New Wax
From train disasters to the private letters of Vincent Van Gogh, Doug Burr's 2007 release On Promenade was filled with creative subject matter and Burr's keen sense of song structure and melody. The album received a considerable amount of praise for the Denton native along with some well-deserved songwriting awards. Burr's latest project, entitled The Shawl, was recorded over 27 hours in a scarcely populated (barely 300 residents) Texas town called Tehuacana in a building dating back to the 1860s. Burr and his small cast of contributors had some specific source material in mind: the Bible. The 9 songs on The Shawl are built out of excerpts taken directly from the Psalms of King David. While The Shawl isn't as readily accessible as On Promenade, Burr compensates for the lack of hooks with a masterful sense of composition. The instrumentation on The Shawl is mostly spare, which lends itself nicely to Burr's vocal timbre and the overall haunting tone of the album. On "The Righteous Will Rejoice," Burr is even backed by a loosely assembled choir that repeats the phrase "Surely there is a God." It's a hair-raising moment on an album full of them. With The Shawl, Burr has added another solid release to his growing repertoire, and fans of good music should find something here to like regardless of their religious affiliation. -- Capt. Obvious
12.24.2008
Doug Burr: The Shawl (2009)
12.22.2008
Rachel Getting Married (2008)
Celluloid
Of all the star-driven dramas and forgettable comedies hitting cineplexes this time of year, the minimalist Rachel Getting Married makes for one of the season’s more interesting viewing choices. Director Jonathan Demme’s film takes its cues from the now-dormant Dogme95 movement, embracing stylistic measures like pure location-filmmaking, natural light, handheld cameras, etc. The music, too, occurs only within each respective scene, i.e. the audience hears what the characters hear. It’s actually the film’s wonderfully eclectic soundtrack—full of reggae, alternative rock, jazz, string solos, you name it—that harms as much as it helps what is an unyielding melodrama. The story’s setup is a familiar one: Kym (Anne Hathaway), a twentysomething recovering addict, leaves rehab to attend the wedding of her sister, Rachel (Rosemarie DeWitt). The familial chaos that follows, however, is so deftly constructed, so real, that it shatters the premise’s familiarity and displays true pathos. Demme’s camera never misses an exhausted moment as each family member deals with their own suppressed grief and frustration. Expository bits of back-story, revealed with a painfully methodical precision, give convincing impetus to Kym’s own troubles and the troubles she inflicts on her seemingly well-balance family. Pseudo-musical interludes, which serve as breaks from the heightened dramatic moments (of which there are many), celebrate the film’s diversity but also serve to unbalance its narrative tension. Honestly, though, it’s a good problem to have. Rachel Getting Married’s view towards diversity is forward-thinking and refreshing. The performances, too, are superb. Kym is a ticking time-bomb, but Anne Hathaway matches her character’s explosiveness with equal parts nuance. It’s a multifaceted and career-shifting performance. Bill Irwin, who plays Kym and Rachel’s endearing and supportive father, and a back-from-retirement Debra Winger, as the girls’ estranged mother, are also punch-you-in-the-gut good. They truly display the best and the worst of parenting. But Demme gives us no room to judge them. This is the film’s real achievement. In Rachel Getting Married, no character is above their own grief, anger or narcissism. Like real family crises, no one holds or deserves a position of judgment. The best anyone can do is to try to understand, try to cope, and continue to love. -- M. Pemulis
Verdict:
12.21.2008
The Covers Mixtape XIV
SIDE A
1. Neko Case - Buckets Of Rain (Bob Dylan Cover)
2. Hezekiah Jones - I Am A Cinematographer (Palace Brothers Cover)
3. Great Lake Swimmers - Song Sung Blue (Neil Diamond Cover)
