Molina and Johnson

Add Date: January 12

Artist: Molina and Johnson

Album: Molina and Johnson

Label: Secretly Canadian

Genre: Folk

Comments: Despite the way they name their pairing, Will Johnson (of Centro-matic) and Jason Molina (of Magnolia Electric Co.) are far from the Loggins and Messina of our day. Molina and Johnson's self-titled release, courtesy of Secretly Canadian (home of Antony and the Johnsons, BLK JKS, and Jens Lekman, among others), is imbued with slow-droning folk and lilting Americana, a wonderful last-minute bid for a spot along with the rest of the "monsters of folk" (pun totally intended) of 2009.

Legend (or Spectre) has it: "Will Johnson approached Jason Molina at the merch table following a Magnolia Electric Co. Austin, TX show in September 2007, where they engaged in a conversation about hats -- favorite types and what's appropriate for the stage -- and, of course, pumpkins. Numbers were exchanged on tattered napkins. Contact was made within a week, and a straight face agreement to co-conspire was made."

Bonnie 'Prince' Billy fans rejoice, this record is fantastic, if you're in the mood to listen to some slow and brooding folk. "Twenty Cycles To The Ground" and "Lenore's Lullaby" are my favorites.

More Than Lights

Add Date: December 15

Artist: More Than Lights

Album: The Electric Prescription for All Your Funky Illz

Label: Self-released

Genre: Jam-band/Hip-Hop mezcla

Comments: A weird blend of hip-hop, blues, pop, big band tunes and a constant supply of beats make the debut album The Electric Prescription for All Your Funky Illz, by More Than Lights, an interesting--if not slightly confusing--listening experience. The mix of female pop vocals and toned-down rap, combined with a heavy bass, constant beats and the ample use of big band instruments, somehow combines to give the cd a very jam-band-esque vibe (the longest track, however, is still only 7 minutes). Ironically, it's not very electric (as the title would suggest), but the wealth of other musical influences more than covers all necessary bases. Tracks 2 and 4 (which is DNP) exemplify the interesting hip-hop/jam dichotomy, and 6 and 8 mix the poppy female vocals with the big band feel.

Norah Jones

Add Date: December 15

Artist: Norah Jones

Album: Chasing Pirates Remix EP

Label: Blue Note Records

Genre: Pop-rock, Jazz, Blues REMIXED (electronic)

Comments: Recent playlist favorite Norah Jones has two tracks from her latest cd The Fall remixed on this lovely bonus EP. There are two remixes of "Chasing Pirates"--the Santigold and Snotty remix turns the track into a heavier, lower-tone track, and the Droogs remix is a slower, fuzzier take on the tune. The one remix of "That's What I Said" by Adrock and Mike D is a sparser, but still creative, mix of the original, repeating and highlighting certain vocal sections. All of the remixes do a lovely job of maintaining the orginal integrity of the songs but still twisting them in interesting ways.

For comparison purposes, the original versions of both songs are included on the EP. Well worth a listen if you've been spinning The Fall (or are a remix fanatic).

Spoon

Add Date: December 8

Artist: Spoon

Album: Written in Reverse (Single)

Label: Merge

Genre: Rock

Comments: The new single from Spoon's seventh album--Transference, set to be released in early 2010--Written in Reverse features two versions of the title song (both the radio edit and the album version). It sounds, unsurprisingly, like Spoon--the same melodic, upbeat blend of percussion, piano and en-pointe guitar. It's a solid track, and perhaps the full album will have more surprises in store.

Top 5 Adds - December 8

A much smaller add week this time around, but a nice ending to a great semester. Here's the cream of this crop:

Clipse

Stellastarr*

White Fang

Dutch EP

Maria Vidal

Seneca

Add Date: December 8

Artist: Seneca

Album: Sweeter Than Bourbon

Label: West Pole

Genre: Pop rock

Comments: A fine Irish pop band who came onto the scene three years ago, Seneca have been pleasing ears across the Atlantic with their distinctive brand of soft-edged rock. Soaring melodies and sensitive lyrics in the style of Damien Rice or Snow Patrol color the songs on Sweeter Than Bourbon. "Sleepless Amazing" and "Clarity" are standouts.

Jack Splash

Add Date: December 8

Artist: Jack Splash

Album: Heir to The Throne Volume 1

Label: Body Music

Genre: Hip hop, R&B

Comments: On "Charlie Wilson," the opening track to hip-hop/R&B producer's mixtape, Her to the Throne Volume 1, Splash announes, "I used to want to be Tupac, like Weezy; f*** it I'm gonna just be me, that's so easy." Splash made his splash (I couldn't resist) with the group Plantlife and is not afraid to collaborate -- T-Pain, Kelis, and R. Kelly appear on this record, among others. Others, like Nas, Mos Def, and the Chemical Brothers have hailed Splash as a future hip-hop heavyweight with a funky and soulful edge. The songs on this record demonstrate his smart lyrics, electro-based production, and catchy hooks. Very good stuff, but be wary of the DNP tracks.

