Here's what's currently spinning at the haus of random -
The Shins - Chutes Too Narrow. This just might be the best album of 2003. Stylistically it's all over the map. From baroque pop to neo-Wilco to simple ballads to 60's psychedelia, all bases are covered. Their debut release "Oh, Inverted World" sounded like a band who'd found a great current and sort of went along for the ride. This sounds like a band now mastering that wave.
Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros - Streetcore. I've always felt that Joe's post-Clash output has been pretty spotty. The other Mescaleros albums have been good, but not great. This album, even without the filter of posthumous release, is pretty damn great. I don't know if I'd agree with The Guardian calling it his best work since "London Calling" as I'm a big fan of "Sandanista!" but it certainly is a refreshing and sad ending befitting a huge talent.
Shelby Lynne - Identity Crisis. Shelby loses Glenn Ballard and goes back to what made "I Am..." a fantastic record. Still not as interesting as her sister's work, but it'll do.
The Rapture - Echoes. I need to stop buying the bands that are hot in NYC for about five minutes. When was the last time I went back to Hot Hot Heat, The Walkmen, The Fever, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, The Thrills, Mooney Suzuki, BMRC or their ilk? Yeah, not often. This will soon be in that pile. I'll pull out stellastar* and Interpol. The rest will collect dust.
Posted by mikewolf at November 03, 2003 02:29 PMmy 2 cents on your disses:
BRMC have got only one big fat riff; but boy, do they do it amazingly well. They'll have one song on all those Best of the Naughts rock compilations.
Mooney Suzuki I think are going to morph into... something. Haven't a clue what that will be, but for some reason I'm holding out some hope for them.
I wish the YYYeahs would get an original look. It's like their A&R guy is showing them early Pretenders and Buzzcocks pictures and telling them to, 'go a little further. But not *too* far.' Musically, fun to see, I'm sure; but on CD, nothing new under their sun.
I've already weighed in on liking the Strummer. Lot's of LSD references too. You know how much I like that.