It might be argued that the Old 97's lived up to their aged moniker on 2004's Drag It Up. The band that got their start as part of the alt-country movement of the early to mid-90's seemed a bit worn out and out of ideas, suddenly more relevant as the slightly more twangy side act to frontman Rhett Miller's solo career. In and of itself, it wasn't a bad album, but one can't help to compare and contrast with the vitality the band shows on their recent Blame It On Gravity. The past four years have seen the Old 97's return to Dallas, the scene of their late 90's hey-day, and their sound seems to have followed suit. Buoyed by catchy, energetic numbers like lead single "Dance With Me," and balanced by bassist Murry Hammond's more subdued contributions, the Old 97's sound revitalized if not reinvented-- a new (old) Old 97's, if you will. The band plays the Wonder Ballroom in Portland tonight.
Video: Old 97's, from Blame It On Gravity- "Dance With Me"
Also tonight music from the new release from Shara Worden's My Brightest Diamond. Worden releases her second album under the MBD label on Tuesday, entitled A Thousand Shark's Teeth, and it once again showcases her penchant for lush, soaring melodies, albeit with a bit more polish than the debut Bring Me the Workhorse. A graduate of Sufjan Stevens' live musical circus, it's no surprise to hear the complex, string-laden compositions that make up most of Worden's new work-- but whereas Stevens specializes in what might be called quasi-showtunes, My Brightest Diamond dabbles in the quasi-operatic.
MP3s: My Brightest Diamond, from A Thousand Shark's Teeth-
"Inside a Boy" and "The Diamond"
Scores of other new albums out this week, too, on a Tuesday filled with releases worth your attention. These include the much anticipated second album from Wolf Parade, At Mount Zoomer, as well as the second solo effort from (former?) Clem Snide frontman Eef Barzelay, who releases Lose Big on the 429 label. Also this week, the long awaited return of the German band The Notwist, whose The Devil, You + Me is their first release in six years; David Berman's Silver Jews issue Lookout Mountain, Lookout Sea; Teddy Thompson follows up last year's honk-tonk weeper with an album of straight up pop with A Piece of What You Need; and Coldplay continue their U2-like quest to be...U2 with Viva La Vida.
MP3: Wolf Parade, from At Mount Zoomer- "Call It a Ritual"
MP3: The Notwist, from The Devil, You + Me- "Good Lies"
MP3: Silver Jews, from Lookout Mountain, Lookout Sea-
"Strange Victory, Strange Defeat"
MP3: Teddy Thompson, from A Piece of Something You Need- "In My Arms"
Stream: Coldplay's Viva La Vida
Performances in the area this week include dates with The Devil Makes Three (Tuesday, Aladdin Theater); The Magic Bullets (Wednesday, Dante's); Frightened Rabbit (Thursday, Holocene); Blue Giant with The Shaky Hands, Lackthereof, and Corin Tucker & friends (Friday, Wonder Ballroom); and Jaymay with Fink (Friday, Doug Fir Lounge), among others.
This thread is an open thread..........
June 15, 2008 at 2:55pm by inmemoryofjohnpeel
The Old 97's song reminded me of certain Mekon's songs. The live Georgie James song from the session I criticised sounds pretty good, it was by comparison to the CD that I found it wanting, but less so with Branhem, her voice holds up.
Interviewed and reviewed Colin Lake last night - very impressive, Blues/Rock isn't dead after all, and some interesting scratch DJ and flat slide + jazz drumming - this could be our bridge between rock and that retro soul stuff you like!
June 15, 2008 at 3:23pm by jpetersen
I definitely see the Old 97's following in a tradition the Mekons had a role in beginning (or at least kept it going) along with the likes of X. As for the Georgie James, anyone covering that Zombies song takes it in my book, but that was a heavenly match. Just a great song.
I've heard some of the new Colin Lake-- the stuff you're referring too reminded me a bit of the late RL Burnside's last work. Sounds surprisingly fresh, and undoubtedly passed off as sacrilege by blues purists.
June 15, 2008 at 4:22pm by inmemoryofjohnpeel
JP - You are right on the nail, great show tonight, themes are hard to balance (F Day) and you've managed it well.
I don't get the Chin Chin stuff - a poor emanation of many others, check out James Black for the standard bearer from way back.
BUT HEY! Inside A Boy is sensational my first 5 for a while (I keep 'em back).
Lake had a RL Burnside T-shirt on, and Hillstomp - a band you had on also cited RL i nmy interview with them. Hat's off to the man on Father's day, If he didn't have any biologically, he has musically.
June 15, 2008 at 4:28pm by jpetersen
So you're 5 stars worth of like on the My Brightest Diamond. Huh.
I like that perspective you take on Father's Day, that of musical fathers. Yes, safe to say RL has more than a few "children" out there-- maybe even more so than James Brown had actual biological children, but that's another story.
Hmm, by this rationale maybe Morrissey isn't celibate after all...
June 15, 2008 at 5:49pm by inmemoryofjohnpeel
Huh. Yes, that's why you stick to what you find interesting and listen and shift, but revisit and reinstate. Or just let it flow.
To close, thanks, loved the Loudan Wainwright III song, hadn't heard it despite owning an LP from '64. His son's effort was commendable. but that elusive special ease (shared by Ray Davies for example)...
Shara Worden (My Brightest Diamond) - ignore the project behind her, sometimes dubious, On the track "Inside a Boy" it's like Nina Simone inside White Rabbit, ...
Thanks again.
June 19, 2008 at 2:35am by jeffda
SAY, I HEARD Me & Julio Down By the Schoolyard BY Julie Doiron ON A OPB SHOW. I CAN'T FIND A WAY TO BUY IT. CAN OPB HELP?
June 19, 2008 at 2:47am by dchristensen
Jeffda--
Jagjaguwar didn't put it on the record, but you can download it here from Pitchfork.
June 20, 2008 at 2:38am by justintimmons
When you played Barrier Reef on Sunday, that was the first time I'd heard the Old 97s...I went and picked up the best of...This sounds a lot like The Refreshments/Roger Clyne & the Peacemakers. I love it!
June 20, 2008 at 2:49am by jpetersen
Nice! I'm especially partial to their early pre-Satellite Rides output myself. Glad you found them.
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