Music Reviews
Alright, so here it finally is: reviews of albums by Bitter Design, Nada Surf, My Morning Jacket, and Franz Ferdinand
The rating’s scale is based on a 5 star scale.
Bitter Design – The Apple House Recordings ***
Now you guys all know I’m really biased when it comes to this album. Hearing my boy’s voice on this well produced recording, reminds me of spring of ‘03 when a little band called California A.F. recorded a 4 song demo, which frankly got some harsh feedback on account of Brian’s untrained voice. But that couldn’t stop him. So now after going out on his own he comes out with this 10 song LP and proves all of his nay-sayers wrong. It seems like forever ago, but I remember going to his house when he first got his guitar. This kid was struggling to form a power chord and now he’s using it completely to his advantage. This is definitely a case of the pupil becoming the master.
The album is impressive, but still has its flaws of course: “Jealous Soul’s” refrain sounds very close to the hook used in “I Know a Girl.” Some of the timing is off but to me that is part of its charm: it’s unapologetic punk rock. Recorded in the living room (next to the kitchen) of his house in Muskegon (the Apple House), Williams handled all guitar, bass and vocal duties, drums were covered by Nick Platkowski.
This album will suprise you, especially Brian’s booming voice. He’s always spoken softly, but now he’s got himself a big stick.
Nada Surf – The Weight is a Gift ***
Barsuk
This is the one that disappointed me folks. Nada Surf got comfortable and pulled a Wes Anderson. You might remember Nada Surf’s “Popular” a heavy rotation MTV hit that spawned various Weezer and Pavement comparisons, not that those were wrong then, but far from right now. Nada Surf came into their own with 2002’s Let Go. 2002’s Let Go was their masterpiece, back to back with catchy, sad-pop ballads that were perfect note for note.
Weight is still chock full of catchy hooks but the ‘Surfers lose something with this album I can’t quite put my finger on.
Good, but if I was to recommend investigation into this band I would have to suggest buying Let Go
Franz Ferdinand – You Could Have It So Much Better ***1/2
Sony/Domino
Franz trumped all the competition with last year’s self-titled debut Franz Ferdinand. In 2-double-ought-5 they return with a pretty substantial follow-up. You Could Have It So Better, begins with the raucous revival “The Fallen.” and “Do You Want To?” They can’t help repeating themselves: “I’m Your Villain” nicks the “Hava Nagila” guitar riff that dominated “Take Me Out.” The biggest departure from their previous album, and perhaps best song, is “Eleanor Put Your Boots On.” “You Could Have It So Much Better,” the song and the album, is an angrier, and darker. The boys are happy with harmonizing and it shows best on “Fade Together” which may remind you of “So Happy Together.” A couple of extra instruments appear here and there, which helps, even though their superior debut had none of that and still rocks just a bit more.
My Morning Jacket – Z ****1/2
Ato Records
First time listener of this band. Sounds like Radiohead, the Allman Brothers, and the Kings of Leon tossed in a skillet, and deep-fried by a cook drunk on cheap wine, sour mash and/or moonshine. In fact you might even trick yourself into believing while you’re listening that Thom Yorke is actually singing, or Neil Young, or whichever one of the Eagles sang “Take it to the Limit.” Z is what happens when Aliens land in Kentucky and learn guitar by covering Clash songs. Lyrically, a standout track is “Into the Woods.” The song opens with: “A kitten on fire/ A baby in a blender” and ends with “A good showerhead/ and my right hand/ the two best lovers/ that I ever had Now if you find you agree with what I just said/ You’d better find a new love/ and let ‘em into your head” I think I can relate to that. But the track that gave me a jump is “Dondante,” the jammy, blues-heavy end track. Visually it conjures up for me images of a black-haired, blue-eyed, Southern belle dancing on a floor covered in sawdust, dripping with sweat. Something like when you hear “Freebird” and you think of Jenny stepping to the edge of the hotel-room patio, only replace the darkness with light.
Check back next week for a review of MMJ’S 2003 album It Still Moves and Death Cab For Cutie’s newest: Plans.
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