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.)
Sparrow
Time for some band genealogy: more than a decade ago, drummer Jason Zumpano stole singer/guitarist Carl Newman from a covers band and formed, simply, Zumpano. Their debut album, on Sub Pop, Look What The Rookie Did, is pure genius. Easily one of my favorite records of the past ten years. See, while too many bands haphazardly claim to be influenced by The Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds, Zumpano is one of the few that make the influence count. After two records Newman and Zumpano went their separate ways and formed The New Pornographers and Sparrow, respectively. It took me a while to track down Sparrow, but it’s been worth the wait.
King Apparatus
It’s a perfect time to post the pleasant early-’90s ska-pop of Toronto’s King Apparatus. For the past few days, we’ve been lounging on the lovely shore of Lake Huron, pushing my daughter and her cousins around in the kayak and threatening to send them across the lake to Canada if they didn’t eat their hot dog buns. Assuming we ever did manage to send the kids that far in the boat, just like “Michael and Anne” we’d have to come up with a seriously good story for the cops.
Forest Giants
Just because we all contribute to 3hive doesn’t mean we like the same bands. Jon’s got a thing for prog rock that I just don’t quite understand. Sean has his SoCal punk roots, but these days how bland is that? Joe, a Northerner, likes country! As for Shan, don’t get me started. That leaves Sam, and his lifelong obsession with Billy Bragg (likeable enough, as long as I don’t have to listen to him). But we all share common loves. Sam and I, we loved the Beatnik Filmstars. Forest Giants is the new band of Tim Rippington, formerly of the Beatniks, still cranking out beautiful noise, a la the Beatniks’ Laid Back and English. Mundane Sounds’ Volume Four Sampler includes Forest Giants and 14 other bands, all available for free download. And as for me, well, I’ve got impeccable taste!
Foreign Born
Somewhat of a misnomer, Foreign Born are from right up the way in Los Angeles, although they do have a certain anglophilic atmosphere about them. Turn the clock back twenty years and I wouldn’t be surprised to find them palling around with Echo and the Bunnymen.
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…”
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!
The Fast Computers
You know how sometimes you want to just blow off everything? Check out of the world and do nothing but cozy up with a good book in bed? That’s me. Right now. And thanks to John Coulter and his charming pop suggestion, I’m gonna do just that…Oh, but wait! Blurbomat has been doing anything but checking out. Get a load of the new tweaks: new link/headline color, and our newest gadget: 3hive news! We’ll keep you up to date on any new MP3 links we add to the archives along with anything else that tickles our fancy. We hope we’re tickling yours…
schneiderTM
When Old Man Heat and Bitter Hag Humidity slow everything to a muggy crawl — as they have of late in these parts — schneiderTM’s hazy electro pop seems to get a lot more spins on my iPod. Just thought I’d share…