Trax
By Bliss 07/16/2009
THESE UNITED STATES, Crimes (self-released):
(3 stars out of 5)
The hard-touring Kentucky quintet’s loose, earthy jam-band feel and rambling poetics give them a shaggy accessibility that’s most agreeable on “West Won” and the carnival romp “Honor Amongst Thieves.” Emotive frontman Jesse Elliott’s lyrics sometimes collapse under the weight of his literary allusions, but their ambition keeps things interesting. Should appeal to Fleet Foxes, Ray LaMontagne and Grateful Dead fans. theseunitedstates.net.
THE INSOMNIACS, At Least I’m Not With You (Delta Groove):
(3.5 stars out of 5)
Portland’s Insomniacs manage to sound au courant yet unabashedly inspired by pre-’60s jump blues and swing. Improving on their 2007 debut, “Left Coast Blues,” frontman/guitarist Vyasa Dodson and his road-seasoned quartet cheekily meld humor, rollicking style and energy (Alex Shakeri’s Hammond organ and piano playing are particularly noteworthy) for an infectiously danceable 13-track platter, thankfully devoid of the self-conscious worship that torpedoes too many contemporary blues outfits. Refreshing. myspace.com/insomniacsblues.
WATCHA CLAN, Diaspora Remixed (Piranha):
(3 stars out of 5)
The Euro club faves follow last year’s chart-topping “Diaspora Hi-Fi” with this collection of remixes by the likes of TransGlobal Underground and DJ Click. Based in Marseilles, Watcha Clan draws from myriad influences: Arabic, Balkan, Indian, Mediterranean, drum ‘n’ bass, dub, reggae. EarthRise SoundSystem’s remix of “Goumari” would fit comfortably alongside Issa Bagayogo’s Malian electro-folk, while Spark gives the same song a more disturbing, martial cast. Unimaginative criticisms that they lack cohesion miss the point: a wide-ranging worldview that strives to embrace common grooves on the dance floor despite differing backgrounds. At California Plaza in downtown LA Friday night. watchaclan.com.
LORD T & ELOISE, Chairmen of the Bored (Aristocrunk Music):
(3.5 stars out of 5)
“We own the throne, and we’re still putting on heirs.” Thus Tweeted these flamboyantly costumed Memphis “aristocrunk” pretenders to the dirty South throne, whose act’s as much about comedy as hip-hop. Slamming tunes like “Dance Move” and “Palm Beach” sound like ho-dissing hip-hop as usual (“In the hot tub with the bubbly/ Fat girls comfort me/ And I stick to their honey like a bumblebee”), but clever satire spikes their sleek-riche surface. The paparazzi-fleeing “Gettin’ Richer” namechecks Whitney, Lindsay and Britney, while the rapidfire “Lord T and Eloise” is wittily self-referential and-revering. At West Hollywood’s Viper Room Thursday. lordtandeloise.com.
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