speed of dark

Prolific to a fault, artist, songwriter, record label owner, and leader of the Lonely Astronauts (when does this guy sleep?), Joseph Arthur closes 2008 by adding a full-length CD, Temporary People, to the four EPs divided between earlier months. Not that he has stopped writing--oh no! Check out "Change Has Come," a song that salutes the Obama victory, on his MySpace page.

Maybe the gush of small releases provided an outlet for some of his weirder products so that fewer of them made it to the full-length, and if so, I'm happy about that. I've been waiting for a worthy follow-up to 2000's punch-in-the-heart Come To Where I'm From, and Temporary People is the closest since Our Shadows Will Remain (2004). Last year's Let's Just Be did not speak to me, but I get Temporary People. Arthur's strong spiritual beliefs provide a solid foundation for the song themes and lyrics that run through the entire album. I never really heard before how much his music owes to the Rolling Stones, but their influence shines through every song.

Arthur is Mick Jagger and Keith Richards rolled into one, with his sassy, drawling delivery and his assured, muscular guitar work. The Lonely Astronauts back him superbly, and I like how effectively he chooses whether to use the ladies (Jen Turner and Sibyl Buck) voices or male vocals (Kraig Jarret Johnson), or a blend of all, to offset his own voice. I'm much happier that he uses his falsetto more as an accent in these songs. It gets kind of creepy when he sings entire songs in that voice.

The title track tells of all the different personalities inside ourselves that we use to cope with life's stresses and musically allows Arthur space to fill with his fantastic guitarwork. In "Faith" Arthur testifies that even if everything were taken away from him, he would still have the most important thing: his faith in himself. "Look Into the Sky" is a peppy reminder that God is always available when everyone else lets you down.

On "Heart's a Soldier," Turner and Buck make a gospel chorus behind the lowest notes I have ever heard Arthur sing. You really hear the Stones' influence on the blues-soul number "Turn You On" and then again on the raucous rock of "Winter Blades." "Good Friend" is an affirmation of Arthur's affection for a friend as well as a showcase for his authoritative lead guitar. But my favorite of the whole bunch is "Sunrise Dolls," where Arthur whips a frenzy of a solo out of that guitar. I first heard this live over a year ago and have played it over and over from the double CD that was made of that concert.

I'm walkin' through the city to survive
I'm alive, I'm alive, I'M ALIVE!

Joseph Arthur and the Lonely Astronauts: Sunrise Dolls from Temporary People (2008)
Joseph Arthur: Echo Park from Our Shadows Will Remain (2004)

Walkin' with you down through Echo Park,
The ghosts fillin' the trees,
The fire never understands the spark
The way it is with you and me

Joseph Arthur: Speed of Light from Come To Where I'm From (2000)

MySpace | Website | Label: Lonely Astronaut Records
Buy at Joseph Arthur's Store, iTunes, Amazon.com, and eMusic

Photo in Joseph Arthur's MOMAR art gallery by Danny Clinch

Can You See the Sunset reviews an album of interest--and available by free download too--called Cities We're Not From by The State Lottery.

Concrete Circles posts a tease about the Best of 2008 lists that will be ongoing through this month. Thanks Captain Obvious impresses me no end with a TOP 50 List! I see some of the same things I'm considering, but I think I'll have to stop at 10 on trying to put them in order. Was there a lot of great music this year, or what?

Music Is Art features an interview with the fabulous Faint who also provide a mix on the theme of Cherries, with a surprising number of song titles and artist names.

Lost In Your Inbox starts a new, low-intensity exercise regime with some appropriate tunes.

Tomorrow night we're at Aimee Mann's 3rd Annual Christmas Show at the Wiltern in L.A. I see familiar faces from last year's show will be appearing again: Nellie McKay, Grant Lee Phillips, Paul Thompkins, and Morgan Murphy (the Hannuka Fairy) I have had the tickets since May, I think, because we enjoyed last year's show so much.

Contrast Podcast #140 has a raging case of the mashups! I did not contribute to that podcast, but I do have here an incredible and gorgeous mashup of Carpenters' songs by Go Home Productions will make you forget how sick you are of that old sleighride classic.
Go Home Productions: Carpenters' Christmas Mashup from Santastic II: Clausome
MySpace | Go Home Productions Website
Free download: djBC.net

Casper and the Cookies: Kiss Me Beneath the Christmas Tree from Daytrotter Session, December 2007
MySpace | Website | Label: Independent
Free download at Daytrotter | Buy

Doctor Octoroc created a whole album of twisted Christmas classics in video game theme style. I love how this one is arranged in minor keys.
Doctor Octoroc: Ryu the Red-nosed Ninja from 8-bit Jesus
MySpace | Free download: Doctor Octoroc.com

Summer Cats: Plastic Christmas Trees from Christmas Cats
MySpace | Free download: Last.fm

We know why Santa will be leaving a lump of coal at the White House this Christmas.
The Cavedogs: 3 Wise Men and a Baby from Yuletunes Compilation (1991)
MySpace | Website
Free downloads: Tayter Country | Buy: Black Vinyl Records, CD Baby, Amazon

Photo by alt-gramma: At the door of the Thirsty Hippo

Ryan Barrett holding the cat;
and from left Colin English, Garret Kelly, and Adam McCollom
Somehow I am always attracted to things that are quirky, strange, or a bit off the regular...which brought me right to The Pica Beats' debut CD, Beating Back the Claws of the Cold. It's kind of indie-folk with its tongue in its cheek or "speaking out of the side of your mouth," from the lyrics of the third track "Summer Cutting Kale."

