ALBUM REVIEW - Messer Chups - Crazy Price

Messer Chups started in Germany, but have their roots in Russia. They eventually moved back to St. Petersburg in the late 90’s. I just recently picked up the Ipecac recording version of their CD Crazy Price.

The CD is an odd amalgam of surf, rockabilly (or psychobilly) and 50’s horror and sci-fi samples. No lyrics other than the movie samples that drive the themes of each piece. If the Stray Cats were ever possessed by the devil, they would probably sounds like this…oh and they would have to hire a cheese organ and Theremin player in addition to being possessed by the devil.

The visual aspect of Messer Chups is a huge part of their appeal. Their website is very fun and campy with some great animations and graphics all keeping with the basic damsel in distress, Lugosi/Karloff, Dick Dale vibe. Unfortunately, with out the visuals the music wears thin after a listen or two and even though the disc comes with 5 mpeg videos (playable on your Mac or PC) I can’t say I’ll be popping this disc on consistently. Perhaps as a soundtrack to a Halloween Party or if my auteur spirit ever takes hold and I finally make that independent film, but in the car or when I am looking to sit down and get blown away…not ever.

Now if they release a huge crazy DVD…now that I might get into.

Gaito says: Unless you need background music for your next alien autopsy or zombie surf party, I would look else where for musical satisfaction.

Favorite Tracks:

Fantomasofobia

Monkey Safari

And the Days Run Away Like...

Mike Gaito’s Days of Banality – Day #1
I was reading the bottle to my multi-vitamins and I realized that they don’t have any calcium. So I went to the fridge to look at the milk. It seems that I will have to drink 3 and 1/3 8 oz, glasses to be sure to get my daily value. I could defray that though with some plain yogurt and cheese.

Mike Gaito’s Days of Banality – Day #2
Getting the septic tank pumped tomorrow. I had to move the scrap woodpile and the empty mum pots before I cleaned the dirt away. They charge $50(!) if they have to do any digging, so I did it myself.

Mike Gaito’s Days of Banality – Day #3
I wish they would sell our low-sudsing detergent in liquid form. The powder gets all clumpy and chalky in the spring and summer months, even though we run a dehumidifier.

Mike Gaito’s Days of Banality – Day #4
I can’t taste the difference between Quaker Oats and the store brand. That being said, Planters Cashews are much, much better than any store brand, but at $2 or more extra per can, I find myself asking “Is it worth it?”

Mike Gaito’s Days of Banality – Day #5
I’ve just about had it with bananas. Buy them green and they never ripen, too yellow and they get all mushy as you peel them.

Mike Gaito’s Days of Banality – Day #6
I can’t seem to get a straight answer re: freezing store bought previously frozen fish. Seems to me if it’s FAS you should be able to freeze it again, but not everybody thinks so.

Mike Gaito’s Days of Banality – Day #7
I hate peeling those bumpy potatoes. I think Rob Thomas and Santana should come out with their own ‘branded’ potatoes. I bet those would be easier to peel.

ALBUM REVIEW - Mugison - Is this Monkey Music?

According to various sources on the “internet”, Mugison is the third biggest superstar in Iceland, behind Bjork and Sigur Ros. I really wish I lived in Iceland. It must be awesome if Mugison and his CD Mugimama! Is this Monkey Music? is not only well received but results in superstar status. American radio would probably refuse delivery on this, let alone play it.

Mugimama! Is this Monkey Music? is a collection of odd love songs, bawdy light rockers and downright weird Beck-inflected pastiches that I absolutely love. The recordings are a little rough around the edges, the arrangements are untraditional to say the least and some of the lyrics are either stream of consciousness or the result of English not being Mugison’s first language. No matter, the CD oozes creativity and inspiration.

The performances have a manic, anxious quality adding to the overall unstable feel of the recording. The CD opens with the heart-wrenching I Want You, probably the most produced track on the CD. The open lyric is VERY reminiscent of The Beatles’ I Want You (She’s So Heavy) – so much so that it is jarring when you don’t hear the “want you so bad” after the opening line. From the koto-esque guitar line to surprisingly upbeat “Baby, Let’s Go Dancing” chorus it’s a great track.

Other CD highlights include the quiet and beautiful 2 Birds (a duet with his wife Raina), Sad as a Truck (an existential construct that features the oddest and a somewhat disturbing arena rock chorus I have heard in a while (to quote: Come on everybody raise your right hand and slap your face, come on, uhn - ah, ah, ah, ah…ah, ah, ah, ah…[crazy cackling] ) and the single that took Iceland by storm, Murr Murr.

I don’t know if this disc is for everybody. It’s such an oddly constructed collection of music, that some might find it hard to follow. I think it is a brilliant display of creativity that should be heard and admired for it’s pure (almost insane) display of creativity and emotion.



Gaito says: If you like, this I bet we’ll get along.

