The Lonely Goatherd Blog And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats - Matthew 25:32
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Al Barger and MoreThings - getting people's goats since 1998.
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All original content on MoreThings.com copyright 2008 Albert Barger or the respective authors
February 17, 2009
New CD Album Releases, 2-17-2009: Psapp, Morrissey, Robyn Hitchcock This week we are blessed to get the American release of the third album by Psapp, The Camel's Back. Carim Clasmann and Galia Durant are sometimes credited as the creators of a new genre to be called "toytronica" based on being prone to using nominal toy instruments in their productions - though I'd say that such things are maybe a little more subtle or less obvious than previously. I'd broadly describe their sound as a light, pop oriented electronica.
This is the best set of compositions, actual songs, they've come up with, which perhaps minimizes the need for electronic gimmicks that would probably distract from some of these songs. I've been listening to this for awhile, and the album's got some staying power.
There are at least several outstanding songs here. I'm to understand that "The Monster Song" is supposed to be a single, but that's one of the less interesting songs here - though decent in it's own right. But "Fickle Ghost" really particularly does it for me. This gets up a pretty fair sense of drama for a band so set on whimsy. They get a particularly tight, righteously rocking start on the album with "I Want That." "The Camel's Back" and "Part Like Waves" are damned catchy as well.
Robyn Hitchcock has his 275th album this week, Goodnight Oslo. I know I've listened to a half dozen Hitchcock albums, but couldn't for the life of me tell you any particular song. But there he is, if you're really into such things.
Then there's the ridiculousness that is Morrissey. The Smiths sucked so thoroughly on so many levels that I needn't burden you with most of them. But the main most important level of the Morrissey/Smith suckingness is the lack of memorable melodies. Having heard at least two thirds of the guy's output, I couldn't call forth even one hook out of his entire career of miserable whining. He once ludicrously called an album Meat Is Murder - which may be true, but still in my mind a lesser crime than the murder of my eardrums by the sound of his crappy records. His solo career has only been even less artistically distinguished. This week he has Years of Refusal. Enjoy.
Here's the complete list of this week's major new releases:
...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead The Century of Self Justice Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock
Robyn Hitchcock Goodnight Oslo Yep Roc Alternative Pop/Rock, Neo-Psychedelia
Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit Lightning Rod Alternative Country-Rock, Roots Rock, Southern Rock
Morrissey Years of Refusal [CD/DVD] Lost Highway College Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock
M. Ward Hold Time Merge Alternative Singer/Songwriter, Adult Alternative Pop/Rock, Indie Rock
Cranes Loved [Bonus Tracks] Cherry Red Dream Pop, Alternative Pop/Rock
Death For the Whole World to See Drag City American Underground, American Punk, Proto-Punk
Dorian Wind Quintet Retrospectacular Summit Chamber Music for Winds
Benjy Ferree Come Back to the Five and Dime Bobby Dee Bobby Dee Domino Indie Rock, Alternative Singer/Songwriter
John Lee Hooker Anthology: 50 Years Shout! Factory Detroit Blues, Blues Revival, Delta Blues, Country Blues, Electric Delta Blues, Acoustic Blues, Electric Blues
Tommy Keene In the Late Bright Second Motion Pop Underground, Adult Alternative Pop/Rock
Christof Keymer Moritz Moszkowski: Samtliche Klaviertranskriptionen Berlin Classics Post-Romantic Transcriptions for Piano
Living Things Habeas Corpus Jive/Zomba Punk Revival, Post-Grunge, Alternative Pop/Rock, Hard Rock
Mi Ami Watersports Quarterstick Post-Hardcore, Noise-Rock, Indie Rock
Miniature Tigers Tell It to the Volcano Modern Art Pop Underground, Indie Pop
