Three-quarters of the way through 2017 and about to head up the final straight to the Festive Spill Lists BUT some disappointing new releases in the last three months that I had high hopes of are likely to make my choices that much easier.
Month: September 2017
Jaws of Love – Tasha Sits Close to the Piano
A few weeks ago I featured Jaws of Love’s excellent track Hawaiian License Plates in Sounds of Sunday.
I’m now pleased to say that Local Natives’ songwriter, vocalist and pianist Kelcey Ayer has released Tasha Sits Close to the Piano, his solo debut as Jaws of Love, via K-Rizzla/House Arrest digitally on September 22nd, with its gatefold coloured vinyl release available in the UK on 3rd November. The anticipated album is currently streaming on Hypemachine. Do give it a listen, it’s great.
‘Spillin’ The Beans – “Down There For Dancing” by Granfalloon
‘Spillin’ The Beans is late again this week, so apologies for real life getting in the way of writing reviews. This week’s review is the debut album by Granfalloon, the musical nom de plume (nom de plectrum perhaps?) of Manchester-based songwriter Richard Lomax.
RR Films: War
When the main headline is about declaring it, maybe we should get it out of the way now.
It causes death and suffering for all sides, so… War, what is it good for? Absolutely nothing. Apart from some great (and many dire) films. I’ll go for Apocalypse Now. It may be set on the fringes of war but it smells of death (and napalm). The horror! The horror!
What war films would you recommend?
Are you feeling horny?
Looking for a YT video link for one of my song recommendations this week, I spotted a familiar face looking back at me from the ‘Up Next’ sidebar. What I stumbled across has really grabbed me. Not Linda’s vocal (which IS great, but is she possibly losing a bit of control aiming for all that power?), nor Sam’s brief contribution (I’m assuming he’s now too old for the Boy Wonder tag?), but man, do those horns sound good down there or what?! Enjoy.
Earworms 25 September 2017
Quality over quantity with the Earworms this week. If you have a worm you would like to share, please send it along to earworm@tincanland.com, together with a few lines about why you’ve chosen it. All contributions gratefully received!
Kauan – Siiville Nousu – abahachi: I’ve been a massive Kauan fan since Fuel introduced me to them in ‘Wind’ week. Over the last couple of albums, good though they were, their sound has become (to me) a bit claustrophobic; the new record feels like a return to the windswept plains and enormous skies of their earlier work. Epic – and not only because of the length …
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan – The Face of Love – Ravi Raman: from the Dead Man Walking soundtrack, performed with Eddie Vedder.
Colter Wall – Bald Butte – tincanman: Set a spell, this young Saskatchewan troubadour has a yarn to spin. I learned two things listening to his self-titled debut: 1) putting on a cowboy hat doesn’t need to strangle your soul, brain and heart; 2) Woody and Ramblin’ Jack and all them live on. (Oh, yeah, and a third thing – it’s pronounced ‘bewte’, not … well, you know).
Jimmy Buffett – Chanson Pour Les Petits Enfants – AliM: Heard this on the radio last week and it has been lodged in my head ever since. From his 1979 LP Volcano, this is just such a happy, carefree song. I am getting soft in my old age.
Sounds on Sunday 48
More new sounds for you – short but sweet this week; my favourites are The Hails and Evening Glow. I hope you find something to enjoy, and please feel free to comment, below. Many thanks to all contributors.
Skytone – Second Hand Shops: “Skytone are the Ottawa, Ontario-based duo of Rodney and Darius Doddridge. The brothers have a keen ear for melodies that pack more sunshine and warmth per decibel than you would have thought possible. The bright jangle-pop tune Second Hand Shops showcases crisp vocals and tightly constructed hooks, with a bit of a beachside vibe. The track is off their new album JangleWaves, available via Bandcamp.”
