New Music Tuesday (Week of April 20th 2010)
Hole, “Nobody’s Daughter”
“Made something better” are the opening words in the title track “Nobody’s Daughter,” sang along to that gritty classic rock sound only Hole can produce. “Nobody’s Daughter” is Hole’s highly anticipated follow-up to 1998 “Celebrity Skin.” The album’s first single, “Skinny Little Bitch” is classic Love and features her signature growl. Like most of the album it’s rhythmic, unapologetic, and undeniably fierce. The track “Pacific Coast Highway” showcases her softer side with lyrics like, “I knew a boy he left me so damaged/Do you even know the extent of what you ravaged?” then stating, “All of this world’s shame won’t stop my arrival. And all this world’s fame and drugs and plague won’t stop my survival…” The album is raw, uncensored and proof that Courtney Love has what it takes to reclaim the rock n roll spotlight she clearly deserves.
TECLA, “Strangers in Masks”
“They want me to act right, shine under a black light, playing dress-up is a task, I’m a stranger in a mask…” sings TECLA on the second track “Let’s Play Dress-Up (mask #1)” of her musically diverse album, “Strangers in Masks.” The singer-songwriter’s 16-track LP is currently on heavy rotation on my ipod. Her music is smart, insightful, charming and danceable at the same time. She mixes electro-afro-punk beats with funky-edgy tunes. The album is completely self-produced and available for FREE on her website tecla.bandcamp.com. The album tackles race (“Good Hair”), body image (“Skinny Skinny”) perception, sexuality and love. The album is a must for anyone who’s jonesing for some quality lyrical dance-pop. Stand out tracks include: “Let’s Play Dress-Up,” “Good Hair,” “Skinny Skinny,” and “When I was a Sinner.”
The Royal Heist, “Midnight In The Garden Of Evil”
Los Angeles rockers The Royal Heist have produced a dance-friendly, catchy, indie-rock album. Their 11-track release, “Midnight In The Garden Of Evil” is delightful from start to finish. Tracks like “Lock And Load,” “Anything For You,” and “Dance With The Devil” will have you shaking it regardless of time and place. “Midnight In The Garden Of Evil” should appeal to the cool kids and those desperately trying to fit in with them.
Javelin, “No Más”
Groovy, genre-bending, electrifying debut by the band Javelin, “No Más” features 15-tracks all different from the next. Leadoff track “Vibrationz” is a gem and among my favorites, then tracks like hip hop inspired “The Merkin Jerk” and R&B infused “Susie Cues” come on, and you begin to rethink your choice of favorites but one thing’s certain “No Más” has a song on there for everyone.
