Been doin’ a fair amount of listening this past week, and was able to pick up a few new things…



Telefon Tel Aviv – Map of What is Effortless

This one seems to be dividing opinions pretty heavily. Some folks are upset the record seems to be going in a more commercial direction, others find it nicely listenable. Regardless of the arguing, I’m enjoying it. It’s an interesting mish mash of electronic music and soul music, impeccably produced and complete with a live Orchestra backing things up. I can see why people who are more into the electronic thing would be put off by the smooth R&B touches, but considering I like both, it just sounds good to me. Vinyl fans take note, it comes as an extremely nice 2 record set, wonderfully pressed and nicely packaged.



HorrorPops – Hell Yeah!

Psychobilly band fronted by a hot chick playin’ a stand-up bass. What’s not to like? Their sound is actually not as hard-nosed as their image, leaning as much on traditional rockabilly as anything more extreme. Good catchy tunes keep this one rolling along nicely. A good listen if this is your bag.



Nobody - Pacific Drift: Western Water Music, Vol. 1

I think it was Dusty that didn’t care for this one. Well, I found some clips online and did like it. So, when I saw it, I grabbed it. (another quality vinyl pressing, by the way) I think it’s a nicely constructed electronic LP with vocals sprinkled throughout. Maybe not as groundbreaking as some things that have come out recently in the genre, but an enjoyable listen. It seems to walk a nice line between being out there and sticking to something with an easy to like sound.



M83 - Dead Cities, Red Seas & Lost Ghosts

Been looking for this one for a while, and finally saw a copy. First heard this on a comp from Jar. Think My Bloody Valentine with synths and you’re about as close as I can describe. I guess you could call it shoegazer electronica. Whatever you call it, it’s easy to get lost in.



Oscar Peterson Trio + One Clark Terry

Great set from Oscar Peterson’s trio, featuring Clark Terry guesting on trumpet and flugelhorn. The band is tight, the solos are very good and the tunes range from some up-tempo bop to some more laid-back bluesy jazz. It’s stumbling across records like this that makes me want to keep exploring jazz.



Earl Hines

Self-titled LP from the great piano player. This is my first experience with Hines, so I can’t say where it falls in his repertoire, but it is nice work nonetheless. Excellent piano playing from the 40s, backed by a competent small band.



Dizzee Rascal – Boy in Da Corner

Posted about this yesterday, so I’m not going to go into detail, just mention it again and say I’m diggin’ it.



Texas Terri and the Stiff Ones – Eat ****

Trashy rock and roll from a tight band fronted by a powerful, ass-kickin’ female. Nothing groundbreaking, just fun, good trashy powerful stuff. The nice hooks help keep this one going strong. Not for the easily offended, but a fun listen if you’re into this sort of thing.



That’s all the new stuff. (one of my bigger shopping sprees in a while) Also pulled out Throbbing Gristle – 20 Jazz Funk Greats, Low – Secret Name, Lou Reed – Legendary Hearts, a bunch of Eno era Bowie, and some more, but this list is big enough now, so that’s all I’m typing.