LaCrews Bookkeeping’s Blog

A review of The Flaming Lips and Stardeath and White Dwarfs with Henry Rollins and Peaches doing “Dark Side of the Moon” by Andrea Crews

On Christmas morning, Santa Claus left each of my kids an iTouch. The first thing that popped up on their screens announced that the Flaming Lips had released a remake of Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon” on iTunes. iTunes is great for buying that one-hit-wonder, but I’m old-fashioned. I like to hold and own the CD and read the liner notes while listening. I searched for the CD, but it only recently became available.

There’s a tendency to be skeptical when you hear about a band recreating a rock masterpiece such as “Dark Side of the Moon”. We’re talking about an album that remained on the Billboard charts for fifteen years, longer than any other album in history! A big selling point of this record is that there are fans like me who share affection for both The Lips and Floyd, and it does succeed in being a fun and suitably freaky tribute.

My husband classifies The Flaming Lips in the ‘science fiction rock’ genre. It works for the Lips to cover “Dark Side of the Moon”. And, no, Stardeath and the White Dwarfs are not two bands; they are one. Wayne Coyne’s nephew, Dennis Coyne, is the lead Dwarf. Dennis and two other Dwarfs (Casey Joseph and Matt Duckworth) once formed the core of The Flaming Lips’ road crew.

It’s a smart move to get other vocalists involved on the Lips’ version of Dark Side since Wayne Coyne’s voice is not what it used to be. However, don’t expect a lot from electronica-shock artist Peaches and the intense Henry Rollins. Poor Hank was relegated to the speaking parts. There’s a scene in “School of Rock” where Jack Black gives a student/back-up singer a copy of Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon” and instructs her to study “Great Gig in the Sky”. Peaches’ vocal is not as powerful as the original, Clare Torry, but she does a respectable job.

As recognizable as the original Dark Side is, you might not recognize parts of the new one. The Lips’ spin on “On the Run” is quite different from the original. “Money”, the most famous song on the album, has a new sound, too, probably to avoid direct comparisons and let the remake can stand on its own merits. You may have seen a very Lips-ish performance of “Breathe” a few weeks ago on the Jimmy Fallon show. “Time” is my favorite song on Floyd’s original; modern day alarms along with coughing and breath syncopations lead off the Lips’ version quite effectively. “Eclipse” is a bit minimalistic compared to the original version, but both are complete with a heartbeat ending.

Lots of us have heard the urban legend about Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon” and Judy Garland’s “The Wizard of Oz” movie. As it goes, you’re supposed to start Dark Side during the opening credits of the movie when the MGM lion roars. I played myth buster a few years ago, but I guess I should have been high when I did it. The experience was not much different than watching a sports game on TV while playing music on our stereo. Dark Side ends well before the Wizard does, and I wasn’t sure if I supposed to replay it until the movie’s conclusion. Anyway I got bored and pronounced the myth “busted”. You’ll have to find another movie to sync this one to.

I’m eager to see the Flaming Lips and Stardeath and White Dwarfs perform “Dark Side of the Moon” live at the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival in June. The Lips kicked ass a couple of Bonnaroos ago, and I expect another memorable performance. Give their new CD a listen, but don’t expect it to replace the original classic in your music collection.

In late 2009, I heard that Peter Gabriel was releasing a covers CD in the spring of 2010. “Scratch My Back” is out, and I spent some time last week listening to it. I own a Gabriel catalog dating back to the Genesis days, so I was biased before popping the disc in my player.

Unfortunately, I agree with a friend who characterized Gabriel’s latest release as “a dirge.” It is “unplugged” sounding and relies heavily on typical Gabriel synth/string arrangements reminiscent of “Family Snapshot” or “Biko” from his “face melt” album. I only wish it was that good. I miss his drum and percussion section.

Some songs sound like there wasn’t much rehearsal that went into them before recording. Case in point, his cover of Radiohead’s “Street Spirit (Fade Out)”. I was so excited to hear that two of my all-time favorite artists together: Radiohead’s song with Peter Gabriel’s arrangement and interpretation. Some things are better left to one’s own imagination. If you hadn’t before, you can appreciate Thom Yorke’s passion and vocal range when contrasted against Gabriel’s version. I love Peter Gabriel, but this song was painful, even embarrassing, to listen to.

That said, there are a couple gems on the disc. I never would have selected a Paul Simon song for Peter Gabriel to cover even though it might be obvious to others. “The Boy in the Bubble” is one of the highlights on this CD; it’s signature Gabriel. Also, Arcade Fire’s “My Body is a Cage” is another successful combination of two artists. If you didn’t know any better, you might think it’s an original song.

Review of Vampire Weekend’s “Contra” by Andrea Crews

You can’t help but think of Paul Simon’s “Graceland” when you hear Vampire Weekend’s music. When I first heard their smash eponymous debut, I immediately thought of Frisbee throwing on the campus quad. I don’t get that same feeling with “Contra”. There is a much stronger and pervasive Afro-beat, and I found “Contra” was not as easy or as fun to listen to. This more serious side of Vampire Weekend has layered more instruments and arrangements forcing the listener to take notice.

“Hochata” opens Vampire Weekend’s, “Contra”, and they seem to like drinking it. What is a hochata? Wikipedia defines it as “the name for several kinds of traditional beverages, made of ground almonds, sesame seeds, rice, barley, or tigernuts.” There’s always something new to learn, isn’t there? “White Sky” is reminiscent of the theme to “Darma & Greg”, but that doesn’t take away from the pleasant listening experience. Other highlights on the CD include “Holiday” and “Run”. “Contra”’s first single, “Cousins”, sounds like it’s the odd man out among the 10 tracks. The surf guitar sound is a bit out of place compared to the rest of the tracks.

No beer and Frisbee with your first listen of this CD. However, if you like Vampire Weekend, “Contra” won’t disappoint. If you aren’t familiar with the band, buy their last CD and give it a listen first. Check them out on the March 6th installment of “Saturday Night Live”.

Them Crooked Vultures’ Eponymous Debut CD  by Andrea Crews

Super Groups are back! Monsters of Folk, Broken Bells, 7 Worlds Collide, and, of course, Them Crooked Vultures.

Good music is good music, regardless of its back story. Them Crooked Vultures caught my ear when I first heard “New Fang” on the radio. I learned later that the band members in this Super Group are John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin (of course!), Dave Grohl of Nirvana and Foo Fighters, and Josh Homme of Queens of the Stone Age, respectively.

I admit to not knowing much, if anything, about Queens of the Stone Age. Grohl may be more familiar, but putting Homme on vocals was ideal. I’m sure this disc would have had a totally different feel, and market, if Dave Grohl had the lead vocals. Hear what I mean on “Mind Eraser, No Chaser” as he sings backup. I may have to revisit the Queens of the Stone Age catalogue now.

From the first track, “No One Loves Me & Neither Do I”, to the last, John Paul Jones’ mark is all over these songs. If you like Led Zeppelin and Cream, you‘ll like Them Crooked Vultures. The Vultures have managed to turn a familiar sound into something fresh that gets rock fans excited.

I’ve not heard nor read anything negative regarding this CD. Actually, “Them Crooked Vultures” ranks high on several 2009 “Best Of” lists even though it had only been out about a month before the year ended. My favorite songs are: “No One Loves Me & Neither Do I”, “New Fang”, and “Caligulove”.

Them Crooked Vultures are reported to be the musical guests on Saturday Night Live on February 6th. Check them out if you can. My fingers are crossed that they’ll be on the Bonnaroo line-up when it’s announced next week!

 What’s your opinion?