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The Altrok Listener #6
by Bill Stella

"Let's Pretend We Don't Exist" – oops, I mean, "Wraith Pinned To The Mist And Other Games" of COURSE (grumblegrumble misplaced creative impulse screwing with song titles again moan bitch bitch) by Of Montreal is a song I didn't want to like – the ol' Song-title Switcheroo Trick always bugs me – but I'll get over it for a song with as attractive an invitation – and as sweet – as this one. From The Sunlandic Twins, as is:
 
Of Montreal - I Was Never Young
I Was Never Young starts with a lovely Adrian Belew-like syncopated guitar, before Kevin Barnes sings: "I was never young / even when I was a boy" Well! That was an eye opening opening line, one to enter the pantheon in the Hall of Lyrics I Wished I Wrote. Eventually the addition of a horn chart over a snakey synth support makes the Talking Heads influence even stronger.
 
The Decemberists – The Sporting Life / Sixteen Military Wives
One of the albums from early this year which quickly filled up a personal Top Ten Best of the Year (and which has now overflowed to – I've lost count: three dozen?!?), "Picaresque" is filled to the brim with songs like short stories: densely drawn, with moments of New Yorker-cartoonish wit. These two songs, both Altrok Grinders, I suppose, are the album's most delightfully buffoonish, but are set solidly in what, to me, is a unique band sound characterized by surprising arrangements. With this album, I can't stop the sense of joy of having discovered The Decemberists for myself (with the help of WRSU-FM djs). I recommend you do what I did and pick up at least the last two full-length albums in their back catalog.
 
The Go! Team - Get It Together
This wonderful track should be some TV show's theme song. Hell, build an entire series around it. Why the ufkc not? (See also Altrok Listener 3 for "The Power Is On".)
 

 

©2005 Bill Stella

All material ©2001,2002 Sean Carolan, except as noted.

Today's NY/NJ Shows That Matter

Friday, February 10, 2012
 
Barry Manilow at Radio City Music Hall
 
Cherish The Ladies at Pollak Theatre, Monmouth University
 
Tea Leaf Green at Bowery Ballroom
 
Al Kooper's 68th Birthday show at BB King's
 
Lucy Kaplansky at City Winery
 
Bob Bandiera & The Jersey Shore Rock-N-Soul Revue Salute The Bee Gees at Count Basie Theatre
 
Citizen Cope at Tarrytown Music Hall, Tarrytown NY
 
Gay Blades, Cold Fronts, Anjelia Pelay, Ladykiller and Lifeguard Nights at Stone Pony (NEW DATE)
 
Authority Zero and Voodoo Glow Skulls at World Cafe Live, Philly
 
Darlene Love at McLoone's Supper Club
 
Tab Benoit at Hiro Ballroom
 
 
More NY/NJ Shows That Matter