Month: March 2014

The Coathangers – Smother

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The Coathangers (Minnie, Crook Kid, and Rusty) are an all female punk rock band out of Atlanta, GA. Their third album, Suck My Shirt, is chock full of bite sized, fast hitting tracks. The songs aren’t that complex (hey, it’s punk) but what draws me in are their voices. Rusty and Minnie sing in two very distinct styles: one rough gravely, the other softer and more controlled. Individually or together it works for me. “Adderall” has that raw sound that makes me wince. I can only imagine what her throat feels after belting that one out. The vocal style on “Merry Go Round” does a 180. It reminds me so much of a young Kate Pierson. Maybe it’s a tip of the hat towards Athens? The Coathangers are a blast and my pick for the week is the track “Smother”. Turn it up loud, give it a listen, and let me know what you think.

 

The Coathangers – Smother

Rattlesnake – St. Vincent

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Posting “Rattlesnake” by St. Vincent from a self titled album that dropped late last year.  St. Vincent (aka Annie Erin Clark) has had an interesting career so far. She’s been a member of Polyphonic Spree and performed with Sufjan Stevens, The Mountain Goats, and David Byrne. “Digital Witness” has been making the rounds on commercial radio and you should definitely check it out. “Rattlesnake” written after her walk through the Texas hill country (sans clothing) was interrupted by an actual rattlesnake.

Rattlesnake – St. Vincent

Space Captain – Joe Cocker

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Oscar week came and went. While I don’t pay much attention to these festivities, one particular nominee was hard to avoid.  Idina Menzel and “Let It Go” has to be one of the wickedest ear worms to arrive in recent memory. No question the girl has a set of pipes, but the sound is sickly sweet. Too perfect. It’s even harder to avoid if you have any contact  with children under the age of 13. I needed a pick this week like a full on cleanse. Nothing like a little raspy Joe Cocker to scrub off that syrup. Here is one of my favorite tracks from Mad Dogs and Englishmen, “Space Captain”.
Space Captain – Joe Cocker