Lots of good stuff --

The full length Raveonettes disc is 13 shots in 33 minutes.  They mix a big 
time Jesus and Mary Chain influence with a dose of pop smarts on par with 
Garbage and early Blondie.

Shelby Lynne's new one (out today) is the true follow up to I AM SHELBY 
LYNNE.  No b.s. outside producer -- Shelby writes everything and plays many 
of the instruments.

Ola Framby -- ordered this from Not Lame.  Swedish one-man band.  In the 
vein of Martin Gordon/Radio Stars, Phil Judd (Split Enz/Swingers), 10 CC, I 
even hear a bit of The Boys.  Clever and sharp.

Tallulah -- a local Chicago soft-pop band with three female vocalists -- the 
primary lead singer Amy Warren is special and their harmonies are awesome.  
The first five songs are stunning.  At times it sounds like The Roches 
singing Cardigans songs.

Hawksley Workman - just got his newest, LOVER/FIGHTER.  Not as off-the-wall, 
in-your-face as his second album.  A couple songs hit immediately, but this 
will need more time to sink in.

Jericho -- Popboomerang just released a comp of this Aussie band, featuring 
Danny McDonald, of P76 fame.  It's interesting to hear how he's evolved -- 
what ideas he's refined and what ideas he's discarded.  If you're a fan of 
his P76 or solo stuff, buy this.

Today I picked up a 2 CD James Brown compilation (50th ANNIVERSARY 
COLLECTION).  I could never swing for the box set, but the 20 song greatest 
hits seemed skimpy.  This fits the bill for me.

One other interesting disc -- Alan Lomax's AMERICAN POPULAR SONGBOOK.  
Rounder culls songs from Lomax's field recordings that were popularized by 
rock artists.  So you hear authentic renditions of "Sloop John B", "Black 
Betty", "Midnight Special" and some of the tracks Moby worked off of for 
PLAY.  Nice concept.

Mike Bennett

NP:  V/A -- YOU'RE STILL YOUNG AT HEART (Shelflife records comp)



Record reviews and more at http://fufkin.com

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