Fruit Bats - The Ruminant Band

Boy do I hate when creative people with talent choose retarded names for their bands. It really throws me off, like "Gee these retards can't even come up with a good band name, I bet they suck balls." I was terribly wrong a few years ago with Vampire Weekend and now yet again with the Fruit Bats.

The Fruit Bats are Eric Johnson's indie/freak folk band originally from Chicago. He also plays with The Shins and Vetiver... someone in BOTH of those bands? Come on, you gotta give the Fruit Bats a listen, even if their name does suck. Being a member of those two bands I don't care if their name was 'Flying Death Monkey,' he's got to have some talent, right?

The answer, an emphatic YES. Exactly one minute and fifteen seconds into the album's second track, also titled 'Ruminant Band', I was hooked. Not like "Hmm this is decent" hooked, like crackhead listening over and over hooked. Johnson's high-pitched voice over incredifunky (yeah I made up a word) guitar riffs never cease to please my ears. If you can make it through 'Being on Your Own' without at least nodding your head you have no soul!

This record actually gets even better the more you listen. Poppy standouts on the album such as 'The Ruminant Band', 'Hobo Girl', 'The Blessed Breeze' and 'Being On Your Own' are so catchy they almost overshadow some of the other tracks. 'Singing Joy to the World' is an absolutely beautiful and nostalgic song seemingly paying homage to Three Dog Night and telling a bittersweet love story at the same time.

If you haven't had an eargasm by the time you reach the final two tracks of the album, congratulations, but it's not over yet. 'Feather Bed' and 'Flamingo' end out this record PERFECTLY. 'Feather Bed' has Johnson wailing over a heavy piano, letting you know he'll "be the lump of sugar in your tea," leading you into the final track 'Flamingo', which even on CD sounds like you're spinning an old album on the record player. Which makes me wonder what it actually sounds like on vinyl... I guess I'll know when it shows up in my mailbox!

I've been ending these posts out with some of my favorites on an album, but it's impossible this time... the whole thing is SO FUCKING GOOD. I still wish the band name was cooler, though.

http://www.fruitbatsmusic.com/

As I sit here in my chair, 2 glasses of wine down, I realize I don't need to review one of the greatest albums of all time (Thriller) for you. I don't need to tell you how incredible of a song 'Man in the Mirror' is. I don't need to tell you it's fucking impossible to not dance when Michael comes on the jukebox. I don't need to tell you that I'm jumping out of my chair every few minutes attempting the moonwalk...shit, I REALLY didn't need to tell you that.

I grew up with two sisters who LOVED Michael, one of which who actually thought she WAS Michael for a brief period of time in elementary school. I'm sure there's plenty of people out there like me who never thought it was "uncool" to like Mike. (I owned Michael Jackson's Moonwalker for the Sega Genesis, bitch) I ran around my living room in sweet 80's style shorts and tube socks grabbin' my crotch and yellin' "Hee hee!" as a pre-teen. As embarrassing as that may be, I was right on key, baby.

In past years many different jokes and speculations have flown around about Mr. Jackson, I myself am guilty. But no doubt he is a legend, and truly is the motherfucking King of Pop. So as I pour another glass of wine and turn on 'Black or White', here's to you Mike! We love you, we'll miss you, and hopefully I will practice my moonwalk with you on a cloud someday!

"They Print My Message
In The Saturday Sun
I Had To Tell Them
I Ain't Second To None

And I Told About Equality
An It's True
Either You're Wrong
Or You're Right

Hee hee!

But, If
You're Thinkin'
About My Baby
It Don't Matter If You're
Black Or White"

RIP, Michael.

http://www.michaeljackson.com/

J.B.

I swear I did not do this on purpose. I came across this album completely on accident, fell in love with it upon first listen, and further down the line realized this guy is associated with Devendra Banhart and Vetiver's Andy Cabic. When Mr. Banhart likes something enough to release it on his label, it's completely worth checking out in my opinion.

'Can't Go Back' is the Papercuts 3rd album...who knew? I couldn't tell you what the first two or 2009's 'You Can Have What You Want' sound like, YET.