GGOOLLDD – Excelsior Springs: “The Milwaukee-based band … have already made an impression on many, garnering a feature as a Nylon “Band Crush” and praise from AV Club for creating “synthpop that stands out thanks to impeccable production and catchy, danceable hooks.” From their forth-coming third EP, Teeth.
The Wheel of Your Tune
Late again…today I put it down to spending the best part of 6 hours yesterday evening at the local gin festival….ooh my poor head.
This little series has been going for a while now and after this week there are only 2 more letters of the alphabet to go. My question to you ‘Spillers is this: do you want me to carry on with TWOYT in a slightly different format (e.g. I choose A23 and you choose the 23rd track you own by any artist beginning with A or the 23rd track in your collection that starts with A)? Or shall I think of something new for Saturday mornings? Or does someone else have something they’d like to do on a Saturday morning (to be fair, you are probably all sick of me at the start of your weekend).
Let me know what you reckon.
To this week…
The Wheel of Your Tune works like this; I metaphorically turn my spinning top to reveal a random letter and number. The letter relates to an artist or the name of an album in my collection and the number relates to the track by that artist or on that album. This week’s spin landed on X1.
How can I not choose X-Ray Spex – Oh Bondage! Up Yours! the first track from their album Germfree Adolescents.
What’s your X1?
‘Spillin’ The Beans – The Jackson Lamb novels of Mick Herron
This week, I’m taking a break from reviewing music, mainly because I’m not that enthused by what I’ve got in the review pile, and I’d rather say positive things than negative ones. So, instead I thought that I’d write about some spy fiction that I am currently reading avidly.
There are actually four novels in paperback, Continue reading
RR Films: Cars and Driving
With the surprising implication that someone might actually be driving the Brexit bus from a front seat, BoJo attempts to hijack the future with alternative facts from the past. Donny would be proud of the blonde blusterer: a chip off the old duplicitous block.
But it provides an opening to look at films about driving, whatever the vehicle. And there are whole genres contained therein: the Road Movie and the Race Movie. I’m picking the first full-length feature from a chap called Spielberg (wonder what he’s been doing since?): Duel. It’s classified as a TV Movie but I’m sure it has since kept cinema audiences on the edge of their seats as they watch the increasingly dangerous cat-and-mouse manoeuvres by the wheeled protagonists. What a way to announce the start of your career.
What films featuring motorised land-based vehicles (cars, trucks, buses, lawnmowers…) would you recommend?
Earworms 18 September 2017
Good morning! More juicy worms for you, and quite a varied selection. Please note that Mogwai start off very quietly, so as to bring you gently into Monday. If you have an earworm you would like to share, please send it to: earworm@tincanland.com, together with a few lines about why you’ve chosen it. Many thanks to all contributors.
Mogwai – Another Country’s Sun – abahachi: I imagine that most people reading this will long since have made up their minds about Mogwai, and will either have been listening avidly to the new album since it was released last week, or will be completely indifferent to this. But I don’t care…
Rostam – Don’t Let It Get To You – Magicman: Even with only a half of the album released at the time of writing Rostam’s ‘Half-Light’ will clearly be my Album Of The Year. Shades of Vampire Weekend, of course, which actually is a relief because I love their records very much, but much much else besides – no two songs sound alike, from the George Harrison drenched ‘Wood’ (Rostam is Iranian-American) to the strange choric 21st century pop of EOS. Bloody marvellous!
Mighty Baby – Egyptian Tomb – CaroleBristol: Mighty Baby were a band that existed from 1968-71. The band’s most noteworthy member was the late Martin Stone who went on to play in Chilli Willi and the Red Hot Peppers, The Pink Fairies, 101ers and many other bands. This track is from their eponymous 1969 debut album and is called Egyptian Tomb. I like the jazzy feel and the rather good guitar work, courtesy of Martin Stone and Alan ‘Bam’ King, who went on to be a founding member of Ace, of How Long fame.