Nathan Blake Lynn

Add Date: December 8

Artist: Nathan Blake Lynn

Album: Who Said the World's Fair

Label: PH Balanced

Genre: Country/Bluegrass

Comments: Authentic country-bluegrass features on Nathan Blake Lynn's Who Said The World's Fair, his second release. Honest and earnest vocal storytelling (according to his biography, he writes historical fiction) and excellent instrumentation (fiddle, guitar, bass, mandolin and banjo galore) give this acoustic release an appropriately old-timey vibe without seeming forced or cliche. Legitimate country music fans, rejoice and listen (especially to tracks 2, 3 and 6).

Sweet Treats: Live Sessions from CJSW 90.9 FM

Add Date: December 8

Artist: Various Artists

Album: Sweet Treats: Live Sessions from CJSW 90.9 FM

Label: Self-released

Genre: Compilation

Comments: "University of Calgary's CJSW 90.9 FM has put together their annual fantastically packaged compilation of live in-studio performances just in time for the holidays. To say this release is eclectic would be an understatement, as it's chalk full of diverse songs. Sweet Treats has everything from the organ-based jazz sounds of Sinistrio to Sleepy Sun's bluesy psychedelia...With almost every genre covered CJSW's Sweet Treats is a release that is representative of the diverseness of college radio around North America" (Sunday Service).

On Disc One: Try the harmoica-driven psych-rock of Sleepy Sun's "Lord" (track 4), Miesha & The Spanks' harder, female-vocal-driven track "Harem" (track 6), or Githead's (featuring Colin Newman of Wire) track "All Set Up" (track 7), which is a catchy almost-prog rock effort.

On Disc Two: Start with the bluesy, authentic, gospely number "Run On" by The Sojourners (track 5), the creative, rock-backed hip-hop ditty "Her Daddy (Don't Like Me)" by Grand Analog (track 8), or "Do the Mental Twist" by the Myelin Sheaths, an old-school-punk-influenced, almost surf-rock jam.

In short--there's more than enough here for most DJs to find something new. Scan through and you'll surely find your genre.

Julian Lennon/James S. Cook

Add Date: December 8

Artist: Julian Lennon/James S. Cook

Album: Lucy (Single)

Label: Self-released

Genre: Pop-Rock

Comments: "Lucy," a duet by Julian Lennon (yes, John's son) and James Scott Cook (of the Kicks), is a track dedicated to and honoring the recently-deceased Lucy Vodden. Short and sweet, the track features harmonic vocals and a catchy hook, and perhaps even sweeter is the fact that proceeds from the song's sale will go towards foundations that research and raise awareness about Lupus (which affected Lucy). Well worth a listen.

Clipse

Add Date: December 8

Artist: Clipse

Album: Til the Casket Drops

Label: Columbia

Genre: Hip-Hop

Comments: Hailing from Virginia Beach, hip-hop due Clipse is back with their third album, Til the Casket Drops, a solid effort to follow up their critically-acclaimed Hell Hath No Fury. Although the album as a whole is less cohesively brilliant (we could perhaps due without "All Eyes on Me"), certain tracks are stunningly on point--"Popular Demand (Popeyes)", easily one of the best tracks on the album, has an infectious beat and ridiculous rhymes AND features Cam for a verse (RIP, Dipset)--put it on repeat. And just because the album isn't as hard or gritty as Hell Hath No Fury doesn't mean it's not great at being a more upbeat record. Production by the Neptunes (Pharrell features on "I'm Good") and DJ Khalil. Start with tracks 1, 2, and 6.

King Easy Radio Sampler Volume 6

Add Date: December 8

Artist: Various Artists

Album: King Easy Radio Sampler Volume 6

Label: King Easy

Genre: Folk, Americana

Comments: King Easy Records, a Nashville-based company that specializes in all things roots, folk, blues, and Americana, gives us this fine compilation of artists who immerse themselves in these genres. Dave Rawlings might be one of the more high-profile acts on this collection, and his band's take on "Bells of Harlem" is lilting and lovely. Will Hoge and and Chris Velan do songs on here that are more up my alley, but wherever you fall on the folk-country-bluegrass spectrum, there's something on here for you.

