Casiotone For The Painfully Alone

So, where at you today?

I am at my friend Stacy’s house in Austin, TX. It’s raining like crazy outside.

How is the tour going so far?

Pretty rad, thanks. We had a lot of fun at our Austin show last
night. The Donkeys are sounding really great.

Tell us a bit about the recording of “Etiquette?”

Some of it was recorded on a computer in Seattle with Jherek Bischoff from The Dead Science, some of it was recorded at Pan American Studios in San Francisco with Jason Quever from The Papercuts, and some of it was recorded on my cassette 4 track at home. It was very much a piecemeal endeavor.

How are most of the songs written?

A lot of the Etiquette songs were written a Korg EM-1 monophonic sequencer/drum machine and piano. The lyriics were written in a stenographer’s notebook in black ballpoint pen. Jherek and Jason helped with some of the arrangements and we roped in our friends to play somne freaky instruments.

What were some of your influences on you during the recording?
Instantly one will notice a similar sound to Arab Strap.

I played Sly & The Family Stone, Vince Guaraldi, Mulatu Astatqe, and The Pet Shop boys for Jherek and Jason as sonic references. Jherek and Jason themselves were probably the two biggest influences, though.
I have the Arab Strap record that starts with “It was the biggest cock you’d ever seen.” What a great first line. I like that guy’s voice a lot and I like their spare arrangements and production but they weren’t really a reference point for Etiquette, honestly. People have ever accused me of sounding Scottish on some of the songs, which I don’t really understand.

“Don’t They Have Payphones Where You Were Last Night?” sounds like one of the
saddest things ever. What was the inspiration behind that track.

I started writing that song in 2000, back when people still occasionally used payphones, and it took about six years to feel like it was finished. Sometimes you just have to steal the contrabass intro from an instrumental from a Charlie Brown Christmas Special to feel like you’ve really accomplished something.

On “Scattered Pearls” who is the female vocalist on the track with you?

Jenn Herbinson. We have been friends for about nine years. She is one of my favorite singers, although she mostly just sings in the car. We do a pretty mean karaoke duet of “Hunger Strike.” She sings the Chris Cornell part.

How did you end up getting on to Tomlab records?

Tom wrote me a letter and asked if I wanted to let him put out a record. I liked the Tomlab sleeve design a lot so I said yes. I am very shallow.

What do you find more enjoyable, playing live or recording?

I think recording because it doesn’t require finding and putting on my shoes.

Any other bands out there the people should be listening to?

No, they really should just stick with Casiotone.

What hopes or goals do you have for the band in the long run?

I just want to keep making records that are a little better than the
last one. That’s pretty much it.

By John Siwicki

Arab Strap – Ten Years of Tears

Arab Strap have left us with quite simply an essential compilation. When it comes down to it, is it ever worth owning a greatest hits album? Well, Arab Strap have put enough bsides, mixes and alternative versions of there songs to warrant a purchase for everyone. The album really gets off with “The First Big Weekend.” It is the tale of a weekend in the summer. It discusses indie discos, trains, insomnia, the Simpsons, and not remembering. Just have a read at a sample of the lyrics “I couldn’t sleep again that night, thanks to some seriously disturbing nightmares…Matthew says I should cut down on the cheese” so indescribably brilliant. Apparently, it is a true story of what happened to Adian one weekend. We get a live track from their first ever gig in “Gilded” a taste of a rare track in “I Saw You” which, was record for the bands first proper Peel Session. A bold rending of “Packs Of Three” and “Rocket, Take Your Turn” has a slightly dance beat behind the boys and it gives it a slightly odd and uncomfortable feeling throughout the song. “The Shy Retirer” the first single from “Monday at the Huge and Pint” and my first Arab Strap single. It features one of my favorite lyrics ever “You’re more than just a photo album, you’re more than what some people let you know and if we ever make it home, I’ll tell you all the things that shaped me thus.”

We are treated to the bside “The Girl I Loved Before I Fucked” again another testament of how well the bands songs were written. Aidan goes from wanting to be friends with an old love to wishing an STD on her. The album finishes off fittingly with “There Is No Ending” off “The Last Romance” is a fitting end for the band and no better way to go out. There is something here for everyone, the casual fan and the hardcore fan. If you have never heard of Arab Strap please buy a copy, you will not be the same after hearing the bands songs. I just wish I didn’t find out till almost the end. We will leave you with a lyric from “The Shy Retirer” “Look at us just stand and stare, look at them just pose and pout, and we’ll all be standing here until the pigs chuck us out.”

By John Siwicki

The Fall – Reformation Post TLC

26th studio album and what seems like the 300th different lineup you never really know what you will get when a new Fall album arrives. After 2005’s very friendly “Fall Heads Roll” three members quite the band on the US tour and now the band is made up of Mark E Smith and his wife, Elena, with Tim Presley and Rob Barbato (of Darker My Love), Orpheo McCord (of The Hill) and Dave Spurr (of Motherjohn).

