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I barely got a jazz post in before Spring, and now I'm barely getting a pop post in before Summer, which - let's face it - starts on Memorial Day.
The problem this time was that Mrs. Jaybee had some "reservations" about a few of these records. So I told her to give it time. She said she's given it forty years. Well, that's fair.
Anyway, I wanted to see where she landed on them. Her final judgements follow mine below.
The Dismemberment Plan: Emergency and I (1999)
They sound like a nineties version of Talking Heads, and I admit that I like this guy's voice more than David Byrne's. And the band is tight. The problem is in their pursuit of a unique sound they often sound like they're achieving it for its own sake. It might grow on me, but for now, it's a record to be appreciated, if not actively enjoyed.
Except for one brief shining moment when it all comes together in "Back And Forth".
B
Mrs. Jaybee: I tried. I really tried. But no.
An eerily beautiful voice that is actually helped by autotune, assuming it's even there at all. She sings in Spanish(?) so I have no idea what's going on. But the constant flow of melody, beat, and noise in all the right places makes it hard to complain. The musical settings and styles are quite varied so there's rarely a dull moment.
And for heaven's sake, buy this record so she can go get a pair of pants!
A-
Mrs. Jaybee: Bleh.
Broken Social Scene: You Forgot it In People (2006)
Not a Canadian supergroup like the New Pornographers, but rather, a "collective", so right there they lose the Republican vote. But everybody else, stick around.
This is surprisingly mellow given the tendency of such formulations to rock out at great length since anything else would require um, songwriting. Kinda similar to Spiritualized but more modest.
Quite easy on the ear but not quite compelling. It's the kind of record where you just go with the flow unless they jam on a little too long. But they avoid that here.
B+
Mrs. Jaybee Reaction: Good.
Talk Talk: Spirit of Eden (1988)
A classic Mrs. Jaybee's first reaction: "This is boring. Don't ever play this when I'm around." (Ah, but she's said this before!)
I usually hate the throaty nasal whine of English singers (Spandau Ballet's "True"; Duran Duran's "New Moon on Monday"), and, alas, Talk Talk ("It's My Life") seemed to want to make a career out of it, so while they were around I avoided them like the plague (heh, heh). But now that we've actually had one I thought I'd given them a chance.
I wasn't thrilled to see the album was comprised of six longish songs. However, slowed down, and with just the right amount of ambient dressing and guitar gnarl that whine sounds pretty soulful, even if in the same key throughout. A minor miracle.
And speaking of miracles, the lyrics are rather oblique, but with hints of finding God. So I respect the singer's willingness to risk sounding like an idiot, and the band's willingness to back him up.
A-
Mrs. Jaybee's Reaction: I can't believe I'm actually enjoying this. (I can't believe it's Talk Talk, either.)
There is an absolutely frantic level of energy and melody. Which may go to show that more isn't necessarily better. Their last album was so good because they kept it all sharp, bright, and clear, if maybe too controlled.
But now they go all Exile on Main Street, and sound like they're playing on a subway platform with the train arriving. Last time the guitar solos were melodic and precise, and now they buzz and growl and roar, risking utter chaos. Luckily Molly Rankin's voice can still be heard through it all.
And sometimes I'm a more is better kind of guy so I say here we're breaking even.
A-
Mrs. Jaybee's reaction: She has a high-pitched voice and here she sometimes insists on going even higher, but otherwise very good.
The Smile: A Light for Attracting Attention (2022)
Two guys (singer, guitar player) from Radiohead plus one guy (drummer) from Sons of Kemet, add up to kind-of-like-Radiohead but with a more intricate beat.
And like some Radiohead records this one veers between harsh racket and quietly melodic. Yorke's lyrics have never been great, he's got a nice voice, and man, the sounds Johnny Greenwood gets out of his guitar!
A-
Mrs. Jaybee: Love it!
Now let's see what Summer brings. I should know by Christmas.
