New Tunes Tuesday: Fine First Notes | Buzz Blog
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Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Music / Culture

New Tunes Tuesday: Fine First Notes

Posted By on May 10, 2011, 3:37 PM

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The old adage “You can tell a lot about a book by its cover” would be more apt if it were about ascertaining the literary merits by reading the first paragraph. --- The same principle could hold true for the first notes of an album: It's gotta grab hold quick and keep the grasp. Today’s releases’ first notes do not disappoint.

Twangy riffs and Indian whistles don’t get a much better treatment than by San Francisco-based cinematic band Spindrift. Their sound conjures spaghetti Western-meets-psychadelia amidst a fiery melange that befits a drive through the desert at sunset. Check out Classic Soundtracks for today’s best bet. The trailer for the film directed by Burke Wallace, Legend Of The Widower Colby Wallace, which Spindrift did the score, is below.

From the opening notes of I Am Very Far—”The Valley”’s heavy snare—it is obvious the new Okkervil River album is a winner, although it is a shift to darker material. With an ever-revolving cast of players, frontman Will Sheff is nothing if he’s not continually mining out the creative. This release is cryptic, ethereal and, well, wonderful.

Interestingly enough, Sarah Jarosz sophomore release Follow Me Down begins by her belting, “Follow me down through the cotton fields.” If that doesn’t set the tone for a down-home bluegrass-infused excursion, I’m not sure what does. She offers a mixed bag of covers, from Bob Dylan's "Ring Them Bells" to Radiohead's "The Tourist" on an album that includes some very special guests: Shawn Colvin (unfortunately), Bela Fleck and Jerry Douglas.

Raphael Saadiq puts down the soul on Stone Rollin’ from the onset and that is sure to put a smile on your face and a wiggle in your hips.

Booker T. gets a little help from Sharon Jones and Lou Reed on The Road From Memphis for some bona fide funk, while Gang Gang Dance drops Eye Contact and Wild Beasts release Smother.

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