4. Kyte - Solsbury Hill (Peter Gabriel Cover)
5. Sara Lov - My Body Is A Cage (Arcade Fire Cover)
6. Noah And The Whale - Devil Town (Daniel Johnston Cover)
7. We Versus The Shark - Head Over Heels (Tears For Fears Cover)
SIDE B
1. The City On Film - Come On Eileen (Dexy's Midnight Runners Cover)
2. Iron & Wine/Calexico - Always On My Mind (Willie Nelson Cover)
3. Marnie Stern - Don't Stop Believin' (Journey Cover)
4. Calico Horse - Idioteque (Radiohead Cover)
5. Benoit Pioulard - The Seedling (Bonnie 'Prince' Billy Cover)
6. We Are Scientists - Hoppipolla (Sigur Ros Cover)
7. Denison Witmer - Northern Sky (Nick Drake Cover)
12.20.2008
Ryland Bouchard
You Should Know
Known for his innovative work with cult folk/noise outfit The Robot Ate Me, Portland songwriter Ryland Bouchard offers up his latest album Seeds as a box set. The set is limited to only 500 copies and includes four 7" colored vinyl records, a book of illustrations by artist Daniel Gibson, an engraved wood holding box, a silk-screened t-shirt & carrying bag, the full-length cd, another full-length cd of b-sides, a dvd with videos and extras, a hand silk-screened poster, and miscellaneous items. Seeds is essentially a four-part album, and the songs are grouped as such. Unlike the unpredictable and experimental feel of his previous project, the instrumentation on Seeds remains steadfast in its barebones approach. The majority of songs rely on simple acoustic guitars, piano, and strings. Bouchard's lyrics are deceptively straightforward, but his creaky voice lends a necessary authenticity and heft to the material. Fluctuating in mood from upbeat to melancholic, Seeds is one of those albums that plays through organically and unforced. Fans of sparse, lo-fi folk fare will find plenty to like on the album. -- Capt. Obvious
Blog Roundup 12.20.08
Props
Sandy over at Slowcoustic was nice enough to invite me to contribute a post to his week of guest bloggers. Some fine contributions from other bloggers with lots of new music to delve into. I decided to do my 13 favorite EP's, yet somehow forgot to mention the Fleet Foxes EP.. which makes me daft.
Nine Bullets offers up a great compilation of Drive-By Truckers covers (including Tom Petty, J. Cash, The Rolling Stones, Warren Zevon, and Springsteen)
You should head over to It All Started With Carbon Monoxide and check out Agnes' list of her 50 favorite songs of 2008. Great list with many songs I love and a few I was unfamilair with.
More year-end list madness at Obscure Sound, which is your one-stop shop for under-the-radar indie-goodness. They give you their 50 favorite albums os 2008.
The Wheel's Still In Spin got a makeover but the content is still top-notch. If you live in the Bay area you'll find upcoming concerts. There's also plenty of info on new releases and great reviews.
Tags: Blog Roundup, Captain Obvious
12.16.2008
12.15.2008
The Cap Thinks 2009 Is Going To Be Awesome
You Should Know
2008 was intense. Tons of music. Some bad. Some good. Some cringe-worthy. Some mind-blowing and transcendent. With Andrew Bird's Noble Beast and A.C. Newman's Get Guilty kicking things off in January, 2009 is shaping up to be a memorable year. Phosphorescent, whose album Pride has been on repeat for me all year, is set to release an album of Willie Nelson covers entitled To Willie in February. The Decemberists follow up The Crane Wife with a March album entitled Hazards Of Love. Great Lake Swimmers and Neko Case (get a load of that amazing album artwork) are also set to drop albums in March. Other confirmed/possible 2009 releases include a Rick Rubin-produced Avett Brothers full-length, Band Of Horses, Fleet Foxes, Sufjan Stevens, Arcade Fire, The National (hopefully), friggin' Wilco, Grizzly Bear, Morrissey, Built To Spill, M. Ward, Bruce Springsteen, Bonnie 'Prince' Billy. Some other notables: Alela Diane, a Sam Beam-produced Rosie Thomas album, Jason Isbell, Handsome Furs, The Wrens. I'll do my best to keep up with everything and offer my humble opinions. Here's to another year in the blogosphere. -- Capt. Obvious
12.14.2008
Hezekiah Jones
You Should Know
