|
 Lotus & Troy Dunnit
Present: Troy Dunnit as the Anti-Cupid (Strength in Numbers)
If you remember when sex rhymes meant more than lazy, easily radio-edited couplet versions of text from porno-mag phone ads, this EP from Montreal’s future-perfect hip hop duo will make you smile. This concept effort pairs Dunnit’s weirdo flow over Lotus’s twitchy drums and whomping bass, and comes hard with no need for the Jimmy cap. Swallow it at tinyurl.com/y2uzhut. 9/10 Trial Track: “The Big Dirty” ft. Fyba Optyk (Darcy MacDonald)
 David Byrne & Fatboy Slim
Here Lies Love (Nonesuch/Warner)
A concept album about the formative years of former Filipino first lady Imelda Marcos, written by icons of ’80s new wave and ’90s big beat, sung by such singers as Kate Pierson, Cyndi Lauper, Martha Wainwright and Florence Welch? Sadly, it’s as awkward as it sounds, almost shockingly bad, a stain on the CV of anyone involved, particularly its creators, who have perhaps backed themselves permanently into a has-been corner. 1/10 Trial Track: “Please Don’t” (Lorraine Carpenter)
The Terror Pigeon
Dance Revolt! I Love You. I Love You. I Love You and I’m in Love With You. Have an Awesome Day! Have the Best Day of Your Life! (Luaka Bop/Warner)
A flashmobbing, freegan-izing flock of freaks from NYC, led by 21-year-old Neil Fridd (no coy boy, dig that title), the TPDR! generates a rousing, ramshackle hipster hootenanny comparable to the clap, stomp and holler of the Arcade Fire, Hidden Cameras, Dead Man’s Bones etc. A distinctive characteristic, though, is the vigorous serial motifs serving as the spines of so many songs, at times all but flat-out jacked from Philip Glass, at others evoking Dan Deacon doin’ Deliverance. 8/10 Trial Track: “Grouphug” (Rupert Bottenberg) With the Shakes, Superfossilpower at Friendship Cove, Sat., April 24, 9 p.m., $10
 Meta Gruau
Tendre et mauve (independent)
“Post-rock electro sludge” is this local trio’s summation of their catchy melodies, rubbery bounce, rock heaviosity and nauseous drone, propelled by quaking guitars, sci-fi keys, nasal commandments, manic shrieks and whip-crack percussion. In short, Meta Gruau’s debut LP (feat. guest appearances by members of Malajube and Duchess Says) keeps you on your toes, whether you’re dancing or running for cover. 7.5/10 Trial Track: “Corvette” (Lorraine Carpenter) Album launch at l’Escogriffe, Fri., April 23, 9 p.m.
 Final Flash
Homeless (Indica/EMI)
The local quintet’s debut is either emboldened or swallowed whole by Jace Lasek’s (Besnard Lakes) epic, Rundgren-esque, overdub-laden production. Final Flash’s deliberately paced, Mid-Atlantic boilerplate psychedelic rock required more than lo-fi garage coating, and the elaborate treatments give the record major trad-rock horsepower, but in a couple of instances, Homeless feels like an overly cluttered house of ideas. 7/10 Trial Track: “The Black Flame in Me Is a Red Flame in You” (Erik Leijon)
 Roky Erickson
True Love Cast Out All Evil (Anti-/FAB)
Erickson’s first trip to a studio in over 15 years, with Okkervil River backing him, is probably his most engaging post-13th Floor Elevators listen yet. Erickson’s gentle croon comes straight from the heart as he weaves stories from his troubled life, but always ends on a note of hope and salvation. Even if you aren’t hip to his heartwrenching back story (which is expertly written up in the extensive booklet), Erickson still possesses one of rock and roll’s most vulnerable voices that is guaranteed to reduce you to a puddle. 8/10 Trial Track: “Please Judge” (Johnson Cummins)
 Harlem
Hippies (Matador)
This Austin-based trio doesn’t garnish their catchy garage pop with much. If anything, it’s the uncomfortable space in between each sloppy note that gives weight to most of the record’s straightforward two-minute songs. With every irregular note clearly legible, the wonky guitar work especially feels like it’s both completely off yet strangely in lockstep with the bouncy rhythm section and drive-thru mic vocals. 7/10 Trial Track: “Spray Paint” (Erik Leijon) At Green Room, Tues., April 27, 10 p.m., $12