UFO – The Coming of Prince Kajuku – AliM: Sarah’s Wheel of Your Tune last week reminded me of UFO’s excellent second album, “Flying (Space Rock)” (1971), which I only had on cassette. Now remedied by downloading a re-mastered version for a princely £2.99. “Flying” is on side 2 and is over 26 minutes long, so I’ve chosen a shorter instrumental track for you.
George Thorogood – Pictures From Life’s Other Side – Ravi Raman: From his recently released Party Of One. My favourite acquisition so far this year. Flubs and all I’m thoroughly enjoying it.
The Albion Band – Poor Old Horse – severin: From 1978 – unless my memory is playing up I think John Peel described this as a land shanty. There are certainly no nautical references despite the shanty-like format. Very odd lyric, in fact. Did he say “the cheeks of her arse”? I think he did. Anyway, If you like English folk rock this is a treat. If not it probably isn’t. I think it is.
Sounds on Sunday 47
More new sounds on Sunday for you. Hope you find something to enjoy, and please feel free to comment below. Many thanks to all contributors.
Tove Styrke – Mistakes: Newly released single from this Swedish singer-songwriter. A platinum selling and Grammy nominated artist in her native Sweden, Tove Styrke has been on a fast rise since the release of Kiddo, bolstered by striking lead single, “Borderline,” as well as strong follow-ups, “Ego” and “Number One.” The album paved the way for a full North American headline tour, SXSW appearances, a performance on Late Night with Seth Meyers and widespread critical acclaim.
Jim Button – Just A Little Less: “Only a few years ago while curing herself from her anxiety of sleeping in the dark while hiking through Norway the woman that goes by the name of Jim Button decided to go for a career in songwriting. The back then photographer wanted to write songs. Songs for others to perform. To do so she simply taught herself to play six chords on the guitar and got started. It did not take too long until she realised that there was more to her songs. From that moment on she wrote for herself as well.”
Topia – Lay It On The Line: “Born from a love of euphoric and gothic pop, Los Angeles electronic duo TOPIA, consisting of Jack Payne and Jack Guimon, set out to explore that yin and yang… “Lay It on the Line” is a track that deals with emotional honesty, specifically about how it’s difficult to explain how you feel about something or someone, but it’s always worth it to make that effort. It’s a leap of faith, hoping the feelings will be reciprocated, while coming to grips with the possibility they won’t be.”
Patrick Joseph – Waiting to Begin: New single. “Pittsburgh native, Los Angeles resident & Award-Winning singer/songwriter Patrick Joseph has been active in the music world for years now, having toured extensively … With the support of music licensing, having landed dozens of film and TV placements (including The Office, Grey’s Anatomy, Gossip Girl), and the support of influential independent radio such as KCRW and KEXP, Joseph has independently forged a spot for himself as one of LA’s brightest young songwriters and rising stars on the indie scene.”
The Wheel of Your Tune
The Wheel of Your Tune works like this; I metaphorically turn my spinning top to reveal a random letter and number. The letter relates to an artist or the name of an album in my collection and the number relates to the track by that artist or on that album. This week’s spin landed on N8.
I seem to own a phenomenal number of tracks and albums by artists beginning with N. I’ve got a lot to choose from so have chosen a favourite track 8. This by Nitin Sawhney from his 2001 album Prophesy narrowly pipped Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds (Are You) the One That I’ve Been Waiting For. Here we are then:
Breathing Light
What’s your N8?
Marvelous Middle Eights – Discuss
Better late than not at all….
A spooky thing happened to me last week on my way home from work and when cooking dinner a bit later. I had a random playlist on in the car (always far too loud so as to distract me from the annoying traffic), for once I was really listening to the music rather than allowing the issues of the day to invade my subconscious and begin to worry me. A song called Shining Light by Ash came on. It’s a sweet tune from 2001 with some lovely lyrics you could send to someone in the hope they’d pick up your meaning…it’s not as rocky as Girl from Mars, but still passable commute listening. As the song progressed, it suddenly changed tempo and key “Ah that’s a lovely little middle eight right there” I thought to myself – I never think of these things generally, so it was a weird thought to have. End of little anecdote number 1.
