The Lovers' Album of the Week

Holopaw Quit +/or Fight

While listening to Holopaw's new release Quit +/or Fight, I am reminded of the excitement I first felt after listening to the Fruit Bats' 2003 release, Mouthfuls. Perhaps Mouthfuls wasn't a revolutionary record (heck, who wants that responsibility?) but its strong hooks, beautiful harmonies, and overall good nature was a breath of fresh air, and as a result, the Fruit Bats were my driving buddies on more than one occasion. And while the Fruit Bats have a new one out, Spelled In Bones, that record hasn't evoked the same feelings that Quit +/or Fight is doing right now. I am almost embarrassed to mention that I wasn't even aware of Holopaw until their new release found its way into my WEVL mailbox, especially since they are on Sub Pop and have even released a previous album (in 2003, no less). Oh well, better late than never I suppose. So what's so great about Holopaw? Because truth be told, the Holopaw sound is one that has been emulated to death: the folk singer/songwriter who wants to rock out as well as dabble with his country heart. What makes Quit +/or Fight (and Mouthfuls for that matter) work is the sheer fidelity behind it. At no point do I believe I'm being force fed to feel a certain way. When it works, there is no reason for trickery. A large reason for this is John Orth's crushingly fragile voice that trembles long after the verse is over (a vocal style similar to that of Brad Bailey of the The Glass), especially on "Shiver Me," a song that is begging to be named the most beautiful song of the year. Of course, the fact that the rest of the band is able to create such tender, playful melodies doesn't hurt matters. I can imagine that there are numerous bands out there attempting an album like Quit +/or Fight, but unlike the vast majority of them, they will fail because Holopaw's record doesn't succeed because of talent, but because of honesty.

Oneida Play The Hi Tone!

Last night, the Brooklyn trio Oneida rolled into town to perform their unique blend of explosive rock, trippy jazz, and dancehall breakdowns. At the unset of the show, keyboardist Bobby Matador (aka Fat Bobby) called for the small but eager crowd to move closer to the stage to rock with the O Team. From there, Fat Bobby conjured up the spirit of Ray Manzarek (oh wait, he's still alive!) and hammered his keys to the point that he had to make a "surgical" repair a few tunes down the playlist. Along with vocalist and bass/lead guitarist Papa Crazy and manic drummer Kid Millions, those Brooklyn boys left us good ol' Southerns satisfied with a show that like their records was never predictable. Or as Tommy Pappass from The Glass so elegantly shouted, "That was so fantastically amazing!"

(Earlier that night, I had fallen asleep at 9pm and didn't wake up until around 12:30am. So, unfortunately, I missed seeing one of Memphis' best local groups, The Color Cast. Which is a shame because I always look forward to seeing them. Sorry guys!)

The Music Lovers playlist for 8/11/05

1. Why Bother At All - Koufax from Hard Times Are In Fashion 2. Teenage Kicks - Cobra Verde from Copycat Killers 3. Something In You - The Orange Peels from Circling the Sun 4. Phone Booth - Death Cab For Cutie from The John Byrd EP 5. Riot Act - Bottom of the Hudson from Holiday Machine 6. Collide the Tide - Chin Up Chin Up from Chin Up Chin Up 7. Creation Lake - Silversun Pickups from Pikul EP 8. Exodus Damage - John Vanderslice from Pixel Revolt 9. I Wanna Know Girls - Portastatic from Bright Ideas 10. Please - The Brokedown from The Dutchman's Gold 11. Night On Fire (Phil Kieran Remix) - VHS or Beta from Night On Fire 12. NY Excuse - Soulwax from NY Excuse EP 13. Shining Skinned Friend - The Juan Maclean from Less Than Human 14. Philadelphia - Mobius Band from The Loving Sounds of Static 15. Somebody Once Told Me It Existed But They Never Found It - Minotaur Shock from Maritime 16. Sleeping Household - Felix Laband from Dark Days Exit 17. No Hits - Black Mountain from Black Mountain 18. Seventeen Years - Ratatat from Ratatat 19. Lillian - Hangnail Phillips from With End 20. A King and a Queen - Okkervil River from Black Sheep Boy 21. High Life - Oneida from The Wedding 22. Mousey Toy - Xiu Xiu from La Foret 23. Oh, My Shadow - Corpus Callosum from Machine Under Its Own Spell 24. Miss You - The Concretes from Layourbattleaxdown 25. I Summon You - Spoon from Gimme Fiction 26. Shiver - Holopaw from Quit +/ or Fight

Oneida Are Coming To Memphis

Brooklyn's own Oneida will be making a stop in Memphis this Thursday night at the Hi Tone. Their newest release, The Wedding, is a mesh of pop/rock/electronic (much like the Lovers) that most resembles a young child that can't sit still. And that's a good thing! Yonder your way on over here to listen to some mp3's.

Also, Memphis' favorite The Color Cast will be opening up!

The Lovers' New Toy (Sounds Dirty, Huh?)

Hey, the Music Lovers' blog now has a site search engine! Go ahead and try it out - it might even work!