Get Your Fix: Album Reviews by the CoolJunkie Staff

July 9, 2008 11:40 AM
by Marcos Colón [email]

Albert Hammond Jr. - Como Te Llama?
by: Marcos Colón

When Albert Hammond Jr. decided to pursue a solo project in 2006 it came as a shock to many. Why try his hand at solo success when The Strokes had pretty much conquered all by then? His 2007 release of Yours To Keep received praises from the majority of rock snobs, although the riffs and melodies drew heavy comparisons to The Strokes’ sound. With an album already under his belt and a band that’s developed more experience, he’s back to give the dreaded sophomore album a try.

On Como Te Llama?, Hammond took things in a different direction, all the while still producing songs with consistent melodies and charming rhythms that will be sure to get feet tapping. The unique title, meaning ‘what’s your name’ in Spanish, was thought up after a casual conversation between Hammond and drummer Matt Romano over a glass of vino tinto. The signature riffs and experimental vibe from Yours To Keep definitely isn’t found on Como Te Llama?.

On Borrowed Time Hammond conjures a strong reggae vibe that quickly shifts into a squeaky clean pop chorus. His lyric book doesn’t come short either. Drawing inspiration from everyday occurrences, topics shift from complicated love to the frustrations he croons about on the albums single Gfc, [I want my frustrations/To know that you are all right/Now what I was doin’/You played a fool]. Other tracks to pay a close ear to are Victory at Monterrey, Bargain of the Century and the beautiful instrumental track Spooky Couch.

Fans of The Strokes can definitely take this album in as an appetizer while the boys finish up their hiatus and get back together early next year. For now, hats off to Como Te Llama?, a true rock and roll production. This effort will definitely fully propel Hammond Jr. into singer/songwriter status. Hopefully some of this will rub off on the next Strokes album.

Girl Talk - Feed The Animals
by: chipi

Gregg Gillis is a nerd. The former Biomedical Engineer was able to quit his day job and tour as Girl Talk full-time after Pitchfork gave his third album Night Ripper one of their rare glowing reviews, officially dubbing him the next generation in experimental laptop work. While this Pittsburgh, PA DJ's last album was an instant party-starter, it seems the pressure of an expectant audience of both critics and spectators alike has muddled with his kegger mentality.

Feed the Animals while bad-assly available online as a free download feels over-thought, for lack of a better word. With over 300 samples and a broader range of musical genres to work with, Gillis is taking himself way too seriously. Granted, there were a few conceptually amusing moments on Night Ripper, the disc still
felt like a house jam - something you could throw on and dance to without thinking too much about it.

With Feed the Animals, Gillis' artistic ambitions repeatedly get in the way of taking the party to full throttle mode. It feels like a disc you could play comfortably in your car or at home, but not necessarily the CD you're bringing with you to the party that night.
That being said, Gillis' technical proficiency and creativity is undeniable, he is the master of the mash-up and has been getting the kind of exposure most DJs dream of.

The performance value certainly goes a long way, any time someone strips down to their undies with most of the crowd on stage with them, bouncing up and down and
sweating it out to the music, you've usually got yourself a hit. But all semi-nudity aside, any DJ whose blending together Britney Spears "Gimme More", Air "Sexy Boi" and Ludacris in the same 15 seconds and making it work has definitely got that special something.

Hopefully Girl Talk's next disc will return to the Hip-Hop and R&B base on each track that kept the mixes danceable, while holding on to some of his more brilliant cross-genre mash moments.

Cory Chisel - Cabin Ghosts
by: Marcos Colón

It’s funny how much impact a strong voice can have. The melody can be a bit weak, lacking or it can just not work, but if there’s a booming voice that strikes a cord inside, everything’s alright.

Luckily this isn’t the case for Appleton, Wisconsin’s Cory Chisel…the melody that is. Releasing his first six-song EP, Cabin Ghosts, Chisel’s rumbling voice packs an emotional punch to the chest rather than the ear. Backed his band, The Wandering Sons, the EP is a pure blend of folk-country and Delta blues.

Recorded mostly at a live concert in his hometown and live at Robinhood, his family’s cabin in Elco, Wisconsin, the rich Americana sound that he grew up with is a major influence on Cabin Ghosts. Backed by guitars, banjos, keyboards and even a slide guitar, Chisel’s deep raspy croon brings everything together.

On tracks like Home In The Woods, See It My Way and On My Side, catchy and cheerful choruses create charming sing-along odes to love and friendship as Chisel’s clever word play match up perfectly with the vibe that The Wandering Sons put out. The highlight on the EP has to be Lovers and Friends, an ode to relationships that has Chisel crooning, [One day I’ll be gone/And I won’t be there to tell you the truth].

Looking a bit like Jacob Dylan, but definitely more talented, Cory Chisel’s setting himself up to be a big name for folk music today. Although his tour’s filled with cities like Oshkosh, Rockford and Morrison, it should be no time before he starts targeting and conquering the major markets. Stay tuned.

Fred Everything - Lost Together
by: Michael Maryanoff

With all of the ear-splitting electro house being churned out nowadays, it’s nice to hear an album that reminds you of a time where house music amounted to little more than Frankie Knuckles spinning French Kiss alongside James Brown seven inches. Fred Everything’s new artist album Lost Together, is above average as far as artist albums go. It’s definitely produced for home stereos and not nightclubs, but still maintains some degree of danceability (a quality many artist albums lack). The considerable amount of guest vocalists the album boasts, featuring such names as Roy Davis Jr. and Lisa Shaw, really adds to the soulful feel of the album.

There really isn’t a bad track on the album, but at the same time there isn’t anything that will have you jumping out of your seat. Some notable tracks are Here I Am, a down tempo track with a wonderful Lisa Shaw vocal, the funky but subdued Mercyless, and the delightfully deep Lost (Together).

In a world of minute long snare rolls and teeth-rattling kick drums, Lost Together manages to pique one’s interest without getting too bland. Simply put, Lost Together is great soundtrack for an 8 a.m. post-club cigarette or a pre-dinner cocktail hour, but it won’t evoke much more than a smile or a bob of the head (which isn’t necessarily a bad thing).