Best Regional CDS of 2007 - The First Half

Believe it or not, 2007 is half over. That makes it the perfect time to mention my favorite Baltimore/DC Region CDs from the first part of this year. Keep in mind, that there are some local CDs that I have yet to attain, so I can't pass judgement on them at this time. Between those and several big ones that are slated for release over the last 6 months of the year, it will be interesting to see how this list changes. Regardless, these are the discs that have made the greatest dents on my iPod and CD player during the first part of this year.



Thrushes - sun come undone (buy)

There is nothing that I would change about the debut album from Baltimore's Thrushes. It has walls of sound, perfectly situated quiet moments and beautiful vocals. I keep hearing that their new material is even better, so this truly appears to be just the beginning. Regardless, this is a true statement and it's one of the best CDs of 2007.

Heartbeats
Into The Woods



Lejeune - For Club and Country (buy)

There was no sophomore slump for Lejeune. They followed up their debut with an entire disc of solid tracks. If you like intelligent lyrics and great riffs, you will enjoy this release. I personally find it hard to get these songs out of my head.

The Latest Greatest
Bizarre Histrionics



Jette-Ives - In The Deep (buy)

This disc sort of slid under the radar, because Jette-Ives was all but over by the time their debut saw the light of day and they did very little promotion behind it. That said, if you are only going to release one album into the world, this is the way to do it. Jette is a gifted lyricist and that is very evident on In The Deep. That isn't even mentioning her ridiculous vocal skills. As she sings her songs, you can feel her pain and longing. This is hands down the most sexual release of the year and it's perfect for those more intimate moments. The best moments on this CD are when the live strings shine through and perfectly accent Jette's voice. Now that she has left electronica behind and formed her own orchestra, I can't wait to see Jette recreate these songs live.

Darker Than You
E~



Monarch - If Children

This Baltimore 2-piece flies about as below the radar as you can get. This CD has no proper distribution, so you can only get it through the band at this point. That said, it is well worth it. They take what should be simple folk songs and turn them into layered works of art. Even better, is how Monarch manages to recreate a full band sound live, only using 2 people.

Family Glue
Warning


Honorable Mention: Greenland - Call Message


While we are at it, here are a couple of EPs that I haven't been able to live without:


Telograph - Little Bits of Plastic (buy)

This EP easily wins the award for most played this year. These 5 tracks are the top 5 on my iPod play count. The songs are catchy as hell and they stick in your head for days. Telograph created an excellent piece of work and they are currently in the studio trying to top it. I can't wait to hear the results.

We Won't Settle Down
Eye For An Eye



Bellman Barker - Anise & Anisette (buy)

Anybody who is familiar with my personal musical taste, knows how much of a feat it is for Bellman Barker to get a nod on my best of list. This EP is full of catchy, sun-drenched pop. The thing that makes these songs stand out, is the substance that exists behind them. Sugar usually washes away pretty quickly, but not in this case. I am looking forward to seeing what they can accomplish on a full length.

Molly Maroon
In Their Defense


Honorable Mention: Jukebox The Ghost (I'm holding out for the forthcoming full length)

This Weekend

It is the last weekend in January and it's freaking cold out, but that can't stop us. There are some great things going on in the region this weekend that you should definitely check out.

Friday

There are a couple of really good shows happening in the DC area tonight.

The night starts with Kristen Hersh playing Crooked Beat Records at 6pm to support this week's release of her new album. If you want in on the action, get there as early as you can. They can only fit 30 or so people in the store.

IA favorites Telograph are making their arena debut at The Patriot Center in Fairfax. They will be supporting Gomez and O.A.R.

Over at the Black Cat, Washington Social Club will be playing the main stage with Federal Reserve members, These United States and Let's French.

Telograph - We Won't Settle Down
Gomez - How We Operate
Washington Social Club - Backed To The Future
These United States - So High So Low So Wide So Long
Let's French - Unpack the Suitcase
Kristen Hersh - SnoCat

Saturday

In Baltimore, The Smiths tribute band Girlfriend in a Coma is playing The Ottobar. They will be supported by local favorites The Heavycoats in what will be a packed show.

Rock and Roll Hotel in DC has a huge show. Jette-Ives are having their CD release party. Jette knows how to work a crowd and she knows how to throw a party, so this should be a great one. DJ Buster and Soft Complex will be rounding out the strong bill.