Here’s the track as a reminder:
Later I was cooking dinner with a new releases round table discussion on the radio in the background. They played the new St Vincent release called Los Ageless. (which is a great track btw). The panel members loved it, but one of the guests (Jimbob from Carter USM) mentioned how brilliant the middle eight was in her track. How bloody weird! I’ve never really thought about middle eights and there it was; twice in the space of a couple of hours.
I agree with Jimbob; a good middle eight keeps you interested and moves the track on. There are loads of great Motown tracks I can think of with very good middle eights – Ain’t No Mountain High Enough as a starter. The Beatles and The Beach Boys were pretty good at middle eights too. I love the middle eights in Stevie Nicks’ Edge Of Seventeen and in Justin Timberlake’s Rock Your Body. Both tracks ramp back up after their middle eight lulls, propelling the tune to its end.
Since last week I have tuned into so many middle eights in the songs I’ve listened to; I notice them even when I’m not really paying attention. There was a middle eight RR topic back in 2009 and the songs that made the list are all good examples (although I can’t claim to like all the songs – Kaiser Chiefs???). So, yet again ‘Spillers I come to you to discuss this issue. What do you know about all of this? What are your favourite middle eights? Or maybe you think they are a waste of time and an attempt by the artist to self indulgently show off? Discuss.
‘Spillin’ The Beans – “To The Bone” by Steven Wilson
This week, I am taking a slightly different approach to ‘Spillin’ The Beans because I am going to discuss an album released by a major artist back in August. That album is Steven Wilson‘s fifth solo release, “To The Bone“. It isn’t really a review, more of a personal reflection upon the music and how it has been received.
Now, first, a confession. Continue reading
LEE MORGAN FILM
I recall that at some point within the last couple of years I posted “The Sidewinder” by Lee Morgan, it was a huge jazz hit in the US in 1963, you all responded nicely, it got a good reception. Lee Morgan was a NY jazz trumpeter who was very highly thought of, he was like the new Charlie Parker of the modern jazz movement. I just checked my postings and it doesn’t show so perhaps I posted it in Earworms or somesuch, no matter. The reason I mention this is because last night I saw a wonderful film titled “I called him Morgan”, it was on Netflix. It cleared up something that has bothered me most of my life, why did his wife who loved him dearly shoot and kill him with a revolver in a NY jazz club? A large part of the film comprises an interview with his wife. A beautiful film that everyone should see, there an excellent review at the LA Times. Sadly youtube doesn’t seem to have it though they do have pages of his music video. Look for it if you don’t have Netflix.
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-i-call-him-morgan-review-20170330-story.html
RR Films: Water
We did consider films about The Sea back in our early days but there’s so much rain around at the moment that I thought wateriness in general deserved a week.
There are some great dramas set on raging rivers (Werner and Klaus territory) and some gentle portraits set on lakes (well, one I can think of). Torrential rain can have devastating effects, as we are seeing, and yet drizzle and mist can prove beautifully atmospheric. Real life needs a bit of moderation; films prefer the extremes.
My choice is Pixar’s Finding Nemo, a film set almost entirely underwater, and one I was pleased to have the excuse to see in the cinema by taking a child with me. The animation is stunning and the jokes are pretty good.
What wet films would you recommend?
Earworms 11 September 2017
More eclecticism for you on a Monday morning, hope it gets your day off to a good start. If you have an earworm you would like to share, please send an .mp3 or link to: earworm@tincanland.com, together with a few lines about why you’ve chosen it. Many thanks to all contributors.
