Arts :: Music
Out on CD by Brian Jewell
contributing writerWednesday May 28, 2008
Climate Change
Kate Clinton
Whyscrack
Some stand-up comics lose their edge as they get older, relying on shtick and indulging in easy jokes. Not Kate Clinton. On her eighth comedy album (and in her sixtieth year) Clinton is in rare form, and her timing and delivery have never been better as she ruminates with bemusement and sharp insight on everything from gay retirement homes, Republican scandals, designer dogs and the Bush regime. Current events is Clinton’s specialty, and the bulk of her ever-changing act is made up of her observations on American culture and politics, observations she delivers like gentle sucker punches: she’s so nice and folksy, and she makes cute jokes about cyberdykes, then wham! She’s raking Larry Craig and Dick Cheney over the coals. True, her material is so topical that by the time it makes it to CD it can feel less than fresh. But if you’ve heard these topics joked about before, you probably haven’t heard them handled with such charm and wit. This disc isn’t dated; it’s another greatest-hits collection.
No, Virginia
Dresden Dolls
Roadrunner Records
This is a collection of B-sides and other rarities, but since the Dolls have as much talent in one tub of pancake makeup as some bands have on their entire tour bus, No, Virgina is a coherent and satisfying album. Not as good as their previous two, true, but satisfying nonetheless. Perhaps it’s easy to be coherent when the Doll’s signature punk-cabaret sound is so minimalist - comprised almost entirely of Amanda Palmer’s voice and piano and Brian Viglione’s drums, with the occasional bit of guitar (and even organ on a fun cover of "Pretty in Pink") - but the ability to paint big and complex pictures with a limited color palette has always been part of the group’s appeal. Palmer’s voice can match a million different moods, and the duo can churn out pounding tunes, like the mental ward talent show "Dear Jenny" and the zippy "Lonesome Organist Rapes Page Turner," as easily as a sleepy ode to their home in the Hub on "Boston."
Trash, Rats and Microphones
Heloise and the Savoir Faire
Yep Roc Records
Wash down a fistful of Smarties with a frozen margarita, put on your shiniest clothes, and chase the sweet spot between disco and new wave with this fun, fizzy disc. Is it that Heloise sings like Deborah Harry, or just that her electro-rock outfit’s modus operandi sounds like Blondie’s? Either way, the combo of rock guitars, shimmering synthesizers and playful lyrics is a classic formula. And though the synth synthesis hasn’t really gelled on a few forgettable tracks, the disc’s buoyant energy and giddy dance fever make it a winner overall. It’s clear the band doesn’t take itself too seriously, especially on the humorous "Members Only," a faux-tragic tale of being on the wrong side of the velvet rope. Other highlights include a guest appearance by none other than Debbie Harry on the pulsing "Downtown" and the pop nirvana of "Disco Heaven," which not only adds delicious electro touches to classic soulful disco, it also has the cheekiest invitation to party I’ve heard all year: "Forget your hair shirts/forget your prayers/forget your good book/now take off your underwear."
Brand New Frame
Natalia Zukerman
Weasel Records
This album left me wishing I knew more about folk and roots music so that I could really praise it properly. Hopefully it’s sufficient to say that although I regard most acoustic singer/songwriter CDs that cross my desk with a combination of hope and dread (and dread usually wins out), I was enthralled with this latest effort from our own Zukerman. Blending elements of country, folk and blues, Zukerman spins out songs of wonderful clarity and simplicity. The instrumentation is generally sparse, putting the focus on her impeccable guitar playing, clever songwriting and unique voice. As talented a songwriter as a musician, Zukerman has a flair for blending cleverness and pocket wisdom in lyrics like "This town is like New York/but only six doors deep." I thought there was something familiar about her honey voice - Dolly Parton meets Ani DiFranco? - but the real point of comparison is that she sounds like an artist who’s fully realized, fully present, and should be headed for big things.
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