The Severed Cortex

I'm way behind on recently purchased music so here's a couple of short ones.

Elvis Costello - My Aim Is True. What can you say about this one that hasn't already been said. Elvis is backed by Clover (basically these guys) and while that is certainly different than The Attractions, I still like it nonetheless. The big knock on this one is that it's too pop and I suppose that's a little bit true. Still, it contains Elvis classics like Watching The Detectives, (The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes, and of course Alison. You can't argue with Alison being one of the greatest songs ever. Who amongst us hasn't met someone named Alison and sang My Aim Is True in their head? It also contains a half dozen other great pop tunes. All together it's one of the bright spots in music released in the late seventies when disco ruled the scene.

Fishbone - Still Stuck In Your Throat. This is the first real release of new material from Fishbone in over five years and it's like they've returned to their early nineties heyday. This one sounds a lot like The Reality of My Surroundings or Give A Monkey A Brain, which is of course a mish-mash of ska, punk, reggae, and just plain, freaky, weird, out there, indescribable music. With horns. If you haven't listened to Fishbone before then let me warn you. This is not for the weak of heart because it's mostly misogynistic and overtly sexual. They even do a cover of Sublime's Date Rape if that gives you any indication of where they might be coming from. The band does sound outstandingly tight on this even though the production is sort of hit and miss. What separates Fishbone is apparently their live show which I've never seen. Those that have seen them live tell me it's unlike any other. Of course, they're not touring anywhere close to Saint Louis.

Vieux Farka Toure - Vieux Farka Toure. I know virtually nothing about World music. For the most part I can tell the difference between Bulgarian Folk Music and Ladysmith Black Mambazo, but that's about the extent of my knowledge. However, Bob Boilen from NPR's All Songs Considered knows more about it and when I heard a couple of cuts from it on the show, I was hooked. I've had this CD since it was released back in January, but I let somone borrow it and I completely forgot that I had loaned it out. When it was returned to me last week, I put it back in the rotation again. I still like it. Yes, you can say that all this kind of music sounds alike, and I guess it does at times, but it's also extremely artful, passionate music too. I find myself singing the lyrics even though I have no idea what they say or mean. This release includes two songs that Vieux recorded with his father Ali. If the Wiki quote from Scorsese is true that Ali is the link between the music of Mali and North American blues music, then Vieux clearly comes from exceptional musical lineage. Most of that is borne out in the songs on this disc. I like all the songs here, but Courage is probably my favorite.

The Clarks - Let It Go. The Clarks may possibly be the best rock and roll band that you've never heard of. That's because they seldom stray too far from their Pittsburgh roots. And since the Steel City isn't exactly the music mecca of the U.S., The Clarks have remained Pittsburgh's best kept secret. The Clarks are not revolutionary by any stretch of the imagination. There's no prog rock, no improvisational jazz, or any of that stuff. Instead you've just got good old American midwestern rock and roll. They write pop songs about love, relationships, and life with just enough cleverness and smart aleck to make it impossible to not like them. This was released in 2000 and is loaded with great songs. The one that got me was Chasin Girls mostly because of the lyrics.

Well the society is pretty sad
when any half-assed jock can make a million bucks
when all his brains are in his cock
and balls go hand in gun
like Kurt Cobain and the disenfranchised youth
if I could crash that party I could make a million bucks too
I've been chasin' girls
I've been drinkin' beer
I've been gettin' stoned all year.
I've been livin' large
I've been hangin' out
I've been learnin' how to pout

While Chasin Girls is probably the most smart aleck song on the disc, there's plenty of other good lines scattered throughout. Honestly, every song on here is a pop gem in much the same way that early John Cougar Mellancamp albums are. It makes you wonder why these guys aren't big mainstream stars. I guess it's because they're too smart for the masses. Highly recommended.