Gossip in control

Originally published by the Saturday Star, 27 October 2007
Gossip
Standing in the Way of Control
3/5
You may have already seen images of Gossip lead vocalist Beth Ditto without having realised that she is the voice behind this punk-rock/funk band. Her overweight, naked body has been splashed across the covers of various music magazines (with her permission of course) in a manner that suggests though you might find this offensive, that’s exactly the intention. This, Gossip’s third full-length release, and their most successful to date, is an angry, vicious, gyrating affront to your senses. Ditto wails, in some instances like a banshee, on various issues relating to her homosexuality and her weight, though she herself suffers no issues with either – except with the fact that others do. Musically the album is quite seventies-rock reminiscent and indulges in a sort-of garage-band sound. Sometimes the vocals are slightly off-key, sometimes the guitars are out of tune, and sometimes the drums are off-tempo – all intentional I presume and key to the delivery of Ditto’s various proclamations. Standing in the Way of Control might not appeal to all tastes, but for the adventurous I can recommend it.

Mary J Blige and Enrique Iglesias at The Dome

Again as I continue to report on concerts long after they happen ;-b I thought I’d share a few thoughts on Mary J Blige’s concert in Jozi on 18 October and the Enrique Iglesias (pictured left) concert on 21 October 2007. The first, Mary J Blige, was a disappointment. Blige’s performance was left wanting. She seemed tired and uninspired and I felt the audience could read into this. There were vast areas of the Dome left empty and I saw quite a large number of people filing out early. On the other hand, Enrique Iglesias came to SA on his Insomniac Tour to seriously impress. Now I’m not a fan of Enrique (and I did not pay, nor would I pay, for a ticket to see his show), but I have to admit that it is one of the best performances I’ve seen of late. His stage is superb with a fantastic light show, and he himself is quite energetic, often running up an approximately 30 metre ramp into the crowd and connecting with his audience. He has a good voice and is an excellent entertainer. I was also surprised at how much of a rock show his live act is. Most of his band sport mohicans, are seriously talented musos and rock out. Though the concert started a little late, with no opening act, it seems many fawning teenage girls, and many of their mothers too, definitely got their money’s worth.

Fall Out Boy in Jozi

Though Fall Out Boy’s concert in Johannesburg did happen a long time ago, 20 July, I thought it necessary to mention that since watching them live I have seriously started enjoying their music, particularly their Infinity on High album. It’s just interesting to note the effect of live music and from what I understand, in this current era of uncertainty in the music industry, what with the state of music piracy, though music sales are down, concert attendances are up. People are buying less music, but attending more shows. Thus the importance of putting on a good live show. Fall Out Boy were excellent in Jozi, I was impressed and converted. I’m looking forward to hearing new offerings from the band and would attend another of their concerts any day.

Gypsy Soul soulful

Originally published by the Saturday Star, 20 October 2007
Gypsy Soul
Gypsy Soul
3/5
Gypsy Soul are an American Celtic/folk duo who hail from Los Angeles. Calling upon a diversity of cultural backgrounds, with roots in British, Italian, Irish, Canadian, Ukrainian and South African cultures, the duo have developed a large following and achieved relative success as independent artists with a number of albums already released and a string of festival headlining performances to their name. The duo’s music is acoustically oriented with female vocalist Cilette Swan delivering a breezy warm, highly talented vocal performance. Swan is lyrically adept too, writing thoughtful, insightful prose. This release sees the group include a number of re-interpreted cover versions. U2’s I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For is given an acoustic make-over which taps into an Americana rendering that I believe U2 themselves would appreciate (considering what U2 were trying to achieve with the song at the time). Other highlight covers include Chris Isaak’s Wicked Game and The Beatles’ Blackbird. With these covers as a reference, Gypsy Soul will be appreciated by a more mature, discerning audience.

José Gonzalez, naturally

Originally published by the Saturday Star, 13 October 2007
José Gonzalez
In Our Nature
5/5
For the listener, coming to terms with José Gonzalez’s subtlety is key to appreciating his unique blend of classical acoustic guitar upon which the artist almost inaudibly delivers his lyrics. Musically In Our Nature does not differ greatly from Gonzalez’s highly acclaimed debut, Veneer (read my Veneer review and my B-Sides Collected review). Minimalism remains the order of the day with Gonzalez fortunately practicing restraint, opting not to over develop his sound. The growth over the past two years however comes more specifically in Gonzalez’s lyrical poignancy. Veneer revealed a young, musically deft artist still maturing as a song writer, but In Our Nature highlights a more mature artist. Gonzalez now eschews a confidence that allows him to bluntly address issues he feels strongly about, specifically issues relating to war and modern colonisation. The meditative backdrop upon which these issues are addressed provides an apt platform for their contemplation. Artistically, In Our Nature is worthy of note and a fine release from a very important new artist.

Katie Melua picturesque

Originally published by the Saturday Star, 6 October 2007
Katie Melua
Pictures
3/5
Katie Melua has achieved much success with her particular brand of sugary pop/jazz and now holds such accolades as the United Kingdom’s biggest selling female artist for 2006. Pictures is Melua’s third album release, and is very similar to her previous offerings Call off the Search and Piece by Piece. Those who enjoyed her previous work will enjoy this. It’s significant to note, though, that this release showcases more input from Melua herself and suggests a certain blossoming of the 23 year-old artist. Melua has composed four of the tracks on this album and these stand out from weaker Mike Batt compositions (Batt being Melua’s manager and main songwriter on her previous releases). Batt has groomed Melua well though and though he is responsible for such cringeworthy lyrics as “If I was a telephone you’d ring me” (from the first single off this album, If You Were a Sailboat) he has provided a solid platform for the young starlet to further develop her career.

