It's fair to say that the pages of Burning Wood aren't always kind to new artists. I try occasionally to get "with it," but the fact remains, I am rarely impressed with what is it out there. I don't feel any pressure to like what has been hyped. I do try, though. I go in fresh and excited, but I usually come out nonplussed.
"Really? 4 STARS?"
Recent suggestions have been new records from Tame Impala & King Tuff, both of which sound like records with half-baked ideas, but lack depth and ultimately go nowhere, at least to these ears. I enjoyed both of these records until I didn't. I made it through almost all of Tame Impala, but gave up when King Tuff got under my skin about 4 songs in.
On the other hand, I've just discovered how wonderful Andy Fairweather Low's early records are, thanks to a suggestion by our friend BuzzBabyJesus. Yeah, "Spider Jiving" and "Le Booga Rooga" are 30 years old, but they are new to me and both are solid displays of that loose and ramshackle style of rock and roll, when bands didn't take themselves too seriously and still managed to make serious music.
It starts with the song. Somewhere underneath the bells and whistles, low or hi fi, there has to be something to sink my teeth into. Unless of course, you have a whole package. The Ramones, immediately come to mind. Not exactly Rodgers & Hart, but man how it all worked!
So...that being said...
SUGGESTIONS FOR THE BEST NEWISH BAND
or, in the case of Andy Fairweather Low
SOMEONE YOU'VE BEEN LISTENING TO FOR YEARS THAT HAS REMAINED UNDER THE RADAR
Fitz and the Tantrums, Allah-las are spectacular, and Nick Waterhouse... loving these groups as great throwback efforts
ReplyDeleteI've given up on new music for now. Rock n Roll is dead and the only thing that will revive it is a band that matters, and I see nothing on the horizon. It's definitely not Tame Tuff or King Impala.
ReplyDeleteI've been concentrating on obscurities instead. That's how I found Andy Fairweather Low.
Cut-outs of "Jack Bonus" were everywhere in 1973. Good luck finding out any info on this guy, but his eponymous album from 1972 is really good, and includes "The Hobo Song":
http://alanwalkerart.com/audio/the_hobo_song.mp3
Just seeing "Jake And The Family Jewels" on an album cover cracks me up. Here's "I Remember Cissy's Baby" from 1970:
http://alanwalkerart.com/audio/i_remember_cissys_baby.mp3
And FYI, if you like these, download by right clicking. On a Mac I believe that translates to "option click".
Robert Christgau was always big on Andy Fairweather Low, saying that his solo albums were better than any of the stars for whom he played sessions.
ReplyDeletethe newest band I enjoy is the Generationals. 2 of their 3 releases, Con Law and Actor-Castor, always give me a lift. Pretty shy in person, they appear to be a couple of guys who lucked into turning their bedroom jamming into groovy pop.
Favorite artist that never garnered a following was Cheri Knight. Her first album after being in the Blood Oranges, The Knitter, was a little too heavy on power chords, but the second one, The Northeast Kingdom, is easily one of my 5 favorites.
I always find it kind of pointless to tout newer bands that I listen to, as it seems whomever I tout them to finds them kind of average, and I find their choices kind of average. There never seems to be any consensus on one artist or band that all of us go, "Now that's great." I'm not sure if that's just the new paradigm of all music being profoundly sub-divided by genre, or there just isn't music being made on that legendary level anymore. I do agree the level of hype surrounding so many newer bands is astonishing and ultimately depressing when you finally hear the band and it's warmed over 80s or classic rock. (I have to believe the people doing the hyping just aren't that well-versed in musical history ... but they'll be the first to insinuate you don't know what you're talking about or are "out of touch" in some sense.)
ReplyDeleteUnder the radar is another story. Back in the 90s, just before he passed on, Ronnie Lane had all his solo albums slowly reissued on various labels, and that was a revelation to me, as I knew of them but had never heard a track (aside from his collaboration with Townshend, Rough Mix). Buying all of those was a wonderful experience -- like getting early-period Rod Stewart all over again, as the songs are that good. I treausre those albums now, and it seems like most have fallen out of circulation again.
Kevin Coyne -- another British artist I'd heard of but knew very little about. Picked up Marjory Razorblade a few years ago, and that kicked open a door to a cool, idiosyncratic artist who was sort of a poor-man's Joe Cocker with a quirkier, far more British edge. That was in the days of Megaupload, and I was able to track down most of his out-of-print albums accordingly.
Ditto Alan Price solo albums -- a wealth of material out there that's hard to come by these days, but worth having for a Ray Davies take on England circa the early/mid 70s.
