Review: The Spies - Televolution

The Spies - Televolution
2009, The Spies

Los Angeles quartet started out as a collaboration between long-time friends Leo Francis (guitar/vox) and Mark Matkevich (piano/keys/guitar/vox). With the additions of Adrian Barrio (bass) and Dylan Giagno (drums), The Spies have come into their own. Their sophomore album, Televolution, finds the band with a new rhythmic stability that was at times lack on Old Ghosts (debut).

Televolution opens with the tasty Pop/Rock nugget Bang, Bang; a highly danceable tune with a beat that's irresistible. This is the perfect way to kick off the album before moving into the slightly darker Televolution, which talks about the revolution being televised and out there before the world. While it lends the album its title, Televolution is probably one of the weaker tracks on the disc. National Pastime, on the other hand is probably one of the strongest. It's very well written with a catchy beat and a hook that's worth its weight in gold. You Got Some Nerve takes a little side trip in a slinky rock arrangement with an almost creepy keyboard part. This is a song that's likely destined to be licensed for a movie to television soundtrack; it's too good and too situational to be ignored.

Paper Trail is an ode to all those who have to "sweat it out", or work for a living. This sort of song generally only comes from a band with working class roots; it's well done Rock with an Americana touch and is likely to be a big concert favorite. Modern Oceans is a catchy bit of Folk/Pop tune that sounds like something Barenaked Ladies might have done for Maybe You Should Drive. The song itself is about folks who leave their worlds behind to help the less fortunate (i.e. missionaries, be they secular or otherwise) and the difficult tasks they face. The song is a little vague on details but is a pleasant listen. The Spies slow things down for Lavender, taking on a sleepy, melancholy feel in a song that gets a bit bogged down in its own quietude but ultimately breaks free in a brilliant bridge. Televolution does anything but fade to black with It Comes In Waves, the final track. The Spies go out like they went in; roaring and making you want to dance. It Comes In Waves seems to recall a relationship lost, but the music is so jubilant you can't be sad.

The Spies made a very strong first impression with Televolution. They range from ultimate Pop/Rock dynamos to melancholy wordsmiths and back during the course of the album, ending with an occasionally uneven but ultimately satisfying disc. There's some real songwriting talent here, and a knack for the big hook. To top it off, Leo Francis has a voice that's vaguely reminiscent of Elvis Costello in his heyday. That's not a bad trio of traits to have going for a band.
Rating: 3.5 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about The Spies at www.myspace.com/leofrancis. You can download MP3’s of Televolution through the band’s MySpace Page. CD’s are available, but no online outlet was noted at the time of this review. Try messaging The Spies through their MySpace page for CD copies.

Review: Elin Palmer – Postcard

Elin Palmer – Postcard
2009, Elin Palmer

Denver singer/songwriter Elin Palmer has been around the block of the music business a time or two. The Värmland, Sweden native has played in session or in the road with or in support numerous artists over the years, working with acts such as 16 Horsepower, M. Ward, The Fray, Munly And The Lee Lewis Harlots, Devotchka and Eric Bachman (Archers Of Loaf) among others. Palmer is a multi-instrumentalist with a heavenly voice and mischievous glint in her eye, all of which manage to come across on her solo debut album, Postcard. With an expected release date of October 23, 2009, there’s a lot of hipster buzz about Postcard. Let's check it out.

Palmer is noted as a “longtime hipster crush”. Not ever having been much of a hipster, I can’t tell you what that’s all about. What I can tell you is that as an instrumentalist, Palmer is extremely talented. As a vocalist, she has a quality that is just short of mesmerizing, depending on where in her range she is singing. The title track, Postcard, sounds like Tori Amos, Milla Jovovich and Kate Bush all got together and somehow combined their voices into one superwoman vocalist. The song isn’t bad either; it’s a busy- yet-powerful and emotional song with an old-world Europe feel. Paint didn’t grab me quite so strongly; it’s dark and a bit repetitive and fell a little flat. Stora Stoular captures some of that near-mesmerizing quality that Palmer possesses. The song is sung in Swedish, so I can’t even begin to tell you what it’s about, but the melody is gorgeous and there’s a cabaret feel to it that simply works. Balloons is a song about emotional connections (or the lack thereof). An average to above-average song is made better here by some lovely vocal harmonies. Duvardar is the best composition on the disc, hands down. The song borders on being too busy, but is carried by its sense of vibrant life and positive energy; not to mention a melody you can hang your hat on. Palmer closes out Postcard with Whaleboat, a sea chanty that seems to draw a bit from the Celtic tradition, although this one is dark and a bit listless. It’s actually an intriguing listen, but not my favorite song on the disc by any means.

Postcard is tough to call. There are some great moments here and some so-so ones. On the whole I think it’s a win for Elin Palmer and her fans. I don’t think there are really any bad songs here, but it doesn’t necessarily sound like she was planning to write an album; more likely just a collection of songs she’s written over time and likes for various reasons. There isn’t a good flow to the album. Nonetheless the songwriting is generally strong, and he voice is as intriguing as most anyone in popular music. Make sure you check out Postcard, and maybe send one to a friend.

Rating: 3.5 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Elin Palmer at http://www.elinmusik.com/ or www.myspace.com/elinpalmer. Postcard will be released on CD on October 23, 2009. If you can’t wait that long and don’t mind renting your music, you can pick up the downloads at Amazon.com.