Williams embarks on her current musical trip with “50 White Lines”, a rhythmic sing-along about tooling down the highway with the wind in her hair and troubles at her back while her travel partner carefully counts off the painted white dividing stripes to pass the time, offering possibly the album’s most obvious choice for a single.  That rhythm-of-the-road theme carries over to “Just a Feeling”, which leaves you with just that thanks to a cool, easy tempo and what sounds like possibly a 12-string guitar (I’m working off a demo copy with few liner notes) being deftly picked atop the casual cadence.

The album also features some fairly diverse and interesting instrumentation, beginning with the digital pulsations and banjo (or maybe mandolin) that weave through “Winter is Sharp”, a title whose truth in reinforced by the minor chords and plaintive duet vocals that waft lazily through the song.  Having grown up in northern country myself I can appreciate the dreary melancholy that sharp, cold winter can bring.  Spring comes eventually in this season Williams has woven, but first another winter song and the most haunting on the album, “Wanting and Waiting”, the most personally revealing and tender moment on the record.  Metal guitar strings give off a harsh vibe as Williams gets a little metaphysical observing “time is an expensive thing” in emotionally evocative fashion.

Williams wearily croons the dreaded line that invariably ends every failed relationship on “Just Leave”.  Was it neglect, or betrayal, or maybe just the oppressive weight of darkest winter gloom?  And can we know, or does it matter?  The song could have done without the spacey digital effects, but the raw emotion that winds this one down is both convincing and painfully familiar.

“Smoke” reinforces an impression that Williams takes her personal relationships very seriously, although she also has the range to camp it up a bit with the lounge-like “Cream of the Crop” complete with jazz piano and a touch of Monroe vamping.

Not every track enhances the mood or advances the continuity of the album, with “Black Oil”, “Little Lessons” and “Noble Guesses” wandering into rather abstract emotional territory, but in total still managing to expose a glimpse of Williams’ insightful and poetic lyrical style.

Like I said, these songs fit together like a well-worn and comforting shirt, or given the slightly cool mood perhaps a warm denim jacket.  Either way this record is made to be listened to by couples, or at least by those who still yearn for heartfelt passion.  Enjoy.

The Fun Police

The Fun Police are… well… fun! A quick listen of their most recent EP, Spring Break EP, had me dancing in my seat. Released for free at their website, www.thefunpolicemusic.com, the EP is three songs long with “Gringo Merengue,” “We Don’t Want No More,” and “Rather Be Dead.” The Fun Police are a refreshing reggae/ska band from Tacoma, Wash., with an impressive range of musical talent. With hints of blues, jazz, and frequent tongue-in-cheek lyrics, the band guides listeners through layers upon layers of funky, fun music. Definitely worth the listen, even (if not especially) for those not familiar with the genre.

The Fun Police released their first full length album in November, 2009, titled You Better Run, available at CD Baby here: cdbaby.com/cd/FunPolice. They are frequently playing shows in the Puget Sound area and “a sidewalk near you” in Seattle/Portland. The list of upcoming shows, as well as any other news from the band, may be found on their Myspace page: myspace.com/thefunpolicestation.

Upcoming Shows:

• Apr 2 2010 8:00P World Famous Bob’s Java Jive Benefit TACOMA, WASHINGTON
• Apr 6 2010 8:00P The Funhouse w/ Ocelot Omelet, Spillway and Neighbors SEATTLE, WASHINGTON
• Apr 7 2010 9:00P Tony V’s Garage w/ Posum Fat EVERETT, WASHINGTON
• Apr 9 2010 9:00P The 4th Ave Tavern w/ Dreaded Knuckles OLYMPIA, WASHINGTON
• Apr 10 2010 8:00P The Shelter w/ Back Ally Kicks and Go Get The Scissors! CENTRALIA, WASHINGTON
• May 8 2010 8:00P The Hub Bar and Grill w/ Black Market Review and Go Get the Scissors CENTRALIA, WASHINGTON
• May 21 2010 8:00P Cafe Venus and the Marsbar SEATTLE, WASHINGTON
• Jun 26 2010 8:00P Private Party TACOMA, WASHINGTON
• Dec 25 2010 4:15PA Sidewalk Near you… SEATTLE. PORTLAND, TACOMA, BEDALE

