HIGH 5 WITH GENTLEMAN REG
March 12th, 2009
I almost sat on Reg Vermue’s face.
With his tender mug recently gracing the cover of Xtra Magazine Gentleman Reg accompanied me on an arduous subway ride across Toronto. Suffice to say reading about his recent accomplishments managed to refresh my depleting patience. With the recent release of his critically acclaimed new record Jet Black via Arts and Crafts, Reg is prepping to showcase his new tunes at the upcoming South by South West Festival in Austin, Texas (March 13-22). In the meantime I asked Reg to tell me what music he’s currently excited about…so here’s this week’s HIGH 5 with Gentleman Reg.
Antony and the Johnsons
Another World EP
I do love the new Antony album, but I find I’ve been listening to this EP that came out late last year more often. And mostly for track 3, Shake That Devil. This is one of the smartest things I think he’s ever recorded, and it’s the most unlike any other song you’ll hear him do. Lyrically it’s totally captivating, but it’s ultimately in the delivery, where he channels Nina Simone doing ’see line woman’ that gets you. The haunting intro, the repetition, the call and response, the simplicity of drums and vocals, and the energy of his vocal wailings. An essential track.
Bon Iver
Blood Bank EP
A beautiful four song collection very much in the vein of his full length. Each track is strong, but again with this EP there’s one standout track. The Woods is almost mantra like. It’s one line on repeat, a cappella, and full of vocoder. But unlike everyone else using that effect lately, there’s something very natural about it. It’s not about the effect per se, but about the emotional effect this layering creates. I will admit to being brought to tears by this track on more than one occasion.
Erykah Badu
New Amerykah
I’m including this album, even though it’s not new, it came out in 2007, simply because it’s new to me. I’m not sure why I lost track of Erykah Badu, having been a huge fan of the first two albums, I think it’s more of a case that she lost me. Anyways, I’m back on board, and this is a classic rn’b album, in the vein of D’Angelo’s Voodoo. It’s rooted in simplicity. Each track really homes in on a vibe and sticks with it. It’s a mood piece. There’s not much in the way of verses or chorus’, more just one long linear song. Lots of vamping on an idea, and thank god the ideas are solid.
CSS
Donkey
A band I’ve been hearing about so much, it was simply time to check them out. Not knowing the album that made them huge, I can say that this is certainly a strong followup. Clearly no slump happening. It’s a classic new wave synth pop record. Girl/boy vocals, a shitload of hooks, heavy synths, great lead guitar lines. I’ll admit that I’ve been jogging regularly to this album. It’s high energy, and highly addictive.
Lykke Li
Youth Novels
Yet another pretty young female Swedish pop singer. But so much more. This album is all about the production, and it’s exactly that that gives you a sense you’re listening to Debut by Bjork. Very solid songwriting, wrapped in the absolute best packaging available. It’s very eclectic, a mixture of electronic and acoustic instruments, and a polarizing girlish voice.
Posted on Thursday, March 12th, 2009 at 1:13 pm by Casey and is filed under News.
