Month: November 2008

The Fingertips Q&A: Mike Reisenauer of Pale Young Gentlemen

The latest edition of the Fingertips Q&A features a pithy chat with Mike Reisenauer, lead singer and pianist for the excellent Madison, Wis.-based ensemble Pale Young Gentlemen. Mike answered the five questions directly, without a lot of throat-clearing–you’ll get some good insights, and it won’t take you long to read.

The Gents have been twice featured on Fingertips–in September ’08, and in November ’07. The band’s new album, Black Forest (tra la la), was released in October on the Madison label Science of Sound.

Free and legal MP3: Fred (jaunty, endearing Irish band)

“Running” – Fred

This song is not about running for political office, but it should be; I think we’d be in great shape if candidates went about their business with this exact sort of wacky, good-natured, earnest, interconnected joie de vivre. (Listen to that goofy-wonderful violin in the intro for an immediate sense of what this is going to be about. The violin plays with the trumpet and sounds like it’s trying to be a trumpet; the sound they manage to make together has a lot to do with the song’s success.)

Needless to say, joie de vivre has not generally been a characteristic of American political campaigns, which have instead over time been all but vanquished by nastiness and amorality. And yet it makes no sense. Why have we for so many years trusted people to work in our legislatures and run our states and our country who behave like playground bullies when they’re out there seeking our votes? (And oops I’m not really talking about the music, am I.) But: is this the year that something…changes? All I know is that finally, someone–in fact, That One–had the courage and vision to try a different approach on a vast, unprecedented scale, running on positive energy and a belief in our actual name: the United States. If you didn’t personally prefer him or vote for him, I don’t understand it (seriously: have you listened to him, really and truly?), but that’s okay too. On this side of things, we criticize based on facts, and we don’t demonize the opponent, or his or her followers. And we will see soon enough if there is, in fact, any hope left in–and for–our country.

In the meantime, Fred: an exuberant quintet from Cork City, Ireland with a knack for bouncy music–jaunty melody, great “oo-oo’s” in the background, horn charts, endearing vocalist–and impish album titles. There was Can’t Stop, I’m Being Timed in 2002; We Make Music So You Don’t Have To, in 2005; and now, Go God Go, which came out on Sparks Music earlier in the year in Ireland, and will be released here in February ’09. This is where you’ll find “Running.” (Note that Go God Go was released digitally last month, for those who can’t wait and don’t need plastic and liner notes in their lives.)

Free and legal MP3: Future Clouds and Radar (solid, inscrutable, wistful; R. Pollard meets M. Penn)

“The Epcot View” – Future Clouds and Radar

Last year, Robert Harrison, ex- of the Beatlesque Texas band Cotton Mather unleashed Future Clouds and Radar on an unsuspecting world—a sprawling, double-CD debut widely praised by critics for its overflowing, multifaceted psychedelic pop. Personally, I’m not sure I heard anything on that album as cogent and immediately appealing as “The Epcot View,” which sounds like the work of someone not trying quite so hard to be overflowing and multifacted anymore.

With its thoughtful mien and sweet, inviting melody, “The Epcot View” sounds a bit like “Eve of Destruction” as written by Michael Penn, with Robert Pollard making revisions. The song is not without its oddball flourishes—I like the abrupt jazz-rock break at 2:24, and the sci-fi guitar effects that follow—and the lyrics remain as inscrutable as any self-respecting Guided By Voices song, but there’s something so solid and reliable at work here that I am thoroughly charmed. Plus, the idea of an “Epcot view” has an immediate connotation that gives me a narrative handhold, even if I’m still puzzling through the rest of the thickly-written lyrics.

This time around, Future Clouds and Radar is being billed as a four-person band; last year, the group was presented as a loose ensemble masterminded by Harrison. The band’s second release, Peoria, is out this week on its own Star Apple Kingdom label. MP3 via Pop Matters.

Free and legal MP3: Champagne Riot (soaring power pop w/ neo-’80s sheen)

“Scandinavian Warfare” – Champagne Riot

“A lot of bands these days seem to be either scared of or not good enough at writing good songs,” says Caspar (yes, just Caspar), the somewhat mysterious Berlin-based Dane who records as Champagne Riot. He finds this particularly ironic given that today’s production techniques allow songs to sound better than ever. Caspar himself, on the other hand, aims to write really good songs without in fact fussing too much over equipment and such. He apparently does what he does with little more than a Roland MC-307 groovebox (which is a DJ tool) and a couple of old guitars. “My focus is very much on creating simple and melodic music, and getting the most out of the primitive equipment I have at hand.”

Not that “Scandinavian Warfare” sounds primitive by any means; this is one smooth piece of power pop, with a grand neo-’80s sheen (sweeping, orchestral synth lines; robotic dance beats). True to his intention, Caspar delivers glorious melody in three places: verse, chorus, and the recurring synthesizer riff. It’s nothing complicated; he works nicely with two basic types of alternations–an alternation between major and minor chords, and an alternation between a faster (verses) and a slower (chorus) melody. And I think the man is selling his equipment short a bit—he’s obviously got a decent microphone up his sleeve somewhere, as the pleasing timbre of his impressively elastic voice (often double-tracked) comes through with warmth and clarity.

“Scandinavian Warfare” is a track from Champagne Riot’s debut EP Paris and I, which was released last week on Shelflife Records. MP3 via Shelflife. Thanks to Chris from Music of the Moment for the lead. And don’t forget to vote, even if you have to wait in line.