The Mighty Mighty Bosstones - Pinpoints and Gin Joints

The album starts with a sound familiar to any fan of ska music. It’s an instant reminder that The Mighty Mighty Bosstones haven’t lost it, even after all these years. The band started in back in 1983 playing something completely new: a mixture of punk rock, hardcore and British 2 Tone ska. They were together until 2003 with few line-up changes. From 1989 to 2002, the seminal ska band released 7 albums and reached legendary status in the scene.

• Purchase Home Acres

Nouela and Brian at The Sunset (credit: Christen Shaw)

People Eating People is the solo piano pop project of Seattle artist Nouela Johnston, and it is absolutely astounding. Johnston has gone through much turbulence to arrive at her current position. In 2007, Johnston was locked into a contract with Mon Frere, the band who won the SoundOff! Battle of the Bands in 2007, which she immediately regretted. Johnston dropped from the band which caused her “[...] a shit-ton of legal messes,” as she explained to The Stranger earlier this week. Unable to release her own music until, among other things, the sum of $5,000 be paid to Cake Records, and she played and toured for-hire with three other bands: Say Hi, Fall of Troy, and Creature Feature. All the while, Johnston was recording a demo which eventually reached the hands of Nabil Ayers, current label manager for 4AD, who offered to release her full-length album.

Her self-titled album, People Eating People, released in November 2009, is an emotional outpouring of jazzy vocals and piano. Johnston is classically trained in jazz piano — she began performing recitals by the age of 4. Being that she is classically trained, her music is technically masterful and complex — her vocals are to match. Her lyrics are personal and emotionally driven; we can see such in “I Hate All My Friends.” Pounding and fast jazz keys supplement her apparent anger as she sings a tale of lies and deceit. With “All The Hospitals,” Johnston shows her flexibility as a jazz pianist. Fluctuating, complex rhythms, all the while delivering the similarly fluctuating jazz-style vocals. A highly emotional tale of depression, making references to suicide amongst other things; “don’t cut too deep, take all those pills…don’t swallow… everyone you love is on your side.”

People Eating People — “All the Hospitals,” from People Eating People (2009) | download
Download audio file (PeopleEatingPeople.mp3)

See below for upcoming shows, live videos, and a video interview.

People Eating People is being very well received in the Seattle music scene and have what seems to be a glowing career ahead. People Eating People are not currently on tour, but frequently play shows locally at just about all the venues here in Seattle. Information about show dates/times are frequently updated on People Eating People’s myspace page, myspace.com/peopleeatingpeople.

Upcoming Shows

Mar 9 2010 8:00P
Chop Suey Seattle, Washington

Mar 13 2010 8:00P
Sunset Tavern Seattle, Washington

Mar 26 2010 8:00P
The Moore Theater Seattle, Washington

May 14 2010 8:00P
Chop Suey Seattle, Washington

Band Members

• Nouela Johnston
• Recorded Drums: Mark Gajadhar
• Recorded/live Drums: Ben Libay/Brian Turner
• Recorded Guitar: Christiaan Morris

Matt Pond PA (credit: Jacob Pritchard)

With their upcoming release, The Dark Leaves, Matt Pond PA has made some positive adjustments to their usual indie-rock-influenced style. Matt Pond PA, while retaining their notable pop sound, seem to be floating into folk territory with this album with the soft-spoken lyrics, acoustic guitar, mandolin, and accompanying strings — dropping much of the electronics heard in their previous album, Several Arrows Later.

