Put Me In the Equation, It's Alright
Happy birthday, Lee Ranaldo. The Sonic Youth guitarist turns eternal today. Again.
Stephen Mejias
Life Magazine
Here's the video for 2009's "Single of the Year" (as determined by me), the undeniably catchy "Life Magazine," by Cold">http://blog.stereophile.com/stephenmejias/love_comes_close/">Cold Cave.
Album Art: Joanna Newsom's Have One On Me
Wild. Peacocks and stuff.
The Magnetic Fields: 69 Love Songs
Just this morning, I was thinking about the Magnetic Fields, and specifically about how I haven’t really enjoyed their work since 1999’s inspired 69 Love Songs. While i had plenty of fine moments, I can’t stand to listen to it anymore. It strikes me as mawkish and false. Distortion bothered me from the very beginning. There was nothing to hold on to. And though I’m mildly interested in the new one, Realism, I'm not excited enough to add it to “the list.”
She & Him: Volume Two
Might as well add this one to the list.
Jimi Hendrix: Valleys of Neptune
These are previously unreleased tracks, with a previously unknown fire and happiness. I pried the advance copy from Robert">http://blog.stereophile.com/musicroom/robertbaird/">Robert Baird's kung-fu grip, and listened to it on the hi-fi. I don't want to say too much about it because our April issue will include a whole psychedelic feature on the topic, as well as a formal album review, so I'll just say this: I need it.
Four Tet: There Is Love In You
Any album named There Is Love In You is an album for me. Especially when it’s the new one from Four">http://www.myspace.com/fourtetkieranhebden">Four Tet, aka Kieran Hebden, 32-year old, post-rock/electronic DJ/musician/wizard.
Massive Attack: Heligoland
It’s been awhile since I last hooked up with Massive Attack. Heligoland is the unit’s fifth full-length studio release and, with collaborations from Damon Albarn, Hope Sandovol, Tunde Adebimpe, and Martina Topley-Bird, it has to be good. Right?
Wild Nothing: Gemini
Wild Nothing is 21-year old Virginian, Jack Tatum. Last year, he released a 7" single on Captured">http://www.capturedtracks.com/index.php">Captured Tracks, another one of those labels that just knows what I like. Gemini, his full-length debut, is scheduled to be released on May 18. You can listen to a few tracks at the">http://www.myspace.com/wildnothing">the Wild Nothing Myspace page.
Joanna Newsom: Have One On Me
Photo: Annabel Mehran