CD Review: K.Flay

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I saw San Francisco’s K.Flay perform live in Seattle in October and I was totally attracted to her words, beats and performance. K.Flay (otherwise known as Stanford graduate Kristine Flaherty) is a radiant artist whose words and music hooked me right in. She’s released one EP with five songs each as delectable as the next. Leading off with “No Duh,” K.Flay rapid fires with making every boy’s package happy call me Almond Joy/ sharp shooter aim impeccable, roll with Dewey decimal/ the dopest animal from here to Senegal/ flow so menstrual I need a tampon on the track and ends with tell me that I’m fresh I’m like no duh. “Messin with My Head” starts off with the chorus fuck you and everything you said it was all lies, messin with my head. Yes, that’s the chorus, and it’s catchy and great. The song displays a broken heart (Is it the way you touched my shoulder blades/ how you just seemed to fill in all the blanks/ when I pushed you pulled, you always made me feel so beautiful). “So Fast, So Maybe” speeds things up again with a perfect pace. K.Flay’s elocution and rhythm are right on: if you like S&M go choke a bitch. “Anywhere But Here” shows again K.Flay’s lyrical and musical chops: I don’t see nothing wrong with feeling like I don’t belong/ anywhere but here/ I can’t find nothing right with feeling like I won’t survive/ so make this disappear/ and let me just fly, high, high away. She’s also got a lilting and sensitive voice when she sings the chorus. The last track, “Acetaminophen,” just might be the best. It twists K.Flay’s voice at times and its lyrics slap the music (got drugs in my purse and stars in my eyes . . . you only like me when you’re drunk/all us girls we look the same). San Francisco is so lucky.

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K.Flay – EP

CD Review: Or, The Whale by Or, The Whale

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If popularity in the music industry was actually based on the quality of music, San Francisco’s Or, The Whale would be infiltrating everyone’s iPod and conquering the FM radio waves. Unfortunately that’s not the way the industry works. The assembled by way of Craigslist seven piece, Americana ensemble builds on the promise of their debut album with their self-titled sophomore effort. The vocal contributions from all seven members add infinite depth to their full, warm sound. The vocal harmonies, especially between Matt Sartain and Lindsay Garfield are arresting. They grab and don’t let go.

They combine the best elements of Laurel Canyon and Haight-Ashbury folk rock with traditional country elements and endless melody on the opener, “No Love Blues,” and album highlight “Black Rabbit.” On many songs the music is slightly brighter than the lyrical content.  On “Rusty Gold” guitarist/vocalist Sartain laments “My dog died and it broke my heart, letting go is the hardest part.” The vocal harmonies and music pick up as the lyrics continue to philosophize about life and death. They turn hopeful, dismal then hopeful again. What a musical and lyrical ride.

The only disappointing thing about this album is just that. It’s an album. As good as they sound on the album they sound better live. I recommend catching one of their shows if you can. It’s always worth the price of admission. They do play Seattle often.

Review by Chris Senn
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Or, the Whale (Seany Records)

CD Review: Interpol by Interpol

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I’ve avoided all reviews of Interpol, Interpol’s fourth CD. I needed to listen alone and without another person’s preconceived notions, as Interpol has remained a favorite band of mine. Even if Interpol were a disaster, they’d remain a favorite, but I can say the CD is as sumptuous as their previous work (I thought Our Love to Admire was brilliant too).

There’s huge sorrow in these songs. That the first Interpol single was “Barricade” (I would not just leave you without a kiss/ But I guess there must come a time/ When there’s no more tears to cry/ Thieves and snakes need homes, need homes) sets you up for the connective themes of loss and failure. “Always Malaise” carries this too. You think it might be a song about becoming a better person, but that attempt just causes discomfort. “Safe Without” begins with (I’m not the hero out the gate) and “Memory Serves” recalls abuse (It would be no price to pay/ Hit me again) and “Success” constructs the fear of exposure within the water theme singer/writer Paul Banks excels at (What safety can you find?/ If the sea was that strong). I think my favorite tracks might be “Try it On” with its lovely piano and “All of the Ways”. “Try it On” is probably the most romantic one on the album, even so, it’s strangely defeatist (I’ll put my keys back/ There’s no change/ And nowhere to stay).

The CD ends with “The Undoing,” which turns out to be a song of survival. Interpol’s songs, with their graceful guitars, have a great balance to them.

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Interpol – Interpol (Matador Records)

CD Review: Tearing Down Paisley Garden by the Purrs

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I said one time that the Purrs’ music loves you. And it does love you, it really does. It’s the kind of love that just makes you feel really good. The band’s 2010 release, Tearing Down Paisley Garden, marks ten years of the Purrs as a fantastic band, a quartet who have maintained their integral ambience and strength.

Tearing Down Paisley Garden brings in the swarming psychedelic circles in its guitars for a dreamy set of seven songs. “Just a Little More” (who are you to bring me down?) and “Only Dreaming” especially recall a genuine respect for and ability in this genre. Stepping past the psychedelic stamp – because I just don’t know if the band is tired of this classification or not – “It Could Be So Wonderful” (my favorite) verges into spectacular Stone Roses territory, and “Pie in the Sky,” with its title track lyrics manages to fire up a room (I never feel good/no matter how many clothes I buy).

The Purrs are distinctive, no matter how I want to make comparisons just so I can give you an idea of what they sound like. I know them when I hear them; I happily recognize singer Jima’s voice and how the guitars join in their emotions. Congratulations to the Purrs for remaining a Seattle wonder.

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Tearing Down Paisley Garden – the Purrs