Vampire Weekend's Contra

Vampire Weekend’s Contra really isn’t new news, since it was released last month on Jan. 11. However, the album has recently spiked in popularity due to their celebrity-filled video for “Giving Up the Gun” being released last week. Featuring Joe Jonas, Jake Gyllenhaal, Lil’ John and RZA, the video is a perfect blend of band members vs. actors. “Giving Up the Gun” isn’t as tropical sounding as their songs tend to be, but other tracks such as “Diplomat’s Son”, “Run” and the bonus track “Giant” make up for that.

Thankfully, their second album raised my lowered-expectations. They managed to pull off almost a completely different feel without leaving their old sound behind. They’ve also included a free download of “Horchata”, the first track on the album, on their website. But if that’s not enough for you, the album is available for purchase at $9.99 on iTunes.

Sit back, listen to Contra and go on, go on, go on.

Warning

Green Day is an influential and largely controversial punk-influenced rock band that came out of the punk/ska scene of Berkley, Calif., in 1987. The evolution of their albums suggests a move from self-involvement, indulgence, and youthful unrest to a higher, more universal, and more political purpose. Warning, released in 2000, is a pivitol album on the road to later, more politically charged, albums. It mixes angst, sex, and social commentary and is their most musically eclectic album to date. Their political voice is more honed and relevant with every album — everything about Warning screams transition. The band is made up of three extremely talented men, and the music is only getting better as they get more popular, more visible, and more political.

The first and title track addresses a society that is concerned with their safety and taking great measures to ensure it:

“Better homes and safety-sealed communities
Did you remember to pay the utility?
Caution: Police line, you better not cross.
Is it the cop, or am I the one thats really dangerous?
Sanitation, expiration date, question everything.
Or shut up and be a victim of authority”

Perhaps too great. The chorus demands “Warning, live without warning”. This is social commentary on an over-sexed, fearful, suburban, anti-bacterial obsessed nation at the turn of a century.

The next track of any social import is “Fashion Victim,” track four. This song is a non-gender-specific testament to a new, fashion-fueled youth. The lyrics employ a witty play on political terms, such as genocide, to illustrate a youth culture plagued and pestered by the media to conform and adhere to a dress code.

“He’s a victim of his own time
In his “vintage suit” and tie
He’s casualty dressed to the teeth
In the latest genocide
The new seasons come and go
At the dog and pony show
Gonna sit and beg and fetch the names
And follow your dress codes
WHAT’S IN A NAME?…HEY!
She’s a scented magazine
Looking sharp and living clean
Living well and dressed to kill
But she looks like hell to me
So when you’re dancing through your wardrobe
Do the anorexia go-go
Cloaked with style
For pedophiles as the credit card explodes
You auctioned off your life
For the “most” expensive price
Going once…
Going twice…
Now it’s gone”

This song is about selling yourself to the media and becoming a sheep. Or rather, not succumbing to social or popular norms. Youth are expected to buy name brand products and starve themselves thin in order to fit in with their peers. This song asks: “What’s in a name”? The answer: nothing. Be yourself. Do not conform.

Now, we’re going to skip over to the last two tracks on the album: “Minority,” track eleven, states in plain terms its message.

“I want to be the minority
I don’t need your authority
Down with the moral majority
‘Cause I want to be the minority”
This anti-authority lyric is also forceful and demanding. It speaks against political and societal trends, but also religious conformity:
“I pledge allegiance to the underworld
One nation under dog
There of which I stand alone
A face in the crowd
Unsung, against the mold
Without a doubt
Singled out
The only way I know”

This alternative Pledge of Allegiance is potentially offensive, not only politically, but religiously (one nation under dog). This song is a slap in the face to any conservative American citizen, and a powerful youth anthem for the ages. It gives power to young people by making them feel like an individual in a herd, so to speak. It allows them to take solace in being a “minority”.

