Picks of the Week
In this week’s picks … music for strippers, a recording by a conductor-composer and a rockabilly powered indie-rock band.
KRISTEENYOUNG, Music for Strippers, Hookers, and the Odd-Onlooker (Test Tube Baby Records)
We were introduced to pianist/singer Kristeen Young by Tony Visconti. Bowie’s longtime producer brought the track “He’s Sickened By My Crude Emotion” to our studio on his recent visit. It left us wanting more. Fortunately, Young sent us the whole CD, entitled Music for Strippers, Hookers, and the Odd-Onlooker, with a note saying that her goal was “to make the piano a true rock n roll instrument again.” Mission accomplished. Tough and ironic, with a voice like Kate Bush with a serious case of road rage, Young delivers the musical equivalent of a blow to the head. – picked by John Schaefer
Esa-Pekka Salonen (Los Angeles Philharmonic with Yefim Bronfman), Salonen (DG)
For the past 17 years, Esa-Pekka Salonen has been the music director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic -- but he’s always said that first and foremost, he’s a composer. A new recording of his works shows he has a real ear for colorful and unique sounds, as on the piece “Helix.” There’s also a growing sense of playfulness in his Piano Concerto, with soloist Yefim Bronfman. (Note: Salonen leaves the LA Phil this month to become a full-time composer.) – picked by Brian Wise
Obits, I Blame You (Sub Pop)
The Brooklyn-based band Obits is the new project from Rick Froberg, a San Diego transplant who fronted two cult favorites in the indie world: Drive Like Jehu and Hot Snakes. The new group carries on the smash-mouth garage rock of the latter band, but a little post-punk sneaks in on the song, “Run.” The debut, called I Blame You, has a rockabilly feel throughout, especially on a reworking of the Kokomo Arnold blues standard, 'Milk Cow Blues.' Download the track 'Pine On' below. – picked by Joel Meyer
