Best in Music: January 2006 Edition

We Are Scientists – With Love And Squalor (Virgin)

So what do We Are Scientists have that we haven’t heard yet from most post-post-punk bands? None at all. Their arrival to the party was late and the scene is already on its recession when they got there. These New Yorkers have a steep mountain to climb if they want to justify to critics that they are more than just a major label’s latest attempt to cash in on a fading music craze. To be fair though, the trio took shape in 2000 and joined the scene in 2001 alongside the originators of the post-punk rejuvenation such as Interpol and The Rapture. So I suggest that you tune out “Mr. Brightside” for about 40 minutes and give With Love And Squalor an impartial judgment. The disco drumbeats are unoriginal but they’ll get your feet stomping. The bass lines are predictably bouncy but they’re undeniably danceable. The vocals are affected as expected, but they’re effective at delivering lyrics about economics, drinking, and renting their bodies out for sexual favors. What separates them from major label acts like The Killers is that it doesn’t claim to be above the acts that made an earlier entrance in the scene. Squalor certainly proves that they can run with the best of them and really, that’s all they’re aiming for.

[Can't Lose | Cash Cow | Textbook]

The Elected – Sun, Sun, Sun (Sub Pop)

While touring for Rilo Kiley in promotion for their massive More Adventurous, it’s hard to believe that Blake “The Elected” Sennett had extra recording time on his hands. The Elected is a Sennett-fronted alt-country foursome and Sun, Sun, Sun is a follow up to their debut, Me First. With this sophomore attempt, however, it was obvious that there was a shift away from Me First’s electro-accompanied production. The keyboard synths and drum machines of the debut have been replaced with string bends and slide guitars to more accurately resemble the analog warmth of an alt-country album. With The Elected, Sennett steps away from the spotlight engrossed by Rilo Kiley’s frontwoman and ex-lover, Jenny Lewis, who also has a solo album with a release date parallel to Sennett’s. Given this chance, Sennett allows his tender voice to take center stage as he sings the verses and choruses imagined by his confident songwriting. The ideas of long distance relationships and sunshiny sun are intertwined within the songs, which clearly confirms that they were written and recorded on the road. Whether it’s Rilo Kiley or The Elected, Blake Sennett composes songs that are rich in California pop atmosphere and country twang.

[Fireflies In A Steel Mill | Sun, Sun, Sun | Did Me Good]

Cat Power – The Greatest (Matador)

The title of Cat Power’s newest album might suggest that it’s a hits compilation. But it’s far from it since all 12 songs (plus a bonus track) are fresh off her creative thinkbox. Additionally, The Greatest may be a swerve from her last album, You Are Free, where she sought assistance from Seattle grunge superstars, Dave Grohl and Eddie Vedder. With The Greatest, Cat Power a.k.a. Chan Marshall heads southeast to attain inspiration for a new sound and acquires Memphis soul veterans such as Mabon “Teenie” Hodges and Leroy “Flick” Hodges to back her up. The Southern country-soul might be new to Power aficionados, but they can’t say that they are entirely unprepared for it. Subtle hints of this type of sonance have been creeping up randomly in Marshall’s discography. In fact, Marshall, a Southern daughter, seems to be more comfortable in this environment. The accustomed depressive songwriting is still present, but fans don’t listen to Cat Power to replace their daily dose of Prozac anyway. Her exiguous piano chords is accompanied by sawing violins, weightless horns, and twangy guitar leads, which are essential to making an authentic Memphis soul album. Though it may be a different route than what Marshall is acquainted with, The Greatest is still pretty great.

[The Greatest | Where Is My Love | Hate]