KT’s new record is indeed drastically fantastic (it was too easy). Unlike her last record which clearly reflected her influences of folk, pop, rock, jazz, and blues this record is more focused and a mix of pop, electro blues and rock. This record is more balanced between the vocals and the music while the debut centered largely on her vocals and lyrics.
This record is once again produced by Steve Osborne (he handled production on KT’s debut record as well as acoustic extravaganza). There are plenty of moments when listening to this record where I catch myself nodding my head and saying Yeah! (hand clapping included). In fact, it’s the little touches like the stomping, hand claps and tambourine hitting that transforms creates the energy of the record.

Little favors- a great opening track and really sets the stage for the new record. KT really pushes herself musically to be bigger than ever- more guitars, more vocal layers and more vocally experimental.

If Only- I love how this song flows melodically in the first chorus. “Looking at the stars for the answers but all that you found was silence and dirty ground”. Ouch!

White Bird- This is the weakest song on the record. I find it too repetitive.

Funnyman- I love the guitar parts- almost flamenco like. When she enunciates the line “You said you feel like a bruise on a beautiful body” I swoon.

Hold On- this is one of those GREAT first singles that gets released. It has a great chorus, catchy percussion, fun, and engaging. Its in the same vein as “Suddenly I See” but magnify that by 5 times. The hand clapping is so addictive.

Hopeless- seems a little too polished and the tempo should be a little faster. I was at the show where she debuted the solo live version and it is drastically different from the recorded version. But, there is an edge.

I Don’t Want You Now- This is another one of my favorite tracks off of the record. There is some sort of vocal filter that is used and it makes her voice more raw and raspy. There are also great layered acoustic guitar parts. My favorite line in the song is “But you’d already advertised that I’d slashed the tires of your one man show”. At the end, you can hear a tambourine hit the floor- like they band just completely walked away (just like from the relationship).

Saving My Face- another pop rock number .

Beauty of Uncertainly- this is one of the solo numbers that I can see her play during her shows. Its intimate and quiet.

Someday Soon- For some reason, this reminds me of a Simon and Gartfunkel type song and sounds like a restless summer day.

Paper Airplane-
This is a nice closing track with a lot of flutes.

Basically, this album rocks as I’m sure the live versions of these track will.

Video for Hold On:

I Want You Back (Jackson 5 cover):

Listen to:

Hold On
Funnyman
I Don’t Want You Now
Saving My Face
Someday Soon
I Want You Back (Jackson 5 cover)

Pitchfork Gives Music 6.8

I find great pleasure when i discover newly pressed copies of The Onion in random places in LA. It means that said store has credibility. Moving on… The above article was featured on the front page. Needless to say i found it mordantly funny- the whole process of telling people what to listen to why certain records suck and giving records a rating (eg. 7.4 vs 9.1). What makes a band go from a 7.4 to a 7.5? too many predictable notes? trite uses of the word the? I’ve read pitchfork on a few occasions and found it far too serious and the writers to have their heads up their own asses. I also realize that this is ironic considering that Audio Taco is a music blog. Who am i to talk right? Well the difference is that i love music. You won’t see record ratings and i won’t write up a “review” for a record that i don’t like (i will only write recommendations). This blog exists to shed light on artists that i think should be heard. Its pretty sad these days that a horrible review is better publicity than a glowing one. Okay im gonna get off my high horse now and listen to the new KT Tunstall record.

Robots. check
Robots In Disguise. check.
Pop Art. check
Noel Fielding (from The Mighty Boosh). check
Chris Corner (from IAMX and sneaker pimps). check

im a fan of all of the above so combined it made for a killer video from London’s electro pop duo Robots in Disguise. Gotta love the whole comic book feel of the characters as well as the art.

if you like what you hear i would listen to:

DJ’s got a gun
DIY
Turn It Up

Due to the cancellation of the Pet Shop Boys show at the Hollywood Bowl, Ladytron has announced a free show at Hollywood and Highland 8pm on 9/27/07 at 8pm
Find more details here

I’m there. are you?

Placebo is one of those bands that has been around for a while and has a huge fanbase all of the world. I grew up listening to Placebo and Brian was my Jordan Catalano. Today, they remain one of my favorite bands. Teenage Angst, a single off their self titled debut album was release in July of 1996. It features Brian with longer hair. The concept is simple- features teens with hidden emotions, frustration, uncertainty- identity issues, struggling to break out of their restraints, very my so called life. There is so much red in the video that it reminds of of a womb.

The acoustic version of this song is equally if not better. Listen/ watch it

His obit can be found here

He did a great duet with Lou Reed on one of my fav. songs of all time “Perfect Day” from the Pavarotti and Friends show.

IAMX - Behind The Scenes

Add to My Profile | More Videos

There is footage available for viewing for IAMX’s upcoming dvd/ documentary which documents their journey through the past year as well as upcoming UK/US/Canada and European dates.

IAMX’s Tour Dates are as Follows:

EUROPEAN TOUR TICKETS

Sept 13. BERLIN, MAGNET SOLD OUT
Sept 14. BERLIN, MAGNET
Sept 21. LIVERPOOL, ACADEMY (14+)
Sept 22. GLASGOW, KING TUTS
Sept 23. MANCHESTER, ACADEMY (14+)
Sept 24. BIRMINGHAM, ACADEMY (14+)
Sept 25. CARDIFF, THE POINT
Sept 26. LONDON, ISLINGTON ACADEMY (14+)
Oct 03. HAMBURG, UEBEL & GEFARLICH
Oct 07. WIEN, ARENA
Oct 08. BRATISLAVA, ZRKADLOVY HAJ
Oct 09. GRAZ, ORPHEUM
Oct 10. MUNICH, BACKSTAGE
Oct 11. INNSBRUCK, WEEKENDER CLUB
Oct 12. FRANKFURT, O25
Nov 17. LUXEMBOURG, DEN ATELIER
Nov 18. PARIS, TRABENDO
Nov 23. FRIBOURG, LE TRANSFORMATEUR

US/CANADA TOUR TICKETS

Oct 15. PHILADELPIA, NORTH STAR BAR (ALL AGES)
Oct 16. BROOKLYN, MUSIC HALL OF WILLIAMSBURG
Oct 18. BOSTON, GREAT SCOTT
Oct 19. MONTREAL, PETIT CAMPUS
Oct 20. TORONTO, THE MOD CLUB (19+)
Oct 22. DETROIT, MAGIC STICK (ALL AGES)
Oct 23. CHICAGO, DOUBLE DOOR (21+)
Oct 24. MINNEAPOLIS, 7TH STREET ENTRY
Oct 26. DENVER, BLUEBIRD THEATRE (16+)
Oct 27. SALT LAKE CITY, THE URBAN LOUNGE (21+)
Oct 29. VANCOUVER, PLAZA CLUB (19+)
Oct 30. PORTLAND, DOUG FIR LOUNGE (21+)
Oct 31. SEATTLE, CHOP SUEY (ALL AGES)
Nov 02. SAN FRANCISCO, BOTTOM OF THE HILL (ALL AGES)
Nov 03. LOS ANGELES, EL REY THEATRE (ALL AGES)
Nov 06. DALLAS, CLUB DADA
Nov 07. HOUSTON, ENGINE ROOM
Nov 09. ORLANDO, THE SOCIAL
Nov 14. NEW YORK CITY, BOWERY BALLROOM

Listen to
IAMX