Welcome to the Cacomixl blog.
Lately I've had the opportunity to review CDs for CJSW's DJs. Here's the latest batch.
The Frogs
Hopscotch Lollipop Sunday Surprise
Rude, intelligent pop from Seattle duo Dennis and Jimmy Flemion. Don't let the self-consciously crappy sleeve, or offensive titles and lyrics put you off ("Nipple Clamps," anyone?). This album is pure pop joy. Think the Jayhawks meet Ween (in their more acoustic moments), with a healthy dose of T-Rex (check out the chug-chug groove and falsetto chorus on "Bear"). A good album to give to your little brother to spark his transition from Bloodhound Gang to the world of indie rock.
California Oranges
S/T
Three-piece from Sacramento, CA. Pleasant, summery pop in juicy bite-size morsels. With no-nonsense punk drumming, new-wave-y hooks (sounds like something on Cherry Red circa 1982), and naive singing, they harmonize and jangle their way through 10 songs in 30 minutes, and although they're not breaking any new ground, it's a cute way to spend half an hour. Standouts: "So Much To Do" and "The Weather", and the tribute to Olivia Newton-John, "Olivia."
Mellow
Another Mellow Spring
The vocoder revival continues! This album captures the quintessential 1970s/space/drugs/glam sound. But it's more vivid and rich than you remembered it, thanks to modern technology. It's like stepping into a holographic Milton Glaser poster, like watching Yellow Submarine in surround-sound Dolby THX. Beatle-y mellotron and trumpet abound, as do soft Donovan/Nick Drake/Belle #& Sebastian vocal stylings. Touchstones include Air, ELO, Cassius, even (gulp) Alan Parsons. "Paris Sous La Neige" could be this year's "Sexy Boy."
Pancake Circus
3 Whistling Moon Travellers with Report
San Francisco 3-piece. Hip-hop raps over dark, droney, noisy guitars. More of an art appeal than a ghetto appeal. Their web site bio is pretty accurate: "Pancake Circus is a fucking nightmare. Though implementing elements of hip hop and electronica, members of this 'group' have no regard for the rules and standards of these genres." Seems like they could do either genre well if they wanted to. I'd like to hear more of the droney guitar stuff rather than the hip hop.
My dentist's office has just installed TVs to enjoy whilst getting drilled. Hence today I was treated to a few minutes of the Rosie O'Donnell show, and her very special musical guests, Dream. It's four nubile teenage girls singing formulaic teeny-bopper crap pop, but get this: the redhead was wearing a New York Dolls t-shirt, and the strawberry-haired one was wearing a Ramones t-shirt.
What a pathetic attempt at credibility. Sorry, I don't quite hear your 'influences' in your music.
What's next, getting Slint tattoos?
Make sure you don't run into The Donnas, girls. They'll kick your asses!
How long do I keep doing stuff for free? Hmm. My 'spare time' seems to be diminishing.