Jette-Ives - Darker Than You
Soft Complex - Barcelona
The Smiths - Girlfriend in a Coma
The Heavycoats - Sea Song

The Twelve Bands of Christmas: Day Eight - Jette-Ives

When we were trying to figure out which bands to use for this feature, Chris threw out a few names that I no familiarity with. One of those groups was DC's Jette-Ives. After he mentioned them, I looked them up. It took about thirty seconds for me to say "yes, contact them." Their music is sultry female vocals over laid back beats. Their debut CD is hitting the shelves early next year and they will be hitting the road shortly after that. We caught up with Jette and got some insight on how they got here and where they are going. She was even kind enough to give us a preview of the new album.

Band:
Jette-Ives
Location:
Washington, DC
Formed:
January 2005
Members:
Jette Kelly - Lyrics & Vocals
Holmes Ives - Keys & Synths
Matt Lewis - Upright Bass
Scott Fogelgren - Piano & Violin
Rex Riddem - Congas
Danny Tait - Drums
Kim Rappaport - Manager, Maracas, Wriggles prettily next to Rex & the congas
Label:
OVA Records
Recordings:
In the Deep (February 2007)
Upcoming Live Dates:
January 27th, 2007 @ Rock & Roll Hotel, Washington, DC *Album Release*

How did the band form?
Jette: Ives & I met at a party. Our buddy Derrick Miller pointed me out to Ives, said 'Every time she sings, I cry.' Which confused Ives, who managed to smile indulgently at Derrick while edging away. Regardless--I emailed Ives several weeks later, and he didn't remember who I was. The recall trigger: 'I'm the singer who brings Derrick to tears.' Matt came on board next--I waited until he was relatively & jovially drunk before I asked him to join J-I. Matt found Danny, but--alas--he was lost at sea on a cruise ship for six months. Rex... It took me a year to finally get up the nerve to call Rex and bravely beg: 'Please, darling... I know that, at the moment [last January], I've no money or shows or anything vaguely sparkly to offer you--aside from music, the occasional band breakfast (which Ives must cook because I don't do kitchens), and an endless supply of liquor--but: Would you please be in the band?' Then there's Scott, and he's involved in a myriad projects. Every time he shows up for rehearsal (and he's not yet missed one), we all briefly stare at him and wonder how the hell he found the time. Regarding Kim: She signed on to manage J-I because she thought we were endearingly eccentric, and we obviously needed her. We sweetened the deal by giving her maracas.

How was '06 for you?
Jette: Much busier than '05.

Highlight of the year?
Ives: Finishing the album.
Matt: Finishing the album.
Danny: Finishing the album.
Rex: Finishing the album.
Scott: Finishing the album.
Kim: They finished the album.
Jette: Watching Pancake Mountain while eating muffins and doing this interview. (The sheep puppet rocks, and Juliette Lewis just kissed him)

What do you have in store for '07?
Jette: I'll just give you the February - April plans: Our first album, 'In the Deep', releases in February '07. At which point we begin touring. What else... Our second single, 'Vexed'--accompanied by a music video--is due out in March, and I'm slated to write a tango with Dustin Budish of the New World Symphony.
Ives: I'm going to take one day off.

Goal for '07 and beyond?
Jette: To successfully tour the United States while taste-testing every city's locally famous chocolates.


In The Deep (2007)
Darker Than You
E~

Bonus Track
In the Presence Of... (Deepfreak Remix)


Favorites

3 favorite songs of '06?
Kim: Crazy by Gnarls Barkley
Jette: One More Night by Stars.
Scott: du og meg by Of Montreal

Favorite album of the year?
Scott: 3D by Satoshitomiie
Rex: Thunderball - Cinescope, Volume 1

Best live show you saw this year?
Ives: Cirque du Soleil's 'Corteo'
Kim: We Are Scientists at the Black Cat
Jette: Sharam Nazeri (Iran's Pavarotti) at the Lincoln Theatre
Rex: Mustafa Akbar & the Chosen at the Black Cat

Favorite holiday song and artist?
Jette: I'll Be Home for Christmas by Bing Crosby
Ives: I thought you'd say Santa Baby...
Scott: Linus & Lucy by Vince Guaraldi Trio

Best present you ever received?
Scott: Two new nephews.
Rex: An electronic grinder.
Jette: What does it grind?
Rex: No.
Jette: This is not a 'yes' or 'no' question.
Rex: No.

Worst present you ever received?
Jette: If I haven't anything nice to say...


The Twelve Bands of Christmas
Introduction
Day 1: Telograph
Day 2: AVEC
Day 3: The Hard Tomorrows
Day 4: Middle Distance Runner
Day 5: Thrushes
Day 6: Georgie James
Day 7: Exit Clov
Day 8: Jette-Ives
Day 9: These United States
Day 10: Cedars
Day 11: Two if by Sea
Day 12: Soft Complex