Finally, track 12, “Macy’s Day Parade.” This song makes me think of the end of an era. If you have ever listed to Green Day’s 2004 release, American Idiot, it almost sounds like a smooth transition from one set of ideals, to the next, better thought out, level. The song addresses and rejects commercialism by playing on common practices associated with death. Then consumer values are challenged by equating what we want with what we really need, and defining those values with common terms used in advertising. In the end, no matter what we’re talked into buying by the media-machine, we as a people are still not happy because what we really need is hope and a restored faith in humanity.

“Today’s the Macy’s Day Parade
The night of the living dead is on its way
With a credit report for duty call
It’s a lifetime guarantee
Stuffed in a coffin 10% more free
Red light special at the mausoleum
Give me something that I need
Satisfaction guaranteed to you
What’s the consolation prize?
Economy sized dreams of hope
When I was a kid I thought
I wanted all the things that I haven’t got
Oh. I learned the hardest way
Then I realized what it took
To tell the difference between
Thieves and crooks
A lesson learned to me and you
Give me something that I need
Satisfaction guaranteed
Because I’m thinking about
A brand new hope
The one I’ve never known
Cause now I know
It’s all that I wanted”

The most interesting part about Warning is that it was released in a pre-9/11 world. Either it is a little prophetic, or the members of Green Day have pretty good insight into social and political trends. Not only that, but they want to do something about it. Warning characterizes the beginning of Green Day’s more straightforward political message in a subtle way. From there, they have only made more impactful loud and socially relevant music, especially in the United States.

“In twenty years, I would not be surprised if people talk about Green Day the way they talk about The Who today.”  — Jackie Hodges

Panther Attack! @ Club Tropical (credit unknown)

The first track on the album, “Frolic, Just Don’t Lick,“ is slow to crescendo and has a shoegaze feel. It lays out the groovy standard to come throughout the album. The guitars have a muddy feel in this track and, appropriately, croaking frogs. Layered cleverly through the guitars, the bass pulls us slowly forward through the mud, reminiscent of plodding through a swampy, hazy field. The drums are absent through the entirety of this track.

Recorded and mixed by Brandon Eggleston at Bear Creek Studio in Woodinville, WA. Mastered by Ed Brooks at RFI. Panther Attack! is Andrew Grapes, Josh Grapes, Jon Wiens, Kelly Mynes. Martyr Bonus may be purchased for $10.00 through the band’s MySpace, myspace.com/pantherattack, and their latest EP, Sharp Moments EP, is available for purchase at Triple Down Records at tripledownrecords.com.

Panther Attack! – Martyr Bonus (track list)

Lightspeed Champion

Lightspeed Champion is the brain child of Devonté Hynes and has been active since 2005. In 2007, he released Falling off the Lavender Bridge to critical acclaim. This record was recorded and produced in Omaha, Nebraska with the help of Saddle Creek producer Mike Mogis.   Mogis is most famous for his work with Connor Oberst and Bright Eyes. Falling off the Lavender Bridge has a star studded guest list, including Nate Walcott, pianist and trumpet player for Bright Eyes, and The Faint drummer Clark Baechle.

Now, in 2010, Hynes has finally released the followup to 2007′s Falling off the Lavender Bridge, titled Life is Sweet! Nice to Meet You and is a bit more complex than the initial Lightspeed Champion release. Where Falling off the Lavender Bridge is often simple and poppy, the new record is thick and speckled with new sounds. Now, it’s not to say that Life is Sweet! Nice to Meet You doesn’t feel like the same band that captured the indie folk scene’s heart back in 2007, but it is definitely a departure from the earlier release. Devonté’s voice is definitely stronger on this release. The 2007 release had a kind of sweet nervousness to the vocals, which have since been replaced with vocals soaring with confidence and intention.

You can currently purchase the both Lightspeed Champion albums at Domino Record’s website on vinyl for $12.99, CD for $8.99 and digital for $7.99. The band is currently touring the UK and western Europe.