THE ALBUM OF THE MONTH:
The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter, by Josh Ritter
Josh Ritter bounces back from his label’s bankruptcy in fine fashion. Quickly (and smartly) picked up by Victor/Sony, Ritter releases his second masterpiece in as many years. Historical Conquests may not have the lyrical gravity of last year’s breathtaking Animal Years, but is no less brilliant. Songs like “The Temptation of Adam” and “To the Dogs or Whoever” channel the best of a young Paul Simon, the former song lyrically coalescing a romantic relationship and nuclear war against a strummed guitar. The production is a captivating mix of diverse sounds and instrumentation that provides tremendous depth to Ritter’s songs and is best described as having a Moulin Rouge ambiance. “Mind’s Eye” has a percussive richness and while “Real Long Distance” breaks down into glorious cacophony. Glorious, indeed.
Unglamorous, by Lori McKenna
New England’s Lori McKenna is a true musical success story. From her home in a small town just outside Boston, McKenna has been writing folk songs and playing open mics while raising a family of five. Over the years she has built a reputation as a master story teller, weaving beautiful tales of domestic life with honesty and authenticity. After country music superstar Faith Hill recorded three of her songs, McKenna found herself in a Nashville studio recording Unglamorous the follow-up to 2004’s impressive Bittertown. The album brims with McKenna’s familiar charm albeit with more of a country rock edge, which is not a surprise given the album was produced by country rocker (and Hill’s husband) Tim McGraw. “No diamonds in our bathtub rings, peanut butter on everything; no frills, no fuss, unglamorous,” she declares on the title track. “How to Survive” “Written Permission” and “I Know You” both take a lover to task while the soaring “Witness to Your Life” chronicles a relationship from timid first steps to domestic happiness. Through it all, McKenna’s voice is the shining star, combining an ethereal quality with a natural compassion.
THE PLAYLIST:
The Underdog, Spoon (from the Merge release Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga)
Spoon front-man Britt Daniel likes a good beat and he certainly doesn’t disappoint here. An acoustic guitar rivals the drums with its percussive playing and a full horn section joins the romp for a rousing chorus. Alas, the music stands in stark contrast to warning Daniels issues to an over-confident protagonist, “you got no fear of the underdog, that’s why you will not survive.”
What You Need, Galactic (from the Anti- release From the Corner to the Block)
Bring on the funk with New Orleans’ Galactic. Master drummer Stanton Moore and crew are masters of the groove. This collaboration with rapper Lyrics Born proves the point.
The Big Lie (demo), Kid Lightning (available on mySpace)
The Kid is better known as Dave Gibbs, a founder of the late great Gigolo Aunts and current member of the Low Stars. The lyrics are a playful yet meaningful take on a man’s approach to a relationship, “I could charm the skin right off a snake, twist the truth around and watch it break, but I still can’t get through to you.”
Cry Baby Cry, Stonehoney (from the self-released Songs from a Hillside Living Room)
Hearing “The Big Lie” got me wondering what became of the members of the Gigolo Aunts. What a pleasant surprise to discover guitarist Phil Hurley still plying the trade with this Los Angeles group. This song might as well be an old Eagles outtake with its laid-back Southern California roots feel and great harmonies.
Strange Groove, Peter Karp (from the Blind Pig release Shadows and Cracks)
Karp’s fine walking blues tells the tale of an elusive woman. With just a slight hint of New Orleans funk its got a fine groove.
My Rights Versus Yours, The New Pornographers (from the Matador release Challengers)
This band just gets better and better with each subsequent release. The group creates rich and complex pop songs with a diverse range of voices and instrumentation; the kind of songs that would make Brian Wilson smile. This track has echoes of ELO with a chugging bass-line (think “Turn to Stone”) and vocal production.
Clifton Bridge, Marc Olson (from the Hacktone release The Salvation Blues)
Former Jayhawk Olson takes us on a musical journey that is the culmination of his personal exploration of grief and heartache, “Some people come to die, we came here to live. There’s a hope in our hearts, there’s a future in our souls.” Alternatively touching and uplifting, this is just a single moment from an album that should be savored from start to finish.
Million Pretty Girls, Stonehoney (from the self-released Songs from a Hillside Living Room)
“There’s a million pretty girls in this town and I ain’t even got one, every time I stop to say hello they just turn and run, I tell myself I’m better off alone but I’m a lying son of a gun, ’cause there’s a million pretty girls in this town and I wish I had one.”
Myriad Harbor, The New Pornographers (from the Matador release Challengers)
Another pop masterpiece from the Pornographers. The lyrics are a gentle nudge to enjoy the sights and surroundings. However it’s the group’s vocals that make the song. While singer Dan Bejar tells the tale the rest of the group’s multiple vocalists chime in like a Greek chorus.
Goodbye Baby, Peter Karp (from the Blind Pig release Shadows and Cracks)
One of these days I’m going to compile a great break-up, or rather kiss-off, playlist. This rockin’ roots number is a candidate: “You took the cake and now you’ll eat the pie. Goodbye baby goodbye.”
Fireflies, Lori McKenna (from the 2001 Catalyst release Pieces of Me)
“I found mayonnaise bottles and poked holes on top to capture Tinkerbell, And they were just fireflies to the untrained eye but I could always tell… Cause I believe in fairytales and dreamer’s dreams like bedsheet sails, And I believe in Peter Pan, And miracles, anything I can to get by.”
About the author: Mild-mannered corporate executive by day, excitable Twangville denizen by night.