songs:illinois

A couple weeks ago I wrote about Larry McMurtry’s new anti-war song about Cheney called “Cheney’s Toy”. I was hard on it, in part because of the expectations I had for the song and in part because of the song’s missed opportunities. I didn’t have those same expectations for David Wilcox’s “Falling For It”. I kind of assumed it’d be another sappy guilty pleasure but that’s not the case.

David is a great singer and acoustic guitar player, I’ve characterized him in the past as super sensitive and I think that’s accurate. He lives up to some of the stereotypes of the wimpy folk singer. But I’ve always loved his stuff.

His new record Airstream is just him and his acoustic guitar. On the song “Falling For It” he makes a good case for why we should be protesting this unjust war in Iraq. Buy both the new record and a new live dvd at What Are Records?

Falling For It

“Rusty Old American Dream” from Live At Workplay DVD on What Are Records?

I’d been meaning to write about Jim Bianco, but never got the chance to share his music. He’s one of those L.A based, Hotel Cafe type guys. That’s not meant completely derogatively, although that scene is a bit incestuous and the singer-songwriters that miss the mark stylistically sound woefully bad. But don’t worry Jim hits it.

On this song he takes on the role of an obsessed underground cabaret singer and practically oozes sensuality and desire, all of which he’s captured on the video for the song (with fetish model Courtney Cruz). The Tom Waits comparison is the obvious starting point for a number of reasons, but Jim’s got his own sound and unique delivery. Jim Bianco will appear at the Parish on March 13 as part of The Hotel Cafe SXSW showcase. I’ll see you there?!

I Got A Thing For You

“I Got A Thing For You” (NSFW)(w/International fetish model Courtney Cruz)

I’m not a big fan of swearing in my personal life, but when it’s used just right in a song I think it works. For one thing it makes an artistic, almost philosophical, statement; like giving the proverbial finger to commercial radio and automatically pissing off the religious right.

But I like Brendan Hines’ song, “Miss New York”, for more than just the f-bombs. I like it’s portrayal of both New York City (name drops Tompkins Square and Washington Square) and LA (“texting and sexing”, “run-thru’s and jet blues and beach volleyball”, “sunglasses, free passes and come see my band”). If mp3 blogs are indeed vehicles for songs, this one surely should go to the top of some blog chart or other; it’s taken from Brendan Hines forthcoming record Good For You Know Who. Brendan’s record release party is December 19 at Hotel Cafe (where else but the epicenter of LA’s singer-songwriter scene?!).

Did I say unsigned? Yes unsigned!

Miss New York

P.S. And btw if you want the scoop on what’s happening in the latest installment of the Terminator series than Brendan’s your guy for that too, see he’s a Hollywood actor as well and is currently filming the next episode.

I don’t think Sara Melson is the second coming. But someone from Nettwerk obviously does and I genuinly respect what Nettwerk thinks. Sara’s Nettwerk debut, Dirty Mind, is due out in February. Coming from the label that brought us Sarah Mclachlan this signing makes sense. Sara’s song’s are likable and catchy; she’s not shy about having a catchy chorus and her swirling guitar wok gives the songs just enough sonic interest.

“Hardpressed” is the obvious single, but it’s “Anywhere, Anytime” that may be the clincher. Dirty Mind is due out Feb. 26. I believe these are polished demos and maybe not the real thing but I like `em.

Hardpressed
Anywhere Anytime