THANKS to Tris McCall for delivering this thoughtful review of HIGGINS’ Straight A’s for the NJ Star-Ledger:
Straight A’s
Higgins
(Serious Business)
Those familiar with the High Llamas will know what I mean when I say that “Straight A’s,” the new disc by Higgins, is to “Zs,” their last, as “Hawaii” is to “Gideon Gaye.” Kevin Fish, Higgins’ principal songwriter, will: He shares with the High Llamas an appreciation of the impressionistic side of the Beach Boys and the impish, provocative side of the Grateful Dead. “Straight A’s” lacks the splashy instrumental rave-ups that made “Zs” so much fun. But by sticking to Higgins’ true strength — subtly magnificent pop melodies, Beatlesque vocal harmonies and graceful arrangements that scream of perfectionism but never sound less than relaxed — the band has topped itself. Every detail is framed for maximum impact: the thumping piano on “Satch Lab,” the portamento synthesizers and fuzz guitar on “Easy Thing,” twinkling music-hall spinet and rich strings on “T and T,” rattling percussion and slow-decaying snare hits by imaginative drummer Brian Kantor on “Never Here.” The productions are grand, but quietly grand; Higgins lets the band’s craftsmanship speak for itself. If you’re the sort of listener who pays attention to detail — and has the patience to let an album unfold at its own pace — Higgins may be the group for you.
— Tris McCall
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126 plays
the unsacred hearts (feat. jaymay) Don’t Disappear from The Honor Bar
SBR54: A Halloween Single From Benji Cossa. What’s That Sound? / Burn, Witch, Burn
BOO! A Halloween single from Benji Cossa.
SBR54: What’s That Sound? / Burn, Witch, Burn
WHAT’S THAT SOUND? (Cossa/Walsh) [MP3]
That’s John Walsh on the ghosties and the garden rakes. He even threw in some lyrics, played some instruments and stuff. You might remember him from such hits as Between the Blue and the Green.
BURN, WITCH, BURN (Cossa)
Benji made this by himself whilst investigating the Salem Witch Trials.
[Flash 9 is required to listen to audio.]
21 plays
BENJI COSSA has begun a Tumblr. His first post is, of course, exquisite. Follow him.
benjicossa:
What walks on four legs in the morning, 2 during the day, and three in the evening? A bear who caught his leg in a trap? A deer that a hunter shot in the haunch or shoulder after rearing up on its hinds? A horse that was bitten on the leg by a scorpion during the day in the hot Arabian desert? No. A man. He crawls (not really 4 legs), then walks on 2, then uses a cane (also not really a third leg). When asking a riddle, you might as well ask, “What am I thinking of?” or, “Have you heard this one before?”. Otherwise, you’re not only being misled, but also in for a frustrating waste of time. And, might I add, this is coming from a guy who loves to guess things.
This is from when Joe and Dave and I wrote the Honor Bar’s title track in my office at Serious Business one year ago.