After listening to the album, it's really no surprise that Jason Quever (the lead singer, basically the band) has ties to Cabic and Banhart. It's more California freak-folk/pop that sucks me in every time. Like I said, I fell in love from the very beginning with help from the intro track 'Dear Employee.' A fast paced, melodic and beautiful song about being another 20-something stuck in a job where you're treated like shit and get no respect. Of course, I can't relate to this at all. *SARCASM ALERT*

The intro track is followed by the equally catchy and trippier 'John Brown'. Just as you're getting used to the poppy guitar riffs and bouncy lyrics of the first 2 verses, the song shifts gears and gets faster and darker before you actually realize it's the same song.

'Take the 227th Exit' actually reminds me of a track that would be on a new-age version of Dylan's 'Nashville Skyline.' That's just one of the many artists I can't help but think of throughout - Belle and Sebastian, The Eels and The Shins also come to mind. The album feels like a rollercoaster ride, taking you up and down, by the end you are wondering what just happened and are left wanting more. I can't wait to catch up on the rest of the Papercuts albums, I hope you check this one out and join me!

Favorite Tracks: 'Dear Employee', 'Take the 227th Exit', and 'Outside Looking In'.

J.B.

Dead man, Dead man don't Cry

So I've owned this album for quite some time and I've always liked it, but for me sometimes an album's greatness doesn't unveil itself to me immediately. 'Transfiguration of Vincent' by M. Ward was one of these albums.

The one thing that was obvious from the beginning is that this guy is talented. Sweet guitar picking, harmonica, piano and a voice sweet and soft enough to put a newborn to sleep. I think I finally realized how much I loved this album in Greensboro traffic. People in the south love to take up all three lanes while driving the exact same speed, and it PISSES ME OFF TO NO END. While at a stoplight I decided to give this album another shot, and suddenly my road rage disappeared like small children around Pedobear (google it.)

It's easy for great albums like this to disappear amongst the huge wave of indie and alternative country records flooding the airways these days. This one however, you can't put in a pile with all the other garbage. It's such a perfect time to give this record a shot since it's officially summer, and it has a very 'summery' feel to it. Some listeners may be lost to the overall sleepiness of the record, while others will hop in the hammock and drift into summer bliss.

Two of my favorite tracks: 'Vincent O'Brien' and 'Dead Man'. You can stream a few at http://www.mwardmusic.com/.

J.B.

Happy Mother's Day!

In rememberance of the late, great Bernice Kalbaugh I'd like to make a special Mother's Day post. (Don't worry it still stays on topic)

Mom Kalbaugh (as we called her) suffered with alzheimer's disease late in her life. It's really hard to watch a loved one suffer the disease, and even harder to watch more loved ones deal with it. One thing I find interesting is the calming effect music had on my grandmother and others with the disease. Which leads me to my next recommendation. It's not an album this time, it's the new documentary on HBO called 'The Alzheimer's Project'.

It can be depressing at times, but it sheds light on the terrible disease and shows how different people cope with it. The reason I wanted to recommend the documentary was a part from it that I found really uplifting.

A man at the ripe age of 81 has been living with Alzheimer's for 14 years. He wanders from place to place in a facility, constantly whistling and asking everyone what he's doing. (I know this guy sounds a lot like me) This man used to be in a singing group, and every once in awhile his wife and daughter pick him up to go sing with them. Now keep in mind on the way there he asks what they're doing about 15 times. They get him there, tie his tie, introduce him and beckon him on stage. Even at the point where he's stepping on stage he's asking "What am I doing?" The other gentleman start singing, and 2 seconds later he's singing along and even takes solos! An absolutely beautiful moment amidst a sad story. As if I needed more proof that music is THE GREATEST FUCKING THING EVER!

The documentary is a 4-part series and the first part aired tonight. HBO replays everything a million times though, and I think you can watch them on the website.

Learn more at http://www.hbo.com/alzheimers/

Happy Mother's Day and R.I.P. Mom Kalbaugh!

