JEFFREY MARSHEK is a self professed music junkie who is constantly, except during sleep, building and expanding his ear. From Pachelbel’s Canon to Pac Man Fever. From Bon Jovi to Bon Iver. From Yo Yo Ma to Yo La Tengo.  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

LE LOUP: A Loopy Group

Le Loup

Le Loup is an ensemble of musicians from Washington, D.C that sounds like the first cousin of Indie contemporaries Animal Collective.

‘Family’ their second LP, is chalk full of rustic beats and folk-y grooves the band first introduced a few years back on their debut.

This time around, Le Loup’s emphasis proves far more sonic than lyrical:

‘Saddle Mountain’ the opening track, imagines madrigals harmonizing at an ocean front bonfire. It is aptly followed by ‘Beach Town’, a mod nod to ‘Pet Sounds’, the Himalayan luau of ‘Sherpa,’ and pure sunshine pop confection displayed in ‘Grow’.

The title tribal hymn track ‘Family’ is an epic laundry listing of bloodlines, complete with cowbell and handclaps. Best of all is ‘Forgive Me’, a mesmerizing anthem that captures the ensemble striking an uncanny resemblance to classic Arcade Fire.

Here’s to hoping they stay in Le Loup!

Le Loup on Myspace

THE XX: SONIC X-STACY

The XX

THE XX hails from West London but built an audience across the pond, creating an Internet sensation with their unexpected Goth cover of a neglected 1990’s R&B ballad.

Their debut LP, XX, is a collection of seductive ditties, detailing the torment and passion of a devastating love affair.

‘Crystalised’ opens the album, best illustrating the push and pull of destructive romance, complete with a brooding back and forth between 2 lovers, both ending in a delicious rapture of ‘I –I-I-I-I’.

‘VCR’ is an infectiously sweet ode to kismet set to a New Wave Casio groove.

‘Basic Space’ is a smoldering tango, chronicling the negotiations between 2 lustful lovers.

And ‘Teardrops’, a pulsating duet between 2 contrite ruminators unable to evoke the magic of fortunes past.

But it is their voluptuous cover of a track originally penned in the late 90’s by Timbaland and Missy Elliott for R&B sensation Aaliyah that is the real star of the show.

Here a man and woman abstain, teasing one another seductively and crooning the promise of postponed pleasure to be scorching ‘Hot like Fire’.

XX marks the spot.

The XX on Myspace.

ISLANDS

Islands

ISLANDS are a Montreal Indie-Pop band who’s third full length release, ‘Vapours’ is a valentine to long distance love via the 1980’s: John Hughes movies, gummy bears, Atari and all.

It makes sense, being that this is a collective of musicians (including former Unicorn’s Mike Diamond and Jaime Thompson) who regularly cover songs in concert by such iconic acts as The Smiths and The Kinks. Sidebar: the art rockers are currently promoting ‘Vapours’ opening up for the 80’s wunderkind The Psychedelic Furs.

‘Switched On,’ the infectious opening track, takes a groovy spin on absence making the broken heart grow fonder (”You belong in the city, I‘m wrong for the city, switch on a sad song when I’m gone”) followed by ‘No, You Don’t’, a synth waltz of Independence to a hooky declaration, sneering “Your never gonna catch me, catch me, catch me”.

‘Vapours’ the title track is kicky simplicity, with Diamond cautioning you to ‘watch me venelate.”

‘Tender Torture’, the standout, is pure codependent kitsch, a deliciously sweet tribute to long distance love.

By album’s end, ‘Heartbeat’ is the digital dessert your ears have been waiting for and Islands deliver, taking you off to Vocoder heaven.

The Islands on Myspace.

BZZZZZZZZ/ GERITOL ROCK!!!!

MICHAEL MCDONALD

Michael McDonald

He has one of the most identifiable soulful voices in music.

And quite an impressive roster of collaborations, singing alongside such acts as Steely Dan, The Doobie Brothers, Patti Labelle and Aretha Franklin.

Now Michael McDonald joins forces with Folk-Pop darlings Grizzly Bear, for a surprisingly spellbinding rendition of their ‘While you wait for the others’.

Like a fine wine, McDonald’s robust timbre has only ripened, elevating this song to a place of electrifying ruin with the aching disclosure that “You will only bleed me dry-yy”!

Michael McDonald on Myspace.

THE OAK RIDGE BOYS

The Oak Ridge Boys

One of Country music’s longest running acts, known for such hits as ‘Elvira’(Giddy up oom poppa oom poppa mow wow’) seek to reach a whole different demographic, recording an eye opening cover of The White Stripes ‘7 Nation Army.’

This beloved classic is a guaranteed risky undertaking, especially given that this is a band NOT known for covers.

The track comes readymade with a natural twang-y edge to it, but in the hands of The Oak Ridge boys, it has an ominous feeling, like the listener has trespassed onto dark and dangerous territory.

Suddenly, the bass line transforms into a Gregorian Rock hook, complete with a rousing guitar solo.

The Oak Ridge Boys on Myspace.

YOU TUBE:UNDER THE COVERS

THE NOISETTES

The British Blues popster’s angelic riff on The Killers ‘When You Were Young’ brings the anthem away from the Rock stadium to a soulful, orchestral musing.

The Noisettes on Myspace.

LCD SOUNDSYSTEM

James Murphy’s disco-fied tendencies may cause you to tap your feet and drum along, forgetting all the while that this was once belonged to somebody by the name of Kanye.

LCD Soundsystem on Myspace.

DIRTY PROJECTORS

The art house bohemians re-visit Bjork’s ‘Hyperballad’, playing off it’s built in synth galaxy vibe to create a sweet, harmonious, forest jamboree.

Dirty Projectors on Myspace.

SHE & HIM

Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward’s pitch perfect take on vintage Joni Mitchell.

Breezy. Ethereal.

She & Him on Myspace.