Susanne Sundfør – Undercover – severin: It’s supposed to be “earworms” so here I am, sending in what I hope will be the most “earwormy” track from Susanne Sundfor’s new album. The one that was released as a taster/single before the whole package. The album’s a bit of a change from her last two releases. Less electronic and, according to some, less instantly accessible. Although I have been playing it incessantly for the past three days since it arrived. Frankly, every track is an earworm for me right now. Even “Sounds of War”; the 7’ 49” track I first thought of sending.
Bruno Merz – Whisper Turn – AliM: Originally from New Zealand, Bruno currently lives in the UK. His popularity grew worldwide following the success of his 2014 debut album “Highways”, and single, “Emmeline”. In 2015, he also wrote a classical score for the Northern Ballet’s children’s production “Tortoise and the Hare”. This is the first rather lovely single from the album ‘Whisper Turn‘, which is due for release in early 2018.
Janiva Magness – Long As I Can See The Light – glassarfemptee: Janiva Magness is a leading light in the Americana scene, and here she belts out a song she wrote and released last year, which has a classic chooglin’ feel to it.
Ich & Ich – Vom selben Stern – abahachi: One of the odder aspects of listening to German radio a lot – for the traffic reports, for example – is discovering what they consider to be “classics from the 80s to today”; not just the eclectic mixture of, say, REM, Blondie, Visage, Girls Aloud and U2, but also the home-grown acts. This, from 2007, seemed to be on heavy rotation this summer.
Karrin Allyson – Everybody’s Boppin’ – Ravi Raman: – an impulse buy after hearing it in a playlist. Didn’t know anything about her or the backing band which impressed me the most. The album is “Footprints”.
Sounds on Sunday 46
More new sounds to investigate this Sunday, I hope you find something to enjoy and feel free to comment, below. Many thanks to all contributors.
Floral Couches – Ketamine Dreaming: “Chicago-based Floral Couches, the project of Cody Gray, released his new album “Electric Fever” a few weeks ago. One of its highlights, “Ketamine Dreaming” is a nice display of Floral Couches’ late-night atmospheric development and knack for emerging, twinkling hooks — present here just past the one-minute mark, with twangy guitars entering the fold shortly thereafter.”
Instantempire – Shapeshifting: “Instant Empire is a rock group from Denver that formed nearly eight years ago. Since then, they have released three EPs and a couple of LPs, the most recent of which – Last of the Lovers – was released on August 8th. The five-piece crafted the album with a concept centering around “the relentless march of time … consumed with finding grace and beauty in life’s tiny moments.””
Polartropica – Olympia: “New single … from whimsical space pop/bubble gum psych artist Polartropica. The track entitled ‘Olympia’ utilizes J-Pop characteristics, with shimmering dreamlike vocals, creating an electro-pop anthem. Thematically influenced by the movements for rights and equality during the presidential elections, as well as the 2020 Tokyo Olympics trailer, it’s a rallying cry with an energizing and upbeat message.”
The High Crook – Baby Do You Know: “The High Crook is a blues/rock band from Kolkata … the capital of India’s West Bengal state. They formed in late 2013, channeling a love for blues, pop, and rock ‘n’ roll… Anirban Roy plays a groovy bass line complementing Aditya Dutta’s powerful drum rolls. Arjun Mukherjee does a phenomenal job on the guitar and vocals, proving the calibre of the band which bagged the winners’ title in MICANVAS Coke Studio and IIT Kharagpur, Springfest.”
The Wheel of Your Tune
The Wheel of Your Tune works like this; I metaphorically turn my spinning top to reveal a random letter and number. The letter relates to an artist or the name of an album in my collection and the number relates to the track by that artist or on that album. This week’s spin landed on U7. The 7th track I own by reggae dancehall and toasting expert U-Roy is Wear You to the Ball featured on vol 2 of Don Letts’ compilation called Dread Meets Punk Rockers Uptown (which in itself is a great collection – currently have the Downtown version on in the background).
What’s your U7?