The new lineup has two bassists. So the album sounds a bit dirty at times. But after a few listen you realize this is perfect for Smith’s unique vocal delivery. “Reformation!” is where the new lineup really shines. It is hypnotic and slightly scary at times. “Fall Sound” could this be a snag at the critics. “The Wright Stuff” has Elena take the vocals with her Germany accent and the song seems to be about a train journey. “Das Boat” is a mind numbing 8 minutes of drone and submarine sounds. It makes you want to see the film “Das Boot” after.

“Reformation Post TLC” is full of variety and it seems to be a fresh start for the band. “Fall Heads Roll” was quite an accessible record (songs were used in a commercial) that such a strange record needed to be made.

By John Siwicki

Willy Mason – Save Myself

I have always been a fan of Willy’s song. I find them to so gentle, honest and charming. In the “singer/songwriter” world it is hard to find someone who bursts with such qualities. ‘Save Myself’ is the first single to be taken from Willy Mason’s new album ‘If The Ocean Gets Rough’. It is a step up in the songwriting for Willy and it just has huge hit written all over it. It is one of those that after hearing it you will just find yourself spontaneously singing it. Well done Willy, we love you.

By John Siwicki

Explosions In The Sky – All of A Sudden I Miss Everyone

EITS scores the TV version of Friday Night Lights as they did with the movie. Lately, I caught the show a few times and never has a music fit it so perfectly and even made the show better. “All of a Sudden

Plain White T’s – (Hate) I Really Don’t Like You

Now that the catchy, hazy dust has settled, Tom Higgenson and company show that the romanticised, love will conquer all, chart riding sentimentality of swooning ballad and previous single ‘Delilah’, soon turns sour. This new follow up single is a reaction to Delilah’s annoying habits and it is more like the erstwhile Plain White T’s of old.

“(Hate) I really Don’t Like You”, is aching and angular rock with a robust melody, setting things up for Higgenson’s drawling whine, the sort of which you feel like doing whenever you see the Spice Girls getting even more press coverage. High School rock in all its bleeding heart self-indulgence is nothing to turn your nose up at. The honeymoon period with Samson’s ex is well and truly over;

“Hate is a strong word, but I really don’t like you.”

By Dave Adair

Apples In Stereo – New Magnetic Wonder

Time to turn up your stereo and get your dancing shoes on. When you pick up The Apples in Stereo’s sixth LP, New Magnetic Wonder, you will. New Magnetic Wonder is their first album with their newest record label –Simian Records — founded by Elijah Wood. No matter how hard you fight, your head will be bopping up and down and your feet just won’t stop moving when you hear the first 10 seconds of the album. Their first song, “Can You Feel It?” wastes no time getting into the up-beat, fun music The Apples in Stereo have mastered. Robert Schneider has once again provided his talent for writing catchy lyrics and music.

New songs and surprises await on their latest album, but the Apples in Stereo continue to produce soulful music reminiscent of the 1960s. The psychedelic sounds of New Magnetic Wonder will leave any skeptic stand corrected to reviews comparing them to The Beatles and The Velvet Underground. With 21 songs, new and old fans alike will be more than happy once they hear New Magnetic Wonder.

By Eileen McSweeney

Le Reno Amps – Wound Up

North East Scotland’s Le Reno Amps release a high energy pop song. “Wound Up” is a fast and furious three minute tune. The guitars are chugging along and there is a piercing organ in there as well. “Wound Up” won’t win any awards for originality but it’s a good time while it lasts.

By John Siwicki

Wax Poetic – Copenhagen

“Istanbul” and “Copenhagen” are the first two parts of a new three part collection by Wax Poetic. The third being Brazil coming soon. Wax Poetic is quite an intriguing figure. Ihan Erashin aka Wax Poetic started the project n 1997. These releases follows on from his 2003s groundbreaking “Nublu Sessions” album.

First, let’s take a look at the “Copenhagen” album. The album is a mix of trip-hop elements with a touch of acid jazz. “Inside” sounds like a mix of Norah Jones and Bjork. “Beauty” is one of the “chilliest” songs you will hear in a long time. “U&I” has a bit of surprising rock vibe to it. Marla Turner is the vocalist that appears on this whole album and her range and style are like no other.

Wax Poetic’s take on modern like in Copenhagen is vibrant and bubbly. The record is a nice mash of chill out music. But the beauty of the record is that it can be played in many situations and settings. Wax is pushing things forward

By John Siwicki

Wax Poetic – Istanbul

“Istanbul” is the second part of the new city series by Wax Poetic. This record sees Wax take a more organic approach. The music sounds so of the moment if you would. The album starts off with “Calling The Gods” an instrumental of some odd waves and sounds. “Striptease In Istanbul” is a bit like jazzy but the accompanying vocals give it a more rounded rustic edge. “Istanbul Can Be Dub” does just what the title says and is one of the best tunes Wax has put out on the series so far. It makes me feel like I am in a nightmare.

“Istanbul” is a chilling album and at times a little scary. A lot its bouncing its colorful and it is a just surprises you on ever corner. Bring on the next part of the series.

By John Siwicki

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