Japan and I, Stanley Clarke and Pink

I’ve been a terrible blogger of late and haven’t updated my blog for quite a while now, even though I have watched a few live shows over the past few months. It’s too late now to go in-depth on any of them but I thought it would be worth mentioning a few highlights. In August I attended the Japan and I CD launch at The Bohemian and watched performances by Japan and I, the Diesel Whores and Swivelfoot. Sivelfoot is a Johannebsurg based punk band – very loud, very noisy – their punk is quite hardcore. Not quite my taste, I can’t recommend them. For the Diesel Whores I have a love/hate relationship. I enjoy watching them, but their music is such a blatant rip-off of the Pixies and of Johnny Cash, but, they do what they do well, so… still (and this is after many, many years) I’m not quite sure what to make of them. But, I enjoyed their performance. Funnily, this band has been performing the same set for the past couple of years, and fortunately lead vocalist Jaxon Rice did indicate that this would be changing soon. I look forward to hearing their new stuff. Japan and I headlined the evening and I thoroughly enjoyed their set. Japan and I are a female punk/punk-pop band. I recommend you check them out, they could go places.

Also in August, I attended the Joy of Jazz festival which featured jazz greats such as Stanley Clarke and George Duke. Despite certain bad management by the organisers, which saw artists performing at much later time slots than they should have, the music was fantastic. The Stanley Clarke and George Duke performances on both evenings absolutely blew my mind. They are such showmen and absolute professionals. Musically you can’t compare them to anybody else, they are leagues ahead of anything. Other highlights included local diva Miriam Makeba, American jazz artist Delfeayo Marsalis and local legend Sipho Mabuse.

In September I attended Pink’s concert at the Dome in Northriding, Johannesburg. It was excellent. Pink is an incredible performer, and though she often appears as quite butch in music videos and press photographs, she is actually quite petite, feminine and very attractive. She is an absolute professional and has an incredible voice and live persona. Local indie-rock act Cassette opened up for Pink. Their set too was excellent. These guys have done their time in the local music arena (as part of various other bands and projects) and have built on that to deliver a seriously professional set. I enjoyed what they had to offer.

Hard-Fi, how the West was won

Originally published by the Saturday Star, 29 September 2007
Hard-Fi
Once Upon a Time in the West
4/5
It’s been two years since this British indie-rock act released their highly acclaimed debut, Stars of CCTV (read my review here). This follow-up sees the band continue to pursue very much the same jaunt, so much so that there is very little that would tell their debut apart from this release. Both feature similar nondescript album cover detail, both feature exactly 11 tracks, even the two down-tempo tracks feature at exactly the same positions on both albums – at tracks seven and 11. So what do we do regarding Hard-Fi’s brazenness? Well, we rock-out exactly as we did at their arrival. The gritty Brit-rock sound which initially defined their style prevails, with a slight added maturity. Songwriter Richard Archer remains grounded, having not allowed fame to detract from issues addressed on the debut, including financial struggle, politics, youth culture and relationships. Considering the genius of both albums, I’m willing to forgive their certain brashness, but with the next album, I’d like to see some changes in their sound.

Welcome to Karen Zoid’s Postmodern World

Originally published by the Saturday Star, 22 September 2007
Karen Zoid
Postmodern World
5/5
In 2001 Karen Zoid burst onto the music scene rebelliously declaring her cultural independence providing a role model for a disenchanted Afrikaans youth. Her followers were coined “the Zoid generation”. Several years, many awards and a continuously growing multi-cultural fanbase later, Zoid herself has matured and now has a child of her own to consider. This, her fourth release, reflects these changes in her life and is her most soulful to date. Previous Sheryl Crowe likenesses have never rung more true, especially in songs such as the title track, As We Go, Silverbird and Lights where a mellower, country style predominates. These are easily her best compositions yet, and this style continues through the rest of the album, except for one or two characteristic rock numbers. Another interesting point to note is that this is Zoid’s first all-English album. Though Zoid loyalists might perceive this negatively, this will only help broaden her appeal. So, will the Zoid generation embrace Zoid’s Postmodern World? They definitely should, or they’ll be missing out.

The White Stripes, icky

Originally published by the Saturday Star, 15 September 2007
The White Stripes
Icky Thump
2/5
Try as hard as I can, I can’t bring myself to enjoy The White Stripes. I have attempted listening to many of their albums (all with an open mind), and this, their sixth, still doesn’t sound like anything I haven’t heard before from John Lee Hooker, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin or all the way through to the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion. Furthermore, having pilfered the sounds of the aforementioned, their offerings to the genre are badly performed. To add insult to injury – and I might be crucified for saying this – they may have tainted Americana blues rock more than aided in its development. The group have had one or two catchy songs, but generally their contributions are noisy, disjointed and avant-garde. Musically, if that’s what you’re looking for, then Icky Thump might be something to consider. For fans of The White Stripes, or alternative music in general, it incorporates various elements from the group’s back catalogue ranging from overdriven blues belters, to folky Americana numbers, and I suppose considering their previous work this would be no better or worse than any of it.