Album Review: Stephen Malkmus- Wig Out at Jagbags

I happened to listen to Trey Anastasio's 2012 album Traveler the same day I played Stephen Malkmus' new album Wig Out at Jagbags for the first time.  The only real difference between the two recordings is the Phish man's sincerity and the Pavement man's irony.  Both guys are obviously in thrall of the Grateful Dead.  ("Lariat" is my jam.)  I need a miracle- how about a co-headlining tour of the two oddly compatible men during the second half of 2014?

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I reviewed Allen Toussaint's concert at the Folly Theater on Saturday.

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I had an out-of-body experience on Sunday as a trio of women from the Midwest Chamber Ensemble played Claude Debussy's "Sonata for Flute, Viola and Harp" at a Lutheran church.  I also enjoyed hearing "Pendulum Quartet" by the young composer Joseph Kern.

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My review of a Steel Panther concert was referenced by the Huffington Post.

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Amiri Baraka has died.

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I didn't see the trippy video for Reggie B's "Hypnotized" until last weekend. 

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A&R veteran Peter Lubin's new essay about the Everly Brothers is loaded with invaluable insights.

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John Newman's new album Tribute  is solid British blue-eyed soul.  RIYL: Adele, pure pop for yesterday's people, Dusty Springfield.

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I like Leo Welch's Sabougla Voices even though it's reminiscent of those awkward albums that paired the likes of Howlin' Wolf with his young English devotees.  RIYL: boogie, unblinking musings about impending death, Mississippi.

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Wayne Kramer's picks are superior to Billy Bragg's choices in an entertaining "What's In My Bag" segment.

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Kid Ink's My Own Lane is one of the most cynical boardroom-constructed albums I've heard in some time.  The gambit- creating a watered-down version of the catchiest work of 2 Chainz/Tiga/Big Sean- works.  RIYL: Katy Perry, high school, Bruno Mars.

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The Tord Gustavsen Quartet has five American gigs booked in February.  I'm eyeing the Chicago and Portland dates as I listen to samples from the forthcoming Extended Circle album.

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Have I no shame!  I genuinely enjoy Martynas' self-titled crossover-classical/Euro-pop accordion album.  RIYL: cheese, hokum, watching TV at nursing homes.

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Even though Juana Molina's Son topped my album list in 2006, I simply wasn't prepared to listen to her new release Wed 21 until recently.  RIYL: Gal Costa, dreaming, Tom Zé.

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Matt Pryor's Wrist Slitter is shockingly good.  RIYL: Elvis Costello's first five albums, contemplating suicide, the Get Up Kids.

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Kansas City Click: My official picks are published here.

(Original image by There Stands the Glass.)

Album Review: Bruce Springsteen- HIgh Hopes

I introduced my friend J. to alcohol and Bruce Springsteen when we were juniors in high school.  J. could never get his fill of booze or Bruce after that fateful year.  He caught Springsteen over two dozen times as he drank himself to death.

We imbibed before a 1981 concert in support of The River at Kemper Arena, the first time either of us saw Springsteen perform.  The River was among the handful of Springsteen CDs I delivered to J. while he was on his deathbed three years ago. 

J. would have loved his hero's new album High Hopes.  "Harry's Place" is far too melodramatic and polished for my tastes, but I'm pretty sure it would have been J.'s favorite track.  It's easy for me to imagine J. singing along while pouring himself another cocktail. 

Listening to High Hopes objectively is extremely difficult, but it's almost certainly my favorite Springsteen album since 2002's The Rising.  The fresh versions of "American Skin (41 Shots)" and "The Ghost of Tom Joad" are excellent.  I like Tom Morello's contributions.  And- are you serious!- Springsteen covers songs by The Saints and Suicide.

"Got a special sin, mister, you can't quite confess," Springsteen groans on "Harry's Place." 

Well, J., this untoward confession will have to do for now.  I take responsibility for my role in killing you. 


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The Deli published a list of my ten favorite locally-released albums of 2013.

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Beama's Growing Pains is RIYL: Rich the Factor, thug life, Berner.

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Stik Figa raps over Keith Sweat's "Make It Last Forever."

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Kyle James' Finally Off Papers is RIYL: marijuana, molly, pills.

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The video for Sauce Remix's "Gunshots" is tough to watch.  (Via Tony's Kansas City.)

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I almost fell out of my seat at the Folly Theater in November when Kenny Barron mentioned that his former employer Yusef Lateef was still alive.  I had no idea.  Lateef died on December 23 at the age of 93.

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I have yet to process the death of Phil Everly.

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Jazz trumpeter Al Porcino has died.

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Jaimeo Brown's Transcendence was one of my year-end discoveries.  RIYL: Don Cherry, high concept, Charlie Haden.

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The Marc Cary Focus Trio's Four Directions is refreshing.  RIYL: pre-fame Robert Glasper, relevant piano trios, Herbie Hancock.

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Texas Monthly's lengthy profile of Guy Clark is worthwhile.  (Tip via There Stands the Glass reader Tom.)

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I appreciate Hopsin's Knock Madness in spite of myself.  RIYL: Eminem, constant references to genitalia, Tech N9ne.

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Drew Williams' Live at Pianos is RIYL: Gil Evans, brainy jazz, Matt Otto.

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Joe Boyd is featured in a "What's In My Bag" segment.  His picks, not surprisingly, are great.

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Anyone who appreciates the early solo work of T Bone Burnett will adore Cass McCombs' "Big Wheel".

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I can't wait to hear Sabougla Voices, a wild-and-wooly effort by blues man Leo Welch.  RIYL: R.L. Burnside, old men, John Lee Hooker.

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Snoop is back! 7 Days of Funk is the shiznit.  RIYL: Doggystyle, pre-laughingstock Snoop, Tha Doggfather.

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I started a Spotify "radio station" based on the Gap Band's "You Dropped a Bomb On Me" in the hopes that it would serve as a genial soundtrack for the low-key New Year's Eve celebration at my compound.  It turned out to be a stroke of genius.  The robot-generated playlist featured the likes of Barry White, Cheryl Lynn, Ice Cube, Heat Wave, LL Cool J, Newcleus and even Wham.  The multi-generational revelers were delighted. 

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Kansas City Click: My official picks are published here.

(Original image by There Stands the Glass.)