Yea, I know, Charlotte Gainsbourg is not just the sum of her two legs. But, since they are the best looking in the business, I feel it would be a crime not to give them an honorable mention. However, with her heritage she was definitely doomed since childhood to have an amazing combination of charm, beauty and talent. That’s all nice and dandy, but it really gets wicked when you throw Beck into the pot as well. If you need any proof of Beck’s inter-galactic talent, just try to look for a solo live performance he gave in a church a few years ago. If you do manage to find it, be sure to drop a line here so I can re-find it as well. Anyway, back to our video here, if the upcoming record, titled IRM and schedule to release on December 7th, will sustain the same level, we are for a kick-ass album. Sweet.
Mixed Feelings: Regina Spektor, On Tour
05-Nov-09
It took me a while to fall for Regina Spektor a few years ago. Her anti-folk sound of Soviet Kitsch evoked Ani diFranco, Suzzane Vega and a bunch of other Contemporary Folk female artists. It just belonged to a different time. It was actually the more pop-ish sound of Begin to Hope that “discovered” her for me. Come to think of it, it was the visual language of Fidelity. I admit her last album, Far, is not one of my favorites. It’s a good catchy album, but it lacks the spark of Begin to Hope and the quirkiness of Soviet Kitsch.
The first time I saw her live was about 2 years ago. She performed solo in Tel Aviv. It was a real treat and gave way to all her quirkiness galore and piano virtuosity. Last night I saw her for the second time, in Seattle’s Paramount Theater this time. This time she performed with a proper band and it felt like the Regina-only charm was somewhat lost. Her piano just didn’t express itself the way it can and should. This all changed halfway through the show when she was left alone on stage and I just fell for her all over again. This is one darling that does it charm best when left alone.
The crowd, by the way, in both gigs was made up of an incredible amount of iphone-itweet-teens. Singing with her (did I come to listen to the screaming sweet sixteen next to me?) and screaming to her whatever came to their mind (there were quite a few “love you”s and a few suggestions regarding children). In some odd way, Regina has been positioned by her record label to attract this crowd.
Another note of warning: do yourself a dear favor and try to skip the warming act of Jupiter One. It varied from plain boring to just being pathetic.
Future tour dates:
10 Nov 2009 20:00 Verizon Wireless Theater Houston, Texas
11 Nov 2009 20:00 Stubbs BBQ Austin, Texas
12 Nov 2009 20:00 Nokia Theatre Dallas, Texas
14 Nov 2009 19:00 Pershing Arena at Truman State University Kirksville, Missouri
16 Nov 2009 19:30 Ryman Auditorium Nashville, Tennessee
17 Nov 2009 20:00 Thomas Wolfe Auditorium Asheville, North Carolina
19 Nov 2009 20:00 Louisville Palace Theatre Louisville, Kentucky
30 Nov 2009 20:00 O2 Academy Birmingham
1 Dec 2009 20:00 Academy Glasgow
3 Dec 2009 20:00 Apollo Manchester
4 Dec 2009 20:00 HMV Hammersmith Apollo London
7 Dec 2009 20:00 Cirkus Stockholm
8 Dec 2009 20:00 Cirkus Stockholm
10 Dec 2009 20:00 Rockefeller Oslo
11 Dec 2009 20:00 Lisebergshallen Gothenburg
13 Dec 2009 20:00 KB Malmo
14 Dec 2009 20:00 Huxleys Neue Welt Berlin
16 Dec 2009 20:00 Gasometer Vienna
17 Dec 2009 20:00 Kaufleuten Zurich
19 Dec 2009 20:00 The O2 Dublin
Tell Me How [MP3]
Animals [MP3]
Sara Lov, known among ethereal dream pop lovers as a former member of Devics, describes her debut solo album as “simple and sad with a shot of scotch”. At times slightly bizarre and provoking, occasionally sweet and touching, her lyrics always leave room for interpretation. Sara’s solo album Seasoned Eyes Were Beaming (2009) ranges from tender and relaxed pop to whimsical and haunting folk arrangements.
Links:
MySpace profile
Official website
Emilíana Torrini – Jungle Drum
06-May-09
A sweet and charming pop melody. A bubblegum song straight out of the 50s. And if you want a proof to the fact that this song time traveled, just take a glimpse at the tiny dance Emilíana is giving at the beginning of this live video.
Links:
Official website
Myspace profile
Cheerful Melancholia: Noah And The Whale
06-Aug-08
2 Bodies 1 Heart [MP3]
5 Years Time [MP3]
Five Years Time [VIDEO]
As the London-based members of Noah and the Whale incorporate their catchy Indie-Folk melodies with sunshine pop dipped in melancholic notes, they leave you warm and cosy, smiling and hopeful. The ukuleles, violins, handclaps, the distinct whistling refrain and the sing-along lines of “Five Years Time” strike at first as naive and whimsical. Yet the overall optimistic sound, the lighthearted folk and cheerful tunes of Noah and the Whale carry sadder hints, dreamy and wistful feelings.
Links:
MySpace profile
Official website
Little Bird [MP3]
Takes So Long [MP3]
Gotta Have You [MP3] (from Say I am You, 2005)
Being partners in life, as well as in music, Deb Talan and Steve Tannen have a great story to share. Falling in love, admiring each other’s work and forming The Weepies. The duo writes sincerely sweet, quiet and simply crafted songs. Another intimate homemade record, Hideway (2008), is the result of all the couple has experienced and absorbed so far. The Weepies deliver delightful folk songs, full of clever phrasing, loveliness and darker moments.
Links:
Official website
MySpace Profile
Science Books [MP3]
Apple for Evan [MP3]
Accompanied by a Wurlitzer keyboard, a banjolin, drums, a glockenspiel and guitars, the witty and well written songs of Arrah and the Ferns are the perfect weekend pop fun. Folk, Indie Rock and Alt Country influences create a bright and cute indie pop mixture. Arrah and the Ferns will make you smile and shine.
LINKS:
Official website
MySpace Profile
Lyrical and delightful, New Buffalo’s album Somewhere, Anywhere (2007) is full of Sally Seltmann’s beautiful voice. Her very clean bright sound is permeated with innocence, gentle humor and hope, but without being in the slightest bit overdone. Lovely, emotional and utterly memorable, New Buffalo makes you ache and smile, all at once.
Links:
Official website
MySpace profile
Cheer Me Up Thank You [VIDEO]
Stranger [MP3]
Puke [MP3]
To me it feels like Bang! is full of wishes. It evokes the image of the Dillinger Girl begging and wishing in front of her Baby Face Nelson. Musically, this record exists somewhere between Jazz and Contemporary Folk. Our Dillinger Girl is a demanding woman, craving, lusting, sexual and warm. This record has a wonderful voice, the voice of a lustful love with all its fear and hope.
Links:
Buy this album
MySpace profile
