------Spins------Wooden Nickel Phil Solem CD of the Week Hodgepodge BACKTRACKS $9.99 One of the reasons a fellow starts writing reviews, aside from mental dysfunction, is because Still Bill (1972) he’s found an amazing album and Still Bill was the second album re- wants to share this discovery. In the leased by Bill Withers following the case of Phil Solem’s Hodgepodge, huge success of his 1971 single, “Ain’t I’ve had to sit on this self-produced No Sunshine.” Withers had the soul and self-recorded treasure for 18 vibe that blended mid-60s Motown months. At one point I was even with the soft country sound of his na- driven to contact the artist to see if there was anything I could do to tive West Virginia. help him give these incredible songs an official release. Mr. Solem The record opens with “Lonely Town, Lonely Street,” a funky was extremely accommodating and receptive, but life happened to R&B track that has a nice string arrangement and the jazzy $11.99 one or both of us, and the next thing I know it’s 2011. of Benorce Blackman. It sets a positive tone for the whole record That, however, is all in the past. You can now download and and served as a backdrop for Withers’ cool vocals. “Let Me in immerse yourself in 12 astounding songs by half of the power-pop Foo fighters Your Life” slows things way down and reminds me of early Al Wasting Light duo The Rembrandts. Much like Lennon provided the cynical side Green. “Who is He?” tells the tale of infidelity and was featured to McCartney’s saccharine, Solem is the darker, heavier, humorous in the 1997 Quentin Tarantino film Jackie Brown (one of the best The dissolution of Nirvana (and, of wink to Danny Wilde’s romantic pop sheen. As a result, the songs are soundtracks from the last 20 years, by the way). course, the tragic death of Kurt Cobain) undeniably romantic, but well-traveled and worn, a mature expres- One of Withers’ most familiar songs, “Lean on Me,” is also gave us one good thing – The Foo sion of someone who’s had the world in his hand, only to decide that on this record. It was his first and only No. 1 song and is just one Fighters, the rocking quintet launched musical integrity was more important than robotically regurgitating of nine tunes to top the charts by two different artists: Withers by former Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl. a hit jingle at shopping malls across America. in 1972, Club Nouveau in 1987. “I Don’t Know” was another This band obviously has staying power As if to sum up the album before he begins, Solem starts things radio-friendly hit that got a lot of play that long-ago summer. It’s a (it formed in 1995) and a now seven- off with “Back@TheBeginningAgain,” a mid-tempo rocker with Withers staple, featuring soft vocals, tight arrangements and light strong discography, thanks to its latest brilliant shafts of pop and sage lyrics like “When you get to the jazz intertwined with soothing rhythm and . The record ends effort, Wasting Light. Pick up your copy end / You’re right back at the beginning again.” The fuzzy “Out the with “Take It All in and Check It All Out,” an upbeat rock n’ roll for just $11.99 at any Wooden Nickel Window” continues the theme of self-discovery in an analogy of a number that has the honor of closing one of the great R&B re- Music Store location. building with mirrored windows erected too close to his own so that cords of the early 1970s. now, whenever he looks out, where there used to be sky there is only Withers released five more studio , but none had the TOP SELLERS @ a reflection of himself. Grungy bass and solid drumming- encour success of his first two. A documentary on Withers was released age you to “just enjoy the ride” of life in the power-pop masterpiece on DVD in January. (Dennis Donahue) “Questions Without Answers,” a song so invigorating it’s like hang- Wooden Nickel ing onto a motorcycle at full throttle, sans helmet, of course. Like- (Week ending 4/17/11) wise, the quirky, careening “Shining in the Sun” loads on the breezy strangest band of the time to have more than a few thousand fans, TW LW ARTIST/Album atmosphere of surfing on a California beach with not a cloud in the really weren’t that weird, and so TV on the Radio’s sound was writ- sky. ten up as “fresh.” That record never quite crossed over all the way, 1 3 FOO FIGHTERS For every rock song Solem also includes a love song or, in many though it did set the stage for 2006’s Return to Cookie Mountain, a Wasting Light (CD & LP) cases, an unrequited love song. “Naïve” is almost a crooner, with record I’d argue helped set the stage for