I've been a fan of these guys since I first heard "Mr. Milk"...
...blasting from behind the counter at NYCD, the world's greatest record store, courtesy of friend of PowerPop Sal Nunziato, who now does business over at Burning Wood.
In any event, this new You Am I album was actually recorded in Bushwick, which for some reason tickles my fancy. And if it's as good as "Good Advices" it should be a hot one.
9 comments:
Thanks, Steve. Just what I needed to stir up the soup this morning and make me feel like Punkarella again. Didn't know these guys were still active. Guess I'll have to get some porridge and hotsauce. Wham bam, Doug Sahm.
VR - Jeff Lynne's ELO were fucking amazing last night. You must see them if they come your way next year. I've never been a huge fan, but Sandy is. We've seen them in the 1970's a few times. But never this good. Nearly got arrested at an early ELO gig at the Hollywood Palladium (they opened for Hot Tuna with Joe Walsh). Long story.
PORRIDGE & HOT SAUCE is one fine album, a bit harder-hitting than the three other albums of the band's I've listened to. YOU AM I, in general, and PORRIDGE & HOT SAUCE in particular fit into a power pop universe where Sloan and Odds and Paul Collins are stars. More rock than pop, sharp lyrics, and ... well ... songs.
What a great year for Aussie and New Zealand bands, too. Surf City (with JEKYLL ISLAND), Twerps (with RANGE ANXIETY), The Jungle Giants (with SPEAKERZOID), British India (with NOTHING TOUCHES ME), The Phoenix Foundation (GIVE UP YOUR DREAMS), and Courtney Barnett (with SOMETIMES I SIT AND THINK, AMD SOMETIMES I JUST SIT). All killer albums.
Oh, and Happy T-Day all.
Obviously influenced by Paul Replaceterberg.
VR
Happy Turkey, or Tofurkey, whichever may be the case. These guys sound good. I'm going to have to dig up that cd I bought from Sal I never really listened to.
Nice post. Mark mentions Courtney Barnett, whose Sometimes I Sit... is taking over my life like no other album in years. Listened to an interview with her, and she called out You Am I as a great Aussie band, too...
They are indeed stars down here in Australia, but put out records infrequently. Their best-known song "Berlin Chair" is very Westerberg-like. Also try "Cathy's Clown" (not the Everly's song).
Tim Rogers also sings with the soul band Bamboos, also worth checking out.
Jim
For me, You Am I certified/solidified/cemented/validated* their power pop credentials when they released this:
You Am I - "Get Up " (2001)
(*I couldn't decide which word to use there. Sorry about that.)
@3P - On your tip, I listened to GET UP, and then the entire album, DRESS ME SLOWLY, from which the song comes. What an in-f***ing-credible album and one among a few YOU AM I albums I never heard. Bought a CD copy for me collection thereafter.
Thanks for the tip.
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