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Hiddy-Ho!
Half Note: Get Away From Me by Nellie Mckay Hard to categorized into anything other than 'eclectic,' Nellie Mckay is a 19-year-old pianist from nowhere in particular, though she's currently living in New York. This is her debut album, and she clearly wanted to cram everything in it, incase it was her only chance - 19 tracks on two CDs. Going track by track starting at track one, we've got piano-reggae, then an origonal piano standard, then rap, then French pop, then funk, then up-tempo folk, then 80s-electronic, then jazz ballad, then a march/Latin/disco tune. That's just the first disc, and the second one doesn't slow down at all. Her lyrics are often sly. The jazz ballad from disc one, "I Wanna Get Married" is a very straightforward song that you wouldn't really notice if it were being played in the background at a club. Not until you listen to a few of the lyrics, like "I wanna get married / I need to cook meals / I wanna pack cute little lunches for my Brady Bunch'es / then read Danielle Steele." The mp3 I'm including isn't really my favorite songs from the album, but I don't really know how to convey the album in one track. This one is that march/Latin/disco song. It even has a baroque bridge. This should give you an idea of her lyrics and voice, and a chance to see if you dig her stylistic choices. Change the World - Nellie Mckay Eighth Notes: Details by Frou Frou Frou Frou from London. They've dj'ed the music for a ton of artists, but this is their first solo outing, and it's pretty nice. Let Go - Frou Frou Oh, Inverted World by The Shins On the Sub Pop label, in case that means as much to you as it does me. (I'm always willing to give a SP artist a listen. I've had good luck with 'em.) This album came out in 2001 and I totally missed it. Glad I found it eventually. New Slang - The Shins Original Pirate Material by The Streets The Streets is one guy, Mike Skinner. He's a 2-Step/Garage DJ from England. Like Frou Frou, does lots of DJ work for others. He was supposed to be the next big thing in rap. It didn't happen, but he's left a few good albums in the wake. If you love rap, but it's getting too predictable, try him out. If your rap is already too crazy for you, pass on this one. It'll be too weird for ya. Sharp Darts by The Streets Grown Backwards by David Byrne Every time I play something from this at Balls, someone asks me about it. David Byrne's latest one - the one with Rufus Wainwright where he does the opera stuff. There is some non-opera, my favorite being Tiny Apocalypse. Tiny Apocalypse - David Byrne For those playing along at home, that adds up to a whole note. Back issues are available (sans mp3s) at http://www.ochenk.com/twn/ Please forward this on to those that might be interested. They can add themselves to the recipient list at http://www.ochenk.com/twn/ Got anything you've been listening to and loving? I'd love to know. Take care. Ochen K. |