just how strange much of anguished lyrics of “My mind’s ached ever since I’ve been away / today’s popular indie-level music is. That record was, in short, some- 2 1 JOE BONAMASSA Dust Bowl Imagining the perfect thing to say to you” and “Take me back and thing of a landmark. By 2008 TVOtR’s third proper record (they I’ll make you believe / That I only mean the best / I’m so naïve” also had a self-released demo record in 2002), was 3 4 over simple guitar and hand percussion. Evoking a jazzy feel from released. When compared to Cookie and much of the other popular The King of Limbs (CD & LP) the 30s, “Just Because” exudes a playful feel right down to a tasteful indie music of the time, it wasn’t considered to be a challenging re- and tasty guitar solo. A personal favorite is “I’m Your Man, Baby” in cord. Some reviewers were even saying that the band had become 4 – STEVE MILLER BAND which Solem opines “If you’re lucky you’ll find / Someone else of accessible. Everything in context, I suppose. Regardless, the record Let Your Hair Down your kind” over a jaunty rhythm and just the right amount of piano, went on to be called “Album of the Year” by many, including Rolling organ and vocal harmonies to assure a smile on your face and set Stone, Spin, MTV, Entertainment Weekly and the Reader’s 5 2 your foot to tapping. Poll, securing the band’s place as one of the best bands of the 00s. So Beautiful or So What (CD & LP) Solem is at the top of his game with Hodgepodge. He has few And while the more accessible turn surely worked in their favor, peers when it comes to crafting a solid song full of melodic hooks. I’d still never consider TVOtR to be a very listenable band – not for 6 6 THE KILLS There’s not a dull song in the bunch, and each one is polished to per- average ears, that is. To this writer they seem to be something of a Blood Pressures fection with lyrics that capture a mood in just a few words. While he Talking Heads for their time, pushing the boundaries of song struc- 7 – GORILLAZ handles all the instruments on the album with apparent ease, Solem ture and production style while still putting out songs that, to the The Fall is foremost a rock guitarist and his immaculate skill and love of tone right ears, can be instantly lovable. Now, three long years since the shine through on every track. And then there’s the crystal-clear pro- masterful Weird Science, we have the band’s fourth proper record, 8 5 ROBBIE ROBERTSON duction and tasteful song arrangements and … what are you waiting , a record that manages to up the accessibility of How to Become Clairvoyant for? If you love intelligent , click over to http://philsolem. Science. Not only do the songs seem brighter and, in general, hap- bandcamp.com and treat yourself to a dozen sonic gems. (Jason pier, but the intensity of their previous work is mostly absent, and 9 7 ADELE Hoffman) in its place are almost sunny productions and songs about love and 21 (CD & LP) hope. Not kidding: love and hope. TV on the Radio Recorded in David Sitek’s home studio in L.A., Nine Types in- 10 – BRIAN SETZER Setzer Goes Instru-Mental Nine Types of Light cludes a few songs that I expect we’ll see on some year-end lists, including “You,” “Second Song” and “Will Do,” three miracle tracks Back in 2004, when Brook- that further Sitek’s growing reputation as one of the best producers Sat., April 23 • 7 p.m. • All-ages • Free lyn-based art stars TV on the Ra- of his time. As always for this band, the sound here is big, heavy, Live AT OUR N. Anthony Store: dio’s major label debut, Desperate atmospheric and, at times, explosive. The songwriting, too, is solid, Youths, Blood Thirsty Babes, was especially when crooner is up front, howling in released, they were considered the way only he can. Long gone, finally, is the reliance on samples to be one of the weirdest bands and loops, replaced by an impressive list of guest musicians, includ- around. Read reviews of that ing studs Priscilla Ahn and . Having taken their longest record and you’ll see just how hiatus yet between records to work on side projects, the bandmates A New Vice speechless those songs left mu- seem as comfortable with themselves as ever. Originally considered 3627 N. Clinton • 484-2451 sic writers and listeners alike. At something of a studio creation that almost seemed good by accident, 3422 N. Anthony • 484-3635 the time the contrived retro rock revival was dying off, Coldplay it’s clear that the core guys of the band – producer Sitek and singers 6427 W. Jefferson • 432-7651 were becoming huge and abstract bands like Animal Collective and We Buy, Sell & Trade Used CDs & DVDs The Dirty Projectors were just getting started. Radiohead, likely the Continued on page 8 www.woodennickelmusicfortwayne.com

