NewBeats

Beach House
Devotion
Car Park
By David Chiu

Following the sound of its self-titled debut, Beach House’s latest is atmospheric indie pop highlighted by Victoria Legrand’s haunting Nico-esque vocals and keyboards; Alex Scally’s shimmering guitar; and minimal percussion. Devotion sounds haunting romantic, and melodic—it’s hard not to be hypnotized by tracks such as “Gila,” “Astronaut,” and “Home Again.” The album’s tone is funereal but strangely cathartic, resulting in something quite elegant.

Watch a video of “Heart of Chambers”

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Various Artists
The Sound of Philadelphia: Gamble & Huff’s Greatest Hits
Philadelphia International/Legacy

Various Artists
Conquer the World: The Lost Soul of Philadelphia International Records
Philadelphia International/Legacy

By David Chiu

Throughout the ‘70s, the Motown hit-making factory was rivaled by the elegant R&B coming out of the City of Brotherly Love. Helmed by impresarios Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, Philadelphia International Records built a stable of great and now-legendary artists and established a streak of chart hits. The Sound of Philadelphia is an essential sampler of the classic songs that still get played on radio: “Love Train” by the O’Jays; “When Will I See You Again” by the Three Degrees; the torchy Me and Mrs. Jones by Billy Paul; “The Love I Lost” by Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes (Featuring Teddy Pendergrass)” and the all-time dance classic “Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now” by McFadden and Whitehead. Nearly all of the songs were written and produced by Gamble and Huff and were characterized by sleek production values and romantic, soulful lyrics. The music coming out of PIR defined the golden age of R&B and pop in the ‘70s.

The tracks on Conquer the World were PIR singles that, despite carrying the familiar label sound, never made a dent in the charts. It’s a shame because there were genuinely good songs full of warmth, soul and passion, and perhaps a little more bouncier than the well-known and higher-charting singles. “Conquer the World” is a lovely duet between Bunny Sigler and Dee Dee Sharp; Soul Devalents’ “Grasshopper” is a novelty funk number, perhaps too gritty by PIR standards, as well as Sigler’s “Theme from Five Fingers of Death”; and Frankie & the Spindles’ “Makin’ Up Time” is both sublime and grand. For fans of Philadelphia soul, this is a treasure trove of rarities that ranks alongside with the familiar classics.

Watch a video of “Love Train”

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The Heavy Circles
The Heavy Circles
Dynamite Child
By David Chiu

The Heavy Circle is collaboration between singer Edie Brickell and musician Harper Simon. If you notice a family connection, it’s because Brickell is the wife of Paul Simon and Harper is Simon’s older son. But the musical connection is more apparent on this debut album that draws from various styles from Euro pop (“Henri”), rock (“Ready to Play,” “Dynamite Child”), alt-country (“Easier”) and reggae (“Need a Friend”). The tunes are melodic, atmospheric, and quite moving, especially on the standouts “Confused” and “Maximo.” Brickell never sounded better as a vocalist than on this record. Let’s hope the Heavy Circles is not a one-off project.
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Tift Merritt
The Mercury Lounge
March 19, 2008
Review by David Chiu


It was a homecoming for Tift Merritt when she and her band played the Mercury Lounge the other night. Already in the middle of her tour to promote her excellent new album Another Country, the native North Carolinian returns to her current home of New York to play an unusual early show to a sold-out crowd.

The back story behind the new album was a trip Merritt took to Paris, which inspired her to write again. (It’s no surprise that a black and white French film from the ‘50s or ‘60s was played onscreen before the show) Most of the songs from the set list drew almost entirely from the new album and they didn’t disappoint. Merritt started off solo with her acoustic guitar with the lovely “Keep You Happy”; then the band came in and proceeded to play songs such as “Broken,” “Another Country,” the rocking “My Heart Is Free” and the soulful “Morning is My Destination.” The encore included a rendition of Merritt’s “Good Hearted Man,” off of her previous album Tambourine; and a romantic ballad sung in French, “Mille Tendresses (A Thousand Tendernesses).” She came back for another encore performing “Plainest Thing,” also from Tambourine.

Her band played excellent. An engaging performer, Merritt alternated between passionately strumming her acoustic (and sometimes electric) guitar and hitting the keyboards. It was a good and entertaining evening of tender alt-country music.

