THE KOOKS - "KONK"

I for one, am ecstatic that The Kooks return with their sophomore record. The mean age of the members of the Brighton, England band is now roughly a ripe 22, and even though this record is slightly less ramshackle than their 2006 debut, 'Inside In/Inside Out', they maintain sounding young and exuberant. If anything, reaching legal drinking age (well, in our country, at least) has brought a degree of musical refinement. You can hear how they've gotten better at playing, at arranging, and at writing, while not forgetting how to have a good time. It's a fun, spirited effort that could be a nice fixture on your iPod this summer. June 2nd should be a rambunctious night at The Vic when The Kooks come back to town.

BLACK FRANCIS - "SVN FNGRS"

Black Francis, or Frank Black, or Charles Michael Kittridge Thompson IV (did you know that's his real name?), or whatever you want to call him...returns with a new album. Well, there's 7 tracks, clocking in at about 20 minutes...so, close enough to a full-length album, at least.
He resurrected the Black Francis persona in 2004 with the monumental Pixies reunion, after he had laid it to rest when the group disbanded in '93. Then, just seven months ago, he released 'Bluefinger', his first disc as Francis, and now this. Some people are talking that whether he's recording as Frank or as Francis makes a significant difference, and that if an album comes out under one persona, it would have a distinctly different sound than the other. That may be true on a very small scale, but to me, the only difference between the two characters exists solely in head of Charles himself, and that all of the music (at least to me) sounds in one way or another, like Frank. Or Francis. Whichever.
To me, what's most interesting about the disc is the method of release. Francis told his record label, "hey, here's 7 new songs. I want to put it out.". In the old days, the label would say, "Well, come back when you have about 5 more, to make a complete record". But not anymore. It's been released as-is, almost like stream-of-consciousness music making/releasing. I see this as the way it's all heading. Since traditional forms of distribution are out the window (even though you CAN indeed get this on CD), why shouldn't a band or artist just come up with their latest batch of songs and get them out there?

SOUTH - "YOU ARE HERE"

I've grown accustomed to becoming excited for every new release by the London group South. Ever since their 2001 record 'From Here On In', I've found their ever-evolving brand of electronics, instrumentation, and arrangement a nice atmospheric listen. "Headphone music", that's the best way I can describe it. The stuff you get lost in, not pound your fist in the air to.
That said, this record is an even more pronounced step in the advancement of their sound, as it's the most organic I've heard from them yet. Before, South's music was known to feature prominent synthesizer washes of sound, and anything played with strings went through loads of effects pedals. On 'You Are Here', the guitars are simpler and cleaner, and we can throw in the 'ol "stripped down" cliche, too. But this IS South, afterall..and even with less use of electronics, the music still manages to be aerial, with no shortage of good melody.
Quite noticeable, too, is on the opening track "Wasted", where singer James Cadbury's voice is effected in a very tinny, Beatle-esque manner, just like how John Lennon's does on "Love You Too", or "Tomorrow Never Know" from 'Revolver'.
South returns to town with a gig at the Abbey Pub on May 5th.

Happy listening!
cheers,
pogo