Sweet Nothings
Think of this post as nothing but filler until my next Record Bulletin, which will come with actual recommendations. Shortly thereafter my year-end list and crap essay will follow, hopefully with a guest contribution.
PERFUME GENIUS – Too Bright (Matador): Seattle mope master Mike Hadreas’s orchestral swells scored big with critics, though I think they’re merely enamored with solid queer-rock single “Queen,” in which Hadreas shows he has a humorous side, cutting at neocon homophobes by incanting “No family is safe / when I sashay.” CHOICE CUT: “Queen”
SHE & HIM – Classics (Columbia): Ever wonder what 60s masterpieces such as “Unchained Melody” would sound like were they retooled to channel the likes of Seals & Croft or Chicago by indie starlet Zooey Deschanel? No? You say you’d rather she did another middling Christmas album? Or that this was just original M. Ward material? B PLUS (*)