What I'm Listening To 6-8-06

Alex Spearman "Mama Ka Toka Laka" (from New Orleans Popeye Party, Night Train) A very pissed-off guy describes in some detail how he's going to kick his woman's ass--all set to a perfect New Orleans party arrangement, complete with rock and roll nonsense verbiage (also cf: "Ya Ya", "Iko Iko", "Tipitina").

Tony Allen, "No Accommodation for Lagos" (from album of same name, Evolver) A somewhat early solo record, so he gets Afrika 70 to record with (including Boss Man Fela himself, if my ear serves me correctly). Since they're one of the great interstellar groove orchestras, it's great to have even with a bunch of Fela records that sound and move almost the same.

Die Kreuzen, October File (Touch & Go) I remember in '84 one of the Sub Pop guys reviewing this band (in The Rocket!) by saying "Only a silver bullet could stop them." (They liked it better than Zen Arcade.) So here I finally found their songs on eMusic, and lo and behold, they sound like Black Oak Arkansas for the 80s hardcore era--or the guys who inspired (or learned from) Mark Arm's singing.

Grant McLennan, In Your Bright Ray (Beggars Banquet) You can have Coldplay, U2, The Flaming Lips, Belle & Sebastian. Hell, you can have Robert Forster. When I want purely lyrical pop with angelic guitars, this guy will be my first go-to. This album is the one full of gorgeous harmonies and gauzy (and once in awhile almost noisy) guitars.