The Wheel's Still In Spin

Best Albums Of January 2008

2008 started out with a busy month full of strong releases. Here are my favorites:

1. Vampire Weekend – Vampire Weekend | buy it at amazon

   Vampire Weekend self-describes their music as “Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa” and “Upper West Side Soweto.” The band is a foursome that connects with the upscale, liberal areas of Cape Cod or Upper West Side Manhattan and the South West Townships of South Africa that is known for an uprising against apartheid in 1976. They play indie rock that is influenced by African pop, like the Conga dance rhythm kwassa kwassa. You can read what you want into this band, but they play intelligent, syncopated rock that swells with its guitar and keyboard melodies and drives with its percussive rhythms.



2. The Helio Sequence – Keep Your Eyes Open | buy it at amazon
   Download “Keep Your Eyes Ahead” (mp3)

   Every time I listen to this album, it sounds like a combination of Band Of Horses and Modest Mouse. There are layers of resounding guitars, mellifluous keyboards, benevolent reverberation, and dexterous rhythms. Beneath the production, however, you can hear the roots of folk songs that developed into resonant pop songs.



3. Jeffrey Lewis – 12 Crass Songs | buy it at amazon

   Anti-folk singer-songwriter and comic book artist Jeffrey Lewis released the best cover album of the month. Originally released in the UK in October 2007, 12 Crass Songs finally came stateside. Adapting 12 songs by the anarchic punk band Crass, Lewis breathes life into the songs with his acoustic guitar. The simplistic production of this album highlights the intelligence and despondent pragmatism of Crass’s lyrics.



4. Thao Nguyen – We Brave Bee Stings And All | buy it at amazon
   Download “Beat (Health, Life And Fire)” (mp3)
   Download “Bag Of Hammers” (mp3)

   With a sultry voice, Thao Nguyen presents her hypnotic take on folk rock. “Bag Of Hammers” is one of my favorite songs of the month with its rollicking, repetitive rhythms and tuneful melody. The songs on this album are rooted in Thao’s voice and acoustic guitar, but are backed by driving but controlled drums and well placed compliment of banjo, mandolin, piano, and more.



5. MGMT - Oracular Spectacular | buy it at amazon

   This electronic rock duo has found a way to mix the sounds of The Verve, Muse, and Big Star with the mock earnestness of The Flaming Lips. “Time To Pretend,” the opening and standout track, records how the band “pretends” they became the big hit. “This is our decision to live fast and die young./ We’ve got the vision, now let’s have some fun// Yeah it’s overwhelming, but what else can we do? Get jobs in offices and wakeup for the morning commute?”



6. Tyler Ramsey - A Long Dream About Swimming Across The Sea | buy it at amazon

   This is a relaxing release. It makes complex compositions sound simple. His voice bears a strong resemblance to Neil Young and Ben Bridwell, Ramsey’s Band Of Horses band mate, while being padded with mollifying and skillful acoustic guitar playing.



7. The Spectacular Fantastic – Consume / Reward | buy Consume at 75orlessreocrds | download Reward here
   Download “Limitless And Free” (mp3) from Consume
   Download “Feelings” (mp3) from Reward

   This is a combination of 2 EPs, one to purchase (Consume) and one to download (Reward), that bring together 10 tracks for a total of 25 minutes worth of indie power pop. Consume demonstrates more of the diverse elements of The Spectacular Fantastic. For example, within the first 1:30 of “I Don’t Want To Live,” which is only 2:31 long, the guitar tones switch from propulsive clean tones to overdriven, darker ones, before turning back to cleaner, more subdued picking. And it works!



8. Times New Viking - Rip It Off | buy it at amazon
   Download "(My Head)" and "R.I.P. Allegory" (mp3)
   Download "DROP-OUT" (mp3)

   This lo-fi trio from Columbus, OH, released 2 previous records that lead to their signing with Matador Records. Moving to a more prominent indie label did not change the sound of the band’s recordings. The short punk songs were recorded with harsh, clipped sounds, much like The Paisley Reich, but somehow this noisy rock is mesmerizing and abrasively haunting.



9. The Motion Sick - The Truth Will Catch You, Just Wait... | buy it here
   Download "30 Lives" (mp3)

   This album puts the vocals front and center. The lyrics are full of existential and potent subjects, but with whimsical hedonism. There are references to revenge and murder mixed with quips about mood rings and Nintendo cheat codes and a Joy Division cover.



10. Black Mountain - In The Future | buy it at amazon | buy the limited edition version at amazon
    Download "Tyrants" (mp3)

    Full of psychedelic, prog, and stoner rock, Black Mountain returns for their sophomore release. In The Future it’s still the 70’s. Anthemic and epic songs full of classic rock guitar virtuosity will apparently still be the main aural pleasure.

