What We're Listening To - 9/30

It's Tuesday afternoon and that, of course, means it's time for this week's grand-spankin' edition of What We're Listening To. This is our weekly rundown of the music currently easing us through life's little highs, lows, gym workouts and hangovers. On the menu this week, we've got: Halou, Chairlift, Living In A Box, Santogold, Omara Portuondo, and T.Rex. Check it all out below the fold...




Halou—Halou

For 10 years, the band Halou has been working in the electronic underground, mixing dream pop and trip hop tropes in their own unique sound. The new self-titled album is markedly less atmospheric, and tunes like "Clipped" and "Professional" are almost punky. They return to their trip hop/dream pop roots in songs like "Seabright" and "Evensong", which features ex Cocteau Twin Robin Guthrie on guitar. Ryan Cosebloom's soundscapes are full of surprises: live drums competing with electro-beats, haunting synth passages underscored with buzzing, distorted guitars, a flash of a cello part. Rebecca Cosebloom's vocals are pretty--an expressive soprano that's unafraid of being manipulated. But I *love* her lyrics. They're carefully crafted observations, economical yet poignant and funny at the same time. - Craig

Chairlift—Does You Inspire You

Sometimes when I'm running low in the bank account, instead of saving, I become some kind of spendthrift who can't resist buying up a clothing store if the girl at the counter is cute, or buying whole albums on iTunes if they ask me if I want to "Complete [My] Album" at a discount price. This week, rent is due and my account is low, so I bought this Chairlift album, Does You Inspire You, on iTunes. You've probably heard the single "Bruises" on the latest iPod Nano commercial - it's a catchy little number that perfectly describes most of my romantic affairs. Most of the other songs have the same pleasant co-ed vocals, but are not as iPod-liciously upbeat as "Bruises." Don't be scared away by the melancholy sounds of the other songs, though, because the music is twinkly and somehow calming. The woman's voice reminds me a bit of Cat Power, as does the tone of the album - pleasantly unhappy. - Stephanie

Living In A Box—The Very Best of Living In A Box

Living in a Box lead singer Richard Darbyshire’s voice turns me on. I admire guys who can scream expressively and on-key, and his singing is so growly and husky, mmmm. Forget a box, I’d like to keep Richard in a cage and make him sing for me on demand, and…what’s that? Too much information? And a little scary? Well, suffice to say, Living in a Box is great as long as you’re a fan of explosions of peppy synths, controlled guitar squeals, and those deep, delicious Darbyshire vocals: the best blue-eyed soul of the '80s this side of Peter Cox/Go West. “Living in a Box”—a song all apartment denizens can appreciate—was the biggest hit, but “Blow the House Down” is even better, and “Gatecrashing,” “Love is the Art,” and “Scales of Justice” should have pushed this band to stardom. Darbyshire went solo, but hasn’t released any music in nearly a decade—what a waste! - Philip

Santogold—Santogold

I don't want to tell people that my music tastes are shaped by Gossip Girl, but it turns out they are. The music director has included several songs by her on shows this season, and that has inspired me to download the whole album — and I love it all, which is surprising, given that I almost never listen to whole albums. It's trippy and cool and has become my new workout soundtrack. - Ms. Cavanaugh

Omara Portuondo—Buena Vista Social Club Presents Omara Portuondo

Last week, I professed my love for Buena Vista Social Club and how Ibrahim Ferrer is my official "Sunday Morning" CD. Well, for the last few weeks, Omara Portuondo has been my official "Kitchen" CD. When I get home from work and want to decompress in front of the stove, Omara is right behind me, caressing my shoulders and helping me chop vegetables. I'm fairly certain at this point that she is the ultimate sous chef. - Ben

T.Rex—The Slider

Last Christmas, I bought a really sweet record player in Pittsburgh and since then I've amassed a collection of about… five records. (So now you know what to get me for my birthday…) Anyway, one of the first albums I bought was T.Rex's The Slider, because I had always heard so much about them and had friends who were fans, but never really checked them out. Well, now I can say it's pretty easy to see why this album is considered a 70's glam rock classic. It rocks with almost reckless abandon. It swings. It's bluesy. It's soulful. It's weird. It's glam. It's dramatic. And it's my new favorite Saturday morning hangover cure, because, as it gently kicks you in the ass, it reminds you of the fun you had on Friday, and gets you ready to do it all over again. - Rocky