January 2004

Grandpa Got a Ton of New CD's
YEAH!!!

Here is a quick run-down of the new CD's I got over the holidays and in wake of me having a new job:

1. Interpol "Turn on the Bright Lights" (Matador Records) Of all the CD's on this list, this is my favorite. I am inclined to think these guys are the best rock band around. Why? Well, they kinda sound like the Strokes with better lyrics and a chain smoking robot lead singer, that's why! "Obstacle 1" blows me away every time I hear it. See Godzilla's February 2003 review here.

2. Junior Senior "d-d-don't don't stop the beat" (Atlantic) This album jumped out of the wrappers, licked my cheek, and jumped into the CD player. I could not stop it from playing over and over again. I am powerless against it! It's like being at a great party hosted by George Michael and Buddy Holly all the time.

3. Hot Hot Heat "Make Up the Breakdown" (Sub Pop) I first heard these guys on Radio1's Evening Session way back in January. The song "Bandages" was burned into my skull. Not as rockin' as Interpol, but good for a long drive. Not all Canadian music is ear poison.

4. Electric Six "Fire" (Beggards Xl Recording) Another Radio1 based addiction. Steve Lamacq and Colin Murray played "Danger! High Voltage" all the time. "Gay Bar" should be a staple song for garage bands for the next one thousand years. Listening to this CD is like teaching your 15-year old girlfriend Dawn to smoke - fun, but Mom would not approve.

5. S Club 7 "Don't Stop Movin' (Single)" (Avex) This is not the version with the karaoke, so keep your pants on. I love this song. I love it very very much. I am not foolin'. I love this song. What's to hate about a song that promotes moving and grooving? Makes me wish I was in the 6th grade. I want to roller-skate to this song.

6. Chemical Brothers "Singles 93-03" (Astralwerks) Bigfoot got me this one. It was on my list, but not on the top because it was a greatest hits. I did not want to spend my cash on old tunes. Lucky me! This double CD, which I have yet to completely absorb, is tight. "Get Yourself High" with K-OS is terrific.

7. Basement Jaxx "Kish Kash" (Astralwerks) Heralded by even the NYTimes, "Kish Kash" is more than just smart dance music, it almost begs you to dislike it. I did not begin to enjoy the album until I got to "Supersonic", which caught me by surprise. When I listened to the CD again, it made sense. Totally cool. Seriously. It's hella cool.

8. The Libertines "Up the Bracket" (Rough Trade) The last on the list, but the tops of my Radio 1 influenced choices. On this list, they are right up their with Interpol as my favorite rock CD. A big selling point for me was recently hearing many of the songs from the disc played live in England. This is the one CD I would give to people as a gift.