By Alex Brenner
Moving sucks. I mean really. I still can’t find my socks. Damn…
So I’m unpacking all my crap and I decided what better time to listen to all these new records I just bought. I have like ten but these are the ones that instantly made me forget how much I hate moving. Yes I rated these all fairly high; do you think I’m going to post a bunch of crap for you to not listen to? If you want a list of records we can’t stand please feel free to drop me a line. Anyways, happy summer! Here is the Short and Skinny summer edition.
Tom Petty – Mojo
You have to respect Tom Petty. You just have to. Here is a guy that has written countless hits and fought the entire record industry all by himself. Tom Petty has become a musical institution; just listen to the opening chords of “American Girl” to “Free Fallin”. The man is a legend. What makes Mojo so enjoyable is the fact that it’s made simply for the band; very similar to the Mudcrutch record. Recorded in their practice space this record is a loose blues and rock influenced affair we’ve never really heard before from Tom and Co. There are no “hits”, no catchy songs and no made for MTV music videos. Mojo is one big slab of Zepplin-esque blues riffage; a rock record dare I say. Guitarist Mike Campbell finally getting pushed to the front here; his leads ooze tastiness. He is one of the most talented rock players of our time; and maybe the most underrated as well.
What Mojo really showcases here is just how great the Heartbreakers are. From the so called single “I should have known it” you can just hear how tight and in the pocket they are. All in all Mojo is a collection of southern swampy blues songs; it sounds like a band having a lot of fun which in the end is the most important thing. Some people will be disappointed expecting the same “classic” Petty record they have been buying for the past 30 odd years. Going back to what I said earlier; you have to respect this guy. Here is a human hit machine that comes out with an album of what he likes to play. How many artists have the balls to do that? Is it self indulgent? Maybe. It’s a real solid album though; I may be biased on this one being such a long time fan but whatever. I mean is there really bad album he has ever put out? Even the soundtrack to She’s the One was great. Don’t take my word for it, check it out but I promise you will not be sorry.
Rating: AAAA
Tokyo Police Club – Champ
It would be easy to dismiss these young Toronto hipsters but for some reason their snappy sound has got me hooked. I got into this band a few years ago; I think I was looking for some new music and they were suggested as a “this sounds like one of your favorite bands” kind of thing. With songs barely hitting the 3 minute marker Champ is a logical progression for the band; a little emotionally deeper than their previous efforts but still fun and full of energy.
Singer David Monks has perfected the catchy hook and lyrics that keep you singing along like “Breakneck Speed”. “I remember when our voices used to sound the same”; man I’ve been singing that line for weeks. This album is a lot of fun; some stand out tracks here like “Favourite Color” and “Hands Reversed”. Champ is a refreshing record; with most of the new indie rock that I can only describe as vapid and filled with too many hand claps and disco beats TPC seem to break out of blog hype hell and make you believe. A really impressive and solid release for 2010; could be in my year end top 10.
Rating AAAA
I can only say it’s a crime that so many people do not know who Alejandro Escovedo is. For all you people in the dark Alejandro Escovedo is an amazing singer/songwriter. Like even better than Jack Johnson. Since the early 80′s he has been churning out alternative country/rock; No Depression named him Artist of the Decade in 1998. Man Under the Influence is probably one of my favorite records of all time. In 2008 Real Animal came out and just completely blew my mind; there had a not been a rock record like that in years. That record was full of a kind of hunger and fire that most artists half his age could not muster up. I saw him three times during that tour and each show was legendary. Backed by his band the Sensitive Boys, Escovedo is an unstoppable force. It only took 30 years but Alejandro Escovedo has finally found his voice; you just can’t fake this kind of music.
So how do you follow up a record like Real Animal? How about opening with an awesome song like “Anchor”? How about rock people’s faces off with “This bed is getting crowded”? 123 go! Maybe get Bruce Springsteen to belt out a number with you? Great, check out one of the closing rockers “Faith”. Yeah that should do it. This is a great Stones like rock record that does not get old. Alejandro can rock with the best of them but the man can sure write a ballad too. His music is timeless; his lyrics are honest and poignant and it’s that kind of directness that has earned him so many fans. Street Songs is another solid release for 2010. I have spoken.
Rating AAAAA
The Henry Clay People – Somewhere On The Golden Coast
I bought this record based on a recommendation from Warren at Decatur CD; the man is always right I tell you. This record is really enjoyable all the way through. The only way I can describe the Henry Clay People is like Pavement doing their best imitation of the Hold Steady. Songs are all fairly short and seem to crash into one another; all with a nice catchy chorus and fist pumping riffs. “This ain’t a scene, it’s just a generation caught in between” they sing half way through the record. Its punk, its rock and roll with the tons of guitars and Jerry Lee Lewis-esque pounding piano. Lead singer Joey Siara has very lazy delivery even when he is shouting; like he has been out all night long. While the band does rock ass they also show their tender side on the slow burners like “A Temporary Fix”. “We are damaged goods; we are damaged but we’re still good” Siara laments over buzzing feedback. This record is definitely in my buried treasure category; a decent find and a perfect album for the summer.
Rating AAA.
Tokyo Police Club – Boots of Danger (wait up)
