Fellow cooldad, proud parent of an extremely cool son, and great FoCDM, Scotch LaRock, is back to bail me out yet again during a hectic week.
Maybe we'll just give him a regular column here, and I can start referring to him as "my staff."
I like it.
First Quarter Listening
by Scotch LaRock
I've been looking over my shoulder so much lately, trolling around the early to mid nineties trying to recapture a little faded glory. Cabin fever has gotten to me; and, like many in the area, I'm a little itchy to get out and see the world. A reunited Rocket From the Crypt (Spring Break MTV '94 John Stewart y'all!) will finally come back to NYC, Brooklyn, and Philly and I'm going to show them how many gray hairs I've sprouted since they last played in Times Square in October of 2005. Has it been that long? And Sunny Day Real Estate have a split single coming out on Record Store Day. Say what? What year is it?
Hey there buddy, it is 2014 and there were some records released during these first three months that have gotten my repeated play and attention. Here's some of the stuff that I've been messing with during my extended hiatus from the sun.
Beck – “Blue Moon”
Sad Beck is my favorite Beck. This is a mess of sad Beck.
The Hotelier – “Among The Wildflowers”
My favorite record right now. This record was reviewed by a few people riding the wave of the emo revival. I too am surfing that break. They aren't quite there yet, but man, are the pieces coming into place. This reminds me of the first few times I heard Jimmy Eat World's Static Prevails or Piebald. I definitely hear Piebald. Maybe it's the Massachusetts in them. This record holds nothing back and I'm curious how they are live. Raw energy. They are playing in Brooklyn with The World is a Beautiful Place & I Am No Longer Afraid to Die. Upon deeper inspection, they are playing with another band that bills itself as Avril Lavigne meets Pilotwings. I am not sure I know what that is or if I'm ready for that. Maybe I should arrive fashionably late.
Who am I kidding? I'm not leaving the house. Either way, this record is stacked with so much potential, please Hotelier, stay together... for the kids.
The Men – "Different Days"
Jim was all up ons this. Check his review. I did. I missed out. I am making up for lost time.
Augustines - "Nothing To Lose But Your Head"
Last fall I saw Augustines open for Frightened Rabbit at the Stone Pony. They were a metric ton of epic tunes -- hang on to your hats we are going for an emotional ride epic type of tunes. Also, these guys wear a lot of hats, check the video. Augustines like U2 a whole bunch. Not a dig. Just they like the full Bono and The Edge. They've definitely gone full Bono. Now, to some, that would still seem like a dig, but I say no. Embrace your inner Bono. Go full Bono. I don't mind.
Bear Hands - "Agora"
Agora... Makes sense, I've been hiding out too. I see these guys get mentioned in the same breath as MGMT. That's 'cause they went to the same college, but other than maybe being in chem 101 together, eh, that's about it. I saw Bear Hands back when they only had an EP and a tune called “Long Lean Queen." I wore that song out. Every mix kind of overload. Their first full length didn't quite grab me the same way but they're back and well so am I. So far so good.
The Hold Steady – "Spinners"
You old folks know who The Spinners are.
Modern Baseball – "Your Graduation"
I really like this record; but, gosh darn, do you have to drop so many gratuitous f-bombs? Clean it up Modern Baseball for f#(k's sake. Geez I'm getting old. There are a few “modern” bands roaming about. I want to be in a prehistoric band. Off track there. I was this guy as a kid. My high school years were littered with similar tales. This has turned into an over share.
The Pixies – NPR Tiny Desk
The drama surrounding the Pixies doesn't sway me from still enjoying them in whatever form they are rolling around the country in. And boy they will play just about anywhere, you go Frank Black Francis. The Tiny Desk Concerts are cool, I look forward to them.
Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings – "Stranger To My Happiness"
Welcome back Sharon Jones. I like soul music.
Silversun Pickups – Cannibal
Another 90s-ish rock throw down from Silver Lake. They've broken out a singles collection? Ok. This tune fits right in with their previous releases. My son really likes them. Lazy Eye still gets love 'round here. I've seen them a few times too. Nikki Monninger was really nice to my son when we saw them with Against Me! a few years ago. Met Mark Hoppus that night, too. We talked about Rocket From the Crypt and a bunch of other San Diego bands.
Circle completed.
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