Britta Persson's album If I Was A Band My Name Would Be Forevers is one of the year's better pop releases thus far. Perfect summer album to throw on in the background. Her music has the classic 80's synth that's come to be expected from the new breed of alternative pop singers from Sweden but with enough backbone to make it unique. If you like Ladyhawke and Ruby Frost, you'll definitely want to give this album a spin.
"Grunge Girls" is Britta's newest single from the album. Didn't realize Seattle had such an impact across the pond. Or did they just get into grunge over there? Either way, I really like the 80's synth on this track. Something about it takes me back to the summer of 86'.
"Baby No Name" was the first song from the album and I have to say it's the most catchy. I'm really surprised this song isn't bigger. It's one of the best pop melodies I've heard all year. When you hear the song you'll think to yourself, "where the hell have I heard that riff before?" It took me about a minute to realize it's stealing a bit from Sheila E's "The Glamorous Life." Would love to hear from Britta on that influence.
For you folks that don't remember "The Glamorous Life," here's a the song and you do the judging. Again, I have no problem with artist being influenced by great hooks and using a piece of it in their new track. And Britta does a great job with her own song and creating something unique and different.
So, we are on the verge of another record from Neko Case. It's been a long a while since the release of Middle Cyclone. Four years to be exact. Where has Neko been hiding herself? I hope there's a wealth of great new material on this new album since it's been ages.
The first song "Man" is way more rock infused than her usual alt country sound. No complaints here but I will say it doesn't showcase her amazing voice like her more soulful country songs. Still an awesome song and I've played it countless times from YouTube.
Let's start with her first album The Virginian. Right out of the gate you knew you were in for a long lasting talent in a business cluttered with pretenders. There are playful moments like "Bowling Green" and then there's the title song "The Virginian" that felt like a missing song from a David Lynch film. It's haunting and soulful at the same time. And damn, that voice. You really get a good taste of how powerful her vocals can be.
Then there came Furnace Room Lullaby in 2000. To be honest, at this point I was still unaware of Neko Case. Anyhow, in my humble opinion this is her second best album. Maybe it's the really country side of this LP that makes it feel so soulful and homegrown to me. It's hard to pick a favorite from such an awesome album but if I was forced to say which one I always go back to is "South Tacoma Bay." Her voices paints this sad story with so much power you can't even sing along but just sit and listen.
Blacklisted came out in 2002 and that's when I first discovered Neko and shortly after caught her live. And truly one of the greatest voices I've ever witnessed live. She effortlessly booms. She barely takes a breath before belting out the next line. Wow. If you haven't seen Neko live, you are missing out on one of the greatest musical performers EVER. Seriously, she's that amazing.
Anyhow, let's talk about Blacklisted. This album in my opinion is one of the best of that decade hands down. It's so lush and her voice just comes out like an unshielded force of nature. The best example of her really test driving that insane voice of hers is "Deep Red Bells." What an amazing song. This is on my personal list of top 100 best songs ever. I can listen to this song anytime and in any mood. And it's a perfect summer song. Get this album if you don't own it already.
A lot of people might know Blacklisted and Neko from her song "I Wish I Was The Moon" from the show True Blood. Whatever works for people to discover her is a good thing in my book. I thought to attach a live version of the song to show you what I mean by an unbelievable live vocalist. There's no faking the talent.
I'm jumping one album ahead for the next track to put on this list. "The Needles Has Landed" appears on Fox Confessor Brings The Flood. I guess I'm a fan of Neko's quieter moments on her albums. When she slows down on albums is where I really think she shines. On this album, Neko finally started cracking the surface of being noticed. The production is a bit more layered but Neko always finds away to make it seem intimated and personal.
Middle Cyclone was Neko's last album and probably her highest level of production. They actually made a fun animated video for the song "People Gotta A Lotta of Nerve." Where most musicians tend to run long, Neko makes her music super tight. I wonder if this song has any relations to the book "Rust And Bone" with the killer whale reference?
There's plenty more songs to post but I wanted to just put up a quick look at the career of one of the most talented artist in the music scene today. I'm really excited to hear her live soon and get the new album which comes out on September 3rd. Neko, you're a once in a lifetime talent and don't stop making music.
The two members (Lindsey Troy and Julie Edwards) of Deap Vally seriously bring the dirty blues rock to their new album Sistronix. If you like your rock muddy and gritty like the Black Keys, well you might have just found yourself a new band to listen to. These two are seriously badass and there's no doubt after one listen to this album. I have to see them live now. Just listening to "Baby I Call Hell" makes you realize these gals are cutting right through the bullshit and smacking you in the face.
"End Of The World" is the first song I heard from Sistronix and wow does it just rock. And yes, it really does remind me of the White Stripes. There are worse bands to be reminded of in my opinion. The hook is very similar to "Icky Thump" but who's complaining. I will be playing this song often during the long hot summer.
"Lies" is another teeth rattling jam from Sistronix. This is the kind of music I imagine playing in a whiskey soaked back-alley bar in the deep South. Ok, maybe not the deep South since they might only play Skynyrd. Ladies, you rock. Hands down.
Since I brought up "Icky Thump," let's put that up for a comparison. Listen to "End of The World" and then click on some "Icky" to see how close it comes. "Icky Thump" really stands the test of time. We want more Stripes! And yes, the song sounds even a bit like "The Hardest Button To Button" but who's counting?
We Are Wolves came out with their new album La Mort Pop Club in late February but I failed to talk about it. I happened to come across the album in the pile again and started listening to it in the summer mix. It's one really underrated album. Not sure how this one slipped past the early year list of cool new albums. Their songs can feel so epic even though the running time of the tracks is only a few minutes. Songs like "Sun" and "We Are Made of Fire" belong in film trailers. "Sun" has such a great hook I think I listened to it a dozen times in one day just to get my head around it's epic feel.
There's just a sense of cool to La Mort Pop Club that's hard to explain. It's hard to even nail down what they sound like. At times they remind me of Primal Scream and at other times they even blend a bit of the kinetic energy of bands like The Hives. "Snake In The Sand" is the only song that they currently have a video for but take my word for it this album is a must buy. Go to bandcamp and check out the entire album for yourselves.
