Hot or not: More very short reviews

We take a break from the bathroom blogging to bring you more 100-words-or-fewer reviews:

Phoenix
It’s Never Been Like That, Phoenix (Astralwerks, 2006)
“Long distance call” has a funky, playful sound that has forced me on several occasions to stop whatever it is I am doing in order to dance around. It’s one of those songs where there are absolutely perfect parts (starting at the beginning of the track until 45 seconds in, and then from 1:12 until 1:50) that are really delightful. It reminds me a little of Jamiroquai. Honestly, the rest of the song is a little irritating, but it still shines as a great song. Several other songs are great, like “One time too many” which reminds both me and Farrell of Spoon. Also a good record for outdoor listening whilst grilling and dancing with one’s honey on the deck. Come join us. We can also cook vegetables on that grill. And do-si-do.
–Trixie Honeycups

Self-Made Man
Self-Made Man by Norah Vincent (Viking, 2006)
Butch-y female writer gets idea: Dress as a man, infiltrate male sanctuaries (bowling league, monastery, strip clubs), then write about the difference between how men and women perceive, and are perceived by, the world. Though the results are sometimes gripping, the level of deceit entailed is, in the end, disturbing. Most egregiously, Vincent joins a men’s therapy group on a retreat, writing in detail about their private pain, struggles and loopy rituals without ever revealing her true identity to the men. As Janet Malcolm famously said, “Every journalist knows that what he does is morally indefensible.” Not every journalist, I’d argue, but Norah Vincent – yes.
–Lisa Parrish

The greatest band in Hoboken
The Sounds of Science, live performance by Yo La Tengo accompanying documentary films by Jean Painlevé, July 13, 2006
Dave Hickey defends Chet Baker and reveals something of himself in his essay “A Life in the Arts.” By characterizing Baker’s music as “white-boy blues” he both acknowledges his and Baker’s privilege and declares himself a fan nonetheless. Yo La Tengo is the VERY best of a particular kind of New York art rock. Following as they do from the
Velvet Underground to the Talking Heads to Sonic Youth to the very pinnacle of sound abstraction. Their performance in Prospect Park last week met and (with the addition of film) exceeded every expectation. BRAVO!
–Lane Twitchell

The freeform station of the nation
Hatch on WFMU, Sunday nights/Monday mornings, midnight to 3 a.m.
Late-night radio as it should be. The opening song always makes a statement; I knew hatch was serious when he started one night with “Anyhow I Love You” by Guy Clark, a shot of country heartache straight to the vein. Hatch is a virtuoso of transitions, moving from psych-folk to hip-hop to Latin while maintaining a consistent mood — spooky and sad, straight but sly, one foot in the grave and the other on the highway out of town. Every five tracks or so is one of the greatest things you’ve never heard. Download recent shows if you can’t stay up on a Sunday — but save them for a full moon.
–Dave B

2 responses to “Hot or not: More very short reviews”

  1. Anonymous says:

    basement door…

  2. […] Dave B on indoor heating Rachel Berkowitz on The Duke Spirit Lisa Parrish on Norah Vincent, Self-Made Man […]