by oz on August 12, 2009
Magnolia Electric Co. put out Josephine in July and if there’s a better album released this year, I haven’t found it. I’m drawn to musicians that are expert songwriters and Jason Molina falls squarely into the lyrical mastery category. You’ll hear it in the first song, “O! Grace:”
From Chicago to West Virginia.
I’ve been as lonesome as the world’s first ghost.
As lonesome as the world’s first ghost.
But out here even the prairie doubts the horizon.
All I have to do is prove that I’m not pure.
Oh, the right words come but I ain’t talking.
The devil’s mean, but he’s honest just as sure.
It’s hard to explain why this album feels better than other incredible Magnolia albums. I don’t think the production is light years ahead, but I do think the supporting cast takes on a more prominent role in lifting the songs beyond what past efforts could accomplish. Each song’s texture varies, from the pedal steel on “Shenandoah” to the keys and horns on “Song for Willie.” And when the arrangements are simpler, the backing vocals and harmonies can stop you in your tracks like on “Whip-poor-will.” Other songs like “The Handing Down” and “Shiloh” burn with a growing intensity that is captivating.
Unlike stellar past works like What Comes After the Blues, it feels as if Molina is allowing the band to take more of an equal role in Josephine and the end result is both heartbreaking and uplifting. I’m telling everyone I know about this album.
Website | MySpace | Secretly Canadian
Magnolia Electric Co. – Josephine
Magnolia Electric Co. – Little Sad Eyes
by Starkey on July 15, 2009
If you’re keeping tabs, 2009 has gotten off to a great start with many solid new releases. The other day I tried to pull together a top 10 list for a friend and struggled to narrow the numbers. My task just got more difficult with the release of Foreign Born’s Person To Person on Secretly Canadian’s great label. The album is perfectly timed to coincide with the height of summer as it evokes breezy, warm weather feelings, but with a certain underlying tension. After a few listens, it seems to provide the perfect tonic to my vodka or triple sec to my tequila.
What makes this record such a good summer soundtrack is the blend of New Wave bass-lines with accents of third wave rhythm, although not so much so that it deserves a “ska” label. In fact, the rhythm is the first thing to catch your attention and at times the band appears to be pounding away on just about anything it can find, including generous doses of cowbell. Best examples (and best tracks) are “Vacationing People” and “Winter Games,” two infective songs that flow nicely into one another. The guitar riffs also certainly owe a nod to African influences and at times will remind you a little of Vampire Weekend. Personally, I couldn’t help but hear traces of The Talking Heads and even some London Calling Clash in certain songs.
I think this is a perfect addition to anyone’s rotation, at least until football Saturdays kick back into gear. Foreign Born is another in a growing line of great new bands emerging from LA and, bonus for those of you in Chicago, they are playing a show with The Veils at the Empty Bottle on July 23rd—should be a great salve for my self-inflicted Pitchfork hangover.
MySpace | Secretly Canadian
Foreign Born – Vacationing People
Foreign Born – Early Warnings
by oz on February 18, 2009
The Dead Oceans/Jagjaguwar/Secretly Canadian combined SXSW showcase is Thursday night at The Mohawk and they’ve just released the lineup:
Odawas
Phosphorescent
Bishop Allen
Women
BLK JKS
Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band
Julie Doiron
These Are Powers
Foreign Born
Richard Swift
Akron/ Family
by Starkey on December 29, 2008
I had the opportunity to spend some time with the music of BLK JKS, recently signed to the fabulous Secretly Canadian label (sister label of Jagjaguwar) and set to release its debut EP in early March. The band hails from Johannesburg, South Africa, while the EP is produced by Brandon Curtis of the Secret Machines – no small coincidence as this music sounds like an African-tinged version of the band.
Their Myspace page includes the Brazilian Girls in its lists of influences, alongside (and I love this) African beer, herbs and pickled fruit! To this list they may want to add the bands Living Color, TV On The Radio and even a little My Bloody Valentine as there is some good old-fashioned shoegazing going on these tracks. Mix it all up and you have a heavy dose of African-psych music.
This is a somewhat polished production of four rather tight tracks, multi-looped to incorporate a variety of African drum beat, harmonizing vocals, fuzzy guitar riffs, heavy metal percussion, whistles and numerous other sound effects. There are tempo changes within each track and even some reggae-like syncopation. The end result is an interesting collage of sounds and reverb that create a hazy, submerged feel. If Pet Sounds was psychedelics for the beach, this band swims you out and drops you deep below the surface, only to resurface later on.
Look, this isn’t an easy listen the first few times through. In fact, many may not get around to ever truly enjoying this music, but like so many other interesting alternative bands incorporating multi-cultural and international spice, such as Yeasayer and even the aforementioned TV On The Radio, patience can be rewarding. Throw on the headphones, throw back some African beer (I’m sure you have some in the fridge) and allow the senses take over. The first track, “Lakeside,” is a good place to start.
Website | MySpace | Secretly Canadian
BLK JKS – Lakeside
by Woody on October 7, 2008
Some time ago, I read this engrossing book called Bill Graham Presents, the story about the life and times of the legendary rock music promoter. At some point during the book, Bill talks of his love for Otis Redding saying he was his favorite act to ever play the Fillmore. I was somewhat familiar with Otis but wouldn’t call myself a fan by any sorts. On Bill’s recommendation I went out and bought Otis Blue & The Complete Dictionary of Soul and immediately was hooked. I don’t know if George Hunter of Catfish Haven read the same book, but I am almost positive that they spun Otis Blue once or twice and some of it spilled into their latest release, Devastator.
The disc fires out with “Are You Ready.” The intro and the song makes it sound like it was something off the old Dick Cavett show. It’s a two and a half minute soulful tune that had me twisting with my two year old daughter. I can’t say if she’s a fan yet but she sure thought Daddy was funny. A couple of tunes later is the single “Set In Stone” which hits you with a guitar lick that belongs on an old Fillmore Recording. “Invitation To Love” follows with more fiery riffs and Hunter’s gruff and soulful lyrics. The Chicago boys then change the pace with the slow bluesy number “Waiting In Memphis.”
Oddly enough I had neglected their Secretly Canadian debut, Tell Me, as I wasn’t overly enthralled with their previous EP. After hearing “Set In Stone,” I knew I had made a grievous error and downloaded Tell Me before a cross country driving trip to NY with the family. Combining Tell Me with Devastator on a long road trip was just like someone injecting Red Bull into my veins.
MySpace | Secretly Canadian
Catfish Haven – Set In Stone
Catfish Haven – Devastator
