Date Posted: September 23, 2011
Print Edition: September 21, 2011
Hugh Laurie
Let Them Talk
Picture yourself wandering the streets of New Orleans’ famed French Quarter. You stumble past the unremarkable façade of Preservation Hall, but are drawn inside by a kicking jazz ensemble who has just taken to the dimly lit stage. Suddenly a thin, nasally voice breaks the spell and the moment is lost forever. This is the downright jarring experience of listening to Dr. House “re-imagine” (aka murder) American music. And yes, it is that Hugh Laurie. The unfortunately titled Let Them Talk has vanity project stamped all over it. One thing is certain: this album would never have been made if it wasn’t for Laurie’s prior celebrity and considerable means to get his mug on a record sleeve. I don’t mean to deprive Mr. Laurie the joy of music, but it’s simply in the public interest for him to cease and desist. Not only does this album add nothing to twenty-first century culture, it might actually prevent people from spending time with the true jazz and blues greats whose songs are covered within. Unless you’re looking for a hearty laugh, don’t bother. In fact, you can get more than your fill through Amazon’s mercifully brief preview clips
Library Voices
Summer of Lust
Library Voices is another one of those increasingly popular mix-of-genre bands: the 10-piece band isn’t afraid to experiment with different instruments, rhythms and styles to get the sound they want. Their album Summer of Lust was released just this past August. Fans will be pleased to know that their energy carries over from their previous two albums, and they continue to offer both clever lyrics and interesting views on age-old subjects. For instance, one of the songs, “Prime Minister’s Daughter,” took its inspiration from a Stephen Harper comment about how “normal people” don’t appreciate the arts and subsequently tells the tale of how his daughter Rachel might fall in love with a musician. It’s this witty tongue-in-cheek attitude that defines both the band and the album, while offering something you can dance to, to boot!
Cymbals Eat Guitars
Lenses Alien
The sophomore release from Cymbals Eat Guitars, Lenses Alien, feels oddly backwards as it opens with a clunky eight and a half-minute track entitled “Rifle Eyesight.” The rest of the record, however, only gets better from this unrewarding tune and consists of short, but impactful pop songs. Keeping form to their previous record, Why There Are Mountains, released in 2009, the band ensures that their signature sprawling bursts of force are as loud, jaded and beautiful as ever. Lenses not only come through with rich instrumentals and melodies, but also with ambitious lyrics. Singer Joseph D’Agostino presents a gloomy, but vivid description of his feelings of isolation without once sounding whiny. Standout track, “Plainclothers,” throws the listener into a crime story and ends in a hazy freak-out sure to satisfy any punk-pop fan. After coming off tours with such acts as The Flaming Lips and Pains At Being Pure At Heart, Cymbals Eat Guitars come through with an album that’s as enigmatic as it is memorable.
Miles Davis
Live In Europe 1967: The Bootleg Series Vol. 1
It is almost autumn now; soon the leaves will fall from the trees, and the temperature will drop, pumpkin spice lattes return at Starbucks, and that magical fall-feeling will fill the air. There is nothing better to celebrate the process of the death and rebirth of seasons than to listen to a bit of jazz, especially if it’s from one of the old Jazz masters – Miles Davis. This album features “The Second Quintet” of Davis, playing live in Europe in 1967. As with all Davis’ albums, this one has excellent audio quality. The listener can hear every syncopated rhythm, every note, in crystal clear perfection. The legendary bandmaster’s signature trumpet skills really take climax on the track “No Blues.” Live In Europe 1967: The Bootleg Series Vol. 1 became available on September 20; so relax, dress in your warmest, cosiest fall clothes, get comfy, and dig that cool jazz.
