Don’t let the name fool you, Jennifer Gentle is a couple of Italian cats. One used to be an ice cream man in Berlin. Among their choice of instruments is a deflating balloon (“I Do Dream You”). Sound weird enough yet? It’s all true. Brace yourself for fine, imported psychedelia and quirky, contemporary pop recorded like it’s 1967.
The Herms
My next-desk neighbor tipped me off to The Herms this afternoon. We’re both back in the office after a healthy holiday break. His New Year’s Eve was much more celebratory than mine. He: Bottom of the Hill in San Francisco for the Rogue Wave, Kelley Stoltz, and Herms show; Me: road-tripping back home down I-15, determined to miss the Las Vegas to L.A. parking lot over the weekend. It’d have been nice to have iPodded these tracks for the ride. “Record Machine” could be a demo recording from Bauhaus, and the remaining tracks, while wandering off on a sort of Jonathan Fire*Eater tangent, fail to disappoint. I’m baiting Clay with the former comparison. Watch for his impending, spirited comments.
mclusky
Given all the nominating going on, I offer mclusky’s The Difference Between Me and You Is That I’m Not on Fire as Album Title of the Year. The album’s music ain’t bad either. Producer Steve Albini’s influence continues to rub off on these talented lads in the form of increasingly noisy, sometimes sneering, and always witty rock to the roll. “Without MSG…” is but one flavor — the surprisingly thoughtful “She Will Only Bring You Happiness” being quite another — so check the album for the full menu.
Gran Ronde
If you count yourself among the many fans of the current faux-British invasion, then get ready to surrender to another crusader. Today’s 3hive pick brought to you by the number 3 (what else?) and by a hot tip from regular (in his use of 3hive) Todd Simmons. Thanks, Todd!
The Walkmen
Yeah, yeah, I know, they’re all over the place nowadays: The OC, Conan, Letterman (tonight, in fact). And we’ve already had a discussion about this topic (see Jetscreamer). But it’s still the Christmas season, ain’t it? How could we pass up these Yuletide gems from The Walkmen? The first two are from their unreleased Christmas single, the third is from last Christmas, and the fourth, well, it’s just a great song from their early days. If you missed The Walkmen’s appearance on The OC and were wondering if Summer fell for Seth’s attempt to trick her into coming to the Walkmen show with him, you can hear MP3s from the show on the Walkmen’s website.
Hinkley
I love this time of year, and not just because I can lounge around all day in my jammies eating leftovers and candy. I love it because this is when I start cherry picking the best-of-the-year lists for artists I somehow missed or slept on. Today’s find comes from Mystery & Misery’s Best of 2004. They caught my eye because my grandmother’s maiden name is Hinckley, which turns out to be a happy coincidence. Their ragged, folksy pop would make them at home in the Elephant 6 stable but for now they’re unsigned and living in Rochester, NY. Thanks, Jason!
Shots Fired
Ask Sam, my fellow 3hiver, just how utterly amazing the Seaweed/Quicksand show was back about ten years ago at the old Club DV8 in Salt Lake City. It changed our lives. I’d venture to say 3hive wouldn’t exist if it weren’t for that concert. At the risk of exposing ourselves as the complete geeks we are, I’ll admit we were screaming every word of every song at the top of our lungs, working our air guitars as if possessed by a locomotive. Shots Fired, this Kansas City trio, would have made a perfect opener for that night. Check the chorus in “Squires @ Bristol.” I just about keeled over from a brain aneurysm rocking out to that guitar riff. But wait! It only plays through once!?! AAAAAAAA! Rewrite! Verse, Chorus, Verse, Chorus, Chorus, CHORUS!!
Jetscreamer
A friend and I were talking about The Walkmen appearing on the OC (Thursdays on Fox!) recently, and he brought up a conversation he had with some teens about a band selling out cause some big corporation used one of their songs in a commercial. He pointed out to the kids that, actually, a kid like them had grown up, landed a job at an ad agency, and had the power to place a favorite song in a big commercial. Speaking of The Walkmen, I have Saturn to thank for helping me discover that some members of my beloved Jonathan Fire*eater were back in action as The Walkmen. And how about the odd couple of Fischerspooner and Hummer? So take Jetscreamer and their song “Black Hole” being used in a Nissan commercial. Sellout? Listen to their blend of Sonic Youth and the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion and make your own decision.
Earlimart
My friend Tim Ortopan, who offered the tip for Earlimart, describes their music as “intelligent pop that’s true to an indie-rock spirit.” I’ll add four more words — brooding, ethereal, fuzzy, complex — and suggest a peek at The Ship, the multi-purpose LA music collective of which Earlimart is a part.
Giant Drag
Just out of high school I fell in love with a girl named Annie. We went to the same school, but never met until it was all over and we were off to college. A fleeting relationship. Well I just fell in love with another Annie. At least the music she makes. Annie’s guitars sound all warm and fuzzy, her voice soft and soothing, even when she’s singing heartbreaking songs to me. And she too has been right here all along, close, in my backyard. I long for the great times we could’ve had if only I’d met her a little sooner.