Vampire Weekend’s debut album represented a rare thing in indie-world…an album living up to its’ hype. The four Columbia University alumni who made up the band had been rhapsodized so much in the blogosphere prior to the release of their self-titled debut that some folks hated it out of spite. Too bad for them, because I still think “Vampire Weekend”, track for track, is the most enjoyable album of 2008. “A-Punk” is one of it’s best songs. African guitar meets a pogo-punk tempo? Awesome. And it’s only 2 1/2 minutes long…the perfect amount of time for a song to get stuck in your head without overstaying it’s welcome.
If you haven’t heard these guys before, take a listen and try not to dance. Pretty sweet video, too.
THE BEATLES “Lady Madonna” b/w “The Inner Light” (Capitol Records #2138, March 1968)
As much as I loved John, the one I really miss is George. With his quiet inner peacefulness, sly sense of humor and brilliantly innovative guitar licks ranging from bumble-bee stinging to waterfall fluid, NO ONE, before or since, epitomized English cool like George Harrison. Every hip Brit act in recent memory, from The Jam to Oasis to Arctic Monkeys, has featured at least one George look/act/sound-alike in their lineup. As a high school freshman, I noticed, while paging through my gargantuan tome of World History text, that The Beatles were the only rock group mentioned by name. Why? Because of George’s influence, bringing Eastern musical styles into popular Western culture. Sa-NAP! One-Song-Per-Album-Side, my ass; a Quiet One shall lead them, ladies and gentlemen.
A gorgeous two-and-a-quarter-minute blast of Fats Domino-inspired barrelhouse boogie-woogie piano, 1930’s-style Tin Pan Alley vocal chimes and honking Ronnie Scott sax, Lennon & McCartney’s (well, mostly McCartney’s) “Lady Madonna” was the final Beatles single to be released in the U.S. on the Capitol Records. Their remaining six official 45s, beginning with “Hey Jude” in August of ’68, would bear the imprint of their newfound corporation (soon to become a downward-spiraling tornado of bad finances), Apple. Enjoy the ride while it lasts, boys.
Recorded by George with a host of Indian musicians (plus John & Paul on backing vocals for good measure), the Tao-inspired “The Inner Light” was the first Harrison composition to be featured on a Beatles single. Surprising in retrospect, considering how great “Taxman” and “If I Needed Someone” were. But I’ll never forget placing the needle on this record for the very first time as a youngster, and suddenly being transported into another world that I knew must’ve existed somewhere.  Now I had the power to access it, without going out of my door.
Eastern sounds are common in Western pop music today, from the pulsating deep-dub club grooves of Thievery Corporation to more radio-friendly acts like Shakira and fist-pumping aggro-rock like System Of A Down. But the next time you hear a sitar or tabla somewhere in your mix, take a moment to remember our dearly departed brother George. Take a page from his solemn book of quiet dignity, and add it to your repertoire. After all, the music George Harrison made was meant for you, to be carried with you, to walk along side you, for a lifetime.
NEXT WEEK: A famous recluse makes a comeback. Briefly.
Former protege of Rick James, vanilla soul sister, the one and only Lady T. Whatever you call her, Teena Marie is back with her first album in four years, “Congo Square”. The first single, “Can’t Last a Day” has already made noise at urban radio, and with a guest lineup including MC Lyte, Howard Hewett and Faith Evans, it’s sure to spawn even more hits. The R&B scene has been extra-weak so far this year, so here’s hoping Teena’s new album is the kickoff for a good second half of the year on the soul music front.
Here’s what else comes out tomorrow:
Mos Def The Ecstatic– After wowing us ten years ago with “Black on Both Sides”, Mos confused us with the overreaching “The New Danger” and then completely threw us off with a deliberate throwaway album in “Tru3 Magic”, an album so lazily put together it didn’t even have a cover. Now off the Geffen label and on Downtown Records (home of Gnarls Barkley, among others), Mighty Mos is back with an album that will hopefully knock the bad taste of the last couple of records out of listener’s mouths. Early reviews are promising.
Black Eyed PeasThe E.N.D.– On the other side of the hip-hop coin are the Black Eyed Peas. My distaste for them is legendary, but what I find more striking is the fact that their new song “Boom Boom Pow” has been the #1 song in the country for the past eight weeks and I have not heard the song ONCE. I’m sure the BEP will sell kajillions of records without my support anyway.
Sonic YouthThe Eternal– After nearly two decades in the MCA/Geffen family, New York alternative legends Sonic Youth are back on an indie label for “The Eternal”. These guys (and girl) have a pretty strong cult following, and since they’re not gonna make a pop breakthrough anytime soon, I don’t think it matters *what* label they’re on. They’re gonna sell what they’re gonna sell anyway.
Pleasure P. The Introduction of Marcus Cooper– Pleasure P is the former lead voice of raunchy R&B outfit Pretty Ricky, and this is his solo debut. “Boyfriend #2” has already hit the Top 5 on the R&B charts, and the big production guns were definitely brought out for this release, including Cool & Dre, Ne-Yo and Keith Sweat. You’d think that a lot of these groups would stay together longer. It’s not like anyone’s leaving an R&B group these days to have an awesome solo career. Anyone seen Slim from 112 lately? How about Sisqo?
A full list of this week’s new releases can be found here.