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Better Than The Chili: The Spectacular Fantastic

Once a week The Wheel's Still In Spin highlights a band from the Greater Cincinnati area. Whether you prefer Skyline or Gold Star, you will agree that this band is "Better Than The Chili."

Download “Limitless And Free” (mp3) from Consume
Download "Feelings" (mp3) from the free Reward

The Greater Cincinnati area consists of sections of Southwestern Ohio, Northern Kentucky, and Southeastern Indiana. The Spectacular Fantastic is one of the bands from the area that resides in Indiana. Lawrenceburg, Indiana, to be specific.

The band started as the recording project for Mike Detmer. Playing all or most of the instruments himself on his early releases, he decided to put a live band together. Through their five full length albums the band progressed. So did the cohesiveness to the sound they created. On their website, you can listen to split singles, free EPs, and last year’s full length Outer Space Is Nothing But A Lie.

Today, January 30th, sees the band release 2 EPs, one you purchase, Consume, and one you download, Reward. Both are full of the infective pop music for which Detmer and associates are known. Limited-edition hand-made copies of Consume can be purchased at 75orlessrecords. And Ionik Recordings will handle online distribution for the album, so I’m sure all the online stores will be carrying the album soon.

The free Reward can be downloaded here.

www.spectacularfantastic.net
www.myspace.com/thespectacularfantastic

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New Releases - 29 January 2008

Here are some highlight's of this week's new releases.

The Helio Sequence – Keep Your Eyes Open | buy it at amazon
Download “Keep Your Eyes Ahead” (mp3)
This album utilizes similar vocal effects as Sub Pop label mates Band Of Horses, but the songs have an infectious and undulating quality reminiscent to Modest Mouse, for who The Helio Sequence’s Benjamin Weikel played drums.

Jeffrey Lewis – 12 Crass Songs | buy it at amazon
Reworking songs by Crass, Jeffrey Lewis gives an original take on the songs. Covering these punk songs with his anti-folk style production makes this one of the best albums I’ve heard so far this year. Originally released in the UK in October of 2007 on Rough Trade, the album makes its US debut today.

Thao Nguyen – We Brave Bee Stings And All | buy it at amazon
Download “Beat (Health, Life And Fire)” (mp3)
Download “Bag Of Hammers” (mp3)
With this release, Thao Nguyen may become the indie pop songstress of 2008. These songs are catchy and dynamic. The album is flowing and folk-infused. If your head doesn’t soulfully bob to “Bag Of Hammers” you must be incapable of that rhythmically relaxing motion.

The Spectacular Fantastic – Consume | buy it at 75orlessreocrds
Download “Limitless And Free” (mp3)
Mike Detmer is the main muse begetter of The Spectacular Fantastic. The music is indie rock with retro pop overtones. The band has consistently given away albums worth of material. With this release, Consume, The Spectacular Fantastic will also offer a complimentary EP entitled Reward for a free download from the band's website. The self-release album, Consume, and free EP, Reward, will both be available on Wednesday, January 30th.

Vampire Weekend – Vampire Weekend | buy it at amazon
Vampire Weekend self-released the majority of this album last year as the Blue CD-R. After gaining loads of praise for their music, they signed to XL and released this flushed-out album by adding a few more tracks. The album is full of keyboard and guitar driven songs held together by cunning and idiosyncratic rhythms.

After the jump, watch a video from Vampire Weekend and see a list of more albums released this week.

Better Than The Chili: The Seedy Seeds

Once a week The Wheel's Still In Spin highlights a band from the Greater Cincinnati area. Whether you prefer Skyline or Gold Star, you will agree that this band is "Better Than The Chili."

Download "The Little Patton" (mp3)

This electronic folk duo was the winner of the 2007 Cincinnati Entertainment Awards for Best New Artist Of The Year and Best Experimental/Electronic. They were also nominated for a Cincinnati Entertainment Award for Album Of The Year for their debut full-length album, Change States.

Mixing banjo, accordion, drum beats, and catchy melodies, Mike Ingram and Margaret Weiner create unique, upbeat songs. The band sounds like a mellow, electronic combination of Mates Of State and The Carpenters.

Last month, a new kitten was added to my family. He loves to play with the cable to my headphones and walk across my computer's keyboard. The track "The Little Patton" is posted on the site as a dedication to my new kitten with it's opening lines beckoning that "You're my little kitten/ You're my little song."

