JEFFREY MARSHEK is attempting to remember what he was listening to exactly ten years ago today. Upon further investigation, he finds that PJ Harvey’s “Stories from the city”, Outkast’s “Speakerboxx and The Love Below”, as well as the debut albums of The Hives, Modest Mouse and Phoenix were in rotation on his stereo. The world had no idea who The Strokes, Interpol and The Killers were, as they had not yet made a record. But it was a band being touted as “Radiohead light” (a.k.a Coldplay) whose debut album, “Parachutes” would take the world by storm and soon have them being mentioned in the same breath as massive stadium acts U2 and Green Day. So, here we are. The first 10 years of the 2000’s are almost at a close and it is a fascinating water cooler conversation: 10 years later, has the music sustained? Are those artists still crafting the music that you loved 10 years ago? And 10 years from now, will the current music sustain its audience as well?
This Month, we look at 2 rock bands who have been building their audience over the last 10 years (The Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and The Black Keys) as well as Indie Pop’s latest darling (Surfer Blood). And, as always, some unique and daring cover tunes of a few beloved classics.
MY-POD: THE SOUND-TRACK
BLACK KEYS: I’m black and I’m proud
About 10 years ago, 2 funky White guys from the Midwest, Dan Auerbach on vocals and guitar and Patrick Carney on the drums, with a penchant for blues rock (and a constant comparison to The White Stripes) made their debut as The Black Keys! ‘Brothers’ marks their 6th full length LP.
Chalk full of those guitar riffs and those falsetto growls that have captivated fans, the title ’Brothers’ could easily be a nudge-wink to the unknown listener wondering what entitles 2 white bread guys to record blues rock.
5 seconds in, those suspicions easily fade.
‘Everlasting Light’ the album’s opener could be this generations ‘Amazing Grace’, a soulful and selfless ditty, fueled by a dire need to be your everything. Followed by a complete 180 degree turn: ‘Next Girl’, an edgy rebound kiss off, where Auerbach vows that his “next girl will be nothing like my ex-girl.” ‘Tighten Up’ is an attempt at self restraint amidst submission to a devouring love. Although Songs like “She’s Long Gone” won’t help all those comparisons to The White Stripes, there are some surprising tunes: ‘Too Afraid To Love’ has a macabre gospel feel that is almost haunting. And ‘These days’ channels the touch of 1970’s folk rock.
A collection of songs detailing the fine line between love and hate, pleasure and pain, The Black Keys know this story all to well. They could be like family. Think of them as a ‘Brother’ from another mother.
SURFER BLOOD: Everybody’s gone surfing
Indie rock comes in all shapes and sizes. So, it should come as no surprise that the 5 man lineup known as Surfer blood is, from all places, West Palm Beach, Florida. (Which begs the question: can you even surf in a place like Florida???) A sleeper hit, their debut, ‘Astro Coast’ is a psychedelic throwback to bands like Built to Spill and Pavement: Indie, sparse, clever lyrical content, full of summer sun, surf ready tunes and love, love love!!!
‘Floating Vibes’ finds a dejected lover abandoned for the west coast, though sure it is only a matter of time before she returns. ‘Swim’ is pure ingenuity, a simple homage to stick to it-ness. ‘Take it Easy’ is the beginning stages of love: fresh, neurotic, vulnerable and terrified. And ‘Harmonix’ should wet the appetite of Interpol fans, full of guitar riffs, distorted sounds and a vehement promise to “not wait around for you to figure it out.”
The second half of the album, sticks to the same storytelling, though musically takes a cue from 1980’s alternative British pop rock: ‘Fast Jabroni’ summons up the summer of love, sounding like a lost Modern English track and the sad sack character of ‘Catholic Pagans’ juggles his devotion to his girl and his drink, not with much success. Best of all is ‘Twin Peaks’ a bewildering date involving un-clear boundaries, mixed signals and a David Lynch screening on the couch.
Recently dubbed the “best new music” by Pitchfork, it looks as though, Florida or not, surf’s up. Way up.
By album’s end, the 10:20 track ‘Half State’ is a psychedelic journey through loss and regret where “it’s a cruel world that let’s us go.”
BZZZZZZZ: UNEXPECTED ROCK STARS
BLACK REBEL MOTORCYCLE CLUB: Their the rebel yell
Originally from San Francisco and now based out of Los Angeles, rockers Black Rebel Motorcycle club’s 6th album, “Beat the Devil’s Tattoo” could possibly be their best effort yet. Named after Marlon Brando’s motorcycle gang in the classic film “The Wild One”, Black Rebel Motorcycle have spent the last 12 years building their name.
(And having a track on the latest Twilight soundtrack certainly can’t hurt matters.)
The title track opens the LP, full of vintage jangly guitars and rock star growls. It is followed by ‘Conscience Killer’, a rollicking rock and roll romp that takes pride in being the ultimate spirit killjoy. ‘Bad Blood’ is almost a departure for the band; their attempt at infectious pop rock with a catchy hook that ruminates throughout “I could see it in your eyes and now it’s gone.” ‘War Machine’ is all swagger, a soul baring strip tease for the masochist.
‘Sweet Feeling’ is a bittersweet dedication to the dissolution of a relationship, melodious and heartbreaking.
And ‘Long Way Down’ is a doom and gloom ballad of loneliness, the last track you would expect to find on one of their albums.
With their mixture of garage rock jam and sweet melancholy ballads, “Beat the Devil’s Tattoo” should cement their place in the rock and roll music cannon, once and for all.
YOU TUBE: UNDER THE COVERS
STONE TEMPLE PILOTS COVER THE DOORS ROADHOUSE BLUES
Scott Weiland and company are back. Fans of STP will get a kick out his rousing take on Jim Morrison, as Weiland digs into the pit of his soul to give you the guts of rock and roll.
MACY GRAY COVERS ARCADE FIRE WAKE UP
Macy Gray makes the most out of her raw, rough voice, bringing some grit, funk and uncanny style to an un-expected cover.
THE LEMONHEADS COVER CHRISTINA AGUILERA BEAUTIFUL
Evan Dando has never been this benevolent, taking an overdone, melismatic- pop ditty and infusing it with a little touch of emo, a bit of heart and a whole lotta angst.
FLORENCE AND THE MACHINE COVER ROBERT PLANT ADDICTED TO LOVE
A tune synonymous with 1980’s cheese is revamped into a sultry come on, Florence brings her come hither vocal styling, transporting you to Ibiza and beyond.
SMASHING PUMPKINS COVER BLONDIE DREAMING
Smashing Pumpkins eerie, moody take on sweet, pop confection. In an instant, the song becomes virtually unrecognizable. Until you start grooving to the lyrics…