April 21, ’11------www.whatzup.com------7 SPINS - From Page 7 Adebimpe and – have hit their studio stride. The result here that listeners can’t help but perk up and take these girls (and guy, is a hook- and beat-loving record that could – get this – be played as Linwood takes a full-time role here) seriously. They’re not play- in clubs. All their songs could be played in clubs, but nearly every ing it cute anymore; if anything, they’re playing tough and rowdy, a track here seems made for loud, sweating nights with strangers and look that suits them fine. Don’t be surprised if two or three of these drinks. cuts find their way into the mainstream. Another saucy video like the Clocking in at 10 songs and 43 minutes, Nine Types of Light one for “Be Your Bro” and even the power losers of should easily keep the TVOtR fans happy while also earning some the world will have to take a serious listen. Not perfect and certainly new fans. It’s not quite the classic that Science and Cookie both were, nothing new, Screws Get Loose is a fun, transformative album with but it’s also not a misfire. Sure, not every song is amazing (“New four or five instantly memorable songs and a handful of growers that Cannonball Blues” and “Repetition” stand out as lesser tracks), but reveal themselves over time. Not bad, darlin(s). (G.W.L.) any record with a song like “Second Song” (not to mention closer “Caffeinated Consciousness”) is worth getting to know front to back. Their almost indescribable sound is still as interesting and mysteri- House of Balloons ous as ever, but now we know who they are and, hey, look, they’ve finally made a record that feels very natural and musical. No gim- The rampant excitement sur- micks, just hooks, ideas, production and howls. With Nine Types of rounding The Weeknd’s self-re- Light, TV on the Radio continue to roll, reminding the rest of the leased debut record, House of Bal- pseudo-experimental music world that they were one of the bands loons, makes a very small amount who helped guide us into this interesting era for music. (Greg W. of sense to me. First, I should Locke) mention that this is an R&B record made by and for what people now Those Darlins call the “hipster” set. You know Screws Get Loose the type: way too tight jeans; liv- ing in a cloud of precious irony; Ragged and raw. Spontane- eyeglasses they probably don’t need; hairstyles that reference ous. Black-eyed and drunk. A ga- Flock of Seagulls; etc. But, really, an R&B record made for hipsters? rage rock revival has been brew- Sounds odd, right? I thought hipsters liked either ironic 80s music, ing ever since Jack White hit the awful modern hip-hop or any kind of indie music that feels twitchy mainstream a decade or so ago. and unmusical. Really? They like R&B? They like Aretha? Jodeci? Plenty of bands (The Strokes not ? Maybe they do. Who cares? To me, this is not just a included) have come close to very bad version of R&B, but a very unhip-sounding record. In fact, blowing the sub-genre up into the it feels informed more by “Jersey Shore,” Perez Hilton and empty indie mainstream, though none American culture than it does anything musical. have really hit that ambiguous But hey, these guys are giving their record away for free via their level of success marked by blogs talking about your shoes and kids website, http://the-weeknd.com, so why not, right? And their record copying your haircut. The Black Lips, with whom Murfreesboro/ cover has a bare breast on it. Bonus! Oh, and that guy, Drake, from Nashville’s Those Darlins have played shows, have certainly come Degrassi: The Next Generation (not kidding), endorses this trio of close. And , who have at times had a garage appeal, have fellow Canadians. Really? Are we taking Drake as tastemaker seri- arguably “made it.” With Screws Get Loose, the sophomore album ously these days? F’real? It’s not that House of Balloons is neces- from Those Darlins, you can feel the stardom around the corner. The sarily that bad, but it plays to every modern cliche of the moment album cover (a photo of Nikki Darlin picking the nose of Jessi Dar- and offers very little, musically speaking. It’s a modern artifact, in a lin) is the first clue: offering vibe of a record like Sticky Fingers, the way, disguised as a sonically unique R&B record that features not an photo tells us this ain’t no cutesy country record. ounce of soul or musicianship. Style over sound or substance, made