See the band live tonight, Friday, January 25, 2008, at The Gypsy Hut with The Lions Rampart and Chicago's Coltrane Motion.

www.theseedyseeds.com
www.myspace.com/theseedyseeds

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New Releases - 22 January 2008

This is the biggest week so far this year. With releases from Cat Power, Blood On The Wall, Hello, Blue Roses, and Drive-By Truckers. In addition to those releases, here are a few of my favorite new albums from this week. After the jump, there's a large list of this week's new releases.

Black Mountain - In The Future | buy it at amazon | buy the limited edition version at amazon
Download "Tyrants" (mp3)
After Black Mountain's self-titled debut, the band is most often associated with a combination of pyschedelic and prog rock. This album sound distinct but anthemic, liberated but expansive.

Bodies Of Water - Ears Will Pop & Eyes Will Blink | buy it at amazon
Download "I Guess I'll Forget The Sound, I Guess, I Guess" (mp3)
Ears Will Pop & Eyes Will Blink sounds big and orchestral like a soundtrack, but with intimacy and production of an indie album. The album mixes multiple genres into an ever-expanding palette of unfolding music.

Dengue Fever - Venus On Earth | buy it at amazon
Instrumentally, this album reminds me of Gruff Rhys' Candylion with a little bit (and only a little bit) of a surf rock influence. It mixes an international pop feel with a psychedelic vibe. Overall, the album is poppy, unique, and intriguing.

Liam Finn - I'll Be Lightning | buy it at amazon
Good songs and original production make this a pretty good album. The solo debut from this New Zealand singer-songwriter is full of sprawling folk songs that are accessible and upbeat.

Foxy Shazam - Introducing | buy it at amazon
This album is rooted in danceable songs that have a electric punk edge, driven by piano and guitar riffs, and fronted by mayhem.
After the jump, watch the video for "Dangerous Man" from Introducing Foxy Shazam.

MGMT - Oracular Spectacular | buy it at amazon
The keyboards and drum beats on this album bring to mind the sound of 80's pop, but the overall feel is somehow soaked in 60's psychedelic rock. Imagine if The Zombies had been formed by a bedroom electronica duo sometime after disco and 80's pop had passed.

Times New Viking - Rip It Off | buy it at amazon
Download "(My Head)" and "R.I.P. Allegory" (mp3)
Download "DROP-OUT" (mp3)
This is a band that I think I would love live. Like their last year's The Paisley Reich, for their Matador debut, this band from Columbus offers lo-fi, short punk songs. Fuzzy, distorted, noisy rock with vocals buried in there somewhere.

After the jump, watch the video for Foxy Shazam's "Dangerous Man" and see a list of more new releases from this week.

Better Than The Chili: Foxy Shazam

Every Friday -- and this week on Thursday -- The Wheel's Still In Spin highlights a band from the Greater Cincinnati area. Whether you prefer Skyline or Gold Star, you will agree that this music is "Better Than The Chili."

Live, Foxy Shazam is unpredictable and engaging. There's no telling what to expect at one of their shows. Singer Eric Nally may deface or mangle his body, but he will give the performance ever ounce of energy capable. Musically, the keyboard playing of Sky White and guitar work of Loren Turner cover a multitude of styles. The band sounds like Modest Mouse shoved into a blender and set to mince, grind, or shred. As the band describes themselves, they are the "Evel Knievel of Rock N Roll."

Officially, the band will release their sophomore album entitled Introducing Foxy Shazam on January 22nd.

Locally, they will be playing a CD Release Party tonight (Thursday, Jan 22nd) at The Mad Hatter in Covington, KY with Karate High School, Peachcake, Julius Engine, and Black Tie Affair.

After the jump, watch a teaser trailer for the new album, Introducing Foxy Shazam:

New Releases - 15 January 2008

Here are some highlights of this week's new releases.

Matt Costa - Unfamiliar Faces | but it at amazon
Happy-go-lucky, upbeat rock music. As the album works towards the end, Grateful Dead influences are heard, but this is not a jam album.

Mike Ladd - Nostalgialator | but it at amazon
Originally released in 2004 in the UK, Def Jux finally releases Nostalgialator in the US. A pretty good and diverse album full of well used samples and strong lyrics.

The Magnetic Fields - Distortion | buy it at amazon
Adding feedback to every instrument except the drums, Stephen Merrit and company have crafted and album that is both droney and melodic while still showcasing strong songwriting skills.

Tyler Ramsey - A Long Dream About Swimming Across The Sea | buy it at amazon
Skillful guitar playing and relaxed piano chords are the backbone for this album. As a member of Band Of Horses, Tyler Ramsey writes songs that sound like mellow mixture of Band Of Horses and My Morning Jacket.

Watch the video for Tyler Ramsey's "A Long Dream" and see a list of other new releases after the jump.

Better Than The Chili: 500 Miles To Memphis

Every Friday, I will be highlighting a band from the Greater Cincinnati area. Whether you prefer Skyline or Gold Star, you will agree that this music is "Better Than The Chili."

