Farces · Wanna · Mo · LJ

http://www.live365.com/stations/farces College shopping with my dad in, like September 1984. Dayton, Ohio. We ended up buying a van (customized!) instead of choosing me a college. Too many nuns at the college in Dayton, so probably a good thing -- although being in Dayton three years later when Forever Since Breakfast was released would have been kewl in a way. Back to the me and dad roadtrip: Fixx on the FM band signing about UFOs, asking if we are the pod people, after all. The synth lead sounds to modern ears like cymbals way overcompressed on the mp3 tip. Back then it was just sweet noize. I think this is my favorite Fixxsong. They had bigger hits, but this is weirder, punchier. On second thought, "Sign Of Fire" from that movie soundtrack is even better -- that movie with "Young Thing, Wild Dreams" by Red Rider that I never saw (and, sadly, never purchased the soundtrack for). Will have to track that one down and get that Fixx and that Red Rider in-loop. I don't think I have heard those gr8 tunes songs for over 20 years now!

http://www.live365.com/stations/farces I only have one Jens Lenkman album and I would not describe myself as a huge fan. Still, his mid-fi production is unique and charming. On "Tram #7" the distortion on the vocal sounds vaguely like the vocal distortion on the first Strokes record, but less on-purpose and more charming. He also has that exotica-in-a-box thing going that he has going on some of his other songs on the record I got (forgot title, something punny about being a dog).

At http://www.live365.com/stations/farces, we are playing a couple songs by Philadelphia recording artist Adrienne Hamilton this month. I discovered her thru a service called MusicSubmit. A couple things: (i) she sounds like a Tori Amos update; (ii) generally I don't like Tori Amos; but (iii) d**n this woman is good. I liked "Cornflake Girl" plenty, I guess, and this woman's album consistently hits that sweet spot, one that has not been hit by anyone in a long time. I think I may have a mild crush, which never happens to me from just music. Anyway, Adrienne Hamilton obviously puts a lot of attention into sonic and songwriting details -- the creativity is subtle, but it is there. In a way, she is like a running back that always takes it straight up the middle and always gains 4 yards, song after song.

My wife did the loop this month. So she has this "The Horse Song" by Iggy in there. This is my first time hearing it. Sounds like The Doors if Michael J. Fox had brought them an 80s Casio from a future which is now the past. Fine song. Iggy feels repeatedly. And he laughs a bit. Iggy. Tune in to hear radio as DJ Melsky would have it and does. Farces Wanna Mo radio. On LIVE365. Have a "Golden Day!"

This song has a unique mood. Sort past futuristic, like Esquivel. Stately and playful at the selfsametime. Thereminish keyboard ducking and weaving through a guitar figure as repetitive as the Fall, but precisely placed as Steely Dan. Franklin's vocals are very Mario Lanza or Al Jolson or Pavorotti or something. I think that is Tommy Larkins on drums -- been yoinks since I ditched the cd packaging, but I have a vague recollection and that put-your-good-ear-down-hear-right-by-the-snare-whil-I-hit-it-with-a-brush is quite telling. This song is a grower, rather than a dazzler. I would dig it if Franklin did a whole album of songs like this one. http://www.live365.com/stations/farces

Disclaimer: I don't really know what Mario Lanza or Al Jolson or Pavorotti sound like, but I think they sound old fashiony and well-enunciated. Will leave the comments open on this one in case any Pavorotti (sp?) fans need to set the record straight.

I usu. find the Fiery Furnaces brilliant, but with some kind of thin sheen, or edge of annoyingness. Or maybe "veneer" is a better word. I don't know if this quality pervades the whole of the volume of their dense, quirky, distinctive ouevre, or whether it is on the surface of it, because really music has no volume and no real surfaces. Anyway, this particular Fiery Furnaces song now playing in the Dec. 06 loop at http://www.live365.com/stations/farces is sans the annoyingness. Not overly dramatic. Sounds sort of like "Downtown" by Petula Clark.