Goose Creek Symphony: poor man's version of The Band I was completely unaware of until stumbling on them via Emusic. Great stuff, good songwriting and mining that exact same rock/country edge The Band did, circa early 70s.
I could do this all day ...
I was always disapointed The Pontiac Brothers/Liquor Giants/Ward Dotson never received more attention. While they never grabbed the brass ring, all of their albums were solid,heart-felt,slightly left of mainstream rock and roll. The Pontiac brothers put on one of the greatest club shows I've ever seen in Greenville, SC in 1988.
ReplyDeleteTim Lee has been cranking out intelligent,jangly Southern rock since the mid-80's via The Windbreakers,solo,TimLee3 to very little acclaim. His latest album, 2010's Raucus Americanus may be his best yet.
A hometown favorite, The Accelerators put out two albums of intelligent, power-pop, punkabilly in the late 80's early 90's which were met with the sound of one hand clapping.
Others include Tommy Keene, NRBQ, Bloodkin, OV Wright, DM3, Snooks Eaglin....
As for new music, I'm looking forward to 'Debris' by Roman Candle
btw, positive vibes and prayers going out to those coping with Hurricane Sandy today. Be smart Be safe. Be lucky.
ReplyDeleteSharon Jones is pretty awesome -- in my book she counts as new even if she sounds like old. Depends where and how you set the way back machine to define "new."
ReplyDelete"Marjory Razorblade" is a classic. "The House On The Hill" is one of the saddest songs ever written.
ReplyDeleteI was going to mention The Liquor Giants, but I felt they were too new for one category and too old for the other.
I've been a fan of Roy Harper's since 1975, when his album "HQ", (released in the US as "When An Old Crickateer Leaves The Crease") came out. The back-up band is John Paul Jones, David Gilmour, Bill Bruford, and Chris Spedding. Here is "The Game". At the time, I read that Gilmour couldn't get the solo, so Spedding was called in. Like a gunslinger he arrived with a black Les Paul, a white strat, and nailed it in one take:
http://alanwalkerart.com/audio/the_game.mp3
And then there's Kevin Ayers.
I'm really enjoying John Fullbright's From the Ground Up. Occupies the territory between The Band and your favorite gruff-voiced, folky singer-songwriter. Sharp lyrics, solid musicianship = great songs.
ReplyDeleteEilen Jewell's first 2 cds were gems. Her latest are OK, but she's not prolific and the pressure to put out product may be diluting the quality a wee bit. She and her band are excellent live.
As for older stuff ... try Ed Kuepper, Chris Knox or Julie Driscoll.
Not new, but is 2004 newish? I love "A Girl Called Eddy" from Erin Moran (her name isn't identified as such on the CD so as to not confuse with the "Happy Days" actress): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ka-ekeYrhjQ
ReplyDeleteI've lobbied for him before at Power Pop, but 2001's Lovers Leap by Dan Bryk is in my pantheon of albums, and his Christmas record (2006) isn't far behind. To get a feeling for his emotional range, try "Mark Turmell," "Fingers," "BBW," and then "Spadina Expressway." http://downloads.bryk.com/album/lovers-leap
2012 was the year for me to have discovered so many lesser-known but wonderful, not to mention, local (SF Bay Area) bands. Nicki Bluhm & the Gramblers have become a youtube buzz with their van vids but her latest album reminds one of what was so great about the early-70s LA sound. The Shants are great swamp rock and any band that features the steel pedal earns kudos in my book. Dawes has been a nice discovery as well, though they're getting some big attention. I've enjoyed Michael Kiwanuka after the video from Burning Wood back in June. Under the radar for too long, Tift Merritt's latest is a nice, mellow disc.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite discovery of the last two years has been the Truth & Salvage Co., a band whose first album was produced by Crowe Chris Robinson. They feature four lead singers, beautiful harmony and all of the characteristics of classic Americana without sounding derivitive. I've likened their sound to an old friend you're meeting for the first time. There's always new and great music out there. My philosophy is that the world's greatest band still hasn't been discovered...
Re: Roy Harper-- I came in at the "HQ" album, as well. Liked it. Then, every couple of years or so I'd read an article on Roy, the influence he's had on many of my fave artists, and I'd go crazy with his catalogue, each time flummoxed by what I was hearing. I keep trying, but I don't get Roy Harper.