 The Hoof & the Heel
And All the Tigers (Independent)
Energetic bubblegum indie led by his-and-hers vocalists. These locals don’t split up vocal duties so much as trade furiously back and forth and often overlap, keeping things fresh and adding punch to their individual lines. Same deal with the mostly acoustic-guitar-driven music, often a jerky mix of nervous energy with hooks bursting in quick succession, sliding in between dopier ballads. 7/10 Trial Track: “Fireworks” (Erik Leijon) With White Rabbits at Petit Campus, Wed., Apr. 28, 9 p.m., $16.50
Gotan Project
Tango 3.0 (¡Ya Basta!/Select)
This transatlantic trio scored big with their suave, dubwise tango-tronics, leading the languishing loungecore sound through the last decade. Their latest lies halfway between the sparkling lift of their 2001 debut and the earthy follow-up, Lunático. However, worthy flourishes like Dr. John’s miasmic B-3, countering Nini Flores’s tart bandoneon on opener “Tango Square,” don’t entirely compensate for the frequent déja-entendu. 6.5/10 Trial Track: “La Gloria” (Rupert Bottenberg)
 Various
Kitsuné Maison 9 (Kitsuné)
A definite uptick on the otherwise downward slope these things have been on, the latest comp features a subdued R&B outing by Holy Ghost!, a high-octane French house retool of a Jupiter song done by Lifelike, a cheesy yet strangely addictive pop punk single by Jamaica and a lovely new wave throwback love song by Washed Out. There’s still plenty of garbage, though. 7.5/10 Trial Track: “Vox Populi” (Jack Oatmon)
 Jason DerÜlo
self-titled (Beluga Heights/Warner)
Lead single “In My Head” from Derulo’s debut is pretty much representative of what you’ll get here—nine Auto-Tuned tracks supported by pedantic R&B beats. And there’s nothing particularly clever or distinctive here either, whether in terms of songwriting or construction. Derülo basically parlays the “In My Head” formula into an entire set, with some obligatory samples thrown in, and presto, instant album! 6/10 Trial Track: “The Sky’s the Limit” (Gerard Dee)
The Youjsh
I Can’t Believe Steve Day Is OK With This (independent)
It’s getting to be rebellious to dance to an acoustic band in this town. Yet whenever Malcolm Sailor and the Youjsh play, it’s inevitable. That’s what happens when you take six fantastic musicians and unleash them on funky, hard-hitting tunes that sound like Michael Jackson crashed a Jewish wedding. A great, radical band that thrives on the sweaty energy of folks getting down. 8/10 Trial Track: “How Fast Can Steve Day Go?” (Gordon Allen) CD launch with Tiny Dictators at Green Room, Sat., April 24, 9 p.m.
MINI CD REVIEWS
Harvestman/US Christmas/Minsk Hawkwind Triad (Neurot) Three of the heaviest from the current crop of psych warlords pay tribute to the almighty Hawkwind and, dare I say, actually transcend the originals on more than a couple of occasions. 8.5 (JC)
AC/DC Iron Man 2 (Columbia/Sony) The supreme schweinerockers’ big hits, plus a DVD of live shit ’78-’09. An excellent acquisition for Stark Industries. 8 (RB)
Lily Frost Viridian Torch (Aporia) Toronto chanteuse creates orchestral country noir theatre inspired by the wilderness around her Lake Huron home. Cool Canadiana, with a few French tunes, bien sur. 8 (LC)
Open Fields You Gave Up the Ghost EP (independent) Local band does good with choir girl vocals and ecclesiastical keys, college rock guitars and classic pop melodies. 7 (LC) With Dry Heaves, the Belle Game at Casa del Popolo, Sun., April 25, 8 p.m., $6
Straight No Chaser With a Twist (Atlantic/Warner) Ten dudes singing a capella covers of pop songs old and new. Recommended for fans of Glee or Carmen Sandiego. Guest vocal by THE Barry Manilow. 5 (EL)
|
