Frightened Rabbit "Pedestrian Verse"
Frightened Rabbit is a Scottish band that has been making records for a while now. The previous records have been all right, but I think "Pedestrian Verse" is the first of their records to really strike a chord with me. Press reports have said this is the first Frightened Rabbit record where vocalist/guitarist Scott Hutchison split up songwriting duties, and in my opinion, it shows. The stand out songs are "The Woodpile" (which made my top 20 songs of 2013), "State Hospital" and my favorite track after several spins, "December Traditions"
Pixies "EP 1"
I love the Pixies. A lot. "Doolittle" may in fact be the most influential record of the 1980's. I wasn't even aware this EP had come out. The first real new material in 20yrs, and it wasn't even on my radar. I feel like such a failure. I heard Kim Deal left the band, again, but Kim Deal leaves the Pixies more often than I change my furnace filter. I was super excited when I finally got my hands on this record. The first track "Andro Queen", what is this? It's not bad at all, but it sounds like a Frank Black b-side. "Another Toe In The Ocean", seriously? Now a song that didn't make last years Bob Mould record? Again, not bad, but it's a Bob Mould song right? "Indie Cindy", now we are talking. This is a boss Pixies song. This is what we have been waiting for. "What Goes Boom", not your typical Pixies song, but it's a frenetic rager. After a bunch of listens I really enjoy this record. While the first two tracks aren't what you expect from the Pixies brand, it all comes together quite nicely.
HAIM "Days Are Gone"
HAIM seems to have been the "it" band for 2013. Really hyped first record, slots at all the major festivals pre record release. And the hype is legit, though a little over the top for my taste. I really like the story of the Haim sisters, part of a family band, splitting off and being a local band for a number of years, and taking gigs with other bands. Who knew I saw Danielle Haim play as part of Jenny Lewis' band at the Berrymore in Madison in like 2008! I like this record a lot, tt's got a lot of well written pop songs. "The Wire" is a really catchy song, and by far the standout track, though I enjoy the varied live versions out there better, which takes me in to my only real quibble with "Days Are Gone." As I have mentioned in this space a thousand times already, the production on this record is so clean it's a little distracting. Watching HAIM perform live on SNL and YouTube clips, this a pretty dynamic live band. There is an intensity, and grit, and playfulness to their live show that doesn't come across on the record. I know my friend Jonathan has a musician crush on the gentleman credited as the Producer, but we can disagree with his work on this record. It's over produced, to the point of being twee. Still a really fun record to listen to, and I imagine a great windows down record if spring ever happens.
Paul McCartney "New"
So, I have never put too much effort in to the Beatles and their solo projects. What else do I need to learn about the Beatles? I like them, "Revolver" is an amazing record beginning to end, "Live and Let Die" is cool, that weird George Harrison solo song/video in the 80's was entertaining, Ringo. I've never really been in to Paul McCartney's solo stuff, though I give him credit for not just cashing checks from what he finished when he was like 33 and taking some risks. "New" is a solid record. It sounds like a Paul McCartney record. I'm glad I listened to it, and might go back to it a few times if in the right mood.
R Kelly "Black Panties"
So...ummm..Kells. I don't have a lot to say except, ummm. I was really excited when this record was announced, Kells greatest hits collection gets played more often than I would like to admit (except for "Gotham" and "I Believe I Can Fly", and that duet with Celine Dion, those get skipped, every time.) And when the track listing got leaked, I was even more stoked. Titles like "Legs Shakin", "Throw This Money On You", "Crazy Sex" and "Marry The Pussy", who couldn't be excited !?!?! The record is ok, it's a late period R Kelly record. Ok, I'm a bad person, I really like "Marry The Pussy", and "Crazy Sex". I doubt Kells could ever touch the track for track greatness of "12 Play", nor the sheer madness of "Trapped In the Closet", but it's an OK R&B record with a couple club bangers that's not bad to throw in a gym mix. If you couldn't tell, it's dirty, so take that in to account. But, I mean, come on, "Marry The Pussy". If you take nothing else away from this, it's "Marry the Pussy"
I still have several 2013 records in the queue to get to. Parquet Courts "Light Up Gold" and their EP "Tally All The Things You Broke", Arctic Monkeys "AM", and Best Coast's "Fade Away"(another band I LOVE that had an EP (record?) slip passed me in 2013.)
