July's Mediocre Opinions

Of Montreal - Sounds like a tamer, updated version of the Pop Group or the Slits (or both – I always get those bands mixed up). Although the vocal cuteness reaches some ridiculous levels (cuts 5 and 9) and – let’s be honest - nobody needs an 11 minute pop song no matter how catchy the melody is, overall this is pretty good batch of melodies. Oh, sure the name is annoying, but maybe it’s all part of what I have to assume is intentional humor in the name of the album and the names of the songs. This is actually something I might listen to again, although I anticipate that nobody but Jenn will like it.. 3

The whatever, the whatever, the whatever – Second installment of D’Arcy’s three name band collection. Better than the first one, although I think I was the only one who tolerated the first 3 name band CD. Great start to this record. Cakewalk is a great album opener and while this bogs down at times, I’m a sucker for this kind of plaintive singing. Understated in the same way Okkervil River is, this CD grew on me. I don’t totally love it yet the way I thought I would when I heard the first song for the first time, but it’s one of the better CDs of the year. 4

US3 – Word from people I work with is that the first song was a hit. It certainly is the best of the lot. I guess this is supposed to be jazz infused hip hop, but I don’t really get it. Hip hop is hip hop and with my suburban white boy sensibilities, I just can’t get around to embracing it. 1.5

Walt Mink – I think I'm supposed to like this. Got great reviews and usually I at least get what Mike M sees in something, but this didn't do it to me from the very start. Maybe I gave up too early on it, but I usually know if I like a guitar rock record right away and it just didn't do it for me. Maybe I'll re-visit it later, but for now... 2.5

Randy Newman is interesting, but I can only take so much irony in one sitting.

I’d want to produce the next Neil record becaue I don’t think there would be a more interesting person in the rock world to work with.

Best CD of 2007 - Off the top of my head – Two Cow Garage

Best book - Johnny U: The Life and Times of John Unitas