Sorry for the lull in posts lately. I'd offer up a worthy excuse if I had one, but we all deserve a creative slumber now and then. Anyways, my tendency to gravitate towards the burgeoning, yet admittedly saturated, folk genre is no secret. To me there's just nothing as effective as a well-written lyric backed by the most barebones instrumentation. Thanks to one of my fellow scrobblers on Last.fm, I found the music of Hezekiah Jones. Essentially an outlet for songwriter Raphael Cutrufello, Hezekiah Jones creates concise, unassuming, and deceptively simple songs. The sounds are familiar: acoustic guitar, slide guitar, banjo, strings, harmonica, subtle female backing vocals, etc. While Hezekiah Jones isn't breaking any new ground with their sound, it's a case of the sum being greater than the parts. Cutrufello's lyrics are sometimes recited with a wink, but he can effortlessly shift gears from wryly whimsical to downright melancholic. If your tastes reside in the same vein as Will Oldham (who Cutrufello points to as a major influence) and Sam Beam, you'd be doing yourself a favor by checking out Hezekiah Jones. The band just put out a 7" split with Chris Bathgate. Get your copy at the Quite Scientific Webstore. -- Capt. Obvious
12.09.2008
Bon Iver: Blood Bank EP (2009)
New Wax
It can't be easy to follow an unexpected critical success. I mean, look what M. Night Shyamalan has done after The Sixth Sense. When he was couped up in that Wisconsin cabin cooking up strips of venison and tirelessly recording, I doubt Justin Vernon had the faintest idea what kind of impact his lo-fi folk album For Emma, Forever Ago would go on to have. I'm always surprised at what causes hipsters to froth at the moth, but even the rabid masses couldn't deny the raw energy and unbridled emotion of For Emma. Hopefully the success doesn't go to Mr. Vernon's head, although I don't see that happening considering how genuinely nice and accommodating he was when I interviewed him for the site back in '07. Now that Bon Iver is a full band, Justin and company are set to release the Blood Bank EP on January 20. Now let's be honest with each other. The EP has leaked and you, your mom, and probably my mom have already heard it. As for the songs, they are winners in the same vein of For Emma but with a slightly brighter feel. The only track I'm having a problem with is "Woods." I'm just not digging the autotune/vocoder vibe. Roger Troutman called, he wants his talkbox back. Kudos for trying something new though. Also, in case you weren't aware. Justin's been making music for quite some time and some of that material is floating around. In addition to the title track from the upcoming EP, I've included a track from Justin's last band DeYarmond Edison along with a song from his solo material. Don't say I never gave you anything. -- Capt. Obvious
Listen:
MP3: Bon Iver - Blood Bank
MP3: DeYarmond Edison - Silent Signs
MP3: Justin Vernon - Sweet, Sweet Magdalene
Tags:
12.08.2008
12.07.2008
Peasant
You Should Know
Something about the Winter months lends to quiet introspection, and Peasant's On The Ground is the perfect company for an in-deep-thought winter drive somewhere in the countryside past endless fields and abandoned barns. Peasant is the project of songwriter Damien DeRose, and with the hopes of maintaining at least a smidgen of masculinity here, I'm just gonna say it: dude has a pretty voice. There are, admittedly, some relatively questionable lyrical moments on the album. For example, "Stop For Her" reads: "I would like to be with you/ Rain or shine/ Doesn't matter what's the time." Being the jerk I am, I'd usually use high-shool-diary lines like that to rip homeboy a new one, but DeRose exudes such sincerity in his songs that it's easy to overlook particularly saccharine moments. Musically, DeRose keeps it relatively simple. Out of the 13 tracks on On The Ground, only four exceed the 3-minute mark, while all of them clock in at less than 4 minutes. The tracks have an organic feel to them and the album offers enough variety to keep the listener involved. In a word, On The Ground is pleasant. Peasant is pleasant. Ha, I made a rhyme. Be sure to visit Daytrotter to check out Peasant's recent session as well. -- Capt. Obvious
