JEFFREY MARSHEK is finally ready to say goodbye to winter and hello to spring.
Or at least his ears are ready. Are yours?

This month, we take a look at a band known for their collaborations (Groove Armada), a side project that runs the spectrum of guest artists (Gorillaz) and an exciting new Gnarls Barkley/ The Shins hybrid (Broken Bells).

Plus Goldfrapp provides you with a new gym ready soundtrack!

And, as always, some rare and inspired cover tunes.

MY-POD: THE SOUNDTRACK

GROOVE ARMADA: Groove is in the heart

Andy Cato and Tom Findlay, better known as Groove Armada, return with a collection of delectable tracks on the U.K club inspired ‘Black Light’. Since their debut over 10 years ago, Groove Armada has built a name for themselves blending Electronic and house music, via eclectic guest artists. ‘Black Light’, their sixth (potentially last) and possibly best studio album yet, sustains that legacy. Nick Littlemore (Empire of the Sun) and Saintsaviour both appear on 4 tracks, the latter act almost acting as the album’s front woman. ‘Warsaw’, the stellar electro opener, features both acts with Nick raging “I’ve got inkling that I’ve got an avalanche”. On ‘History’, British Pop Idol winner Will Young croons to a Bronski Beat sample of “history repeating itself,” cleverly summoning up those comparisons to Jimmy Sommerville.
‘I won’t kneel’, another Saintsaviour track, is a redemption song, a bid at a second chance, but with boundaries. Add to the mix Bryan Ferry, of Roxy Music fame, whose ‘Shameless” is pure, hypnotic trance. Best of all is ‘Paper Romance’ a catchy duet with a rollicking bass between Fenech Soler and Saintsaviour.

The Internet has been a buzz with talk of ‘Black Light’ being Groove Armada’s last studio LP, buzz that even the band has verified. I’m praying, hoping that they keep on grooving and don’t stop.

BROKEN BELLS: The chimes of the future

The idea of Gnarls Barkley and The Shins joining forces may, on paper, seem like an odd pairing. Or potentially a recipe for a sonic disaster. However, Danger Mouse and James Mercer have teamed up as Broken Bells in one of the year’s most unexpected yet highly enjoyable collaborations. “‘The High Road’ is hard to find”, wails Mercer in the soulful opening track, a soldier-on anthem. ‘Vaporize’ is a slick carpe diem ditty about not wasting your time and seizing your moments before they are gone. And ‘The Ghost Inside’ is the epitome of cool, destined to be mashed up with Dandy Warhol’s ‘We Used to be Friends’. Later in the album, Broken Bells change pace, sound and era; ‘Sailing To Nowhere’ is a 1970’s glitter rock ballad and ‘Citizen’ is a tranquil homage to vintage Bowie.

By album’s end, (a short 37:25 min) Broken Bells even revisit New Wave and leave you craving a (cross your fingers) follow-up LP…

GORILLAZ: Side project with staying power

It was nearly 10 years ago when Blur front man Damon Albarn and Tank Girl co-creator animator Jamie Hewlett created a virtual band. The side project, Gorillaz, was a blend of alt rock, electronic, pop and hip hop with Albarn acting as lead singer, ushering in various musicians to contribute. 10 years later, the most successful virtual band in the world returns with ‘Plastic Beach’. This time around, Albarn assembles Rock (Lou Reed, Mick Jones) Rap (Mos Def, Snoop Dogg and De La Soul) and Orchestral (Hypnotic Brass Ensemble and The National Orchestra For Arabic Music), and the results are entrancing. “The revolution will be televised” Snoop Dogg predicts in the trippy, hypnotic opener ‘Welcome To The World of Plastic Beach.’ ‘White Flag’ is a futuristic peace song, brilliantly blending hip hop and orchestral music. And ‘Stylo,’ the first single off the album, features the return of soul legend Bobby Womack and the sharp rhymes of Mos Def. De la Soul brings vibe and humor to the mock hip hop breakfast cereal jingle ‘Superfast Jellyfish’. But it is up ‘On Melancholy Hill’ where Albarn dreams of being close with you, and his sweet side really comes through:
“Are you here with me?” he asks twice.
Yes.
We’re here for you, Damon.

BZZZZZZ: Ear Candy

GOLDFRAPP: Sonic Sunshine

Somewhere between the aggressive club sexuality of Madonna and the pop kitsch of Lady Gaga falls Goldfrapp.
The duo consisting of singer Alison Goldfrapp and composer Will Gregory are back with their 5th studio LP in 10 years, ‘Head First.’ The last time we heard from Goldfrapp (2008’s ‘Seventh Tree) the band was playing with the inspired sound of the 1970’s folk/pop. Here on ‘Head First’, Goldfrapp revisits the new wave synth of the 1980’s, recalling the ethereal sounds of Missing Person’s and the celestial vocal styling of Kate Bush. ‘Rocket,’ the first single off the album, is an addictive, cosmic delight that’s sure to stick in your head. ‘Believer’ is a fast paced relationship test, where, in the end, she is “a believer in you now.” And the pure pop confection that is ‘Alive’ will re-invigorate you with its hooky appeal.

Later in the album, the mood shifts and the sound mellow. But the sensual electro vibe of ‘Head First’ still remains. ‘Dreaming’ is an ear candy seduction and the slow burn of ‘Hunt’ could even undress you. By the time ‘Voicething’, the album’s last track, plays, you are soothed and set for sweet sounding dreams.

YOU TUBE: Under the Covers

The former Tony! Toni! Tone front man brings his contemporary neo-soul vibe to the Sly and The Family Stone funk classic.

And it should come as no surprise – it’s a perfect fit.

Courtney Love and company are treading on sacred ground.
Any musician worth their salt knows an attempt at a Bob Dylan cover is risky business.
But Hole delivers – and Ms. Love has never sounded more suited to a song.
Who knew??

Dave Grohl and the gang take on the timeless Wings standard, giving it an updated dose of testosterone and fuel. The result is fresh, vibrant rock and roll. We wouldn’t expect anything less.

A Scottish singer-songwriter attempts Chaka Khan?
Say it isn’t so!
She doesn’t re-invent the song one bit, but she doesn’t take a bit of soul out of it either.
You go white girl.