Download "All My Friends Are Crazy" (mp3)

Continually nominated for Cincinnati Entertainment Awards, 500 Miles To Memphis was named best Roots/Folk/Americana band in 2005 and both Best Rock Act and Best Live Act in 2007 (as well as being nominated for Album of the Year and Artist of the Year).

In July of 2007, the band released Shotgun In A Shotglass on Deep Elm Records. It's not exactly a country album or a punk record, but it contains the best elements of both styles. They mix fiddle and steel guitar with distorted, crunching guitars.

"All My Friends Are Crazy" seems like the best track to use as the first "Better Than The Chili" track of 2008 with the lyrics "I'll wait for the new year/ They'll be breaking some hearts, my dear/ I can say that I'm not the same/ Another year and another heartache/ I hope it gets better than this, yeah."

www.500milesmusic.com
www.myspace.com/500milestomemphis

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New Releases - 8 January 2008

Here are some highlights of this week's new releases.

Left Lane Cruiser - Bring Yo Ass To The Table | buy it at amazon
Download "Wash It" (mp3)
This two-piece band from Fort Wayne, IN, is the style Two Gallants, The Black Keys, or White Stripes. With the release of Bring Yo Ass To The Table, slide guitar and heavy-hitting drums collide into raucous blues soaked music.

Marah - Angels Of Destruction! | buy it at amazon
This garage rock band from Philadelphia recorded their latest album in Nashville. Fighting sobriety, the band wrote some 35 songs before narrowing this album down to its 12 strong tracks. You can preview the album is its entirety here.

Reverend Organdrum - Hi-Fi Stereo | buy it at amazon
Download "Bim Bam Baby" live (mp3)
A side project for Jim Heath, a.k.a. Reverend Horton Heat, with Tim Alexander from Asleep At The Wheel on organ and Todd Soesbe on drums. The trio played some shows in the Dallas area before deciding to record their first album, Hi-Fi Stereo. You can listen to unmastered mp3 of live recordings from The Allgood Cafe on the band's website. Above is one track, "Bim Bam Baby," that they re-recorded for their release.

Wisely - Wisely | buy it at amazon
You can stream the entire album on Wisely's website. The album is well-written and the production is lush. The first video from the album is "Through Any Window." It stars Jenna Fischer (Pam Beesly from "The Office").

Watch the video and see other releases from this week after the jump.

Better Than The Chili: The Best Cincinnati Albums of 2007

Every Friday this year, I will be highlighting a band from the Greater Cincinnati area. Whether you prefer Skyline or Gold Star, you will agree that this music is "Better Than The Chili."

For this first post, I'd like to showcase some of the best albums of 2007 from Cincinnati musicians. Mike Breen and the City Beat staff compiled reviews of some of the best local albums of the year. They were able to list about 40 albums that they favored. Here's my personal list of top five local releases for 2007.

1. The Great Depression - The Great Depression | Best Albums of 2007 #8 | website
   

   2 guys and 2 acoustic guitars singing songs about heartache, drugs, and loss. It sounds simple. But only rarely are certain musicians able to make the simple so beautiful and poignant. Every live show this band has performed has blown me away. This album is equally astonishing.



2. 500 Miles To Memphis - Sunshine In A Shot Glass | website | buy it here
   

   This band has some high energy alt country in the vein of the countrier side of Black Rebel Motor Club or a punk version of the Drive-By Truckers. Equal parts rockabilly, country, punk, and rock and roll, this band drinks hard and plays harder. This album is incredibly well produced. It's pristine, but without losing the energy or emotion of the band. The album's opening song, "All My Friends Are Crazy" is one of my favorite tracks of the year.



3. The Seedy Seeds - Change States | website | buy it here
   

   Their brand of indie/folk/dance music has been called "Appalachitronica." Few bands can create such appealing music by mixing a banjo and electronic drum beats. Their meldoies stick in my head like a melted chocolate bar brazes to its wrapper on a hot day.



4. The Spectacular Fantastic - Outer Space In Nothing But A Lie | website | Download this album for FREE here
   

   Both spectacular and fantastic, Mike Detmer and company make retro pop sounding music. If you are a fan of the Elephant 6 bands, you should definitely check out this band. Luckily, after making this album, they made it available with a free download from their website. The band has a new album coming on out January 30th, which I'm looking forward to.



5. Pearlene - For Western Violence And Brief Sensuality | website
   

   Pearlene's latest album is full of the garage blues music. The first track opens with a honky tonk sounding piano, but the album then launches into a psychedelic bar band song, then retro-influenced blues songs.

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Best Albums of 2007

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