First Listen--Santogold

A lot of different flavors here--M.I.A. polyglot, Prince-y pop, dubby hip-hop. And she brings the hooks. Yay for the trip-hop revival (hi, Portishead!), and yay for artists like Santogold who (like M.I.A., TV on the Radio, and a bunch of Brooklyn bands) know that the originators left a lot of colors to be explored by creative people like her.

Most fucked-up album ever?

This one, recorded when the mighty Trux was wallowing in heroin-induced paranoia and degradation out in San Francisco, is certainly on the short list. And what do you know, a much-later appreciation that actually kind of nails it!

First Listen: Subtle, Leaving Arm

I hear these guys used to do hip hop styled stuff, but this sounds more like a West Coast version of TV on the Radio--dreamier, more lyrical, more beat. Either way, a nice surprise. I'll bet it kicks the upcoming Beck album from here to Sunday.

The Vulgar Boatmen have a page

Most folks who know my musical loves know that they include The Vulgar Boatmen, an Indianapolis/Gainesville band (two different versions!) that combine Buddy Holly sensibilities with Velvets/Feelies New York minimalist rock (and elliptical songs). Near as I can tell, the band still exists and plays occasionally. And a piece in today's Pitchfork about the death of a member of the Indianapolis music scene led me to this page--full of live Boatmen, including several songs that have never made it to albums. So when can we expect to see their lovely faces out West again? It's been 18 years, for God's sake!!!

Madonna, Hard Candy

I know reviewers haven't been frothing over this album, but I was totally unprepared for how awful it was. At least doing an album of dance-music protest songs the year we started the Iraq war was going out on a limb for something. At least Fergie, as stupid as her songs are, sounds like she's having some fun. Mads sounds like she's really, really, really working hard to sound this lame. (Though I'll bet Timba and Justin are laughing all the way to the bank at sticking her with their beat seconds.)