Plastikman – EX (Mute | Create/Control)
You know what? I’m-a gonna lift this straight out of the press release. Plastikman, aka Richie Hawtin recorded “EX” at the Guggenheim, New York’s iconic art museum. This very special performance was at the invitation of influential Belgium fashion designer and artistic director at Dior, Raf Simons, for the Guggenheim’s annual fundraiser, performed around a […]
Song of the Day #692 – Ruins of Krüger
Imagine a desk. A desk full of promo CDs, thin glass cases and paper sleeves lined in tiny towers like a mini metropolitan sprawl. Are you sitting at this desk? Good. Stand up. Now, with one arm (two if you’re a wimp), sweep off everything. What is this clatter, reeling far away from the center? […]
5 Seconds of Summer – s/t (Capitol)
(And before you protest – “But Lee, how dare you bash pop music” – I direct you to this. Read it and weep, you smug little louts.) Any 20-something American probably recalls the irrepressible refrain from Fall Out Boy rebounding down their school halls – “down, down, in an earlier round, / sugar we’re going […]
Tijuana Panthers – Wayne Interest (Create/Control)
Funny what slips through your fingers and out of your head, eh? Last summer I reviewed Tijuana Panthers’ Semi-Sweet for Gold Flake Paint, but must confess that I hadn’t revisited it at all this year. Let’s re-acquaint ourselves. Semi-Sweet was just one fun, knock-about romp, really. Tons of lo-fi stomp, familiar melodies and harmonies rebounding […]
I Know Why The Caged Grrrl Sings (Tuff Enuff)
This week – well, apart from stoking the forest fire that should spark on this post – we shall keep the good vibes rolling by hyping the hell out of the new compilation from Brighton saviors Tuff Enuff. The comp begins as if it might implode. SNAKESKIN! SNAKESKIN! Like actual snakeskin, the tune crackles and […]
Song of the Day #691 – Street Eaters (in the flesh)
Photo by Adam Thorman I tend to gravitate towards other non-alcoholics, like a moth to a street lamp. Because, unlike certain music critics you may know, I don’t drink at all. And other non-alcoholics, I’ve found, are usually sharper, nicer, and honestly way cooler at parties (in my eyes, anyway). John and Megan arrived with […]
White Fence – For The Recently Found Innocent (Drag City)
Yeah, I listened to that first Tame Impala record, front to back. And the entire time, I’m thinking, “OK, this is from Cream. This is from Revolver. And this one’s Derek and the Dominoes.” Ya think I remember any one of those tunes now? Ya think I ever listened to that Tame Impala LP again? […]
Song of the Day #690 – Cancers
Ella invited me to the show. She found me as many people do – on Facebook, via a mutual friend. (Aside – this is also how I met my current landlord when my previous landlady, a psychotic control freak, was about to kick me out. Through the same mutual friend, in fact. I owe said […]
Song of the Day #689 – Salsa Chest
In every aspect, this house was the ultimate retreat from the downtown clubs. For one, it was tucked away above the railroads in a tree-sheltered neighborhood, at the very end of its street. For another, the tiny living room (?) was bedecked in art – surreal paintings and collages; a glittery garland halo; a back […]
Song of the Day #688 – Sharkpact
The bands were always up front. Always. Everyone admired each other. Some were even singing along. The sound system hiccupped before Dogjaw could barrel into their first tune, and two folks (among others) stepped in at once to help – one burly bloke inspected the gear, and a svelte lady brought forth a toolbox of […]
