Brandon Records

Artist Spotlight:

 

The Kooks

I missed an artist last month, so I'll try to do two this time around.  Which means, it's way easier to pick a new band with just one album.  And of my options, one of my favorites of the past couple years is the Kooks, with their debut LP annoyingly named Inside In/Inside Out.  Obviously part of their appeal is that they are younger than I am, have British accents and adorable hair, and have successfully made music I like.  On the other hand, the album as a whole isn't quite as captivating as some of its songs.  In other words, I do like most of their songs, but there are parts that I'm not that into.  Which is okay.  Because what I do like, I love.  Songs have consistently made my top 10 since I downloaded the album this summer, and frankly, I'm just a big fan of songs that sound sweet but whose chorus refrains, "Jackie Big Tits."  The Kooks are such a great summer band; they go down easy and don't really make you think.  And again, that's not a fault.  I gotta have my pops, so to speak.  Besides the key tracks and the aforementioned Jackie Big Tits, favorites include the Rooney-ish "Eddie's Gun," and the succinct "Seaside."  But then, I'm pretty much a sucker for any song that purports to be about the ocean.  "Time Awaits" is both a cool draw and what partially led to the score being lowered, because it fades out and fades in just a few too many times at the end.  And the hook's just not quite as fun as some others.  Anyway, check out the above video, and go back to when everything was better. 

Album Ratings (out of 5) Key Tracks

Inside In/Inside Out:  4

 Ooh La, She Moves in Her Own Way

 

 

Doves

I have recently been in the midst of a personal Doves renaissance.  Since I have actually downloaded and listened to music (all the way back to Napster!), I have loved the music of Doves, which I hear is a band name without article, so that will explain my weird references to Doves and not the Doves.  Moving on, I highly enjoy the uses of "Caught by the River" on both The O.C. and Scrubs (and possibly other shows?), and incorporated the song in our 2006 Chrismukkah video in their honor.  I also really like the interesting instrumentation on a lot of Doves songs, such as clarinets ("Friday's Dust"), flutes ("Someday Soon"), and glockenspiels ("The Sulphur Man"--and really, can the xylophone family be used to excess?  Methinks not).  Actually, the Some Cities closer "Ambition" was recorded in a Scottish cathedral, and it shows through beautifully.  Furthermore, I love that Doves, like many of my favorite bands (Trail of Dead, Bright Eyes), like to structure their albums a lot like plays, sometimes with brief intro songs or interludes, broken up acts, and great little concluding tales ("A House" on the Lost Souls album is a particular favorite).  The Last Broadcast especially feels like one great story of assertive independence, building up to a final act of four dynamic, yet not entirely upbeat, tunes culminating in the beloved and carefree "Caught by the River."  I have only listened to the most recent album twice according to my itunes, and I only really remember a few of the songs, so I wanted to admit my lack of familiarity before the rating.  Finally, Doves are coming out with a new album this Fall, and I'm pretty curious about it.  I've enjoyed a few of this year's releases from old bands (Bright Eyes, Spoon), but I still feel disappointed on the whole.  Here's hoping the new Doves album can help turn it around.  

Note: I would like to say that my giving an album 5 stars means I enjoy every song individually and find the album itself cohesive.  I highly doubt my ratings correspond to any professional music critic's. 

Album Ratings (out of 5) Key Tracks

Lost Souls:  4

 Sea Song, A House
The Last Broadcast:  5 There Goes the Fear, Pounding, The Sulphur Man
Some Cities:  3.5 Black and White Town, Snowden

                                                

 

The Decemberists

 

If I don't say this is my favorite current band (not really counting the Counting Crows, given their last album was 5 years ago...can't wait for Saturday Nights, Sunday Mornings though), I'm lying to myself.  And you.  As a fan of linguistics/grammar/vocabulary, I highly enjoy the Decemberists' lyrics, with words like "dirigible," "folderol," and "odalisque."  Equally I like their Romantic (with a capital R) settings and stories, along with their according instrumentation.  In fact, I love exotic instrumentation so much it knocks many songs up for me (see the anvils in Il Trovatore or the cannons in the 1812 Overture...Don't you love being pretentious?).  Also, I think I'm immune to most gratingly nasal voices; where others bleed from the ears, it doesn't bother me (see Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Neutral Milk Hotel).  I first got into the Decemberists, as I know you care, only last summer, but since then it has been a nonstop factor on my itunes.  P.S.  Incidentally (assuming you've already read the below chart), Picaresqueties is my favorite EP...should I rate those too or stick to full albums? 

Album Ratings (out of 5) Key Tracks

Castaways and Cutouts:  4

 California One Youth and Beauty Brigade
Her Majesty the Decemberists:  3 Song for Myla Goldberg, Los Angeles, I'm Yours
Picaresque:  4.5 On the Bus Mall, Mariner's Revenge Song
The Crane Wife:  3.5 The Crane Wife No. 3, Sons and Daughters