Dads with everything, moms who refuse to make lists, and picky sisters create challenges when the gift-giving season rolls around. But never fear: Oklahoma Gazette is here to help you please everyone with something they’ve never heard.
TEENAGE BROTHER Whether in the throes of teenage rebellion or just hyperactive, it’s almost guaranteed that your bro will appreciate some loud, fast music. “The Monitor” by Titus Andronicus is easily the best punk album of the year, but he probably doesn’t own it because people mention things like “the Civil War” and “Bruce Springsteen” when they talk about it. “The Brutalist Bricks” by the criminally underrated Ted Leo and the Pharmacists is another winner that’s probably not in his iTunes.
TEENAGE SISTER Introspective? Emotional? Prone to bizarre outbursts? Still really cool because of and in spite of all those things? Your sister definitely needs “Live in London” by Regina Spektor, as the charming-yet-peculiar songwriter displays the best of her tunes in a 22-song, 73-minute release. “Beachcomber’s Windowsill” by Stornoway could make another gift, if she likes attractive British guys playing infectious pop tunes. And really, who doesn’t?
ECLECTIC OLDER BROTHER So he’s got weird taste? No prob. Surprise him with “I’m New Here” by Gil-Scott Heron (“The Revolution Will Not Be Televised”), which gives the ’70s spoken-word artist a Johnny Cash-style career revival. The album is a brilliant mix of folk music, spoken word and sampled sounds.
“Tango 3.0” by Gotan Project is another unique release, as it’s almost exactly what it claims to be. Tango rhythms aren’t what usually come to mind when a hipster says “dance music,” but the tracks flow together for a beautiful, haunting and absorbing listen.
HIP OLDER SISTER Does she listen to a steady diet of Sufjan Stevens and The National?
Even the hippest of the
hip may not have heard the brilliant “Magic Chairs” by Efterklang.
Falling between The Dirty Projectors’ moody experimentation and Arcade
Fire’s epic aspirations, “Magic Chairs” is a complex, layered work
featuring precise and powerful melodies that rewards multiple listens.
For
a less epic take on things, Blonde Redhead’s “Penny Sparkle” puts out
synth-heavy indie rock that’s long on mood and short on riffs.
FOLK-LOVING DAD If
he was raised on Simon & Garfunkel, there’s no reason to pass on
“Here’s the Tender Coming” by The Unthanks. The British folk group
incorporates barrelfuls of vocal melodies, harmonies and a capella
sections, making for a pristine, glorious folk record.
Back
on this side of the pond, “Break in the Clouds” by the
Colorado-via-Oklahoma outfit Elephant Revival will also thrill his folky
soul. In addition to smileinducing folk strummers like “What Is Time?,”
the disc includes Celtic vibes in its acoustic-heavy sound.
’80S-LOVING MOM “Contra”
by Vampire Weekend is basically the second coming of Paul Simon’s
“Graceland,” and I have it on good authority that “Graceland” was pretty
popular once upon a time. “Contra” is totally inoffensive musically and
lyrically, and yet it’s still way fun. She’ll love it. “Write About
Love” by Belle and Sebastian is a pleasant release that hearkens back to
charming ’80s/early ’90s pop like The Smiths, R.E.M. and The
Cranberries. Again, she’ll love it.
KID BROTHER/SISTER Because
you don’t want your siblings growing up listening to terrible music,
throw down some change for “Funky Fresh and Sugar Free” by Oklahoma’s
own Sugar Free Allstars and “Jungle Gym” by Justin Roberts. “Funky
Fresh” includes a Beatles cover and sounds — by the group’s own
admission — like James Brown funk. “Jungle Gym” has such solid songs
that it sounds like a lost Fountains of Wayne album.
Whether
snagging the “Lust for Life” rhythm for “New Haircut,” appropriating
Regina Spektor on “Sign My Cast” or aping The Apples in Stereo
(everywhere on the album), this is a fantastic release that would be
solid for adults with nothing more than subtle tweaks in the lyrics.
REALLY LITTLE SIBLINGS “Swimming in Noodles” by Jim Cosgrove is a silly and fun release that vaguely reminds of They Might Be Giants.
ANYONE IN YOUR LIFE WHO LIKES DANCE MUSIC Having run out of nuclear
relationships, the two best overlooked dance releases of the year are
“Black Noise” by Pantha Du Prince and “LP 4” by Ratatat. Both aren’t
massive club-thumping albums, skewing more toward low-key,
soundtrack-esque beats and melodies. “Black Noise” produces a more muted
take, augmenting the beats with warm synths. “LP 4” enjoys rhythmic
separation and a sense of drama, producing the more upbeat of the two.
But neither will be confused for glow stick-waving rave music any time
soon.
This article appears in Jan 12-18, 2011.