Favorite Tracks:

I Want You

2 Birds

Sad as a Truck

Murr Murr

Hold on 2 Happiness

Eggs

I hope that eggs really are good for you because I have eaten a lot of them today and I will probably have a few more before the day is done.

With ham.

And kielbasa.

And maybe some white borscht (a secret family recipe).

Hope everyone is good and happy today.

ALBUM REVIEW - The Nels Cline Singers - The Giant Pin

To be honest, up until a few months ago I had never heard of Nels Cline. Now that I have heard him and I wonder how it is possible I have never heard or listened to him before. His guitar playing is technically amazing, his style has him straddling multiple worlds. If forced to describe what Nels Cline does or sounds like I would have to say he is the missing link between Bill Frisell and Thurston Moore. A one moment gentle, contemplative, at another shredding over insane changes and still at another conjuring the most impressive and musical noise I have ever heard.

The Giant Pin features Nes Cline on guitar, Devin Hoff on Contrabass & Scott Amendola on drums, percussion and more. Jon Brion also guests a few tracks on keys and Greg Saunier adds (very subtle) vocals on He Still Carries a Torch for Her. The recording is crystal clear and huge. The songs are at one moment hypnotic and driving and at another quiet and contemplative, all the while presenting interesting melodies and beautifully odd rhythms. This is definitely not easy listening or background music, it demands and deserves full attention.

All the tracks are great but Square King is the high point. Nestled near the end of the disc it is a bombastic and frightening track. The chorus section with it's "Wipeout"-style drums, ostinati bass and ascending guitar lines is amazing. The track also features an incredible guitar solo that you really just need to hear. It's the first track I heard off the disc and it was the one that really sold me - I heard it and within about 10 minutes, my CD order was processed.

This is such a wonderfully beautiful CD, you would be remiss not to have it in your collection. from beginning to end it provides surprise and awe. And above all I find it strange and beautiful, groundbreaking with no air of pretension.

Gaito says: If you are looking for something new and different, look no further. This album will get you where you need to be. Buy it now!

Favorite Tracks:
Blues, Too
The Ballad of Devin Hoff
Bright Moon
Square King

And so it begins...

Today is my first day of my year long lifestyle experiment and so far it is going really well. Thanks to all who sent notes of support! They are much appreciated and welcomed!

I am so excited for the next 12 months I can't even tell you! I am brimming with thoughts and ideas...almost too many.

As they develop, I will fill you in - well not all all of them some are very top secret - but most of them.

ALBUM REVIEW - 2 Foot Yard

A few week’s ago I wrote a review for Leo Kottke’s One Guitar, No Vocal and it was a short review, explained by the fact that there was really nothing to say about the recording. Well, the recording was amazing, but I was actually feeling lazy which was why the review was so short.

Now I am faced with reviewing 2 Foot Yard, featuring Carla Kihlstedt, Marika Hughes and Shahzad Ismaily, and I really am almost speechless. The recording was amazing to begin with and then I saw them live last weekend at the FlynnSpace in Burlington, VT and they were so incredibly amazing I can’t even tell you. I went with 7 people, all very smart knowledable and cool and all with very different tastes and all capable of very strong and unwavering opinions and we all unequivocally LOVED it!

This CD is a must have in ANYONE’S collection. You must own it and you must listen. There will be moments of oddity but you will love it.

Now I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t have one critique and that would be that Carla’s vocals are way over produced and perfect and could be much freer and open allowing for the raw energy that pours out of her throat live to shine through.

I am going to listen to it again.


Gaito says: Buy this CD now! Go find a concert where these folks are playing and see it NOW! Amazing!

Favorite Tracks:

Empty Cupboard

Rooting for the Shy Librarian

Flash Flood

50 Miles

Gravity

Trampolina

Patchen

Music this Week!

Gregory Douglass – 135 Pearl, Burlington, VT
A+ - Amazing show, great songs, Gregory’s voice is just immaculate. Immaculate and fiery. Featured Joe Riffanucci on Guitar!

2 Foot Yard – FlynnSpace, Burlington, VT
A+++++ - amazing, life changing show, in the Top 5 concerts ever – and I mean in my entire life. Fantastic!

8084 – Second Floor, Burlington, VT
A for the show – these guys rocked hard!

F- for the venue – black light HELL – totally not my scene – short-skirted waitresses pushing jaeger and jello shots (red jello only – bummer) very, very weird

Buckethead – Higher Ground, South Burlington, VT
A for the first three songs – the spectacle was worth it, amazing, I can’t believe how fast his fingers move – I love that he wears a bucket on his head

C+ for the rest of the show – I bet the Romans got tired of watching lions eat Christians too.


What an excellent week. I must also mention that I went to all of these show with awesome people (especially my loving wife, Tracy!) and we had lots of fun.

I also knew some of the performers (Gregory Douglass and Andre Maquera, guitarist for 8084) and they are some of the most genuine wonderful people you ever want to meet. Love to all of them for making my b-day week extra special.