4Play

March 30, 2005

Doves - Some Cities - Capitol Records
It’s been three long years since the Doves released their last epic album, The Last Broadcast, and although they’ve been touring, they’ve obviously also found time to do some pretty great songwriting in the meantime. This is a slightly smaller in scale album - meaning less bombast, more personal moments - but it makes no less of an impact, especially for fans of that hallmark Manchester sound. The guitars are still there, of course, but there are some new elements fused into the mix, including harmonica, strings, and more ballads than before - and the title track and several other songs are heartfelt looks at Doves’ British homeland, sending those messages across with such a well-thought-out combo of intelligence and rhythm that you’ll be both enlightened and entertained.


Thievery Corporation - Cosmic Game- ESL Music
Getting some help from a variety of fellow musicians (from a variety of genres), TC’s Rob Garza and Eric Hilton take you on a multi-cultural musical headphone trip with this set. By turns moody, spicy, soulful, and hypnotic, the duo and their pals take on roles as musical explorers, complete with quirky lyrics, evocative song titles, and tunes that meander just enough to keep you intrigued. Standout tracks here include “Marching the Hate Machines (Into the Sun),” featuring members of The Flaming Lips; “The Revolution Solution,” featuring Perry Farrell; “Doors of Perception,” featuring Gunjan; and the legendary David Byrne on “The Heart’s A Lonely Hunter.” This disc is perhaps one of the best meldings of electronica and world music out there today.

They Might Be Giants - Here Come The ABCs - Disney Sound
Sure, sure, it’s technically a kid’s CD. But fans of TMBG - and those new to TMBG who simply have an open mind and a fondness for slightly wacky but well-played tunes - will also enjoy this full-length disc from the NYC duo. Just as irreverant and catchy as John Flansburgh and John Linnell have always been, this collection uses the alphabet as the transition points between each zany song, both educating kids and entertaining adults in the process. Highlights (in non-alphabetical order) include “D is for Drums,” “Who Put The Alphabet in Alphabetical Order,” “Alphabet Nation,” “Flying V,” “Pictures of Pandas Painting,” and “Go For G!” - both ballads and pop-rockers make an appearance here, for a trip though the alphabet way different from any you experienced in school. It’s a light-hearted, fun, and clever pick, and another success for TMBG.

Jack Johnson - In Between Dreams - Universal Music
Surfer turned singer/songwriter Jack Johnson’s songs lend themselves easily to plenty of surfing metaphors. Hooks you could Hang Ten on. A voice as soft as the current. Melodies as sharp as a well-pointed board. Etcetera, etcetera. And, of course, with such unique beginnings, that’s what most reviews of Johnson’s work focus on. But if that’s all that’s seen, it would indeed be a shame. He does stick to the same formula on each collection - pleasantly drifting, relaxing tunes that stay on the mellow end of the pop spectrum - but he also gradually tweaks things with each turn, making his songs more concise and more apt to become something you’ll hum all day. He may have started out as a carefree surfer boy, but he’s definitely been putting some effort into his music, which improves with each release.