New Music Tuesday (Week of June 8th 2010)
Margaret Cho, “Cho Dependent” (August 24th)
When it was revealed late last year that Comedienne and actress Margaret Cho was set to release an album I, like I’m sure many, figured it’d feature her brilliant stand-up instead we get 13 fully produced musical tracks. “Cho Dependent” is filled with witty and funny lyrics as well as delicious vocals and catchy hooks. The album was co-written by the comedian herself and features collaborations with everyone from Fiona Apple to Patty Griffin, Grant Lee Phillips, Ben Lee and Ani DiFranco among others. Her brilliance is showcased best in tracks like “Your Dick” a ballad that pays homage to a man’s southern region while the lyrics are blunt the melody is sweet and the harmonization is lovely enough to momentarily make you forget you’re listening to a comedic album, that is until the falsetto comes in proclaiming “I like your balls too.” The album tackles many issues such as “Lice,” “Calling In Stoned” and “Enemies.” If there’s one thing you’ll soon come to learn while listening to this album is that, “you can’t break up with [her]…[she’s] Margaret Fucking Cho!”
Scarlet Grey, “Fancy Blood”
Scarlet Grey is a tease, releasing a delectable album such as “Fancy Blood” that only features six tracks. The 6-track EP has massive appeal and leaves you begging for more. “Fancy Blood” kicks things off with Über-catchy track “No Boys In The Ballroom” but by the time track two makes its way through the speakers you’re already hooked. Titled track “Fancy Blood” features sexy grooves and is as entertaining as they come but there’s something about “Mr. Sinister” that’ll have you hitting the repeat button time and time again. It could be the catchy hooks or the chanting of lyrics “smoke signals, smoke signals” that’ll make a great sing-along at shows, whatever the case is the album is a must for anyone jonesing for a pop-rock fix.
Front Line Assembly, “Improvised. Electronic. Device.” (June 22nd)
Front Line Assembly’s new album “Improvised. Electronic. Device.” Is rough around the edges but awesome on the inside. The band puts their own unique spin on the electronic music scene, filling their album with lively hooks and stylized beats and are triumphant on their quest of ‘finding new ways to make sound’ as once stated by founding member Bill Leeb. Although the tracks are sure to ignite the club dance floors the songs are far from one note, tracks like “Hostage” and “Laws of Deception” are politically charged and provide social commentary without becoming didactic. Other stand out tracks includes, “I.E.D.” and “Shifting Through The Lens.”
Automatic Loveletter, “Truth or Dare” (June 22nd)
There’s nothing better than a great female fronted band and Automatic Loveletter is quickly becoming a new favorite. “Truth or Dare” is an unstoppable force of energetic rock-tastic pop. Frontwoman Juliet Simms is a force to be reckoned with, her vocals exude confidence and boast star quality that alongside those catchy hooks is a winning combination. Between lead off track, “Heart Song” to the soon-to-be break up anthem of 2010 “Hush” you simply can’t go wrong.
