I've been slacking on my reviews lately. Here are a few that are much shorter than usual, but hopefully still helpful.
Coming Tuesday 9/14
The Drums-Self-Titled
I heard The Drums a few months ago when a friend from far away sent me a link to the video for "Let's Go Surfing." I've waited months for their album to be available here and I'm beyond stoked that it finally is. I cannot wait to share this with everyone. This album is full of tracks that will make you dance, sprinkled in between with songs that require nothing more than a beach towel and swishing feet. It's light, fun, and full of soft, pretty melodies that make it easily lovable by all. The worst part of this release is definitely the timing. For a 'summery' album-I can't believe they waited until mid-September for the release. Sending it out in the spring would have really boosted sales-The album is deserving of sunroofs back and windows down. With any luck though, the early Fall release will also give them time to pick up momentum before next summer's booking ends. These guys should hit the festival circuit big time!
Favorite Tracks: Skippin' Town, It Will All End In Tears, Forever & Ever Amen and (of course) Let's Go Surfing.
Brandon Flowers-Flamingo
I've been swooning since the epic opening track, "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas." I'm barely through my first listen, honestly, but I'm already excited to sell this the rest of the week. The second song, "Only The Young," has a bit of a Sting vibe to it (and I mean that in the best of ways). Slightly tribal sounding drums, bits of synth & Brandon's oh-so-pretty voice makes make it the most heart-starting song I've discovered in months. I could talk about each and every song on "Flamingo" with just as much giddy love as I have with these, but I'll spare you the drool-fest and leave you with this: Buy the damn album. Run out to your local record store & buy a copy for you and a copy for your best friend. Buy it, love it, share it.
Favorite Tracks: All of them. Honestly. But definitely check out 'Hard Enough' with backing vocals by the fabulous Jenny Lewis.
Everything else...
Trombone Shorty-Backatown
My knowledge of Jazz wavers somewhere between non-existent and minimal. I can name the jazz musicians I'm vaguely familiar with on one hand, and I'm not experts on any of them. The guys I work with are on a never-ending quest to broaden my horizons and it's always much appreciated. I'd heard about Trombone Shorty a few months ago when I was cutting reviews to post at work. I decided I'd check him out..eventually, and then abruptly forgot. A job switch this week led me straight to his CD, sitting on a co-worker's desk. I took it home, threw it into my computer and immediately began to dance. This isn't the unpredictable, cymbal tapping jazz of our fathers. It's got a funkier bass-line, a pop-like followable beat and a somethin'-somethin' that both new kids & old fogies can appreciate. I love this shit!
Favorite Tracks: Right to Complain, Neph, In the 6th
Other semi-new releases I love:
Jenny & Johnny-Great driving music!
Lissie-She's on her way to becoming my new Laura Marling. (Meaning my love for her grows with each listen.)
David Gray-Is he married? If he's not, will you tell him I'm available?
Mt. Desolation-They're debut album isn't out for another month, but from everything I've heard-I'm stoked! I'll see them in Michigan on Oct. 29th. If you're in the area-You should come out.
