April 2004

New Music in His Ears

This month's collection of new CD's is the result of many hours of listening to BBC Radio1. Here and there, I catch onto songs and bands on Steve Lamacq, Zane Lowe or John Peel's shows. I don't have the money to take a chance on every band I think I like, and Radio1 helps me along the way. The better bands usually sit in session once, and sometimes broadcast live shows. For each of the three CD's in this month's review, I heard them on Radio1 at least twice. In the case of Franz Ferdinand, it may have been over a dozen.

Franz Ferdinand
Franz Ferdinand
The boys from Glasgow are about as hyped as can be in the UK. Their first single, "Take Me Out" blew me away. It's a huge tease. The opening verse sounds exactly like the Strokes. That, in and of itself, is not a bad thing, but the song did not catch my fancy until they switched directions and reverted into Franz Ferdinand. I would've bought the album on the merits of that song alone.

The difference between FF and the Strokes is reflected in the lighthearted songs, and their tongue-in-cheek lyrics that accompany what I like to call "party guitars" (Track 2, 'Tell Her Tonight'.) This is not affected rock-n-roll, but it's miles away from crap like Goode Charlotte or New Found Glory.

The song 'The Dark of the Matinee' might as well be an anthem for reclusive film aficionados. It's adorable. I had it on repeat in my CD player the other day because I was addicted. 'Michael' had the exact same affect, which scares me a bit. It's a good feeling.

I would give this album a 9 out of 10. Godzilla and Justy own it. I own it. All of the UK is going nuts for these guys. You should to.

Absolution
Muse
Ever since I fell in love with the Polyphonic Spree two years ago, I've wondered what they needed to be the loudest and most hair-raising band of all time. They need to have a love child with Muse. Is that asking too much? As strong as lead singer Matthew Bellamy's voice may be, I'm certain that were he backed by a chorus of robed Texans, his music would be that much more bombastic.

Each song is a sonic adventure, and people tell me that if I listened to more Radiohead, I'd hear a similarity between the two. Nuts to that. These guys make me think about what Pink Floyd would have sounded like if they made something other than concept album after concept album.

One could describe the songs on this album as 'full of screaming and wicked loud guitars,'and they would be right. It's hella loud, but the lyrics are what sets them apart from other loud screamers, like Linkin Park. But Muse's songs are about eternal and internal issues, while Linkin Park is just a bunch of sissies crying about their 10pm weeknight bedtime.

I had this one in the CD player for about two hours today. I give this album a 7 out of 10. You should own it, but it's not for everyone.

Under Achievers Please Try Harder
Camera Obscura
Three cheers for John Peel's "Festive Fifty"! I dare anyone to find me a better year-end collection of top-notch indy music on the radio (and I include the web.) Camera Obscura appeared twice on the FF with "Suspended from Class" and "Teenager." They visited John Peel again about a month later. On my second visit to Princeton Records, I found them.

They sounds like a larger, and more produced Kings of Convenience - with gals singing lead. I could do without the males in the band doing anything other than being back-up singers. The touches of 50's and 60's pop turn this from a potential folksy cry fest into an overall pretty perky album. Perky and snarky.

This album is far from perfect, but no indy kids would be complete without it. 7 out of 10. The video for "Teenager" is delightful. The only thing it's missing is a kite.