album of the week: 3.3

Hideki Kaji
Sweet Swedish Winter
(2013)

why you'll love it: more of a stripped down, modest approach to pop songs.  feels very real
why you'll hate it:  lacks energy and catchiness


Longtime pop composer, Kideki Kaji has a love affair with pop music from Sweden that I can totally relate to.  Due to the language barrier, I can't tell if he understands the fantastic bitter and maudlin undertones of Swedish pop songwriting; but on the surface, it's still some of the most enjoyable music out there.  Hideki has make a carrer out of bringing the fresh and confident attitude that most Japanese artists have with the heartwarming and comforting feeling Swedish pop has.

Despite making such a big deal of this Japan & Sweden crossover on this album, as opposed to any other album of his carrer, Sweet Swedish Winter doesn't exactly capture the essence of Hideki Kaji all that well.  Up front more than anything, the songs don't have much of zing to them.  Hardly any memorable hooks or motifs.  I was bored through most of this album.

I also think making a cover song the title of your album and the first track sets a bad precedence.  I don't mind him doing a cover, but making it the centerpiece of the album sends a message that the rest of the material is comparatively weak.  Also ending an album released in late February with a Christmas song?  The last thing I want this time of year is Christmas music!

You don't have to track so far back to find much better works by Hideki Kaji.  Even his previous album, Blue Heart (2012) was much better than this one.

album of the week: 3.2

Yo La Tengo
Fade
(2013)

why you'll love it: Well crafted, subtle moody chill-out jam music.
why you'll hate it: vague and disposable, same thing over and over


Sorry for the lack of depth in the Godspeed review.  I'm aslo sorry for what's to come in this one.  Yo La Tengo and Godspeed share a commonality with me.  They're both bands I respect a whole lot, and can tell they are skilled and proud musicians who deserve all the success they receive   It's just that neither of them seem to draw anything out of me.  Godspeed has the grandiose "bigger than you and me" composition down, but their material doesn't paint much of a picture in my brain beyond "vast whatever".

Yo La Tengo has been around a long time.  They're from my home state of New Jersey.  They've always stuck to their guns proudly.  I want to like everything about them, but Fade comes and goes just as their entire discography has, no matter how honest of a shot I give them.  I can't remember a single line or hook from this album once it finishes.  In the moment, I admire the patience and care they have for their songwriting, but have never felt the need to go raving about it later.

Yo La Tengo offers a whole lot of ammunition for me to tout how significant and brilliant they are, but in the end, I'd just be massaging my own ego; using their credentials to make myself seem more legit.  I must be honest, I'm not swept away by this band, only in love with what they represent.

Fade is most certainly an album worth your time.  Up to you if you find it necessary to ever revisit.

album of the week: 3.1

Godspeed You! Black Emperor
'Allelujah! Don't Bend! Ascend!
(2012)

why you'll love it:  a grittier tone to the sound, but same epicness
why you'll hate it:  we don't need anymore Godspeed

Saw The Night Marchers last night.

They were pretty fuckin' good!  You should totally see them too.