Beloved Broken Social Scene. Post modern angst would not be the same without you. Here we find our heroes deep in the throes of what the Germans call Weltschmerz – world-ache, or world sickness. Musically somewhere between Godspeed You Black Emperor’s patient apocalyptic swelling, and something like goth rock on a sunny beach, this is a group whose sound is not easily pinned down. And that’s good. Let it fly, be free. “Forgiveness Rock Record” is their latest brave salvo of empathy and understanding thrown headlong into the prevailing maelstrom of cynicism and pessimism. I’m grateful for that.

Broken Social Scene
“World Sick” (mp3)
from “Forgiveness Rock Record”
(Arts & Crafts)

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If you have ever lived in the San Francisco Bay Area, you probably already know this deal. When the faults decide to wiggle the map, and all the phones and networks go down, we’ve already got a meeting spot worked out with the ones we love. And we don’t worry much, living as we do in one of the most beautiful and culturally rich places on earth. The Paper Chase captures that Sword of Damocles lifestyle perfectly in this bold and novel piece. Gorgeously arranged analog keyboards and creatively processed drums set the stage for an existential vocal meltdown. A most entertaining 9 minute catastrophe. Enjoy.

The Paper Chase
“When (And If) The Big One Hits… I’ll Just Meet You There” (mp3)
from “Young Bodies Heal Quickly, You Know”
(Beatville Records)
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“Bloodhounds On My Trail” by Austin’s The Black Angels delivers exactly what I’d hope for from a song with that title. It rocks and boogies while evading capture by wading through a swamp. Twang-adelic drony magnificence, with a delicious vocal, and brilliant lyrics. Awesome track from their acclaimed “Passover” album.

The Black Angels
“Bloodhounds On My Trail” (mp3)
from “Passover”
(Blue Scholars / Light in the Attic)

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Fool’s gold. If you’ve ever been to the Sierra Nevada, and gazed into a mountain stream, you’ve seen the shimmering stuff, beckoning as it did to prospectors who sought their fortunes there starting around 1848. Pretty, but worthless stuff. Then we wonder, why is gold valuable? Well, because we say it is. We agree it’s valuable and carry on having civilizations based on it being valuable. Pretty absurd if you toy with that notion. So let’s don’t. Don’t be fooled by the title, this beautiful song by The Abramson Singers is pure gold. Haunting twang-y guitars and delicate snare brushes set the stage for some magnificent, soft and sweet female vocal harmonies that could melt Fort Knox. From their, or more like her, eponymous album. Lovely work, check it out.

The Abramson Singers
“Fool’s Gold” (mp3)
from “The Abramson Singers”
(White Whale)

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The new crown prince of soft rock, Bart Davenport got his start in a more hard rockin’ capacity as the front man for East Bay Mod RnB heros the Loved Ones. This track from his 2002 solo debut on the marvelous Antenna Farm Records, is a meandering daydream of sweet romance. Much as I hope to hear the man hit the Jagger/Colin Blunstone style that he did years ago, I gotta love that he’s true to his own vision, and he does this stuff so very well. The dry acoustic drums and nicely recorded real instruments he favors are a stark and welcome contrast to the hyper-digital compressed poo that is the norm these days. And his singing is simply beautiful. From 2002, recently re-released digitally, here’s some “Chimes” of love from a cat who means it.

Bart Davenport
“Chimes” (mp3)
from “Bart Davenport”
(Antenna Farm Records)

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Spoon. Spoon. Spoon! New Spoon record. NEW SPOON RECORD!!! When do I use three exclamation marks? I generally use two, when I’m really excited. Three is unprecedented. But this is, if I have not clarified, a NEW F@#$K!NG SPOON RECORD, MAN! DAMN! All caps, when do I do that? Immediately living up to the lofty promise of earlier efforts, this single, “Written In Reverse,” from the BRAND NEW F00K!NG SPOON RECORD called “Transference” is truly gr8. I must drink some water. I must get some air. Spoon. Swoon.

Spoon
“Written In Reverse” (mp3)
from “Transference”
(Arts & Crafts Mexico)

There really should be a band called The Jive Turkeys. And there is, there is! And any band using that moniker should show a gr8 love for The Meters, Booker T. and the M.G.’s, and other long running funky rhythm sections who jazz it up with pop sensibilities and a certain mod flair. And they do, they do! These darlings are from Oxford, Ohio, they release their music on 7″ vinyl, they think you should “cop” their records, and well, I do too. Truly a labor of love, down to the Steve Cropper-esque guitar niblets, Leslie speaker churned organ riffs, Zigaboo inspired drumming and one of those bass players who just lives in the kick drum. Their music is available digitally too, in case your vintage Fisher-Price record player is on the fritz.

The Jive Turkeys
“B.A.” (mp3)
from “B.A. – Single”
(Colemine Records)

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Light In The Attic records is one of those little things that makes the world a better place. How else would I ever have found out about Heikki’s Suburbian Bus Tour Ride. A wonderful, very early 70′s recording. Dylanesque folk rawk baby. I love this.

Rodriguez
“Heikki’s Suburbia Bus Tour” (mp3)
from “Coming From Reality”
(Light In The Attic)

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Aaaaah, sweet Beatle-esque dreamy dream pop like lemonade on a fine spring day This is the sort of music that makes me use smileys, and reminds of childhood afternoons on swing sets and barefoot squishy lawns with daisies. Thank you Junipers for putting something kind and soft into the scary world.

The Junipers
“Gordie Can’t Swim” (mp3)
from “Gordie Can’t Swim”
(San Remo Records)

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The only thing I don’t get is why people put “Radio Edit” in the title tag of song in 2009. I mean, what radio? This is radio, you’re on it, this is it. The music blogosphere has replaced radio for music discovery, hello? Because, we music bloggers truly love music, while commercial radio doesn’t care and has no soul and can bite me. K? Glad we got that sorted.

Supertramp goes to Monty Python’s house! Radiohead visits Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood? Jellyfish takes some real acid! Mmm, trippy, fun song from a band simply called Clues. We study, we consider, we try to add it all up and solve the mystery.

Clues
“Perfect Fit” (mp3)
from “Clues”
(Constellation)

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