Capsule reviews

Since I seem to be in this huge time crunch lately, here are quite a few capsule reviews of new or upcoming releases. MP3s have been provided where available.

Zebrahead – Broadcast To The World
The fourth full-length from Zebrahead, perhaps the best rap-rock band of all time. I think the reason the band’s lasted so long and retained such a devoted following is because they have a more pop-punk sound with a taste of hip-hop, rather than being desperate for rap cred (i.e., Limp Bizkit). Zebrahead’s been headining in a more rock-oriented direction over the past album or so, and away from the disco / rap / punk thing they sported on the Yellow EP and Waste of Mind. This is no different. Worth checking out for “Anthem”, which sports a ska riff at the beginning, and “Here’s To You”, a stomping pogo rocker.
Download “Anthem

Neko Case – Fox Confessor Brings the Flood
Neko Case is the quote-unquote “alt country chanteuse” who’s been featured by everyone from Bust Magazine to Playboy. Her voice has anchored what is now four full-length albums, an EP, and countless guest appearances, to say nothing of her work with the New Pornographers. Fox Confessor is yet another step away from the straight country of the Virginian, as well as the gothic darkness of Furnace Room Lullaby and Blacklisted. The album is a much more varied affair, but Case’s voice holds everything together from the booming strings of “Dirty Knife” to the gospel of “John Saw That Number.” It’s a slow, moody affair, but well worth every hard-earned penny it costs.
Download “Star Witness
Download “Hold On, Hold On

the Flaming Lips – At War With the Mystics
The Flaming LipsAt War With the Mystics may freak out folks who are only familiar with their last release, Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots. While building a little on the pop psychedelica the Lips had developed on that album, Mystics is more akin to the Soft Bulletin as recorded by a Pink Floyd gone disco than anything else. It’s got some electronic dance elements that may turn off some diehard fans (although they should be used to the oddity by now). “Mr. Ambulance Driver”, from the Wedding Crashers soundtrack turns up here, which probably uscks for anyone who bought that disc for that “exclusive” track. All in all, this is a quiter, less bombastic release than Yoshimi was, but the boogie it induces might make it the best summer album this year. Several vodka and lemonades with Mystics as accompaniment looks like the best hour on a porch I can think of.
Download “Yeah Yeah Yeah Song
Download “It Overtakes Me/The Stars Are So Big, I Am So Small… Do I Stand A Chance?
Download “Goin’ On

the Riverboat Gamblers – To the Confusion of Our Enemies
Well, the Riverboat Gamblers left Gearhead Records and signed with Volcom. They’ve played the Warped Tour and look ready to do so again. Are their days of destroying the Replay Lounge like a tornado over? Much as I hate to say it- yes. The dirty rock ‘n’ roll is there, but it seems to be a bit diluted. I’m aware that bands have to mature and change over time if they don’t want to stagnate. In this case, however, it seems that they’ve cleaned everything up a bit. The “edge” isn’t there. Maybe it’s the increased recording budget, but none of the songs reach out and shake you by the collar like “What’s What” or “Dead From the Neck Up.” There’s no rock yelps or screaming on this album. Hold on tight to your copy of Something To Crow About, because it doesn’t seem like the Gamblers have been able to capture lightning in a jar this go-around.
Listen to “True Crime” at the Gamblers’ MySpace page.

Calexico – Garden Ruin
My wife and I honeymooned in Tucson, from where Calexico hails. Sadly, they were on tour at the time, so wedidn’t get to see them in their native environment. I think that might lend a bit of assistance to figuring out Calexico’s sound. They have this mixture of Mexican music, country, Ennio Morricone themes, folk and rock that at times hails back to Love, but usually leaves me feeling like I ought to be able to figure out where their coming from, but failing miserably. This isn’t to say I don’t enjoy the band. Oh, no. No, no, no… I fucking love Calexico. Garden Ruin, especially. This is probably their most focused album yet. It’s all quite mellow, and the country elements blend into the folk into the rock into the Mexican amazingly here (the four strong string of “Bisbee Blue”, “Panic Open String”, “Letter to Bowie Knife” and “Roka” is of such jaw-dropping perfection, it seems as if it’s one flowing track). The closing track, “All Systems Red” is this Frames meets U2 orchestral masterpiece that could quite possibly be the soundtrack to the end of the world… and if it were playing, I don’t think anyone would mind the apocolypse.
Listen to and download “Cruel” at Calexico’s MySpace page.

In other news, I have some dvds and 7″s for sale on eBay. Feel free to check them out and see what grabs your interest.