “Solution” and the slow burning “Asleep at the Wheel” are the best retro sounding numbers, but Frampton also shines on the powerful instrumental, “Suite Liberte,” and the funky “Restraint.” Oh, and don’t miss the old style fuzz box tone Frampton uses on “Invisible Man,” which evokes memories of Black Sabbath’s Paranoid album. On “Restraint” and a few other tracks, Frampton touches on world politics a bit (“Restraint” is about the Wall Street bailout), but admittedly his strength is in making his guitar scream, and the ability to make the classic rock meter needle jump like crazy. For the most part, Peter Frampton does just that, yet again. (New Door 2010)

Peter Frampton MySpace Page

CD QuickTakes, CD Reviews, Rock

Bad Company Black Sabbath classic rock guitar Jeff Beck New Door Records Peter Frampton Rainbow Thank You Mr. Churchill

Justin Currie: The Great War

May 6, 2010 / Mike Farley

RIYL: Del Amitri, The Cure, Todd Thibaud

Most of you probably do not recognize the name of Justin Currie, but you would if you heard his voice – the smoky and positive tenor that fronted Scottish pop/rock band Del Amitri for two decades. Currie is back with his second solo effort, The Great War, and it’s a solid batch of songs that showcase his way with melody, arrangements and powerful songwriting in general. The Great War is a very balanced set of music – that is, Currie doesn’t write songs that sound the same, his voice being a constant but not much else. And that’s a good thing; Currie also has an interesting way with a hook, as he does on one of the album’s best tracks, “Anywhere I’m Away From You,” which clearly jabs at an ex: “I ain’t running home / Because home is anywhere I’m away from you.” It’s straightforward, funny, and has a funky, bluesy backdrop featuring some real slick guitar work. He does the same tongue-in-cheek thing with success on “As Long as You Don’t Come Back.”

Other standouts are the piano ballad, “You’ll Always Walk Alone,” the Del Amitri-ish “Can’t Let Go of Her Now” and the beautifully haunting, “The Way that It Falls.” It kind of sounds like Currie is coming off a breakup, and sometimes breakups inspire the best songs. Sad, but true, and certainly we fans of good alt-pop or of Del Amitri are the lucky beneficiaries. (Rykodisc 2010)

Justin Currie MySpace Page

CD QuickTakes, CD Reviews, Pop, Rock

alt pop Del Amitri Headlines Justin Currie Ryko Scottish band The Cure The Great War Todd Thibaud

Aqualung: Magnetic North

April 30, 2010 / Mike Farley

RIYL: Beck, Bright Eyes, Ben Folds

Aqualung, a group that is essentially one man, Matt Hales, flirted with retirement before realizing that his gift for songwriting needed to continue being shared by the masses. His/their latest, Magnetic North, is Aqualung’s second album on Verve and first set of new material since 2007’s Memory Man. Following a move from his native England to Los Angeles, Aqualung’s new material is slightly more upbeat and inspired in spots than some of his previous work, which tended to be mostly dark, moody and melodic. Right from the start, Magnetic North kicks off with “New Friend,” a super catchy ditty that features, for lack of a better term, a psychedelic piano riff. “Reel Me In” is like a cross between Ben Folds and Death Cab for Cutie, and it’s another upbeat anthem.

There are more melodic-as-hell tracks in “Fingertip” and “Hummingbird,” but that doesn’t mean Aqualung forgot where he came from. Some of the best numbers are the haunting and falsetto-laced “Lost,” which sounds like it could have come from 2004’s Strange and Beautiful; the powerful “36 Hours;” or the quirky and dark title track, a fitting closer to this unique batch of songs. If you’re a fan of alt-pop that has more alt than pop, chances are good you’ll love this new one from Aqualung – and as an added bonus, it’s the kind of record that will make your significant other think you’re cool and sensitive. And what could be wrong with that? (Verve 2010)

Aqualung MySpace page

Alternative, CD QuickTakes, CD Reviews, Pop, Rock

alt pop Aqualung Beck Ben Folds Bright Eyes Death Cab for Cutie England Headlines Los Angeles Magnetic North Memory Man Strange and Beautiful Verve

Rogue Wave: Permalight

April 9, 2010 / Mike Farley

RIYL: Nada Surf, Death Cab For Cutie, The Shins

Fans of alternative pop/rock band Rogue Wave know that their music can be somewhat of an acquired taste, just like the Shins or Death Cab for Cutie. But therein lies a big reason for their success. The music won’t instantly grow on you nor make you instantly tired of it. Instead, Zach Rogue (who has a soft tenor a la Josh Rouse) and his band mates make the kind of music that should have staying power on your master play list. Rogue Wave’s latest, Permalight, is a departure from previous work, though it’s not exactly easy to pinpoint just why. Maybe it’s because Rogue suffered a couple of slipped discs in his neck in late 2008, which rendered him unable to move and scared him into believing he had a life-threatening illness. Eventually the swelling went down, and he regained enough feeling in his hand to be able to play the guitar. Many of the songs on Permalight are noticeably bouncier and happier than what one would expect from Rogue Wave, but the quality of songwriting is definitely still there.

If you like upbeat alt-pop, you’ll find the jangly “Solitary Gun” or “Stars and Stripes” to your liking. But if you favor the darker side of what made you love Rogue Wave, “Sleepwalker” or the acoustic driven “Fear Itself” will suit you more. Then there is the total oddity of the title track or the robotic “We Will Make a Song Destroy,” which shows Rogue Wave becoming more experimental. One thing is for sure, though; many of us are glad that Rogue is okay and that Rogue Wave is still making music. (Brushfire/Universal 2010)

Rogue Wave MySpace page