By the way, accordion is no longer the weird rock instrument in vogue. With this record, the official "in" weird instrument is now the sitar, sounding a lot different here than when you heard George Harrison use it so long ago, but somehow oddly perfect, twanging along over the shuffling rhythms of the instrumental "Martine, as Heavy Lifter," boldly placed as the second track, and "Hikikomori and the Rental Sisters."

A lot of good synthesizer and harmonium appear as well. Ryan Barrett plays all of these on the record, with help from a few friends, although for live shows he now has a band that includes Colin English on drums, Garrett Kelly on bass, Adam McCollom on keys, and Alice Sandahl providing backing Vocals, percussion and more. On the record, Joseph Sheedy provided saxophone on "Hope Was Not a Smith Family Tradition" and two others.

Barrett's voice is similar to Ray Davies or maybe Stuart Murdoch of Belle and Sebastian without the Scottish burr. Barrett's long, fluid lyric lines are less like Davies' quick photo-images and more like Belle and Sebastian's rambling observations. "Poor old Ra, you were much better off as a sun-god, weren't you?" taunts Barrett in the first track, "No one gives a shit about your falcon head anymore."

On "Shallow Dive": "Hey, cat with the nervous eyes, maybe you can't decide how to lose your eighth and last. Born in different gears, with symbiotic tears maybe that's the kind you chose."

And on "Shrinking Violets," a KEXP Song of the Day where I first came across this band: "So you got the courage now to write a love song without one metaphor? It's a power drill; it's a carbide cone with a sharpened edge and an electrical cord. See it reaching..." I love that contradiction.

Frankly, there is so much on this CD that pleases me, from the unusual instruments to the superabundant lyrics. I recommend you buy the physical CD from Hardly Art because it has all the lyrics; you're going to want them.

The Pica Beats: Shrinking Violets from Beating Back the Claws of the Cold
Stream the entire album HERE

Used with permission from Ryan Barrett.
MySpace | Website | Label: Hardly Art
Buy at Hardly Art, iTunes, and Amazon.com

If you are looking for good music to use up your eMusic credits, I have a tip: volume 2 of Guilt By Association, a collection of 15 covers by 14 artists, was released on November 15 by Engine Room Recordings/The Orchard. This album contains some real treats, including Soft Cell's "Tainted Love" redone wonderfully by My Brightest Diamond, Lowry covering Toto's "Africa," Cassettes Won't Listen doing the INXS fave "Need You Tonight," and Matt Pond PA's endearing cover of My Chemical Romance's "I'm Not OK."

Particularly pleasing is Matt Vernon's take on "I Kissed a Girl," the recent Katy Perry release, with a gorgeous piano intro. To hear Vernon sing, "My boyfriend don't mind it," puts a whole different twist on the thing. And there's more, including Frightened Rabbit and Kaki King.

The first Guilt By Association isn't shabby either. Look for Devendra Banhart and Noah Georgeson reworking Oasis' "Don't Look Back In Anger," along with covers by Luna, Petra Haden, and Bonnie "Prince" Billy.

Perhaps my favorite from Volume 2 is Takka Takka's powerful rendition of Phil Collins' classic rock oldie, "In the Air Tonight" from his first album. It was enough to make me look up Takka Takka's own 2008 release, Migration (eMusic) and find out what a damn fine set of their own songs they've produced. OOPS! I'm supposed to be narrowing down my choices for Favorites of 2008, not adding to them!

Takka Takka: In the Air Tonight - Phil Collins cover from Guilt By Association Vol 2
Stream all songs full-length here (this is also a link to buy if you don't have an eMusic account)
Buy at eMusic

Takka Takka MySpace | Website

Photo by alt-gramma: cactus fruits in the fall

When Colin Meloy sings about the gruesome Shankill Butchers, he does it with a rakish grin and a wink that lets you know it's all in fun. Marry a similar fascination with the macabre to accordion and strings in the gypsy style of Beirut; trade rainy, grey Portland for frigid, grey Minneapolis; and add Nona Marie Invie's lilting vocals, and now you have the ensemble of Dark Dark Dark. Their first full-length, The Snow Magic, dresses ghosts, graves, and other gloomy subjects in jaunty three-quarter time melodies. What little percussion appears is provided by Martin Dosh.

