JEFFREY MARSHEK is a self-professed music junkie whose childhood was profoundly informed by the age of MTV and, perhaps, a little Atari. He has been known to play Wii and Guitar Hero on occasion and often finds himself lamenting the replacement of music videos with reality television. He is also the creator and star of CUL DE SAC ROCK: A ONE MAN ROCK OPERA about his dysfunctional Jewish family in 1980’s Cleveland. He lives in New York.
MY-POD: THE SOUNDTRACK
JULIAN CASABLANCAS: Stroke-ing off
‘Phrazes for the Young’, Julian Casablancas’ first solo effort, finds the former Strokes front man expounding on some of the same themes (and at times, sounds) that brought legions of fans to one of the decade’s most buzzed about bands.
‘Out Of The Blue’ is a stellar laundry listing of accountability, with Julian chiding that “I know I’m going to hell- in a leather casket, at least I’ll be in another world when you’re pissing on my casket.”
‘Left and Right in the Dark’ is a Casio recall of 1980’s youth gone by, courtesy of a clever Flock of seagull’s sample.
‘11TH Dimension’, the first single off the album, is a kicky ode to closure, complete with a thumping New Order bass line and Casablancas as the ever bohemian life coach, advising to ‘forgive them, even if they are not sorry.’
And ‘Ludlow St’ is a waltzing serenade to that infamous East side locale where a night of drinking ends up in a beautiful downwards spiral.
Like the film ‘Casablanca’, this Casablanca is destined to become a classic.
THE DRUMS: Drum roll, please!
The Drums are a New York band capable of Lugubrious, affecting retro pop (Think a hybrid of Violent Femmes, The Cramps, Stone Roses and The Cure)
‘Summertime’ is their aptly titled breezy beach informed style EP.
The collection’s opening track, ‘Saddest Summer’, suggests you “kiss your boyfriend or your girlfriend/ hold your baby” if you actually have one, “because they need it” in celebration of summer.
‘Let’s Go Surfing’ is a cowabunga groove complete with catchy Peter Bjorn and John-esque whistle.
‘Make You Mine’ is a love sick loner insistent on winning your affection whose day to day minutia has been reduced to “sleeping in the kitchen and eating in the bedroom.”
By Albums end, you’ll find a throwback to John Hughes and General Public, where the musical proposal fetchingly longs to “hear every beat of your heart” and promises “Every key to my heart” in ‘I Felt Stupid’.
And on the drums…THE DRUMS!!!!!
GIRLS: Boys will be Girls
GIRLS (Christopher Owens and Chet White) have quite a fresh point of view, despite the fact that at the helm of the group is a man who spent his childhood with the Children of God cult.
Not exactly the starting off point for storytelling that reads very Elvis Costello, with a surfboard.
Nonetheless, their debut album is titled, well, ‘Album’, and it contains a collection of post break up ditties:
“Lust for Life” is a fairytale wish list of delusions, starring love as the be all cure all.
‘Laura’ is a humorous, sweet attempt at a truce with an ex-girlfriend, playing the blame game (“you’ve been a bitch, I’ve been an ass, don’t want to point the finger”) and ending in peace pop harmony.
‘Big Bad Mean M***********R’ is all surfing safari reverb rock and roll homage to Jerry lee Lewis and Beach Boys.
‘Goddamned’ is a childish tantrum for affection, shamelessly begging to “give all your attention to me, cause I want ya!”
Best of all is ‘Hellhole Ratrace’, a tender serenade where life begins at the invitation to laugh and dance with one another.
These Girls are going to have all the ladies (and gentleman) falling in love.
BZZZZZZZZZZ: STOCKING STUFFERS
Julian Plenti
Just call him ‘The other Julian.’
Laced with the same guitar licks, moody vocals and clever lyrics( try “I’ve tasted degradation and found the lace and candlelight”) he brought to Interpol, Paul Banks (a.k.a Julian Plenti) or Julian Plenti (a.k.a Paul Banks) delivers one of the years best with his solo debut ‘Julian Plenti is…Skyscraper.
Standout tracks include the rollicking ‘Fun that we have’, the driving, haunting ‘Only If You Run’ and best of all, is banks’ sexy, sultry swagger of declaration in ‘Fly As You Might’.
Highly recommended for Interpol fanatics who have worn out the bands other albums and are hungry and impatient for the next.
Norah Jones
Somebody gave Norah Jones a double espresso, some Red Bulls and a little tequila.
‘The Fall’, a 4th album from the blues-y chanteuse finds her at her best.
No stranger to unexpected collaborations (having worked with both Dolly Parton and Q-tip recently) she called in a little help from Jacquire King, the production man behind those great rustic Tom Waits recordings.
Making one of the bigger sonic transformations in recent history, Jones abandons her Jazz sleep walk sonatas in favor of upbeat- experimental, guitar fueled break-up grooves.
Chief among them are Norah’s ruminating, restless night in ‘Chasing Pirates’, smoldering aggression of ‘It’s Gonna Be’ and the aching ‘Light as a Feather’ (co-written by Ryan Adams).
With ‘The Fall’, Jones goes from ‘snore-ah’ to NORAH!!!
YOU TUBE: UNDER THE HOLIDAY COVERS
The Donnas go glam-tastic for this holiday radio classic.
A re-vamped, energized take on The Waitresses ‘Christmas Wrapping’.
Guarantees some rocking around the Christmas tree and hall decking.
Band Aid included some of the finest male vocalists of their time on ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas?’
Could we even dream of assembling such talent today? George Michael, Sting, Bono and Boy George?
We would have to ‘Weird Science’ up a pool of talent to sing the various parts.
Years later, the hook ‘Feed the world’ still resonates.
Bob Dylan and Christmas? Oh yes.
Leave it to an artist who has built a career on defying expectations to release, of all things, a holiday album. (Though to really defy expectations, he should have recorded a Klezmer collection!)
‘Must Be Santa’ could be an SNL digital short. But instead, it is some holiday rock for from the high priest himself.
Dandy Warhols tripped out, space age attempt at ‘Little Drummer Boy’.
The Portland rockers channel Bowie/ Velvet Underground, while adding some much needed edge to your egg nog.
Just discovered: you can hear Julian Casablancas’ album streaming at
http://www.kcrw.com/music/programs/ap
I guess I was too young to know “Do They Know its Christmas.” Thanks for putting it up. Such a fun video.
Man, “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” really doesn’t hold up well. Besides the catchy hook, it kinda bores. But gotta love all the 80’s hair on display in the video!