Octant are Tassy Zimmerman, Matthew Steinke, and an automated acoustic drum machine called the AD3, which looks like the kind of drum a one-man band would use only it has a motor instead of a man powering it. The result is a broken android new wave thing that kinda makes me nostalgic for the simple days of the Cold War.
Dressy Bessy
I don’t use the term “hit of the summer” lightly, so believe me when I say… Dressy Bessy’s “Side 2” with all that sass and swagger, not to mention Tammy Ealon’s sexy rasp of a voice, is the perfect accompaniment for pool swimming, steering wheel drumming, corn-on-the-cob grilling, limeade swilling — all your favorite warm weather activities. And once I’ve worn that track out, I’ll just move on to the next one. ‘Cause the new album, my friends, is a veritable “hit parade” (another term I don’t use lightly, if at all). “Just Once More,” from their self-titled 2003 release, ain’t half bad either.
The Volebeats
The venerable Volebeats have been around since I was in high school (which is long ago enough to warrant the term “venerable”). They were the default local opening act for every tour that came through Detroit. They were alt country before alt country was cool. Their old singer, Terry, had black teeth and sang songs about dating women in their 50s. So they were doing that before it was cool, too. Anyway, their new album, Like Her, demonstrates even greater confidence and maturity, even if their teeth are a bit whiter. It comes out on July 15 or you can download it now through eMusic. (These tracks are from their Country Favorites record, just so’s you don’t get it twisted.)
Antony and the Johnsons
One of the nice things about a new job (note to self: update bio page) is all the new music you get to hear through your new co-workers. This week, as part of New Music Tuesdays, Andrew brought in Antony and the Johnsons’ exquisite I Am a Bird Now. Antony has been tagged with the same “freak folk” moniker as his pal Devendra Banhart, though I’d call it the transexual blues and add that he sounds more like Nina Simone than Woody Guthrie.
Cute (That’s Right, I Said Cute) Jens Lekman Video
Baby Teeth
My introduction to disco funk and AM gold came at a rec center ice (not roller) rink in Oxford, Ohio, where I was more focused on learning to let go of the sideboards than I was on honing my critical ear. So I have to admit — and I think I’m in good company here — a soft spot for a lip-biting groove, syrupy synths, and falsetto back-up vocals. Oh, and an extroverted frontman with ridiculously romantic lyrics. Baby Teeth have all those ingredients in place, right down to their lead singer, Pearly Sweets, whose delivery lives up to his name and wrings any suspicion of irony right out. In fact, as his tender a capella vocals kick off the ballad “Mandy” with “Mandy…Mandy…Mandy…you make me feel like a dandy…”, I can feel my palms getting all sweaty in anticipation of the PA announcer saying, “Snowball…”
Angry Samoans
I’m late with my post because today was my son’s birthday party with his school friends and I’m still recovering. As a swarm of five-year-old boys took over our backyard, this song kept running through my head. I was certain someone was going to poke-poke-poked their eyes out jumping from the roof or demoing the new Batman disc gun (didn’t one of those kill a kid once?). Fortunately, everyone left with both eyes intact, though one little buddy landed a bloody nose in a rowdy game of hoops. Hey, you know what they say: it ain’t over until someone gets hurt or pees in the kiddie pool. BTW, there’s a classic “Lights Out” comic strip by Dennis Worden over at WFMU’s site.
Flower 15 Music Festival Announced
The Promise Ring
I’ve been saving The Promise Ring for a special occasion and I finally have one. This post goes out to two Southern girls who recently joined the 3hive fam. First, Kiera Siobhan, Clay’s third daughter, who was born in Memphis, Tennessee on June 1. Second, Miss Sydney Meeks who married our Shan Fowler in her hometown of Beaufort, South Carolina on June 4. You see, The Promise Ring have a well-documented obsession with lyrical wordplay, ridiculous hooks, and Southern girls (e.g., “The Deep South,” included, and “Perfect Lines,” which you’ll have to buy). Obsession may seem like an overstatement but keep in mind they’re from Milwaukee, so “Southern” can refer to Chicago as far as they’re concerned. In any case, mad congrats to both Clay and Shan!
Bullet Train to Vegas
Back in college, my friend and roommate Dave Stohl studied Japanese and taught me a few key phrases: “Good morning.” “Very cool, isn’t it?” “Make a U-turn here?” and “Please do not pee out the window of the bullet train.” I’ve never really had occasion to use these…until now. The first two phrases are fairly obvious. The third in reference to the band’s throwback post-punk aesthetics (right down to the sound of the cassette tape snapping into the deck at the start of “Cut the Party…”). The fourth is sound advice under any circumstances, but especially when you’re rolling at breakneck speeds as these lads do. Domo, Dave. And, domo to you too, Bullet Train to Vegas.