Rather than sell my old CDs, I have removed that widget and added a widget for Amazon.com of current major label releases that I’ve been listening to in the past month (click on an album cover if you’d like to hear it). It will be updated monthly, so here are the mini-reviews:
Rivers Cuomo “Alone: The Home Recordings Of Rivers Cuomo”
Pretty much a lot of rough Weezer material for fans only. “Lemonade” sounds like it would’ve been a fine song if developed further. A few unpolished gems here like the neat riffs of “Lover in The Snow” and “I Was Made for You” – the rest is half-songs and filler. For completists only.
Dennis Wilson “Pacific Ocean Blue & Bambu”
Like “Smile,” Dennis Wilson’s solo Beach Boy albums have attained mythic proportions at this point. The songs have the soul of the Beach Boy and the vocal delivery similar to Joe Cocker. “Pacific Ocean Blue” is an under rated masterwork here with the spiritual “River Song” and the gin-soaked ballad “Moonshine” (joined by brother Carl). The remastering here is rich, if a bit overproduced, but gems like “Tug of Love” shine through.
Ruby Suns “Sea Lion”
The Ruby Suns shed the Beach Boy-isms of the first album for this follow up. The Spanish styled “Oh, Mojave” and “Tane Mahuta” belong on an old Hawaiian travelogue, but then the dreamy psyche pop of “There Are Birds” lead you on a mesmerizing journey. Blissfully mellow experimental indie pop at it’s finest. Perfect summer beach music.
Amiee Mann “Smilers”
A little laid back collection of songs for the first lady of power pop. The brilliance of her songwriting shows through in “Stranger Into Starman” and “Looking for Nothring.” I consider Aimee the Carole King of our era, with piano and strings tugs at your heart. Unfortunately, no uptempo songs here make the album suffer a little.
Coldplay “Viva La Vida”
What happened to Chris Martin and Coldplay? If you loved “A Rush of Blood to the Head” then stay away from this one. This same indulgences that ruined Radiohead for me has leached onto this band. Long epic chords and guitar strums either work well (“Yes”) or not at all(“Chinese Sleep Chant”). Some may disagree here, but I feel this is an indulgent mess.
The Dodos “The Visiter”
Blending bits of folk, pop and tribal music rhythms, this indie band does a good job mixing the songs melodies and beats. Imagine if Paul Simon’s “Rhythm of The Saints” were redone by an Elephant Collective pop group. Highly imaginative and an addicting listen.
More indie power pop reviews coming!