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June 22nd, 2006

I can’t believe I spent so many evenings recently watching the Mavs play, just to see them lose it at home. Anyway, here are a couple of releases that I’ve been meaning to get to. Looking through this pile, I’ve got some catching up to do…

13ghosts
Cicada

[Skybucket; 2006; Rock]

13ghosts make that brand of well crafted, smoky bar rock that represents the modern sound of southern rock. One that doesn’t scream redneck like a Skynard show. (I know. I’ve been to one) And while these Birmingham boys’ sound points to many of the same influences as other recent releases such as Catfish Haven, The M’s (who aren’t from the south) and The Drones (who aren’t from America), to peg them as simply rock is a bit of an injustice. They also point in the direction of old school garage, folkish singer-songwriter, woozy ballad crooning, country, primitive Americana, bluesy howls and straight up, whiskey-fueled bar rockers in a way that somehow reminds me of a state line liquor store between Arkansas and Missouri on a Sunday night.

In addition to the variety of influences, the shared writing and vocal duties of Brad Armstrong and Buzz Russell add an even more varied sound throughout the 21 tracks. These 2 sample tracks give a fair representation of the band’s scope, from the Beatles-ish 70s pop sound of “The Search Party” to the soulfully plucked “Robert J”, but it doesn’t really show that they can get down and rock like Akron/Family or Bobby Bare Jr. rock.

p.s. Hey guys, you should play “Wormhead, My Dear” for everybody. They’d like that.

Download The Search Party and Robert J
and older stuff here

Buy it now:
Skybucket
Insound
Amazon

Hailey Wojcik
Jealous Sees

[self-released; 2005; Pop]

Kalamazoo songstress Hailey Wojcik makes achingly charming little pop songs that I have to listen to with headphones on. Not because her record has an intricate mix of sounds that you want to pick apart, not because it’s loud and obnoxious and pisses off the neighbors, but because it’s too damn cute to admit liking. Whether she’s singing about being a “jealous maniac” and exs, getting dug like a dinosaur bone or telling the boss off, even her “fuck you”s sound nice enough.

This track would fit in nicely in my homeboy Joe’s “Female Troubles” mixtape he’s working on. Some Hole, Peaches, Mu, Cars Can Be Blue and this. Sounds good, but we’ll just have to skip this one or turn it down if we’re driving. You know, ukeleles, pianos, guitar strums and vocals that sound like the good girl next door aren’t exactly what a dude wants coming out of his speakers. It’s like driving down the road bumpin’ some Kimya Dawson or something.

F#¢@ you, I like it…
Download F#¢@ You (I Quit)

Buy it now:
CD Baby
Amazon

Entry Filed under: Rock, Pop / Electro-Pop