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Heavy Rotation

  • The Clientele -

    The Clientele: God Save the Clientele
    I love this record with its rich pop melodies and guitar feedback. Might be a little mellow for the kids today, but give it a listen on Sunday morning while having your coffee and reading the paper.

  • The National -

    The National: Boxer
    These indie darlings are well worth a listen to.

  • Ted Leo and the Pharmacists -

    Ted Leo and the Pharmacists: Living With the Living
    Hmmm...only way to describe it is Black Flag meets UB40.

  • Ryan Adams -

    Ryan Adams: Easy Tiger
    The alt-country king returns with something fantastic. This is one of my favorite records of 2007.

  • Bob Dylan -

    Bob Dylan: Blood On the Tracks
    I was cleaning out my CDs and forgot that I had this. I could listen to "Tangled Up in Blue" all day. I think this might be my favorite Dylan album.

  • Tegan and Sara -

    Tegan and Sara: The Con
    Go get this record. Do not delay. Sleater Kinney I'm over you.

  • Josh Rouse -

    Josh Rouse: Subtitulo
    Humor me. Just go get it. Give a listen to "Given' It Up" and you will thank me.

  • The Sea and Cake -

    The Sea and Cake: Everybody
    These guys are awesome. I can't decide who is dreamier Sam Prekop or Archer Prewitt. If you are looking for something to listen to this summer, this is it.

  • Stephen Malkmus -

    Stephen Malkmus: Pig Lib
    How can you not love the smart ass lead singer from Pavement? "Vanessa From Queens" is my favorite tune on this whole album. This album is filled with hypnotic melodies and sarcastic lyrics. Fans of Pavement will not be disappointed.

  • Dinosaur Jr. -

    Dinosaur Jr.: Beyond
    J Mascis is back. If you are a fan of Green Mind you will love this record.

  • Marvin Gaye -

    Marvin Gaye: What's Going on
    I love this record from start to finish. With lyrics about drug abuse, poverty, and the Vietnam War, this album was an immediate sensation and has endured as a classic of early-1970s soul. Get the remastered version released in 2002.

  • Urge Overkill - Urge Overkill

    Urge Overkill
    Urge Overkill: Saturation
    An awesome Chicago Band from the early 90's. I used to go see these guys all of the time at Metro, Empty Bottle, and Double Door. These guys played all over the city for a year straight. Check out "Sister Havana" and "Back on Me".

  • The Shins -

    The Shins: Wincing the Night Away
    GO GET THIS NOW...The Shins will change your life!

  • Josh Rouse -

    Josh Rouse: Nashville
    Just simple dreamy lyrics- I love sensitive boy rock!!!! I put his songs on mix tapes for girls I am trying to woo.

  • Cat Power -

    Cat Power: The Greatest
    Some people think Chan Marshall is a mess- I find her dreamy. Go get this record listen to it, then listen to Dusty Springfield, and then finish the evening off with a good belt of whiskey. Call me in the morning and we'll talk.

  • The Hold Steady -

    The Hold Steady: Boys & Girls of America
    Paste rated this album #2 in their best of 2006. I gave them a listen off of that review and let me tell you they rock. What I dig most about them is the fact they sound like a drunken Springsteen. This album is loaded with a ton of heavy guitar riffs and lyrics you can't understand. RUN DON'T WALK to your nearest record store and pick this bad oscar up.

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August 30, 2007

The Clientele

Photoshootbricklane2lThe Clientele is everything I love about pop music. Lush vocals, harmonies, simple string arrangements and you have The Clientele.  Their music has often been noted for its reverb-rich production and Alasdair MacLean's distinctive breathy vocals (an effect achieved partly by MacLean singing with a microphone plugged into a guitar amplifier) and unique guitar style.  GOD I LOVE REVERB! Think of your favorite '60s pop band and odds are they're in the Clientele's blood.  It's like the Byrds, the Association, and the Velvet Underground morphed into one.  With perhaps a little bit of the Hollies mixed in for good luck.  I find it odd that with the type of pop that these guys sing they aren't more popular in their native Britain.  They have a much bigger fan base her in the States. 
I'd been curious about these guys for awhile.  When I was home a couple of weeks ago Mr. Chuck and I were talking about them and he said "I just don't get them.  Here."  and he handed me a copy of Strange Geometry.  I guess they don't have enough bass for him or something.  What can I say the old man is a freak.  He will sit around and listen to Nils Kline with a bunch of feedback, but he won't listen to pop music.  Anyway, I took it home popped it in the old HiFi and just kicked back.  I was mesmerized.  It almost makes me want to cry.  Yes, cry like when I listen to Joni Mitchell's Blue-a story for another time.  As a result of my hysteria I went out and got their newest release God Save the Clientele.  This is a great record also.  It's different from Strange Geometry.  This is a much cleaner record-less reverb and clearer vocals, but it is still MacLean's whispery delivery and amazing song writing that make this record great. Get these two records and you will be happy.  Here are some tunes for you from Strange Geometry and God Save the Clientele.  If you get a chance go check them out at the Roseland Ballroom on September 6.  They're opening up for another pop favorite of mine Peter, Bjorn, and John-so get there early.

Strange Geometry:
Download 01_since_k_got_over_me.m4a
Download 03_my_own_face_inside_the_trees.m4a

God Save the Clientele:
Download 07_the_queen_of_seville.mp3
Download 11_carnival_on_7th_street.mp3

Posted at 11:12 PM in Songs That Make the World Go Round |

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