Leaving behind nearly all the twang of their debut, the Darlins ready for thoughtless hipster ears. here come off as a Stooges-spirited power quartet (Jesse, Nikki and Oh, and did I mention how incredibly dramatic this record is? Kelley Darlin all sing, as does drummer Linwood Regensburg) ev- Not in your classic heartbroken/longing-soul sort of way, but in an ery bit as dangerous and spirited as, say the above mentioned Lips immature, fleeting, underdeveloped sort of way. There’s so much talk boys. Jessi really steps up here, having the bulk of the lead vocal and of taking clothes off and doing sexual acts (with, of course, precious- writing credits on the record. The first two cuts, “Screws Get Loose” ly placed swear words here and there) that I at first thoughtBalloons and “Be Your Bro” (both Jessi cuts), both feel like singles. Not just might be some sort of joke record that was just taking me a while singles, but radio-ready, crossover-worthy hit tracks that offer not to get. Then, towards the beginning of “Loft Music,” The Weeknd just style and attitude, but an appeal that grows more infectious with vocalist sings the words “I’m only 20 girl” before diving into a flurry each spin. “I may have girly parts / But I’ve got a boyish heart,” of pointless swear words and childish sex talk – pretty much every sings Jessi on “Be Your Bro.” It’s a funny and cute rocker that has the shock word ever used on Sex and the City, as well as some “retards” makings of a future youth anthem, made ready for some hip, Scott and, well, other bits of youthful, uncultured ignorance I’ll leave to Pilgrim- or Adventureland-styled generational film. your imagination. But back to that stardom appeal. Anyone who has seen the Dar- Driven by airy synth arrangements and simple drum machine lins on a stage – or in a video – will tell you that they have that per- programming, this laptop record feels quickly made and gimmicky formance part of the equation worked out. And damn if these 11 new to no end. There’s an ambiguous element here that likely plays into songs, which have a very rugged and loud appeal, won’t translate the attention the record has seen. Really, though, all this record is is even better than their past work into the live setting. Those familiar a minimalist, Drake-loving, low-brow bit of newbie experimentation with the band will also agree that, as far as the looks needed for star- mistaken as progressive R&B. To me, it’s maybe the worst listen dom go, the Darlins have it covered. They’re just a very cool looking so far of 2011 and a clear sign that the over saturation of the indie band, and not in a cliched rock star sort of way, but more in a “you market is about to explode into a new, ugly reality. With albums like hope they come to your after party and drink your drinks and trash House of Balloons getting love from so-called “serious” blogs, where your place” kind of way. Jessi, in particular, is engaging on stage and do we go next? Does Rebecca Black get to collaborate with Kanye slightly swaggering in person, coming off as a sassy rocker, squint- West? A Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez art-rock album produced ing and teasing the crowd. As for the actual work – the music – the by some David Sitek faker and featuring Omar Rodriguez Lopez? Darlins have that covered, too. The soul of their record is made up How’s this? If you really insist on listening to sexy and ironic of garagey rockers with big hooks, often sung by Jessi and featuring mood music, go pick up Destroyer’s much more accomplished – and white-hot guitar licks by Kelley. But the other tracks, like Nikki’s musical – Kaputt. Or even that half-decent Drake record from last “Hives” or Linwood’s “Let You Down” offer a needed variety, Jes- year. Or, hell, a Jodeci or Hi-Five album! Anything but House of si’s “Mystic Mind” coming off as a Raveonettes-styled moody retro Balloons, an ignorant and artless abomination of made by rocker and Kelley’s “Boy” a dream-pop song made ready for crush- musically clueless blog babies. (G.W.L.) ing youths. And yeah, sure, I miss the boot scootin’ appeal of past songs like Send new CD releases to 1747 St. Marys Ave., Fort Wayne, “Wild One” and “Snaggle Tooth Mama,” but the trade-up for Jessi’s IN 46808. It is also helpful to send bio information, publicity photos sass works better as a whole. The result is a fully realized album that and previous releases, if available. Sorry, but whatzup will review very well might be a star-maker. There’s so much attitude and sass only full-length CDs. 8------www.whatzup.com------April 21, ’11