Mark Kozelek: The Finally LP (2008)
New Wax
Mark Kozelek of Red House Painters and Sun Kil Moon fame is easily one of my favorite songwriters. His new album The Finally LP culls hard-to-find covers and rarities, most of which appeared on tribute and benefit albums that are no longer available. I recognize the bulk of these tracks but have had some trouble tracking them down, so it's a relief to see them on an official release. Kozelek's original material is filled with introspection and complexity but he's also garnered a favorable reputation for his sometimes-drastic re-interpretations of other songs. He's released an EP of AC/DC covers under his own name as well as a full album of Modest Mouse covers entitled Tiny Cities under the Sun Kil Moon moniker. As for The Finally LP, highlights include a countryfied version of Low's "Lazy," the short but sweet "Bedtime Lullaby," and a magnificent reworking of Husker Du's "Celebrated Summer." Then there's "If You Want Blood." Any songwriter who can make AC/DC sound this achingly poignant deserves accolades, and Kozelek does so effortlessly. While I wouldn't recommend starting with The Finally LP for those of you unfamiliar with Kozelek (go for Ghosts Of The Great Highway or Songs For A Blue Guitars), but the album adds some quality supplemental material to the songwriter's expanding catalog. For Koz-aholics (yes, new word!) like myself, it's a necessity. -- Capt. Obvious
12.04.2008
The Cap's Favorite Albums Of 2008: #10-1
10. Why? - Fatalist Palmistry
(from Alopecia)
9. Samamidon - Wedding Dress
(from All Is Well)
8. The Rural Alberta Advantage - Drain The Blood
(from Hometowns)
7. Sigur Ros - Gobbledigook
(from Med sud i eyrum vid spilum endalaust)
6. Bonnie 'Prince' Billy - You Remind Me Of Something (The Glory Goes)
(from Lie Down In The Light)
5. Shearwater - Rooks
(from Rook)
4. Sun Kil Moon - Lost Verses
(from April)
3. Fleet Foxes - Tiger Mountain Peasant Song
(from Fleet Foxes)
2. Chad VanGaalen - Rabid Bits Of Time
(from Soft Airplane)
1. Frightened Rabbit - Fast Blood
(from The Midnight Organ Fight)
The Cap's Favorite Albums Of 2008: #20-11
20. Cloud Cult - The Ghost Inside Your House
(from Feel Good Ghosts)
19. Conor Oberst - Lenders In The Temple
(from Conor Oberst)
18. No Age - Eraser
(from Nouns)
17. Okkervil River - Lost Coastlines
(from The Stand-Ins)
16. Anathallo - Italo
(from Canopy Glow)
15. Okay - My
(from Huggable Dust)
14. Right Away, Great Captain! - I Was A Cage
(from The Eventually Home)
13. The Tallest Man On Earth - The Gardner
(from Shallow Graves)
12. The Middle East - Blood
(from The Recordings Of The Middle East)
11. Horse Feathers - This Is What
(from House With No Home)
The Cap's Favorite Albums Of 2008: #30-21
30. Grouper - Heavy Water/I'd Rather Be Sleeping
(from Dragging A Dead Deer Up A Hill)
29. This Will Destroy You - Threads
(from This Will Destroy You)
28. Death Cab For Cutie - Cath
(from Narrow Stairs)
27. The Helio Sequence - Hallelujah
(from Keep Your Eyes Ahead)
26. Silver Jews - Suffering Jukebox
(from Lookout Mountain, Lookout Sea)
25. Centro-Matic - The Rat Patrol And DJs
(from Dual Hawks)
24. Langhorne Slim - Restless
(from Langhorne Slim)
23. Mount Eerie - O My Heart
(from Lost Wisdom)
22. TV On The Radio - Family Tree
(from Dear Science)
21. J. Tillman - Laborless Land
(from Vacilando Territory Blues)
12.03.2008
The Cap's Favorite Albums Of 2008: #40-31
40. Calexico - Two Silver Trees
(from Carried To Dust)
39. Department Of Eagles - Teenagers
(from In Ear Park)
38. The Black Keys - Lies
(from Attack & Release)
37. Colour Revolt - Naked & Red
(from Plunder, Beg And Curse)
36. Wolf Parade - Language City
(from At Mount Zoomer)
35. The Walkmen - Four Provinces
(from You & Me)
34. Ray LaMontagne - I Still Care For You
(from Gossip In The Grain)
33. Deerhunter - Nothing Ever Happened
(from Microcastle)
32. Johnny Flynn - Leftovers
(from A Larum)
31. Ra Ra Riot - Oh, La
(from The Rhumb Line)