Does an album sound better if there’s a tragic story behind it? – Discuss
A few weeks back I stumbled on a track called “Nothing More to Say” by a band called The Frightnrs. One of my favourite DJs added it to his essential listening list and it immediately caught my attention. If you regularly read these rambling Discuss pieces, you’ve probably already predicted what I did next; dear reader, having never heard of them, I looked them up.
The story of The Frightnrs is a sad one. I read this NPR article with their album on in the background. As I read, the music touched me more. It is undoubtedly an accomplished piece of work; lyrically, musically and vocally. It’s reminiscent of classic, smooth 70s reggae – straight out of New York. Even the album artwork has the style of that era. I listened to the album a few times and although it’s by no means a classic, it’s certainly lovely.
However – and here’s the “discuss” bit – I wonder whether I’d think of it as fondly had it been produced in straightforward and more happy circumstances. The story makes it a remarkable and poignant piece of work, without it, the album is good and would have held my attention for a while, but perhaps no more than that. Does this make me a bit of a hypocrite?
Yet again ‘Spillers I come to you to discuss this issue. What do you know about all of this? Are average albums made better because of a sad back story, or does the back story make the album a much better piece of work?
While you think about it, here’s my favourite song from The Frightnrs album.
Till Then.
RR Films: Gambling
It is possible that nuclear war is about to break out, if you believe that two uncontrollable psychopaths are dictating events, or maybe it’s simply a continuation of the poker game that’s been going on for some time with the stakes getting higher. Let’s just hope neither one shows his hand; I can’t see that producing any winners.
So let’s stay in play (as I’ve heard on TV ads, I think) and consider cinema’s treatment of gambling, whether in the casino, at the races or in real life, where there are more than just financial consequences. Although set in a casino, my choice, The Cooler, is about the effects of love on this particular world of gambling. It stars one of my very favourite actors, William H Macy.
What films about gambling would you recommend?
‘Spillin’ The Beans – “Trust” by Hanne Hukkelberg
After a week’s sabbatical, Spillin’ The Beans is back and in fine listening fettle. I am looking at a forthcoming album by Norwegian experimental musician Hanne Hukkelberg called “Trust” which is due for release on the 20th October. Continue reading
Earworms 4 September 2017
Good morning campers, Autumn is upon us and I have harvested some fresh Earworms for you. If you have an earworm you’d like to share, please send an .mp3 or a link to earworm@tincanland.com, together with a few lines about why you’ve chosen it. Many thanks to all contributors.
Hariprasad Chaurasia, Shiv Kumar Sharma – Twilight Zone – Ravi Raman: From a wonderful album called Shikara By Moonlight. Though I don’t know why Chaurasia is credited here, as it is all Sharma on santoor.
The Tuts – Let Go Of the Past – severin: All female British trio, currently playing the circuit to great acclaim. Feminist and often anti-nostalgic lyrics. They have caused a bit of controversy with a couple of run-ins with gig promoters. Great music though. I saw them supporting The Rezillos last year and was hugely impressed.
Angel Forrest – Hold on Tight, Mr. I’m Alright – tincanman: Canada’s queen of live blues wrote this song about lead guitarist Ricky Paquette. It’s strictly low-budget touring Canada’s bars and small halls, most of it in a van, but Ricky never complains. “Any time I ask him if he’s hanging in there his answer is always the same: ‘I’m all right.”
The Skullers – Meet Me In Memphis: A welcome bit of rock amongst all the synth pop, this is the new single from The Skullers, an NJ based band whose forthcoming EP, Meet The Skullers, is due out on September 22nd via Mint 400 Records.
Labrose – debut single, Disguise
I’ve featured the honeyed vocals of Victor Taylor Perry on “Sounds on Sunday” in the past. Now, he has teamed up with Alisdair Mason to form the band Labrose, and has shared the band’s first single with us. Victor’s accomplished vocal gives this ballad a chill, Autumnal feel while the subtle backing adds to its charm. Perfect for a Sunday afternoon. You can read more and follow the band here.
The 'Spill 