ReplyDeleteRoy's crazy, maybe not totally getting him is healthy. I like "HQ", "Bullinamingvase", particularly "One Of Those Days In England", and most of "Valentine", but after that it's a great track here and there with lots of stuff that is boring, or worse.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite new-ish band is Giant Squid. Kind of proggy sludge metal/punk with a aquatic theme based out of San Francisco. Drums, Bass, Guitar, and Cello. They have three albums, Metridium Field, The Ichthyologist, and Cenotes and there has been a gradual evolution in their sound on each. Really hard to explain their sound and style. That may be due to the prog structure. I recommend The Ichthyologist as a starting point.
ReplyDeleteIt's funny that you mentioned Tame Impala. My son turned me on to another cut called "Feels Like We Only Go Backwards" last week. I thought it was good although I felt it referenced stuff that we've already heard. But to him it's new and he loves it. I'm just glad he;s mostly over the whole hip-hop thing and listening to melodies as well as beats. It all comes around.
ReplyDeleteI've been a Roy Harper fan from way back - love damn near all of his stuff but very much understand why others don't. A lot of his music needs repeated listenings. My main man recently has been Stew and his band The Negro Problem. He's released solo albums under the Stew moniker along with the band's output. An extremely gifted lyricist coupled with very unique songs. Randy
ReplyDeleteYeah, I don't really know how to define "new", Little Axe has been making records since the 90s, so I guess Skip qualifies!! Same with Chris Whitley, but he's dead, so that must make him "old". Both of these artists haven't made a dud (in my humble opinion) and their very best work is always missing on most "best" lists...go figure.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to find a new act to get really enthused about, but I have one rock-solid one: White Denim. Dumber-than-dirt name, but man - every time one of their songs comes up on my iPod, I glance down to see who is playing that incredible music. I'd go so far as to say I probably like every single song they have put out so far - about 3 albums I think.
ReplyDeleteThey're a band from Austin who does the weirdest mix of proggy rock, southern rock and power pop, mixed with lyrics just odd/evocative enough to keep you guessing.
They stay out of a lot of the pitfalls that some of their much-hyped contemporaries fall into: Fleet Foxes can never have a song with a sense of humor; Radiohead can never just rock out; Gary Clark Jr has to have a post-modern take on the blues.
But White Denim, they just rock, in a lysergic, blissed out way, like great rock is supposed to be.
I love a lot of their music, but my fave tune is "Anvil Everything" - check it out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3nmIxPkFJ4
- A Walk In The Woods
New babies tend to cramp one's music listening lifestyle. Most of the new music I've heard that's worth listening to has come from Burning Wood. One exception is a Bay Area band called Tornado Rider. The lead is an electric cello, fronted by Rushad Eggleston, who is a force of nature, but also inclined towards cocaine behavior on stage. Maybe that's a good thing. It's a great sound, and though it seems gimmicky, it really works for me. Heard them play live on the radio and didn't know it was a cello being played. Seen them live a bunch of times, and donated money to their kickstarter thingy to get their first record made.
ReplyDeleteIt's definitely on the goofy side, but for whatever reason, it works for me:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=501Fm8G16Vk
"There never seems to be any consensus on one artist or band that all of us go, "Now that's great." I'm not sure if that's just the new paradigm of all music being profoundly sub-divided by genre, or there just isn't music being made on that legendary level anymore."
ReplyDeleteVery key words from William. Even the suggestions here...so far...seem to be lacking the type of passion one usually displays for the music of the past.
"They're ok." "Hard to explain." "Goofy and it works."
This isn't a criticism on the commenters and their choices. But it does speak volumes. I find myself using the same words to describe the "new" bands" I like.
I've written about "A Girl Called Eddy" a few times here, and I really love the record. But even 8 years later, I remember the 4 songs I love, and can't really recall much else. That is not something that happened "back in the day." Even the weakest tracks on records by our heroes seem strong comparatively speaking, or at least they do to me.
I don't have a good feel for what passes for under the radar anymore but I would consider Ike Reilly - out of Libertyville, IL. He's been described as what Bob Dylan would sound like if he had grown up on the Clash instead of Woody Guthrie. "Salesmen and Racists" and "Hard Luck Stories" are particularly good.
ReplyDeleteProbably not meeting the radar/obscurity threshold, but with interesting and fairly consistent output over the past 20 years in my opinion: Grant-Lee Philips - with Grant Lee Buffalo as well as his solo work. and the Drive-by Truckers and spinoffs, including Patterson Hood's solo work and Jason Isbell.
Going further back, Kevin Ayers has already been mentioned. Perhaps Steve Harley/Cockney Rebel (again, perhaps not obscure enough?).
