Treasure Box
Golden Oceans of Sound
"Loud" is the first word that comes to mind when trying to describe Golden Ocean, the raucous new album from Kristin Hersh-fronted trio 50 Foot Wave. There is plenty of frantic drumming by Rob Ahlers, and loud guitar playing by Hersh, held fast together by bassist Bernard Georges. All three members contribute vocals, though Hersh's voice is the focal point throughout. Read more.
Why Don't You Try Using Manners?
Welcome to the unofficial Treasure Box Guide To Concert Etiquette. I'm always telling y'all about recordings that you might enjoy. Now I'm going to take on the issue of live music, and tell you how you can help other people enjoy their concert experience in peace. Read more.
All in the Family
(special thanks to Mary Richardson)
Once upon a time, before there were the Beatles, there was a man named Ralph Peer who went around recording folk music in the country. Ralph Peer turned up a lot of music, but he is best remembered for stumbling across Jimmie Rodgers and the Carter Family. Read more.
Pasty Boy Singers of the UK and Ireland and Why You Love Them
This was going to be an article specifically concerning pasty, whiny boy singers of the UK and Ireland, and why you love them, but there are some pretty good pasty boy singers who don't really whine all that much,like Donovan, for instance. And Jarvis Cocker's work is so miserable that I don't know if "whining" is really the right word for it. So I've made the specifications for this article a little less rigid. Read more.
Go To The Mirror Girl
I'm afraid I don't have a snappy unifying theme for this installment of "Treasure Box." I just want to tell you all about some of the things that are stuck in my CD player right now.
I'll inject a note of modernity for once, and start with Tanya Donelly's new CD, Whiskey Tango Ghosts. I always like to see what Ms. Donelly's been up to. Even if it turns out to be rubbish (which is rare), I'd rather waste fifteen bucks than be nagged by the idea that she's put together eleven of her wonderful, quirky songs, and I'm missing out on them because of my obstinacy and tight-fistedness. Read more.
Big Star, Cover Songs, and Pop Music To Make You Feel Alive
I keep thinking that one of these days I'm going to sit down and write a big, fat, comprehensive piece called "Why I Love Pop Music," in which I defend my love of ear candy against the classical-music snobs of the world. But if I were to do that, I would need to talk a lot about John Sebastian, and I think that for the time being, I've pretty well exhausted my readers' patience with my Sebastian fixation, so "Why I Love Pop Music" will have to wait. Read more.
Give Her Weird Music
Hi, everybody. I'm going to be taking over the bulk of the responsibility for Treasure Box for as long as my new colleagues here at Mosaic Minds will have me. Unlike my predecessor, I don't feel up to producing two columns per issue, so "No Rock and Roll Fun" and "Treasure Box" are being collapsed into one. The title was too good to throw away, and I hope that all our readers will find some amusement in the musical treasures that I share. Read more.
Music for Escaping
by Katrina Martin
One of my favorite memories of listening to The Hour of Bewilderbeast by Badly Drawn Boy (a.k.a. Damon Gough) happened on a gray, cold Friday afternoon in winter. I sat at my computer at work and put the album on to keep me company in the quiet office. Whenever I took breaks from my work and looked out the window, the snowstorm outside seemed to have worsened exponentially. At first giant fluffy flakes blanketed the ground slowly, but by the time the album finished at least four inches covered the ground and we'd cancelled classes for the evening. I decided soon after to go home early. Now when I listen to the album, no matter how warm the weather, I'm always transported to that chilly day. It makes me happy, because it reminds me of feeling cozy and comfortable with a hot cup of tea. Read more.
The New Pornographers Make Pop Music Cool Again
by Katrina Martin
If you like pop music without the flash-in-the-pan saccharine of Top 40, pick up a New Pornographers album--namely Electric Version. It contains all the elements of great pop music--energy, catchy hooks, fun and singable lyrics with a message and gorgeous harmonies. The album boasts instant accessibility and shows you don't have to be on MTV or the cover of Rolling Stone to make great music (although I must say the band did make the "top" lists in both Rolling Stone and Spin for 2003). Read more.
Whiskeytown: Stranger's Almanac
by Katrina Martin
Whiskeytown is a gem, pure and simple. I mourn the fact that they've broken up every time I listen to Stranger's Almanac. I fell in love with this album instantly upon hearing the first contemplative notes at the beginning of "Inn Town," the album's opener. And my affection grew deeper when I heard Ryan Adams' distinctive country-tinged voice blend with his band mate Caitlin Cary's gorgeous alto. Read more.
Blacklisted, Neko Case
by Katrina Martin
I first heard Neko Case in 2000 when she opened for the Jayhawks at the Fillmore Auditorium in San Francisco. Her stunning vocal power and silky-soft voice enraptured me so when the show was over I ran to buy her album directly from her. I fondly think of our conversation, even though it involved 10 words: Me: "Which of these albums do you like best?" Neko: "This one." She pulled Furnace Room Lullaby out of her box of CDs. Then she was distracted by another fan and I inadvertently bought the other album in her box, The Virginian. I've been a fan ever since. Read more.
Return of the Grievous Angel: A Tribute to Gram Parsons
by Katrina Martin
When my friend gave me a tape of this album, I'd never even heard of Gram Parsons. I loved it so much, I bought the album and learned from the liner notes he was "the subversive Harvard-educated hillbilly who invented country-rock in the mid-Sixties." I've also learned that Parsons wrote and recorded some of the most classic songs of all time ("She," "Sin City," and "Hickory Wind"). He even inspired the Rolling Stones to write one of their best songs, "Wild Horses." Now when I find someone else who's into Parsons, it's like finding another member of a secret club--we're both thrilled to find someone to gush excitedly to about his genius. Read more.