Nerami

Add Date: December 8

Artist: Nerami

Album: Four Songs (EP)

Label: Self-released

Genre: Pop rock

Comments: I won't fault Las Vegas' Nerami (nuh-RA-me) for listing "The Fray" and "Coldplay" as influences (at least they transcend the former), but I will take issue with their claim that the fourth song on Four Songs has a "poppy punch similar to Arcade Fire." What Nerami seems to lack, aside from any semblance of emotional depth, is a sound of their own. "West Coast" could be a tamer Matt Pond PA, while "Uninspired" tries to capitalize on whatever it is that makes Kings of Leon so adored by the masses (I'm still scratching my head about their more recent stuff). Still, this snapshot of the band's catchy albeit generic pop-rock tunes.

Stellastarr*

Add Date: December 8

Artist: Stellastarr*

Album: Civilized

Label: Bloated Wife

Genre: Rock

Comments: A favorite of former WLUR All Star Neil Sheaffer, the members of this fourpiece met while studying at the Pratt (hence, the pretentious *). Civilized is their third record and a fine one at that, filled with epic ruminations, poppy hooks, but a sound all their own. At times, I'd call Stellastarr* a poppier version of Interpol, with the chugging basslines and strange vocal quaver, but they sound like they're having a far grander time than Paul Banks and company. Even more impressive when you consider that music isn't a day job for any of the band members: one writes screenplays, one does graphic design, one is a "freelance Creative Director," and the last scores independent films (so I guess music is his day job, but not pop music).

A fine end-of-term addition to our playlist, start with "Freak Out" and "Numbers."

White Fang

Add Date: December 8

Artist: White Fang

Album: Whatever

Label: Marriage

Genre: Hardcore, noise punk

Comments: It's been awhile since my punk and hardcore days, so maybe I'm not the best person to review the unabashedly primal Whatever from Portland's White Fang, but this record is the group's eloquent statement against the things that bug them about the Portland community. The record has the raw energy and production quality that makes it sound like they recorded it in their garage (and they very well might have), the band calls Whatever, their second outing, "smiling confrontation, the showing of the fangs. This is not elitism or a boast of higher standing, but rather an attempt to encourage humble confidence to anyone who will listen."

Unpretentious and messy, I like "Duh" and "Bring the Light" a whole lot.

Dutch

Add Date: December 8

Artist: Dutch

Album: A Bright Cold Day (EP)

Label: Enemy Soil

Genre: Trip hop, pop

Comments: Jedi Mind Tricks' Stoupe (the Enemy of Mankind) and the wonderful vocalist Liz Fullerton combine to form Dutch, a new duo that, like its members, is part hip-hop/soul and part sultry female singer-songrwriter. Stoupe's production work with JMT and appreciation of classic soul is a fine match with Fullerton's sassy ruminations on love and other such nonsense. All of the songs are pretty great and the duo sounds like the strange hip-hop-fancying stepchild of Aimee Mann, Cat Power, and Portishead. Try "Just Before the Rain" and "Pearls," and watch out for the full-length some time next year.

Maria Vidal

Add Date: December 8

Artist: Maria Vidal

Album: Living in Radical Radiance

Label: Henhouse Studios

Genre: Electronica, pop

Comments: "Maria Vidal is a singer-songwriter-producer with a powerful voice and an enduring passion for making music. Her anticipated second solo album, Living in Radical Radiance, layers Vidal's instrumental vocals and soul-satisfying melodies into an emotional musical collage" (says Planetary).

Like me, you may be wondering how exactly vocals can be "instrumental." In fact, she has a fine voice and does use it to sing lyrics on all of the album's eight tracks. Vidal had a hit in the mid-eighties with "Body Rock" and a frequent contributor to big-name artists (Seal, Celine Dion, Kiss, and Cher to name a strange few of them). On her own record, she lends her nice voice to some relatively poppy but still mildly electronic-based tunes. Check out "What's the Matter" and "Love Hurts" for a sampling.

Best of the Weeks

The moment you've been waiting for...here are our best new adds.

For November 24:

Computer Perfection

Mr. Gnome

Jezabels (EP)

Arctic Monkeys (EP)

Paul McCartney (Live)

For December 1:

Family of the Year

Holopaw

Animal Collective (EP)

Dialtone

We Were Pirates

And be sure to check out WLUR's own Julie Slonecki's record, Borders, as it finally hits our playlist.

Pistol Whip

Add Date: December 1

Artist: Pistol Whip

Album: Terminal

Label: Smog

Genre: Rock

Comments: "Pistol Whip was the first ever punk band from Erie, PA, and their lone 7-inch on Endangered Species, released in 1977, is a scorcher and a prized collectible...Fans of punk luminaries the Clash, T.Rex, and the Cramps and more recent bands like The Busy Signals or The Exploding Hearts will only be wishing this band had released more material by the time they're done with this retrospective". Standard but catchy punk music; start with tracks 2, 3, and 8.