In terms of new bands, I do like White Denim, and a few others, but I haven't felt the "legendary" in a long time. I think the problem is partly due to our frame of reference (we've aged), and partly due the fact that music no longer plays the central role as a medium of common spirituality or a vehicle of commentary/protest. Songs and "albums" are just smaller and less ambitious these days - there's no band that can strive to define their generation or capture the zeitgeist (sorry for using that word - points taken off for pretentiousness).
English online magazine The Quietus has a feature I'm a sucker for, asking their interview subjects for their 13 favorite/influential albums. Sometimes it's just what you suspect and sometimes it turns up something you haven't thought of in years. The latest list is from Tony Visconti, timely since we just were talking about Bowie.
ReplyDeleteFor my newish pick, and I know this isn't very original but, I can't get enough of the Black Keys. I don't care, I think they're great.
ReplyDeleteAnd the one under-the-radar has to be Tonio K. — hundreds of happy hours of listening I owe entirely to BL contributor, Mr Simels...
So, it took me a while to come up with a list of things I've really liked from "newish" bands and here's what popped out when I looked at what I added to my iTunes library over the past 2 years:
ReplyDeleteThe World Record -- Freeway Special. The last thing I heard that I loved unashamedly. I played the entire record again after I first heard it -- which I *rarely* do. It's that good.
The Soundtrack of Our Lives -- the entire catalog. Sadly, I discovered this band right before I read that they recently broke up. So maybe they don't count here...
Juliana Hatfield -- I don't know how "under the radar" she is, but her albums are *consistently great* (with the exception of the "Juliana's Pony" album which I thought was just noise.) I know her waifish vocals put some off, but the song writing/construction/melodies are just excellent. The Blake Babies stuff left me cold, but her solo stuff -- for 20 years now? -- is just dynamite.
Sloan -- I consider them "under the radar" as if you don't live in an area where "Canadian Content" laws exist for your radio stations, you probably haven't heard them. Another great band with 20 years of consistently rocking albums (well, there are a few that are lesser albums, for sure...)
Pugwash -- the post-XTC heir to The Beatles? Maybe...
Brendan Benson -- the true talent behind the Raconteurs -- and a better solo artist.
And there are a *bunch* of bands/artists that had "that one alternative radio hit years ago, right?" that still make great albums: Imperial Teen, Nada Surf, Southern Culture on the Skids, Jason Falkner, Butch Walker, Robyn Hitchcock
After typing all that up?
Best newish band? The World Record (well, it's the last, best thing I've heard in some time...) -- "I Met The Girl (I'm Gonna Leave You For)" -- great, great song... (and I'm happily married, so it's not speaking to me in some subconscious level...)
Under the Radar? As much as I'd like to toss this to Pugwash, I'd give it to Juliana Hatfield for consistency. There's so much more than "My Sister"...
I don't know if she is still considered "new," but Sarah Jarosz is probably the most precocious talent I have ever seen since Nanci Griffith started hanging out at the Anderson Fair.
ReplyDeleteLake Shore Dive is a largely unrecorded neo doo wop outfit that has a ton of videos on youtube. Check out their version of the Jacksons' "I Want You Back" or all of their annual Halloween impersonations. This year it was the Mamas and Papas. It does not hurt that Rachael Price looks and sings like the older sister of Sarah Jarosz.
A long time underdog of mine is Eleventh Dream Day. I only occasionally connected with their songs in the mid-80s when they were just another rootsy guitar squall band, but they always put on a good live show. Then they had a brief fling with a major label and wound up producing a perfect album, El Moodio and sounding like Crazy Horse live, after which they got dumped. Lost half their band and produced another perfect album, Ursa Major. The two singer-songwriters divorced, and then they started getting together every three years to put out a record for Thrill Jockey, at least one of which was another perfect album, Stalled Parade. I'm not so crazy about the latest one which sounds like it was knocked out in one afternoon, but check out New Rules from Zeroes and Ones for their latest foray into Neil Young. Surprisingly, I think the only Neil cover they've ever done is "Southern Pacific."
Good call on Lake Shore Dive... I love their cover of "I Want You Back". And am totally infatuated with the lead singer, wow...
DeleteAlan
Not sure why I called them Lake Shore Dive (tho I like that name better as an ex-chicagoan) - Lake Street Dive.
DeleteI've been listening to Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears more than any other new act this year.Like some of the other suggestions its not exactly new, just new to me.
ReplyDelete-Blake S