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Steal This Song: General Elektriks, “Take Back the Instant”

October 15, 2009 /

Somewhere in California, Beck is throwing stuff across the room, pissed that he didn’t come up with this first.

The project of French expatriate Hervé “RV” Salters, General Elektriks is minimalist blue-eyed funk filtered through a microphone and a bevy of vintage synthesizers. RV seems particularly fond of the Clavinet (think “Superstition,” “Trampled Underfoot”), which makes sense considering it’s arguably the funkiest instrument ever created. Adding the horns for the last verse is a nice touch, too.

general elektriks

Wow, look at that shirt and tie combo. All right, so the guy might be color blind. But when it comes to music, color blindness is never a bad thing. It-it’s time to get, it-it’s time to get funky, kids.

General Elektriks – Take Back the Instant

General Elektriks MySpace page

Alternative, Artists, Dance, Downloads, Funk, Pop, Steal This Song

Rivers Cuomo and Katy Perry to collaborate

October 15, 2009 /

Rivers

Does anybody even make music anymore without asking another notable musician to contribute in some way? I mean, we were all used to the ensemble efforts of rap and hip hop albums, but lately it’s been getting ridiculous. Back in the day, the most you had in terms of a guest spot on a track was Jimmy Page tossing off a lead guitar lick or David Crosby lending some backup vocals. Now musical acts are just teaming with whoever willy-nilly to slap something together for their albums. Still, Katy Perry and Rivers Cuomo? Come on now.

“We’re writing together next week. Can’t wait,” Cuomo said. It’s unclear what the “Tired of Sex” and “I Kissed a Girl” stars will be concocting, but it’s possible the fruits of their collaboration may appear on Perry’s follow-up to One of the Boys.

As Rolling Stone previously reported, Cuomo has been feeling quite collaborative lately. He recruited Lil Wayne to join his Raditude posse for the Jermaine Dupri-produced version of the song “Can’t Stop Partying.” The dictionary-defying album also finds the Weezer gang collaborating with the All-American Rejects’ Tyler Ritter and Nick Wheeler on “Put Me Back Together.” 30 seconds clips of Raditude are now streaming over at iTunes, where fans can also sign up for the iTunes Pass to get exclusive tracks.

Guys, I already feel bad enough that you’ve become rich writing silly pop numbers. Stick to what you do, separately.

News

Capitalize on some White Stripes outtakes

October 15, 2009 /

White Stripes

It may come as a surprise to some that the White Stripes have never released any outtakes throughout their lengthy career. Most bands would jump at the opportunity to milk every last dollar from their adoring fan base, patching together worthless compilation after compilation. Frontman Jack White has been busy in 2009, delving into projects with the White Stripes, the Raconteurs, and Dead Weather. Thankfully, he’s found it in his heart to let fans hear how his primary band sounded in their developing years.

Third Man Records announced today that the White Stripes will exclusively release outtakes from the “Let’s Shake Hands” recording sessions in March 1998 to Platinum members of the Vault subscription service. This is the first time in the White Stripes’ celebrated career that they have released outtakes from any studio session. Alternate versions of “Let’s Shake Hands,” which was the duo’s first official 7″ release, along with its b-side “Look Me Over Closely,” will be part of the offering. Arguably, though, the most exciting part of the news blast (for fans of Jack White’s other bands) was that Vault members will also receive The Raconteurs: Live in London, a double LP, recorded in 2008, and a limited-edition Dead Weather screen-print poster designed by Rob Jones.

Registration for the next Vault Platinum membership service is open now until October 22nd.

Check out the Vault’s website for more information. You have to admire guys like Jack White and Neil Young who never seem to take a break.

News

Vic Chesnutt: Skitter on Take-Off

October 15, 2009 /


RIYL: Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Daniel Johnston

Documenting a solo concert in San Francisco, Vic Chesnutt revisits his roots and goes back to basics with this stark example of shadowy introspection. Accompanying himself with mostly a subdued strum of his acoustic guitar and the incidental input of the enigmatic Jonathan Richman on guitar and harmonium and drummer/percussionist Tommy Larkin, he meanders through a troubling set of dark and dire melodies. Yet, despite this turgid set-up, Chesnutt populates his rumbling, meandering narratives with oddball hi-jinks, from the bizarre homage entitled “Dick Cheney” to the roll call of weirdos delineated in “Worst Friend” (“Your friend likes to get peed on in sexual situations… Your friend dresses up like Little Bo Peep… Your friend claims to have taken a dump in the White House…”). Likewise, the palpable anger that ripples through “My New Life” affirms the depth of these ominous overtones and moots any connection with the crowd. Quirky yet austere, Skitter on Take-Off provides what’s best described as an intimidating encounter. (Vapor Records 2009)

Vic Chesnutt web page

Americana, CD QuickTakes, CD Reviews, Emo, Folk, Melodramatic

Hope Sandoval & the Warm Inventions: Through the Devil Softly

October 15, 2009 /


RIYL: Galaxy 500, The Innocence Mission, The Sundays

Call it music for insomniacs. Or anyone else that needs to catch up on their sleep. The second solo album by Hope Sandoval, late of ethereal ingénues Mazzy Star, not only maintains the same hazy drift and downcast drone of her former colleagues, but actually manages to take whatever minimal energy they mustered down another notch. Hushed and lethargic, Sandoval conveys a haunting, unhurried sound that’s immersed in spectral surroundings, contemplative musings and the occasional ominous overtones. Given their narcotic and nocturnal sensibilities, Sandoval and company seem hard-pressed to make a more emphatic impression, and even those songs that pass for sensual dreamscapes barely register beyond any cerebral set-ups.

Hope Sandoval Devil

Consequently, willowy offerings like “Blanchard,” “For the Rest of Your Life” and “Sets the Blaze” are more celestial than sublime, not exactly the type of thing that makes a lingering impression once the haze is lifted. So forget any notion of a sing-along. There’s not much of the Devil in these details. (Nettwerk 2009)

Hope Sandoval MySpace page

Alternative, Ambient, CD QuickTakes, Emo, Melodramatic

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