Remember a few years ago when Britney Spears put out that
stupid song “If U Seek Amy?” By saying the title you’re basically spelling
out “fuck me.” Well, she stole the whole thing from Poster Children’s song “If
You See Kay.”
I don’t remember why I didn't pay attention to Poster
Children. I remember when all their records came out. I think I went and saw
them once. I just didn't ever listen to them on my own.
This is a pretty sold Indie Rock album. It’s fun. It reminds
me of Pavement in places, mostly vocals. I have no excuse for ignoring this
band. Their music was right up my alley.
“Want It,” was my favorite from this listen.
Samiam is another band I was late on. I should have listened
to Clumsy, because I don’t know it very well and I've listened to this one a
million times since it came out in 1997. I also love Astray from them too.
You Are Freaking Me Out is top loaded with three shoulda
been hits. “Ordinary Life,” “She Found You,” and “Full On” are three slam
dunks! I still have no idea why they didn't get played all over the radio.
They’re strong, they paint wonderful pictures of dysfunction and you can sing
along to them. I don’t get it.
“If You Say So,” “My Convenience,” “Nothing New,” and the
Beatles cover “Cry Baby Cry” help round out You Are Freaking Me Out and make it
a solid album and not just a couple of strong songs and filler.
I’m almost shocked at how much I like this Suede album. When
they were having their moment in the sun during the 90’s I wasn't really paying
attention. They were a little too theatrical for me.
I pretty much came into this album thinking, making it
through the first half will be quite an accomplishment.
The disc’s opener, “Barriers,” is a nice attention grabber.
It’s a soaring track awash in a lush 80’s grandeur akin to what the Killers
have been doing. I actually like it! Great nostalgic feel to the lyrics and a
big hook.
The proper single from the album “It Starts And Ends With
You” is great too! What is going on here? Am I going to have to go back and
listen to the Suede back catalog? Here’s all I remember about Suede from back
in the day. We had to call them The London Suede, cause of another band that
used the moniker, their song “Metal Mickey” was OK, and one of their albums
featured a couple of broads making out.
I was hoping “Sabotage” was going to be a Beastie Boys
cover. It’s not. It’s not bad either. I actually had to look up who was playing
keyboards on this album, because Neil Codling’s playing gives each track such a
layer of depth. Everything sounds so important with him back there. I like
that.
“Hit Me,” sounds like one of those songs that should have
been recorded years ago. It sounds like it was a hit in 1995. Big song, huge
hook and I don’t even mind the “la la la’s!” It’s got summer hit written all
over it! (Well, certainly not in 'Merica, but over there in the U.K.) I love when a band can somehow tap into the magic that made them to create a song that is new, awesome and just reeks of their signature sound... twenty years later.
Tomorrow I will listen to Frank Black Frank Black, The Afghan Whigs Black Love, and Clutch Earth Rocker.
Here's April's Playlist!
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