Track 1: Beck vs. Scientology
Tomorrow’s paper features a review of Beck’s Modern Guilt. I’ve had a few problems with Beck ever since he sacrificed perfect records for a higher thetan count and celebri-tologist friends—he’s not scrounging for genre scraps anymore, or turning out stylistically cohesive records (Midnight Vultures or Sea Change).
But reviewer Kaveh Ardalan, who writes the Audiozine music blog, seizes on the element that ties the record together and provides the key to Modern Guilt’s considerable beauty and danceability. Check out the review tomorrow, and head to Audiozine for some choice sounds, including some exclusive audio from Wilco guitarist Nels Cline’s gig at The Paramount.
Track 2: Lance-a-lot
I caught up with C-Fest organizer Lance Brenner (pictured above) last week to talk about the forthcoming new records from his bands The Falsies and Thrum. However, we also spoke about his work with a few local artists past and present, among them Kate Starr and the Love Tentacle Drip Society. Brenner has that uncanny ability to function as a producer while listening like a fan. Here are some of his comments on what grabbed him about acts he’s worked with:
Kate Starr: “One of my Top 10 Most Expressive Female Vocalists. Tracking her was so easy.”
Love Tentacle Drip Society: “I love their raw creativit…raw and fresh.”
Screaming Infidels: “Tristan is a really funny guy, and the songs are really, really catchy.”
Jameson Zimmer (of LTDS): “A great, budding songwriter.” (Brenner produced Zimmer’s Milk Songs EP.)
Track 3: Sons of Paul?
Sam Wilson of Sons of Bill joined Paul Curreri onstage for eight of Curreri’s 16 songs at Gravity Lounge last Friday. Photos are up at the Feedback Flickr page, and you can hear Paul’s cover of Black Uhuru’s “Sponji Reggae” with his wife, Devon Sproule, at the Feedback Muxtape.
Track 4: Daughtry sighting
A bit before 2pm on the Downtown Mall. Daughtry, by which we mean Chris Daughtry, was rolling with his bandmates, known collectively as Daughtry, among them former local Brian Craddock. Daughtry, the man, was going incognito in black glasses and a knit ski cap. Which, in 90-plus degree heat, was actually the opposite of incognito. Anyone else spot him?
I’m going to Daughtry, the band, and will have photos and space for your comments here tomorrow. Come prepared to write, though, because I’m splitting early to see The Dark Knight.
