am/fm: Ten CDs: Who Asked You?

Ten CDs: Who Asked You?

Here we go again...

Bill Callahan "Woke on a Whaleheart"
This is a leftover from last week, when I did CDs that I should have listened to a long time ago. Callahan used to record under the name Smog, but underwent a metamorphosis that made him feel it was time to use his own name. Pitchfork had a really good interview with him about it.

His voice is still as deep as the deepest sorrow. But his outlook is slightly sunnier than it has been on prior records. Which is not to say that this is an upbeat record, just less sad.

Animal Collective "Strawberry Jam"
Another selection from last week.

AC is another one of those bands whose music just makes me a little nutty. (BJork and Yanni are others — NOT that I think their music is comparable in anyway besides the fact that something fundamental in their compositions disrupts my brainwaves.) I remember in, like, 2004, these guys were THE musicians musicians. Every band we would interview would name these guys as "what we're listening to" (at the time, we were encouraged to ask bands a stock set of questions). But try as I might, I just couldn't get into "Sung Tongs."

Leavened with electronic noodling (and a bit more of a traditional pop structure), their twee-tribal experiment is a little more tolerable. Maybe that says more about me than it does about them. But it's aight.

more after the jump.

Kingsauce "Cancelled"
A novelty record by a member of the Elephant 6 Collective. I have no idea what to expect. It sounds like a collaboration between Steely Dan and The Beach Boys. I quite like it. I can't really discern the "novelty aspect" of it — the songs' structures seem normal enough — but then again, I generally don't hear lyrics until the 50th or 60th listen. Although a quick glance at the track listing proves that my lyric comprehension is worse than terrible; songs are titles "One Dog Night," "Who Cut the Cheese?," "Hamburglar Was a Rebel," etc.

And, actually, as the album goes on, the lyrics get more obviously jokey. Still enjoyable, though. "I'll maim you instead/I wish you were dead," from "I Wish You Were Dead."

Sia "Some People Have Real Problems"
An offering from Starbucks' Here Music label. There's a bit of confusion about what kind of singer she's trying to be here. She straddles the line between indie simplicity and superstar superproduced. She doesn't commit, and it doesn't work. We already have one KT Tunstall.

It could all be in the production, though. The KCRW sessions up on the 'Tube actually sound quite pretty.

But as for the album, I just don't like it. Not even Beck can save it in his cameo on the blander than bland "Academia."

Neimo EP
I like this. Garagey rock and roll from, evidently, the Parisian underground. See an interview with them here.

The YMD "Excuse Me, The is The Yah Mos Def"
Beastie Boys wannabes.

Anna Ternheim s/t
A collection of work from previous overseas releases by the Swedish singer-songwriter. And she cover's Bowie's "China Girl." Pretty cool. Otherwise, though, nothing grabbed me. Her voice is pretty and all, but I need more than that.

His Name is Alive "Sweet Earth Flower, a Tribute to Marion Brown"
Interesting and soothing. Instrumental pieces that fade into nice background atmosphere, but also make for engaging foreground music.

Five out of 8. Sweet.

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