Megafaun

I'm a sucker for country music. I think it's because sad songs say so much, and even the cheery songs seem to have an element of regret hidden behind the smile.

Here's a list: Neil Young, Will Oldham, Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash, Hank Williams, The Band, Iron & Wine, Micah P Hinson, Lissie, Neko Case, Phosphorescent.....

.....and now, I give you Megafaun. Beard, banjo, harmony and errrm....horses?

http://stereogum.com/334322/megafaun-volunteers/mp3s/

Not so much 'neigh', as 'yay'. I am terribly sorry.

Lost Gems: Richard Davies - Telegraph

This is the first in an occasional series of retrospectives called Lost Gems, in which I delve through my record collection (think 'All Back to Mine' without the po-facedness of Sean Rowley) for music by generally forgotten artists.

First in the series is Telegraph, by Richard Davies. This album was released back in 1998 by the Australian singer who's maybe (ahem) best known for cult Aussie band The Moles, or baroque pop Cardinal, whose other member was one-album-wonder Eric Matthews. It's very much in debt to The Beatles, The Kinks and other 60's pop touchstones, but Davies' crooning Aussie voice steals the show, along with his inventive lyrics.

Opening track 'Cantina' is a propulsive start, but the rest of the album has a melancholic edge, and over time the instrumentation reveals itself to be layered. It's one of those albums that with repeated listening it really does bear fruit.

It's difficult finding out much about what he's up to 12 years on, but 2009 saw him collaborate with grizzled Guided By Voices mainman Robert Pollard in a project called Cosmos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-FpLaEmrik

I'd love to post a link to a track from Telegraph here but I can't find a link to any, so here's one from his days in Cardinal:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqGHRy6Dkto

If you can track down Telegraph, do. You won't be disappointed if you're looking for some sunny pop.

Album Review: Ted Leo and the Pharmacists - The Brutalist Bricks

"I'm so sick of cynics and I want something to trust in..."

After the over-long, and rather depressing, Living With the Living, Leo returns with the hope-filled new record The Brutalist Bricks.

With no Bush in the White House to bait, Obama's stint in the Oval Office has brought Ted and the boys out fighting, but in positive mode. From the multiple false endings of 'The Mighty Sparrow' through to 'Last Days' 12 songs later, the album grabs you and doesn't let go.

This is polemical, political guitar rock, laden with hooks and riffs, and despite some reviewers claiming that Leo's lyrics are verging on the clumsy and blunt, I defy anyone not to sing along with the plea for "I still want your heart beating on mine" contained in album highpoint 'Ativan Eyes'.