In Rotation: Summer 2007

Summer is hot in South Florida, and I'm still in denial about just how hot it is. For the record, for as much time as I spend listening to all sorts of great sounds, I can't listen to psych and noise all the time, so when the rest of the folks down here have their windows up and their A/C blazing, these five records have been on repeat in my car at questionable volumes:




Matthew Dear

Asa Breed

Ghostly




As Dear is poised to have a great year between all of his musical aliases (Audion, False, among others), his recent release under his actual name shines through as a template for blazing electro-pop that many could take a cue from. His synth chops, beats and guitar lines on Asa Breed meld effortlessly to forge a clean record that transcends numerous genres as his vocal arrangements haunt speakers in the most playful of fashion. "Neighborhoods," "Shy" and "Midnight Lovers" are all exceptional songs, but the closing track, "Vine To Vine" might just take the cake for one of the best death ballads (!) of all time--done only in the manner that Dear calls his own.






Geto Boys

Greatest Hits

Asylum Records




Growing up a suburbanite youth in metro Detroit at the peak of the gangsta rap explosion of the early 90's, the Geto Boys offered a nice departure from all the west-coast shit that eveybody was passing around. I still remember buying the single for "Crooked Officer" in the wake of Bodycount's "Cop Killer" controversy, and thinking it was totally bad ass. Well the greatest hits might be the only record one should own by Houston's finest MC's of the old school. It's got all the tracks that are essential, from "Mind Playin' Tricks" and "Damn It Feels Good To Be a Gangsta" to some more raw cuts like "Mind Of a Lunatic" and "Geto Fantasy" that go nice on a hot, humid drive home from the office. It makes me feel bad for the kids these days who think that Chamillionaire and Paul Wall are Houston hip-hop, when the Geto Boys will forever own the Fifth Ward.








Maserati

Inventions For The New Season

Temporary Residence



I was unfamiliar with Maserati before I stumbled upon this record, and I ended up liking it a lot. I rarely read reviews of stuff before I give it my own assessment, but I was surprised to see some of the marginal press this record got, based on what people think instrumental rock should sound like, as if it has a formula that makes it worthy or not. Regardless, this record has great production and has a lot going for it. For starters, the tracks vary in length, which is nice in the day and age of bands releasing instrmental music in epic proportions for each song. It's also great that the effects and such stay rather subtle in the context of what these guys are doing, as none of the delays or reverb are too overdone, creating a strong sounding record that sways, sustains and grows in monsterous fashion. "Inventions" is a great rock song, "Kalimera" offers a more mellow spacey side to the band, and "The World Outside" ends the record on a rather poppy note, but the whole record is a great timed listen, whether it's driving, playing Scrabble or cooking, this is a great soundtrack.







Pig Destroyer

Phantom Limb

Relapse




I saw these guys a few years ago in a gymnasium and it sounded like total garbage, but on record, Pig Destroyer slays just about any other grind band in it's wake, and their newest record takes no prisoners. Apparently they got a full-time drummer and a noise-artist for added texture to their sound, but regardless of the changes, the riffs and growls make this record what it is. Either you hate grindcore or you love it, and Phantom Limb probably won't convert any haters, but for those who are into fast, blistering metal, Pig Destroyer are the masters. "Thought Crime Spree" and "Girl In The Slayer Jacket" are unstoppable tracks.







Okkervil River

The Stage Names

Jagjaguwar




I heard good things about these guys, but aside from hearing the name thrown around, wasn't too familiar with what they do. I still picked this one up on recommendation and can't get enough of the stripped down songwriting and bombastic musical score that accompanies it. Its a truly refreshing record without the pompous nature of contemporary artists like Arcade Fire and Conor Oberst--of whom I'm sure this record has already been compared to. Its already available for purchase/free download from Jagjaguwar but doesnt officially get released until next week, but this record is off the chains, and if it doesnt make some of the top-whatever-lists for this year, I would be very surprised. "Our Life Is Not A Movie" might be one of the best track-one's I've ever heard; much more fitting than "Smells Like Teen Spirit," but maybe not in comparison to "Bring Tha Ruckus."

If anyone has further recommendations for summer records, comment them to me, I'd love to hear what anyone else is playing out. Cheers.