The Grouchy Gaijin's Thoughts on Music and Such

The other day we had a spike is our usual voluminous amount of email.  Part of this spike was a submission from the New York Folk Duo The Fools.

"This Brooklyn based duo plays simple songs that are often less than 3 minutes long. Their music combines understated melodies, angelic harmonies and powerful lyrics and speaks of truth, beauty, love, and light."  so reads their press kit.

The name of their debut album is lost and found.  My immediate reaction was "hmmm I don't like Folk much."  I thought it could be good folk, I like Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros.

Track 1:  The Lullaby -  I was surprised to hear drums on this track.  I'm glad they are there - I think I would have gotten really bored without the diversion. (Sorry guys I was ADD before ADD was Hip and given an H - I think I just saw a bird out my window - oh yeah, back to the review.

Track 2: The Dream - This is a mellow song.  It does strike me as Neo-Hippy mood music.  I think the words are supposed to be deep and undoubtedly if I were more intelligent I'd be grooving and nodding my head in approval.  As it is I keep wondering if there is going to be a guitar solo.  He seems to be slowing down so I guess the answer is no...the song does however convey a lot of emotion.

Track 3: The Great Whale - She counts off the song before the guitar starts strumming.  Is this a Tracy Chapman vibe I hear?  I can't understand what she is singing.  I get fragments - broken dreams - lose those tears - sunshine in all its glory.  This reminds me of Bruce Springsteen in anyone of a number of his songs mumble mumble my car mumble mumble New Jersey

Track 4: Cosmic Love - Now I am really bored.  It would be so much better if the guitar sounded good.  I feel that my mellow has been harshed.  Then there was a short chord jam in which she played the chords louder for a second before going back to  playing softly while moaning over the guitar.

Track 5: A Good Day -  Finally a song that has energy.  Its a Blues/Rock-a-Billy progression.  I like this song!  It has drums, a good guitar line even piano and hand claps  to help fill up the space.  Good job guys.

Track 6: Always Tomorrow - We are back to the slow deep stuff again.  The music sounds good though.  I like the guitar and the little riffs along the edges.  I find myself not listening to the words, but her voice sounds good on this track.

Track 7 - Open Door - I like the guitar a lot.  The vocals sound really good too.  This reminds me of The Band.  Good job guys.

Track 8 - For My Mother - There is some nice guitar work in this song.  I have to say I don't care for the song that much, but I'm not the intended audience.  What does Mom have to say about it?  This is a nice pretty song.

So what is the bottom line?  While I would not buy this album there are a lot of people who would.

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