Ladies and Gentleman.... THE KINKS!!

It boggles my own mind that I've made it this far without mentioning The Kinks. In my opinion it's astounding The Kinks aren't widely put in the same category as The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. Their entire catalog is filled with absolutely AMAZING records. One of my favorite records of all time is their 1971 release 'Muswell Hillbillies'. A little back story goes with my introduction to this record, and I'd like to share it with you.

Thanksgiving day is usually spent with my own family boozing and eating delicious food, but Thanksgiving night is spent with some of my closest friends at a buddy Jake's house. His family has the most amazing record collection I've ever seen, which is nice when sitting around telling stories with friends. One Thanksgiving around 5 or 6 years ago (good lord I'm getting old), I completely zoned out of the conversation because of a record in the background. The record, of course, was Muswell Hillbillies. It's a beautiful mix of rock, country and blues... more on the description to come. Anyhow, I was so excited to buy this record when I returned to my home at the time, Pittsburgh. It was difficult to find unfortunately, but I finally found a website where it could be purchased and I even paid the extra few bucks for next day shipping. Days passed and it still hadn't arrived. I learned to find that someone in my apartment building fucking signed for my record! Weeks and many hateful notes above the mailboxes passed, but I eventually found it in an old used CD store...I will NEVER forgive whoever signed for it the first time around.

Like I said, ROCK, COUNTRY and BLUES! Three of my favorite things in the world! This record is an absolute masterpiece, personally I think the Davies' brothers best. I love the way the entire record has a theme of modern life. There's so many records out there with no theme or thread of continuity, but I like getting a message. Let me share with you a verse from one of my favorite tracks, 'Complicated Life'.

Well I cut down women I cut out booze,
I stopped ironing my shirts, cleaning my shoes,
I stopped going to work, reading the news,
Im sitting twiddling my thumbs cos I got nothing to do,
Minimal exercise,
To help uncomplicate my life,
Gotta stand and face it life is so complicated,
Ladi dah di dahdah, ladi dah di dah dah,
Got to get away from the complicated life son,
Life is overated, life is complicated,
Must aleviate this, complicated life.

So simple and yet so beautiful. Everyone has stresses and complications in modern life, but this album gives an almost uplifting feel to it all. This record kind of got lost since it followed up their megahit 'Lola', and it's a damn shame. There's even mention of West Virginia in the closing track 'Muswell Hillbilly'! Doesn't get much better than that.

I'm a designer and I've been throwing around the idea of writing and designing a Top 100 Albums of All Time book, especially after looking at the strange choices in the Top 100 book laying behind my toilet. (Love the book Krista, but that guy has it all wrong.) This album, without a doubt would rank in my Top 10. That's a bold statement, and I will stand behind it until the day my complicated life ends.

*If you EVER see a copy of this on vinyl, please pick it up for me and I will pay you double what you paid + the shipping!

Plants and Animals - Parc Avenue

It's been a looooong time since I've updated this, and for that I apologize, I'll do better I promise. I was going to update it earlier, but I wanted to wait until I listened to a recent album worthy of high appraisal. What is it with Canadians and musical talent? So much great music coming from Canada these days! Last year, Plants and Animals released the album 'Parc Avenue', and I think it's easily one of the best albums of the year. It's like jam-band meets classic rock meets Queen. (how can that possibly go wrong?)

My personal favorite track on the album is 'New Kind of Love.' It sneaks up on you... at first it's almost as if you're listening to a folk trio, then the song explodes and the vocals go "wild"... expanding from what sounds like arena rock to a few monks chanting at the top of their lungs.

The entire disc covers an array of different genres, sometimes accomplishing that in the same song. I wasn't prepared for all that upon first listen, so I immediately listened to it in it's entirety two more times. Needless to say I was shocked and awed. It's both beautiful and explosive, which is so rarely pulled off throughout an entire album these days.

You can stream a few songs here: http://www.myspace.com/plantsandanimals

Buy the album (on vinyl!), support the artist.

Like I said, I promise I will update more!

J.B.