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Sam Amidon: I See The Sign (2010)
04/28/2010
Sam Amidon’s 2008 album All Is Well took old folk songs and re-imagined them to gorgeous effect. With his new album I See The Sign, Amidon sticks to his guns, offering another collection of interpretations, along with an unexpected R. Kelly cover. In collaboration with contributers Nico Muhly, Ben Frost, Shahzad Ismaily, and Beth Orton, Amidon offers up an intriguing and sometimes odd collection of songs. “Here Comes That Blood” is frantic with it’s hyperactive percussion yet Amidon’s hypnotic vocals lend a measure of tranquility to the track. Elsewhere, on “You Better Mind,” Amidon’s voice blends wonderfully with Orton’s. Orton lends her backup vocals yet again on Amidon’s stunning take on R. Kelly’s “Relief.” Rather than being an exercise in self-satisfying irony, “Relief” actually works. It’s beautifully arranged and the song’s lyrics take on new meaning under Amidon’s care. When he sings “What a relief to know that/ The war is over,” it’s easy to forget you’re not listening to an original song. In fact, Amidon’s biggest strength is in how well he owns these interpretations. “I See The Sign” is yet another strong album. — Capt. Obvious
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Joe Pug: Live At Schubas (2009)
05/04/2009
Rarities
Joe Pug’s debut EP Nation Of Heat was a CO favorite, so I’m waiting in anticipation for his upcoming full-length. Recently, someone was nice enough to record and post a live set from Joe here. The show was recorded May 1st at Schuba’s tavern in Joe’s hometown of Chicago. I couldn’t find a track listing on the download page, so I’ve done my homework and figured it out as best I could for you. I’m not entirely certain about the track titles for the new songs, so don’t take this as the gospel:
MP3: Joe Pug – How Good You Are (Live)
MP3: Joe Pug – Lonely Heart (Live)
MP3: Joe Pug – Not So Sure (Live)
Adventureland (2009)
05/02/2009
Celluloid
I thought Greg Mottola’s Superbad was vastly overrated so I approached his new film Adventureland with a healthy amount of skepticism. I like my raunchiness spare and well-placed and find my attention-span waning at approximately ten dick-jokes. Thankfully, whereas Superbad centered around a group of dirty-minded high-school virgins trying their darndest to do the deed, Adventureland is a nostalgic examination of the joys and anguishes of young adulthood. The plot is unmistakably paint-by-the-numbers: a dorky yet intelligent recent college graduate named James Brennan (The Squid And The Whale’s Jesse Eisenberg) is forced to work at an amusement park for the summer where he encounters the harshness of young love. On paper, Mottola’s characters seem about as cliche as you can get: nerdy yet smart virgin main character, alluring love interest with a closet full of skeletons, intellectually-challenged seductress, older cool musician guy, stoner best friend. Fortunately, Motolla paints these characters with a deft brush. Rather than coming off cartoonish, Mottola’s characters are brimming with an authentic albeit flawed humanity. Adventureland is nicely casted and contains very natural performances from the likes of Ryan Reynolds and Freaks And Geeks alum Martin Starr. Kristen Stewart, who’s bound for stardom because of her role in some cheesy vampire flick I refuse to ever watch, gives a particularly strong performance as James’ love interest Em. If a well-acted, intelligently-penned coming-of-age dramedy sounds like your cup of tea, then you’re sure to appreciate the surprisingly heartfelt Adventureland. — Capt. Obvious
Verdict:
April Mixtape
05/01/2009
1. John Vanderslice – Too Much Time
2. Wye Oak – Take It In
3. Dear Tick – Easy
4. Conor Oberst & The Mystic Valley Band – Nikorette
5. The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart – Young Adult Friction
6. Patrick Watson – Man Like You
7. New Ruins – Symptoms
SIDE B
1. Wilco – The Jolly Banker
2. My Latest Novel – All In All In All Is All
3. Kurt Vile – Freeway
4. Death Cab For Cutie – My Mirror Speaks
5. Grizzly Bear – While You Wait For The Others
6. The Felice Brothers – Penn Station
7. Manchester Orchestra – I’ve Got Friends
