Music Review 018:: The Controversial New Skinny Pill - Big Whoop!

 

The Controversial New Skinny Pill is one of my favorite pop groups of the last few years. While this release isn't their most recent (this is from 2016), this is an album I found infectious enough that I felt like re-listening again! Hailing from Minneapolis, Minnesota; the Controversial New Skinny Pill is the brainchild of Houston, TX songwriter, guitarist, and vocalist Skyler Nowinski while the live band consists of keyboard player Mariel Olivera (also of IE and XOXO Tech), Alana Horton on drums, Dan Dukich on bass, and Jared Hemming on auxillary percussion. 

The album takes elements of hauntology and mixes it with some really extremely funky and progressive twists and turns in terms of melodic and harmonic surprises but with the backbone, downbeat, and counter rhythms of a funk or R&B group. 

Nowinski is a stellar guitar player with an oftentimes heavily effected (particularly wah or auto-wahed) timbre, which matches his hauntingly soft and floaty voice. The drums are particularly fun and flossy with many subtle dynamic touches and crunchy grooves. The bass is smooth and in part funkier and more complex than you'd hear in many pop bands. This band has elements of the Bee Gees, 70s Beach Boys, and smoother post punk like Magazine as well as elements you might find in the Residents, early Beck, the poppier side of Chrome, or R. Stevie Moore. Raw pop appeal is really what this down low mid-fi production goes for with each track sounding like it was recorded in a unique, exotic studio. The keyboards are bright and synthy. Parts are constantly flowing in and out of one another with transitions like a prog band.

If I can express one thing enough; is that the songwriting on this album is crucial. The band has a style that speaks for itself and that style is laid back. The arrangements keep me re-listening but the lyrics are mind blowing. My favorite song on the record is definitely "Backsnapper". In the song, Nowinski says "a two way ticket to hell/shrug your shoulders and say oh well".

In conclusion, this was definitely one of my favorite albums from that 10s and worth checking out if you consider yourself a progressive listener or a pop listener or a progressive pop listener.

LISTEN TO THIS DOOZY HERE!!

MUSIC REVIEW 017 - The Funky JCs - 07307

This is some sensationally smooth funk played by some masterful pocket musicians flying free. Dynamics abound with exceptional drumming of Michael Advensky (also of the far more in pocket Blue Jazz TV of my previous post), the outstandingly tasteful guitar of Arthur Rodriguez, and the low down bass of Mike Todd. What really stands out the most to me is the comfort of syncopation each player has against the other's groove.

The songs are tuneful and soulful with a heavy groove and recognizable melodies but with many unpredictable changes and minimalistic approaches to keep the listener on their toes. All three player's have a virtuosic technical gift but really they're building on something fresh; complex and sophisticated. There isn't a bad track on this release and my favorite would probably have to be "Mosquito Park Party" with the outstanding bass harmonic runs. If I had to choose a group to compare their sound too; it sort of could be compared to an overstimulated version of the Meters. The elements of jazz funk and soul jazz are apparent, with elements culled seemingly from acts like Jimmy Smith, the Isley Brothers, The Headhunters, Steely Dan, and other tasteful yet technically accomplished groups. The production is as smooth as the instrumentalists with clarity and clever touches. This is really a special group of musicians with a really appealing sound. 

Their bio reads: 

"All three members grew up in “The Heights” section of Jersey City, NJ, and this common background has influenced their unique approach to songwriting and improvisation."

 

AVAILABLE ON SPOTIFY NOWWWWWWWWW!!

MUSIC REVIEW 016 : Blue Jazz TV - Blue Ragu Volume 2 - Live at Magick City

 

Blue Jazz TV is a super band of Galtta Media stars including label head Dave Lackner, sophistipop super producer Adrian Knight, the polished guitar & bass work of Max Zuckerman, the smooth drum work of Mike Avensky, and vocal appearances by Galtta luminaries Billy G. Robinson & Alice Cohen. This is perhaps one of the most technically polished live albums I've ever heard. From the first note its clear that these are some nasty musicians. The tightness to their sound is palpable

My favorite song on this record is Chiba Girl with a command vocal performance by Billy G. Robinson. When I first heard this song's refrain I asked myself "where has this song been all my life?"

-------------------------------

3 months later::::::::::: I forgot to finish this post but I absolutely love this album and listen to it regularly in the whip. I can't stop listening to "Chiba Girl" but the entire album is a stunning collection of what is a somehow technically beyond perfect sophistipop jams that make for some smooth driving and fun times. Every re-listen includes a schmear of new sounds and details I didn't notice. This is definitely a must listen if you like Steely Dan, Tears for Fears, or any group where you could combine the ideas of jazz, pop, and virtuosic luminaries! 

AMAZING CD AVAILABLE HERE THROUGH GALTTA MEDIA!!