Which is the better band name:

Kiss the Anus of a Black Cat

or

Steaming Wolf Penis

I leave for SXSW today. While I am gone, enjoy this CD review by guest reviewer Aaron Kramer.

Music Bath Review #1---The Shins WINCING THE NIGHT AWAY

Brief Overview of me, “Kramer the Guest CD Reviewer”: I am self-confessed “music snob” but only because mass media has forced it upon me. I still listen to some music that receives radio play (Coldplay, Red Hot Chili Peppers, U2) but the majority of the music that is being promoted (either via radio, MTV and the like) today is that which isn’t being recognized by 95% of the listening public. I pride myself on trying to give every artist their fair shot at gaining my respect (because we all know that EVERY ARTIST wants to receive the Kramer seal of approval).

I was really psyched for the Shins’ new album primarily because I had a friend turn me onto them prior to the big GARDEN STATE blow-up. They are one of the best Indie-rock bands writing songs today and their newest effort was a wonderfully surprising step WAY forward. A band that came to mind with their progression was The Strokes. Their first two albums were parallel efforts with really no musical and lyrical maturity between the two. However, the third album shows huge improvements in regards to song structure, lyrics (some of the most witty around) and overall accessibility to their sound.

1. Sleeping Lessons
1. A great opener for the album; Perfect mood setting especially with the development towards the end
2. Australia
1. This is the Shins with the sound that they created in their first two albums; Very catchy pop with clever lyrics that make me smile
3. Pam Berry
1. I’m not a big fan of filler songs that last less than a minute so this my least favorite song on the album
4. Phantom Limb
1. The first single is a perfect initial taste of the maturity of the Shins; A more complex song structure with some layered effects
5. Sea Legs
1. Sea Legs is a prime example of a Shins step forward. It uses some great sampling and an interesting tempo to play on the ears.
6. Red Rabbits
1. At the moment this is my favorite song on the album; I love string sections in songs, especially when they are used correctly; Finally, the crowd cheer at the end is the icing on the cake; I think I have repeated this song about 25 times on my IPOD already
7. Turn On Me
1. Turn on Me and Australia remind me the most of the “old” Shins sound; They are probably the two least impressive songs but they are still solid
8. Black Wave
1. This is my least favorite song on the album; It just seems like the lyrics are contrived and I don’t really like the melody
9. Spilt Needles
1. Another interesting tempo with LOTS of sampling and effects within the song; Tracks 8 and 9 are the two weakest on the album
10. Girl Sailor
1. Girl Sailor is a nice change of pace for a love song; You can hear a lot of the influences for the album on this song (especially the influence of Brian Wilson)
11. A Comet Appears
1. Every Shins album so far closes with a lovely acoustic piece at the end that is one of the highlights of the album; A Comet Appears does not disappoint;

A while ago, inspired by the concept of "Are You Dave Gorman?" I did a search for "Kyle Curry" on myspace. One fellow, a 19-year-old from Texas seemed very cool, with a great taste in music, so I friended him.

Then, I forgot about him. A while later I was going through my myspace friends and couldn't remember where in the world I knew him from.

Then I forgot about him again.

Then he posted a bulletin. And I didn't know who it was from, so I clicked on his profile and started reading through it. Someone had left a comment on his page using his name: "Kyle Curry." Ah. That is how I "knew" him.

Then, I had a dream about him. That's right, about someone I had never met or talked to. We were both sitting at a table and he told a joke. I can't remember the joke. But I commented "that was very funny, Kyle Curry" and he responded "thank you Kyle Curry."

Afterwards, wrote to him and told him about the dream, which he thought was amusing.

The other day I decided to do a search on youtube for Kyle Curry, and this came up -

Which Texas Kyle grudgingly admited was of him! I'm so happy that there are more Kyle Currys out there somewhere keeping it real Kyle Curry style.

Although I am disowning this Kyle Curry:

Check out the comments for his video. Wow. Glad I'm not that Kyle Curry.

When Ray LaMontagne released Trouble one of my first thoughts was "this guy has a bit of a Damien Rice" vibe. I suggested him to my Damo friends. I put them back to back on mix CDs. And now, they have come together and performed a duet of "To Love Somebody" by the Bee Gees for a French television show. It is like all is right with the world.

Click HERE to watch it.

Better late then never - here are some new releases from January to check out...

Continue reading "New Tuesday - January 2007"

My friend Melissa had a dream about me recently. In the dream I told her I had gotten a copy of the new Jay Clifford album (I sadly haven't) and that "It's good stuff. It's good stuff. It's top shelf."

It's top shelf is now my favorite phrase. And I can't wait to hear Jay's top shelf album.

Yesterday my pal Kev and I were heading down to Virgin Megastore to buy a butt ton of CDs and DVDs in the $10 sale, when we saw, randomly, a super ball bouncing down the street and onto the sidewalk. There was really no explination as to what it was doing there and how it got there.

Of course, my first thought was of the stellar Jose Gonzalez Bravia commercial for Heartbeats:

which is even more clever when looked at in conjunction with the original version/video from The Knife.

I just found out (Thanks Brian!) that one of my favorite videos (Bright Eyes - First Day Of My Life) was directed by Ms. Hedwig herself, John Cameron Mitchell. No WONDER I love it so much.

Apparently he also directed the Scissor Sisters video for Filthy Gorgeous with its sexy Jake kissing all kinds of hot men scenes. Thanks John!

I've decide to add a new category to music bath which is sure to be not used ever, just like all the others!

This category, featured artists, will be a good place for me to point you in the direction of artists that you really have to hear.

So, it's no secret, I'm a huge fan of sad bastard music. With that in mind, I think that New York's Chris Garneau is the perfect first artist for this new category.

Chris' CD, Music For Tourists, came out this January on Absolutely Kosher and there is no good excuse for not owning it yet.

That opening track, Castle-Time, starts the CD's heart-wrenching mood perfectly with lyrics like "my teacher died/even the frying pan cried/rain fell according to castle-time/I was only nine."

Death shows up again in the track "We Don't Try" which starts "you say you want to die/cause the things don't work out right/but you don't even try/though neither do I" and actually kind of gets way more depressing from there.

Actually, you really won't find too uplifting of a song on this CD. Wallow the whole way through.

It is rare that music actually makes my throat close up and tears well in my eyes, but Chris' music does just that. His beautiful voice is smooth and raspy at the same time, and the low somber piano tracks breaks my heart in just the right way.

Sounds Like: Damien Rice, Joe Purdy, Snow Patrol, Ryan Auffenberg, Jeremy Messersmith (and if you haven't heard them, GO LISTEN NOW!)

Check out his music video for "Relief." Great song, great video, and Chris is a cutie too, huh?

Clap your hands and believe...