Monday Music Roundup

"Mom, I find it interesting that you refer to the Weekly World News as . . . 'The Paper.' The paper contains facts."

(Scottish accent) "This paper contains facts. And this paper has the eighth highest circulation in the whole wide world. Right? Plenty of facts. 'Pregnant man gives birth.' That's a fact."

The Weekly World News published its swansong final issue today, and of course when I read about it this morning, I fondly thought of one of my favorite Nineties movies -- the San Francisco-filmed, Mike Myers acted, boppy-indie-rock soundtracked, So I Married An Axe Murderer. If you've seen it, you likely remember that quote above between Charlie McKenzie and his momma.

With the WWN gone, where will I turn now for my checkout line perusal needs? I guess it's all news of Lohan and Britney for me from here on out. I kind of prefer stories of alien babies and massive political/religious conspiracies. Bah.

Here's your recommended weekly musical allowance:

Brother
Toad The Wet Sprocket
Since we're talking about So I Married An Axe Murderer, here's my vote for the best dang song off that soundtrack. Maybe you are singing, "There sheeeeee goes..." in your head right now (The underrated La's), or maybe "One two princes kneel before you - that's what I said now" (the not-underrated Spin Doctors). But this Toad The Wet Sprocket tune from the soundtrack remains a superb Toad b-side, possibly the best track off this album and also off the In Light Syrup rarities compilation. "Brother" always makes me feel really happy inside, from that ebullient opening melody through the heartfelt lyrics of brotherly love. A great one - put it on your next mixtape.


Pass The Buck
Stereophonics
The new Stereophonics album Pull The Pin is an absolute supernova. I've been listening to the forthcoming album from these Welsh rockers all weekend and I woke up with this particular track in my head. Whenever that happens -- a song rising unbidden to my mental jukebox player first thing in the morning -- that means it's gotten inside me and I need to write something about it. This is a cocky, flippant, unyielding tune that just makes you feel like the coolest person in the room, with backing vocals on the verses that invoke a surprising bit of catchy bubblegum goodness. Maybe I'm the only one who hears this, but the chorus of this track reminds me a bit of Aerosmith's "Dude (Looks Like A Lady)." They're not the same, but they enjoy standing next to each other.

Stereo
Parker Mosli
I was catching up with Fuel-favorite Bay Area musician Jake Troth, and was really pleased by the danceable melodies and late-night beats of his new side project, Parker Mosli. This project is a collaboration between Jake (who's also been busy writing a melody featured on the new album of pals Rogue Wave) and fellow relocated Charlotte, NC native Joshua Panda. Recommended for fans of !!! and Mark Ronson, but with some indulgent hand-clappy goodness - love it. They've got some more tunes on their MySpace and an EP available.


100 Days 100 Nights
Sharon Jones and The Dap-Kings
Remember my rant on Dreamgirls a few weeks ago? This song is exactly what I would have loved to see in that film, except this tune is a modern day confection that just sounds like it was made in the '50s. Sharon Jones and The Dap-Kings (what a fun band name) hit the Brooklyn music scene in 2002 with their own brand of swinging retro funk and soul, sounding like no one else right now. They're also the backing band on Amy Winehouse's Back to Black album and (stalled) tour. Retro is so hot right now. Their latest full length album, 100 Days, 100 Nights, will be out October 2nd on Daptone Records, and is worth buying just for the subtle fun of that cover alone.

Hollywood
Collective Soul
My sister is moaning in agony right now that I am writing about Collective Soul. We kind of had an unspoken pact growing up in the "Shine" era that if either of us ever liked Collective Soul, then the other person should immediately kill us. Sorry, but that song got pretty dang annoying in the summer of 1994. I've been out of the loop on the rest of their output, so I could be very, very wrong -- because I will freely admit that I find this song absolutely irresistible. I am looking forward to hearing the rest of their new album Afterwords, out tomorrow on El Records and, somehow, through Target.

Monday Music Roundup

Happy Monday. After taking one Monday off from the weekly Fuel music roundup, I am back in full effect. Unh.

As usual, some varied tracks for your enjoyment and for expanding your ears (I hope). Let me know what you think.

"Somebody Ease My Troublin’ Mind"
Les Paul (w/ Eric Clapton & Sam Cooke)
Les Paul is best known for creating the first solid-body electric guitar for Gibson. Les Paul is a demigod, and is now almost 90 years old. This track is from his first new recording in 27 years. American Made, World Playedwas released August 2005 and is more or less a celebration of the electric guitar sound. This cut pairs Les Paul with Eric Clapton on guitars, and Sam Cooke on vocals. Although Cooke died in 1967, they’ve revived some old vocal tracks of his, stripped out the backing instrumentation, and laid down new material here. Sam Cooke always makes me want to slow dance barefoot in the kitchen.

"Grey Away" (right click, save target as)
David Schultz
Songs:Illinois describes David Schulz as an artist who "pairs some of Jeff Buckley's vocal range with a bit of Nick Drake fingerpicking melancholy." This description instantly intrigued me and I was pleased to listen to this track off of his eponymous 2005 album on Triple Stamp Records. For some reason the lyric "You were music personified when everyone else was just sound" makes my heart ache.

"I Want You Back (Z-Trip Remix)"
Jackson 5
I absolutely love this remix because it simplifies out all the glitter and noise and starts just with a lovely guitar part and then, one by one, introduces all the funky elements, the bass, the drums, then the vocals. Deconstructed and fabulous. I think it is even better than the original, which is pretty dang good. From the 2005 collection Motown Remixed.

"Since U Been Gone/Maps"
Ted Leo
Okay, so I got a few readers disgruntled for mildly ripping on Kelly Clarkson in my New Year's resolution post. So I thought I'd appease the masses by with something that maybe we can agree on. Here is a somewhat snarky, possibly heartfelt cover of her big hit by Mr. Ted Leo, courtesy of Underground Online. Leo even throws in a little bit of "Maps" by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. As one Stereogum reader put it, this cover is slightly guiltilicious.

"Love Is Stronger Than Witchcraft"
Robert Pollard
So, after having a conversation about Guided by Voices this a few weeks ago, I come home to read about the new forthcoming solo effort from Robert Pollard, releasing this month from Merge Records. From A Compound Eye is due out January 24, and in true Pollard/GBV style (why release 12 songs when you can release 26?) it is a double disc. This track is a nice jangly piece with an echo-back (not to be confused with hollaback) chorus that is quite catchy. The new album has been called "smart, accessible, and experimental," and also "luminous." Pollard is also doing a solo tour in 2006. Details can be found on his website.


BONUS NEWS BIT - Ryan Adams in Newsweek: Look, he's all grown up with Depression-era quilts and tapestry rugs. Article contains the excellent quote from Ryan, in talking about why he released 3 albums in 2005: "I love [records], and that's why I like to make them so much. I mean, I really, really, really love music. I love playing it. I love listening to it, and it feels good to be included in that process, having that be my gig, too." Amen, brother.

Adams on New Year's Eve in San Francisco with Phil Lesh (surprise!)