The Snow Magic is highly entertaining for the most part. The first song, "Ashes" sets the tone of the album, with Invie directing the fate of her ashes after death:

“I know you want to scatter my ashes
I know you want to spread them far and wide
Don’t scatter my ashes
I want to run by the seaside.”

The next four are a bit grim and drear but focus on the vocal play between Invie and Marshall La Count, who also plays banjo. However, things pick up and become interesting again with "Ferment in D Minor," as Invie gaily sings, "I want to hold your head under water/Calculate your next breath"; then she and LaCount count dramatically to six to let you know how long you'll have to hold your breath. "Junk Bones" continues delightfully with this lively gothic theme, swinging casually into "New York Song" with its rippling accordion riffs, like something Tim Burton would enjoy:

"Last summer they said it was so, so hot
Two lovers did drown
Their dreams were sunk
While their bodies were lost
Their souls stayed around
They stayed underwater
Most go underground
And they said bein' here is better than wishing we'd stayed"

Next, Invie on accordion and LaCount on banjo divulge the delicious details of "A Spell For Letting Go." Nona goes to piano for "That Light," a lovely waltz-time ditty; and "Trouble No More" brings to mind swirling ruffled skirts and dark, gypsy eyes before it slows to a somber dirge warmed by the accordion. "Winter Coat" gives Marshall and his banjo a turn in the forefront, with Nona floating a high harmony over the top. The accordion and cello tug at your heartstrings as hard as anything on Beirut's Gulag Orkestar did. "All the Things" is wonderfully unadorned, just Nona's voice and accordion, with unusual stops and gentle taps of the accordion keys.

Kudos to Dark Dark Dark for a thematically consistent work that is beautiful, compelling, and well-executed. I think they'd be happy I used that word. I highly recommend. The physical CD also contains an 8-page booklet of photos by Timothy G. Piotrowski, who also took the photo above.

Dark Dark Dark: New York Song from The Snow Magic

Band members: Nona Marie Invie (accordion, piano, vocals), Marshall Lacount (banjo, vocals), Jonathan Kaiser (cello, vocals), Todd Chandler (bass).

MySpace | Website | Label: Blood Onion
Buy at Supply and Demand, Amazon.com, iTunes, and eMusic

Show Schedule:
Check their MySpace for a schedule of dates in the northeastern U.S. in December.

art from slap upside the head

In the spirit of the holiday, I want to give thanks and appreciation to those who support us and those who we depend on, for the wonderful opportunities we have been afforded this year, and for all of the wonderful people in my life.

I am thankful for my mother, Alt-Gramma, who has kept this blog going while I have been having a very stressful and busy few months. She is the most supportive person in my life and always willing to help me when I need it, listen when I need to talk, and give advice when I ask for it. Thank you, Mom...

colin meloy: my mother was a chinese trapeze artist [live]

I am thankful for my husband, known here as Spouse, who has supported me through some tough times, mostly by making me laugh and reminding me that life shouldn't ben taken so seriously all of the time. I am also thankful for my son, He Might Be Giant, for surprising me every day, and being such a great kid, always ready with a big smile when I need one.

landon pigg: falling in love in a coffee shop [buy]

I am thankful that we will be moving into our first house by Christmas, that we are able to buy a such a lovely house in these uncertain financial times, in a nice neighborhood, and that I adore this house so much.

starflyer 59: i'll be home for christmas [buy]

I am thankful for the family that I have married into, who have helped us and provided such a firm foundation of love and support from all sides. It's such a large group of people, always there to lend a hand when you need them.

And I'm thankful that we've had such a great run with Blogger, providing a free blog for us to bring our music to you and learn about great new bands from you. But after the Thanksgiving weekend, we're going to be thankful to bring to you our new blog, hosted on our own site where we don't have to worry about "the man" deleting our work for no reason with no warning.

paul simon: she moves on [buy]

I'm thankful for this and so much more - Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

Continuing with a kind of mellow Thanksgiving theme, today we have some gorgeous and introspective instrumentals. Take some time to consider all the good things, the friends and family, in your life.

Robyn Hitchcock: Heart Full of Leaves from I Often Dream of Trains (1984)
Website | Store
Buy at Amazon.com, iTunes, and eMusic

RL/VL: Kweens from Chagrin (2008)
MySpace | Label: Hidden Shoal Recordings
Buy at Amazon.com, iTunes, and eMusic

Pacific UV: If So from LongPlay 2 (2008)
MySpace | Website | Label: Warm Electronic Recordings
Buy at Pacific UV Store, iTunes, and eMusic

Gregor Samsa: Young and Old from 55:12 (2006)
MySpace | Website | Label: The Kora Records
Buy at Amazon.com, iTunes, and eMusic

Photo by alt-gramma: leaves and sky