The Mountain Goats – Heretic Pride – 4AD

The Goats finally seem to be getting the recognition they deserve, if the number of interviews about this album with lead Goat, John Darnielle, is anything to go by. The last two albums, The Sunset Tree and Get Lonely, were dominated by themes – Darnielle’s relationship with his stepfather and the loss of a lover respectively – but Heretic Pride is theme-free. This has loosened things up somewhat and the songs are more varied in tone, pace and content, ranging from out-and-out rockers to the wistful.

There’s a wider range of instrumentation too, either because they’ve got more resources these days or they’re more comfortable in studio, though Darnielle apparently remains of the “less is more” school. You still get his image-laden lyrics though, particularly in Tianchi Lake, his tenderness in San Bernardino, and who else would write a song full of savage delight about a heretic being killed for his beliefs, thereby living his life to the full? Not everyone’s cup of tea but, if you like The Goats, they’re getting better.

Bettye Lavette – The Scene of The Crime – Anti- 86873

With all the buzz around Duffy and Amy Winehouse, it’s high time for a listen to a soul singer who’s been around for decades but only just received the recognition she deserves.

Bettye Lavette’s career was always full of promise but blighted by bad luck and perverse decisions by record companies. Thanks to a French enthusiast, one of her early recordings finally saw the light of day and that eventually led to the current collaboration with The Drive-By Truckers which is a story in itself.

So what about the music? Bettye’s vocals are raw and emotional and she achieves an incredible intensity on every track. All the songs except for The Battle of Bettye Lavette are covers as she sees herself as an interpreter, rather than a writer, of songs. Just as well, perhaps, because The Battleis the weakest track on the album. You may be surprised to see Elton John’s Talking Old Soldiers on the track listing but it’s one of the highlights and the backing by The Truckers and some Muscle Shoals notables doesn’t miss a beat. Available on vinyl with a free album down-load from Diverse Vinyl.

Magic System - Ki Dit Me - Capital 509995040202

Very interesting album in many ways. As the group has become more popular, many of the tracks have had a pounding bass or bass drum playing on the beat, as if to make it clear to all the white people where the beat is. And there is a bit more Zouk in this than before. So these are the bad points about this.

On the other hand, the vocals are even denser, and more anthemic, than ever, with an exultant joy conveyed by the way the group voices - and their multiple tracking until they are often a huge choir - are arranged; not quite harmoniously, because I doubt that they're using our scales.

And there are a couple of very experimental tracks in which there are attempts to incorporate the broken beat ideas being worked on by some London DJs into Zouglou mid-paced 6/8 rhythms. Unfortunately, these experiments have involved the beat, particularly its broken elements, being adhered to rigidly, thus losing the flow and inspiration that their music has had in the past. This is very disappointing for me, because I can almost imagine how this idea could work and be glorious. But in popular music these days, even a failed experiment is worth a hell of a lot. And perhaps they'll get it right, next time.

So this is an album on the edge - and pulled into the past as well as into the future. Sure is interesting to listen to! - AM

Signs of Life?

Just when I think this blog has finally died, someone breathes air into its collapsed lungs.  Strangely, Allan Moss has also sent me another of his erudite offerings, so that'll be along shortly.  We stagger on, apparently.