Partial set list


Keep You Happy
(Something to Me)
Broken
Another Country
Supposed to Make You Happy
Hopes Too High
I Know What I’m Looking For Now
(unknown song)
My Heart Is Free
Tender Branch
Morning Is My Destination

Encore:
Good Hearted Man
Mille Tendresses

Second encore:
Plainest Thing
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Read my interview with Michael McDonald, who just put out a new album, Soul Speak, in the March 17, 2008 issue of People magazine.
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Jackson Browne
Solo Acoustic Vol. 2
Inside
By David Chiu

The obvious sequel to his previously recorded solo outing, Vol. 2 features Browne sans band performing classics and album cuts to a live audience. The material draws more from the ‘80s and beyond output, with the exceptions of “Redneck Friend” and “Something Fine,” Still they are just as good and refreshing to hear in their new takes. Browne unearths “Enough of the Night” from the political World in Motion album and the state-of-national affairs song “Casino Nation,” but the rest of the album is mainly introspective, including a beautiful rendition of “Sky Blue and Black” with just him on piano, as well as a upbeat take on “Somebody’s Baby.” In this type of setting , Browne doesn’t miss—it’s further enhances the warmth of his songs.
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Goldfrapp
Seventh Tree
Mute
By David Chiu

Beginning with the opening track, the folkish “Clowns,” Goldfrapp’s latest album Seventh Tree departs from the disco frenzy of their previous record Supernature. In fact it is at times rather subdued, soulful and more natural sounding—certainly the case of “Little Bird” and “A&E” are some of the examples of this direction. The duo of sultry vocalist Allison Goldfrapp and instrumentalist Will Gregory certainly hasn’t taken the ‘electronic’ out their sound—there are still those lush, ambient touches merging with acoustic guitar—but the songs aren’t exactly danceable. The focus certainly is on the music and the results are still great.

Check out the video of "A&E" by Goldfrapp:


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Joe Jackson
Rain
Rykodisc
By David Chiu

Unfortunately it’s not the full-lineup of the original Joe Jackson band—just Jackson, bassist Graham Maby, and drummer Dave Houghton. But Rain is certainly not a disappointment because of it. With Jackson’s piano playing being the lead instrument rather than guitar, the songs have a definite jazzy pop appeal. There is no clearly no mistaking, however, his pointed songwriting as with the case of “Citizen Sane” and the rocking “King Pleasure Time”; and some beautiful ballads in “Wasted Time” and the hopeful “A Place in the Rain.” It’s not exactly upbeat stuff on Rain but yet it still feels good in the end. Following Vol. 4, this is another solid Joe Jackson outing.

Check out a performance of "Wasted Time" by Joe Jackson on YouTube.
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Michael Jackson
Thriller
Epic/Legacy
By David Chiu

Michael Jackson ruled pop music in the ‘80s thanks to this landmark album, which 25 years later, is still as popular than ever. Thriller was the soundtrack of 1983 and 1984 and its songs still continue to resonate, particularly the hits “Beat It” and “Billie Jean” (although my personal favorites are “The Girl Is Mine,” Jackson’s duet with Paul McCartney; and the gorgeous “Human Nature,” later covered by Miles Davis). The quality of the songs and production values are examples of the genius of Jackson and his producer Quincy Jones. But beyond the insane number of albums it sold (40 million copies and counting), it’s a filler free record complete with the classic Vincent Van Price voice over on the title track, and Eddie Van Halen’s blistering guitar solo on “Beat It.”

The inclusion of the four new updates on this 25th anniversary reissue is debatable, other than a way for today’s hip hop stars to pay tribute to Jackson. Of them, “Wanna Be Starting Something” featuring akon and will i. am, and "PYT" with will i. am sound the most original, more like a reimagining of the songs rather than covers. The other previously unreleased track from those original sessions, “For All Time,” a ballad, is reminiscent of “Human Nature.” The DVD portion contains the great innovative videos that added to the mania: “Billie Jean,” “Beat It” (great choreography), and Thriller (still scary). Fans will rejoice at the clip of Jackson performing at the Motown 25 program from 1983 where he showed off his electrifying dance moves while performing “Billie Jean.”

Watch videos related to the Thriller reissue:




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Tift Merritt
Another Country
Fantasy
By David Chiu

The third release by the singer/songwriter from North Carolina is an absolute gem and deserves to be called one of the best albums of 2008 by year’s end.. Based on her experiences living in Paris, Another Country is an introspective yet hopeful alt-country record. matched by her lovely, wistful voice. Every song is a stand out, particularly “Broken,” the achingly beautiful “Keep You Happy,” and the Stax-inspired soul tune “Tell Me Something True.” Merritt channels a little Edith Piaf with the last song “Mille Tendress (A Thousand Tendernesses)” in which she sings in French—it sums up the sentiment and good feeling evoked on this record.


Watch a video of Merritt's "Broken" from Another Country:


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